Masi Paso Doble 2003
Tupungato $14.95 (620880)

"Argentinean Soul, Venetian Style," it says on the label, because this is a blend of grapes associated with Argentina (Malbec) and Venezia (Corvina), made in Argentina by an Italian winery. Whatever. The important thing is that it's a well-made wine that offers very good value. Made from slightly-dried Corvina grapes, its flavours combine both fresh and dried fruit, making for attractive complexity. It's well-balanced, has good, approachable tannins, and goes very well with flavoursome red meat dishes. (RP)



Black Opal Shiraz 2002
South Eastern Australia $14.95 (474163)

Cherry, currant and spice aromas lead the taster into this full-bodied red that offers gobs of fruit (blackberries and sweet dark plums) and heft (14% alc.). One of those Aussie crowd-pleasers from Beringer Blass that works beautifully on its own or coupled with grilled lamb tenderloin and garlic mashed. At a fair price to drink now to 2008. (VH)



Fetzer "Valley Oaks" Chardonnay 2003
California $13.95 (291674)

An involved nose of delicate spice (cinnamon and nutmeg), toast and ripe apples drifts from this medium-bodied white. Has fresh lemon and apple on the palate that turns into gorgeous tropical fruit (pineapple, red grapefruit) on the lengthy finish. Great value and has the verve to pair with seared sea scallops in a red pepper and onion medley. (VH)


Gray Fox Merlot 2002
California $6.95 (527507)

Add another furry animal to the Wine Ark. The fox on the label looks as if he just got caught eating the grapes, and of course it evokes the fable of the fox and the vines. Inside the bottle is what counts, though, and this really offers value for money. It has solid fruit with good structure and medium-plus weight. Overall, an impressive entry at this price point, and it's ideal for barbecues when you've invited more people than you intended. (RP)


Gray Fox Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
California $6.95 (527515)

The other Gray Fox is a Cabernet Sauvignon and it, too, punches well above its price. The aromas a quite complex, with good dark fruit and vanilla coming through clearly, and the flavours are well-defined and surprisingly complex. It's a medium bodied, has quite decent length, and goes well with meats off the barbecue. (RP)


J. Lohr 'Riverstone' Chardonnay
Arroyo Seco $19.15 (258699)

Guava, ripe watermelon and baked apple aromas whoosh from the glass of this tangy beauty. More spiced apples, citrus and Anjou pears follow on the palate of the well -structured, medium to full-bodied (13.5% alc.) deftly-oaked Chard. From a relatively cool climate this was handled meticulously (approximately one year of oak, malolactic, sur lie and batonage) to produce a beautifully-textured, delicious wine. Very good
value. (VH)



Castillo de Molina Reserva Merlot 2003
Valle de Lontue $12.95 (237818)

A very attractive Merlot from one of Chile's warm regions. It comes through with intense dark fruit aromas that flow into flavours of black plum, dark cherry and berries, with spicy, savoury accents. (I always think there might be some Carmenère in there, when I pick up some of these savoury notes.) It's soft-textured and medium-bodied, and goes very well with slightly spicy red meat dishes. (RP)


Errazuriz "Max Reserva" Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Valle de Aconcagua $18.05 (335174)

Named for the winery's founder, Maximiano Errázuriz, this is an ultra-premium Cabernet Sauvignon at an excellent price. The dark fruit aromas are accented with pepper and spice notes, and the flavours are concentrated and complex, with savoury notes coming through in the middle. It's beautifully balanced with approachable tannins, and you can drink this now (with well-seasoned grilled lamb or game) or put it away for two or three years. (RP)



Fortant Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Vin de Pays d'Oc $9.55 (218123)

A very good wine for this price. The aroma's a quite intense spicy dark fruit, and the flavours of dark red plum and blackberry with peppery, spicy notes are well concentrated. It's medium bodied with a warm feel, and makes an excellent partner for flavoursome burgers and grilled red meat. (RP)


Yvon Mau et Fils Colombard/Chardonnay 2004
Vin de Pays des Côtes des Gascogne $8.45 (627265)

This more-than-pleasant tangy white is perfect for summer quaffing. Aromatics of nectarines and mangos are present whilst the flavours vacillate between citrus and white peaches. The finish is lengthy and provides a lovely clean up to an honest and straightforward wine. Great alone or with lighter fare such as chicken kebabs. (VH)



Yvon Mau et Fils Merlot 2004
Vin de Pays de L'Aude $ 8.75 (336743)

From one of the largest négociant firms based in Bordeaux, this wine hails from Languedoc. The nose is quite muted and from an indeterminable fruit source, but the flavours come to the fore with dried currants, black cherries and tangy acidity all wrapped up in perfect balance and a firm texture. Would be a lovely match to lamb, tenderloin or rack, grilled and served with roasted herbed potatoes. Well priced. (VH)


