Château des Charmes Riesling 2003
VQA Niagara Peninsula $15.95 (277228)
This is the first vintage of this wine, which is produced from the winery's own vineyards. Although it's dry, there is clear perceived sweetness, with quite lush sweet fruit notes balanced off by pungent lime and other citrus notes. The acidity is good and there's a nice, long, clean finish. Well made and a very good partner to spicy Thai cuisine. Available at Château des Charmes retail stores and at the winery.(RP)


Château des Charmes "St Davids Bench Vineyard" Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
VQA Niagara Peninsula $25.00
This is a stunning Cab, the sort of wine that makes people re-think the common view that Niagara should pull out their Cab and Merlot vines and focus on the varieties that do well on a more regular basis. I tried this blind on Vic and another friend who's a wine professional, and they were wowed by it. It has beautiful fruit, lovely balance, good tannins, a long finish-in short, it holds together almost perfectly. It's wonderful with a spicy beef dish. (RP)


Southbrook Winery "Watson Vineyards" Cabernet Franc 2001
VQA Niagara Peninsula $24.95 (448357)
A quite delicious Cab Franc with very characteristic varietal flavours of spicy red berry fruit, freshly-sharpened HB wood pencil, and bell pepper. Medium-bodied with a very attractive hint of rusticity in the texture and a good fruit finish, this is an excellent partner for well-seasoned grilled red meat. Available from the winery, so order it using the link on winecurrent.com. (RP)


Southbrook Winery "Triomphe" Cabernet Merlot 2000
VQA Niagara Peninsula $24.95 (533299)
Lovely spicy red fruit aromas and flavours, with hints of capsicum and black pepper. Medium-bodied with good structure and light tannins, it's a lighter-styled Cab-Merlot (with 11.5% alcohol) and will go well with lightly-seasoned grilled veal. Order this from the winery using the link at winecurrent.com. (RP)