Some more highlights from The Wine Society tasting on Thursday.

Barbadillo Solear Manzanilla NV Spain
£5.95 The Wine Society
15% alcohol
This is such a bargain. Salty, tangy and yeasty this has nice bright fresh apple and citrus fruity notes, in an elegant, bright style. Nice purity. 91/100

Avaniel 2017 Ribeira del Duero, Spain
£8.25 The Wine Society
13.5% alcohol
Fine, fresh, aromatic and pure with lovely fruity cherry notes. Floral, bright and juicy with nice weight and some seriousness as well as fun. Who needs oak? 90/100

Château Fontestau 1996 Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France
£18.50 The Wine Society
This has aged really nicely. It has a slightly faded colour with a brick-red rim. Lovely classic nose of herbs, spice, undergrowth. Restrained and elegant on the palate with some cherry fruit and nice maturity. So good to be able to get well aged Bordeaux at this price. 93/100

Prophet’s Rock Home Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014 Central Otago, New Zealand
£26 The Wine Society
14% alcohol
This is pretty special: it’s not your fruit-bright New Zealand style, but instead has some savoury complexity. Supple and refined with spicy cherry and strawberry fruit and some fine savoury notes, with minerals and herbs. Understated and fine. 94/100

Domaine Le Noblaie Chinon ‘Temps des Cerises’ 2017 Loire, France
£10.95 The Wine Society
13% alcohol
Lovely floral nose with some chalk and fine herb notes. Linear, juicy and fruity on the palate with brightness, freshness and poise. A classic Loire Cabernet Franc of some class. 91/100

Château La Dornie Saint-Chinian 2016 Languedoc, France
£9.50 The Wine Society
13.5% alcohol
Supple, bright and slightly smoky with a mineral edge to the stylish cherry and plum fruit. Some herb/garrigue complexity. Grown-up Languedoc red with nice personality. 90/100