Château des Charmes Merlot 2005
VQA St. Davids Bench $25.00
This is a very attractive cool-climate Merlot that delivers some really attractive ripe plum and red berry flavours with notes of spice, chocolate and licorice. It's bone dry and medium bodied, with firm but manageable tannins, and you can confidently pair it with grilled lamb chops for a great partnership. Available from the winery at www.chateaudescharmes.com or from Château des Charmes retail stores. (RP)


Château des Charmes Equuleus 2002
VQA St. Davids Bench $35.00
Not exactly new, but a reminder that this terrific wine from the excellent 2002 vintage is still available. It has lovely fruit, with impressive depth and complexity. It's drinking beautifully now and will do so for another five years. This is great value for wine of this quality. Available from the winery at www.chateaudescharmes.com or from Château des Charmes retail stores. (RP)


Coyote's Run Cabernet Franc 2005
VQA Niagara Peninsula $22.00
Those talented coyotes have produced a really lovely Cabernet Franc that shows great typicity. The fruit (red plum, berries and cherry) is bright and clean, and accented with spice, cedar and chocolate. The balance is poised and the tannins are fine and firm. A really nice drop, this, and a perfect partner to duck breast grilled medium-rare. Available from the winery or order from www.coyotesrunwinery.com. (RP)


Coyote's Run Meritage 2005
VQA Niagara Peninsula $24.00
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (54%), Cabernet Franc (23%) and Merlot (13%), this delivers bright, fresh flavours of red berries, plum and cherries, with hints of bell pepper, notes of spice and a finish that's all dark chocolate. It's medium bodied and dry with a smooth texture and fine tannins, and it pairs well with a grilled veal chop. Available from the winery or order from www.coyotesrunwinery.com. (RP)


Daniel Lenko Unoaked Chardonnay 2005
VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95
A seriously delicious Chardonnay that should put paid to the Chardonnay-whiners. The fruit (peach, apricot pit, stewed pear, banana) is pure and clean, and the acidity is just right. Medium-bodied and dry, this is a marvelous pairing with chicken or pork in a rich, creamy sauce. Available at the winery or order from www.daniellenko.com. (RP)


Daniel Lenko Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
VQA Niagara Peninsula $29.95
Look for quite rich dark berry and fruit notes here (you'll find plum, cassis and blueberry), with a nice, subtle, undertone of bell pepper. It's dry and medium-plus bodied, with a very attractive, rich texture, and firm, quite sleek tannins. This will pair well with grilled red meat dishes. Try it with a pepper steak. Available at the winery or order from www.daniellenko.com. (RP)