Cono Sur – You may notice a label change and a slight re-naming – from ‘Bicycle’ to ‘Bicicleta’ on this popular series from Cono Sur. It pays homage to their workers as they move amongst the vineyards on, what else… bicycles—Cono Sur is a certified ‘Carbon Neutral’ winery. It’s the same value-laden wine as before—crowd-pleasing and delicious. The Cab may show up on shelves in the spring of 2013. The others are available and in stores now.


Cono Sur ‘Bicicleta’ Pinot Noir 2011

DO Valle Central, Chile $10.95 (341602) 13.5% alcohol 

Pinot Noir is a Cono Sur specialty; it great value at every price point. This was primarily hand-harvested from an area marked by classic Pinot conditions, cool nights, misty mornings. Opening with a quiet nose of currants and spice, it bathes the palate with a wave of soft black plum, dark, juicy cherry and spiced black currant. It’s rich and balanced with medium body, a creamy-smooth mouth feel and a balanced finish that offers good fruit and moderating acidity. What’s not to like? (Vic Harradine)


Cono Sur ‘Bicicleta’ Viognier 2011

DO Colchagua, Chile $9.95 (064287) 13.8% alcohol 

Honeysuckle and a salad bowl of tropical fruit aromas herald a balanced and beautiful wash of juicy white peach and ripe sweet melon interlaced with racy citrus. It’s mid weight with very generous mouth feel—silky smooth and creamy—and a persistent, lip-smacking finish showcasing honey-tinged orchard fruit and wisps of exotic spice. Consistently one of the best-value whites on LCBO shelves. (Vic Harradine)


Cono Sur ‘Bicicleta’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

DO Valle Central, Chile $9.95 13.0% alcohol
Espresso roast, black plum and cedar on the nose, it rolls over the palate with a spirited wash of juicy dark cherry, red currant and ripe, dark berry fruit. Mid weight with good balance and generous mouth feel, it finishes in a blaze of tangy fruit flavour and kirsch liqueur with a dry, lip-smacking aftertaste adorned with leafy, herbaceous notes. This pours particularly well with grilled T-bone or hearty stew. (Vic Harradine)


Cono Sur ‘Bicicleta’ Merlot 2011

DO Valle Central, Chile $9.95 (457176) 13.0% alcohol 
Dusky, hi-toned aromas of charred cedar and berry fruit preview a medium weight, generously textured mouthful of black currant, red cherry and roasted herbs. There’s excellent tang and a supple tannin underpinning that mingle with ripe, dark berry fruit and herbaceous tones on the dry aftertaste. Pour with pasta Bolognese or wings. (Vic Harradine)


Domaine Laroche ‘Saint Martin’ Chablis 2011
AOC Chablis, France $21.95 (269678) 12.5% alcohol
Peach, pear and apple aromas waft easily from this nicely textured, well-structured Chablis. It’s lively on the palate with a bracing river of lemon tang and minerality bolstered by nuances of orchard and tropical fruit. Mid weight and balanced, the finish provides a crisp, refreshing aftertaste. Good to go with freshly shucked, briny oysters or mussels steamed in white wine. (Vic Harradine)


Project Paso Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Paso Robles, California $17.90 (291153) 13.5% alcohol
Toasty notes, black plum and dark cherry aromas provide segue for a gorgeous mouthful of black briary berry, juicy Bing cherry and minty nuances rolling over the palate in structured, balanced waves. This classy number is mid weight and fruit laden. The lingering aftertaste layers on a supple underpinning of ripe tannin, excellent moderating acidity, earthy tones and a barrelful of charm and appeal. Sip on its own or pour with barbecued beef or ribs. (Vic Harradine)

Winecurrent tasted with Chief Winemaker, Patrick Materman, at fabulous Hy’s restaurant in Ottawa. Patrick’s a true professional having notched 21 vintages with Montana, now Brancott Estate. Patrick also has responsibility for Stoneleigh wines, a well-known, über-popular brand across Canada. The following wines, and those reviewed (above) in ‘Upstream’, showcase flavour-laden, well-balanced, value-packed wine across the range.

Brancott Estate and Stoneleigh – are amongst the world’s leading brands. Beginning as Montana wines in 1934, they were the first to produce Sauvignon Blanc in the Marlborough region of New Zealand. A former Montana president, Frank Yukich could not have been more prescient, proclaiming in 1973, ‘Wines from here will become world famous’.


Brancott ‘Letter Series B’ Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand $19.95 (278689) 13.2% alcohol
This flagship, single-vineyard, gem hails from tony terroir— site of the original Marlborough plantings of Sauvignon Blanc—cool climate, older (clay) soils, later-ripening fruit. It reveals nectarine, lemongrass and herbaceous aromas heralding a complex, concentrated river of lime cordial, succulent white peach and racy passion fruit flavours. This is mid weight and well balanced with a gorgeous, oily mouth feel and crisp, refreshing aftertaste; it’s well paced and well priced. (Vic Harradine)


Stoneleigh Chardonnay 2011
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand $16.95 (288795) 13.4% alcohol
This is terrific, it dishes up a delectable mouthful of value-packed Chardonnay. There’s spice, vanilla and tropical fruit—pineapple and melon—on the nose. It sports a medium-bodied, delicious wash of flavour that’s balanced and beautifully textured with succulent white peach, racy lime and tropical fruit to the fore. It finishes in a blaze of lip-smacking tang and ripe, fruit flavour—give it a go with a festive bird or slow-roasted pork. (Vic Harradine)


Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand $16.95 (293043) 12.5% alcohol
Rich and luscious on the palate, crisp and refreshing on the finish—what’s not to like? Aromas of passion fruit and melon mingle on the nose. A balanced and well-textured river of tropical fruit interweaves with tangy lime and minerality persisting through the mouth-watering aftertaste. A perennial favourite—it’s hard to go wrong with Stoneleigh on the price-quality scale. Perfectly paired with pan-seared fish, prawns or calamari. (Vic Harradine)


Stoneleigh Pinot Noir 2011
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand $19.95 (054353) 13.4% alcohol
Giving proof to the winery name, small, rounded, vineyard stones reflect sunlight and heat enhancing the grape-ripening process. Aromas of spice, berry fruit and toasty notes provide segue for a light and lively wash of palate-bathing, red currant, pomegranate and red cherry. There’s great focus of flavour persisting through the dry, refreshing finish and a balanced, charming aftertaste. Pour with duck breast or roast chicken. (Vic Harradine)