Washington Hills Merlot 2008, £7.79, Co-op.

Mention US winemaking to most people and thoughts turn to California.

But you don't have to go west to find fine wines – Washington state has some of its own. This Merlot (topped off with a little Syrah and Grenache) is from a winery founded in Columbia Valley 23 years ago but it tastes more Old World than new.

Plenty of fruit, 13.5% and reasonably priced.