• The following is a carefully curated collection of fine wines via the LCBOs Consignment program with many not available at LCBO retail stores. Order and purchase arrangements are handled through Account Manager, Lauren Hayes-Van den Weghe at the following coordinates:
• Order the following wines by the case—some 6 bottles, others 12—by contacting Lauren Hayes-Van den Weghe by email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone 613 240 3667 for restaurant, home or office delivery via The Vine Agency.

92 
Champagne Collet ‘Art Deco’ Brut Non-Vintage
AOC Champagne $66.95 12.5% alcohol
Matured for at least four years in their chalk cellars, this blend—40% chardonnay, 40% pinot noir and 20% pinot meunier is sourced from Grand Cru and Premier Cru villages vineyards including Aÿ where Collet was founded in 1921. Delicate rosary-like bubbles dance in the glass releasing beautiful aromas of yeast, bread crumbs, green apple, candied pineapple, white flower and chalky minerality. A fine foam expands in the mouth and with it, aromas of crusty bread, citrus rind, fennel and mineral notes delight the palate. The rich, yet crisp, dry, long finish invites you back for another sip. Enjoy with salted nuts or coquille Saint-Jacques. (Louise Boutin)

90 
Domaine Corinne et Jean-Pierre Grossot ‘Les Fourneaux’ Chablis 1er Cru 2015
AOC Chablis $52.95 13.0% alcohol
This sustainably farmed, classic Chablis is sourced from 15-year-old vines. Fermented and matured mainly on lees in stainless steel tanks, French barriques are also used for the slow fermentation both, alcoholic and malolactic, of 25% of the juice. The nose is treated to fresh and crisp aromas—white grapefruit, apple, floral notes, Golden delicious apple and seashell minerality. It greets the palate with a sharp stream of fresh citrus and green apple flavours moving mid-way to a creamier texture unveiling lactic notes, pink grapefruit sweetness and a mouth-watering saline note in the delectable, lingering finish. Pair with your favourite seafood dish. (Louise Boutin)

87 
Château Pesquié ‘Les Terrasses’ Blanc 2016
Vin de France $21.95 12.5% alcohol
The 70% viognier, 15% roussanne, 15% clairette in this white blend makes itself very discrete on the nose with delicate aromas of white grapefruit, lime zest and white flower notes. A partial malolactic conversion adds roundness and texture to this medium-bodied, dry white as it delivers flavours of citrus rind, white peach, fresh apricot and a good dose of wet-rock minerality. This is a very nice white to enjoy at the apéro. (Louise Boutin)

90 
Château Pesquié ‘Les Terrasses’ Rouge 2016
AOC Côtes de Ventoux $21.95 (652313) 14.0% alcohol
This beautiful blend of 60% grenache / 40% syrah proposes notes of ripe plum, candied cherry and kirsch liqueur aromas toned down with a nice smoky whiff on the nose. There is plenty of freshness and balance on the palate with delicious flavours of crunchy red cherry, red and black plum, blackberry and a touch of licorice wrapped in soft tannin muffling the unexpected high octane. This is a versatile, medium-full bodied red with a fruity and slightly peppery persistent finish. Pour with mixed grill and roasted vegetables. (Louise Boutin)

96   
Cave Spring Cellars ‘CSV’ Riesling 2016
VQA Beamsville Bench $29.75 
This is stunning wine sourced from the estate’s oldest, lowest-yielding riesling vines with roots anchored deep in the limestone-rich soil of the Beamsville Bench. Aromas of exotic spice, citrus and flinty minerality provide entry to an explosion of palate-tingling flavour with pineapple, blood orange and lemon curd to the fore joined by riveting tang and acidity along with mineral notes on the lingering, crisp, refreshing finish and aftertaste—this was tough to spit. (Vic Harradine)

91   
Cave Spring Cellars ‘Dolomite’ Riesling 2016
VQA Niagara Escarpment $17.75 11.5% alcohol
This is for riesling-lovers, connisseurs and folks, like me and many of you, who love a great glass of wine at an exceptional price. This gets attention on the nose with aromas of piquant spice and flinty/mineral notes intertwined with grapefruit zest. It bathes the palate with a medium-weight, satin-smooth flow of spice, stone fruit and citrus. It finishes clean and lip-smacking good with plenty of pizzazz. Pour with Alsatian onion tart. (Vic Harradine)

