Winecurrent

July 10, 2010 Vintages Release

This Vintages Release catalogue begins with a feature on Crus Beaujolais wine followed by the Main Release. The winecurrent-reviewed wines are in the order they appear in the Vintages Release catalogue.

Highlights in this winecurrent newsletter include:

  • Private Order – a number of fine wines at the end of the newsletter via ‘private order’—not found on LCBO shelves, they’re available to you
  • 4 or 4½ stars and value-packed – Pere et Fils Chardonnay @ $11.95, Collin-Bourisset Beaujolais @ $15.95, Finca Flichman Cabernet Sauvignon @ $7.95, Urban Uco Malbec @ $12.95, Napa Cellars Zinfandel @ $23.95, Cave Balma Beaumes de Venise @ $13.95
  • Finding Waldo – over a dozen wines reviewed following the Main Release including the $7.95 Cabernet Sauvignon and $11.95 Chardonnay above

Crus Beaujolais Feature

***1/2 drink or cellar
Georges Duboeuf ‘La Rinquée’ Juliénas 2008
AOC Juliénas $16.95 (177543) 12.7% alcohol
Juliénas Cru wines are considered rich and spicy, fuller bodied and age worthy. Offering a lifted and perfumed nose of lilac, fennel and other mixed spice and herbs, this Juliénas delivers a focused stream of red currant and cranberry along with spice-infused black plum. It’s mid weight with a decent mouth feel and enough structure—there’s a hint of ripe tannin—to pair with deli food and light chicken appetizers. The finish is lengthy racy and lip-smacking good. (Vic Harradine)

**** drink now
Collin-Bourisset ‘Les Terres Bleues’ Côte de Brouilly 2009
AOC Côte de Brouilly $15.95 (590521) 13.0% alcohol
Côte de Brouilly is considered superior to Brouilly as vineyards are on the slopes of hills rather than on the flat, producing riper, concentrated fruit and a more robust wine. It’s my pick of this litter and the price is right. Aromas of spice and dark berry fruit segue a palate-coating wash of rich succulent mulberry and dark bramble berry flavour mingling with ripe supple tannin. Well balanced with good texture and body, the mid-length finish is racy and mouth-watering with juicy pie cherry and blood plum predominant. (Vic Harradine)

The Main Release

Fortified Wine: Port

***1/2 drink or cellar
Quinta de Ventozelo LBV Port 2003
DOC Douro $17.95 (169631) 19.5% alcohol
Licorice, mocha and dried dark fruit on the nose, this Late Bottled Vintage Port showers the palate with a cornucopia of sweet concentrated flavour—kirsch liqueur, ripe fig and plum compote along with nuances of espresso roast. It’s medium-full bodied with a smooth texture sporting a nicely balanced finish of sweet fruit, good acidity and a ripe fine-grained tannin support. (Vic Harradine)

Sparkling

****1/2 drink now
Domaine Louis Bouillot ‘Perle D’Aurore’ Brut Rosé 

AOC Crémant de Bourgogne $18.95 (0048793) 12.0% alcohol

(Previously reviewed in winecurrent December 6, 2008 @ $19.95) Made from Pinot Noir and Gamay Noir in the traditional method, this sparkling is a pretty pale copper-salmon colour with a berry-floral nose. Very fresh and delicate with a creamy mousse, crisp acidity, 12% alcohol and medium bodied. There are also some nice peppery notes on the palate. I was very impressed by this wine, especially for the price, it’s a great bargain. (Lindsay Groves)

Ontario: White Wine

**** drink now
Inniskillin ‘Winemaker’s Series Barrel Aged’ Pinot Gris 2008
VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 (177766) 13.0% alcohol
Alluring delicate aromas of exotic spice, toast and floral notes waft easily from this flavour-laden Gris. The mid palate’s treated to tropical fruit—melon and ripe pineapple—while the lengthy finish is mouth-watering crisp and refreshing with racy citrus and spiced Mirabelle plum. It’s light to mid weight, nicely textured and well balanced. Refreshing on its own, it pours beautifully beside grilled chicken strips arranged over mixed greens lightly dressed with verjus. (Vic Harradine)

