Bodegas Campo Viejo ‘Reserva’ Tempranillo 2003
Rioja, Spain $18.45 (1378100) 13.5% alcohol
This is a lovely wine reflecting a warm ‘03 vintage and five plus years of age—18 months of it in barrel. The moderately high alcohol and sweet fruity characteristics reflect the vintage while secondary characteristics brought on by age include leather and spiced vanilla aromas. It’s fruit forward—plum jam, red cherry and black bramble berry flavours—with good balancing acidity and a generously textured mouth feel. It finishes lengthy and full bodied with ultra-smooth tannins. It paired beautifully with gigot of lamb rubbed in rosemary and garlic. (VH)
Castillo di Monseran Viura 2007
DO Cariñena, Spain $8.90 (73387) 12.5% alcohol
This is a ready-to-drink very affordable white with a pleasant nose evoking pink grapefruit and fresh grass. As it opens up notes of tangerine and even orange blossom become evident. It’s crisp and refreshing, well-balanced with a light-weight frame and good length. This is non-oaked and will be versatile enough to serve as your house white at your next gathering. At this price you can afford to send your guests home in a cab. (MT)
JP Chenet Classic Cabernet Syrah 2007
Vin de Pays d’Oc, France $9.95 (90472) 13% alcohol
This blend is comprised of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Syrah. Typical and pleasant aromas include red cherry and dark plum fruits with black pepper and a subtle herbal note. A nice trend in the south of France is to avoid the use of oak to preserve the fruit character. The other bonus is that it keeps the price very reasonable. This carries lively acidity and soft tannins on a medium-bodied frame and has a very clean presence in the mouth. Hard to believe they packed this much flavour into a bottle costing under ten bucks. (MT)
JP Chenet Founders Merlot/Cabernet 2007
Vin de Pays d’Oc, France $11.95 (621995) 14% alcohol
Packaging is still important and this wine comes in a beautiful bottle that will grab your attention and make you think it should cost more. In the glass the wine is fruit forward with plenty of dark plum and red cherry fruits mixing with vanilla and a touch of menthol. Softly structured with pleasant acidity, this full-bodied wine is supple and easy to drink, but carries enough density of flavour to enjoy with most manner of roasted red meats. (MT)
Fish Eye Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
California $8.95 (614297) 12.5% alcohol
This wine is all about fruit and plenty of it—cassis and raspberry with a touch of kirsch. One doesn’t expect this kind of aromatic and flavour intensity in a wine of this price, but this one delivers. On the palate the refreshing acidity combines with soft but persistent tannins to give solid balance on a lighter-bodied frame. It’s soft enough to drink on its own, but has enough depth to carry off grilled burgers and chicken. (MT)
Fish Eye Pinot Grigio 2007
California $8.95 (614263) 12% alcohol
Here’s a fun sipper with a great nose of peaches, orange blossom and fresh grass. Unlike many Pinot Grigios at this price, this has nice character. In the mouth it’s light and lively with bright acidity cleansing the palate. Citrus flavours linger on the impressive finish, creating a nice end to a well-made, invitingly priced white. Enjoy as an aperitif or with lighter seafood dishes. (MT)