Summer’s here, and with that comes barbeques, patio parties, and casual evening soirees with friends and family. Looking for a quality bottle to bring to the party? Look no further! Award-winning wine writer Natalie MacLean shares her top picks with us each week!

Wine of the Week for August 15, 2013

Fabre Montmayou Gran Reserva, Vistalba Malbec 2010

Mendoza, Argentina

Seductive aromas of blackberries and fleshy black plums waft up from the glass of this full-bodied red with a gorgeous velvet texture. Spice and cedar smoke on a long and persistent finish. A beautiful expression of Mendoza malbec.

The grapes are grown on vines that are over 80 years old in Vistalba and Las Compuertas regions, and they’re cropped at 35 hectoliters per hectare, which is low, and aged in French barrel for 12 months. Yum! Food pairings: lamb burgers, grilled steaks, sausages, breaded veal cutlets.

Voluptuous Veal Wine

Price: $19.95

Score: 91/100

Alcohol: 15%

Sweetness: Dry

Drink: 2012‐2016

LCBO: 279802

Natalie MacLean is the Canadian author of Unquenchable: A Tipsy Search for the World’s Best Bargain Wines. Check out more of her wine picks and food pairings at www.nataliemaclean.com.