93
Jordan Vineyard and Winery Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2015
Russian River Valley, California $57.60 (505890) 13.7 alcohol
Aromas of sharp minerality, green apple and citrus make way for a dazzling stream of focused flavours with green pear, Granny Smith apple and lemon curd caught up in a surge of slate/flint minerality. This is medium weight and richly textured with well-integrated oak and a lengthy, mouth-watering finish and aftertaste. This boasts firm structure, excellent balancing tang and an affinity for freshly shucked briny oysters or prawn ceviche. (Vic Harradine)
88
Josh Cellars Rosé 2017
California $17.80 (539312) 12.5% alcohol
This interesting blend — 89% barbera, 6% muscat, 5% syrah is sourced from northern interior and central interior California vineyards. It has an attractive nose of fresh strawberry, cantaloupe and orange blossom. It’s medium-light bodied and bursts with flavours of strawberry, peach and pink grapefruit leading to a dry, fresh and mouth-watering finish. Well priced, it’s a Rosé for patio parties, either on its own or paired with appetizers or seafood off the grill. (Louise Boutin)
88
Josh Cellars Legacy Red 2015
California $17.90 (507467) 13.5% alcohol
This red blend — 44% merlot, 44% zinfandel, 12% petite sirah—was sourced from Central Coast, Lodi, Sonoma and Napa vineyards. It features aromas of ripe black plum, blackberry and roasted nuts. It washes over the palate with juicy black cherry, blackberry and purple plum flavours, a hint of cinnamon and the nutty character that leads the mellow and charming finish. Medium-full bodied and generous in flavour and character, this is definitely well priced. It’s very good sipped on its own or poured alongside your favourite, grilled cut of beef. (Louise Boutin)
89
Liberty School Chardonnay 2015
Central Coast, California $21.95 (960120) 13.5% alcohol
Aromas of nutty notes, tropical fruit and toasty bits set the table for a feast of flavour with baked apple pie, crème brûlée and rich ripe melon and pear and tinges of vanilla washing over the palate in waves. This is medium-plus bodied with creamy-smooth mouthfeel and gains balance with citrussy tang making its way to the finish and aftertaste. Good to go now and pours well with roast chicken or pork. (Vic Harradine)
• The following is a Vintages Essentials wine always available in select stores.
• Established in Napa Valley for over 80 years, Louis M. Martini specializes in cabernet sauvignon produced from premium vineyards in Napa and Sonoma counties.
91
Louis M. Martini Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Napa Valley $34.95 (232371) 15.4% alcohol
The nose is inviting with ripe dark-fruit aromas and intense delicious licorice and vanilla notes. A silky, juicy wash floods the palate with ripe blackberry, blueberry and cassis flavours decorated with baking spice and replay of licorice trailing in the lengthy, delicious finish. This full-bodied blend is 90% cabernet sauvignon, 5% petite sirah, 5% petit verdot, offering excellent balance, polished tannins, good structure and at least ten years of cellaring potential. This is good value and certainly a crowd pleaser at a BBQ gathering. (Louise Boutin)
89
Mer Soleil ‘Unoaked’ Chardonnay 2015
Monterey County $24.95 (220343) 14.7% alcohol
The distinctive concrete colored bottle with a silver cap hints at the winemaking vessels and ageing process — stainless steel and small concrete vats from Burgundy. The nose evokes citrus notes and lactic aromas with notions of ageing on lees. The palate’s awakened with vibrant white grapefruit, ripe pear, lemon yogurt and mineral notes trailing in the finish and aftertaste. This is medium-full-bodied with a round mouthfeel and well-integrated alcohol. It’s the perfect companion to a mixed sausage and sauerkraut feast. (Louise Boutin)
93
Tenuta di Renieri Chianti Classico 2013
DOCG Chianti Classico $22.95 (5408490 14.0% alcohol
This is highly perfumed with floral notes, exotic spice and red berry fruit galore. It washes over the palate with lively pie cherry and red currant nicely balanced with black plum and ripe bramble berry flavours intertwined with earthy notes and plenty of depth and pizzazz. It’s medium-plus bodied with good purity of fruit and more than its fair share of charm with notions of elegance. It finishes lengthy, smooth and mellow. This is a terrific value. (Vic Harradine)