Hot Picks for Now and Later

BEST BUY

89 Heggies Vineyard 2008 Chardonnay
Eden Valley, South Australia
BC $28 specialty listing, AB $26, QC $24
There are seven different selections of chardonnay at Heggies, all handpicked and gently whole-bunch pressed. It is all fermented wild in new and used French oak. We love the citrus, pear skin and baked green apple aromas, and the dry, crisp, mid-palate. The flavours run the gamut of pear, butter, apples, quince and spice, all with a creamy finish. Not your average Oz chardonnay. (AG)

LOCAL HEROES

89 Thirty Bench 2008 Triangle Vineyard Small Lot Riesling
Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada
AB $35, ON $30 winery
A favourite of mine with its fresh mineral, slate-scented nose flecked with green apple skin and citrus notes. The palate is crisp and lean, with more lemon, petrol, green apple and peach pit flavours. Tightly wound, but all in balance, with excellent intensity. Very solid. (AG)

88 Pentâge Winery 2007 Riesling
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19 winery
Floral, lifted citrus notes with bits of red apples, ginger and mineral peach aromas. The entry is fresh and ripe, with sweet nectarines and juicy, mineral, fruit cocktail flavours. A friendly, fresh, fruity style that would be best with spicy foods or chilled down and served solo before dinner. (AG)

DRINK ME TONIGHT

89 Mitolo 2007 Jester Shiraz
McLaren Vale, South Australia
BC $27 specialty listing, AB $26, ON $22, QC $25, NL $20
The Jester wines are designed to be enjoyed almost immediately after they are bottled. Look for a blue/black colour, with lifted notes of cedar and blueberries, and smooth flavours of coffee, blueberries and black currants. The tannins are light and round with a pinch of acid poking through the back end. (AG)

CELLAR WORTHY

93 Antinori 2006 Tignanello
Tuscany, Italy
BC $96 specialty listing, AB $98, ON $100 Vintages Essentials, QC $99
Love the florality here in a vintage that is open and rich, almost showy. The fruit is glossy and smooth, with intense dark fruit flavours and perfect oak integration. This will easily age a decade or more, but will still be fun to drink in the meantime. (AG)

TAKE ME TO DINNER

91 Guado al Tasso 2006 Il Bruciato
Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy
BC $30 speculative listing - Mark Anthony Brands, ON $30, QC $28, NS $32
The 2006 is sensational in the glass, blending 60/30/10 cabernet sauvignon, merlot and syrah. The nose is fragrant, with red berries and violets. The palate is awash in silky tannins and delicious, savoury red fruit flavours flecked with spices and milk chocolate in the finish.
Impressive for the price. (AG)

KILLER VALUE

88 Domaine du Tariquet 2008 Sauvignon
Gascony, France
BC $15 specialty listing, AB $15, QC $15
Under screwcap, this refreshing, stylish sauvignon is all but recession-proof at $15. Love the big, fresh nose of passion fruit, lemons and limes, with a touch of asparagus and crisp acidity. I love this with oysters or chicken curries, but you can serve it with just about anything. Huge value in an inexpensive, classy white wine. (AG)