Clarets For Drinking now Case

Great-value merlot-based blend from a popular château in the elegant 2023 vintage. Sweet red-fruit character from the merlot is complemented by great fragrance and fine, food-friendly tannins thanks to the inclusion of cabernet franc.

Perhaps best known for their whites this pretty Graves estate have offered us a great opportunity to purchase a large volume of the 2017 rouge at a great price. Whilst perhaps not the most prized of vintages, we were impressed by the generosity of fruit alongside the savoury supple palate, powdery tannins and freshness. An attractive, honest Bordeaux offering plenty of charm at a great price – just what our members are always wanting and we're only too happy to oblige.

The follow-on vintage to the hugely popular 2022, this is slightly lighter and more fruit-forward as is the style with 2023 but no less appealing. Plum, strawberry and dark cherry on the nose with a lightly structured, juicy palate with plenty of charm. A great-value, anyday claret that's also available in bag in box.

This friendly and fresh-tasting claret is one of The Wine Society`s most consistently popular wines. Supplied for over a quarter of a century by family-owned Maison Sichel, the bespoke blend varies from vintage to vintage, but merlot takes the lead role, and the wine is made without any oak to avoid masking its bright, red and black-fruit flavours. This is made to be drunk young, on its own or with a wide variety of dishes. The label for this perennial favourite shows three muses that can also be seen on the Grand Theatre opera house in Bordeaux itself.

Fruity and easy-drinking unoaked claret with a fine texture and charm. From a property that produces outstanding value wines with true Bordeaux character this is merlot-dominant and brimming with bramble and plum notes.

Affordable Haut Médoc from the Bourotte family who own Clos du Clocher in Pomerol and produced using grapes from some top properties on the left bank. A 50/50 blend of cabernet sauvignon and merlot, this has a lot of structure for the price, with impressive cassis notes, a touch of menthol, grippy tannins and good length. It will benefit from decanting if drinking early, or keep for another three or four years.