British Columbia: White Wine

**** drink now
Mission Hill ‘Reserve’ Sauvignon Blanc 2007 

VQA Okanagan Valley $19.95 (057430) 13.5% alcohol 

(Previously reviewed in winecurrent October 24, 2009 @ $19.95) Herbaceous with hints of lemongrass on the nose, this washes over the palate in a racy and refreshing wave of flavour—spice-infused white grapefruit, lemon pie filling and tropical fruit. It’s particularly well balanced gliding along on a firm spine of acidity with enough ripe fruit to handle it. It finishes in a blaze of glory with crisp green apple and citrus flavours galore. Pair it with pan-seared fresh water fish under a generous squeeze of fresh lemon. (Vic Harradine)

Ontario: Red Wine

****1/2 drink now
Malivoire Gamay 2008

VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.95 (591313) 12.0% alcohol

(Previously reviewed in winecurrent January 9, 2010 @ $17.95) A varietal that does very well in Niagara, this is also very well made. It’s a lovely wine with expressive aromas and flavors. Showing a bright ruby red with fresh aromas of woodland berries and baking spices. Oak aging has added to the intensity of the flavors—raspberry jam and cherry pie—and to the body of the wine. It’s juicy and well balanced with crisp acidity and a hint of sweetness on the finish. Give it a (s)whirl. (Susan Desjardins)

Ontario: Rosé

**** drink now
13th Street Cabernet Rosé 2009
VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula $15.95 (117846) 12.5% alcohol
There are floral, spice, mixed berry fruit and mineral tones galore off the lifted nose of this charming Rosé. It’s a fairly even split between the two Cabernets—Franc and Sauvignon—with most of it sourced from a single estate vineyard. The palate’s flooded with crisp flavours of wild strawberry, ruby red grapefruit and racy cranberry while the finish lays on a lick or two of sweet ripe berry fruit. It’s balanced and uncomplicated, ready for summer sipping and pairing with most chicken or veal dishes. (Vic Harradine)

California: White Wine

****1/2 drink or cellar
Beringer ‘Private Reserve’ Chardonnay 2007
Napa Valley $44.95 (026682) 14.5% alcohol
This rich and luscious, deftly balanced gem delivers a spicy nose of buttered toast and tropical fruit. Mid weight and generously textured, the creamy flavours glide over the palate—quince, juicy ripe pineapple and spiced lemon zest. The oak has been seamlessly integrated and the lengthy luxurious finish sports a crisp, refreshing shower of green apple and honeyed Bosc pear. It’s a near-religious experience paired with sweetbreads in cream sauce. (Vic Harradine)

California: Red Wine

**** drink now
J. Lohr ‘Los Osos’ Merlot 2007 

Paso Robles $19.95 (027516) 14.5% alcohol 

(Previously reviewed in winecurrent December 5, 2009 @ $19.95) This Merlot looks velvety in the glass, and it doesn’t disappoint. The nose is very fragrant with aromas of blackberries, black plums and chocolate mousse. Full-bodied and well balanced, the wine is characterized by juicy acidity, soft tannins and rich berry flavors. There are tasty secondary notes of cocoa, espresso and char on the lengthy, smooth finish. (Susan Desjardins)

****1/2 drink or cellar
Napa Cellars Zinfandel 2007
Napa Valley $23.95 (126607) 14.9% alcohol
If a fan of juicy, flavour-laden California Zin, arrive early and pick up a few. Prodigious amounts of succulent warm spicy flavours wash in never-ending waves with black currant jam, spiced raspberry tart and black plum compote to the fore. A splash of Petite Sirah was included for colour and added flavour. It’s polished, full bodied and fully textured with surprising balance delivered via a spine of moderating pie cherry acidity. The aftertaste delivers more of the same, supported by perfectly integrated delicate sweet oak and the urge to pour another glass… or two. (Vic Harradine)

**** drink or cellar
Rutherford Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Napa Valley $19.95 (073817) 13.5% alcohol
Beautifully shaped and well paced, this Napa Cab dishes up a juicy mouthful of value-packed aroma and flavour. There’s a mélange of tastes and smells with mint-infused cherry, dark chocolate, spice and herb plus a boatload of juicy dark field-berry fruit. The well-balanced flavours glide along on a bed of silky smooth texture bolstered by supple tannin. The aftertaste lingers with juicy, dark berry fruit and spice. (Vic Harradine)

Oregon: Red Wine

**** drink or cellar
Phelps Creek ‘Becky’s Cuvée’ Pinot Noir 2007
Columbia Gorge $26.95 (181438) 13.5% alcohol
After tasting quite a number of disappointing Pinots lately—thin, overly acidic, lacking fruit—this was a pleasure; it’s balanced and flavour-laden. Earthy, mineral, dark fruit and spice on the nose, it delivers a persistent stream of flavour with juicy black plum, racy red raspberry and spice-infused Montmorency cherry. Light to mid weight with a nice texture and lengthy finish, it pours well on its own or paired with coq au vin. (Vic Harradine)