92   
Cave Spring Cellars ‘Dolomite’ Chardonnay 2016
VQA Niagara Escarpment $17.75 11.5% alcohol
This was fermented in 65% stainless steel tank and 35% well-seasoned French oak barriques with all undergoing partial malolactic conversion and matured 4 months sur lie. It showcases ripe fruit, excellent balancing acidity, oodles of charm and a lengthy finish and aftertaste. Aromas of toasty/yeasty notes interweave with orchard fruit and spice. A medium-bodied, nicely textured river of balanced and beautiful flavours—ripe red apple, pear and blood orange tang—envelop the palate persisting through the lengthy mouth-watering finish joined by minerality. Pour with pan-seared freshwater fish, steamed mussels or supermarket rotiserie roast chicken. (Vic Harradine)

91  
Cave Spring Cellars ‘Dolomite’ Pinot Noir 2016
VQA Niagara Escarpment $24.75 12.5% alcohol
This is quite good value and an interesting blend of fruit—94% pinot noir/6 % gamay—and VQA terroir—92% Beamsville Bench/6% Creek Shores/2% St. Davids Bench. It wafts from the glass with red berry fruit, piquant spice and earthy aromas before treating the palate to a medium-weight, creamy-smooth wash of tangy fruit—red currant, black cherry and dark plum—interlaced with wood smoke, excellent acidity and underpinned by ripe, supple tannin. It finishes with tasty replays and pours well with the usual suspects—smoked duck breasts, roast fowl or pork, spiced paté or charcuterie board. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2017 Cave Spring Cellars ‘Dolomite’ Cabernet Franc is a blend of grapes—88% cabernet franc and 12% cabernet sauvignon that underwent a 14-day maceration then gently pressed and matured 9 months in predominantly older barrique—French, Hungarian and American. There’s also a 4% dollop of 2014 cabernet franc appassimento in here.

90  
Cave Spring Cellars ‘Dolomite’ Cabernet Franc 2017
VQA Niagara Escarpment $24.75 13.5% alcohol
Lifted aromas of cherry/berry fruit mingling with grilled savory herbs, gamy notes and peppery spice abound. It coats the palate with a well-flavoured, well-textured surge of black currant and cassis intertwined with baking spice, savory bits and a polished tannin underpinning. The finish lingers, balanced and beautiful, sporting ripe dark berry fruit and excellent tang. It’s good to go now after a two-hour aeration decant and poured with a thick, well-seasoned steak or rich stew like boeuf Bourgignon. (Vic Harradine)

90 
Valdibella ‘Munir Catarratto’ Bianco 2017
IGT Sicily $19.95 12.0% alcohol
This organic aromatic Sicilian indigenous white gives up aromas that tease the senses— ripe pear, juicy pineapple, grapefruit, honeysuckle and vanilla. Round and ample on the palate it opens the door to a tangy wash of citrus and tropical-fruit flavours coated with loads of minerality and a nice bitter-almond and unpredictable smoky finish. This is medium-bodied, an excellent value and will pair perfectly with fish on the grill or smoked salmon appetizers. (Louise Boutin)

88 
Valdibella ‘Kerasos’ Nero D’Avola 2016
IGT Sicily $20.95 13.5% alcohol
This sustainably farmed, cooperative-produced, 100% Nero d’Avola is matured half and half in wood barrels and stainless steel tanks for eight months. The nose shows intense gamy notes shielding ripe red cherry, red plum, raspberry and pencil-shaving aromas. Medium-bodied with soft tannin, it bathes the palate with flavours of tangy red cherry and blackberry, evolving to kirsch liquor, balsamic notes and black peppercorn in the finish and aftertaste. Give this a go with a fresh tomato and black olive pizza. (Louise Boutin)

91 
La Guardiense ‘Janare Cru Pietralata’ Greco 2016 
DOP Sannio Greco, Campania, Italy $22.95 13.5% alcohol
This offers good value and was sourced from 100% greco fruit, a grape indigenous to the area. This leaps from the glass with vibrant aromas of citrus, mineral and orchard fruit—pear, apple and nectarine. There’s plenty of razzle/dazzle on the palate with a crisp refreshing surge of palate-tingling flavour from lemon curd, grilled pineapple and white grapefruit tang. It softens on the delicious, mouth-watering finish adding lemon pie filling notes galore. Pour on its own or with appetizers like grilled and breaded calamari or prawn ceviche. (Vic Harradine)

• The highest vineyard in the Apennine hills of Emilia-Romagna, Villa Papiano’s history goes back to the 15th century and the Medici family but the current vineyard was re-launched in 2001 under the careful eye of Francesco Bordini PhD in œnology. Intensive work aiming at rebuilding the 1960 old-vine terraces set the new beginning of this burgeoning, small vineyard. Blessed with poor soil where sangiovese thrives, the 2017 Villa Pappiano ‘Le Papesse’ featured below has consistently received accolades since 2014 and truly represents the expression of this traditional terroir.

