Manzanilla is a dry fortified wine that is a food-matching dream. Pair it with salted ham and goat cheese, a vast array of sushi and sashimi, or with seafoods such as grilled prawns, pan-seared sea scallops or even raw oysters. Bon appétit!

703066    (XD)            750 mL    $14.85   

LUSTAU Rare AMONTILLADO ESCUADRILLA  
Solera Reserva  


TASTING NOTE: Clear bronze-amber color, not too dark. Pleasant fresh-cracked pecan scents gain complexity from a whiff of the aroma that Sherry experts call "rancio," an earthy but pleasant character akin to overripe fruit. Mouth-filling but bone-dry, butter-pecan, alcoholic warmth and tart, tangy lemon-squirt acidity come together in balance to make a fine after-dinner sipper. (www.wineloverspage.com, March 2, 2004) 

660324    (XD)            375 mL    $13.85   

Sweet! The cellaring has been done for you! Already eight years old, this is an outstanding opportunity to enjoy a mature Icewine. Riesling's natural acidity balances the sweetness of the wine and also provides the backbone that allows this wine to age gracefully. It's sweet, soft and luscious, packed with ripe peach and apricot flavours as well as hints of honey and nuts. A Gold-Medal winner at the 2002 All Canadian Wine Championships.

53363    (S)            375 mL    $54.50     

The low-lying island of Limnos has proven to be one of the finest places in the world to grow Muscat of Alexander, the lesser-known variety of the muscat grape family. The Limnos Winery co-op is responsible for almost all winegrowing on the island and produces a range of wines, including this fortified vin de liqueur, that have achieved considerable acclaim within Greece. Enjoy this intensely grapey/fruity wine with rich desserts or mature cheeses.

This is a ready-to-drink, crowd-pleasing Chardonnay with juicy fruit flavours balanced by crisp acidity. There's no oak here, so the pure pear and apple flavours shine through. Enjoy as an aperitif or serve it with poached salmon in a creamy cucumber sauce.

53520    (D)            750 mL    $13.85     

VINTAGES VQA Choice
KACABA ESCARPMENT SERIES CHARDONNAY SUR LIE 2003
VQA Niagara Peninsula 
This wine won a Silver Medal at the 2007 All Canadian Wine Championships.

TASTING NOTE: Medium pale straw with green tinges. Lovely aromas of apricot, white peach, pear, apple, cream corn and a hint of cedar. Quite dry and crisp with a sweet centre to balance off the acid. The extended lees contact makes it seem like it has been oaked, but it has not. Medium full-bodied with a very long, crisp finish. Enjoy this wine with baked white fish or raw oysters. (VINTAGES panel, Nov. 2007) 

58578    (D)            750 mL    $15.85     

In 1873, Jean Laurent emigrated to the Napa Valley from Bordeaux. He bought property in St. Helena and quarried rock out of the base of Glass Mountain to build his wine cellar. A century later, businessman Bruce Markham purchased the property and created Markham Wines. His Glass Mountain label offers the winery's same attention to quality but with an emphasis on value. Look for delicate, tropical fruit aromas and flavours with creamy, toasty oak notes. Enjoy with steamed mussels or pasta primavera.

533208    (XD)            750 mL    $13.85   

This Chardonnay is a great value from a progressive producer. It's crafted in a crisp style with plenty of juicy, tropical fruit and ripe apple flavours balanced by medium acidity and just a hint of oak. Enjoy tonight with linguine and shrimp in a creamy pesto sauce.

355776    (D)            750 mL    $15.85   

Aged for six months sur lie in French oak barrels, Jordan's Russian River Valley Chardonnay is a subtle and elegant wine with clean, green apple fruit flavours and hints of honey and oak spice. With only a partial malolactic fermentation, this medium full-bodied wine retains its refreshingly crisp acidity and would make a terrific match with chicken breast in a light cream sauce or smoked salmon.

68023    (XD)            750 mL    $37.65   

COLUMBIA CREST TWO VINES SHIRAZ 2004
Columbia Valley  


TASTING NOTE: A good effort, with plenty of snap and sizzle ... You get juicy berry fruit, some clean spice and suggestions of white pepper, fine acids and decent length. It says Shiraz but it's less of an Aussie style and more of a snappy, acid-driven Washington take. Score - 87. (Paul Gregutt, Wine Enthusiast, May 1, 2007) 

672428    (XD)            750 mL    $15.85   

FAMIGLIA BIANCHI MALBEC 2005
San Rafael, Mendoza  
(Valentin Bianchi)


TASTING NOTE: Has a nice creamy texture, with alluring raspberry, fig, mocha and spice flavors that pump through the rich, velvety finish. Drink now through 2008.
Score - 89. (James Molesworth, www.winespectator.com, June 30, 2007) 

677559    (XD)            750 mL    $13.85   

Breathtaking to behold, Viña Haras de Pirque is a state-of-the-art, gravity-flow winery that is built in the shape of a horseshoe. Winery president and owner Eduardo A. Matte is also among Chile's top breeders of thoroughbred horses.

