Dry White

Firestone Vineyard Chardonnay 2002
Santa Barbara County, California $19.95 (951095)
Intriguing and complex aromatics of toast, star fruit, guava and Granny Smith apples show the way to a medium-bodied carefully-made wine. All the fruit was sourced from the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley. After initial fermentation it underwent malolactic in French oak and was left on its lees for 9 months. The result is a creamy, zingy 100% Chard of some note. (VH)

Domaine Moillard Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Nuits 2002
AOC Hautes Côtes de Nuits $19.95 (642033) and $10.95/375ml (642090)
Complex and delicious, this gives off aromas and flavours of peach and pear with notes of nuts and herbs. There’s a lovely almond note on the finish. Medium bodied and well balanced, it’s great food wine. Pair it with roasted pork with a rich herb stuffing. (RP)

Weingut Balthasar Ress Riesling 2002
QmP Kabinett Hattenheimer Schützenhaus, Germany $16.95 (735241)
This off-dry white will not be nearly as difficult to drink as it is to pronounce. It’s unusual for a Kabinett to have this much flavour and sweetness. The floral and tropical fruit nose has the slightest hint of mineral and citrus. Although fairly light in weight, it packs a zingy punch with bracing acidity and a tangy, well-balanced finish. A perfect foil to smoked salmon. (VH)

Dry Red

Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Napa Valley, California $51.95 (718452)
Although it can be labelled Cabernet Sauvignon because it has 76% Cab, the 20% Merlot and 4% Cab Franc make their presence felt. The aromas are fairly restrained, but the flavour bursts with dense, concentrated dark fruit and complex accents of leather, earthiness and pepper. The tannins are firm and I’d drink this in three to ten years. (RP)

Ironstone Vineyards Zinfandel 2001
California, U.S.A. $16.95 (951889)
Spice and black currant aromas portend a luscious Zin and the wine delivers with jammy raspberries, smoky cinnamon and 5 spice notes. It is concentrated and well structured, as evidenced by the sweet finish that is balanced off with good acidity to provide the clean finish. Try with grilled steak slathered with peppercorns and garlic. (VH)

Rosemount Estate “GSM” 2001
McLaren Vale/Barossa Valley, South Australia $34.95 (583146)
Briony Hoare, Young Winemaker of the Year in 2003, is a true-blue Aussie and responsible for this magnificent 50% Grenache, 40% Shiraz, 10% Mourvèdre blend. She has fashioned a complex and brooding gem that will only improve with age. A rush of raspberry, plum and crushed red fruit open the door to a wine that abounds with perfectly balanced fruit, acidity and ripe tannins. The oak is well handled and it will drink well 2005 – 2015. (VH)

Allesverloren Shiraz 2001
W.O. Swartland, South Africa $15.95 (650333)
Low yields, primarily French oak, cooler mountainside vineyards and a generation of winemaking mark this as a ‘must try’ red. Black pepper and Montmorency cherry aromas abound. It is beautifully structured and can be drunk now, with or without a heaping plate of grilled, peppery kidneys. The dry dusty finish is monumental, all black ripe fruit and clean acidity. (VH)

Nieto Senetiner “Don Nicanor” 2001
Luján de Cayo, Mendoza, Argentina $16.95 (640938)
A more or less equal blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec ( Argentina’s signature red grape) and Merlot, this is very good value. The red and dark fruit flavours are ripe and well concentrated, and the texture is generous, with enough acidity to neutralize the sweetness. It returns to sweet crushed berries on the finish. Pair this with spicy beef dishes. (RP)

Viña Santa Laura “Laura Hartwig Estate” Merlot Reserva 2001
Colchagua Valley, Chile $15.95 (640946)
Blackcurrant and raspberry leap from the glass and the texture is as big and fruity as you’d expect from thearomas. Full bodied, with intense, dense fruit, it retains complexity and elegance and is very good value. Take care not to let this overwhelm the food; pair it with big, hearty flavours. (RP)

Viña Perez Cruz Syrah Reserva 2002
Maipo Valley, Chile $22.95 (589812)
Delightfully gamey nose interspersed with all the aromatics one expects from Syrah; black pepper, dark plums and spice. A bit tannic right now, but has a full flavour profile of black berries and ripe dark cherries to warrant short- term cellaring. Lovely balance and a great value. Drink 2006 – 2010. (VH)