90 
Villa Pappiano ‘Le Papesse’ 2017
DOC Romagna Sangiovese Superiore $29.95 13.5% alcohol
This single-vineyard, organically-farmed blend—95% sangiovese/5% balsamina, aka alicante, is aged in concrete vats for six months preserving the freshness of the bright fruit—ripe red cherry, plum, blackberry, raspberry and a suggestion of pine aroma teases the imagination. A juicy stream of flavours—crunchy red cherry, pomegranate, plum with more evolved balsamic notes plus salinity, in the otherwise fruity, medium-long finish, enchants the palate. A perfect balance of structure and softness calling for a traditional pairing— spaghetti Bolognese. Pour now to 2025. (Louise Boutin)

• Pâcina is a 10th century convent on a family-owned property bordering the Chianti Classico area in the Siena region. Biodiversity, sustainable farming and non-interventionist practices are some of the guiding principles put forward by 6th generation winemaker, Giovanna Tiezzi, in the wine production but also in other crops — olives, chick peas, lentils amongst others. The wines featured below—2012 Pâcina di Giovanna Tiezze Pâcina and 2015 Pâcina di Giovanna Tiezze La Malena—are two examples of the signature style where passion and savoir-faire are also found in the bottle.

91 
Pâcina di Giovanna ‘Tiezze Pâcina’ 2012
IGT Toscana $48.95 14.5% alcohol
This is a blend of 95% sangiovese and 5% ciliegiolo, a grape believed to be one of the sangiovese’s progenitors, offers a captivating nose—smoky ripe cherry, balsamic reduction, dry tobacco and savoury herb replayed on the palate with richness and perfect balance. Patiently matured in French oak for 14 months with an additional 12 months of refining in bottle, this full-bodied food wine boasts medium-high acidity and grippy, yet fine tannin. This has at least ten years of cellaring potential but can be enjoyed now with a slowly simmered beef and wild mushroom ragoût. Aerate/decant two hours before serving. (Louise Boutin)

92 
Pâcina di Giovanna ‘Tiezze La Malena’ 2015
IGT Toscana $56.95 14.0% alcohol
Only 2000 bottles of this organic 50% syrah and 50% ciliegiolo blend are produced most years. Fermented in concrete vats to preserve fruit quality, it matured 15 months in 225L Allier oak barrels and another six months in bottle. The remarkable smokiness combined with ripe black plum, prune and forest floor aromas, is a delight for the nose. The enjoyment continues on the palate with a generous flow of fresh blackberry, tart dry cherry, dry prune, mocha and balsamic notes in the endless, delicious, finish and aftertaste. This robust full-bodied Italian red will further evolve with five to ten years of cellaring but is excellent now with a rare, well-seasoned prime-rib roast. Aerate/decant two to three hours before pouring. (Louise Boutin)

95 
Baker & Brain Pinot Noir 2016
Central Coast, California $56.95 13.9% alcohol
There were only 150 cases of this gorgeous pinot produced. It showcases persistent purity of fruit, complexity, deft balance and plenty of grace and style. Aromas of red berry fruit, piquant spice and toasty oak waft from this medium-bodied, silky-smooth textured, fabulous pinot. It bathes the palate with a line of bracing acidity borne on a delightful stream of tart red currant and crunchy pie cherry decorated with savory herbs and mocha interwoven with a supple tannin underpinning and framed by crisp, refreshing, lip-smacking tang persisting through the long, dry finish. (Vic Harradine)