Argentina: Red Wine

**** drink or cellar
Urban Uco Malbec 2008
Mendoza $12.95 (166371) 14.5% alcohol
Straightforward and uncomplicated, it still punches well above the price providing a quality-price ratio that’s well in your favour. Aromas and flavours of red berry fruit, spice-infused cherry and kirsch liqueur mingle with bittersweet chocolate, black licorice and tarry notes. It’s medium-bodied and nicely textured sporting a mid-length, balanced fruity aftertaste. (Vic Harradine)

Chile: Red Wine

**** drink or cellar
Viña Seña ‘Arboleda’ Syrah 2007
Aconcagua Valley $18.95 (172247) 13.0% alcohol
Dishing up a racy tangy, yet nicely balanced red, it’s fruit driven and over-delivers in value. Dark berry fruit and mocha on the nose, there’s a serious focused current of flavour throughout with black bramble berry fruit, spiced black plum and pie cherry predominant. Mid weight and fully textured it finishes lengthy and fruit-forward. It’s a lovely food wine looking for pasta in tomato-based sauce. (Vic Harradine)

Australia: Red Wine

****1/2 drink or cellar
Pirramimma Petit Verdot 2005 

McLaren Vale, South Australia $24.95 (986752) 14.0% alcohol

(Previously reviewed in winecurrent November 8, 2008 @ $23.95) Twenty-year-old vines and Australia’s largest producer of this varietal coalesce in a medium- to full-bodied and generously textured gem. Savoury and dark berry fruit roll off the glass while the flavours are delivered in a luscious and endless stream—savoury spice, ripe black currant and moderating red cherry. It’s well balanced, beautifully sculpted, offers a lengthy finish and flirted with 5 stars. Pair this with grilled garlic- and rosemary-rubbed rare- to medium-rare lamb tenderloins. (Vic Harradine)

New Zealand: White Wine

**** drink now
Astrolabe ‘Voyage’ Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Marlborough, South Island $19.95 (010421) 13.5% alcohol
Hard to imagine a bigger, more powerful and pungent Sauvignon Blanc—perhaps this in a magnum? Grassy and herbaceous aromas rip from the glass as they segue a rip-roaring tsunami wave of gooseberry, lemongrass and herbaceous citrus notes. It’s medium full bodied with a huge mouth feel and a racy lingering finish that’s crisp and mouth-watering racy. Rated ‘R’, this is for grown-ups only. (Vic Harradine)

***1/2 drink now
Latitude 41 Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Nelson/Marlborough, South Island $18.95 (164244) 12.5% alcohol
Part of this wine was barrel fermented and aged in French oak barrels for a brief two month period—it’s a bit of an anomaly to see oak involved with this varietal. Herbaceous, grassy and pungent aromas show the way for a nicely textured and flavourful stream of sweet pineapple, tangy grapefruit and creamy-textured lemon chiffon pie interspersed with savoury notes. It’s lip-smacking and crisp on the aftertaste. (Vic Harradine)

France : Red Wine

****1/2 drink or cellar
Cave Balma ‘Venise’ Beaumes de Venise 2008
AOC Beaumes-de-Venise $13.95 (652206) 14.0% alcohol
This is my initial tasting from this newly minted AOC—producing only red Beaumes de Venise. It’s chockful of sweet ripe fruit flavour and well balanced. There’s good purity of fruit—cherry/berry and spice-infused black currant—a luxuriously lengthy finish underpinned by supple tannin and framed by good acidity. This earned the final ½ star on value; the price-quality balance tips well in your favour. (Vic Harradine)

**** drink or cellar
Château Mas Neuf ‘Tradition Rouge’ Costières de Nîmes 2008
AOC Costières de Nîmes $13.95 (177097) 13.5% alcohol
An alluring nose of fennel, spice and floral notes open this medium-bodied, silky-textured racy red blend. There are oodles of flavours here with black currant, kirsch liqueur and cherries dipped in dark chocolate among them. Nicely balanced and bolstered by delicate tannin, this delivers a finish that’s long and mouth-watering. (Vic Harradine)

