d'Arenberg d'Arry's Original 2004
Mclaren Vale $19.95 (942904)
This 'Vintages Essentials' product—always available in selected stores, is a 50 / 50 Shiraz / Grenache blend from one of the wine-world's top producers. Dark and brooding in the glass, the aromas and flavours are all about winemaker Chester Osborne's trademark—fully flavoured, keenly selected and meticulously blended fruit. Look for a mélange of aromas and flavours that include briary berry, cassis, roasting coffee beans, tar and black licorice. It's medium bodied, satiny smooth in texture and well balanced. It delivers a mouth-watering dollop of tang on the lingering finish. (VH)



J. Lohr 'Seven Oaks' Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Paso Robles $19.80 (656561)
A new 'Vintages Essentials' product (and winecurrent perennial favourite); this joins the top-tier wines in that category and will be available continuously in selected stores. It's downright gorgeous, from the expressive aromas of spice box, toast and minty nuances to the explosion of ripe, dark, juicy and sweet berry flavours—blackberry, black raspberry and Bing cherry. It's medium to full bodied, fully textured and finishes lengthy—layering on flavours of tar and licorice. This is perfect to gift or to serve alongside prime cuts of beef. (VH)



Bodega Catena Zapata Malbec 2006
Mendoza $19.95 (478727)
This winery's high-altitude vineyards consistently deliver ripe fruit, both in sugar content and physiological ripeness; it allows them to make lovely wine like this, consistently. Aromas and flavours of ripe, sweet, dark berry fruit abound—black currant, mulberry and nuances of blackberry jam. It delivers enough tang for balance and dusty tannin for structure, finishing fruit forward and delicious. This 'Vintages Essentials' product is always available in selected LCBO retail locations. (VH)