Château des Charmes Vidal Icewine 2006 

VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $25.95 (0565861) 200 ml 9.5% alcohol

Expressive alluring aromas of honeyed pear and caramelized apple mingle with nuances of minerality. Succulent and mouth-filling, the deftly balanced nectar is smooth as silk and flavourful with dried apricot, peel marmalade and vibrant acidity predominant. This has developed beautifully since the last time tasted. It's paired perfectly with apple or pear fruit flan, or crème caramel. (Vic Harradine)


Kaiken ‘Reserva’ Malbec 2008
Mendoza, Argentina $14.95 (58339) 14.5% alcohol
Dark purple, almost opaque in the glass, aromas of red cherry segue an uncomplicated stream of flavour-packed fruit with pie cherry, ripe mulberry and spice-infused bramble berry predominant. It’s mid weight and smooth as silk on the delivery. There’s a wisp of nicely integrated oak on the warm, sweet and value-packed finish. This is a (new) Vintages Essentials product, always available in select stores. (Vic Harradine)


Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
California $18.95 (738823) 13.5% alcohol
A consistent performer, this Vintages Essentials product is always available in select stores. Look for mint, dark berry fruit and earthy tones on the nose with a persistent shower of succulent cherry and boysenberry mingling with dark bittersweet chocolate and luscious cassis on the palate. It’s mid weight, nicely textured and delivers a lengthy finish underpinned by ripe supple tannin mingling with tangy tart cherry. (Vic Harradine)


Navarro Correas ‘Alegoría Gran Reserva’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Mendoza, Argentina $19.95 (28936) 14.0% alcohol
Smoky and toasty on the nose—18 months in French oak barrels—this is a ripper. It gushes with rich luscious concentrated flavour—dark berry fruit, succulent cherry and black plum mingling with dark chocolate. There’s good structure and balance from a firm tannin underpinning and moderating acidity and a lengthy balanced finish. This full-bodied nicely textured Cab is well priced. This is a Vintages Essentials product, always available in select stores. (Vic Harradine)


Oyster Bay Chardonnay 2008
Marlborough, New Zealand $18.95 (326728) 13.5% alcohol
Smoky, toasty and tree fruit on the nose, this Vintages Essentials product—always available in select stores—delivers a gusher of delectable and tangy flavour with spiced green apple, nectarine and musk melon predominant. Mid weight with a plush mouth feel, the flavourful finish is lip-smacking good and lingers forever. Well sculpted, well balanced and well... delicious. (Vic Harradine)