Wines of The Week

With the winter weather slowly coming around, the Journal picks three top reds on offer, with plenty of spice and warmth.

RIOJA CRIANZA VENDIMIA SELECCIONADA, MARQUES DE CACERES, 2008, 13%, SPAIN £7.99

This wine is from the Cenicero, located in the heart of the Rioja Alta. With its fresh micro climate, the Tempranillo are at their best. The wine is then aged for 12 months in oak barrels and then up to 14 months in the bottle. In regards to the taste, it has fantastic notes of cherry and blackberry fruits with a spicy cinnamon silky finish. Enjoyed with sliced meats and grilled vegetables. A true winter warmer £7.99 down from £10.99 majestic.co.uk

BLASON DES PAPES CHATEAUNEUF, RHONE, 2010, 14%, FRANCE, £13.99

This wine is on offer at £13.99 down from £20.99 and for a wine of this calibre it doesn’t get better than that. It has a rich texture with spicy fruit flavours and on the mid pallet there are redcurrents and cherry liquor, before the spicy finish. Enjoy with both grilled lamb or pork. £13.99 down from £20.99 waitrose.co.uk

ALTIVO RIOJA RESERVE, SPAIN, 12.5%, £6.00

The word ‘ALtivo’ means to stand out and at £7.99 this wine certainly does that. Grapes are selected from old Tempranillo and Graciano vines and then aged in oak barrels for 18 months, followed by a further three and a half years in bottle. It has a soft velvety character that will develop beautifully. £6.00 down from £13.99 sainsburys.co.uk