TASTING NOTE: A big wine, this Cab is deep ruby in colour with aromas of ripe cassis, red licorice, smoky bacon, cedar and a hint of caramel. It's dry, medium full-bodied, with intense black fruit, smoke and cedar flavours supported by balanced tannins and leading to a lingering finish. Enjoy over the next 2-3 years with rare steak or beef dishes. (VINTAGES panel, Oct. 2007) 

54502    (XD)            750 mL    $17.80   

A favourite of VINTAGES customers, this ripe and rich Cabernet is an overachiever that offers exceptional value. Rich and ripe, it features complex aromas and flavours of cherry, pomegranate, toasty oak, chocolate and some spicy notes. It's smooth and well-balanced with a medium-long finish. Savour it with a pork roast.

Veramonte's founder Agustin Huneeus's career in the wine industry spans nearly fifty years. He spent a number of years at the helm of a Franciscan winery in California's Napa Valley before returning to his native Chile in 1990. Using his experiences in California, he helped shape Chile's own quality revolution with Veramonte. This smooth and silky Cab has loads of concentrated cassis flavour, spice and cedar notes. A great value.

48454    (XD)            750 mL    $13.85   

INGOLDBY CHARDONNAY 2006
McLaren Vale, South Australia  

TASTING NOTE: Demonstrates the subtlety of touch and sophistication the wine has shown in recent VINTAGES; nectarine and stone fruit supported by quality French oak. Drink [to] 2012. Score - 92. (James Halliday, winecompanion.com.au, March 2007) 

47647    (D)            750 mL    $14.85   

This Savvy, owing to the cool climate of Mount Gambier, exhibits classic herbaceous characters on the nose with hints of gooseberry, good aroma replays and a refreshing, zesty acidity on the palate. Enjoy with grilled tuna or spicy mussels (with ginger and lemongrass).

8110    (XD)            750 mL    $19.80   

YERING STATION CHARDONNAY 2005
Yarra Valley, Victoria  


TASTING NOTE: Bright and jazzy, this peachy Chardonnay hints at lime and spice as the finish lingers. Drink now through 2011. Score - 89. (Harvey Steiman, www.winespectator.com, Oct. 15, 2007) 

651398    (XD)            750 mL    $21.80   

This vibrant, rich, flavourful 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is an excellent food partner for dishes such as Osso Bucco or Irish stew. It will also work with cheeses, such as blue castella.

48264    (D)            750 mL    $15.85   

CAMELBACK SHIRAZ 2003
Rockbank Vineyard, Sunbury, Victoria  
(Galli Estate Winery)


TASTING NOTE: Bloody gorgeous. Masses of rich ripe bright and bouncing red berry scents with damp earth and white pepper, followed in the mouth by more of that sparklingly pure cherry plum and spice and big servings of dark chocolaty earth. It is also superbly balanced. It starts off impressively fruity-sweet, but as it travels down the palate it becomes progressively tighter and finishes (eventually) on an earthy/savoury note. Really seductive wine. (Andrew Wood, Divine Food & Wine Magazine, Jan. 1, 2007) 

665125    (XD)            750 mL    $19.80   

Here's an excellent quaffer from d'Arenberg. What sets it apart from most Aussie wines at this price is that it is not content to be a simple affair. This wine is consistently rich, savoury and brimming with plum, blackberry, and spice flavours. The 2006 blend is comprised of 48% Grenache, 28% Shiraz and 24% Mourvèdre. Match this rich and smooth Rhône-style blend with duck or game.

606236    (XD)            750 mL    $13.85   

In Australia, this wine is available only to restaurants or at the cellar door. Though it is mostly Shiraz, winemaker Chester Osborn gets his blending groove on adding small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Grenache, Petit Verdot, Tempranillo and Pinot Noir.

TASTING NOTE: High-pitched floral bouquet of fresh rose, blackcurrant and blackberry. A rich, supple shiraz with broad, almost confectionery dark berry flavors and hints of licorice, floral candies and chewing tobacco. For all its sweetness, it's also bright, even racy for shiraz, with good precision and delineation of fruit and herb flavors. Finishes with fine-grained, harmonious tannins. Score - 89. (Josh Raynolds, International Wine Cellar, July/Aug. 2006) 

48785    (D)            750 mL    $23.75   

EVANS & TATE CABERNET/MERLOT 2004
Margaret River, Western Australia  


TASTING NOTE: Medium-bodied; shows the Margaret River synergy between the two varieties, even if on a modest scale; black fruits with hints of olive and earth; fine tannins, good length. Score - 89. (James Halliday, winecompanion.com.au, March 2007) 

