ɫɫ��

Score 93

(LCBO 45190, $9.55)

This beautifully fragrant Cabernet is a bit of a jewel. Popular in Quebec for ages and now landing on shelf in Ontario, each glass opens with a black fruit and wet stone perfume with a hint of pipe tobacco and cherry tart. Then comes a cool crush of ripe berries laced with cherry-vanilla before tapering to a cherry-almond endnote. Harmonious and well-made, this bottle from a family winery in southern Moldova is a good, honest buy. Serve it with Monday’s meat- or mushroom-loaf with a scoop of mashed potato. (14% alc., 4g/L sugar)

2024 Riviera Sur Mer Sauvignon Blanc IDP Pays d’Oc, France

Score 94

(LCBO 42078, $11.90 till Sept. 14, reg. $12.90)

This new bestseller tastes delightful and is notably low in sugar, clocking a mere 0.9g/L. A blend of 90 per cent Sauvignon Blanc and 10 per cent Viognier, each swirl exudes lemon-lime and pear scents before echoing those elements on the palate, along with a whisper of white flowers. Subtle and coy but bright and well-balanced, this bottle goes especially well with Tuesday night tacos. By the way, the sugar math works out to 0.17 g — or 1/25^th of a teaspoon — per standard 150-mL glass. (11.5% alc., 1 g/L)

2022 Louis Bernard “Louis” Côtes du Rhône Villages AOP, France

Score 94

(Vintages 561290, $16.95)

This classic Rhône blend of Grenache and Syrah tastes almost regal in its elegance and balance. The nose suggests sour cherries and plum mostly, with a note of dried currant somewhere. There’s lift on the entry, lending easy drinkability to this otherwise full-bodied red. Then from there, dark fruit cascades with quiet allusions of berry cobbler, smoked meat, violet and pink peppercorn. Long, leisurely red that drinks like a wine worth more and works fabulously well with braised short ribs. Worthy of a dinner party. (14% alc., 4 g/L)

2023 Mucchietto Organic Soave, Veneto, Italy

Score 91

(Vintages 44234, $18.95)

Made from Garganega grapes, this lithe white with good bones begins with classic aromas of camomile and apricot laced with cool clay and beeswax. Then, it sweeps in with delicacy and freshness, tasting dry and pure-fruited. Understated flavours shift from bright apricot and lemon oil to soft brush strokes of almond, steel and stones before concluding with camomile again. With luminosity and immediacy, this light-bodied white with a slightly waxy texture coming through on the finish is just right with slivers of Asiago or a handful of almonds. (12.5% alc., 8 g/L sugar)

2024 Mount Riley Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand

Score 91

(Vintages 981670, $18)

While often thought of as a crisp and citrusy summer sipper, Sauvignon Blanc works well in autumn, too, by balancing rich, hearty and even spicy dishes. Here, the bright scent of gooseberry and grapefruit leads to a bracing attack that’s glassy and pure, generous yet juicy. Each sip glides in and drenches the palate with a rip-roaring rush of ready refreshment in the form of passion fruit, crushed herbs and grapefruit zest before receding toward salted snow pea. Just the thing for pesto pasta or Thai green curry. (13% alc., 4 g/L sugar)

2022 Greasy Fingers Big Bold Cabernet Sauvignon, Australia

Score 90

(LCBO 40379, $17)

If you’re missing that once wildly popular Apothic Red from California, this is your stand-in. It delivers a big, jammy mouthful of black cherry, blackberries and plum with touches of cocoa and vanilla cream. Smooth and seamless, short and sweet, it’s a wine brand literally designed to go with greasy fast food. So go ahead and pour it with “the effortless enjoyment of sinking your teeth into a juicy burger,” as the back label suggests. The ketchup won’t clash. Those who like it will like it a lot. (14% alc., 11 g/L sugar)