Boschendal ‘The Pavillion’ Shiraz / Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
WO Western Cape $11.95 (222299) 13.7% alcohol
Aromas of spice, cherry/berry fruit and nuances of dark coffee aromas open this easy-going, red blend—60% Shiraz and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. A gusher of juicy, ripe, sweet, berry fruit—black juicy cherry and briary berry—coats the palate, persisting through the nicely balanced, mid-length finish. A crowd pleaser sipped on its own, it pours well alongside burgers, meat-laden pizza and pasta arrabiata. (Vic Harradine)


Goats do Roam ‘White’ 2011
WO Coastal Region $11.95 (237313)
Tropical fruit and floral notes dominate the nose of this crisp and mouth-watering delectable, Rhône-style blend. Unique and refreshing, it’s well balanced and fruit-laden with lemon-lime citrus and ripe pineapple interlaced with ripe honeydew melon and succulent white peach. It’s medium-full bodied with good mouth feel and a dry, crisp, lip-smacking finish—what’s not to like? Extremely versatile at the table, it’s an excellent sipper and pours well with lighter-styled appetizers and mains, especially chicken, veal and sea food. (Vic Harradine)


Goats do Roam ‘Red’ 2011
WO Western Cape $12.95 (718940)
This punches well above the price making it hard to walk by without picking up a few. Rhône varietals Shiraz, Mourvède and others are blended with a splash of South African Pinotage making this unique and absolutely delicious. Perfumed aromas of dark berry fruit and spiced black plum herald a gorgeous, nicely balanced wash of clean, refreshing flavours with sweet, ripe mulberry and juicy, black cherry predominant. It’s mid-full weight and well textured with a juicy, succulent, fruity finish. (Vic Harradine)


Konzelmann Riesling 2010
VQA Niagara Peninsula $11.95 (200501) 11.5% alcohol
Yellow-green hued, this slightly off-dry fruity Riesling offers attractive aromas of citrus, mineral and orchard fruit. Fresh and tangy, lemon-lime and green apple layered on mineral and lively acidity create a tasty, nicely balanced zesty mouthful on the palate and zesty finish. This pours well with grilled chicken or veal, seafood or fish. (Susan Desjardins)


Nederburg Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
WO Paarl $10.95 (111526) 14.8% alcohol
Racy and robust flavours of smoke, dark, ripe berry fruit, tar and black licorice abound. It’s medium-full bodied with good mouth feel and a mid-length, balanced finish that’s underpinned by perceptible tannin and framed by good, mouth-watering acidity. Decant a couple of hour pouring alongside grilled or roasted beef or hearty stew. (Vic Harradine)


Nederburg Sauvignon Blanc 2011
WO Coastal Region $10.95 (187229) 13.6% alcohol
Here’s a crowd-pleasing, nicely fashioned Sauvignon Blanc with oodles of ripe, sweet fruit flavour, refreshing acidity and a fair share of charm. Wisps of grassy and herbaceous aromas segue a light-medium-bodied wash of lemon pie filling, ripe pineapple and succulent white peach that’s persistent on the palate and through the lip-smacking, lingering aftertaste. Lovely sipped as an aperitif, it also pairs well with pan-seared fish and sea food. (Vic Harradine)


Nederburg Shiraz 2009
WO Coastal Region $10.95 (527457) 14.4% alcohol
Aromas and flavours of charry toast, black licorice and peppery, spiced black plum compote abound. It’s mid weight with a solid tannin underpinning and finishes in a blaze of racy red fruit—sour cherry, red currant and red plum mingling with toasty oak; it spent 12 months in new and seasoned oak barrels. A two-hour decant and poured with rare-grilled steak will add to your pleasure. (Vic Harradine)