With Easter around the corner, it is time to start thinking about what wine to pair with your leg or roast lamb. Although the delicate flavours of spring lamb or young lamb can pair well with a lighter-bodied, plummy red, the gamey flavours of roast lamb require a wine with a little more back bone, spice and earthiness. Here are a few of our suggestions, at different price points, to satisfy both your palate and your pocketbook.

 

Cono Sur Reserva Syrah 2008

Reviewed by: Tony Aspler

Editor Rating: Very Good

$13

Colchagua Valley, Chile

Review Summary:

This winery has consistently produced very appealing wines at appealing prices. Deep purple colour, earthy blackcurrant with vanilla oak nose and a floral grace note; expressive blackcurrant flavours on the palate riding on lively acidity with a firm finish. Great value

 

Vinicola Dino Illuminati Controguerra Riparosso 2010

Reviewed by: Sean Wood

Editor Rating: Very Good

$15

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC, Italy

Review Summary:

Warm, spicy red fruit showing hints of clove and nutmeg on the nose evolves into rounded ripe cherry fruit encased in solid but comfortably approachable tannic structure. Well-integrated fruit, spice and discreet oak on the finish. Substantial, food-friendly wine.

 

Domaine Durand Les Coteaux St-Joseph 2009

Reviewed by: Rick VanSickle

Editor Rating: Excellent

$29

Rhône, France

Review Summary:

I eat a lot of beef. Rare, tender, blood-dripping and it always has a bit of searing from high heat on the BBQ. So I look for wines that pair with that style of cooking. Syrah from the Rhône Valley is always a fantastic match and this one, from the still-affordable St-Joseph appellation in the Rhône Valley, works brilliantly with steak. The savoury fruit ranges from field raspberry to blackberry and currants and is backed up by all those lovely earthy Syrah notes of tar, liquorice, violets and pepper spice. Wonderful stuff.

 

Hillebrand Showcase East Block Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

Reviewed by: Evan Saviolidis

Editor Rating: Excellent

$38

Niagara, Canada

Review Summary:

While the Showcase Cab might be slightly more linear than the Franc, it is a more powerful offering. Medium- to full-bodied, the cassis, raspberries, thyme, cinnamon and violets are layered on firm tannins. The best thing to do is to hold until 2014 and then drink until 2020. Pairs beautifully with a herb-and-mustard-crusted rack of lamb.