Wines of the Week

Asda South Eastern Australian Shiraz Cabernet 1990, pounds 3.19. Pleasant, good value, ripe, sunny Australian blend of green-peppery cabernet and rich shiraz.

Tollana 1990 South Eastern Australian Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon, pounds 4.99, Thresher Wine Shops, Bottoms Up, Wine Rack. Deep rich red, with a hint of green-pepper cabernet aroma and crisp blackcurrant fruitiness.

Tollana 1990 South Eastern Australian Shiraz 1990, pounds 4.99, Thresher Wine Shops, Bottoms Up, Wine Rack. Spicily aromatic and peppery, fine rich shiraz fruit tinged with mint and vanilla from oak ageing.

Leasingham Domaine Shiraz 1990, Clare Valley, pounds 4.99, Waitrose, Oddbins. Opaque ruby-purple, subtle toasted-oak aromas complemented by immensely rich brambly fruit and substantial backbone.

St Hallett's Poacher's Blend 1992, pounds 4.99, Australian Wine Centre, 50 The Strand, London WC2 (071-925 0751). Lemony and aromatic with zingy, refreshing fruitiness.

Seppelt Premier Cuvee Brut, pounds 5.99, Oddbins. Bottle-fermented blend of chardonnay and pinot noir showing a hint of yeastiness and good fruity finesse.

Buckley's Barossa Valley Grenache 1991, pounds 6.49, Australian Wine Centre; pounds 6.99, Booths of Stockport (061-432 3309); pounds 6.99, Reid Wines, Bristol (07614 52645). Non-irrigated bush vines from the Rockford Estate supply the mint, toffee-ish fruit of this supple grenache.

Peter Lehmann 1989 Barossa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, pounds 6.45, Waitrose. Fine blackcurrant and vanilla-oak character with rich cabernet fruit.

St Halletts Old Block Shiraz 1990, Barossa Valley, pounds 8.49, Australian Wine Centre (in early March). One of the best yet of St Hallett's exuberant shiraz styles, slightly minty, oak aromas and rich peppermint fruit.

Henschke 1990 Riesling, pounds 6.74, Lay & Wheeler, Colchester (0206 764446). Stephen Henschke has transformed the underrated riesling into a delicate, crisp, lime- citrus character with a hint of typical 'petrolly' aroma which will develop further.