Wakefield Clare Valley Merlot 2017 – South Australia ($19.95)

Plenty of rich dark fruit, including distinctive blackcurrants. Violets, Christmas fruitcake, raspberry and dark chocolate undertones are accompanied by some pretty smooth tannins, striking a lovely balance. Great value. 90

 

Three Thieves Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 – California ($15.95)
A plummy Cali Cab that leans to the sweet side, with vanilla and cherry dominating the nose. At least it has the acidity to keep it from toppling into sappy sweetness. 86

 

Pellegrino Finimondo 2017– Sicily, Italy ($11.90)
A mix of slightly dried Nero d’Avola and Shiraz grapes. The alcohol (and there’s 14.5% of it) seems to leap from the glass. A little barnyardy with black cherry, toasted oak and fermenting herbs. It’s a wee thin—medium bodied at best—but still a strong value. Wanna get buzzed on an affordable, quaffable red? Here’s your ticket! 87

 

Sous La Montagne DSM Vin d’Altitude 2016 – Roussillon, France ($20.95)
From the Pyrenees of Southern France’s Roussillon region comes this intriguing whole-cluster 40/30/20 blend of Carignan, Syrah and Grenache fermented entirely in stainless steel. There’s a purity of black fruit, with the peppery Syrah clearly evident on the first nosing, along with anise, charcoal and a green herbal nature likely owing to the whole-cluster approach, all lying on a bed of soft leathery tannins. Pretty cool stuff. Rosemary-garnished lamb or bison would marry beautifully with this well-priced, quality red. 91

 

Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon 2017– Chile ($14)
Morning bonfire embers dominate the early nose, with black coffee, earthy black cherry, baking chocolate and cassis. Full bodied, although I wouldn’t exactly call it a silky offering. Not a sipping wine, and there’s a bit of an aftertaste. It needs a pairing with older cheeses or red meats. 86

 

Rocco Delle Macie Chianti Riserva 2015– Tuscany, Italy ($15.95)
Earthy, grippy tannins get in the way a bit with this 13.9% alc. red blend of 90% Sangiovese, 5% Cab Sauvignon and 5% Merlot. Mushrooms, baking chocolate, but there’s also a little chalkiness that masks the cherry and strawberry fruit that lie beneath. 87

Zenato Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2013 – Veneto, Italy ($50.95)
A massive wine with a ripping (16.5%) alcohol content. There’s an immense concentrated richness of prunes, plums, chocolate and blackberry. Silky smooth and truly refined. Pair it up with a filet mignon or bison burgers with blue cheese. 93

 

Fazi Battaglia Titulus Verdicchio 2017 – Marche, Italy ($12.40)
Sort of like a training wine. Mellow notes of pear and nectarine notes from this soft and smooth Central Italy Verdicchio. The alcohol seems lighter in the glass that the 12.5% indicated on the iconic amphora-shaped bottle. Nothing off-putting here. A smooth, flexible summer white, whether you’re sipping on the patio or serving pasta with an Italian pesto sauce. 86.5

 

Beronia Rioja 2016– Rioja, Spain ($13.95)
There’s a lovely smoked meat and a soft rich opening palate of dark berries and cedar to this Tempranillo, but there’s some acidity beneath it to balance it all. Serious value here. 87.5

 

Bollini Pinot Grigio 2017– Trentino, Italy ($18.95)
Green apple, honey-dipped and underripe pears on the nose, with a bright acidity. The name says Pinot Grigio—and it is certainly crisp and dry—but the smooth texture suggests Pinot Gris. 88.5

 

La Petite Hitaire Blanc Cotes Du Gascogne 2017– Southwest France ($9.95)
Lemon zest, green peppers and a touch of mint leaves. Light enough to allow for plenty of good flexibility, from salads to lightly spiced seafood, but with plenty of acidity (although thankfulluy a bit softer than the sharper version last year). You’d expect something to be offensive at this price, but keep looking. 86.5

 

Bersano Costalunga Barbero d’Asti 2016– Piedmont, Italy ($13.95)
Dry, cherry, redcurrant, plum and slap-your-face acidity to this medium-bodied, if a little sharp, Barbera. 86.5

 

Villa Sandi Prosecco– Veneto, Italy ($15.95)
There’s pear, cantaloupe, tropical fruit and a little minerality in this bubbly mousse. Leaning ever so slightly to the off-dry side of dry, it’s very easy drinking at just 11% alc. Always a great value. Line up the fresh strawberries! 87.5

 

Il Passo Verde Vigneti Nero d’Avola Organic 2017 – Sicily, Italy ($13.95)
Deep, dark, garnet red with dark fruit, including blueberries and blackcurrants. A tinge of bitterness. Dry and at least medium bodied. Tannins seem mild, but there’s a tidy balance here, and the 13.5% alcohol is nicely integrated. 87

 

Susana Balbo Torrentes Crios 2018– Argentina ($14.95)
Soft Granny Smith apple, lemongrass, soft citrus. A light white, but eminently drinkable. A good partner for sushi or goat cheese. 86.5

Chateau de Sérame Minervois 2011 – Languedoc-Roussillon, France ($16.95)
Currently unavailable at the LCBO, but keep an eye out for this full-bodied red. Think deep, concentrated, stove-warmed blackberries, spicy smoked meat, eucalyptus, tobacco and leather, with lively tannins and acidity that bely its age. It loses some of the fruit as you advance into the bottle, but remains complex and balanced. 89