Best Rich Red Wines

Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Quartage 2004

Australia $29.99 +094433

A blend of the five Bordeaux red grapes, but the taste is Barossa all the way with blueberry, smoke, leather, and black-licorice flavours. Delicious wine, great value.

MadFish Shiraz 2004

Australia $16.99 +588855

Bright, balanced, quaffable Aussie Shiraz.

Viña Errázuriz Max Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Chile $19.95 +287805

Perfectly balanced Cab with pure cassis flavour.

Folonari Valpolicella “Ripasso” 2005

Italy $19.99 +481838

Delectably old-fashioned pruney intensity.

Sumac Ridge Black Sage Vineyard Merlot 2005

B.C. $19.99 +593053

Big gulp of sagey-dusty B.C. Merlot.

Sebastiani Zinfandel 2006

USA $22.98 +037275

Pure Golden State sun-blessed Zin.

Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

USA $22.99 +527184

Ripe, generous, berry-flavoured California red.

Inniskillin Okanagan Dark Horse Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

B.C. $24.99 +989376 (private wine stores)

Impressive black currant, herbal, earthy aromas.

Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Proprietors’ Grand Reserve Meritage 2005

B.C. $25.99 +984097 (private wine stores)

Very rich mocha, coffee, smoky, plummy fruit.

Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Proprietors’ Grand Reserve Merlot 2005

B.C. $25.99 +572040

Gobs of brambly coffee-mocha flavour.

Clos de Los Siete 2006

Argentina $26.90 +128710

Supple, highly polished red from Michel Rolland.

Road 13 Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

B.C. $27.99 +897629 (private wine stores)

Very special South Okanagan Cabernet.

Inniskillin Okanagan Discovery Series Zinfandel 2006

B.C. $29.99 +584433 (private wine stores)

Classic Zin flavours, classic B.C. freshness.

Pirramimma Petit Verdot 2005

Australia $29.99 +608216

Very stylish wine with lots of cherry and leathery flavour.

See Ya Later Ranch Ping 2006

B.C. $29.99 +220145

Intriguing mix of coffee, cherry, and smoky/leathery flavours.

Yering Station Shiraz Viognier 2006

Australia $29.99 +699785

Clever cool-climate Shiraz lifted with Viognier.

Church & State Coyote Bowl Syrah 2006

B.C. $30 +646190

Very serious smoky, leathery Syrah.

Peter Lehmann The Futures Barossa Shiraz 2005

Australia $32.99 +090779

Timeless Shiraz from a Barossa icon.

Jackson-Triggs Okanagan SunRock Shiraz 2005

B.C. $33.99 +987818 (private wine stores)

Memorize this: a world classic in the making.

Nk’Mip Qwam Qwmt Syrah 2006

B.C. $34.99 +984773 (private wine stores)

Dusty, herbal, smoky desert-grown Syrah.

CedarCreek Estate Select Syrah 2006

B.C. $35 +417949 (private wine stores)

Seamless, sleek, dense, dark, and rich.

CedarCreek Platinum Reserve Merlot 2006

B.C. $40 +573683

Astonishing cool-climate Merlot.

CedarCreek Platinum Reserve Meritage 2006

B.C. $45 +077453

Elegant, beautifully structured, claret-like B.C. red.

Fabiano I Fondatori Amarone 2003

Italy $67.99 +153023

It doesn’t get richer than this.