721548    (XD)            750 mL    $19.80   

Jazz Wines is the brainwave of an emerging Canadian and Australian partnership. Their website jazzwines.com explores the cultural link between music (jazz obviously) and wine. They are collaborating with award-winning winemakers to make premium quality Shiraz. This debut 2005 release is sourced mainly from the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale regions in South Australia, and is crafted by award-winning winemaker Corrina Rayment of Oliver's Taranga Vineyards. Full-bodied with a nice balance of ripe black fruit and savoury spice notes, it is soft, silky, sultry and very food friendly. We recommend it with roasted lamb, and maybe a little Miles Davis in the background.

567826    (XD)            750 mL    $24.75   

KILIKANOON KILLERMAN'S RUN SHIRAZ/GRENACHE 2005
South Australia  


TASTING NOTE: Smooth and spicy, offering juicy blackberry and cherry flavors under a fragile blanket of fine tannins and scents of pepper and clove. Lingers well. Drink now through 2011. Score - 89. (Harvey Steiman, www.winespectator.com, Aug. 31, 2007) 

9225    (XD)            750 mL    $19.80   

LEASINGHAM BIN 56 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2002
Clare Valley, South Australia  


TASTING NOTE: Medium-bodied; much more refined than the Magnus, but certainly no more depth of flavour; has a fine mix of red and black fruits, and good oak handling. Top vintage. Drink [until] 2022. Score - 94. (James Halliday, winecompanion.com.au, Dec. 2006) 

39545    (XD)            750 mL    $25.75   

ST. HALLETT FAITH SHIRAZ 2005
Barossa, South Australia  


TASTING NOTE: This is a beautifully contained wine that's neither too broad nor too tight, expressive of cherry, violet and sweet spices, playing against refined tannins on the long finish. Best from 2008 through 2013. Score - 90. (Harvey Steiman, www.winespectator.com, Oct. 15, 2007) 

980631    (XD)            750 mL    $19.80   

WATER WHEEL MEMSIE 2006
Bendigo, Victoria  


TASTING NOTE: (87% shiraz, 7% cabernet sauvignon and 6% malbec) Saturated purple. Inky blackberry, blueberry and candied plum on the nose, with a bright peppery quality. Chewy dark fruit flavors are firmed by dusty tannins that carry through the finish. Solidly built-in fact, almost brawny and strikingly concentrated for this price point. Score - 90. (Josh Raynolds, International Wine Cellar, Sept./Oct. 2007) 

656637    (XD)            750 mL    $14.85   

Arrive in Style
DOG POINT VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2006
Marlborough, South Island  


TASTING NOTE: Concentrated, with a ripe wash of guava, grapefruit, lime and gooseberry flavors. Mineral accents and fleshy sweet-and-sour nectarine notes carry through the lingering finish. Drink now. Score - 91. (Daniel Sogg, www.winespectator.com, April 30, 2007) 

677450    (D)            750 mL    $21.80   

After nearly 20 years of tending vines, Saint Clair's owners Neal & Judy Ibbotson made the leap from vine growers to winery owners in the early nineties. They have since built one of New Zealand's largest family-owned wineries with a respected winemaking team supporting them. This easy-drinking, medium-bodied Merlot is bursting with bright plum and cherry fruit flavours and a note of toasty oak. Enjoy now with chili con carne or lamb stuffed eggplant.

47472    (XD)            750 mL    $15.85   

GRAHAM BECK PINOTAGE 2005
WO Coastal Region  


TASTING NOTE: Subtly wooded (13 months mostly American) 2005, tasted from barrel, has 5% each cab, tannat; good red fruit but savoury too, nicely balanced with firm, slightly dry tannins. Score - *** 1/2 (out of 5). (Tim James, John Platter South African Wines, 2007) 

593459    (XD)            750 mL    $16.85   

This wine is sometimes referred to as Graham Beck Dual Varietal. Comprised of 52% Shiraz and 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, the fruit for this wine is selected from estate vineyards in Robertson, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch. The two varieties are vinted and aged separately and are blended just before bottling. This ripe, vibrantly fruity wine is a crowd-pleaser that can be enjoyed with lamb chops, beef stew or, as the winery suggests, ostrich fillet.

661835    (XD)            750 mL    $15.85   

The Sainte-Helene is the second wine of the great Sauternes house, Château de Malle. This wine is made by the same team that produces their first wine and uses the same, as they say, draconian grape selection methods. The only difference is that the grapes are sourced from a new vineyard nearby or young vines from the principle property. The aromas are classic honeysuckle, marmalade and orange peel. The palate is sweet, full-bodied with creamy fruit notes surrounded by cinnamon and honey.

