Perez Cruz 'Limited Edition' Reserva Syrah 2005
Maipo Valley, Chile $24.95 (589812)
This is a blend of 90% Syrah, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Carmenère that delivers full flavour, mouth-filling texture, very good structure, and excellent balance. The fruit is dominated by sweet, black—very black—cherry and berries and it's accented by soft peppery spiciness and a hint of smoke. The rich ripeness is nicely offset by a line of acidity that runs through the palate, lifting the flavour and moderating the intensity. This works wonders with a grilled rack of lamb. (RP)



Saurus 'Patagonia Select' Malbec 2005
San Patricio del Chañar, Neuquen, Argentina $15.95 (55459)
This is a particularly fine Malbec for the price. Bone dry and smooth textured, it gets away from the heavy style of many popular Malbecs, yet retains the rich, dense fruit flavours you look for in the variety. Here, they evoke dark cherry, plum and berries, with very appealing spice and herbal notes. What's especially attractive is the seam of acidity, which lifts the flavours and makes this so successful as a partner to food. Drink it with grilled red meats and hearty stews. It's ready to drink and over the next five years. (RP)


Saurus 'Patagonia Select' Pinot Noir 2005
San Patricio del Chañar, Neuquen, Argentina $15.95 (55442)
The heavy, dark, Bordeaux-style bottle makes you think bold, dark wine, so it's a surprise that the wine that pours out looks for all the world like Pinot Noir. And it's a delicious one, at that. It's distinguished by solid fruit (dark sweet cherry with hints of the red, sour sort), attractive herbal and spicy notes, and excellent balance among the fruit, acidity and ripe tannins. It went well with grilled salmon, but would be even better, I think, with grilled lamb chops. There's some elegance and finesse here, and the price s excellent. (RP)



Perez Cruz 'Limited Edition' Reserva Cot 2005
Maipo Valley, Chile $24.95 (670547)
"Cot" is an alternative name for the Malbec variety, and both names are found in southwest France, where the variety hails from. Perez Cruz uses the less-known "Cot" partly because "Malbec" has become identified with Argentina. This is 90% Malbec? er, Cot? with 5.5% Petit Verdot and 4.5% Carmenère. It's a deep, dark wine with a plush texture and generous, concentrated fruit. Look for dense flavours of mulberry and black plum, with seams of herbs, spice, tar and smoke. Rich and intense, but with the acid frame that supports food, it's excellent with red game meats or well-seasoned steak. (RP)



Perez Cruz 'Limited Edition' Reserva Carmenère 2005
Maipo Valley $24.95 (670539)
As delicious as it so often is, Carmenère alone can be a little simple, a touch one-dimensional. Here, Perez Cruz winemaker Germán Lyon Larraín has blended in 4.4% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3.4% Syrah to add complexity to the structure and flavour. It more than works. The fruit is dominated by dark plum and berries, with notes of coffee, chocolate, herbs and spice. The wine has a rich, generous texture, good tannins, and excellent balance. Enjoy it with roasted or grilled red meats cooked medium-rare at most. (RP)