Pérez Cruz Single Vineyard La Miguera Block 2010 (Chile)

Nose:  Quite woody with a hint of dark berries.

Taste:  Definitely berries, maybe cherries.  Definitely a medium-dry, but not too sweet.

Finish:  Very light tannins, super smooth.

What we say:  S - 'Oh, the taste is definitely berries!'  V - 'I think I like my wines to have a bit more bite at the end.' 'It's really drinkable, but maybe a bit boring?' S - 'Yeah, but it's not bad.'  'There's really not too much to the finish.'  'I don't think it's too boring, because you do get that taste of berries - it's not 'generic' red, but it's not that complex.  It's just a decent, drinkable wine.'  'It's a wine you could certainly enjoy just sitting, typing away, and sipping from time to time.'

What they say:  Tremendous structure, concentration, and fruit expression.

Rating:  6

Price:  £19.99

Ariki Reserva Cabernet Syrah 2010 (Chile)

Nose:  Dense, heavy, musky, woody.  Only the slightest hint of fruit.  It's interesting, but there's something else we can't put our fingers on.

Taste:  Reasonably powerful, sort of tart, definite woodiness.  Super dry.

Finish:  Definite tartness, lingering.

What we say: S- 'Oh! There's the pencil crayon smell again.  What is that supposed to be, oak?'  'The nose is almost sappy piney humid woods with a lot of foilage'  V 'I wonder if it almost smells like Christmas - not in a spicy way, but in a tree way.' S 'I don't know if I like it - it's just a bit to tart for me, almost sour.'  

What they say:  Red fruit aromas, blackcurrent flavours and a weighty finish.

Rating:  5.5 (S - 5; V - 6)