Great Values from California that will not disappoint!

I have a long (longer than I would like to admit) and happy history with the original Ca' del Solo Big House Red. The new Under Dog Wines - Big House has remained a blend but does not seem to be vintage dated and has morphed into a less expensive and less complex wine but that being said, it is a great value and still enjoyable for everyday drinking:

BIG HOUSE RED  - $ 13.00
Aromas of black berry and vanilla. Palate has intense flavors of plums raspberry and blackberry. The finish has a touch of spicy black pepper and a hint of leather and smoke.

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=178632

BIG HOUSE WHITE - $ 13.00
Aroma floral and citrus aroma and a touch of spice. Melon and stone fruit flavours with crisp acidity for a clean finish.

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=173286

http://underdogwinemerchants.com/underdog-wines-big-house

Zinfully fabulous for the price...

RAVENSWOOD - VINTNERS BLEND - ZINFANDEL - 2007 - California -$ 17.95

Smoky, with aromas of spice, blackberry & raspberry and mocha. Fleshy tannins with slight acidity to keep it balanced.

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=359257

http://www.ravenswoodwinery.com/#wines/wine_finder

Having Italian Tonight? How about a Chianti?

Great value for money:

ANTINORI - PÈPPOLI CHIANTI CLASSICO- 2007 - Tuscany - $ 19.95

Lovely nose of strawberry and sour cherry with herbal tea and a slight earthiness. The palate is slightly savoury with silky tannins.

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=606541

http://www.antinori.it/eng/tenute/tenute_scheda.php?Id=6&tit=peppoli

Good everyday value:

ROCCA DELLE MACÌE - CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA - 2006 - Tuscany -  $ 15.95

Black cherries and a hint of balsamic on the nose. The palate is bold with superripe, concentrated blackfruit.

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=111641

http://www.roccadellemacie.com/en/index.php

Big, Bold, Ontario Red

2007 was a special summer for winemakers in Ontario. It was hot and dry so the red wines that were made that year seemed bigger and bolder than usual. This blend is no exception. It is beautifully balanced and very full-bodied. A real charmer for the price.

CALAMUS RESERVE RED - $18.00
Meritage - 53% Cabernet Franc, 30% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Syrah.
30 months in French Oak give this wine lots of special aromas including chocolate/mocha, smokey nose with a beautiful blackberry backbone. The palate releases many of the same flavours with rich, velvety tannins.

http://www.calamuswines.com/

http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2833310

Sometimes I get a real kick out of wine names and feel I need to share. The one that struck me this week was from a Globe & Mail review: Dirty Laundry Bordello 2008 (B.C.)