Henry of Pelham's Cabernet/Merlot Reserve 2006 is a Meritage by any other name. Pelham only makes this wine in the best of vintages, and 2006 has turned out to be extremely successful for Bordeaux blends in Ontario. The wine uses Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc, plus Merlot. Prior to blending, the grapes are given extended skin contact in stainless steel and then aged in French and American barriques (40% new) for 18 months. Expect aromas of cassis, cherry, smoke and earth tones. A worthy candidate for short-term cellaring (2-4 years), this wine will also complement roast leg of lamb with rosemary and garlic.

Le Clos Jordanne winemaker Thomas Bachelder has helped take Ontario wines to the next level with his terroir-driven Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. He was honoured as 2009's Winemaker of the Year at the Ontario Wine Awards. Now in just their third vintage, his single-vineyard wines are a revelation. The deeply coloured Claystone Terrace Pinot is typically the most muscular in style, a trait Bachelder attributes to the rich clay soil. The 2007 vintage is being hailed as the best ever in Ontario, so this intense Pinot from the master himself should hit the quality stratosphere and be eminently age-worthy.

With this well-priced wine, Beringer's focus is on crafting a well-balanced Sauvignon Blanc that is true to the variety's essence, yet still unmistakably Californian. This soft, approachable Savvy has lovely aromas of citrus fruit and grass, while the palate reveals ripe tropical fruit and a touch of toast leading to a refreshing fruity finish. Enjoy it with grilled prawns or other shellfish dishes.

If you're looking for a big, crowd-pleasing, affordable Chardonnay then look no further. Packed with tropical fruit, pear, melon and sweet vanilla notes, this is a full-bodied, generous and rich effort that is sure to impress your guests. Pair it with crab cakes with a spicy aioli dipping sauce.

Rutherford Ranch is making some of the best value-for-money wines in Napa Valley. Their 2008 Chardonnay was not reviewed at press time, but the '07 vintage was awarded 90 points by Robert Parker Jr.(www.erobertparker.com, Dec. 2008). Once again, the 2008 puts the emphasis on pure fruit flavours with ripe pear, apple and tropical fruits balanced by zesty acidity on a medium full body. Pick it up along with its sibling, the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (073817) for the best deal this side of Napa.

A favourite with VINTAGES customers, this stylish Chardonnay is mostly sourced from the winery's estate vineyard in the Russian River Valley. Aged in both French and American oak, it's bursting with melon, citrus and vanilla aromas. It's dry, full-bodied with a round creamy texture, rich fruit, balanced acidity and well-integrated oak leading to a lengthy finish. A divine match for pan-fried scallops, grilled salmon, pork tenderloin or bouillabaisse.

Quarterly Review of Wines, in their Summer 2009 issue, listed Round Hill's 2007 Cabernet as one of their Best of the Best California Values and made these general remarks about this estate's wines: " ... solid, balanced, tasty bistro and everyday wines that marry well with food. They exhibit rounded fruit, with soft spice and some oak. In judging wine, we favor finish, and the wines below offer a smooth, fairly full and satisfying one. These wines offer easy flavors upfront and invite a second glass, one of the best recommendations any value wine can receive. The prices are right. In these inflationary times, these wines never looked so good."

A fantastic value from Napa Valley, this ready-to-drink Cabernet includes small amounts of Merlot, Syrah and Petite Sirah, adding to its depth and appeal. It features ripe blackcurrant, cherry, cedar box and cinnamon notes wrapped in sweet, silky tannins leading to a lengthy finish. Enjoy over the next four years partnered with lamb chops or herb-encrusted roast beef.

Stags' Leap Winery has been crafting superb Merlots for three decades. Hand-picked fruit from its estate vineyard forms the backbone of this classy wine. It's blended with a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon (2%) before spending 20 months in French oak (50% new). Expect attractive aromas of black plum, dark berries, cocoa and cedar, a full body, concentrated fruit flavours, good tannic structure, and a long, generous finish. Enjoy over the next 5 years with seared, spiced duck breasts.

Traditionally, this is a rich, fruit-driven wine packed with black fruit, spice and smoky characteristics framed by refined tannins and a lively backbone of acidity. Look for more of the same here. Great for grilled steak, or for the winter barbecuer, smoky BBQ ribs would be just the ticket.

Viña Cobos is the Argentine winery of acclaimed Napa Valley winemaker Paul Hobbs.

TASTING NOTE: The purple-colored 2007 Felino Cabernet Sauvignon offers up spicy black currants and blackberry. Smooth-textured and layered, it has excellent balance and a lengthy, pure finish. It's hard to think of a better value in Cabernet Sauvignon. Score - 91. (Jay Miller, www.erobertparker.com, Dec. 2008) 

132365    (D)            750 mL    $19.95   

A terrific wine for grilled prawns or calamari.