Louis Jadot “Clos de la Croix de Pierre” Pernand-Vergelesses 2002
AOC Pernand-Vergelesses, Burgundy, France $41.95 (947523) and $21.95/375ml (650820)
One of the less-known Burgundy appellations that often offers very good value compared to its better-known neighbours. This 2002 gives off sweet red cherry aromas and blackberry and red currant flavours with spice and vanilla accents. The fruit is pure and clean and the tannins are still firm enough to hold it through to 2010. (RP)

Château de l’Engarran “St. Georges d’Orques” 2001
AOC Coteaux de Languedoc $17.95 (957282)
Made from traditional Languedoc varieties (Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre), this gives off spicy, ripe red fruit, with highlights of herbs and sage, verging on garrigue. The tannins are light and it drinks very well with traditional roast turkey with sage stuffing. (RP)

Perrin et Fils “Nature Perrin” Rouge 2001
AOC Côtes-du-Rhône $15.95 (948059)
This is very good value, so get your bottles while there’s some left! It has intense dark, sweet fruit flavours, a fleshy texture, and excellent balance. Versatile as a food wine, it will go with rich pasta, steak, or hearty vegetarian dishes. And it’s certified organic, too. This is a winecurrent exceptional value pick. (RP)

Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2001
AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape $84.85 (711317) and $43.95 (968750) 375ml
Serious wine collectors will scoop this up in a flash. The nose is a marvel as it releases more aromatics than three normal wines would together; tar, leather, black licorice, cassis and Bing cherries, to name just a few. Right now it is angular with very chunky tannins and bracing acidity, almost like a barrel sample. This is the finest Beaucastel tasted. Drink 20010 -2015 (VH)

Vinicola Savese “Pichierri” Primitivo di Manduria 2002
DOC Tradizionne del Nonno, Italy $28.95 (718130)
More artisans than winemakers, this fruit is sourced from 50+ year old wines, especially hand-sorted to gain the ripest (16% alcohol) grapes, fermented, then partially aged in amphorae (huge earthenware jars) before being placed in barriques. The wine is gigantic and Port-like with dried fruit aromas, a flavour profile of dark raisins and cranberries with huge weight and a long, lip-smacking finish. Definitely not for sissies. (VH)

Mähler-Besse “Oro” 2000
DO Toro, Spain $17.95 (695866)
From one of Spain’s hot (as in popular) regions, this is 100% made from the Tinta de Oro variety. It has fine, complex aromas of plums, berries, spice and pepper, and they flow almost seamlessly to the flavour profile. Dry, with good tannic structure, this is a wine for drinking (with rare grilled lamb) now and over the next four or five years. (RP)

New in Vintages

Veuve Clicquot “La Grande Dame” 1996
AOC Champagne $171.95 (354779)
A spectacularly elegant Champagne with delicate floral, citrus, apple aromas, with hints of almond, and complex citrus, mineral, peach flavours. The mousse is fine and luxurious and the long acidity is crisp and fine. A beautiful way to see in 2005. Sip this with your best friends or serve it with veal in a creamy mushroom sauce. (RP)

Châteaux Clos De la Tour ‘Reserve’ 2001
AOC Bordeaux Supérieur, France $21.95 (925859)
Aromatics of currants, plums and chocolate waft from a glass best described as exciting and vibrant. Cassis abounds in this medium-bodied offering and is accompanied by mint and blueberry flavours. This elegantly blended red, primarily Merlot, is well structured and regionally correct. It is a great value. Drink now and over next 8 years with red meat and hearty stews. (VH)

Upstream on winecurrent.com
(wines to watch for in upcoming Vintages releases)

February 2005 Vintages Release

Bailly-LaPierre Brut Réserve
AOC Crémant de Bourgogne, France $17.95 (991562) and $10.95/375 ml (641243)
There is a gorgeous leesy nose of brioche and green apple underpinned by floral notes. Has all the earmarks of a meticulously-made bubbly; second fermentation in the bottle, two years before disgorging and sourced from vineyards nestled beside Champagne and Chablis. The attack is assertive and bold, but not too acidic. Made to greet friends and pair with canapés (VH)

February 19 2005 Vintages Release

Wolf Blass “Gold Label” Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc 2001
Adelaide Hills, South Australia $29.95 (590265)
Full-flight fruit on the aromas, with black cherry and raspberry predominant, enhanced with mint, spice and pepper notes. A broad seam of pure dark fruit runs through the palate, with the flavours lifted by well-modulated acidity. With a generous texture and a sweet tannic grip, this is a delicious mouthful—not a crass in-your-face Aussie blockbuster, but a finely-nuanced, well-built wine that drinks well now and to the end of the decade. (RP)