****1/2 drink or cellar
Château Mont-Redon Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2006
AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape $36.95 (959627) 14.0% alcohol
With red berry fruit, savoury spice, leather and floral aromas on the nose, this succulent juicy blend opens with a wash of fruit-forward flavour—ripe blood plum, black currant and juicy mulberry interspersed with hints of espresso roast and black licorice. Mid weight, full textured and nicely balanced, it dishes out a tangy dry finish accompanied by still-resolving tannin. Good to go now after a two-hour decant and delicious poured alongside grilled strip loin (Vic Harradine)

France : Rosé

**** drink now
Château de Fonscolombe ‘Cuvée Spéciale’ Rosé 2009
AOC Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence $13.95 (180851) 13.0% alcohol
Dry and brimming with tangy raciness, this is medium bodied with a good mouth feel and a long fruity finish. Aromas of dark berry fruit and mixed spice segue focused flavours of wild strawberry, tart cranberry and red currant. Crisp sipping on its own, it pairs well with deli food or pasta in tomato-based sauce. (Vic Harradine)

Italy : Red Wine

**** drink or cellar
Castello Banfi Rosso di Montalcino 2008
DOC Rosso di Montalcino $24.95 (681262) 750mL, $13.45 (009423) 375mL 13.0 % alcohol
This 100% Sangiovese saw 12 months in a 50-50 mix of French and Slavonian oak barrels. Floral and berry fruit on the nose, it gets into gear on the palate with a gorgeous wave of succulent and mouth-coating flavour—sweet boysenberry, pie cherry and succulent ripe mulberry. It’s mid weight, nicely textured with a mouth-watering crisp finish that’s underlain with perceptible tannin. Decant 2 hours then pour. (Vic Harradine)

**** drink or cellar
Rocca Delle Macìe ‘Riserva di Fizzano’ Chianti Classico 2005
DOCG Chianti Classico $24.95 (699454) 14.5% alcohol
Opening with a gorgeous bouquet of rose petals and mixed field berry fruit aromas, the palate’s treated to an amalgam of concentrated fruit-driven flavours with black currant, bramble berry and black plum to the fore. It’s medium-full bodied with a generous mouth feel and deft balance. The aftertaste delivers good fruit and moderating acidity. There’s good value here. (Vic Harradine)

Upstream in winecurrent

Vintages Release: September 4, 2010

****1/2 drink or cellar
Chateau Los Boldos ‘Vieilles Vignes’ Merlot 2007
Rapel Valley, Chile $18.95 (16006) 13.5% alcohol
Dark ruby red, almost opaque, lifted aromas billow from this mid-weight generously textured gem—toasty oak, black licorice, gobs of dark berry fruit and sprigs of savoury herb and spice. There’s a complex and well-structured rush of earthy and fruity flavour—ripe black currant, succulent juicy Bing cherry and savoury notes. It finishes lengthy with a nice base of fine-grained tannin and good balance. Good to go now and on to 2017. (Vic Harradine)

Vintages Release: September 18, 2010

**** drink now
Ken Forrester Chenin Blanc 2009
WO Stellenbosch, South Africa $15.95 14.0% alcohol
From a renowned Chenin Blanc producer, this was crafted from the fruit of 32-year-old vines then wild-yeast fermented in barrel and tank. The complex aromas—light toast, spice, ripe tree fruits and cantaloupe—follow through on the palate. It’s medium bodied, nicely balanced and silky smooth with added flavours of racy Granny Smith apple and tangy lemon-lime with a whiff of vanilla fudge. A great choice for spicy food, it has a lengthy refreshing finish. (Susan Desjardins)

Vintages Release: November 27, 2010

***1/2 drink now
Domaine Machard de Gramont ‘Clos Blanc’ Pommard 1er Cru 2006
AOC Pommard 1er Cru, Burgundy $44.50 13.5% alcohol
Billows of earthy, savoury spice and camphor aromas emanate from the perfumed nose. It’s light bodied, delicately textured with a persistence of gamy tangy flavour throughout—racy cranberry, red currant along with hints of cherry cordial mingling with notes of bacon and savoury herb and spice. A very good effort in a challenging year with enough tannin for interest and structure and good acidity—decant two hours before serving. (Vic Harradine)

