At the entrance to Megalomania Winery in Liagara

Wines I’ve tasted over the past week or so:

Boschendal 1685 Chardonnay 2016 (South Africa): Bright pale straw in colour with a lightly minerally nose of citrus and apple and a suggestion of oak; medium-bodied, dry, peachy-melon and green pineapple flavours; beautifully balanced, finishing with mouth-freshening acidity. Reminded me of Pouilly-Fuissé. Great value. Serve with shellfish, fish or roast chicken. ($15.95, LCBO #367698) Great value. (90)

Kourtaki Muscat of Samos (Greece): A real bargain for sweet wine lovers! Golden colour with a honey and orange blossom bouquet; medium-bodied spicy and sweet orange and honey flavours but nicely balanced with cleansing acidity. Serve with blue cheese or cake. ($15.95, Vintages #938407) (89)

Xavier Ventoux 2015 (Rhône): A rich red at a great price. Deep purple-ruby in colour with a savoury-herbal nose of blackberries and dried rose petals; full-bodied, dry, firmly structured with black berry and black plum flavours carried on lively acidity to a firm finish. Match with red meat dishes. ($15.95, Vintages #413211) (88.5)

San Vincenti Chianti Classico 2015 (Tuscany): Dense purple in colour with a cedary, spicy nose of plum and an engaging floral note; medium-bodied, dry, firmly structured, cherry flavour with oak spice and gripping tannins on the finish. Swill reward cellaring for 2–3 years. Serve with tomato-based pasta dishes. ($18.95, Vintages #399907) (89)

Burrowing Owl Meritage 2015 (Okanagan Valley): Deep ruby-purple colour; cedary, spicy, red plum and black tealeaf nose; medium-bodied, richly extracted, sweet plum and blackberry flavours with grainy tannins. (91)

Burrowing Owl Athene 2015 (Okanagan Valley – 52% Syrah, 48% Cabernet Sauvignon): Deep ruby-purple colour; cedary, blackcurrant nose with a floral grace note; medium-bodied, dry, very claret-like; elegant, beautifully balanced blackcurrant and blueberry flavours. (92)

Luigi Bosca Terroir Los Miradores Malbec 2014 (Argentina): Deep ruby colour; savoury, dark chocolate and plum bouquet; medium to full-bodied, dry, richly extracted black fruit flavours with lively acidity. (89)

Luigi Bosca Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 (Argentina): Deep ruby colour; cedary, black plum and currant nose lifted with oak spice; medium-bodied, dry, savoury, herbal, blackberry and dark chocolate flavours with balancing acidity. (89)

Gérard Bertrand Grand Terroir Les Aspres 2015 (Côtes du Roussillon – Syrah/Mourvédre – $18.95) Deep ruby colour; high-toned, black raspberry nose; full-bodied, dry, savoury, minerally and spicy black fruit flavours, firmly structured with lively acidity and rip tannins. (89)

Château La Négly La Natice 2017 (Languedoc-Roussillon – $24.95) Pale coppery-salmon in colour; minerally, strawberry and melon bouquet; medium-bodied, dry, fruity strawberry and redcurrant flavours. (90)

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