Sommelier Zoltan Szabo

2004 Scacciadiavoli Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG

$45 – LCBO# 0142414

This is a somewhat modern approach Umbrian rosso, aged in new French oak. Scacciadiavoli = exorcist in Italian. There’s some healing power here. Black berries, herbs and spices. Dry and pretty firm with interesting rustic, earthy notes over the finish. Try it with slow fire-roasted veal tenderloin with olive oil, sautee lentils and black truffle shavings.

2006 “Pazzo Call Me Crazy” Proprietary Red  Bacio Divino, Napa Valley

$34.95 – LCBO# 0677708

The nose comes with aromas of blueberries, plums, currants and raspberries with underlying spice and oak-tar notes. Full, plush and fruit-forward with bittersweet chocolate accents on its finish.

2007 Bodegas Ateca “Atteca Old Vines”  DO Calatayud

$21.95 – LCBO# 0103473

The bouquet is rich – plums, wild field-berries, coconut and floral. Full and complex with really concentrated fruit flavours, oak yet to integrate, and spicy finish. Very good value.

2006 Antinori Guado Al Tasso DOC Bolgheri Superiore

$89.95 – LCBO# 0986380

Superb density of ripe-sweet fruit and oak, spiked by exotic floral and spice accents. Full with firm, but elegant-integrated tannins and a really long finish. Will age so well.

2006 Geografico Chianti Classico DOCG

$17.95 – LCBO# 0142281

Aromas of cherries and currants, spice and some herbal notes. Medium plus bodied and dry with non-obtrusive tannins and a plums-spicy finish. Worth each penny of its price.

2005 Chateau De Callac AC Graves

$21.95 – LCBO# 0139295

Cassis, plums, licorice, herbal and great quality oak nuances on its nose. Full bodied and very well structured, the texture is just lovely, and the finish a minute-long. A great value red.

2007 Domaine Grand Veneur Les Champauvins Cotes du Rhone-Villages Alain Jaume & Fils AC

$19.95 – LCBO# 0076331

Deep beet-purple-blood colour. Blue fruit-driven nose with spicy, fresh fennel, dried flower petal accents. Pretty complex over the palate with all its elements in harmony, and a lingering finish sporting some garrigue notes. Great value.

2007 Inniskillin Cabernet Franc Icewine Niagara Peninsula VQA

$54.95 – LCBO# 0149963

Just like chocolate-coated strawberries all the way, rich and also sweet, but perfectly balanced by intense acids, and the finish is almost dry. A perfect holiday season treat, or gift for your loved ones.

2007 Inniskillin Sparkling Vidal Icewine Niagara Peninsula VQA

$69.95 – LCBO# 060367

Lemon-verbena, honey, chamomile and white blossoms on the nose. Lots of sour quince flavours over the palate, sweet too, perky bubbles and fresh acidity keeping it fresh, the finish has a pleasant, lemon zest tartness.

2006 Chateau des Charmes Vidal Icewine Niagara-on-the-Lake VQA

$25.95 – LCBO# 0565861

Think of dried peaches and lemon preserve. Luscious, flavoursome, its sweetness and weight balanced by acidity, the finish is long-lasting. A very good Icewine, very good value too.