Argentina
La Puerta Shiraz 2008
Valle de la Puerta $9.45 (61436) 14.0% alcohol
Currant, raisin and floral notes on the nose, this is full of flavour—fruit, tang and spice—and value. Dried black currant, ripe juicy cherry and loads of spiced black plum flavours roll over the palate from this medium-bodied generously textured red. It’s nicely balanced and delivers a firm tannin grip on the lingering finish. Aerate/decant this for a couple of hours before serving. (Vic Harradine)
Australia
Wyndham Estate ‘Bin 999’ Merlot 2008
South Eastern Australia $15.45 (336347) 13.5% alcohol
Very perfumed on the nose—dark berry fruit, camphor and spice—it’s succulent, rich and concentrated. Boysenberry and blueberry flavours meld nicely with the moderating zest and tang and solid underpinning of perceptible tannin. Medium to full bodied and fairly textured, the mouth-watering finish is well balanced and lingering. This delivers good value and shines when served with red meat—lamb or beef—grilled medium rare. (Vic Harradine)
California
Robert Mondavi ‘Private Selection’ Sauvignon Blanc 2008
California $15.95 (405753) 13.5% alcohol
This showcases an involved nose of grassy herbaceous notes, mineral and citrus aromas. It’s medium bodied, gorgeously textured with a complex array of flavours—racy grapefruit, honeyed pineapple and hints of lemongrass. The lingering crisp and refreshing finish is well balanced and layers on a nice hit of ripe Mirabelle plum. There’s a pinch of Riesling and a dash of Gewürztraminer adding pizzazz and lift. (Vic Harradine)
R.H. Phillips ‘Night Harvest’ Shiraz 2005
California $13.95 (576272) 13.5% alcohol
This is a pretty good mouthful of California Cab at a very good price; it’s plush and friendly with rich and concentrated fruit-forward flavour—what’s not to like? Look for juicy dark berry fruit, chocolate and raisin on the palate while the balanced lengthy finish adds a note of tar. A cut above many at this price, give it a go with grilled ribs brushed with spicy barbeque sauce. (Vic Harradine)
Chile
Santa Rita ‘120’ Sauvignon Blanc 2009
DO Valle Central $10.45 (23606) 13.5% alcohol
Key lime, lemon zest and hints of white peach aromas drift from this value-packed sipper. Spritzy, crisp and refreshing flavours stream over the palate with white grapefruit, racy red currant and ripe pineapple predominant. It’s light on it’s feet, mid weight and delivers a focused refreshing aftertaste. Pan-seared trout would be a great partner. This offers good value and earned its final ½ star because of it. (Vic Harradine)
Viña San Pedro ‘Castillo de Molina Reserva’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Central Valley $13.25 (339176) 14.0% alcohol
The quiet nose of spiced dark berry fruit segues a clean focused stream of racy flavour—red currant, pie cherry and blueberry that mingles nicely with ripe black cherry and spiced black Damson plum. Medium in weight and texture; it finishes with a lovely burst of warm sweet fruit flavour and hints of finely polished tannin. This has good structure and drinks well on its own. It also pairs well with grilled sausage or burgers. (Vic Harradine)
France
Domaine de Sérame Réserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Vin de Pays d’Oc $13.95 (35006) 13.5% alcohol
This delivers a lovely nose of spice box, red licorice and earthy notes that blossom into a juicy mouthful of berry fruit flavours—blueberry, boysenberry and cranberry. Medium bodied and generously textured, it delivers a lengthy well-balanced finish that adds some interest with a good tannin structure. Pour alongside strip loin, grilled rare to medium rare. (Vic Harradine)
La Romaine ‘Venus Laurée’ 2007
AOC Côtes du Rhône-Villages $12.95 (28779) 13.5% alcohol
Perfumed aromas of camphor and dark berry fruit introduce this rock-solid value-packed red blend—70% Grenache / 30% Syrah. On the palate it’s succulent, delectable and carefully balanced with black raspberry, ripe mulberry and black Bing cherry flavour that’s showcased by generous texture and a finish that’s lengthy and layers on hints of milk chocolate. Lovely sipped on its own, it’s perfect with barbequed pork back ribs. (Vic Harradine)
