Reif Estate Merlot 2004
VQA Niagara River $23.95 (310914)
A flavour-filled Merlot with a very attractive tangy texture. Look for good complexity in the dark plum, cherry and berry flavours, with notes of spice, pepper and an appealing layer of oak. It's medium bodied and well balanced, and pairs nicely with roasted or grilled red meats. Order from www.reifwinery.com. (RP)


Reif Estate "First Growth" Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
VQA Niagara River $50
From the stellar 2002 vintage, this Cab in Reif's premium "First Growth" line offers good depth and bread, with complex flavours of dark fruit and berries and notes of coffee and pepper. It's well made and has easily-managed tannins. Hold it another three-four years or drink it now with steak grilled medium-rare. Order from www.reifwinery.com. (RP)


Stratus Red 2004
VQA Niagara Peninsula $38.00
Stratus winemaker J.L. Groux keeps the proportions and varieties in his blends pretty much to his chest; and this red is described as "assembling several different grape varieties." As you sip the delicious and elegant result, you can amuse yourself by trying to guess the varieties and their percentages. Or you can simply enjoy the wine, which delivers restrained complexity, fine red fruit and berry flavours and superb balance. The tannins are easily manageable now, but you can confidently cellar it eight or more years. Then enjoy it with a grilled rack of lamb. Order from www.stratuswines.com. (RP)


Stratus Cabernet Franc 2004
VQA Niagara Peninsula $36.00
This is just a beautiful, well-structured Cabernet Franc that reinforces the Stratus winemaker J.L. Groux's reputation for turning out fine varietal wines as well as his trademark blends. It's long and focused on ripe red fruit and berries, with lovely notes of spice, herbs, coffee and a touch of cedar. Medium-bodied and smooth-textured, with fine-grained tannins and quite remarkable balance, it's drinking well now (decant it for a couple of hours) and will easily cellar for another eight years or more. Pair it with venison or other red game meat. Order from www.stratuswines.com. (RP)