TASTING NOTE: The medium straw-colored 2008 Sauvignon Blanc delivers a perfume of citrus and passion fruit with some fresh herb notes in the background. It bears a resemblance to its first cousin, the 2008 Errazuriz Sauvignon Blanc, but without the same degree of concentration and depth. Nevertheless, it is a fine effort for drinking over the next 12-18 months.
Score - 88. (Jay Miller, www.erobertparker.com, June 2009) 

510339    (D)            750 mL    $15.95   

Casa Lapostolle was named 2008's 'New World Winery of the Year' by Wine Enthusiast.

TASTING NOTE: Very stylish, with nice underlying richness as the suave toast melds into the pear tartine, Jonagold apple and floral notes. The long, creamy finish has nice lingering minerality. Drink now through 2010. Smart Buy.
Score - 91. (James Molesworth, www.winespectator.com, June 15, 2009) 

947937    (D)            750 mL    $27.95   

Here's a terrific value from this exciting family winery in McLaren Vale. Winemaker Mike Brown blends of 95% Shiraz with 5% Viognier for added aromatics and delicacy. Expect attractive aromas of violets, dark berries, cinammon, oak and peppery spice. It's dry and richly textured with mixed berry fruit, spice and cocoa flavours. Enjoy over the next 5 years with stuffed roast rabbit or beef tenderloin.

The Filsell vineyard is considered one of the best in the Barossa Valley, with vines that are nearly a century old. This powerful Shiraz is the not-so-little brother to Burge's flagship Meshach, which is also sourced from Filsell. Dark, deep, layered and intense, this is premium Barossa Shiraz. It will benefit from 5-10 years in a good cellar, but if you can't wait, serve it with an equally impressive dish like braised lamb shanks with carmelized onions and shallots.

Sydney pharmacist-turned-winery-owner Michael Hope is particularly proud of his latest estate-grown Shiraz. "Our 2007 Shiraz is a great example of typical Hunter Valley Shiraz, earthy and peppery with generous fruit. By using a combination of fermentation methods: tank, open ferment and oak, we have obtained a complex and satisfying Shiraz that you will love to drink." Serve this medium full-bodied wine with roast beef or a root-vegetable ragout.

A fine wine to enjoy with meat lasagna.

TASTING NOTE: Fresh, with some savoury/minty overtones to small berry fruits; fine tannins. Drink [until] 2012. Score - 88. (James Halliday, www.winecompanion.com.au, March 2007) 

141267    (D)            750 mL    $16.95   

Jay Miller of The Wine Advocate recommended this blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, awarding it 89 points in February 2009; however no tasting note was given. Aged for 12 months in a combination of French and American oak, this is a great value from the Barossa. Expect a dry, full-bodied and smooth-textured red packed with sweet blackberry and cherry fruit, spice, toasty oak and vanilla. Score - 89. (Jay Miller, www.erobertparker.com, Feb. 2009) 

684357    (D)            750 mL    $14.95   

The Gamekeeper's Reserve supports Graham Beck's commitment to conservation and biodiversity. The winery uses proceeds from this wine's sales to fund a wildlife conservancy, which helps protect several endangered species on the estate. This delicious Cab is brimming with aromas of blueberries and blackberries, cedar, spices and leather. It's dry with ripe black-fruit flavours, toasty oak and supple tannins.

This wine won a Gold Medal at the Concours Général Agricole 2009 in Paris.

TASTING NOTE: A classic blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Muscadelle, this refreshing white features aromas of gooseberry, tropical fruit, fresh-cut grass and stony mineral. There's an abundance of fruit flavours on the medium-plus-bodied palate, including notes of lime and white grapefruit, leading to a crisp, clean finish. Serve now to 2011 with pan-fried clams, sushi, or fettucini with asparagus and seafood. (VINTAGES panel, May 2009) 

140046    (XD)            750 mL    $15.95   

Winner of a Gold Medal at the Concours Général Agricole 2009 in Paris.

TASTING NOTE: This wine is a very interesting aromatically and on the palate, but especially in the finish. It gets off to a good start with aromas that are grassy but not under-ripe, along with floral notes akin to lilacs that are unusual for Sauvignon. The flavors offer suggestions of grapefruit and lime, and these notes carry through to the finish, which shows lovely mineral tinges and lots of zesty acidity. Score - 91. (Michael Franz, www.winereviewonline.com, July 14, 2009) 

608877    (XD)            750 mL    $18.95   

Hands down, the Midi is the best place to find quality, value-priced Viogniers; and this is a fine example. The aromas suggest honeysuckle and a summer meadow. Enjoy this round, full, velvety, mouth-filling wine with herbed chicken, pasta in a cream sauce, or crab cakes.

Winner of a Gold Medal at the Concours Général Agricole 2007 in Paris.

