Domaine des Eyssards 2009 Bergerac

£6.99 (Waitrose). Was hoping for some sense of the Luc du Conti I enjoyed back in the Old School Lofts. It failed to provide this. Rather rustic in a typical south-west of France type way. Dad and I have had some wonderful reds form this area that have provided real class without the prices hikes of similar quality examples from neighbouring Bordeaux but that was a fair while ago. Maybe more experimentation is called for.

Beaujolais-Villages, Château de Lacarelle, 2009

At £6.95 (WS) this is a big disappointment. Thin and somewhat sharp. This is the kind of stuff that gives Beaujolais a bad name.

Gamay, Vin de Pays des Gaules, Jacques Dépagneux, 2006

At £4.95 (WS) this is the best value red I have come across in years. Shades of Matt's find: Raisins Gaulois Lapierre 2009 but just under half the price. Both from 'declassified Beaujolais', suggesting this is worth more effort from the likes as Majestic etc? Real freshness to the fruit. Really lively. No hint of the two stage flavour that seems to there in the Cru's such as Thivin (no peppery/violet finish) but at this price ye cannae go wrong.

Baron de Ley Rioja 7 Vinas Reserva 2004

Here's what Decanter had to say about it:

Very expressive on the nose with aromas of sweet black berry fruit and spice. The palate is full-bodied and has concentration but is well integrated with the structure and acidity; well-integrated spicy oak on the finish. Modern style but very stylish wine.

Can't say I agree with this at all. I bought this out of nostalgia more than anything else. It was perfectly pleasant but again confirms my concerns for the complexity of high end Riojas. At £18 (Tesco) I feel confident that it could be slapped down fairly severely by an equivalent priced Claret. No real feeling that this wine was trying to do anything other that be smooth.