Hot Picks for Summer

BEST BUY

88 Liberty School 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon

California, United States

BC $24, AB $23, SK $22, ON $19, QC $19, NS $26, NL $22

The Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon is my go-to wine when I’m looking for quality and value. The fruit comes from the warmer, east side of Highway 101 but winemaker Austin Hope makes sure the wine isn’t baked. The fruit is fresh and bright, with ripe black fruit flavours, bits of mocha and vanilla — all in balance — and a pleasant, smooth finish. Throw some steaks on the barbecue and enjoy the match. (AG)

LOCAL HEROES

89 Mt. Boucherie 2007 Estate Collection Sémillon

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

BC $16

Grapefruit, artichoke, gooseberry, grassy, nettle and passion fruit aromas. Ripe, round, elegant palate, with pink grapefruit, passion fruit, grassy, nettle, asparagus, lemon and nutty flavours. Good fruit intensity and balance for seafood. (ST)

89 Thirty Bench Wine Makers 2008 Riesling
Beamsville Bench

Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

ON $19, NB $21, NS $23, NL $21

Ripe red apple, lemon candy, soft minerality and just a hint of petrol come through on the nose. Mild residual sugar keeps this off-dry, while moderate acidity accentuates the lemon and tart peach notes on the palate. Red apple and chalky minerality are also evident. (BMS)

CELLAR DWELLER

95 William Fèvre 2008 Chablis Bougros Côte Bouguerots Grand Cru Domaine

Chablis, Burgundy, France

BC $89, AB $92, ON $77

This wine has orange, lime, floral, spicy, seashell, lees and Granny Smith aromas. Rich and round, with good concentration and a full, juicy palate. Seashell, seaweed, Granny Smith, lime, spice, lees and honey flavours, with creamy acidity. Will age well and continue to improve. (ST)

TAKE ME TO DINNER

87 Ogier 2007 Côtes du Rhône Heritages
Côtes du Rhône

Rhône Valley, France

BC $18, AB $15, MB $15, ON $16, QC $15

The 2007 CdR from Ogier opens with a meaty, spicy nose and a supple, ripe palate with fine acidity. Look for black cherry, plum and liquorice flavours, with a spicy, mineral finish, great fruit and fine balance. A great dinner wine and a solid value. (AG)

KILLER VALUE

87 Little Yering 2008 Pinot Noir
Yarra Valley

Victoria, Australia

BC $15, ON $19

Strawberry, liquorice, smoky, black pepper, tobacco, celery root nose, with a touch of barnyard. Soft, round, easy palate, with juicy strawberry, spicy, liquorice, orange and dried herb flavours. Solid, forward style, with fruit, for immediate appeal. A value proposition here. (ST)

WEEKEND WARRIOR

88 James Oatley Tic Tok 2009 Pinot Grigio

Adelaide, Australia

BC $17, AB $17, MB $17, ON $15, QC $17

The nose is bright and fresh, offering up tropical, earthy aromas. This wine is mostly stainless steel fermented, with a small amount getting some oxidation in older oak to bolster the mouthfeel and textures. The result is a fresh, northern Italian style that is, best of all, very food-friendly. Good value here for Adelaide Hills. (AG)