This Vintages release starts with wines (reds, whites, rosés and a sparkling) to go with your summer barbecue. Then there is a section of wines in magnums, followed by some releases from Coyote's Run in Niagara. Next up are fortified and sparkling wines, and finally come wines by country. As usual, the country order is Canada, the U.S.A., South America, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and then the rest of the world in alphabetical order. Does anyone else find this unnecessarily confusing?

Sebastiani Zinfandel 2005
Sonoma County $20.95 (672667)
Dark berry aromas, supported by notes of spice and earthiness, open up this mild-mannered Zin. It's light to medium bodied, yet delivers lovely robust and sweet (14% alcohol) fruit flavours of red cherry and red currant. Not over the top, it provides deft balance and a long finish. There's moderating zing and the barest hint of tannin for structure. This is well paced and well priced. (VH)

Doña Paula Estate Malbec 2005
Luján de Cujo, Mendoza $16.95 (661819)
This is a very good price for a quite delicious fruit-forward Malbec. It's richly-flavoured, with concentrated sweet dark berry and black plum dominant and some spice and earthy undertones. Medium bodied with good tanginess and a hint of attractive rusticity, this is a natural for grilled red meats, just as the Vintages catalog says. (RP)

Santa Carolina 'Barrica Selection' Syrah 2005
Maipo Valley $14.95 (034959)
Here is yet another red from Chile flagging it as a go-to country for value wine. The aromas are black plum, black cherry and hints of oak. The sweet (14.5% alcohol) and expressive fruit flavours-juicy black cherry and spicy black plum-are enhanced with notes of mocha and tar. The tannins are ripe and round while the finish is medium in length and fruit forward. Pair this with a strip loin grilled medium-rare. (VH)

Seresin 'Leah' Pinot Noir 2005
Marlborough, South Island $39.95 (655167)
Smoke and oak aromas predominate on the expressive nose of this light- to medium-bodied, new world-styled Pinot. Oodles of juicy fruit flavours abound on the palate including juicy red cherry, blueberry and spicy black plum. It finishes with a moderating dollop of tang, providing balance and a dry refreshing exit. Try this with a duck confit that includes dried red berries. (VH)

Gladiator Primitivo di Manduria 2004
DOC Primitivo di Manduria $15.95 (23119)
This is a very good price for a red that offers a lot of flavour and quality. Look for quite rich, sweet fruit (black plum and crushed berries predominate) along with peppery spiciness. The texture is plush and juicy and there's a good level of acidity to keep the fruit sweetness in check. Drink this with burgers, barbecued ribs and steak. (RP)

Rancho Zabaco Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2004
Russian River Valley, Sonoma County $20.95 (036558)
This is my first tasting of this (I'm more familiar with their Zinfandel) and I quite liked it. It's fairly herbaceous on the nose (grassy, nettles, gooseberry) and delivers a well-focused package on a light- to medium-frame. Look for zingy fruit flavours of green apple and spiced pear plus a clean, dry and refreshing finish. This would pair well with crumbled goat's cheese over a mesculan salad drizzled with a light vinaigrette. (VH)

Yering Station 'E.D.' Pinot Noir Rosé 2006
Yarra Valley $17.95 (15545)
It's quite gutsy (or something) to call a wine 'E.D.' these days, because over-consumption may well bring it on. In this case, though, it stands for 'Extra Dry' and that the wine certainly is. It's a mark of the new seriousness now attributed to rosés that producers are highlighting the grape varieties and effectively inviting us to look for varietal characteristics. Here you'll certainly find good cherry flavours, along with the more familiar berry fruit, and also decent complexity (spice and a touch of earthiness) that does not detract from its refreshing quality. This is great with smoked turkey, hot or cold. (RP)

Château Val Joanis Côtes du Luberon Rosé 2006
AOC Côtes du Luberon $14.95 (707281)
This blend of Grenache and Syrah delivers a really attractive rosé that's crisp, clean and refreshing and has a little more character than many simple rosés. Look for red berry and tree fruit flavours (red currant, cranberry, red plum and cherry) and the zestiness that you want for a lunch of salads and cold cuts on the patio or at the cottage. (RP)

