Masi Passo Doble 2004
Tupungato, Mendoza $14.85 (620880)
Fashioned from 60% Malbec and 40% Corvina, a small percentage of the Corvina were partially dried and added to the already fermented Malbec, igniting a second fermentation that added complexity and structure to this lovely red. Rich black currant and red berry aromas and flavours run wild through this medium-bodied gem. The finish is lengthy and redolent of raisined berries. (VH)

Peter Lehmann "Weighbridge" Semillon Chardonnay 2003
Barossa Valley $11.85 (610717)
The aromas are all lemon-lime, and they come through as flavours with added layers of peach and grapefruit. Nicely structured, medium bodied, clean and crisp, this is great with grilled seafood and a squeeze of lemon. (RP)

Hillebrand "Trius" Red 2003
VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 (303800)
A Niagara blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, this has a solid fruit profile (dark plum, cherry, berries) with notes of spice and pencil shavings. Pair it with grilled red meats or gourmet pizza. (RP)

Viña Santa Carolina Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
DO Valle De Colchagua $12.95 (275925)
Spice and berry fruit notes waft from the glass of this light to medium-bodied red. There are candied cherry and plum flavours that intermingle with the carefully handled oak nuances and soft tannins. This is an easy drinking honest offering that would pair well with gourmet burgers and grilled red meats. (VH)


Viña Santa Carolina Reserva Chardonnay 2004
DO Valle De Casablanca $10.85 (304022)
A gorgeous wine at a terrific price point, it opens with tropical fruit aromatics then washes over the palate with layers of ripe sweet peach and melon flavours. Medium-bodied and complex, it finishes up clean and tangy. A pleasing touch of oak adds complexity to a wine that tips the scales of price and quality heavily in your favour. (VH)
France


M. Chapoutier "Belleruche" Côtes-du-Rhône 2004
AOC Côtes-du-Rhône $14.95 (665422)
From a well-known producer, this delivers aromas of spicy dark fruit (cherry, plum) that change up to intense flavours of sweet, dark fruit with firm accents of spice and pepper. Try it with grilled lamb chops. (RP)


Château Bonnet 2002
AOC Bordeaux $16.75 (99044)
A terrific find with very few Bordeaux red wines under twenty dollars and even fewer with the class of this. 20 year old Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot vines (a 50 / 50 blend), egg white fining and deft oak handling give this character and finesse. It starts with a gorgeous nose of ripe, black fruit, washes over the palate with nicely textured ripe berry fruit and finishes lengthy and balanced. Good now to 2010. (VH)

Masi Campofiorin 2003
IGT Rosso del Veronese $16.80 (155051)
Those looking for a lighter style, when compared to past vintages, will love this. It offers freshly picked cherry and cranberry flavours. All is in balance and the finish is clean and fruit forward with notes of blueberry and a hint of mocha. By harvesting the classic blend of local grapes (Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara) early, it avoided any jammy tones. (VH)


Masi Levarie Soave Classico 2005
DOC Soave Classico $11.85 (266221)
A benchmark Soave from a premium producer. This has a number of assets - 20% Trebbiano has been blended to the Garganega to add complexity, 20% of the wine saw a touch of oak to add character and it underwent partial malolactic to add texture. However, it loses none of its zingy freshness in the process and would be the perfect foil to all manner of seafood. (VH)


Masi Modello Delle Venezie 2005
IGT Bianco Delle Venezie $9.90 (564674)
Predominantly Garganega, this has Pinot Grigio and Pinot Bianco in the blend, producing a light to medium-bodied zinger. You will discover mineral and floral notes off the nose while the taste is redolent of Sauvignon Blanc with oodles of herbaceous and citrus flavours. The finish is clean, refreshing and would pair well with grilled white fish. (VH)


Masi "Toar" 2001
IGT Rosso del Veronese $21.80 (342444)
Two indigenous grapes, Corvina (75%) and the rare and ancient Oseleta (25%) were blended to produce this rich and concentrated red. Licorice, tar and leather blow from the lifted nose while the flavour profile includes bramble berry and sour cherry that is layered and complex. The finish is memorable with tar, cherry and black licorice notes.

KWV Chenin Blanc 2006
WO Western Cape $7.40 (18689)
Nettles and mineral on the nose, this light to medium-bodied quaffer has a great mid palate of tropical fruit and citrus. The herbaceous aromas from the nose reappear on the finish with distinctive grassy and lime notes that help the wine clean up with a refreshing zing. Hard to go wrong at this price point. (VH)


KWV Rooderberg 2003
WO Western Cape $11.85 (7187)
The most recognizable brand from KWV, it is highly sought after by SA ex-pats all over the world. From the interesting nose of bell pepper and black ripe fruit to the lengthy finish of spiced cherries and cranberry tang, this is gorgeous. Sweet ripe berry fruit flavours abound as it takes the best from each grape in the blend (predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Merlot) and delivers a well balanced, medium textured red at a terrific price. (VH)


Robert's Rock Chenin Blanc / Chardonnay 2005
WO Western Cape $7.95 (501304)
Quince and vanilla waft from the glass of this medium-bodied white. There are vibrant flavours of apple and peach with a subtle hint of licorice. It finishes clean, lengthy and fruit forward, providing the perfect foil to lemon chicken or veal dishes. Extremely well priced as is, there is a one dollar discount ($6.95) until July 16. Pick up a few. (VH)


Ubuntu Shiraz 2004
WO Western Cape $10.90 (665281)
This attractively labelled line was recently released into the Canadian market. The smoke and tar nose is an interesting segue to this peppery, medium weight, fruit forward (spiced black plum) beauty. It's tangy and fresh and provides enough fruit, structure and grip to earn its 'well balanced' tag. The incredible price helped earn its final half star. Give it a go. (VH)

Campo Viejo Rioja Crianza 2003
DOC Rioja $13.95 (620997)
A blend that's mainly Tempranillo, this Rioja delivers very nice aromas and flavours of red fruit (plums, cherry) with some spiciness and a hint of vanilla. It's medium bodied and well balanced and goes well with pork tenderloin. (RP)