Perrin 'Les Sinards' Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2004
AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape $38.95 (926626) Vintages Essential
This wonderful wine is a blend of Grenache (70%), Syrah (15%) and Mourvèdre (15%). The flavours are dominated by black fruit and kirsch accompanied by a complex palette than includes tar, smoke and coffee. Right now, it's a fairly rigorous wine, taut and fairly tannic, but still drinkable. Give it two or three years to develop some suppleness and you'll have a real delight to drink with a well-seasoned rack of lamb. (RP)


Mike Weir Chardonnay 2006
VQA Niagara Peninsula $15.95 (26) Vintages Essential
Two Mike Weir wines, this Chardonnay and a Cabernet Merlot, have just been added to the list of Vintages Essentials wines. (And yes, the CSPC of this wine really is 26.) This is a quite elegant Chardonnay with fine peach, pear and light tropical aromas that lead to a well-balanced mouthful of ripe peach, sweet pear and apple, with hints of pineapple and butterscotch. It's medium bodied, crisp textured, and excellent with pork or chicken in a rich sauce. (RP)