Chateau Caladroy Côtes du Roussillon Villages 2007
AOC Côtes du Roussillon Villages, France $19.95 14.5% alcohol
This red blend—Syrah, Carignan, Grenache and Mourvedre—punches well above the price delivering a juicy mouthful from a top notch vintage. Spice-infused bramble berry, tar and espresso roast along with gamey notes on the nose, the palate’s treated to a wave of flavour with charry toast, dark bramble berry and racy pie cherry to the fore. The rustic dry finish is underpinned by perceptible tannin and framed by dark berry fruit and nuances of dried herbs. Decant/aerate two hours and serve with game or grilled pepper steak. Order by the case delivered to your home or office from Nokhrin Wines. (Vic Harradine)


Bodega Dehesa De Luna Tempranillo 2008
Vino se la Tierra de Castilla, Spain $21.35 14.0% alcohol
Here’s a crowd-pleaser that’s chockfull of juicy well-balanced flavour and very food friendly. Spice, toasty/oaky notes and dark field berry fruit on the nose, it washes over the palate in juicy, tangy waves—bramble berry, sweet ripe mulberry and spiced black currant. It’s medium bodied and nicely textured with a lingering, well-balanced, fruit-forward aftertaste adorned by black licorice. Pair with grilled steak, spicy back ribs or grilled lamb chops. Order by the case delivered to your home or office from Nokhrin Wines. (Vic Harradine)


Quevedo Rosé Port Non-Vintage
Portugal $19.10 19.5% alcohol
Here’s a fresh and lively Rosé—a delicious refreshing summer sipper to be served chilled or over ice—and it’s Port. Freshly sliced strawberry and raspberry flavours abound with an underlying delectable wisp of cherry cordial. Capturing the laid-back fun of friends on a warm summer day, it’s a cool drink enjoyed as is or cut with a splash of soda. Order by the case delivered to your home or office from Nokhrin Wines. (Vic Harradine)


Quinta da Raza Vinho Verde 2010
DOC Vinho Verde, Portugal $11.95 11.5% alcohol
This delivers a crisp, refreshing mouthful of summer in a glass; it’s a perfect sipping wine or aperitif—or drink as they do in Portugal paired with mussels, clams, prawns. Alluring on the nose with orange blossom and citrus, it delivers a dazzling and delectable spritzy stream of ripe mandarin orange, lemon sherbet with a delightful aftertaste of racy lip-smacking white grapefruit. Vinho Verde doesn’t get better than this, pick up a case for home or office delivery from Nokhrin Wines. (Vic Harradine)