If you miss those lushly upholstered Napa Chardonnays because you’re boycotting American products, don’t despair – B.C.’s See Ya Later Ranch has a fetching, slightly racy Chardonnay that will delight your newly patriotic palate.
Medium-full bodied and offering pear, apple and citrus notes and enough acid to cut through the buttery mouthfeel, this is an appealing contrast to those often fulsome and heavily oaked California offerings. With a hint of silk and a very long finish, this is a classy, food-friendly wine and good value at $23.
Although renowned for their Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand has long had an excellent reputation for Pinot Noir. One good producer is Oyster Bay, from the Marlborough region on the northern tip of New Zealand’s south island.
This cool-climate Pinot is fresh and easy drinking, with strawberry and cherry flavours that are surprisingly robust. There is a juicy but light acidity, while the mouthfeel is wonderfully silky and offers a lingering finish. Try with duck breast or a rich salmon fillet. The $27.50 price tag is fair.
Lush and oozing with black fruit flavours, the 2021 Layer Cake Primitivo is a soft, luxurious, mouth-filling wine. Sourced from Italy’s southernmost Puglia region, this ancestor of Zinfandel is rich and smooth and has a palate dominated by black cherry, plum and cocoa, with a nice lift of spices.
Fruit forward but dry, this earthy and sophisticated charm bomb was brilliant with our rack of lamb and would be equally grand with smoked meats or barbecue. It is $37 and available at Everything Wine.
Jacob’s Creek “Double Barrel” Cabernet Sauvignon is aptly named: after being fermented in traditional oak barrels it is then aged in used Irish whiskey barrels that add rich, savoury notes with a kiss of whiskey sweetness.
This is an easy-drinking and very enjoyable Australian Cabernet with flavours of black cherry, blackberry, plum and cassis, complemented by hints of chocolate and vanilla.
Smooth and luscious and coloured a deep crimson, this is a versatile food wine but would be absolutely perfect with lamb. Fairly priced at $23.
All prices include tax.
