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2000 Porcupine Ridge Syrah

Price and stockist? £5.99 from Somerfield.

What's interesting about the wine? Syrah (not Shiraz, thank you very much) is fast becoming South Africa's red trump card. And Marc Kent, a passionate Francophile and Rhône Ranger, is one of the very best exponents of the grape. His top wine, the almost unpronounceable Boekenhoutskloof, is stunning, but this cheaper Syrah isn't half bad either. Two-thirds of the wine is unoaked, which allows the fruit to sing on the palate.

What does the wine smell and taste like? The wine shows characteristic Syrah aromas of blackberry, blackcurrant and liquorice on the nose, underpinned by a touch of subtle oak. On the palate, this is a ripe, but not over-ripe red with Rhône-like rather than Australian characters. It's got medium weight tannins, well-judged oak and delicious black fruit flavours. A South African Crozes-Hermitage.

What does it go with? Pretty adaptable. Try it with pasta, pizzas, cheese or meat dishes.

Serving temperature? Don't be frightened to chill this a little. 12 to 14 C would be ideal.

Will it keep? Yes, for a year or two.

What will we taste next? 2000 Pazo de Barrantes Albariño (£9.99, Tesco).

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