2019 Fuligni Rosso di Montalcino – a good vintage – for £30.50.Left Bank claret – or any other cabernet sauvignon-based blend – is another classic with lamb.
If you are not the sort of Bordeaux drinker who buys en primeur and has a cellar to raid, then Aldi has a very good one: Château d’Arsac Margaux 2016 (online only, £19.99) is 72 per cent cabernet sauvignon, with the remainder merlot, and combines the fleshiness and focus of the brilliant 2016 vintage with some Margaux perfume.I also recommend that Bordeaux drinkers take a look at the red wines from De Martino in Chile, specifically the cabernet sauvignon and the carménère.
These are made in such a restrained style I don’t think anyone tasting them blind would immediately place them in Chile. They are superb value, with a fine fragrance and good intensity of fruit.
Waitrose has a couple in its online wine cellar and they are stocked by Great Wine, which also has a shop in Bath. De Martino Legado Carménère is a particular favourite (Waitrose Cellar online, £11.99).Maybe it’s a bit early in the year to be going Mediterranean-style but if you are tempted down the butterfly leg of lamb and ratatouille route then the mourvèdre-based reds of Bandol in Provence are a gorgeous match.
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