Previous months' recommendations: May 2003 | June 2003 | July 2003 | August 2003 | September 2003 | October 2003 | November 2003 | December 2003 | January 2004 | February 2004 | March 2004 | April 2004 | May 2004

My rating system explained. Use www.wine-searcher.com to locate a stockist in your area and my directory of UK wine merchants for details of those listed here. See also: the wineanorak's shopping list - recommended wines from each of the main UK retail outlets. These recommendations are truly independent: I don't accept payment or other favours for inclusions, nor do I sell wine.

Castillero del Diablo Shiraz 2003 Colchagua, Chile
It may not be a subtle wine, but for its price this is remarkably good, and it's far more appealing than anything Australian at the price. This is a powerful, spicy, inky red with lots of flavour - a real crowd pleaser and an ideal barbie wine. Chile seems to be on a bit of a roll at the moment. Very good+ 88/100 (£4.99 Sainsbury)

Delaille Cheverny Le Vieux Clos 2003, Loire, France
A blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay from the Loire that works really well. Interesting full, herby nose with complex subtle green hints. The palate is rich and rounded with a grassy edge and some ripe fruit. Quite savoury and a good food wine. If you can't find the 2003 the 2002 is also very impressive. Very good+ 89/100 (£5.99 Waitrose)  

Château La Dournie 2001 St Chinian, Languedoc, France
This is a distinctive Languedoc red that offers superb value for money. There's a lovely savoury, meaty edge to the fruit on the nose. The palate is savoury and rich. Very good+ 89/100 (£5.95 Indigo Wine, www.indigowine.com)

Albert Mann Pinot Blanc Auxerrois 2002 Alsace
I don't drink enough Alsace wine. This delicious example is fresh, open, fruity and grapey with a slightly sweet honeyed character. There's a hint of spice, too. Overall, this is dry but there's lots of fruit sweetness. An impressive, expressive white showing lovely balance, and while it's delicious on its own, it's versatile enough to partner a number of richly flavoured dishes. Very good/excellent 90/100 (£9.99 Oddbins)

Le Soula Blanc 2001 Vin de Pays des Coteaux du Fenouillèdes, Roussillon, France
It's expensive for a Vin de Pays, but then this is an exceptional white wine that will probably blow you away. A low yielding blend of Marsanne, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Rolle and Chenin Blanc grown on decomposed granite and slate, this is fermented with natural yeasts and aged in new and used oak barrels. It has a striking knockout nose of taut, intense, smoky fruit. The palate is hugely complex and intense with a minerally streak and savoury, spicy fruit. Very unusual and quite brilliant - an extreme wine. (£22.95 Berry Bros & Rudd)

Teusner Joshua 2003 Barossa Valley, Australia
An elegantly packaged unoaked blend of Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvèdre. Lovely open nose dominated by distinctive peppery fruit (primarily cherries and berries) with a liqueur-like sweetness, and a hint of earthiness. The palate is ripe and open with sweet peppery, spicy berry fruit. The finish is spicy and earthy. Quite a distinctive wine and almost southern Rhône-like. Not too obvious - I really like this. Very good/excellent 92/100 (£12.95 The Cellar Door, www.thecellardoor.co.uk) 

Domaine Sylvain Cathiard Bourgogne Rouge 2001 Burgundy
Don't be put off by the fact that this is just a humble Bourgogne Rouge: it's actually a fairly serious expression of Pinot Noir. The nose shows delicious fresh, cherryish fruit, which leads to a bold, chewy, spicy palate with lovely complexity and freshness of fruit. Very good/excellent 91/100 (£13.75 Berry Bros & Rudd)

Craggy Range Syrah Gimblett Gravels Vineyard Block 14 2002 Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
A stunning new world interpretation of Syrah from one of New Zealand's new stars, Craggy Range. Very deep coloured. Smooth, elegant pure ripe red fruits on the nose. The palate displays ripe, smooth elegant fruit with a spicy finish. Delicious, elegant and quite classy. Very good/excellent 92/100 (£14.99 Waitrose)

E-mail me with your recommendations or suggestions at jamie@wineanorak.co.uk