Majestic Definition Macon-Villages 2018

Majestic's in-house Definition range can be a bit hit and miss - there are some real corkers but there are some duffers as well. Thankfully this wine is in the former category and is really great value for a tenner. 2018 was a bit of a variable vintage in the Macon but this one scores highly. It's from a highly regarded co-op Cave d'Lugny. This wine is surprisingly complex and rich. There's tart apples on the nose. It has a zesty and buttery palate with some judicious use of oak. Some nice minerality shows through. You could almost say there's a sense of terroir. Good finish.
Given how treacherous wine can be from anywhere in the greater Burgundy region, this is a superb wine for £10. Well done Majestic!
Drink now 2022. 16.5/20

Catena Zapata DV Catena cabernet franc Historic Red (San Carlos) 2018

For many years this has been consistently one of my favourite South American red wines. The 2018 vintage is superb and it's available at a bargain £12 from Tesco's (and for the snobs, there is a proper Catena label - no mention of Tesco's on the bottle!). I love South American cab franc and this is one of the bargains of the wine world. These are older vines grown at altitude from the famous San Carlos vineyard.
The nose is as you'd expect from a cab franc with mint and black fruits but with the added South American twist of eucalyptus and a hint of bell peppers. The palate is gorgeous - long, elegant, dried back fruits and a hint of allspice. Fine tannins with the strong acidic grip of youth. Will age well - if you can keep your hands off it!
Drink now - 2030.

Peter Lehmann ‘Margaret’ Barossa semillon 2012

With lockdown restrictions on and off, up and down, I'm still enjoying sitting on my balcony and enjoying decent wines. This is a great semillon from Barossa, eight years old and my goodness, it is great.
Lemon, beeswax and honey on the nose. The palate is long elegant and complex zesty with lovely citrus fruits. This shows the ageing potential of the Australians made their own and it is great to drink now but could last much longer. Drink 2020-2030. £24 Lay and Wheeler