Bodega Norton Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza $11.00 (589556)
From a sub-appellation more famous for Malbec, this is quite special. It saw no oak barrels, was vinified from indigenous yeast and underwent 100% natural malolactic fermentation. The nose shows aromas of spice box, minerality and juicy dark berry fruit. It shifts smoothly into high gear with gorgeously restrained, yet succulent, flavours of concentrated ripe mulberry, cassis and ripe red currant fruit. There’s plush tannin for structure, a nicely developed texture and a lengthy fruity finish. This is great value. (VH)


Trapiche Malbec 2007
Mendoza, Argentina $8.95 (501551)
Bistro-styled, a.k.a. food friendly, this punches well above the price. There’s good fruit on the nose and palate with boysenberry, black briary berry and dark cherry predominant. It’s as smooth and mellow as your favourite chair while the lengthy finish delivers more of the same. This is straightforward, uncomplicated and worth every penny. (VH)


Trapiche ‘Reserve’ Malbec 2007
Mendoza, Argentina $11.95 (614651)
This is chockfull of layered and concentrated dark ripe fruit flavour. You’ll delight in the aromas and flavours of exotic spice, smoky nuances, cassis, dark plum and black raspberry that are persistent through the lengthy finish. It’s well structured, deftly balanced and will make you wonder why you pay more for your everyday red wine. Why do you? (VH)




De Loach Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
California $15.95 (89250)
This organic wine bursts with aromas of mixed earthiness and minerality. The flavours are tightly focused with a persistent stream of tart pie cherry and cranberry. It’s well structured with perceptible tannin and refreshing acidity on the palate and lengthy drying finish. Aerate / decant for two hours then serve with spaghetti Bolognese. (VH)


De Loach Vineyards Merlot 2005
California $15.95 (89235)
This is quite flavourful, round and ready to drink. The aromas are expressive with spiced dark berry predominant along with nuances of lilac. The palate is treated to layers of sweet ripe fruit—black cherry, mulberry and black currant. The tannins are plush and the tang from ripe pomegranate is evident and welcomed on the persistent finish. It’s one smooth number offering good value. (VH)


De Loach Vineyards Zinfandel 2006
California $15.95 (89268)
The abundant and delectable aromas and flavours include sweet black raspberry compote, black currant jam and cassis. It’s full flavoured, fully textured and weighty. The tannin adds structure while the balance is maintained through a healthy dollop of Montmorency cherry flavour on the lingering finish. This is a great food wine with spicy pasta arrabbiata a perfect pairing. (VH)


Fetzer ‘Valley Oaks’ Chardonnay 2007
California $13.95 (291674)
This will appeal to California Chardonnay-lovers as it delivers that toasty, oaky, creamy rendition that’s so popular. There are lifted aromas of baking bread, vanilla, tropical fruit and toasty oak that billow from the glass of this medium-bodied beautifully textured white. You’ll find oodles of flavours with pineapple, ripe yellow peach to the fore on the palate and the well-balanced persistent finish. For a real treat pair this with roast chicken or turkey with all the fixings. (VH)


Fetzer ‘Valley Oaks’ Merlot 2006
California $14.95 (341131)
Earthy and spicy with dark berry aromas on the nose, this delivers a silky smooth mouthful of rich fruit flavour—black currant, mulberry and pie cherry with hints of licorice and chocolate. It’s well paced with no rough edges and everything in synch. The plush tannin structure and deft balance make this exceedingly food friendly—match it with vegetarian dishes or grilled red meats. (VH)



Caliterra ‘Reserva’ Chardonnay 2007
Curicó Valley $9.95 (257147)
This is from cool-climate estate-grown fruit, hand picked from the Teno Vineyard. Aromas of spice and tree fruit—peach, pear and apple—segue ripe luscious flavours of tropical fruit, sweet nectarine and white peach that are ably balanced by delightful citrus tang. It’s medium bodied, generously textured and finishes clean, crisp and refreshing with additional hints of nuttiness and vanilla. Pair this with roast chicken, turkey, or seafood and pasta in white sauce. (VH)


Caliterra ‘Reserva’ Merlot 2007
Colchagua Valley $11.95 (466482)
Aromatic and flavourful, this delivers value for money. You’ll find aromas and flavours of balsamic, spice, and dark berry fruit that are plush, round and silky smooth. It’s medium in body and texture with a warm fruity finish. It’s not complex, but it’s a good quaffing wine and pairs up well with pizza or burgers. (VH)


Caliterra Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Casablanca $10.95 (275909)
Close your eyes and this might be a high-quality SB from Marlborough delivering aromas of nettles, gooseberry and grassy notes. The flavours attack the palate with gusto; there’s ripe sweet tropical fruit—pineapple, melon and mango—that’s deftly balanced with a steady stream of bracing citrus acidity. This single-vineyard gem finishes racy and ready to be served alongside salt and pepper calamari rings or spicy prawn kebabs. This is very good value, indeed. (VH)


Caliterra Reserva ‘Bio-Sur’ Shiraz 2006
Colchagua $11.95 (74153)
There are tantalizing aromas on the nose—earthy, gamey and rich dark berry fruit while the concentrated and rich fruit flavours are predominantly spiced black Damson plum, tart pie cherry and juicy ripe black raspberry. It’s medium weight, fully textured while the lengthy finish layers on lashings of zest, tang and ripe Bing cherry flavour. Caliterra is an incredibly enviro-friendly and responsible winery—caring for their workers as well as the environment—and this wine speaks volumes for the success of those efforts. You can hardly afford to not pick up a bottle. (VH)


Carmen Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Valle de Maipo $10.95 (78980)
There are not many good Cab Sauvs around at this price; this one’s well worth a try. It’s quite aromatic with mixed spice, minty chocolate and mixed field berry on the nose. There’s lots going with a mélange of flavours that include red pie cherry, mulberry and strawberry plus hints of mocha. There’s perceptible tannin that can be dealt with nicely with a two-hour aeration / decant while the finish is dry and racy clean. This pours well with pasta in a tomato-based sauce. (VH)



Green Rabbit Merlot 2007
Vin de Pays des Bouches du Rhône, France $13.95 (87379) 1L Tetra Pak
This wine is ECOCERT organic certified and packaged in enviro-friendly Tetra. Aromas of mixed spice and sprigs of savoury herbs segue nicely balanced fruit flavours of black currant, spiced black plum and mixed berry fruit. It’s very approachable with no rough edges or perceptible tannin. The finish is pleasing and sets this up for a comfortable match with a variety of foods, burgers, pizza and gourmet sausage for instance. (VH)



Folonari Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso 2006
DOC Valpolicella Classico Superiore $16.95 (481838)
Aromas of earth, handfuls of savoury herbs and dark raisins waft from the glass of this red beauty. The concentrated flavours are redolent of dried crushed berry fruit, black licorice, aromatic bitters and black currant with hints of leather and spice. It’s full bodied nicely textured and sports a lingering fruity finish. Pair this with a rich and hearty dish like osso bucco. (VH)



Domaine Pinnacle ‘Ice Cider’ 2006
Quebec $29.92 (94094)
Made from hand-harvested partially frozen apples—six different varieties—this delivers a delicious mouthful of nectar-like wine. The abundant aromas include honeyed baked apple, peach cobbler with gentle hints of cinnamon and maple syrup. The flavours are expressive and lip-smacking good with apple compote, caramel / toffee-dipped Hallowe’en apples and crème brûlée predominant. This is full flavoured and generously textured with a lengthy unctuous finish that shows very good balance. Drink on its own as dessert or pair with a fruit flan. This offers good value and is attractively packaged for gifting. (VH)