62232    (MS)            375 mL    $19.80   

Acclaim continues apace for the great 2005 Burgundies. Here's an old vines Chardonnay that shows off the vintage to superb effect. On the nose, it displays apple, pear, mineral and a hint of oak. The whole package is beautifully balanced and ready-to-drink. Try it with an herbed-chicken dish or steamed clams.

41319    (D)            750 mL    $14.85   

Impress your guests with something unique: a Sauvignon Blanc from Burgundy. And you'll only find them here in Saint-Bris. David Schildknecht, writing on Jancis Robinson's website in May 2004 stated: "the best growers farming this appellation ... render among the most fascinating and delicious Sauvignons on the planet."

641753    (XD)            750 mL    $15.85   

The impressive Château Morin 2005 was a Silver-Medal winner at the Concours de Bordeaux in 2007. This delicious Bordeaux exhibits lovely fruity aromas, a creamy mouthfeel with cassis and cedar on the palate and a mineral note typical of the St-Estèphe appellation. It is rare to find a Bordeaux from the blockbuster 2005 vintage for under $20 and rarer still to find one from St-Estèphe, home to many classed growths. A spectacular value.

62422    (D)            750 mL    $18.80   

Featuring mostly Syrah, with Grenache, Mourvèdre and Carignan in support, this is a classic Saint-Chinian wine with layers of dried roses, blackberry, pepper, caramel and a hint of menthol. An excellent choice for those who enjoy the mid-winter barbecue ritual – think steaks or even backribs.

43646    (D)            750 mL    $15.85   

DOMAINE COURBIS SAINT-JOSEPH 2004
AC  


TASTING NOTE: Especially floral – something this reviewer is a sucker for – with hints of rose petals gracing ground pepper and blackberries. Tastes almost floral as well, as it seems to float ephemerally on the palate yet shows some creamy weight at the same time. Drink now-2012. Score - 90. (Joe Czerwinski, Wine Enthusiast, Nov. 15, 2006) 

7914    (XD)            750 mL    $24.75   

The 2005 Rhône Valley reds are starting to receive the same level of acclaim as the '05 Burgundies. Made by the legendary Perrin Brothers, this Grenache-dominated Cairanne is rich and flavourful with silky tannins and impeccable balance. Delicious now with rare beef dishes, it will also reward 2-4 years in a cellar.

650960    (D)            750 mL    $17.80   

DELAS SAINT-ESPRIT CÔTES-DU-RHÔNE 2005
AC

Delas was named one of the Wineries of the Year for 2007 by Wine & Spirits magazine.

TASTING NOTE: Supple and silky, with delicious blackberry, mocha, spice and mineral notes that ripple through the fleshy finish. Drink now. Score - 88. (James Molesworth, www.winespectator.com, May 15, 2007) 

695668    (D)            375 mL    $7.90   
729962    (D)            750 mL  $14.85   

When most of us think of German wines we tend to think of Riesling. However, in the southern Baden region, it's the Pinot grapes – Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris - that hold sway. The Germans have proven to be masters of these wines and the Kaiserstuhl sub-region (across the border from Alsace), where the grapes for this wine were sourced, is considered by many to be the best production area in Baden.

597500    (MD)            750 mL    $13.85   

TASTING NOTE: Consistently good wine and one of my house favorites in the summer. Delicate nose of honeysuckle and wildflower with vibrant flavors of pears and peaches and spice. Perfectly balanced with a touch of sweetness offset by an acidic crispness. Good with a wide range of food. (Thomas O. Ryder, allrecipes.com, 2007) 

599274    (MD)            750 mL    $14.85   

BOUTARI NAOUSSA 2004
  


TASTING NOTE: Pinot Noir drinkers looking for good value should consider picking up a bottle of Naoussa Boutari 2004, which is made from Xinomavro, and has some definite Pinot characteristics: light to medium bodied with bright berry notes and definite cedar notes over good acidity. Very food friendly (great with tomato sauces) ...  (Tim Pawsey, www.canada.com/vancouvercourier, May 2006) 

23218    (XD)            750 mL    $11.85   

The Nemea wine region is in the Peloponnese area of southern Greece. Here they make outstanding red wines with the indigenous Agiorgitiko grape variety. Dry and medium full-bodied, this is packed with ripe black cherry and plum fruit flavours with hints of cinnamon, tea and licorice. Enjoy over the next 2-3 years with hearty meals like lamb souvlaki.

60830    (XD)            750 mL    $17.90   

Irsai Olivér is a cross between the Pozsony and Pearl of Csaba grapes. It was originally produced as a table grape, but proved to be quite adept at creating flavourful, muscat-like wines. This floral, muscat and spearmint-scented wonder is an excellent example of the wine. Enjoy it with Thai shrimp with spicy noodles.

12070    (D)            750 mL    $11.85