Frog's Leap Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Napa Valley $58.95
A Napa Cab that delivers intense sweet fruit flavours of crushed berries and dark cherry with notes of coffee and spice. The balance is very good and the texture is soft and quite elegant. Firm but manageable tannins make this good drinking now and over the next five years. (RP)

Five Rivers Pinot Noir 2004
Santa Barbara $19.95
A well-priced Pinot Noir that offers bright cherry flavours with a core of sweet cherry fruit. It's nicely nuanced with spicy notes, has a tangy texture, is medium bodied, and finishes well. (RP)

Dornier Merlot 2003
WO Stellenbosch, South Africa $18.95 (694224)
Dornier produces high quality wines across the board, and this latest entry into Ontario fits seamlessly into the portfolio. It delivers intriguing aromas of dark fruit, spice, smoke and mint. The flavours are a replay, with concentrated and complex fruit. The balance has a food-friendly tilt, the texture is full, round and generous, and the tannins are ripe and slightly dusty with a good but manageable grip. Decant this for drinking now, or tuck it away for up to eight years. Then enjoy it with grilled lamb or game. (RP)

Dry Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Dry Creek Valley $21.95/750ml or $12.95/375ml
A medium-full-bodied and well-structured Cab that wears the fine 2002 vintage very well. Look for quite concentrated and focused flavours of dark fruit and berries with a range of notes in the coffee-mocha and spicy zones. There's a lot going on here, with well-integrated layers of flavours, smooth texture, and very good balance. Pair it with a steak, grilled medium-rare. (RP)

Robert Hall Winery Syrah 2003
Paso Robles $28.95
Robert Hall was a builder specializing in shopping malls until he retired to fulfill his dream of opening his own winery. That was 11 years ago, and now he produces 40-50,000 cases of wine a year, most in the Rhône style. This Syrah is an example of his fine portfolio. It delivers big sweet fruit, dark cherry to the fore, with tarry and peppery notes, and a long sweet fruit finish. With a soft texture and excellent balance, it's quite stylish and partners well with well-herbed grilled or roast lamb. (RP)

Robert Hall Rhone de Robles 2003
Central Coast $28.95
A blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Counoise, this New World Rhône-style red has a really attractive texture and fruit. The 2003 vintage in Paso Robles was outstanding and here it's produced concentrated fruit (black cherry dominant), with a sweet core and notes of spice and black pepper. The flavours flow consistently across the palate, the balance is fine and the finish is lengthy and complex. All in all, an impressive wine that goes well with a rack of lamb. (RP)

Bonterra Syrah 2003
Mendocino County $19.95
A syrah made in a complex and almost meaty style, with rich red and dark fruit (cherry dominant) and notes of spice and cherry. It's very dry (astringent) with an attractive texture, with soft, ripe tannins. Quite delicious and a good buy. Serve it with lamb chops, grilled medium-rare. (RP)

Lafond Pinot Noir 2004
Santa Rita Hills $24.95
A very classy Pinot Noir that's good value at this price. You get vibrant flavours of sweet and sour cherry with mulberry tones, and attractive spicy and herbal cherry notes on the long finish. Dry and medium bodied, it's nicely pitched with spicy warmth, and will pair well with lamb chops, grilled medium-rare. (RP)

Duckhorn Merlot 2003
Napa Valley $69.95
From a prestigious producer, this Merlot delivers concentrated flavours of sweet, ripe plum with an array of spicy, black pepper notes. It's medium-full bodied with a smooth texture and quite firm tannins, with good structure and length. Overall, a substantial and stylish offering that you can drink now and over the next eight years. (RP)