Lustau 'Solera Reserva' Dry Amontillado 'Los Arcos' Sherry
DO Jerez, Spain $17.95 (671115)
(Previously reviewed in Winecurrent) Think of yourself as a wine lover? This is a must buy and try. It beguiles the eye with an amber-green hue then caresses the palate with nutty nuances that mingle perfectly with the toffee and caramel aromatics. This scintillating gem is medium in texture and long on a perfectly balanced finish that offers a magical sweet/dry tang. Serve chilled as an aperitif. It is also a versatile food match; pour alongside consommé or rabbit stew. (VH)

Coyote's Run Reserve Chardonnay 2005
VQA Niagara Peninsula $21.95 (49775)
Coyote's Run has quickly carved out a position of prominence on Niagara's wine landscape-and they did it without building a monumental winery. Their reds and whites are impressive across the board, and this Chardonnay is a good example of what they're doing. It's complex and richly flavoured, with peach and sweet apple fruit and notes of butterscotch and sweet spice. It's well structured with a soft texture, yet it delivers a food-friendly bite, as well. Drink it with grilled pork tenderloin or with seared scallops. (RP)

Coyote's Run Cabernet Franc 2005
VQA Niagara Peninsula $21.95 (50450)
This is drinking quite well now, but it will repay cellaring for a year or two. It delivers solid flavours right through the mouth, with sweet, ripe cherry and red plum, and notes of green tobacco and smoke. It's quite rich with an attractive juicy dimension to the texture, and it has a firm tannic grip right now. Open a bottle of this with grilled red meats. (RP)

Malivoire Ladybug Rosé 2006
VQA Niagara Peninsula $14.95 (559088)
'Ladybug, Ladybug, fly away home' is a popular children's rhyme, but not half as popular as Malivoire's Ladybug rosé. The segue to this medium-boded gem are lifted aromas of sweet pit fruit and cherry. The flavours are spicy cranberry, strawberry and red currant. It's well balanced, spicy and zesty with a gorgeous touch of sweet berry fruit on the finish. A delightful aperitif, it could also be paired with light appetizers. (VH)

Joseph Phelps Chardonnay 2004
Sonoma County/Napa County $51.95 (034538)
Big and bold, you'll revel in this pleasure-packed Chard. Look for an expressive nose of apple pie spice and ripe Bosc pear. It's medium to full bodied and brimming with fruit flavour-green apple, ripe pear plus a hint of vanilla. The lengthy and luxurious finish is dry and redolent of apple pie filling and citrus. Steamed lobster dipped in clarified butter would be a lovely pairing. (VH)


Folie à Deux Ménage à Trois White 2005
California $18.95 (665166)
A blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc, this is an attractively floral and fruity white that pairs well with spicy seafood or chicken dishes. The apricot and peach flavours start and finish strong, but fade a little in the middle, but overall this is a good food wine that you can also sip on its own on a warm afternoon. (RP)

Red Truck Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
California $16.95 (36905)
This is a well-made, solid Cabernet Sauvignon that's an excellent choice for your summer grilling, whether you're doing burgers, steaks or lamb chops. It's medium bodied with quite intense flavours of dark berries and tree fruit, good balance and moderate tannins. If you're looking for a Cab that will please a range of palates, you can't go wrong with this. (RP)


Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Napa Valley $35.95 (325779)
This is a beautiful Napa Cab that has just about everything you want. The fruit (black cherries and berries) is sweet and concentrated with very good complexity. Look for lovely spiciness and a layer of smoke. The tannins are sweet and ripe, with a grip you can deal with now or you can put off for another five or six years. Balanced, stylish and well priced for the quality, this is a bottle you'll enjoy with a well-herbed steak cooked no more than medium-rare. (RP)


