Kangarilla Road, Montepulciano 2014, McLaren Vale, Australia, Majestic £10 (on offer)

For those of you who haven't yet sampled wines from Kangrilla Road, you just don't know what you're missing.

We are big fans of their Cabernet Sauvignon and their Shiraz, but their Montepulciano was recently given the nod by Decanter as one of the best value Majestic wines.

Montepulciano is more unusually grown in Italy than Australia (am sure the name gives this away) but this welcome immigrant works hard and delivers a delicious big and bouncy wine with dominant blackcurrant fruit that has a quirky mushroom like edge.

Perfect for curling up by the fire this is available from Majestic when you buy 3 or more bottles.

8/10

The Ned, Sauvignon Blanc, 2014, New Zealand, Majestic £11 (£7 on offer)

As far is Kiwi Sauvignon Blancs go, this is one of our favourites. What we love about the Kiwi Savvie Blancs are those gorgeous gooseberry aromas and flavours that blew our minds when New Zealand wine came on the scene all those years ago and we haven't got bored of them yet!

The Ned is an excellent example with plenty of gooseberry and lime in the glass that leaves your mouth watering and makes it hard not to go back for more.

The Ned has interesting secondary flavours of smoke and herbs that makes it more interesting than wines at this price point.

An absolute steal at sub £10.

9 / 10

Invivo, Sauvignon Blanc, 2014, New Zealand, Majestic, £8

The latest offering from Majestic wines, usually our go-to wine folk, particularly for well priced New Zealand wines is... disappointing.

Dazzled by the shiney Wine Award sticker and a fan of the Awatere region of Marlborough, we expected a rich, limey glassful of deliciousness well balanced by juicy acidity leading to a happy ever after of an evening.

This started well with some passion fruit aromas, lemon / lime / melon flavours and an interesting floral thing going on. 

However, it was all over as bad blind date; the wine starts pretty well but then the flavours just disappear.... Definitely not an award winner for us.

5 / 10

Kangrilla Road Chardonnay, Australia, Majestic, £9.99

For those of you ABC (Anything But Chardonnay), please please please don't write this wine off! If you're anti-Chardonnay because you don't like the oily buttery flavours you think all Chardonnay's have, this is the wine for you!

This wine has gorgeous fresh pear and citrus flavours with a hint of tropical fruit and a lovely zing all in great balance.

This is a fabulous turkey wine but equally delicious all on its own.

9 / 10

Graham Norton's Own Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand, Majestic, £11.99

What would a flamboyant Irish comedian know about wine anyway? Well, he may not have made it but he's put his name to a bloody good bottle of wine. With a narrow mind we didn't expect much from a celebrity endorsed wine but this was a wee gem.

This had really interesting vegetal blackcurrant leaf aromas which gave the typical gooseberry acidity interesting additional complexity.

8 / 10 

Definition, Rioja Reserva 2009, Spain, Majestic, £12.99 (offer £9.74)

Majestic own label wines strike again. This wine makes us happy that Autumn is upon us because we can see ourselves sprawled out by the fire with this and a decent box set.

Gorgeous heady aromas of blackcurrant and vanilla aromas and flavours, this rich chocolate laden mouthful is decadently wonderful.

At the £9.74 offer price, this is excellent value and great as a supporting role for any roast dinner.

9 / 10

Definition, Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand, Majestic, £15.99 (offer £11.99)

Another example from Majestic's new own label wine offering, this is a lovely example of a rich and complex Kiwi wine.

Rather than the more common sour cherry style, this is silky with raspberry and dark cherry aromas. 

Rich and delicious, this was more savoury and complex than many other examples at a similar price point.

9 / 10

Definition, Chardonnay, France, 2014, Majestic, £12.99 (offer £9.74)

Part of Majestic's newly introduced own label wines, this is a Chardonnay that will turn the head of even the most militant ABC* drinker.

Rich without being too buttery, this has aromas of apple and brioche.

Favours of apple, pear and toast are pretty damn yummy and the flavour hangs around for some time. There is a little citrus bite which balances the richness well. 

8 / 10

* ABC - Anything But Chardonnay

Saint Clair Pioneer Block Pinot Gris

A recent trip to New Zealand was an eye opener for us in relation to the diversification of grapes being grown there and the talents of the locals turning said grapes into yummy stuff.

Pinot Gris was a revelation for us and we were impressed with the massive variety of styles that varied across regions and producers.

The Saint Clai Pinot Gris is very aromatic with gorgeous pear and almond flavours. The wine is quite rich but is well balanced thanks to citrus / melon flavours offsetting the sweetness of the pear. 

This is an opulent wine and a great one to try for anyone overdosing on limey Sav Blancs.

9 / 10

Shamelessly opulent.  

Saint Clair Pioneer Block Sauvignon Blanc 2013, Marlborough, £15, Majestic

Mouthwatering stuff. 

Love this Kiwi Savvy Blanc. Has the typical gooseberry flavours you expect from the wonderful New Zealand wine makers, but this one tastes a bit more serious than cheaper wines.  

Passionfruit is in abundance but wonderfully matched with a dry steely minerality.  

Would suit folk who like a juicy white bursting with tropical fruits.  

Single bottle price at Majestic closer to £20 but well worth £15 when bought as part of their discount package.

8/10

Paul Mas, Viognier, 2014, Majestic, £9.99

Bright gold colour. Bright floral perfume aromas with some notes of peach. Rich but with nice freshness, some tropical fruit and white peach and hint of vanilla and honey on the end. Complex, very pleasant.

If you like the slightly fuller bodied whites and are not a fan of the trendy acidic Kiwi Sauvignon Blancs, this is a good one for you to try.

8/10