Lindemans Shiraz Reserve 2004
Padthaway $15.10 (482299)
The Padthaway region is more noted for its Chardonnay, but this is superb. Spice, black pepper and plum aromas waft from the nose of this medium-bodied crowd pleaser. There’s a huge fruit attack on the palate with currant and black raspberry to the fore. The finish is lengthy and complex with a nice tangy note. Try this with lamb daube and garlic roasted potatoes, now to 2009. (VH)


Palandri Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot 2003
South Eastern Australia $18.95 (602607)
A popular Australian blend, this delivers a well-balanced, medium-bodied mouthful of sweet dark fruit (plums, cherries) with attractive spiciness and a nice finish. Pair it with grilled lamb chops and herbed potatoes. Drink now or hold two or three years. (RP)


Wyndham Estate Bin 777 Semillon
Australia $13.10 (352435)
The mineral and wet wool nose may be a-typical, but the flavours are true and laser-like with tangy citrus, pit fruit and a zingy clean finish. This light to medium-bodied white, from one of Australia’s oldest wineries, reflects their trademark style – honest, good value wines. This would be the perfect foil to linguini in a clam sauce. (VH)


Wynns Chardonnay 2003
Coonawarra $15.10 (468728)
Vanilla and tropical fruit aromas waft from the glass of this medium-bodied, smooth as silk white from a premium Australian winery. Lots of tropical and citrus fruit, an involved and lengthy finish and great balance and structure mark this a wynn-er. Fabulous on its own or pour with your Sunday roast chook (aka chicken, outside Australia) (VH)



Okanagan Valley Winery Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot 2004
VQA Okanagan Valley $10.25 (605329)
Wow! This B.C. blended beauty simply explodes out of the glass with Bing cherry aromatics. It’s full-bodied and gushes with black, ripe, sweet (14.4% alc.) plums and cherries before the seamless finish clicks in, lengthy and luxurious. This is an incredible bargain for drinking over the next 3 years, on its own or coupled up with a rich lamb or beef stew. (VH)


Gehringer Classic Riesling 2004
VQA Okanagan Valley $12.00 (171488)
Floral and sweet honeycomb aromas greet the lucky taster of this well made, well priced B.C. beauty. There are gobs of tropical fruit and tangy citrus flavours in this light-bodied offering and the finish carries through with more of the same. It is nicely balanced and would marry well with sashimi or a tuna ceviche. (VH)




Legends Estate Winery Riesling Semi-Dry 2003
VQA Niagara Peninsula $12.95 (621854)
A muted nose of mineral and lime sets up this off dry, medium-bodied beauty. The attack on the palate is a glorious sweet and sour tang that one usually associates with well-made wines from the Mosel or Rheingau. This would be a lovely sipping wine on the patio, but if yours is covered with fluffy white stuff, try it with spicy Asian or curried dishes. Not familiar with this winery? Get acquainted now. (VH)




Santa Helena Chardonnay Reserva 2003
Central Valley $14.70 (554162)
Nutty vanilla and tropical fruit flavours blast from the glass of this superb wine. It has it all – full-bodied, creamy smooth texture, fruit forward (peach and apple) flavours, elegant structure and a lengthy finish that cleans up nicely with more tropical fruit flavours with an underpinning of citrus. This deserves your attention and would marry well to rich seafood such as lobster or any poached fish in a rich cream sauce. (VH)



Cantina Di Negrar “Le Rosella” 2002
DOC Valpolicella Classico Superiore $13.95 (620831)
Smokey spiced cherries form the quiet the nose of this medium to full-bodied red. Ripe bramble berry fruit and red licorice flavours abound in this well balanced and well priced wine. The ripe and soft tannins offer structure and the finish is round and flavourful. Quaff on its own or pair it to your favourite meat sauce with pasta. Well priced. (VH)


Collavini Merlot 2002
DOC Isonzo Del Friuli $13.05 (13342)
Cheery jam and raspberry aromatics form the segue to this value-priced quaffer. It has pleasant fruit flavours of red currants and raspberries and a lengthy fruit forward finish to cap off this medium-bodied red. You might try this with pizza or spaghetti bolognaise. (VH)


Montalto Nero d’Avola-Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
IGT Sicily $8.95 (621151)
An exceptionally-well-priced blend of indigenous Nero d’Avola and Cab. Look for rich spicy dark fruit flavours with a hint of chocolate, medium body and good balance. It has the stuffing to last two or three years if you want to keep it. It’s great with pizza with Italian sausage or steak. (RP)



Warre’s Otima 10-Year-Old Port
DO Douro $22.05 (566174)
A delicious Tawny Port with a smooth texture and complex flavours that include honey, figs, roasted nuts, burnt orange, orange peel. The sweetness is held nicely in check. Pair it with dark chocolate, roasted nuts, or blue cheese. Alcohol 20 per cent. (RP)



Campo Viejo Rioja Crianza 2002
DOC Rioja $13.95 (620997)
One of the great values in the LCBO, this Spanish red is flavourful and juicy-textured, but it has complexity and great balance, too. With ripe dark fruit, light tannins (but enough to hold it three-four years), and medium body, it delivers all you need for a grilled veal chop. (RP)



Beringer White Zinfandel 2004
California $10.90 (238756)
This is the Rodney Dangerfield of wine that gets no respect, and that’s a shame. On a hot summer day (only 10.5% alc.) or served with lighter-styled spicy cuisine, this offers more than many $10 or $12 wines. There is a glorious nose reminiscent of a bowl of freshly sliced strawberries. This follows through to the flavour profile. It’s slightly off dry and provides a delightful zesty tang for a finish. Great value. (VH)