Finca Flichman ‘Misterio’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Mendoza, Argentina $7.95 (163949) 13.5% alcohol
This opens with aromas of dark berry fruit, aromatic bitters and spice box. Rustic and tangy on the palate, it delivers a persistent stream of flavour with racy red cherry, black currant and spiced black plum predominant. There’s perceptible tannin, adding interest and structure, and a good moderating spine of acidity. It finishes lengthy with a generous dollop of sweet dark berry fruit. Good to pour now alongside rare-grilled red meat—it earned its final ½ star on value. (Vic Harradine)


Meinhard Forstreiter ‘Grooner’ Grüner Veltliner 2008
Neiderösterreich, Austria $12.95 (168625) 12.0% alcohol
Summer in a glass, you’ll revel in the crisp refreshing flavours bolstered with sweet ripe fruit. It’s one of those delightful wines that sneak up on you, tasting better with each sip. There’s crisp green apple and citrus for certain, and there’s a lovely dash of sweet pineapple and ripe pear, as well. No prize for label design—take a look—and now that it’s in your hand, take it to the cash and home, you’ll be pleased you did. (Vic Harradine)


Louis Jadot Mâcon Villages Chardonnay 2008
AOC Mâcon Villages $14.95 (164145) 12.5% alcohol
Alluring aromas of honeyed fruit, floral notes and wisps of green apple roll of this deftly balanced crisp and refreshing number. It’s medium bodied with a nice mouth feel and a persistent and focused stream of racy flavour—lemon zest and white grapefruit—that improves as it warms in the glass. It finishes lengthy and luxurious in a blaze of pineapple, tropical fruit and yellow plum. This punches well above its price—offering good value. (Vic Harradine)


Louis Jadot Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2007
AOC Bourgogne $19.95 (162073) 12.5% alcohol
Earthy, spicy with hints of forest floor and red berry fruit, this delivers a cornucopia of flavours with pie cherry, spiced red currant and racy cranberry to the fore. They’re carried along on a smooth texture and good mouth feel supported by a ripe tannin structure. The aftertaste is dry, crisp and mouth-watering good. Perfect served alongside coq au vin or smoked grilled duck breasts. (Vic Harradine)


Laurent Miquel ‘Père et Fils’ Chardonnay 2008
Vin de Pays d’Oc $11.95 (157909) 13.0% alcohol
You’d think after tasting a few hundred wines each month an $11.95 bottle couldn’t stand out; think again. Alluring aromas of tropical fruit, honeyed apple and pear waft from this delightful white. It’s medium weight with a round mouth feel and a persistent wash of delicate flavours with sweet pear, white peach and racy green apple predominant. It finishes clean, crisp and refreshing. Perfectly paired with cheese-filled tortellini in cream sauce. (Vic Harradine)


Red Knot Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
McLaren Vale, Australia $17.95 (91702) 14.0% alcohol
Aromas of camphor, cherry cordial and toasty oak waft from this tangy red. There are flavours of sour cherry, dried fruit and raisins on the palate joined by a firm tannin underpinning. It’s mid weight and medium textured with a dry aftertaste that layers on black currant and plum compote. Sealed with a ‘Zork cork’, it’s easily un-zipped and reusable. Pour alongside meat-laden pizza or gourmet burgers. (Vic Harradine)