New in the LCBO

****drink or cellar
Finca Flichman ‘Misterio’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Mendoza, Argentina $7.95 (163949) 13.5% alcohol
This opens with aromas of dark berry fruit, aromatic bitters and spice box. Rustic and tangy on the palate, it delivers a persistent stream of flavour with racy red cherry, black currant and spiced black plum predominant. There’s perceptible tannin, adding interest and structure, and a good moderating spine of acidity. It finishes lengthy with a generous dollop of sweet dark berry fruit. Good to pour now alongside rare-grilled red meat—it earned its final ½ star on value. (Vic Harradine)

***1/2 drink now
Meinhard Forstreiter ‘Grooner’ Grüner Veltliner 2008
Neiderösterreich, Austria $12.95 (168625) 12.0% alcohol
Summer in a glass, you’ll revel in the crisp refreshing flavours bolstered with sweet ripe fruit. It’s one of those delightful wines that sneak up on you, tasting better with each sip. There’s crisp green apple and citrus for certain, and there’s a lovely dash of sweet pineapple and ripe pear, as well. No prize for label design—take a look—and now that it’s in your hand, take it to the cash and home, you’ll be pleased you did. (Vic Harradine)

**** drink or cellar
Louis Jadot Mâcon Villages Chardonnay 2008
AOC Mâcon Villages $14.95 (164145) 12.5% alcohol
Alluring aromas of honeyed fruit, floral notes and wisps of green apple roll of this deftly balanced crisp and refreshing number. It’s medium bodied with a nice mouth feel and a persistent and focused stream of racy flavour—lemon zest and white grapefruit—that improves as it warms in the glass. It finishes lengthy and luxurious in a blaze of pineapple, tropical fruit and yellow plum. This punches well above its price—offering good value. (Vic Harradine)

**** drink or cellar
Louis Jadot Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2007
AOC Bourgogne $19.95 (162073) 12.5% alcohol
Earthy, spicy with hints of forest floor and red berry fruit, this delivers a cornucopia of flavours with pie cherry, spiced red currant and racy cranberry to the fore. They’re carried along on a smooth texture and good mouth feel supported by a ripe tannin structure. The aftertaste is dry, crisp and mouth-watering good. Perfect served alongside coq au vin or smoked grilled duck breasts. (Vic Harradine)

**** drink now
Laurent Miquel ‘Père et Fils’ Chardonnay 2008
Vin de Pays d’Oc $11.95 (157909) 13.0% alcohol
You’d think after tasting a few hundred wines each month an $11.95 bottle couldn’t stand out; think again. Alluring aromas of tropical fruit, honeyed apple and pear waft from this delightful white. It’s medium weight with a round mouth feel and a persistent wash of delicate flavours with sweet pear, white peach and racy green apple predominant. It finishes clean, crisp and refreshing. Perfectly paired with cheese-filled tortellini in cream sauce. (Vic Harradine)

***1/2 drink now
Red Knot Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
McLaren Vale, Australia $17.95 (91702) 14.0% alcohol
Aromas of camphor, cherry cordial and toasty oak waft from this tangy red. There are flavours of sour cherry, dried fruit and raisins on the palate joined by a firm tannin underpinning. It’s mid weight and medium textured with a dry aftertaste that layers on black currant and plum compote. Sealed with a ‘Zork cork’, it’s easily un-zipped and reusable. Pour alongside meat-laden pizza or gourmet burgers. (Vic Harradine)

New in Ontario Wineries

****1/2 drink or cellar
Tawse Winery ‘Quarry Road Vineyard’ Chardonnay 2008
VQA Vinemount Ridge $35.15 13.0% alcohol
Lovely aromas of toast, slate/mineral and racy citrus introduce a huge mouthful of generously textured flavour with crisp Granny Smith apple, spice-infused white peach and citrus mingling with toasty oak. It’s medium-full bodied with excellent structure and great sense of purpose throughout. It finishes long and refreshing with a dollop of ripe pineapple. It’s very good now, even better in 2 years, tuck it away. (Vic Harradine)

**** drink now
Tawse Winery ‘Quarry Road Vineyard’ Gewürztraminer 2009
VQA Vinemount Ridge $25.95 13.0% alcohol

From a single vineyard that’s soon-to-be-certified bio-dynamic, alluring rosewater aromas open this sweet and tang gem. Flavours cut a wide swath across the palate—sweet lychee fruit, lemon chiffon pie and white grapefruit. This is light-medium bodied and perfectly balanced with a lengthy aftertaste sporting a focused spine of lemon-lime flavour that’s crisp and refreshing. Pair with not-too-spicy Asian food. (Vic Harradine)