TASTING NOTE: The second wine of Château Paloumey, this 50/50 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot is sourced from the estate's younger vines and aged in oak for one year. Deep ruby in colour, it shows aromas of cassis, black plum, blueberry, black cherry, vanilla and light toast notes. It's dry, medium full-bodied with a good core of black fruit flavours balanced by medium tannins and acidity. The length is impressive. Enjoy over the next 5-8 years. (VINTAGES panel, May 2009) 

138826    (XD)            750 mL    $26.95   

This won a Gold Medal at the Concours Général Agricole 2008 in Paris.

TASTING NOTE: ... Montagne Saint-Emilion is a satellite appellation of far better-known Saint-Emilion, and its wines often punch well above their price. This is one, an intensely flavoured and richly textured blend of merlot and cabernet franc, delivers impressive structure and balance. With fine, firm tannins, it's drinking well now and will easily hold another five years.
Score - 4 Stars (out of 5). (Rod Phillips, www.rodphillipsonwine.com, Aug. 13, 2009) 

140483    (XD)            750 mL    $18.95   

Winner of a Gold Medal at the Concours de Bordeaux 2008.

TASTING NOTE: This Merlot-based cuvée is deep ruby in colour, with aromas of cherries, sweet herbs, black plum, tobacco and pencil lead. Plump and juicy, it's dry, medium-bodied with good fruit replays and sweet oak on the palate supported by firm tannins and culminating in an extraordinarily long, spicy finish. (VINTAGES panel, May 2009) 

138669    (XD)            750 mL    $24.95   

This wine won a Gold Medal at the Concours des Grands Vins de France 2008.

TASTING NOTE: A blend of syrah and grenache, this is an intensely flavoured wine that's packed with sweet, ripe fruit. Some sips seemed jammy, others didn't, but you can tame the richness by drinking it with sweeter food, like ribs or burgers and sweet-sour sauce. The structure is good and the tannins are soft. Drink it now and over the next five years. Score - 4 Stars (out of 5). (Rod Phillips, www.rodphillipsonwine.com, Aug. 13, 2009) 

106518    (D)            750 mL    $16.95   

A superb wine for roast leg of lamb.

TASTING NOTE: A fresh, focused style, with violet, fruitcake, plum sauce and mulled black cherry notes that hang over a graphite-tinged finish. Drink now. Score - 87. (James Molesworth, www.winespectator.com, July 31, 2009) 

965616    (XD)            750 mL    $15.95   

Vinsobres was elevated from one of the 16 named villages in the AC Côtes du Rhône-Villages, to cru status in 2006.

TASTING NOTE: Very pure, with superracy red cherry, raspberry and violet notes that stretch out through the lengthy, graphite-filled finish. There's lovely, integrated acidity. Delicious. Drink now through 2011. Score - 91. (James Molesworth, www.winespectator.com, July 31, 2009) 

566844    (XD)            750 mL    $17.95   

Château le Barradis' 38 hectares of vineyards are a virtual Garden of Eden as they have never been treated with chemicals, and have been certified organic since 1968. This is an elegantly structured Bordeaux-style blend with lovely, pure red-berry and black-fruit flavours. Enjoy with grilled meats, leg of lamb or eggplant parmigiana.

Our Quality Assurance Laboratory has determined that this organic wine contains 8 mg/L of free sulphur.

"We are pleased to report that the new manager Walter Bibo has right from the outset produced an outstanding range of wines... the wines of the 2003 vintage show exceptional quality, ...We found not a single disappointing wine in the range. The company is provided by first class Spätlese and Auslese wines ..." (Armin Diel & Joel Payne, Gault Millau Guide to German Wines 2005). This single-vineyard late-harvest Riesling is hitting its prime. Juicy, with tropical fruit and a stony finish, it's an inspired choice alongside chacouterie.

A very pretty wine from the cool-climate northwestern part of Greece, this sprightly and lively wine is made with the local-to-Zitsa grape, Debina. This refreshing, lime-scented wine is seemingly tailor-made for grilled calamari.

Muscat thrives in the hilly, volcanic/clay soils of northeastern Hungary. It's a perfect area for grapes to become extremely ripe, creating flavourful, medium-sweetness wines such as this little beauty. This wine is an excellent choice for chicken paprika or spicy Asian dishes.

Made with 100% Montepulciano grapes, this supple medium-bodied red is aged in Slovenian oak for 11 months. An exceptionally food-friendly wine and a terrific value to boot, it typically features bright plum, cherry and raspberry fruit as well as notes of dark chocolate, vanilla and earth. Bright acidity and fine tannins hold it all together. Serve it alongside a roast pork tenderloin.

This single-vineyard Barbera gives you a taste of Piedmont for a song! Deep purple in colour, it displays elegant aromas of ripe black cherry, plum, tobacco and hints of new oak. Medium-bodied, with deep, dark fruit flavours balanced by lively acidity and soft tannins, leading to a medium-long finish. Enjoy with tomato-based pasta, chicken marengo, or a meat-and-cheese antipasto platter.