McManis Family Vineyards Syrah 2005
California $19.95 (658104)
Another gorgeous offering at a great price from this winery; we need to see more of their wines in Vintages. It introduces itself with aromas of cherry and chocolate. This is round and ready to drink, offering delicious flavours of sweet (14.5% alcohol) black cherry, cassis and more dark chocolate. It's medium weight, well balanced and has a quality to price ratio skewed well in your favour. (VH)


Santa Barbara Winery Syrah 2004
Santa Ynez Valley $20.95 (630616)
This is a totally delicious Syrah. It manages to combine a brash, bold, fruit-forward style with structure and elegance, a circle-squaring exercise not many wines achieve. Enjoy this with a well-seasoned grilled rack of lamb. It will bring out the layers of black fruit and berry, along with the spicy and peppery notes. (RP)

Columbia Crest 'Grand Estates' Shiraz 2002
Columbia Valley $19.95 (674929)
This is light to medium bodied with a well-balanced texture and expressive, but not over the top, flavours. It's all dark berry aromas on the nose while the fruit flavours are red cherry and currant plus some spicy notes. The moderating zing provides a clean, dry and refreshing finish. This wine seeks veal shanks in a tomato-based sauce. (VH)

Trivento Reserve Syrah 2005
Mendoza $12.95 (663112)
For the price, there's a lot going on here, and this is another wine that reinforces the impression that Argentina is the place to look for seriously under-priced wines. The flavours are layered and complex, with crushed berries and black cherry to the fore. Medium bodied and quite concentrated, it's soft-textured (almost creamy) and finishes well. You can't go wrong with this when you're serving burgers, steak, spicy sausages, or lamb chops. (RP)


Del Fin Del Mundo Reserva Pinot Noir 2005
Patagonia $14.95 (684548)
This wine isn't subtle, but it's delicious, extremely well priced and a sure crowd-pleaser. Spice and smoky aromas drift off the glass of this medium- to full-bodied red. The full bore sweet (14% alcohol) fruit flavours-dark, juicy black cherry fruit and black currant-are rich and concentrated. Even the lengthy fruit-forward finish is expressive. Serve slightly chilled on its own or with fowl or game dishes. (VH)

Albamar Carmenère 2005
Casablanca Valley $12.95 (032763)
Smoky and oaky on the nose, this delivers fruit-forward flavors on a round and warm medium-weight frame. Look for loads of sour cherry, spicy cranberry and moderating zest right through to the dry medium-length finish. This would pair well with lasagna, pizza with a tomato sauce or spicy meat loaf. (VH)


Santa Rita 'Medalla Real' Reserva Especial Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Maipo Valley $19.95 (275594)
This classy fruit-filled red carries itself with deft balance, good structure and charm. Look for a mélange of aromas and expressive flavours-black plum, chocolate, cassis and black cherry. There is good moderating acidity right through to the medium-length and dry finish. Lovely on its own, it would pour well alongside smoked bar b qued back ribs slathered in a spicy tomato sauce. (VH)


Santa Ema Merlot Reserve 2004
Maipo Valley $14.95 (642538)
Formerly growers, Santa Ema formed its own winery in 1955. This delivers expressive and unmistakable aromas and flavours of milk chocolate-almost a milk chocolate bar in liquid form. There's also loads of sweet and jammy black cherry fruit in this plush, medium-weight red. It's soft, warm and certainly ready to drink. Try it slightly chilled with burgers or barbie-grilled sausages. (VH)

Mitchelton Viognier 2005
Victoria $24.95 (025395)
This opens with lovely aromas of honeyed and floral notes. The flavours are delicate and layered; look for nectarine, ripe apricot and spiced peach. There is great balance here with honeyed fruit flavours playing off against spicy notes and enough citrussy zest to add interest and to keep it taut. Gorgeous sipped on its own, this would be a lovely wine paired with seared scallops with a drop of two of sesame seed oil. (VH)


d'Arenberg 'The Last Ditch' Viognier 2006
McLaren Vale/Adelaide Hills $18.95
(Previously reviewed in Winecurrent) Fermented and aged in old French and American oak barriques, you will detect none in the flavours due to the barrel age, but it certainly has lifted the fruit characteristics and contributed to the plush oily texture. Superb nectarine and sweet ripe peach flavours abound while the subtle honey notes are a portend of the rewards to be reaped from careful cellaring. Good to go now with creamy seafood pasta, or keep 7 or 8 years for a truly unique experience. (VH)

