A South African take on the Shiraz/Cab blend – and rather good it is too…

Plaisir de Merle Petit Plaisir 2011, Western Cape, South Africa (£8.99 Marks & Spencer)
Bounds out of the glass with spicy dark plummy blackcurrant flavours and a note of chocolate. There’s a little bit of VA (volatile acidity), but this is lifting the fruit flavours, rather than making you think you’re drinking vinegar. A gentle, generous mouthful that should bring smiles to most face S-