The following Best's wines were tasted with winemaker, Adam Wadewitz. They have two regions from which their fruit is sourced—all vines owned by the winery with no contract growers—both are cool-er climate regions in Australian terms, although one's a tad warmer, supplying riper fruit and allowing for a lovely finished wine. They remain family-owned, a rarity these days, reaching back five generations.


Best's Chardonnay 2005
Victoria, Australia $16.95
Tropical fruit and citrus form the aromas in the generous nose while the flavour profile is rich and robust—yellow peach, ripe apple and citrus yet quite refined and clean with a laser-like finish of beautifully balancing spicy tanginess. The mouth feel is quite plush—achieved through a delicate balance of partial malolactic (one-third) and partial barrel fermentation, also one-third. The result is a gorgeous mouthful of full-flavoured wine with deft balance and imperceptible well-integrated oak. This offers great value and can be purchased by the case of 12 via www.pacificwineandspirits.com. (VH)


Best's Cabernet / Merlot 2004
Victoria, Australia $18.95
This blend—70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot—delivers a well-structured and gorgeously balanced drop. Spice, eucalyptus and earthy notes form the nose and segue to this medium-bodied blend. Very good intensity of flavours—dark ripe plum, spiced red cherries, and a hint of mint—carry effortlessly to the medium-length finish. Mostly from 40+ year old vines, the flavourful result will pair well with richly-flavoured beef and lamb dishes. Purchase by the case of 12 via www.pacificwineandspirits.com. (VH)


Best's Shiraz 2004
Victoria, Australia $19.95
This is quite elegant and flirted with 5 stars; it's an example of the finesse that gives cooler climate Shiraz its good name. Spice, black plum and currant on the nose, the flavours are dense and racy—sweet (14% alcohol) black cherry, cassis and spice—while the mouth feel is a divine medium to full body delivering a very creamy texture. It also offers great balance with its moderating acidity. One wonders how they do it at this low price, so I asked. "This wine was stored in French and American barriques until blending and is from vines that are 77 years old, but were sourced from cuttings from vines that would now be 147 years old, from a picture perfect vintage." answered winemaker, Adam Wadewitz. Purchase by the case, or better still cases, of 12 via www.pacificwineandspirits.com. (VH)


Fattoria di San Quintino Chianti 2006
DOCG Chianti, Italy $16.95
This gorgeous ruby liquid offers a lifted nose of spicy, earthy red berry fruit aromas. It gets into high gear with well-knit flavours of spice, black cherry and dried currants. Medium bodied, it has deft balance, moderating tanginess and a lengthy luxurious finish of cherry, currant and cranberry. A classical blend of Sangiovese and Canaiolo grapes that's perfectly paired with meat sauce and pasta dishes or traditional pizza. Order by the case from Carlo at www.mamasboywines.com. (VH)


Friulvini 'Le Uve' Pinot Grigio 2005
IGT Delle Venezie, Italy $10.50
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it Look for mineral and floral notes on the nose then a medium-bodied white that is quite tasty, with tangy flavours of white grapefruit and white peach. The finish layers on a superb hit of fruit flavours—tart yellow plum, then finishing with tropical fruit. There's no oak treatment, leaving you with a clean and refreshing white that can sipped as an aperitif or paired with fish, shellfish or chicken. Purchase by the case (home delivery) from Hobbs and Co. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. in Ottawa and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. elsewhere in Ontario. (VH)


Domaine Lichtlé Reserve Gewürztraminer
AOC Alsace, France $22.55
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it Alluring aromas of rosewater and mixed spices are very evident from this medium-bodied gem. The sweet ripe fruit flavours include white peach and nectarine, along with spiced poached pear. There's also a dollop of citrus and the effect is quite lovely—that sweet and tanginess - yin and yang that matches so well to spicy Asian dishes. Purchase by the case (home delivery) from Hobbs and Co. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. in Ottawa and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. elsewhere in Ontario. (VH)


McManis Family Vineyards Syrah 2005
California $19.95 (658104)
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it There's a fabulous array of aromas and flavours in this beauty—expect spice, dark chocolate, cassis, dried, crushed berry fruit and a generous dollop of perfectly balanced tanginess throughout and on the lengthy, warm (14.5% alcohol) luxurious finish. It also offers an interesting and delightful component of aromatic bitters on the palate. You can drink yours where I did, the fabulous Ei8hteen restaurant in Ottawa or, for delivery to your home by the case in Eastern Ontario, E-mail Lauren This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and elsewhere in Ontario This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (VH)


Poggio Nordoni 'Rivus' 2005
IGT Toscano, Italy $16.95
Oodles of aromas here—smoke, spice, dried and crushed red berries—and they follow through to the flavours. Almost perfectly balanced, look for a medium body, a warm (14% alcohol) and plush mouth feel, good structure and a lengthy finish. That finish adds a dollop of sour cherry and black currant making it zingy and delicious. This is truly a Tuscan treasure. Order by the case from Carlo at www.mamasboywines.com. (VH)


Tinpot Hut Sauvignon Blanc 2005
Marlborough, New Zealand $21.15
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it This delivers a stunning array of delicious flavours and a spine of moderating acidity that keeps it fresh and you coming back for more. Look for a cornucopia of aromas and flavours including green nettles, passion fruit, goose berry, citrus and white peach. Expect a fairly lengthy finish and a wine that pairs perfectly with pan-seared freshwater fish under a drizzle of freshly-squeezed lemon. For speedy home delivery, order by the case from Hobbs and Co. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. in Ottawa and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. elsewhere. (VH)


Tenuta Argentiera Donoratico 2004
DOC Bolgheri, Italy $30.00
Bolgheri' is the region of the 'Super Tuscans' Sassicaia and Ornellaia. The blend here is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, all vinified separately in French barriques. Alluring aromas of chocolate and cherry translate to a beautifully-layered and medium- to full-bodied red. Look for ripe tannins for structure, zesty acidity for balance and a flavour profile and a finish that's fruit-forward—cassis, black licorice and currants—and lengthy. This is simply stunning. Order by the case with free home delivery from the user-friendly site www.liffordwineagency.com. (VH)


Volker Eisele Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Napa Valley, California $55.00 (53926)
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it Inky purple and virtually opaque in the glass, expect a glorious nose of dense, dark cherry fruit and mint. The intense flavours are spicy, layered and fruit-forward—Bing cherry, black plum, with pepper and licorice on the lengthy finish. There are bits of Merlot and Cabernet Franc in this, as well. It's warm(14.8% alcohol), shows deft balance and is lip-smacking good. They've been farming organically for over thirty years. Recently offered in the LCBO's Classics Collection, you can source yours by the case, if you live in Eastern Ontario - Lauren Hayes This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , elsewhere in Ontario - Rita Zlici 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)