March 2005 Vintages Release

Thomas & Vaughan Marechal Foch 2002
VQA Ontario $14.95 (585968)
Hybrids like Marechal Foch are often sneered at, but in the right hands, like Thomas & Vaughan’s Jason James, they can produce marvelous wines. The inky magenta colour of this one gets you first, then it’s the smoky, gamey nose of fresh, ripe berries. Next you get a rich, smooth, mouth-filling experience of fresh berries and cherries, with a dash of beet juice, a half-grind of fresh pepper, a pinch of spice, and a whiff of smoke—all wrapped around a spine of clean acidity. Over the top as a description? Try a bottle. It’s only the grape variety that keeps the price this low. (RP)

New in the LCBO

Australia

Grant Burge Merlot 2002
Barossa Valley, Australia $17.75 (627182)
Seductive aromas of eucalyptus, ripe raspberries and dark rich plums slink from the glass. It’s earthy, full-bodied and the silky smooth tannins wrap themselves around the full-throttle ripe fruit flavours. Not for the faint of heart, this finishes long and gutsy. Rack of pepper-encrusted lamb or Rognon de Veau à l'Armagnac would match beautifully. (VH)

Peter Lehmann “Barossa” Shiraz 2002
Barossa Valley, Australia $19.95 (572875)
Explosive aromatics of pepper, tar, spice and black ripe fruit lead the way to a smoky and eucalyptus concentrated gob of tarry, black licorice, high octane (14.5% alcohol) fruit bomb. Very mellow and ripe tannins provide a smooth finish with good grip, but no rough edges. This crowd pleaser would pair with N’awlins Jambalaya or pepper steak. (VH)

Peter Lehmann “Clancy’s Red” 2002
Barossa Valley, Australia $17.95 (611467)
This perennial favourite does not disappoint with floral, and cassis aromatic notes that give way to a concentrated, but smooth mouthful of black cherries and ripe tannins. However, it saves its best for the lengthy and powerful finish of fruit cake spice and fresh blackberries. It is a 54% Shiraz, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon blend with small amounts of Merlot and Cab Franc. (VH)

Mildara Blass “Eaglehawk” Chardonnay 2003
South Eastern, Australia $11.95 (606392)
Surprisingly vibrant ripe melon, pear, vanilla and nectarine aromatics from this value-priced Chard. Pronounced and cleansing acidity balances off the full ripe fruit flavours providing a well balanced finish. Veal Piccata or sweetbreads in a cream sauce would showcase this wine well. (VH)

Rosemount Estate Grenache Shiraz 2003
South Eastern Australia $12.95 (476838)
No wonder the French get a little irritated sometimes. Here are two perfectly good varieties from the south of their country, and the Australians have grabbed them and made a medium-bodied, fruity wine, with pleasant spicy notes and good balance. It might be just the affordable wine you want for turkey dinner in a week or so. (RP)

The Little Penguin Chardonnay 2003
South Eastern Australia 598904 $10.95
Pleasant light nose of tropical fruit, citrus and persimmon. A light- to medium-bodied white that is enhanced by flavours of pears and apples. It finishes with a tangy acidity laced with a lovely touch of cinnamon and spice. Try this as a welcoming wine when guests arrive or paired with light appetizers of chicken or veal. (VH)

Yalumba “Y Series” Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
South Australia $14.95 (635839)
Full-fruit on the nose with cherry and blackberry to the fore, speckled with spice, pepper and mint. It flows through to spicy cherry, with pepper notes, lifted by good acidity that tames the fruit. Medium bodied with light tannins, this makes a great partner with spicy beef dishes or hamburgers. (RP)

Canada

Eastdell Black Cab 2003
VQA Ontario $12.95 (609875)
It’s not at all black and it’s not all Cab, but it is delicious and great value. With a nose of plums, spice, currants and wisps of smoke, you might guess Baco Noir and you would be correct. A blend of 45% Cab Franc, 36% Baco and 19% Cab Sauvignon fashion this into a taste treat of red berry fruit with good acidity. Drink now to ‘07 with steaks, chops and hearty stews. (VH)

Pelee Island Pinot Noir Reserve 2002
VQA Lake Erie North Shore $13.95 (458521)
An attractive violet, earthy and spicy nose is the harbinger to this medium- bodied new world styled red that has much to offer. It has a nice blend of strawberry and light cherry flavours with enough acidity to hold it all together. Difficult to find better Pinot at this price point. (VH)

