Cockfighter's Ghost Chardonnay 2005
Hunter Valley, Australia $20.95
Patrick Auld's 3 decades of wine making experience and one of the best vintages seen in the Hunter coalesced to fashion this beautifully balanced drop; wisely sealed under screw cap to ensure freshness. Green apple and peach aromas form the beguiling nose. Look for clean tropical and pit fruit flavours that are subtly enhanced by the merest whisper of oak. The zesty finish begs for lemon veal or grilled fish under a squirt of lemon. Order, easily, by the case from the user-friendly site www.liffordwineagency.com. (VH)


Cockfighter's Ghost Shiraz 2003
McLaren Valley, Australia $24.50
A vintage wrought by extremes resulted in low-yields for wineries and a bonanza year for red wine-lovers. Red berry and black pepper aromas emanate from this well-balanced, medium-bodied red. The flavours are warm (14.5% alcohol) Montmorency cherry and dollops of tang that provide interest and keep it away from jammy. The lengthy luxurious finish portends 5 more years of optimum drinking. Pour with grilled rack of lamb. Order, easily, by the case from the user-friendly site www.liffordwineagency.com. (VH)


Hope Estate Shiraz 2005
Hunter Valley, Australia $19.95
Non-grafted 11 year-old vines come of age in this drought-stricken vintage and provide this delectable red with a 'sense of place' - the mighty Hunter. Black pepper and sweet spiced plum aromas blast from the lifted nose of this impeccably balanced drop. Look for ripe and elegant black cherry and currant flavours that are supported by dusty tannins and a spoonful of tang. It finishes fruit-forward and food-friendly. Pour with rare grilled red meat. Share a case amongst friends after ordering from This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it (VH)


Seven Hills Merlot 2002
Walla Walla, Washington $38.15
This is a classic and delicious New World Merlot, delivering precise and plentiful fruit in a generous but taut and stylish way. The texture is smooth but slightly edgy and the overall impression is of a polished wine that has really come into its own. This is an excellent choice to accompany red meat dishes. Buy from The Robert Groh Agency at www.robgroh.com. (RP)