**** drink now
Tawse Winery ‘Sketches of Niagara’ Unoaked Chardonnay 2009
VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.95 13.0% alcohol
Fresh and lively, this hand-picked beauty rips from the glass with lifted aromas of ripe apple, spice-infused pear and hints of minerality. On the palate it’s full of flavour with zesty lemon, key lime pie and nuances of racy red currant. It’s mid weight and generously textured while the monumental well-balanced aftertaste lingers forever. Perfect as a mouth-watering aperitif or served with pan-seared salmon. (Vic Harradine)

Private Order

This is a seldom-used channel for sourcing fabulous wine not available except by traveling the world to various wineries. The agent sources these wines via the LCBO, but you won’t find them on store shelves. It’s like having access to wine that your friends only read about. You wait a few weeks, but these wines are special. Contact the agent listed at the end of the tasting review.

***1/2 drink now
Greenpiper ‘Feral’s Thirst’ Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Margaret River, Australia $18.00 12.5% alcohol
From an 80:20 Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc blend that’s true-blue Aussie, this offers aromas of green apple, pear and lovely floral notes before showering the senses with a persistent stream of flavours—tropical fruit, peach and citrus notes. It’s mid weight and nicely textured sporting a lengthy aftertaste of refreshing citrus and lemongrass. Give it a go quaffing on the deck/patio or pair with seafood or chicken appetizers. Order by the case of 12 for daily home or office delivery from Nokhrin Wines or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., if in the GTA phone (416) 704-8617. (Vic Harradine)

***1/2 drink now
Greenpiper ‘Night Harvest’ Shiraz 2008
Margaret River, Australia $26.00 13.5% alcohol
As the name suggests, the fruit was picked in the cool of the night preserving acidity and balance. All campfire smoke and oaky on the nose, it settles into a nice mouthful of tangy balanced wine with ripe mulberry and spiced pie cherry to the fore. It’s medium-bodied and delicately textured with a persistent aftertaste of camphor, spice and tangy cranberry plus moderate fine-grained tannin. Made for the barbecue, pour with a slab of grilled back ribs slathered in spicy BBQ sauce. Order by the case of 12 for daily home or office delivery from Nokhrin Wines or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., if in the GTA phone (416) 704-8617. (Vic Harradine)

***1/2 drink now
Domaine Machard de Gramont ‘Clos Blanc’ Pommard 1er Cru 2006
AOC Pommard 1er Cru, Burgundy $44.50 13.5% alcohol
Billows of earthy, savoury spice and camphor aromas emanate from the perfumed nose. It’s light bodied, delicately textured with a persistence of gamy tangy flavour throughout—racy cranberry, red currant along with hints of cherry cordial mingling with notes of bacon and savoury herb and spice. A very good effort in a challenging year with enough tannin for interest and structure and good acidity—decant two hours before serving. . Order by the case of 6 or 12 for daily home or office delivery from Nokhrin Wines or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., if in the GTA phone (416) 704-8617. (Vic Harradine)

***cellar
Château Saint-Cyrgues ‘Cuvée Amerique’ Costières de Nîmes 2007
AOC Costières de Nîmes $21.00 14.0% alcohol
A blend of Roussanne and Grenache Blanc, this rolls from the glass with lifted aromas of burnt toast, wood smoke and oak. It settles down on the palate delivering a burst of fruit-forward flavour with ripe Bosc pear and quince jelly adorned with gentle nuances of honeysuckle. Mid weight and well textured, it finishes lengthy and full of tang—it’ll improve a notch or two with age, you might want to wait two years. Order by the case of 6 or 12 for daily home or office delivery from Nokhrin Wines or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., if in the GTA phone (416) 704-8617. (Vic Harradine)

Fortified: Port

**** drink now
Agri-Roncão Vinícola ‘DR’ Tawny Non-Vintage
DO Douro, Portugal $24.95 19.0% alcohol
Fashioned from premium ‘Port’ grapes, it’s fresh and lively delivering an alluring nose of caramel, dark chocolate and liqueur-infused cherry aromas. Sweet and succulent flavours abound on the palate and lingering aftertaste with chocolate-dipped cherry, über-ripe mulberry and lashings of warm berry-fruit pie galore. It’s delectable sipped on its own and divine when paired with your favourite blue-veined cheese, tiramisu or chocolate dessert. Order by the case of 6 or 12 for daily home or office delivery from Nokhrin Wines or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., if in the GTA phone (416) 704-8617. (Vic Harradine)

Cheers, Vic and Susan