Now that Australian producers are leaving the $6-8 per bottle market in droves, it’s pleasing to discover a French hybrid between the Liquorland Group and BRL Hardy’s Domaine de la Baume operation in Languedoc (southern France) which offers consumers fresh, soundly-made varietal wines for daily quaffing. Since they’re only found in magnums, the new 1996 Sainte Dominique wines are guaranteed to give parties a flying start. The juicy, peachy Chardonnay is a pleasing mouthful of sunny fruit and nutty oak (16.0), while the Shiraz (16.2) is a lively, fleshy wine with intense ripe redcurrant/plum fruit, chocolate oak and soft tannins. The tropical Sauvignon Blanc (15.3), fruity Merlot (15.2) and slightly hollow Cabernet Sauvignon (14.5) aren’t quite in the same class, but are worthy of serious consideration at $14 and less per magnum in Liquorland, Vintage Cellars and Quaffers stores.
