Château du Père Antoine, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France 2018

Côtes de Bordeaux is the youngest Bordeaux appellation, created in 2009 through the merging of four communes: Côtes de Bourg, Côtes de Blaye, Côtes de Castillon and Côtes de Francs. Wines are Merlot dominated, unsurprisingly as we're on the Right Bank here, near St-Emilion. It's a great source of value, as in this £10 unoaked blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, a new listing at Waitrose. It's been made in a youthful, expressive and fruit-forward style, with a sweet plum and blackcurrant fragrance, plus some underlying dark earthiness. Approachable, but with enough grip to make it a good match for meat dishes.