Craneford Allyson Parsons Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Barossa Valley $22.95 (34470)
This is quite an impressive Cab that offers sweet fruit (cassis, dark cherry) with notes of vanilla, spice and earthiness. It's dry and medium-plus bodied, with a nice seam of acidity that makes it an excellent partner for rich red meat dishes of many kinds. The tannins are sweet, fine and manageable now, but you can also let them soften for another five years if you want to cellar a few bottles. (RP)


Kilikanoon 'Killerman's Run' Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
South Australia $19.95 (675223)
This is a lovely, intensely-flavoured red that's well worth the price. It lacks some of the structure you normally associate with Cabernet Sauvignon, but it has a good flavour profile, with cassis, black cherry, spiciness and some herbal notes. It's medium bodied, has a smooth texture with good acid balance, and it's ready for drinking now and over the next two or three years. (RP)


Bremerton 'Matilda Plains' Cabernet-Shiraz 2005
Langhorne Creek $16.95 (25015)
If you're looking for a well-priced, fruit-forward red that'll go well with grilled meats and please many palates, you won't go wrong with this. Take a bottle to the next barbecue you're invited to. The flavours are all dark berry fruit, along with spicy, minty notes. It's intensely flavoured and soft-textured, and everyone will love it. (RP)


X & Y Shiraz 2004
Margaret River, Western Australia $17.95 (041194)
(Previously reviewed in Winecurrent) This punches well above its price and earned the final half star based on value. Plum and black pepper form the lifted aromas while the warm fleshy (almost creamy) texture and flavours offer spicy red berry fruit. The finish layers on rich and sweet (not jammy) Bing cherry and a dollop of moderating zest. This shows balance and class. The label is aimed at the hip and happening generation - regardless of yours, get an armful of this. (VH)

Koura Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Awatere Valley, Marlborough, South Island $20.95 (742866)
Offering a huge mouthful of expressive fruit flavours (especially gooseberry) this medium-bodied Kiwi is a winner. Look for gobs of aromas and flavour-ripe gooseberry, kiwi fruit and minerality-on a medium-weight frame. It also delivers a sweet and zesty finish that makes it a natural choice to be paired with spicy Asian dishes like sweet and spicy seafood satay. (VH)


Kim Crawford 'SP Tietjen' Chardonnay 2006
Gisborne, North Island $31.95 (948166)
Here's another expressive offering from Kim Crawford that's been sealed under screw cap to keep it fresh and lively. Spicy oak aromas form the segue to this medium-bodied, fully-textured Chard. Expect robust pit fruit flavours-nectarine, peach and yellow plum-plus green apple. There's lovely texture right through to the lengthy, spicy finish. Expect also a moderating spine of citrussy zest that keeps it clean and refreshing. (VH)

Uitkyk Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz 2003
WO Simonsberg-Stellenbosch $17.95 (906693)
This is a quite delicious blend with good fruit complexity and intensity. Look for blackberries, mulberries, black currants, cherry and plums, all enhanced with notes of spice, herbs and smoke. It's dry and medium bodied, smooth textured and nicely balanced. Everything is in place here for you to open a bottle and pour it with grilled lamb chops. (RP)

Stadt Krems 'Sandgrube' Grüner Veltliner 2006
Krems $14.95 (687913)
This is a good price for a very nicely paced white that delivers quite stylish flavours of white peach and yellow apple and some light spicy notes, all well complemented by attractive citrus acidity. It's quite substantial, with a medium body and good concentration, and it pairs well with spicy Thai dishes. (RP)