La Vieille Ferme 2007
AOC Côtes du Luberon $11.95 (263640) 13.5% alcohol
The price-quality balance tips well in your favour—it’s made by the iconic Perrin family who over-deliver flavour and value at every price point. This well-sculpted blend—Grenache, Syrah, Carignan and Cinsault—is underpinned by ripe tannin and dishes out an amalgam of alluring aromas and flavours with succulent ripe black cherry and black currant predominant. It’s deftly balanced, medium weight and sports a nicely textured lingering finish. Versatile with food, pour with supermarket rotisserie chicken, burgers or pasta in tomato and meat-based sauce. (Vic Harradine)
Italy
Farnese ‘Casal Vecchio’ Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2007
DOC Montepulciano d’Abruzzo $12.35 (612788) 14.0% alcohol
The price-quality ratio is skewed well in your favour. This delivers a subtle attractive nose of mixed spice and floral notes. The flavours are fleshy, well paced and fruit forward—succulent plush mulberry, juicy black cherry and black raspberry compote galore. It’s medium to full bodied, creamy smooth and dishes out a lingering finish of spice, sweet mulberry and kirsch liqueur framed by a firm tannin structure. A crowd-pleaser for sure, pour with roast rack of lamb rubbed with Moroccan spice and garlic. (Vic Harradine)
Secco-Bertani Ripasso 2006
DOC Valpolicella Valpantena $17.00 (12443) 13%
Firm and focused, this lives up to its breeding—a century and a half of winemaking expertise, prime selection of estate-owned fruit, 18 months in oak. The alluring nose is full of spice and cherry aromas while the palate is blessed with a persistent stream of balanced fruit flavour—pie cherry, sweet ripe mulberry and racy red currant. It’s medium weight and nicely textured with a lingering, dry, slightly tannic finish of tangy cranberry and a tell-tale Ripasso bite. This pairs perfectly with pasta in tomato-based sauce. (Vic Harradine)
New Zealand
Monkey Bay Pinot Grigio 2008
Gisborne $14.95 (93666) 12.5% alcohol
Tropical fruit, honeyed peach and floral notes waft from this lovely well-balanced crisp and refreshing sipper. It’s mid weight and nicely textured with a generous wash of well-paced flavour with tropical fruit—pineapple and melon—citrus and white peach. This pairs well with seafood appetizers like pan-seared tilapia under a drizzle of freshly squeezed lemon. (Vic Harradine)
Ontario
Malivoire ‘Red’ 2008
VQA Niagara Peninsula $14.95 (141253)
Bistro-styled and value-packed, this delivers a rich and concentrated mouthful of fruit-forward flavour with black currant jam, black plum and mixed spice to the fore. This ready-to-drink crowd-pleasing red is medium in weight and texture with a long finish of kirsch liqueur flavour and gamey hints. Chill ever so slightly and serve alongside a plate of deli foods—salami, pancetta, olives, roasted red pepper, aged cheddar and a baguette. (Vic Harradine)
Portugal
Alianca ‘Foral Reserva’ 2007
DOC Douro $8.50 (239046) 13.0% alcohol
This punches well above the price, earning its final half star on value. Aromas of mixed spice, currant and black raspberry segue warm rich and ripe flavours—dark berry fruit and mulberry jam—that mingle effortlessly with ripe tannin and good moderating tang. It’s well balanced, nicely textured and sports a lengthy fruit-packed finish. This pairs well with spicy sausage, burgers and aged hard cheese. (Vic Harradine)
Cavallina Nero d’Avola-Syrah 2007
IGT Sicilia $9.75 (74096) 12.5% alcohol
Floral and rich berry fruit aromas waft from this nicely balanced sweet and tangy red. You’ll find oodles of sweet berry fruit flavours that meld perfectly with the racy taste of pie cherry and cranberry. It’s nicely focused with good texture and a fruity finish. This is a great dance partner with meat-laden pizza or pasta in tomato-based sauce. (Vic Harradine)