No 13215, Wednesday 07 Mar 2021, Dr. X

Solution to 9D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only by a non-regular / novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.

ACROSS

1   Reduced potency, having consumed wine (8) MUSCATEL {MUSC{ATE}Le}

5   Hot girls ignoring man’s catcalls (6) HISSES {H}{mISSES}

10 Snake in dock caught leaving submarine (1-4) U-BOAT {cU{BOA}T}

11 Reversal in a fight with strong champion (5-4) ABOUT FACE {A}{BOUT}{F}{ACE}

12 Most passionate ventures in uncontrolled lust (9) SULTRIEST {SUL{TRIES}T*}

13 Build some rectangular boxes (5) ERECT [T]

14 Arouse husband, coming out in exotic nightie (6) IGNITE NIGhTIE*

15 Roll and cheese sandwiches essentially for champion (7) BRIOCHE {BRI{fOr}{CH}E}

18 Bit feverish, getting into bed to relax (3,4) SIT BACK {S{BIT*}ACK}

20 Extremely sessile, like herbaceous plant (6) SESAME {Se...lE}{SAME}

22 Hound killing black bird (5) EAGLE bEAGLE

24 Groom’s celebration in disgusting place inspires a girl to break up (4,5) STAG PARTY {ST{A}{G}{PART}Y}

25 Random inspection of drunkard outside piano bar (4,5) SPOT CHECK {S{P}OT}{CHECK}

26 Touches a model in passenger vehicle (5) ABUTS {A}{BU{T}S}

27 Tired secret agent takes refuge (6) SLEEPY {S{LEE}PY}

28 Rider, most outstanding, in demand perhaps (8) ADDENDUM {ADDEN{DUe}M*}

DOWN

1   Rodent bites son — it’s hair-raising? (6) MOUSSE {MOU{S}SE}

2   Chief crushed by insult — it makes one see red (4,5) STOP LIGHT {S{TOP}LIGHT}

3   Unnecessary fuss in a scam — reputation’s ruined (1,5,2,1,6) A STORM IN A TEACUP {A+SCAM+REPUTATION}* 

4   Careless teenager drops new piece of furniture (7) ETAGERE TEEnAGER*

6   Where winner might be to begin with (2,3,5,5) IN THE FIRST PLACE [DD]

7   Small step in the final frontier (5) SPACE {S}{PACE}

8   Spraying a pest consuming tiny flowering plant (5,3) SWEET PEA {A+PEST}* over {WEE}

9   Centre features extravagant outdoor bath (3,3) ?O? T?B (Addendum - HOT TUB {H{OTT}UB} - See comments)

16 Rue condom breaking? Agree (4,5) COME ROUND*

17 Checks out fool facing troubles after abandoning maiden (8) ASSESSES {ASS}{mESSES}

19 Knight on horse, battling for right (6) KOSHER {K}{HORSE*}

20 Slapped and dismissed after stealing money (7) SMACKED {S{M}ACKED}

21 Breaking seal, catch sight of revolutionary mineral (6) GYPSUM {G{SPY<=}UM}

23 Good to wander in plantation (5) GROVE {G}{ROVE}

Reference List

Hot = H, Man = M, Caught = C, Strong = F, Husband = H, Champion = CH, Black = B, Girl = G, Piano = P, Model = T, Son = S, New = N, Small = S, Extravagant = OTT(Over the top), Maiden = M, Knight = K, Money = M,  Good = G