Dolce Stefania Malbec 2005
Mendoza $14.65
Rich, involved, balanced to perfection, this combines an explosion of sweet juicy fruit flavour held in check by zesty tang and a focused structure. The lifted nose delivers dark chocolate, mint and cherry aromas The dense and concentrated flavours arrive in wave after wave and include black currant, dark juicy raspberry and spiced black plum. It finishes with fruit and mouth-watering tang. The price-quality ratio is skewed so heavily in your favour this earned its final half star on value plus. Order by the case for home or office delivery from Rob Elvy of Small Winemakers Collection at 613.530.0575. (VH)



Red Ridge Chardonnay Semillon 2004
Coonawarra $15.19
This Aussie blend (56% Chardonnay, 34% Semillon and 10% Sauvignon Blanc) punches well above its price. The alluring and expressive nose delivers billowing aromas of floral, melon and honeyed pit fruit. The layered and zesty flavours include ripe citrus tang, green apple and luscious sweet pineapple on its fully textured and medium-bodied frame. Incredibly well balanced, the lengthy finish is crisp and refreshing. Fabulous sipped on its own, it's perfect with chicken, veal or seafood. Order by the case of 12 for home or office delivery from Lifford Wine Agency. (VH)



Clayhouse Vineyards Petite Sirah 2005
Paso Robles $33.15
The perfumed nose offers truffles, tar, spice box and ripe red- and black-berry fruit aromas. The palate-drenching flavours form a steady stream of Montmorency cherry, dried and crushed cranberry and kirsch liqueur. It's deftly balanced, well structured and layers on black plum and black pepper aromas and flavours—primarily from the 24% Syrah—on the lingering fully textured finish. Forty-year-old vines produced this gem. Order by the case for home or office delivery via e-mail from Aaron Shaw \n This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it (VH)


Halstead Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Central Coast $17.75
Hugely extracted and concentrated, expect big things from this big blend—Cabernet Sauvignon 80%, Petit Verdot 12%, Tempranillo 7%. (I know, but it's not my math) Expect a cornucopia of aromas and flavours that include chocolate-covered cherries, zesty cranberry and kirsch liqueur. These dramatic flavours are supported by medium- to full-bodied weight, a supple texture and wonderful ultrafine tannin for structure. The lingering finish delivers more of the same along with some mint and good moderating zest for balance. Order by the case for home or office delivery from Rob Elvy of Small Winemakers Collection at 613.530.0575. (VH)


McManis Family Vineyards Viognier 2006
California $19.85
Nectarine, honey and melon aromas billow from the glass of this unctuous gem. It's well balanced, medium bodied and delivers its rich flavours of honeyed tree fruit—ripe pear, yellow peach and juicy nectarine—with a gorgeous, almost oily texture. It finishes clean and flavourful with notes of apple compote with a hint of spiced lemon. Pair with pan-seared scallops or grilled prawn kebabs. For delivery to your home or office by the case in Eastern Ontario, e-mail Lauren \n This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and elsewhere in Ontario via www.robgroh.com. (VH)


Tin Roof Syrah-Cabernet 2005
California $16.15
Seventy-five percent Syrah, you'll find this offers tremendous value with the price-quality balance tipped in your favour. Smooth as silk and round n' ready to drink, look for harmonious and compact aromas and flavours of freshly picked red cherry and spice-infused black Damson plum. There's just a hint of sweet oak (aged only two months in a blend of French and American) in the wave of rich fruit flavours on the lengthy finish. For delivery to your home or office by the case in Eastern Ontario, E-mail Lauren \n This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and elsewhere in Ontario via www.robgroh.com. (VH)


Wayne Gretzky Estate Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Napa Valley $45.19
This is seriously good wine from a fabulous vintage; drink now to 2012. Expressive aromas of minty chocolate, black briary berry and spice box rip from the glass of this medium-bodied richly textured gem. Layered and concentrated flavours abound, espresso roast, cassis and dark juicy cherry among them. The finish lingers with well-balanced tang and fruit flavours. It's a Great One to pair with medium-rare grilled strip loin. Order by the case from \n This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it in the Ottawa area and Hobbs and Company elsewhere for home or office delivery. (VH)



Viña La Rosa Carmènere 2005
DO Cachapoal $19.19
This bistro-styled red really struts its stuff when paired with spicy and tomato-based food, meat-laden pizza and spaghetti Bolognese, for example. Cedar, mint and gamey on the nose, you'll find a mélange of tang and zest on the palate with red cherry and black plum to the fore. Medium bodied and nicely textured, it finishes with well-balanced and lingering flavours of kirsch liqueur and perfumed spice box. Order by the case for home or office delivery from Lifford Wine Agency. (VH)