91 
La Guardiense ‘Janare Cru Pietralata’ Greco 2016 
DOP Sannio Greco, Campania, Italy $22.95 13.5% alcohol
This offers good value and was sourced from 100% greco fruit, a grape indigenous to the area. This leaps from the glass with vibrant aromas of citrus, mineral and orchard fruit—pear, apple and nectarine. There’s plenty of razzle/dazzle on the palate with a crisp refreshing surge of palate-tingling flavour from lemon curd, grilled pineapple and white grapefruit tang. It softens on the delicious, mouth-watering finish adding lemon pie filling notes galore. Pour on its own or with appetizers like grilled and breaded calamari or prawn ceviche. (Vic Harradine)

90 
McManis Family Vineyards Viognier 2017
River Junction, California $20.95 13.5% alcohol
This was sourced from estate-grown viognier, fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks, it saw no oak. Aromas of peach, apricot and honeyed notes provide segue to a medium-plus bodied, well-textured wash of pleasing palate flavours with ripe tropical fruit—honeydew melon, pineapple and mango—intertwined with balancing acidity from Meyer lemon and hints of mandarin orange. This is well balanced with persistent purity of fruit and just plain, lip-smacking delicious at an excellent price. (Vic Harradine)

Restaurants/Hotels Only 

• The following 2027 wines from The Vine Agency are available only to Restaurants and Hotels with a valid liqour license.

92   
2027 Cellars ‘Wismer Vineyard – Foxcroft Block’ Riesling 2017 
VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara-on-the-Lake $16.95 10.0% alcohol
A rich, luscious nose of lime and honeydew melon aromas precede a medium-bodied, nicely textured stream of stunning flavour—Key lime, apple, pear and stony minerality on the palate framed by juicy tang. It’s vibrant and lively on the finish with crisp and refreshing flavours of white grapefruit and persistent, tangy Key lime. There’s plenty of ripe pear and apple on the palate while the finish is dry and mouth-watering. This sips well on its own and pairs extremely well with fish, seafood, poultry or pork especially when in a cream sauce. (Vic Harradine)

• The following single-vineyard, 2017 2027 Cellars ‘Edgerock Vineyard’ Pinot Noir was hand harvested, cold soaked, wild-yeast fermented and matured in ‘bespoke’ French oak barrels, 40% new.

94   
2027 Cellars ‘Edgerock Vineyard’ Pinot Noir 2017 
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $22.95 13.0% alcohol
This has been bottled only recently, but it’s exquisite now and will improve with short- to medium-term cellaring. Red berry fruit and piquant spice billow from the nose of this satin-smooth, well-textured pinot. It’s balanced almost perfectly with juxtaposition of black currant and dark cherry fruit flavours with the racy tang and acidity—perfect for matching with food. The price point for a wine of this off-the-charts quality swings wildly in your favour and allows pours by the glass. (Vic Harradine)

• The following single-vineyard 2017 2027 Cellars ‘Stonebridge Vineyard’ Chardonnay is a new offering from 2027 winemaker extraordinaire, Kevin Panagapka. It was sourced from hand-picked, hand-pressed, 100% chardonnay then 100% barrel fermented and matured 14 months in French oak barrel, 30% new. Purchase in cases of 6.

92  
2027 Cellars ‘Stonebridge Vineyard’ Chardonnay 2017 
VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara-on-the-Lake $19.95 13.0% alcohol
Piquant baking spice aromas of cloves and ginger mingle with toasty notes on the nose of this medium-plus weight, value-laden, generously textured chardonnay. Palate flavours—green apple, peach, ripe pear and citrus—persist through the lengthy finish and aftertaste. It’s good to go now, better in a couple of months, pairing exceptionally well with roast chicken or pork, chicken salads or pot pies—lobster or chicken. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2014 2027 Cellars ‘Wismer Vineyard – Foxcroft Block’ ‘Natur’ Sparkling Wine is Méthode Traditionnelle, single vineyard, 100% Chardonnay with zero dosage, no malolactic conversion and having rested 36 months on its lees before disgorgement.

95   
2027 Cellars ‘Wismer Vineyard – Foxcroft Block’ ‘Natur’ Sparkling Wine 2014 
VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara-on-the-Lake $25.14 12.0% alcohol
This offers baking brioche, and wisps of vanilla and spice on the nose and a smorgasbord of fine-bead bubbles and barely off-dry, yet refreshing flavour on the palate—lemon citrus, juicy apple and ripe pear interwoven with flinty mineral notes on the back palate along with replays on the crisp, lip-smacking finish. Kevin Panagapka’s vineyard/fruit-selection and winemaking skills truly shine in this stunning sparkling wine. (Vic Harradine)