Winner of a Gold Medal at the Concorso Internazionale del Vino Biologico del BioFach 2009. The fruit for this wine is certified organic and biodynamically grown. A easy-drinking wine with lots of cherry, cranberry, tobacco and underbrush aromas. This well-balanced, ripely fruity Barbera is a good choice for beef or lamb stews, or mushroom risotto.

Our Quality Assurance Laboratory has determined that this wine contains 35 mg/L of free sulphur.

Antonio Galloni, on Robert Parker Jr.'s website, gave this wine a score of 90 (June 2009).

TASTING NOTE: Has dried cherry and berry aromas, with hints of flowers, following through to a full body, with silky tannins and a delicate finish. A little reserved, but there's lots of fresh fruit and racy acidity. Best after 2010.
Score - 91. (James Suckling, www.winespectator.com, Web Only, 2009) 

651141    (XD)            750 mL    $67.95   

Rosso di Montalcino has been dubbed "baby Brunello", and rightly so. The Sangiovese wines, usually from younger vines, require only one year in barrel and bottle before release. This allows the wines to be much more soft textured, ripe and fruity than the complex, longer-aged bigger brother Brunello. Even with the shorter cellaring, it retains a full measure of elegance, and is a winner with food – particularly wild mushroom risotto.

Antonio Galloni, on Robert Parker Jr.'s website, gave this wine a score of 90 (Aug. 2009).

TASTING NOTE: This shows coffee, spice, tar and blackberry character on the nose and palate. Big and powerful, with loads of new wood. Juicy and rich. Very New World. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best after 2010. Score - 91. (James Suckling, www.winespectator.com, Feb. 28, 2009) 

25700    (XD)            750 mL    $29.95   

Wine Spectator (Oct. 15, 2009) also awarded this rich Chianti Classico 91 points.

TASTING NOTE: The estate's 2005 Chianti Classico Riserva Marchesi Antinori is sweet, supple and perfumed, with attractive layers of dark fruit that emerge from its medium-bodied frame. The wine possesses terrific intensity in a graceful, weightless style that is sure to find many admirers. The 2005 is an especially successful version of this bottling. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020. Score - 91. (Antonio Galloni, www.erobertparker.com, Aug. 2009) 

512384    (XD)            750 mL    $35.95   

Alicante is an extremely rare sort of grape, in that not only is its skin red, but so is the pulp; in fact, it is the only Vitis vinifera grape that is red-fleshed. It typically produces wines that are deeply coloured.

TASTING NOTE: Made from Alicante Bouschet grapes, deep ruby towards garnet, medium to full-bodied with gently caressing tannins and light hints of spicy wood after having been aged in large oak vats for 12 months. On the nose and palate appealing red and black berries, those with a near-jammy note along with a hint of red licorice. Whatever hint of sweetness is found here is set off nicely by notes of pepper and red licorice. Drink now-2011. Score - 87. (Daniel Rogov, www.haaretz.com, July 1, 2009) 

70797    (XD)            750 mL    $18.95   

This wine is made using the Ripasso method, although it does not indicate this on the label. Tedeschi uses the recent variation on the process: they pick fully ripe grapes, then allow them to dry on mats for about one month prior to pressing. The resulting wine is even more flavourful and rich than standard Valpolicella. This is meat tortellini's best friend.

Jay Miller, on Robert Parker Jr.'s website, gave this a score of 90, but did not provide a written review (Feb. 2008).

TASTING NOTE: Tempranillo, Cabernet, Merlot and Grenache blend that has resulted in a pretty, fruity wine with aromas of red currants, raspberry, strawberry and a hint of earth. Dry and flavourful, this wine is brought nicely into line by a good seam of acidity. A great roast beef and mashed potatoes wine, or for an informal brunch, try it with top-grade smoked meat sandwiches. (VINTAGES panel, March 2009) Score - 90. (Jay Miller, www.erobertparker.com, Feb. 2008) 

982736    (XD)            750 mL    $19.95   

A wine from Ribera del Duero at a terrific price. Jay Miller, on Robert Parker Jr.'s website, gave this wine a score of 89, but did not provide a tasting note (Feb. 2008).

TASTING NOTE: This is another great value from Spain. 100% Tempranillo sourced from very old vines, it's deep ruby in colour, with aromas of mixed berry fruit and roasted coffee. Dry, medium-bodied, creamy textured and well-balanced with ripe, brambly berry flavours replaying on the palate. Enjoy it with roast lamb, roasted stuffed peppers or vegetable casseroles. (VINTAGES panel, March 2009) Score - 89. (Jay Miller, www.erobertparker.com, Feb. 2008) 

132597    (XD)            750 mL    $14.95