Cave de Turckheim Pinot Gris 2005
AOC Alsace $16.95 (34975)
Every now and again, it's a treat to return to Pinot Gris from Alsace after tasting through innumerable Gris and Grigios from other parts of the world. It's not that Alsace is the benchmark against which the others should be measured, but Alsatian Pinot Gris is distinctive. This is a very good example. You get fine fruit flavours (sweet pear and white peach) with an array of sweet spices, all wrapped in a rich, creamy texture with keen acidity. It's a great sensation, and it pairs well with spicy Thai dishes and spicy fish and seafood. (RP)


Michel Gassier 'les Piliers' Viognier 2006
Vin de Pays d'Oc $18.95 (669531)
Tropical fruit and smoky aromas emanate from the glass of this medium-weight, richly-textured gem. You'll get a huge mouthful of sweet (14.5% alcohol) fruit flavours-peach, nectarine and apricot-underpinned by notes of spice box and incense. There's also a ribbon of zesty citrus tying it all together and providing good balance. This has the flavour, texture and oomph to pair nicely with roast chicken stuffed with dried fruit. (VH)

Château Liversan 2003
AOC Haut-Médoc, Cru Bourgeois Supérieur $21.95 (035642)
The initial 1932 Cru Bourgeois classification was re-visited in 2003 with only 247 of the original 444 surviving. Although it's been since over-turned in court, Ch. Liversan was one of the survivors. Look for oak and smoke off the nose while the fruit forward flavours are redolent of spicy cherry, black currant and hints of licorice. It's quite well balanced and fully textured. There are noticeable, but acceptable tannins and a lengthy fruity finish. This is a well-priced choice for short term cellaring, reaping the rewards from 2009 to 2014. If you can't wait, try now with medium-rare grilled red meat. (VH)


Château Bournac 2003
AOC Médoc, Cru Bourgeois Supérieur $33.95 (035725)
Yes, this is another survivor of the 2003 re-classification, with less than 90 of the 247 earning the 'Supérieur' designation. Look for deep, dark, rich cherry fruit flavours infused with spice. The rich sweet fruit flavours are the result of the blistering hot vintage and the 14% alcohol level. The lengthy finish layers on warm and spicy cassis flavours along with black plum. It's drinking beautifully now, on its own or with grilled medium-rare red meat. (VH)


Alios de Sainte-Marie 2005
AOC Premières Côtes de Bordeaux $24.95 (042812)
Spicy and warm Port-like aromas introduce this medium-bodied red. Dry and zesty, the flavour profile is straightforward-cherry and black plum. They're firmly wrapped in tannins for now, but will still be there when the tannins have smoothed out. It'll then provide a balanced and enjoyable wine that was worth the wait. Drink 2010 to 2015 with lamb or beef daube. (VH)


Doudet-Naudin Savigny-lès-Beaune 2005
AOC Savigny-lès-Beaune $37.95 (733675)
This is a lovely wine in a classic style. It has rich and nuanced fruit (red and black cherry with spice and herbal notes) with lifted aromas, a fine-grained texture, sweet, sleek tannins, and a long finish. Take a mouthful of this to experience the whole, rather than the parts. If you want to put a few bottles away for four or five years, do. When you open a bottle, have a rack of lamb, grilled medium-rare, to hand. (RP)


Les Hauts de Montmirail Gigondas 2003
AOC Gigondas $44.95 (742551)
A rich and complex red that's all black cherry and berries, with notes of tar, garrigue, earthiness and spice, with a toasty overlay from the barrels. The texture and tannins are still quite taut, and although it's drinking quite well now, it will repay two or three years more aging. Drink it with well-herbed red meat dishes. (RP)


J.L. Chave 'Offerus' Saint-Joseph 2004
AOC Saint-Joseph $31.95 (937474)
A classic Saint-Joseph that's stylish, complex and delivers impressive breadth and depth. The texture is full and plush, and it shows off the rich, concentrated flavours of black berries, plums, cherries. The tannins are ripe and smooth and the finish is long, fruity and spicy. It's a pleasure to sip and is all the more so with well-seasoned red meats and stews. (RP)


