• The following 2017 Benziger Family Winery Merlot has an accreditation from Demeter, USA for their ‘Sustainable Grape Growing Program’. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour; pick up a few.

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Benziger Family Winery Merlot 2017
Sonoma County, California $24.95 (633156) 14.5% alcohol
Aromas of black currant, juicy black cherry and mixed spice abound on the nose with hints of toasty oak notes. It surges over the palate with delicious, well-balanced flavours of bramble berry and cherry clafoutie intertwined with gentle wisps of vanilla, cassis and bittersweet dark chocolate. This showcases excellent balance with soft, ripe tannin, fruit-forward flavours and the perfect amount of racy acidity, as well as a lengthy, mouth-watering finish and aftertaste that replay palate flavours. This is good to go now and on to 2026; pour with grilled skirt steak and Portobello mushrooms. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2018 Wakefield ‘Estate Label’ Cabernet Sauvignon garnered a Platinum rating at the 2019 Sommelier Challenge International Wine & Spirits Competition and Double Gold at the 2019 Women’s Wine & Spirits Awards. It also was awarded ten Gold medals and a swag of Silver medals at wine competitions around the world. The Taylor family are also one of the founding members of the über-exclusive Australia’s First Families of Wine with just nine other iconic Australian wineries in the group.

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Wakefield ‘Estate Label’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Clare Valley, South Australia $19.95 (744235) 14.5% alcohol

Lifted aromas of dark cherry/berry fruit abound adorned with savoury herbs, espresso roast and wisps of minty notes. A rich, luscious surge of black currant and cassis blankets the palate decorated with dark bittersweet chocolate and vanilla and wisps of savoury herbs. It’s medium-full bodied, balanced and bountiful with persistent purity of fruit from entry to finish and after taste. Pour now or over the next eight years with grilled rack of lamb that was rubbed in rosemary. The price-quality balance is well in your favour. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2018 7 Deadly Zins ‘Old Vine’ Zinfandel is a Vintage Essentials wine always available in many LCBO retail stores. The 2018 vintage in this unique part of Lodi was quite good. This was matured for just under one year in American oak.

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7 Deadly Zins ‘Old Vine’ Zinfandel 2018
Lodi, California $21.95 (59311) 15.0% alcohol
Plum compote and crushed blueberry come to mind when nosing this ‘old vines’ zin, followed by raspberry, vanilla and cedar aromas emerging as you get deeper in the glass. A juicy flow of ripe blackberry, purple plum and raspberry glides on the palate with gentle heat and peppery notes. Tannins are present yet smooth and the sweet/savoury note in the finish makes you go back for more. Definitely a crowd pleaser, this full-bodied versatile red is a safe buy and is delicious with lamb burgers or glazed beef short ribs. (Louise Boutin)