Anthony Gismondi: Here are some red blends and varietal wines to sip this fall

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For readers with some extra spare change to spend, there are some excellent high-end wines marked down this month. Travelling quickly through the “sale” listings at bcliquorstores.com, here’s what caught my interest. Availability varies by store, so check the listing and drill down to the page that shows which stores have bottles.

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Look for: 2017 Mouton Rothschild, $1,200 is $880; Fonseca 2016 Port, $149.99 is $129.97; Champagne Lanson Green Label, $92.99 is $79.97; La Vielle Ferme Ventoux Rouge 3L box, $48.99 is $41.99; Giant Steps Pinot Noir, $44.99 is $39.99; Inama Vigneti di Carbonare Soave Classico, $48.99 is $39.97; Argiano Non Confunditor, $37.99 is $32.99; and Bodegas Izadi Larrosa Negra Rioja, $28.99 is $25.99.

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Weekend wine picks

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Fort Berens Riesling 2024, Lillooet, British Columbia

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$19.99 | 90/100

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UPC: 626990125686

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Four dollars off all month makes this Lillooet Riesling an easy buy. It is an off-dry, very fresh version of cool-climate Riesling with tropical notes of lime and freshly cut apples, finishing with a mouth-puckering zest. This clean, bright white won a gold medal at the National Wine Awards of Canada. It is food-friendly, with multiple menu options, including Indian or Thai curry, or beef or pork tacos. Whether you drink it now or hold onto it, it will age effortlessly.

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Terravista Vineyards Marsanne 2025, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

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$33 | 91/100

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UPC: 721688128847

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Terravista’s inaugural stand-alone Marsanne is a revelation of the diversity of B.C. wine country, as growers explore more and more grapes and opportunities to go beyond the norm. The nose is laden with fresh peach, baked pears and citrus oil. It is fresher and juicier than the French model, but that only makes it more fun to sip. The mouth feel is broad and generous, and then the mineral, stony Naramata undercurrent shows up to brighten the finish. This is a great debut, and you should embrace it as soon as you can because these bottles are going to disappear fast.

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Tantalus Blanc de Noir 2023, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

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$36.50 | 92/100

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UPC: 626990189909

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The Blanc de Noir colour is an attractive, almost rosé-like pale salmon. Fresh and loaded with red fruit that offset the minerality and leesy notes, shouting complexity and depth. This is a terrific sparkling wine and joins a handful of B.C. Blanc de Noirs that are turning heads whenever the cork is popped. The fruit comes from a single estate block of clone 93 Pinot Noir that is now more than 40 years old. If you are celebrating anything, this would be the bottle to choose. Good value.

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Château Pesquié Edition 1912m 2024, Ventoux, Southern Rhône Valley, France

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$24 | 91/100

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UPC: 03760149592145

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Named for Mont Ventoux’s 1,912-metre summit, this 70/20/10 Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault blend is a commercially accessible release, a clear expression of the mountain’s influence on Ventoux wines and one of the appellation’s best values. Enjoy its juicy black raspberry and black plum, sprinkled with pepper and Provençal herbs. Organically grown fruit and broad drinkability should give it wide consumer appeal. Look for this in select private wine stores.

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Zuccardi Serie A Malbec 2023, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Mendoza, Argentina

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$19.99 | 91/100

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UPC: 7791728021301

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Time for another look at the Serie A Malbec, reduced by $5 all month. It is fermented wild in a mix of concrete and oak. The result is a juicy, rich, elegant red with a transparency that draws you into its round, mouth-filling, black savoury fruit. Perfectly balanced, its layered flavours, flecked with nuances of spice and florals, enrich the final taste. This polished wine reaches well beyond its price range. Buy and drink, or hold. The choice is yours. Backup the truck.