What We’re Drinking Now!
Casa Silva Riserva Carmenere, Colchugua Valley, Chile 2009
Vintages 24679 $15
This deep purple wine is filled with heady aromas of steak spice, game and blueberry. Mid-weight and spicy on the palate, ripe blackberries, cherries are uplifted by a rosemary/minty herbacious finish. Perfect with grilled NY strip.
Hecht & Bannier Syrah/Granche/Carignan, Languedoc, France 2009
Vintages 251587 $15.95
An exceptional wine for the price, this is why we often look to the Midi for mind-blowing wines for a mere pittance compared to similar wine coming out of the Rhone Valley. Syrah dominated, this dense, chewy red is brimming with ripe black fruit, leather, milk chocolate, wild herb and floral flavours. Rich, luscious and utterly enjoyable pick up a case and savour with grilled red meats on cool summer nights by an open fire.
Gray Monk Riesling, VQA Okanagan Valley, BC 2010
Vintages 273446 $18.95
Off dry and rich with ripe peach, apricot and lemon curd, with the ever present petrol-mineral of the riesling grape, this wine is a little richer and softer than the racy mineral streak so commonly found in Niagara. Still, it’s delicious and would be perfect alongside roast ham or grilled seafood.
Featherstone “Red Tail” Merlot, Twenty Mile Bench, ON 2010
Vintages 131540 $19.95
Bright red berry fruits, herbs and spice make up this enjoyable, easy drinking red. Sophisticated enough to go with Sunday lamb, but fun enough to serve alongside grilled burgers.
Michele Chiarlo “Le Orme” Barbera d’Asti, Piedmont, Italy 2009
Vintages 265413 $14.95
Whenever Michele Chiarlo comes through Vintages we always pick up at least a half case, whether we’ve tasted the wine or not. One of Piedmont’s leading producers, Chiarlo makes spectacular wines of substance and class — that are consistently underpriced. This is full of that telltale chocolate covered cherry flavours we so often associate with Piedmont, mixing with floral notes and slight rustic leather and barnyard. Perfect for grilled sausage, roast beef or simple pepperoni pizza.