Wolf Blass Eaglehawk Chardonnay 2004
South Eastern Australia $11.95 (606392)

Lovely toast and tropical fruit salad nose with a medium-bodied texture and a light finish that would appeal to those not fond of bomb blasts of over-oaked Aussie wines. This has pleasant apple and melon flavours and would pair exceptionally well with chicken in a light creamy sauce with pasta. Has been a huge seller in Oz for many years. (VH)



Aberdeen Wine Company "Angus The Bull" 2003
South Eastern Australia $17.95 (602615)

A new Australian Cabernet Sauvignon designed specifically, the label says, "for premium cuts of prime beef." It's a big, intense, saturated Cab, dominated by black fruit and berries with spice and mint notes. The tannins are soft and drying tannins, and the palate finishes with a big, fruity bang. If fruit-bombs are your thing, try this one with a thick, seasoned steak that's medium-rare at most. (RP)



Wolf Blass Shiraz/Grenache 2004
South Eastern Australia $13.95 (494336)

An involved nose of smoke, cranberries and cherries sets this up as something a little out of the ordinary. The flavours include eucalyptus, and tangy black berry fruit while the finish is exceptionally well balanced with enough acidity to allow it be paired with roast leg of lamb. Very well made and very well priced. (VH)



Ernest & Julio Gallo "Turning Leaf" Chardonnay 2003
California $11.95 (409805)

A well-made, good value Chardonnay in Gallo's "Turning Leaf" range. It has a smooth texture and good solid fruit (tropical, citrus) with toasty, vanilla notes. It's not terribly complex, but it's well balanced and offers good value. You'll enjoy it with mid-week barbecues of seasoned or plain chicken and pork. (RP)



Cono Sur Pinot Noir 2004
Rapel Valley $9.95 (341602)

Cono Sur is Chile's largest producer of Pinot Noir, and they do it well at all levels. This is a bargain-priced example that offers very good fruit, with sweet and sour cherry prominent and nice notes of pepper and spice. The balance is good, and weighted toward food-friendly acidity, as Pinot Noir should. Pair this with grilled lamb or salmon. (RP)


Santa Alicia Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2003
Maipo Valley $10.45 (309278)

A crisp Sauvignon Blanc with herbal and citrus aromas and prominent minerality. They lead to lean green apple, pear and mineral flavours. It's well balanced with bracing acidity and a clean finish, and it's ideal for grilled fish and seafood. (RP)




Cave des Papes Côtes-du-Rhône 2003
AOC Côtes-du-Rhône $14.95 (535849)

The 2003 vintage in France was one of the warmest on record. I was in the Rhône region in July that year, and the grapes looked and tasted about ready for harvest by then. As it was, many regions began picking three or four weeks earlier than usual. This Côtes-du-Rhône shows the vintage in sweet, slightly jammy berry fruit that dominate the flavours. Still, it retains good complexity, and with dry texture, good balance and soft tannins, it's a versatile match for many red meat dishes. (RP)




Masi Campofiorin Ripasso 2001
Rosso del Veronese I.G.T, Italy $16.95 (155051)

Leather, cherries and tar aromatics tantalize the taster, but this medium-bodied red has much more in store. Silky smooth and fruity (plums and more ripe cherries), the palate also detects mocha and black licorice in this involved and well structured wine. The finish is lengthy with a touch of sweet black fruit. A favourite all over the world, the blend is 2/3 Corvina, 1/3 Rondinella and a smidgeon of Marinera. Great value. (VH)



Château des Charmes Gamay Noir Droit 2003
VQA Niagara Peninsula $15.95 (582353)

An especially flavourful Gamay (plum, dark cherry) for 2003, with some earthy and spicy notes, and good, brisk acidity. This is a medium-bodied with real substance, and it pairs well with grilled lamb or salmon. (RP)


Château des Charmes Sauvignon Blanc 2004
VQA Niagara Peninsula $14.95 (391300)

A combination of lovely fruit (passion fruit, gooseberry, and citrus, with a hint of minerality), brisk acidity, and plush texture make for a delicious mouthful of Sauvignon Blanc. One of the best of the 04s I've tasted so far. Partner it with grilled seafood with a squirt of lemon. (RP)



Creekside Cabernet 2002
VQA Niagara Peninsula $12.95 (620708)

A good-value blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, with lots of complexity. Look for dominant flavours of plum and cherry, with tobacco and pepper accents. It's well balanced with light tannins, and goes well with spicy grilled red meat. (RP)


Konzelmann "Golden Vintage" Vidal 2003
VQA Niagara Peninsula $8.75 (203836)

Vidal is too often a bland, too-sweet, unbalanced, inexpensive house wine, but when it's carefully made, it shines. Here's one well-made example, in an off-dry style with impressive complexity (dried apricot, mandarin peel, sweet pear, musk?). It makes a good summer sipping wine or pairs with spicy chicken or pork dishes. And it's excellent value. (RP)


Pillitteri Cabernet Merlot 2002
VQA Niagara Peninsula $10.05 (349191)

A well-priced, medium-weight red blend, with spicy dark red fruit flavours, light tannins and a decent length. It has brisk acidity that enables it to partner well with spicy tomato-based pasta and meat dishes. (RP)