Charles Lea's favourite (reasonably priced) Italian reds

Pale, bright and green-tinged, this has the sleek cleanness of the Kimmeridgian, and a mouthwatering quality of juicy succulence to the finish. Will develop more expressiveness, but this is classic village level.

Again, this is quite explosive at the start with great weight - then the freshness builds and this really begins to soar with more energy than the Chaintré. This parcel is the same altitude and exposition as Pouil...(read more)

34yo vines. North end of the zone. Lots of clay. An extra year in tank has really brought out the minerality and salinity in this. Quite a deep gold and a rich feel for the appellation, it then reveals notes of ripe lemo...(read more)

SE facing. Ripe apple and pear nose, like sticking your nose into apple compote. Zesty lemon, rich and ripe ginger spiciness. Fabulous acidity and zip. Very accomplished. Fabulous core of power and energy. Massive jump u...(read more)

Round and supple - easy to love right away. Good dark cassis character but ripe too - and really sexy. Long - a touch of soaked raisin perhaps - but nice feel. With good fresh spark too and just enough grip and frame to...(read more)

Bright and aromatic, with roses, cherries and strawberries. Good grip and juice in the mouth ripe acid, red fruit filled palate, tangy bright and fresh. Perfume comes through and there are gorgeously fine tannins framing...(read more)

Plum, cassis and dark cherries, touch of underbrush, pencil lead, smoked tea, nicely fragrant. Sleek, succulent and ripe with lovely core of plum and cassis, supple rich tannic frame, tobacco and gently smoked tea note,...(read more)

Pure and juicy fruit forward style, plums and cherries, quite fleshy and plump, with some complexing spice and fragrant herbal notes. Plush and quite supple fruit core, plum flesh and blackberry, tannins are there but qu...(read more)

Red cherry and damson, balsamic spice, as always very elegant. Bright acid on the entry, crisp woodland fruits, earth, tobacco and spice. Great length, this wine makes you salivate with a lovely push of liquorice on the...(read more)

Fragrant plum, cherry and bramble fruit, nicely delivered with some herbal tones. Supple open and filled with succulent red fruits, hedgerow, plum and some darker notes. Great easy going personality but with some layered...(read more)

Up front there is the pure fresh-edged feel of blueberry flesh, but this dances across the palate with juicy brightness and a good depth of red and black berry fruit. A really attractive Tassinaia with such pure fruit ex...(read more)

The 2023 Garnacha de Altura La Dula from Ribas de Tereso is open and expressive aromatically, combining rose, soft violet, potpourri and Mediterranean herbs. Juicy and agile on the palate, it is driven by lively acidity...(read more)