Margaret Swaine’s Wine Picks: Savoury reds

Corte Giara Ripasso Valpolicella 2009
$16.95 (90 Points)
This northern Italian red is deliberately made in an approachable ready-to-drink style. Robust and quite full bodied with an aromatic bouquet, it’s generous with supple tannins. There’s a tangy dried cherry flavour with spiced savoury notes. Delicious with quail, grilled meats or braised dishes.

Tin Barn Vineyards Cabernet Blend 2007
$37.95 (93 Points)
This organically farmed Napa Valley Meritage blend of mainly cabernet sauvignon with some merlot and cabernet franc was aged partially in new French oak. It’s velvety smooth with deep, savoury spice and berry flavors. Full bodied, complex and touched by toasty oak, it’s perfect with a juicy rare steak.

Mas D’Auzierès les Éclats 2009
$16.95 (89 Points)
From southern France, this syrah-based red with grenache and mourvèdre is smooth and flavourful with savoury rustic notes, ripe fruit and hints of dark chocolate. There’s a stone and minerals uplift from its site where the soil has shards (“les Éclats”) of quartzite and iron-laced limestone. Have with pork sausages, burgers or souvlaki.