Mission Hill “Five Vineyards” Cabernet/Merlot 2002
VQA Okanagan Valley $14.95 (257816)
50% Cabernet Sauvignon+30% Cabernet Franc+20% Merlot=100% spectacular! Black plum, chocolate and licorice aromatics surge from the glass. Opaque in appearance, classy in structure, this medium-bodied red has extremely smooth tannins and finishes clean with black, ripe fruit flavours. Served to Pres. Bush and PM Martin at their recent dinner in Ottawa. (VH)

Strewn Icewine Vidal 2002
VQA Niagara Peninsula $28.95 (467746) 200 mL
Not cloying, not overpowering and not “just another icewine”. This international gold medal winner has panache. The honey, pineapple and mango aromas lead to a medium-viscosity treasure trove of raisins, caramel and fresh fig flavours that are balanced off with perfect acidity. A stunning gift for that special oenophile. Try with crème brulee. (VH)

France

Calvet Reserve 2001
AOC Bordeaux $14.45 (44032)
It opens with freshly-picked cherries and blueberry notes coupled with an earnest and interesting underpinning of dried fruit and tobacco. The colour suggests a lighter style as does the palate. Very smooth and mellow, this predominantly Merlot red is easy drinking. The finish is warm and clean. Difficult to find Bordeaux of this calibre at such a wonderful price. (VH)

Jeanjean Lodez 2003
AOC Coteaux du Languedoc $10.95 (353698)
A blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan from the south of France, this is medium-full bodied and rich in fruit flavours with attractive spicy notes. Fresh (it’s screwcap-sealed) and lightly tannic, it’s very good value and a good match for spicy chicken or beef dishes. (RP)

Italy

Citra Montelpulciano D'Abruzzo 2003
DOC Abruzzo $6.95 (446633)
Price alone draws one to this internationally-acclaimed value wine. Hailing from a cooperative of 10 000 growers, the grape is Montelpulciano and the region, Abruzzo, is in the heel of the boot of Italy. Aromas of cherries and licorice waft from a glass that is brimming with ripe black fruit. Clean acidity will match tomato-based sauces. A superb ‘drinking now’ party red. (VH)

Mezzacorona Merlot 2003
DOC Trentino $11.15 (302372)
Better known for their Pinot Grigio, this Mezzacorona is making Merlots that are gaining attention. Old world styled and pleasingly rustic, the aromas of plums and cranberries are charming. This has good grip and ample mouthfeel coupled with flavours of crushed raspberries and cassis. It is well structured and balanced nicely with cleansing acidity. (VH)

Velletri Centurio 2003
DOC Velletri, Italy $7.20 (602474)
A dry, quite weighty red from Velletri, a small DOC to the south of Rome, where the main varieties are Sangiovese and Montepulciano. This is very well-priced. It’s quite complex, with dried fruit, spice, cherry, plum and earthy flavours, and has good acidity. It goes well with quite substantial dishes from lasagna to osso bucco. (RP)

United States

Beringer Proprietor Chardonnay 2001
Napa Valley, U.S.A. $28.05 (348342)
The distinctive nose of red licorice, citrus and smoky cedar leads the parade to a full-bodied, well-balanced and beautifully-structured wine. Tropical fruit, ripe pears, luscious white peach flavours and a creamy texture are pleasant reminders of just how good Napa Chard can be. The crisp finish provides balance and a perfect foil to the heartiest of cuisine, including red meat. (VH)

Talus Collection Pinot Grigio 2003
California, U.S.A. $11.40 (611863)
A honeysuckle and pink grapefruit nose is a pleasant portend to this delicious quaffing wine. This medium bodied white tastes of citrus, pistachio nuts and Bosc pear. The wonderful acidity in the San Joaquin Valley-sourced fruit provides a tangy, sharp finish and a wine that is clean and refreshing. Drink on its own or with lighter fare as in chicken or cream-sauced pasta. (VH)

New in Ontario Wineries

Cave Spring CSV Riesling 2003
VQA Niagara Peninsula $30 (566026)
CSV Riesling is one of the Cave Spring Rieslings that put Riesling on the Niagara map and is putting Niagara on the global Riesling map. It’s made from 26-to-30-year-old vines (the oldest in Cave Spring’s vineyards) and has concentrated citrus and some floral aromas. The flavours are a mélange of focused citrus, tempered by characteristic minerality and bracing acidity. You can drink this now or hold it to the end of the decade and beyond. Pair it with grilled trout and slivered almonds. Order it from the winery. There’s a link on winecurrent.com (RP)

