Samurai Shiraz 2022

Haruki Sato - It's fine, nothing special

5/10

Bought this for a BBQ because the label looked cool. It's drinkable and the fruit comes through but I wouldn't rush back for it. Bit generic for the price when you can get a decent Côtes du Rhône for the same money.

Camila Ortiz - Decent enough bottle

6/10

Had this at a friend's dinner party and it was perfectly fine. Dark fruit flavours, not too heavy at 14%, and it went down easy. Wouldn't seek it out specifically but I'd happily drink it again if someone opened one.

Marianne Blom - Punching above its weight

8/10

I'm still fairly new to wine but I'm trying to learn what I like, and this one really clicked for me. There's layers to it that kept me interested — the fruit hits first then something more savoury underneath. At £11.75 I thought it was genuinely impressive and bought another bottle the next day.

Samir Patel - Solid weeknight red

7/10

Picked this up from Majestic on a whim and honestly really impressed for under twelve quid. Loads of dark berry fruit without being jammy or sweet. Had it with a slow-cooked beef chilli and it was spot on.

Rafael Santos - Great with steak night

7/10

The wine shop guy recommended this when I said I wanted a shiraz under £15. Really liked the savoury edge to it — not just a fruit bomb like some Australian shirazes. Good balance and the finish hangs around nicely. Will definitely buy again.