Château de Montmirail 'Cuvée des Deux Frères' 2004
AOC Vacqueyras $27.64
This is a rich and expressive GSM blend (predominantly Grenache Noir, plus Syrah and a touch of Mourvèdre) that displays deft balance and lip-smacking tang—both providing opportunity for food pairing. The sweet warm flavours (14.5% alcohol) are layered and persistent with cassis and spicy red cherry to the fore. The medium length aftertaste layers on yet more spice and finishes dry and zesty. Pair this with hearty fare, like curried lamb, steak tartare or pepper steak. Order by the case from \n This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it in the Ottawa area and Hobbs and Company elsewhere for home or office delivery. (VH)


François Lichtle Pinot Blanc 2005
AOC Alsace $18.42
Mineral and floral aromas plus nuances of hay drift off this gorgeously-textured beauty. The explosion of heady flavours that bathe the palate includes ginger-infused white grapefruit, spice, ripe lemon zest and white peach. It's medium bodied and sports a texture that's creamy and smooth as silk. Medium to full bodied with a crisp and refreshing finish, you'll want to pair this seafood—try spicy blackened fish. Order by the case from \n This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it in the Ottawa area and Hobbs and Company elsewhere for home or office delivery. (VH)



La Monacessa Verdicchio 2006
DOC Verdicchio di Matelica $22.35
You may have experienced Verdicchio, but probably not from this tiny appellation or of this quality. Animated aromas of mineral, spice and floral nuances billow from this fully textured pearl. Concentrated and involved flavours of sage, green apple and honeyed pear are underpinned by a focused spine of moderating ripe citrus acidity. There's a crisp and refreshing finish making this the perfect partner with seafood, especially shellfish. Pour alongside mussels steamed in this white wine. Order by the case for home or office delivery from Rob Elvy of Small Winemakers Collection at 613.530.0575. (VH)


La Torraccio di Presura 'Il Tarocco' Chianti Classico 2005
DOCG Chianti Classico $ 35.85
The alluring nose is very involved and complex, look for the following aromas—spice box, licorice, tar and hints of earthiness and smoked meat. The flavour on the palate is vibrant and focused with sour cherry and red currant to the fore. Medium bodied and medium in texture, this delivers a mouth-watering and lengthy finish of zest and tang plus compatible red cherry fruit flavours. Pair this with chicken cacciatore or lamb tagine. For delivery to your home or office by the case in Eastern Ontario, e-mail Lauren \n This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and elsewhere in Ontario via www.robgroh.com. (VH)



Staete Landt Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Marlborough $26.70
Intensely perfumed and richly concentrated, this is in a class of its own. Gooseberry and pungent herbaceous aromas segue scintillating flavours of zesty ripe citrus, white peach and ginger-infused lime. It's crisp and fully textured with a lengthy finish that's mouth-watering and lip-smacking good. A treat sipped on its own, it certainly has the balance, depth and oomph to pair with food. Try breaded calamari rings or pan-seared scallops. Order by the case for home or office delivery from Lifford Wine Agency. (VH)



Fita Preta Vinhos 'Sexy' 2005
Alentejo $22.45 - 750 mL / $15.95 - 375 mL
This unique blend (50% Touriga Nacional, 25% Tempranillo, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Syrah) was made by two young Turks—one a fabulous wine maker and the other a renowned viticulturist. Premium fruit selection, indigenous yeast fermentation and 20 days maceration helped fashion this fabulous gem. The dramatic nose and ripe, juicy flavours include briary berry, cassis, racy cranberry and wisps of oak. It's fully textured with perceptible tannin and a lingering zesty finish. Drink now to 2014. Order by the case for home or office delivery via email from Aaron Shaw \n This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . (VH)



Bodegas Hermanos Peciña Crianza 2000
DOC Rioja $24.95
Organically farmed forty-plus-year-old vines and three years in seasoned French and American oak have fashioned this unfiltered blend (95% Tempranillo with a titch of Garnacha and Graciano) into a tour de force in vine and wine management. Expressive aromas of dark berry fruit, leather and spice box segue rich and concentrated flavours of black currant and Bing cherry that wash over the palate in waves. Medium to full bodied and nicely textured; look for a well-balanced finish with good moderating acidity. Order by the case for home or office delivery via email from Aaron Shaw \n This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . (VH)