BUYING GUIDE

ROSÉ ROAD 13 HONEST JOHN’S ROSÉ 2018, VQA BRITISH COLUMBIA ($17)

Vivid deep coppery pink. Fairly strong nose of strawberry, orange and banana. Medium body, slightly sweet, tastes of strawberries and ripe banana. A crowd pleaser. Drink now. (RL)

HONSBERGER ESTATE ROSÉ 2018, NIAGARA ($24)

Lightly floral, cherry nose. Well-extracted cherry and cranberry flavours, crisply dry and very elegant. (TA)

BLACK HILLS ROSÉ 2018, SOUTH OKANAGAN ($24.90)

Blend of Pinot Noir (42%), Gamay Noir (35%) and Malbec (23%) sourced from north of Oliver, Sandhill Vineyard and West Osoyoos. Aromas of orchard and stone fruit precede a fresh and juicy palate of strawberry, peach and rhubarb with some creamy hints and a spicy, savoury edge. (TP)

CEDARCREEK PINOT NOIR ROSÉ 2018, KELOWNA ($29.99)

Very pale pink with a bluish tint. Minerally, cherry-pit nose. Medium body, dry, with a lightly floral cherry flavour and a fresh, acidic finish. A charming wine. (TA)

ADORADA ROSÉ 2017, CALIFORNIA ($213)

I deducted points for the useless and irritating plastic covering poured over the cork that shatters sharp shards of black plastic all over your kitchen when you try to remove the cork. Send a message to the producers: do not buy this wine! (Now I have got that off my chest and vacuumed the plastic off my floor…) The wine is the color of dark smoked salmon and has a robust nose of strawberry, pineapple and peach. Full bodied for a rosé, it is slightly sweet, tasting of more strawberries, raspberries and mandarin orange with good acidity. Drink up. (RL)

RED $20 AND UNDER HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AUSTRALIA ANGUS THE BULL CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2017, CENTRAL VICTORIA ($16.45)

Deep ruby in colour. Cedary, lightly floral, blackcurrant bouquet. Medium body, dry, savoury, plum and blackcurrant flavours carried on lively acidity. Well-structured, with ripe tannins. Great with steak. (TA)

RECOMMENDED CANADA CREEKSIDE RED TRACTOR CABERNET FRANC 2017, ONTARIO ($17.95)

Opaque purple in colour with a cedary, spicy nose. Medium body, dry, blackcurrant and plum flavours. Savoury on the palate with a firm, tannic finish. (TA)

FRANCE CHÂTEAU DE ROUQUETTE 2014, AC CÔTES DE BORDEAUX ($17)

Deep garnet. Faint nose of raspberry and oak. Thin on the palate with ripe raspberry flavours and soft tannins. Drink now. (RL)*

SOUTH AFRICA GROOTE POST SHIRAZ 2015, DARLING HILLS ($17)

Medium nose of black cherry with milk chocolate and vanilla. Full bodied with a soft mouthfeel despite tangy acidity. Young and fruity cherry flavours, easy to quaff for a hearty red wine. (RL)*

$20.01 TO $35 HIGHLY RECOMMENDED CANADA CORCELETTES MERLOT 2016, SIMILKAMEEN VALLEY ($24)

From vines grown on rocky, Stemwinder soils close to a super-heated rock face, in one of the best recent vintages. Aged in large French and American barrels and large French oak vats. Lifted red and black fruit with savoury notes before a well-structured palate of damson, blueberry, spice and smoky hints, with that definitive Similkameen mineral core and a lengthy finish all wrapped in firm but approachable tannins. Excellent value. (TP)

MOON CURSER BORDER VINES 2017, SOUTH OKANAGAN ($25.99)

The winery’s original Bordeaux-style offering blends mainly Cabernet Sauvignon (71%) with Petit Verdot (16%), Malbec (7%), Carmenere (4%) and Cabernet Franc (2%). Upfront red and black fruit with floral notes precede wild blackberry, raspberry and cassis supported by restrained, mainly neutral, oak and balanced acidity through the close. (TP)

LAUGHING STOCK VINEYARDS BLIND TRUST 2017, OKANAGAN VALLEY ($28.99)

Blend cunningly concealed under the

capsule foil. Cedary, spicy, tobacco and blackcurrant bouquet. Medium- to full-bodied. Dry, richly extracted flavours of black fruits and currants with harmonious oak and good grip on the finish to give structure to the fruit. (TA)

MOON CURSER MALBEC 2017, SOUTH OKANAGAN ($30.99)

Hand picked and hand sorted, not crushed. From Osoyoos East Bench, south-west facing slope. Aromas of red and blue fruit with wild briar notes before a vibrant and juicy entry underpinned by bright acidity through a mouth-filling palate. Damson, cassis and blueberry, supported by approachable and well-integrated tannins. (TP)

HONSBERGER ESTATE CABERNET FRANC 2017, NIAGARA ($32)

