2003 Terrunyo Concha y Toro, 2004 Valdivieso Sauvignon Blanc Reserve, 2003 Cousino Macul Merlot Reserva, 2003 Montes Alpha Merlot Conchagua Valley
2003 Terrunyo Concha y Toro, 13%, €18 Greenish gold in colour, this intense sauvignon blanc has rich, lemon, buttery flavours, good acidity and a lingering, tangy full finish. A little heavy on the oak, it's one to savour not to quaff. From Cellars, Naas Road; Harvest Off-licence, Galway; O'Donovan's, Cork.
2004 Valdivieso Sauvignon Blanc Reserve. Casablanca Valley, 14%, €13.50 A touch of petrol on the nose but smooth and rich citrus in the mouth, with a lively and full finish. Again, oak a little too pronounced, but lots of zesty compensations. From Halpin's Fine Wines, Wicklow Town; Connoisseur Wine Store, Dundalk.
2003 Cousino Macul Merlot Reserva, 13.5%, €15.40 Damp, earthy, plummy fruit on the nose but soft, chewy cherry in the mouth, with a wallop of a finish. Interesting, if a tad uneven. From O'Briens, Dublin; Gibneys (Cheers) Malahide; Next Door Claudios; McCambridge, Galway; Vaughan Johnson, Dublin; Kingdom Food & Wine and other independent off-licences.
2003 Montes Alpha Merlot Conchagua Valley, 14%, €18.99 Expensive, but from its spicy nose, through the rich, fruit-laden flavours to its full finish, this is a classy customer, well made, balanced with oak firmly in check. Delicious. From Centra, Tramore; Lynch Off-Licence, Glanmire; McCabes, Blackrock and Foxrock; Redmonds, Ranelagh; Supervalu.