Stags Leap 2006 Merlot

A very nice offering from a respected Napa winery. Ripe plums, fully ripe black fruit with just a hint of earthiness. Full-bodied with a generously long finish. Try it with wild game - boar, venison or duck. This is a decent one to have in your cellar. Drinkable now, but could stand to lay for another 3 or 4 years.

Available at LCBO

Recommendation: Buy

Conquista 2010 Malbec

Another very inexpensive Malbec from Argentina. Light/Medium bodied. Decent black & red fruits. Long but odd burnt aftertaste (may be partially the sulfites). Light enough to pair with roast chicken or a fatty fish like salmon. Would make a decent pre-dinner sipping wine if allowed enough time to breathe to soften the tannins.

Available at the LCBO

Recommendation: OK

Trivento 2010 Syrah

My first disappointment from Argentina. One would expects nice juicy red/black fruits, but this wine is a bit dull. Inexpensive. Light to medium body and a decent finish. Best paired with salmon.

Available at LCBO

Recommendation: Pass

Passion 2009 Malbec

Passable inexpensive offering from Argentina. Medium bodied, longish finish. Sadly the label design is probably nicer than the wine itself. Try this wine with roast chicken.

Available at LCBO

Recommendation: ok

Masi 2003 Campofiorin

A nice full bodied red wine that is well suited to hearty Italian fare (doesn't that sound pretty?) Decent fruit with earthy notes. Soft tannins. Nice long finish.

Not available at LCBO
Recommendation: Buy

Argento 2010 Malbec

I don't know how they do it, but Argentina is creating some excellent wines at very reasonable prices. This is another great value. Lots of black fruit. Medium body. Long finish. Try this wine with a beef roast or steak.

Available at LCBO
Recommendation: Buy

Fuzion 2009 Reserva Malbec

Another excellent value (cheap as sin) offering from an Argentinian winery. Fruit forward, medium body. Lots of ripe black fruit - plums, blackberry. Soft tannins. Remarkably long finish. Very drinkable.

Available at LCBO

Recommendation: Buy

Fuzion 2010 Shiraz/Malbec

A very inexpensive Argentinian red blend that has a decent medium body and exhibits good fruit. It offers enough red cherry to make it a good candidate to pair with wild game (venison, boar, etc) or even a simple pasta and tomato sauce. You will also notice some plum notes but not much complexity.

The wine exhibits a decently lingering finish. Although a tad harsh at this stage, the tannins are not unpalatable. Although completely drinkable now, you will probably want to cellar this wine for another 2-5 years.

Available at LCBO.

Recommendation: Buy