Cave Spring Dry Riesling 2002
VQA Niagara Peninsula $12.25
This Riesling is pretty much what you would expect from this winery – elegant, well structured with a laser-like finish. It’s hard to say if it is the fruit, the winemaker, or both, but it sure works. A slightly floral nose with a hint of lemon and ginger whilst the palate is treated to a medium-bodied citrussy gem that would pair well with seared scallops or smoked salmon. Great value. Purchase from the winery via the winecurrent.com link. (VH)

Cave Spring Cabernet-Merlot Reserve 2002
VQA Niagara Peninsula $30 (316943)
Despite the name, this is more Merlot (43%) than Cabernet Sauvignon (35%), with some Cabernet Franc (22%). What you get is a pretty elegant, full-bodied blend, with ripe raspberries and plums to the fore and loads of other notes that drive non-wine people crazy (smoke, spice, leather, and so on). The tannins are firm, and you might want to hold off a couple of years, then drink it in the next five. Or tackle it now with a rare steak and some crisp frites. Winery-only sales, so use the link at winecurrent.com (RP)

Cave Spring Pinot Noir 2002
VQA Niagara Peninsula $18.95
Spice, smoke, earthy notes and currants waft tantalizingly from the glass. It’s one of those Pinots that you’re afraid to taste as you might be disappointed… but you’re not. It delivers on all counts with rich, dark plum and raspberry flavours, then gift-wraps it all in a finish of cleansing acidity. This is the real deal at a wonderful price point. Link to the winery via winecurrent.com then order to drink now through 2008. (VH)

EastDell “Escarpment Series” Pinot Noir 2003
VQA Niagara Peninsula $18.95
This is one elegant Pinot Noir! It’s a beautiful translucent red just fading to brick, and offers lifted and delicate cherry and raspberry aromas with sweet earthy notes—like black soil after rain. It’s all sweet cherry and strawberry on the palate, with medium weight and drying tannins, while the long finish recalls some initial earthy notes and introduces some spice. All together, it’s quite lovely, and makes a good pairing with duck breast and a berry reduction. At this price, you should buy many bottles, and you can link to EastDell on the winecurrent.com web site. (RP)

Jackson-Triggs Proprietors’ Grand Reserve Meritage 2002
VQA Niagara Peninsula $24.95 (594002)
A Merlot-dominant blend that includes Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, this is plush, concentrated and elegant. There’s an aroma of ripe raspberries even as you pour the wine into the glass, and sniffing it uncovers plum and coffee, too. In the mouth you get all this, plus spice and freshly- ground black pepper. The tannins are firm but approachable and the finish is long. Drink it now or hold for another year or two. Order from the winery using the link at winecurrent.com (RP)

Legends Estates Winery Chardonnay Reserve 2002
VQA Niagara Peninsula $27.00
Spicy tropical fruit notes plus vanilla and red licorice aromatics are the segue to this elegantly-structured white. It is creamy and smooth in the mouth with a fresh burst of white peaches and ripe Anjou pears. The finish is lengthy, tantalizing and cleansing. This multiple award-winner, from 20-year-old vines, is classy, age-worthy (up to 2010), with enormous appeal to drink now with herbed and spiced fowl or game. Order via the winery link on our site. (VH)

Unity Wine Chardonnay 2002
Canada $24.95 Available only in Wine Rack stores
This very well-made wine is a blend of Chardonnays from Ontario’s Niagara Peninsula and British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. While each would undoubtedly quality for VQA classification in its own province, there’s no provision yet for multi-region Canadian wines to obtain VQA status. It’s not the first time producers declassified wines and trusted quality to overcome classification. This is beautifully complex, with quite intense tropical and butterscotch flavours offset with mineral and citrus tones. It has good acidity and is an excellent complement to turkey and cranberry sauce. (RP)

Unity Wine Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot 2002
Canada $29.95 Available only in Wine Rack stores
See the review of Unity Wine Chardonnay for the explanation of the “ Canada” (and not VQA) classification. This is a gorgeous wine with amazing aromas of ripe, dark fruit and notes of spice, vanilla, and smoke. The flavours are beautifully integrated ripe fruit, cloves, smoke, mint, pepper and coffee, all framed with firm tannins and lifted by poised acidity. It’s elegant through and through, a beautifully-integrated partnership of regions, wines, and winemakers. This is what the Super-Tuscans were all about: make the best wine you can and to hell with the classification. Buy lots of this and drink it over the next six to eight years. (RP)

