• Order the following two wines by the case for home, office or restaurant delivery online from Profile Wine Group.
90
Susana Balbo ‘BenMarco’ Malbec 2015
Uco Valley $20.95 14.5% alcohol
This terrific wine has a nose overflowing with aromatic complexity. There are hints of pepper, mint, raspberry, vanilla, raspberry, and mushrooms. On the palate it is medium bodied with a wonderful balance of acid, and luscious flavours of cherry and raspberry. There are plenty of tannins, but they are very well integrated, making this wine a pleasure to sip from beginning to end. It’s well paired with grilled beef ribs slathered with a zesty BBQ sauce. (Dave Isaacs)
88
Susana Balbo ‘Crios - Limited Edition’ Malbec 2016
Mendoza $16.95 13.0% alcohol
This is produced in limited quantities with grapes sourced from defined areas in Mendoza and Salta regions. It exudes rich fruity notes—black plum, blueberry, black cherry—with a hint of baking spice and smoke. It’s ample on the palate with juicy ripe plum, black cherry and cassis flavours joined with dry herb and enjoyable chalky minerality. Medium bodied with mellow tannin, it has good tang on the black-fruit dry finish. Drinking well now, enjoy with beef and vegetable kebab on the grill. (Louise Boutin)
• Louise and Vic recently attended a well-curated tasting offered by Noble Estates Wine and Spirits. To place an order by the case of 6 or 12—see individual reviews— for delivery to your home, office or restaurant, phone their order desk at +1 905-943-7272.
Sparkling Wine
90 [6-bottle case]
Pares Balta ‘Pink’ Cava Brut Non-Vintage
Penedes, Spain $21.99 11.5% alcohol
This brut, traditional-method blend—38% grenache, 32% parellada, 30% macabeo—from organically grown grapes is aged on lees for 18 months and bottled without dosage. A fresh floral nose coupled with strawberry, raspberry and pink grapefruit aromas fill the air inviting a first sip. The bubbles spread over the palate with creamy-textured red berry, citrus flavours and a good splash of delicious minerality lingering in the lip-smacking, dry, fruity finish. This is delectable on its own or paired with a mixed salad with pink grapefruit supremes. (Louise Boutin)
White Wine
88 [12-bottle case] 
13th Street ‘Vin Gris’ 2017
VQA Creek Shores, Ontario $24.95 12.5% alcohol
Vin Gris is a wine crafted using white wine techniques with red grapes, in this case, 100% gamay noir. It bursts with bubble gum, peach and Swedish berry aromas. It’s dry, medium-bodied with good back-bone supporting delicious ripe peach, raspberry and pink grapefruit flavours with mineral notes carried over in a mid-length finish. Pour alongside a baked rainbow trout fillet with a squeeze of lemon juice. (Louise Boutin)
89 [12-bottle case]
13th Street Pinot Gris 2017
VQA Creek Shores, Ontario $19.95 12.5% alcohol
Back by popular demand after a series of successful vintages, this value-packed, single-varietal charmer offers lifted aromas of freshly made pear jam, red plum, ginger and honeysuckle. It’s medium-bodied with excellent mouthfeel on the palate showcasing ripe pear, red apple and fresh citrus flavours alongside balancing mineral notes trailing in the citrussy finish. Pair with a spicy Asian-style fish or chicken for a complementary match. (Louise Boutin)
91 [12-bottle case] 
Blacks Station Chardonnay 2016
AVA Dunnigan Hills, California $16.99 13.9% alcohol
This delivers exceptional value with a beautiful nose of pear, apple, toasted bread and vanilla aromas. Even better on the palate, there’s creamy-textured baked apple and pear flavours layered with caramel and elegant vanilla notes. The oak ageing is perfectly mastered to bring finesse to this balanced, medium-full bodied white. Pour with chicken pot pie or fish and chips. (Louise Boutin)
93 [12-bottle case]
Domaine Seguinot Bordet ‘Vieilles Vignes’ Chablis 2016
AOC Chablis, France $30.95 12.5% alcohol
Aromas of apple, pear, citrus and minerality abound. This bolts across the palate racy, crisp, clean and refreshing. Delightful flavours are carried along the palate medium-full bodied and fully textured with green apple, lemon curd and white grapefruit interwoven with saline minerality and notions of ripe pit fruit. This dishes up the perfect pairing for briny oysters, grilled sea food, sushi and ceviche. (Vic Harradine)
Rosé Wine
92 [12-bottle case]
Château Vignelaure Rosé 2017
Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, France $29.95 13.0% alcohol
This is an impressive, hand-harvested, red blend of 40% grenache/30% syrah/30% cabernet sauvignon from 25- to 40-year-old vines that really deliver in spades. Light-salmon hued, it opens with aromas of floral notes, berry fruit and sharp spice before electrifying the palate with a scintillating ribbon of crunchy red berry fruit and freshly sliced strawberry intertwined with tangy acidity and piquant spice. This sets the bar for a Rosé with plenty of pizzazz. The lip-smacking finish and aftertaste are the cherry on top. (Vic Harradine)
Red Wine
92 [12-bottle case]
William Wright ‘Premium Hand Selected’ Pinot Noir 2016
Monterey, California $21.95 13.5% alcohol
From cork pop to last drop, you’ll find strong varietal characteristic in this estate-grown, hand-harvested pinot. Red berry fruit, spice and earthy notes on the nose introduce a tang-influenced river of palate-bathing flavour with racy pie cherry, cranberry and riper juicy black plum flavours decorated with spice and sprigs of herbs. It’s medium bodied with persistent purity of fruit, good texture and deftly balanced finish and aftertaste. This’ll match up with myriad styles of cuisines and also serve as an enjoyable sipper. Good value here. (Vic Harradine)
91 [6-bottle case]
Luciano Sandrone Dolcetto d’Alba 2015
DOC Dolcetto d’Alba, Italy $29.95 13.0% alcohol
This showcases good body and structure, oodles of tang, piquant spice and racy red fruit aromas and flavours. Red cherry, spice and raspberry aromas herald a racy line of pie cherry, passionfruit and red currant flavours streaking across the palate with sharp spice, tangy acidity and wisps of tannin. Aerate/decant for a couple of hours pouring with red pizza, lasagna or pasta in tomato sauce. (Vic Harradine)
• The Sancerre appellation is better known for its white wine but well worth exploring its red version with the one reviewed below from the Delaporte family who has been established in Chavignol since the 17th century.