Cuvée du Vatican 'Réserve Sixtine' Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2004
AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape $53.95 (740639)
This beautiful, stylish Châteauneuf-du-Pape stands out from a fairly consistently high-quality crowd. It's so complex and multi-faceted that I came back to it several times, on each occasion adding descriptors so that the list now looks ridiculous. The fruit lies in the dark and black berry and tree-fruit zones, and there are layers of secondaries. The texture is elegant, and although the tannins are fine, they're still very much in the foreground, making this a wine to cellar another four or five years. It will reward your patience. (RP)

Darting 'Dürkheimer Michelsberg' Riesling Kabinett 2005
QmP Pfalz $15.95 (950212)
Here you have a delicious off-dry Riesling with lovely modulated flavours of peach and tropical fruit, complemented by clean, bright acidity. It has a juicy texture that makes you want food, and the food to choose would be spicy Asian cuisine or seafood. (RP)

Alois Lageder Cabernet Riserva 2003
DOC Alto Adige-Südtirol $26.95 (30320)
Look for really attractive flavours of cherry, plum and spice in this quite plush and juicy Cab. It's medium bodied, has a smooth texture, and has a good seam of food-friendly acidity. The tannins are grippy but very manageable, and this pairs very well with grilled red meats. (RP)


Umberto Cesari Sangiovese di Romagna Riserva 2003
DOC Sangiovese di Romagna $19.95 (33399)
I liked everything about this wine. It's got consistently solid flavours of red and dark fruit from front to back, and although it includes some Cabernet Sauvignon, it retains the freshness and tanginess of the Sangiovese. Medium bodied with firm tannins, it pairs very well with a grilled veal chop in a red wine reduction. (RP)


Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco 2001
DOCG Barbaresco $31.95 (708826)
It starts with lovely aromas of plum, cherry, spice and leather, and moves on to a palate where the fruit is amplified and the secondary notes deepened. It's dry with a fairly plush texture and sweet, still very firm tannins. This is best cellared for another three years. After that, pair it with lamb shanks in a tomato-based sauce. (RP)


Poderi Colla 'Costa Bruna' Barbera d'Alba 2004
DOC Barbera d'Alba $23.95 (35345)
This is an attractive, refreshing red with fresh, lively fruit flavours. Look for red cherry, plum and berries that are quite pungent and have impressive depth. The tannins are ripe and firm, but this is drinking well now. Open it with veal stewed in a tomato-based sauce. (RP)


Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico 2004
DOCG Chianti Classico $26.95 (295964)
This is one of the more attractive Chiantis I've tasted recently. It has concentrated and richly-layered flavours (notably cherry with dried fruit and spicy notes), finely complemented with a good level of acidity. It's well structured and dry, and goes well with a wide range of tomato-based dishes. (RP)

Ramos Pinto 'Duas Quintas' Tinto 2004
DOC Douro $15.95 (359893)
One of the pioneers in producing table wine in the Douro, Ramos Pintos' 'Reserva' is highly sought-after. This is not the 'Reserva', but is very good and at an attractive price. Full bore rich and juicy fruit flavours abound in this medium-bodied blend-cherry, blueberry, and bramble berry-and they're underpinned by a generous ladle of moderating acidity and ripe tannin for structure. This finishes lengthy, tangy, dry and fruity. It's well worth a multiple purchase. (VH)

Bodegas Lan Reserva 1999
DOC Rioja $19.95 (042929)
You'll discover noticeable lashings of oak, plus savoury spice-infused cherry aromas and flavours galore in this medium-bodied offering from one of Rioja's premium producers. 'Lan' is an acronym for the three provinces (Logroño, Alava and Navarre) covered by the Rioja appellation when this winery began operation in the 1970's. This wine is medium in texture and delivers a medium-length finish. Best served with a rich spicy dish like paella with chicken, veal and sausage. (VH)

Cheers!

Rod and Vic

We use the following symbols when rating wines:

	Wines achieving nirvana
	Wines of excellence
	Wines well worth trying
	Wines below average, but drinkable
	Wines better avoided, unless desperate
	Represents a half star
	We both agree —a brilliant wine!
	Drink now and over the next 2 years
	Drink now and over the next 5 years
	Place in cellar