New in Restaurants

Justin Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Paso Robles, California $45.50 04 $26.65/375ml bottle
Another big Napa Cab, this one showing well-concentrated dark fruit and berry flavours, a good, firm tannic grip and long length. There’s a remarkable purity of fruit right through the palate, and this will sustain the wine through aging for ten years or more. Then drink it in the company of well-seasoned friends and red meat. Order from the Robert Groh agency: www.robgroh.com (RP)

Logan Wines “Weemala” Shiraz 2000
Central Ranges, NSW, Australia $17.50
Dusty, crushed black cherries and spicy aromatics set up this medium-bodied beauty. Excellent grip and wonderful rich fruit extraction (possibly due to a two-day ‘cold soak’) make this an exciting offering in the style of a rich and expensive Rhône Syrah (tar, licorice and currants). Great value to stock up and drink now to 2007. Try with any tomato-based sauces or veal Parmigiana. Order now from Rob Beardall at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (VH)

Malivoire Wine Co. “Levity” Chambourcin 2003
VQA Ontario $14.00
Sourced from 100% hand-picked Bench fruit, this red French hybrid produces a wine the name might suggest; a lighter style with a sweet core of uncomplicated fruit flavours and imperceptible tannins. The nose and palate match with fresh strawberries and sweet cranberries, all combining to produce an interestingly tangy finish. Serve slightly chilled with pork loin roast or veal Marsala. This is great value. Order from Rob at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (VH)

McManis Family Vineyards Chardonnay 2003
River Junction, California $20.95
This San Joaquin Valley fruit is sourced from a cooler area than most, and the upside is a fragrant aromatic offering boasting of smoky tropical fruit and melons underpinned by a wonderful balance of acidity. This has a creamy texture that begs for well seasoned grilled chicken breast and creamy pasta. Rob Groh agency is the place to purchase at www.robgroh.com (VH)

Murphy-Goode Estate Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
California, U.S.A. $21.95
A spectacular Cab with ‘new world’ stamped all over it. Jammy, rich and concentrated with a firm spine of tannin and acidity allowing it to knit together. Great for sipping, but much better with pepper steak or rare beef tenderloin. www.robgroh.com is the site to purchase this value red. (VH)

Domaine de Montpertuis Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2001
AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France
A blend of Grenache (70%), Mourvèdre (20%) and Syrah (10%), this shows as rich and spicy with dominant flavours of dried fruit. It has a smooth, well-structured texture, and there’s no hint of the 14% alcohol in the mouthfeel. A very successful wine that will keep well until the end of the decade, and pairs well now with roasted mustard-wrapped rack of lamb. Order from Allegro Wine Imports (416) 466 2720 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (RP)

Salvalai “Monile” Ripasso 2001
DOC Valpolicella Classico Superiore, Italy $24.00
This gutsy, rustic red starts out innocently with floral notes, black cherries and raspberries. Once on the palate, it grabs hold and doesn’t let go. The core is sweet, rich and chewy ripe fruit whilst the finish is where the firm tannins and good acidity balance off this ‘made for food’ gem. Osso Bucco would be simply divine. Order from Rob at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (VH)

Trénel Fils Saint Véran 2002
AOC Saint Véran, France $21.11
Fragrant floral, green apple and buttery notes lead one into this well structured Chardonnay that is medium bodied and well balanced. Being a n é gociant allows this producer to choose the best fruit from this southern Burgundy appellation. Chicken Kiev would match well. Very good value. Buy from Allegro Wine Imports (416) 466 2720 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (VH)

Voss Estate Pinot Noir 2002
Martinborough, New Zealand $49.35
The tiny Martinborough region, not far from Wellington, has become a world benchmark region for Pinot Noir. The Voss 2002 gives you some idea why. It offers a lovely and apparently seamless combination of sweet and sour cherry, with earthy and spicy notes. Medium bodied and with light tannins, it has just the right level of acidity to complement food like medium-rare grilled New Zealand lamb. Available from the Robert Groh Agency, www.robgroh.com (RP)

Whitehall Lane Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Napa Valley, California $68.10 or $35.75/375ml bottle
A luscious, full-bodied Napa Cab with rich, well-focused dark fruit and complex flavours of fruitcake spice and black pepper. With firm tannins and good balance, this is a natural for a big hunk of medium-rare red meat. You can drink this now or hold it for another six to eight years. Buy it from the Robert Groh Agency at www.robgroh.com (RP)

All the very best to you and your loved ones in this Holiday Season
Cheers, Vic and Rod