Company: McGuigan
Rsp: £6.99
Market size: £5bn
Competition: Lindemans, Hardys Stamp


The consumer
I decided to follow the label advice and match the wine with a meal of red meat in this case Moroccan lamb. Although I could pick out the cherry flavour, which was unusual yet pleasant, I couldn't detect the chocolate tones. It was too acidic for my liking, too, and I wouldn't have enjoyed it as much had I not accompanied it with a meal. The £6.99 price tag was a couple of pounds too much, I felt. Two stars (out of five)
Sara Wormwell, teacher, Wakefield


The expert
This is a very approachable, stylish Cabernet Sauvignon. The packaging is smart and it gets an extra mark for having a screwcap. Although the wine is still quite young (2008), it is bright and vibrant with an appealing nose of blackcurrants and mint, followed by a decent glug of dark fruits and spice. The 14% abv is well integrated, and it delivers a clear varietal profile. For the price, I would like to see more complexity. However, I am sure it will sell well on promotion and would suit a late summer barbie. Three stars
Laura Jewell MW, trading controller, wine, Spar UK


The Grocer
An Australian wine brand using a heraldic lion as its logo has to be a first. As the lion's pose is the same one used for the Royal Standard of Scotland, it may be trying to draw on the heritage of the McGuigan name, but the label's greys, purples and embossed foil scream style over substance. It needed to taste good to back up the swagger, but sadly it didn't. The nose promised a bold, blackcurranty Aussie cab sauv, but the taste lacked length and depth. Two stars
Alex Black, features editor

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