Deep ruby in colour. Cedary, licorice and blackberry bouquet. Medium-bodied, dry, richly extracted, lightly smoky and earthy. Black fruit flavours, great structure and firm with ripe tannins. (TA)

CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES CABERNET SAUVIGNON ST. DAVID’S BENCH VINEYARD 2016, NIAGARA ($34.95)

Cedary, blackcurrant-jam nose with oak spice. Medium-bodied, savoury, red- and blackcurrant flavours with lively acidity and grainy tannins. (TA)

FRANCE CHÂTEAU TOUR ST. BONNET 2012, AOC MÉDOC ($23)

Forward nose of cherry, chocolate-raisins and vanilla accented with mint and other herbs. A little thin on the palate, mostly tasting of raspberry jam, with tannins still high and prominent heat from the alcohol. Will keep another year or two, maybe the tannins will settle down. (RL)*

ITALY AZIENDA AGRICOLA LE RAGNAIE TRONCONE 2016, TOSCANA ROSSO IGT ($20)

100% Sangiovese. Savoury with firm tannins and bright aromas of red cherries, cranberries with earthy notes underneath that add some depth and soul. Bright acidity and light on its feet despite the vineyard being located in Southern Tuscany, just under the 600m limit decreed for the production of Brunello di Montalcino. Pizza Margherita, please. (MB)

G.D. VAJRA MONTERUSTICO 2016, ROSSO PIEMONTE DOC ($22.50)

The three typical suspects of Piedmont, Dolcetto (40%), Barbera (40%) and Nebbiolo (20%), are behind this savoury red. Expressive aromas of cured meat, bright red plum, black liquorice and red cherry. Just as seductive on the palate with bright acidity, medium chewy tannins and a moderate finish. Equally delicious with cured meat as with steak tartare. (MB)

CASTELLO VICCHIOMAGGIO AGOSTINO PETRI CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2015, TUSCANY ($29.95)

Deep ruby in colour. Cedary, cigar box, cherry nose with a floral top note. Medium-bodied, ripe black-cherry flavour expands on the palate with lively acidity. Well balanced and delicious. (TA)

PODERI ROSET VERDUNO PELAVERGA 2018, PIEDMONT ($30)

Light bodied and light in colour, but super-expressive aromas and flavours of roses, blood orange, spice and tart red cherries. Juicy, bright, fresh and captivating. Absolutely delicious. (GB)

FRANCE CAVE DE TAIN GRAND CLASSIQUE 2017, CROZES-HERMITAGE AOC ($21)

This wine has all of the approachable and typical qualities of a youthful Syrah in Crozes-Hermitage. Beautiful balance between fresh acid, moderate elegant tannins and bright notes of red plum, violet and white pepper. Medium body and finish. Dangerously easy to drink and a good partner for hanger steak or duck confit. Great value. (MB)

RECOMMENDED AUSTRALIA ULITHORNE WINES DONA GSM 2016, MCLAREN VALE ($24.95)

Ripe dark and red fruit but without being jammy. Notes of wild strawberries, raspberries and plum with moderate acid, supple tannins and silky texture. Full body with moderate finish. Represents well the new wave of reds in McLaren Vale that are more about the purity of fruit than a blockbuster to impress. Serve slightly chilled. Soul warming. (MB)

ITALY COLLE MANORA BARBERA MONFERRATO PAIS 2018, PIEDMONT ($25)

Lifted, fresh and fruity, supple and silky showing bright red cherry, spice and fresh herbs. Simple without being simplistic. Chill slightly and quaff. (GB)

OVER $35 HIGHLY RECOMMENDED CANADA MOON CURSER TOURIGA NAÇIONAL 2017, SOUTH OKANAGAN ($39.99)

Forward notes of red and black fruit, vanilla and pepper before a plush entry and a well-structured palate with layers of ripe mulberry, anise and herbal hints with lingering spice and black pepper notes. (TP)

BLACK HILLS SYRAH 2016, SOUTH OKANAGAN ($40)

Upfront red and black fruit with some meaty and peppery hints introduce a plush but focused palate of raspberry, mulberry, mocha and anise, balanced by well-integrated tannins and fresh acidity that plays through the finish. (TP)

HONSBERGER ESTATE CABERNET FRANC RESERVE 2016, NIAGARA ($55)

Cedary, spicy, lightly floral cigar box nose of ripe black plums. Medium-bodied, dry, savoury, plum and redcurrant flavours; well-balanced and lingering, with supple tannins. (TA)

CEDARCREEK ESTATE WINERY PLATINUM BLOCK 2 PINOT NOIR 2016, VQA OKANAGAN VALLEY ($68)

Medium body with silky texture, medium fine-grained tannins and fresh acid with deep notes of wild strawberries, dried sage, dark cherries and a hint of vanilla. Reminiscent of a premium Pinot Noir from Central Otago. Very well made. A natural with turkey. (MB)

PHANTOM CREEK CUVÉE 2016, SOUTH OKANAGAN ($100)

From one of the best in a string of good