WINE PICKS OF THE WEEK

Obikwa Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Western Cape, South Africa

$8.79 | 85/100

UPC: 06001108004031

Always clean and fresh, it’s hard to beat this little white, patio sipper for the price. Grassy, limy, sweet grapefruit aromas and flavours come to the fore with a bitter lime undercurrent. One of the better bargains among a sea of ordinariness at this price range.

Nederburg Sauvignon Blanc The Winemaster’s Reserve 2014, Western Cape, South Africa

$11.49 | 85/100

UPC: 083206000531

Similar to 2012, the style is fresh if a bit dry with strong grassy, grapefruit/gooseberry aromas and flavours. Not a lot of intensity but it is persistent with fresh lemon and grass highlights and a dry finish. Decent value in an introductory style Sauvignon. Try this with a fresh goat cheese salad or creamy pasta dish.

Colle Secco Rubino Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2010, Abruzzo, Italy

$15.99 | 87/100

UPC: 8002001047086

The 2010 shows marked improvement in winemaking and much cleaner style. The attack is soft and round, very easy to sip, with clean fresh red fruit with black cherries and licorice root flavours. Good length and a persistent smooth finish. A perfect pizza or pasta red. A fair price.

Baron di Valforte Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2012, Abruzzo, Italy

$17.79 | 86/100

UPC: 8033413001083

Open, smoky, meaty nose with bits of tobacco and licorice root. The attack is dry and resiny with smoky dried herbs, black licorice flavours with a threat of black cherry. A richer, fleshy, full palate style with a dry finish. Best with a mushroom pasta dish or barbecued ribs.

Torres Gran Coronas Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, Penedès, Catalunya, Spain

$17.79 | 87/100

UPC: 08410113003119

The 2011 version opens slightly reduced with meaty chocolate notes over blackcurrant, licorice and smoky, toasted oak. The attack is rustic at this stage with black olive, resin, smoky, licorice and prune notes. Serve now with ribs or burgers or wait another two to three years until it settles down.