90 [12-bottle case]
Delaporte Sancerre Rouge Chavignol 2016
AOC Sancerre, France $31.99 13.0% alcohol
Hand-selected, 100% pinot noir from 21- to 40-year-old vines, displays aromas of red cherry, raspberry, graphite and savoury dry herbs. The palate is treated to a soft and bright wash of tart cherry, cranberry and raspberry complemented with spicy notes and mineral character typical to the Sancerre region. Medium-bodied with mellow tannin, it’ll pair nicely with seared-tuna steak and mustard sauce drizzle. (Louise Boutin)
90 [12-bottle case]
Sargent Canyon ‘Proprietor’s Selection’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Central Coast, California $20.95 13.5% alcohol
Alluring aromas of red and dark berry fruit, floral notes and sweet vanilla precede a palate-enveloping gusher of sweet, ripe fruit with dark berry fruit, cassis and racy red cherry to the fore. There’s good structure from ripe supple tannin, purity of fruit, good value and deft balance. It finishes with replays and excellent tangy acidity; leaving every sip as good or better as the previous. (Vic Harradine)
90 [6-bottle case]
Casa Vinicola Botter ‘Appassimento’ Primitivo Rosso 2015
IGT Primitivo, Italy $19.95 14.5% alcohol
Black currant, pipe tobacco, dried and raisined fruit aromas make way for a balanced and creamy-smooth mouthful of flavour—bramble berry, sweet vanilla and prune flavours coat the palate mingling with sprigs of herbs, mocha and peppery notes. This is medium-full bodied, well textured and value laden. It finishes with replays from the palate and quite charming. (Vic Harradine)
90 [12-bottle case]
Allan Scott Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Marlborough, South Island New Zealand $18.95 12.5% alcohol
Delicate aromas of floral notes, mown grass and soft citrus provide segue to a mellow and smooth wash of tropical fruit and nectarine flavours perfectly balanced with delectable tang and piquant minerality on the back palate and lingering, refreshing aftertaste. This is medium weight with good mouthfeel and a price-quality balance tipped wildly in your favour. (Vic Harradine)
• André Hueston Mack, owner/winemaker for Mouton Noir including the following wine, was the first Afro-American to be awarded, ‘Best Sommelier in America’ by Chaine des Rotisseurs. Mack currently is a sought-after celebrity for his accomplishments and wine knowledge; he’s appeared on prime-time TV and featured in numerous publications including: The New York Times, The Huffington Post, The Wall Street Journal and Wine & Spirits.
89 [12-bottle case]
Mouton Noir Winery ‘O.P.P Pinot Noir’ 2015
AVA Willamette Valley, Oregon $34.99 13.8% alcohol
This was made in a traditional manner including ageing 10 months in new oak. The result suggests red cherry and pomegranate aromas combined with clove and a mild gamy note. There’s a persistence of fruit on the palate with crunchy, tart red fruit flavours accompanied with baking spice and mild pepper enhancing the drying lengthy finish. This medium-bodied red with polished tannin is versatile at the table but delicious with a simmered, hunter-style chicken. (Louise Boutin)
89 [12-bottle case]
Argiano ‘Non Confunditur’ 2014
IGT Tuscany, Italy $26.99 14.5% alcohol
This red blend — 40% cabernet sauvignon, 20% merlot, 20% syrah and 20% sangiovese is called ‘baby Super Tuscan’ at the winery in the Montalcino region where winemaking dates back to 1580. A complex nose—red cherry, blackberry, red currant, dry fruit and a musky note introduces flavours of juicy tart cherry and red plum on the palate embellished with spicy cinnamon and dry savoury herbs. This is medium-full bodied with fleshy tannin and has a few more years to evolve. Aerate/decant two hours and pour now to 2024 alongside rare-grilled flank steak with tarragon butter. (Louise Boutin)
91 [6-bottle case]
Planeta ‘Santa Cecilia’ Nero d’Avola 2005
IGT Nero d’Avola, Sicilia, Italy $90.40 14.0% alcohol
This is a muscular, well-balanced red that’s dense and complex and still with good fruit on the palate. Aromas of black currant, cherry and black plum preface palate-enveloping dark berry fruit and red cherry flavours adorned with mocha and tangy, orange-tinged acidity—medium-plus weight with good mouthfeel and balanced on a pin. The dry mouth-watering finish replays palate flavour with pronounced tang and acidity bolstered by dusty tannin. Aerate/decant three hours before service. (Vic Harradine)