Savvy Wine - Reds
A wine list like no other. Scrupulously selected, these wines are meant to create a joyful and memorable experience. Most - if not all - retail for less than $30 but could easily masquerade for a $100-plus bottle. Our philosophy: Life is too short to drink bad wine.
.
Argentina
High Altitude Malbec/Cabernet, 2005
Australian
Layer Cake Shiraz 2005
Tasting Note: chewy, full-bodied, dressed-to-impress. A fine partner to barbequed leg of lamb. Extremely good value.
Canadian
Burrowing Owl 2004 Cabernet Savignon Oliver, BC
Tasting Note: Our hands-down, favourite Canadian wine. Sign up to this Okanagan Valley winery's wine list to get advance warning of releases.
Chalet Estate 2005 Merlot
Tasting Note: In our opinion the best of the Vancouver Island winery's line-up of reds. Full-bodied enough to be a Cab. And we love the fact that Chalet's reds have no sulphates.
Sandhill 2007 Cabernet-Merlot, Oliver BC
With a touch of Cabernet-Fran and Barbera. One of our favourite wines. So rich and aromatic you want to bite into it.Loads of fruit intensity. Incredible on its own or any meat or pasta dish or strong cheese. If you cant find it, order from the winery or go to the Dockside Restaurant in Sidney, BC.
Chile
Concha Y Toro - Trio - Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, 2004 (Mapo Valley)
French
La Cuvee Mythique 2002 Val d'Orbieu Languedoc, France
Tasting Notes: An exciting find hidden among normally boring, moderately-priced French wines.
Israeli
Pelter Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz 2005.
A luscious chewy, inky wine from one of Israel's up and coming wineries.So good it's knocked Petit Castel off of our Number One list of Israeli wines! Let this one breath well!
Petit Castel 2004
Tasting Notes: Rich and bold. Our favourite Israeli wine - good enough to take overseas to dear friends,
Italian
Tanca su Conti Rosso Sardigna
Tasting Notes: So drinakable and affordable, order this by the case. Red and silky.
Cantelle Primitivo 2005. The color is a lively ruby red, and the bouquet with undertones of cherries and plums and the finish is of flowers and spices. This is a medium bodied red that is delicious by it's self or will pair well with dishes like pasta with red sauce or any red meats including lamb. This wine ready to drink immediately or will keep for 3-4 years, if you must. Spotted at Esquin Wines, in Seattle for about $10. This is another great wine from Salento in the southern part of Puglia, Italy. Add Cantele to your list.
South African
Diemersfontein Pinotage 2006
Spanish
Coto de Hayas Cabernet Savignon 2005
L'Allue - Montsant 2004
Tasting Notes: Elegant yet full of rich fruit and subtle oak flavours. At about $15 this is is a silky-smooth bargain blend of Grenache, Caringan, and Cabernet Sauvignon. All wines from this winery are organic and crafted by an under 30-year-old Spanish winemaker!
Heretat Navas 2004 - Montsant, Catalunya
(Grenache, Carignane, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon)
USA
Worthy Sophia's Cuvee Napa Valley
Franciscan - Merlot 2004, Napa Valley
Tasting Notes: Inhale deeply this lush, elegant wine! Intense black cherry and clove aromas lead to ripe blackberry and black cherry flavours, with hints of toasted oak and vanilla.
Whites
Canada
Chalet Estate (now known as the Muse Winery) 2007 Ortega
Tasting Note: Excellent summer wine. A consistent gold medal winner.
Muse Winery 2008 Viognier. Like biting into an apple! Described as an "exuberant flirtatious little minx....a delicate balance between slightly neurotic, a little bit exotic and a touch erotic." Hints of apricot and peaches.
France
Chateau Lafaurie-Peyraguey, Sauternes, 1986. We tried this luscious, sweet wine at the former restaurant, 727 Pine, in Seattle. So unforgettable! Its fabulously rich, dripping with golden fruit, still showing some smoky oak, but floral and lifted nevertheless, with fresh tropical botrytis-tinged pineapples, purity and great, flattering sweetness. We found this bottle at Wilkinson Vintners in London at £36.67 a bottle.
South Africa
Steenberg Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Reserve