Rutherford Hill Merlot 2013

Artful winemaking from a small boutique winery in Napa, north of San Francisco. The fruit-driven merlot is given tarry structure from the addition of cabernet sauvignon and syrah adds complexity and spice: a deep, concentrated wine, needing time to breath and to be sipped slowly to reveal its layered pleasures. Worth buying an equally top quality steak or leg of lamb to do this justice.

£29.99 (on offer), simplywinesdirect.uk; £29.95, winetreasury.com

Foxglove Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

The up and-coming central California area of Paso Robles delivers a very straightforward, big, juicy, fruit forward cabernet sauvignon. Packed with dark, jammy raspberry and blackberry fruits, this has added flavours of mint, herbs and some touches of leather and tar, all rounded off in a satisfying long finish. Also very fine with roasted or barbecued meats.

£18.50, honestgrapes.co.uk; £15.60 (minimum purchase 12 bottles), stannarywine.com

Underwood Pinot Noir 2015

After two big rich wines, here is something lighter, aromatic and fragrant from a less well known wine growing state to the north of California, where there is more of an emphasis on cool climate varieties like pinot noir. Fresh blueberry and raspberry fruit flavours, a touch of earthiness and a velvety mouth feel. Match with vegetable dishes, like a mushroom risotto, white meat or a tuna steak.

£14, marksandpencer.com