HH&C's affordable red bordeaux

95% Merlot. Warm nose (NB alcohol level!) yet fresh and ferny too on the nose. Lively fruit and no mucking about. Good natural ripe fruit and real vivacity from Vignobles Rochet of La Réole. No hurry to drink this. GV  14%

60% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc. From Patrick Todesco of Pellegrue in Entre Deux Mers.
Mid ruby. Sumptuous perfume of very voluptuous ripe black fruits. Quite soft on the palate but with sufficient freshness too. Not especially dense. But it offers masses of pleasure per penny while not deviating from the model of good solid bordeaux. Very rich for the money. VGV

13.5%

60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot from Sauveterre de Guyenne in Entre Deux Mers. Sweet, almost floral nose with a top layer of black pepper. Quite loose and soft. Certainly no obvious oak influence! Easy, fruity wine for early consumption. 13.5%

Refined and polished with lots of attractive warm fruit on the nose and real structure on the palate. Lots of vibrancy. Obvious potential to age. Good balance – for a young wine. You could drink it now with food but I'd choose to keep it a little while. Very juicy. Smart, stylish, typographical label too. 13.5%

Cru Bourgeois. 70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. Interesting to see how many of these Bordeaux petits châteaux give their assemblage on the back label. The nose is very rich and dense – almost 2009 richness and density – but not that much actual aroma. Round and with quite notable acidity. Well made but it does seem a tad meagre after tasting a range of (cheaper) 2009s and a 2010. This wine definitely needs food. Still quite chewy. 13.5%

Mid ruby. Slightly dusty nose verging towards gaminess.  Rather diffuse and angular. A little light on the mid palate. Astringent finish. 13%

Bright ruby. Voluptuous and rich on the nose. Very flattering and ripe. Lovely smooth texture yet with considerable fruit and charm and a reassuring, if far from heavy, charge of acidity and tannin. Long and vibrant. Super charming. Long. GV 13.5%