Peter Lehmann Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Barossa Valley $19.95 (91686)
Mint, aromatic bitters and mixed field berry on the nose, the luscious flavours are all about minty, chocolately dark berry fruit, warm (14.5% alcohol) spiced black plum compote and racy zesty pie cherry. The tannin’s firm and it’s very nicely textured. There’s a generous ladleful of zest and tang on the dry clean finish. Always offering good value, this pairs beautifully with grilled red meats. (VH)


Peter Lehmann ‘Clancy’s Red’ 2005
Barossa Valley $18.95 (611467)
Food friendly, easy drinking and always a crowd pleaser, this blend—primarily Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with a touch of Cabernet Franc—opens with expressive aromas of tar, black licorice and black pepper. It’s medium bodied, smooth as silk and delivers a richly concentrated stream of sweet black currant, cassis and mulberry flavours. There’s an underpinning of ripe supple tannin and good moderating acidity. (VH)


Peter Lehmann Shiraz 2005
Barossa Valley $19.90 (572875)
Well made, well priced and well... delicious. Aromas of black currant, black pepper and exotic spice segue rich and concentrated flavours of luscious sweet mulberry, chocolate and black briary berry fruit. It’s medium weight, creamy textured and delivers an exceedingly lengthy, well-balanced and fruit-forward finish. There’s enough flavour, acidity and oomph from ripe supple tannin to ensure optimum drinking now to 2016. It flirted with 5 stars and deserves your attention. (VH)



Casal Thaulero Pinot Grigio 2006
IGT Osco $9.95 (73163)
Mineral, floral and pit fruit—peach and pear—on the nose, this really delivers on the palate. There’s wave after wave of white grapefruit, lemon-lime and white peach flavours that are delivered on a light- to medium-bodied stream. It finishes balanced and lengthy. Gorgeous sipped on its own before the main arrives—spaghetti alla vongole allows this wine to really show its stuff. (VH)


Casal Thaulero Sangiovese 2007
IGT Terre di Chieti $7.10 (588996)
From the grape, Sangiovese, that made Chianti famous, this delivers a focused and steady stream of bright red fruit flavours—cherry, currant and cranberry. It’s medium in weight and texture and has some dusty tannin that adds interest and structure. There’s good balance and the finish adds a dollop of tart cherry tang. It’s bistro-styled, exceptionally well priced and pairs well with meat-laden pizza and lasagna. (VH)


Cavit Pinot Noir 2006
IGT Provincia di Pavia $11.95 (70904)
This punches well above its price and offers an honest mouthful of delicious red wine that works with a wide variety of food. It delivers a solid core of flavour with spiced black plum, red cherry and earthy notes on a medium-weight and nicely textured frame. Finishing balanced and fruit forward, this pairs easily with grilled salmon, pasta in a seafood marinara sauce or veal and chicken dishes. (VH)


Rocca delle Macie ‘Vernaiolo’ Chianti 2007
DOCG Chianti $13.80 (269589)
Aromas of mineral, savoury herbs and strawberry roll off the glass of this Tuscan red blend—85% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo, 5% Merlot. Flavours of red cherry, ripe cranberry and sweet pomegranate intermingle with nuances of red licorice and tobacco. It’s well balanced, food friendly and delivers a dry finish. Pair this with pasta in a simple marinara sauce. (VH)