Yvon Mau et Fils Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Vin de Pays de L'Aude $ 8.45 (349860)

An a-typical, but a-okay nose of spicy plums and beetroot waft from this lovely red. There is a sweet layer of raspberries and red licorice underpinned by good grip (tannins) and a pleasing texture. The finish offers tangy sour cherries and cranberries. This négociant firm searches out value wine from France and seldom misses the mark. (VH)


Robert Skalli Chardonnay 2003
Vin de Pays d'Oc $13.45 (592519)

Another great value from the Vins de Pays d'Oc category. This is a luscious Chardonnay with plenty of peach and tropical fruit flavour, with light toasty notes. Like your Chardonnay oaked, but just slightly so? Try this. It has good acidity, and smooth texture, and it pairs well with grilled chicken or pork with a fruit based salsa. (RP)


Robert Skalli Merlot 2002
Vin de Pays d'Oc $13.45 (571042)

A well-made, well-priced Merlot from the south of France, which is providing almost all the good export news in France these days. It has good, concentrated fruit flavours (plum, dark cherry, black berry) with a nice spicy dimension and light tannins. It's medium bodied ad a very good match for grilled red meat dishes this summer. (RP)



Le Gaggiole 'Fassati' 2003
DOCG Chianti $12.95 (620765)

This Sangiovese, Canaiolo Nero blend offers a lovely aromatic profile of cherries, forest floor, leather and spice. The attack on the palate is wonderfully full of spiced cherries and tar with well integrated tannins and balanced, cleansing acidity. This would be well matched to penne with sun dried tomato pesto. A bargain for a wine of this class. (VH)


Cantina S. Osvaldo Merlot 2003
IGT Venezie $9.00 (036178)

Lifted aromatics of ripe, sweet black currants and plums provide a tantalizing segue to this full bodied red that seems to gather steam in the mouth. Lots going on: perceptible, but acceptable tannins, luscious sweet ripe fruit (cherries and black licorice) flavours, balancing acidity and a long sweet, fruity finish. Will go well with all manner of summer bar b qued red meats. This is truly an outstanding value. (VH)



Sacred Hill 'Whitecliff' Sauvignon Blanc 2004
New Zealand $14.95 (610972)

Gooseberry and herbaceous notes drift from the glass while the flavour profile provides much more ripe fruit than one expects. Peach, lime and apple flavours mingle and form a beautifully textured and well balanced SB. Lots of tang on the finish to clean it all up and make it a candidate for grilled chèvre on toast with a touch of lemon zest. (VH)



Vineland Estates Cabernet Franc 2004
VQA Niagara Peninsula $12.95

A fairly light Cabernet Franc that retains good intensity of flavour and typicity. You'll find here the characteristic bright red fruit, with spicy cedar accents and integrated green/bell pepper notes. It has good, complex character, a warm mouth feel and a decent finish, and it's an excellent partner to spicy red meat dishes or with grilled salmon. (RP)



Gandia "Hoya de Cadenas" Reserva 1999
DO Utiel-Requena $10.95 (620989)

From a region near Valencia, this 90% Tempranillo and 10% Grenache blend is terrific value. Bear in mind that it's already almost six years old, and it's developed some complexity in the bottle, preceded by a year in American oak. It offers red and dark fruit, some dried cherry notes, spice and vanilla, and it has a soft, astringent texture with light tannins. Overall, it's very attractive and will pair well with well-seasoned red meat dishes. My question is how anyone can afford to make wine like this, hold it for five years (with no returns), ship it, pay the taxes and mark-ups, and still come in under $11. (RP)


Nuviana Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2003
Viño de la Tierra Valle de Cinca $8.95 (623181)

Viño de la Tierra is the Spanish equivalent of Vin de Pays in France. It will be interesting to see if we get more from this category, now that French Vins de Pays are so successful in offering value for money. Nuviana is a 50:50 blend that certainly shows good value. Look for flavours of bright, ripe red fruit, some spicy complexity and vanilla notes, good body, and very light tannins. It's a great choice for a red to go with meats off the grill (or with grilled white fish for your friends who "only drink red"). (RP)


Felix Solis Tempranillo Crianza 2000
DO Valdepeñas $8.30 (636969)

The hand picked fruit (100% Tempranillo) underwent at least 6 months of oak treatment and 2 years in the winery's cellar before release. Black cherries and leather form the nose whilst the flavours are quite prominent (raspberries, tar and black tea) in this Spanish beauty. It has good grip, balanced acidity and a lovely sweet, fruity finish. Quite simply, it is a 5-year-old wine easily worth twice the price. Try with rare grilled beef tenderloin slathered with gorgonzola. A winecurrent.com exceptional value pick. (VH)