Cambria ‘Julia’s Vineyard’ Pinot Noir 2007
Santa Maria, California $35.25 14.5% alcohol
Chockfull of flavour and charm, this is a monumental full-bore Pinot. Expressive aromas of tar, graphite, black licorice and mixed berry fruit rip off the glass. Complex and palate-coating flavours of succulent brambly berry, kirsch liqueur and spice-laden black Damson plum persist throughout carried along on a silky texture and wonderful moderating acidity. The finish is well balanced, lengthy and redolent of dark chocolate-coated cherries. In Eastern Ontario e-mail Lauren This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to order by the case for daily office or home delivery—everywhere else in Ontario via The Vine – Robert Groh Agency. (Vic Harradine)
Clairault Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Margaret River, Western Australia, $24.35 13.5% alcohol
Lifted aromas of black berry fruit, tar and gamey nuances segue a well-structured mouthful of black currant, mulberry and chocolate-coated cherries. It’s full bodied, complex and nicely underpinned with ripe supple tannin. The balanced and lengthy finish is adorned with hints of eucalyptus and espresso roast. Give this a go with grilled lamb tenderloins and roasted root veggies. Order by the case for daily home or office delivery from Hobbs Wines. (Vic Harradine)
Cuttaway Hills Pinot Gris 2008
Southern Highlands, New South Wales, Australia $24.40 14.5% alcohol
Purity of fruit flavour, deft balance and delightful complexity all mark this as special. Floral nuances, baking bread and ripe apple aromas drift from the glass while the rich flavours coat the palate in waves—ripe pear, Red Delicious apple and yellow peach coalesce with lemony tang. It’s medium bodied and generously textured—close your eyes and you’re in Alsace—with a lingering balanced finish. Order by the case for daily home or office delivery from Hobbs Wines. (Vic Harradine)
Tenuta Cocci Grifoni ‘Vigna Messieri’ Rosso Piceno Superiore 2004
DOC Rosso Piceno Superiore, Italy $30.80
This is a sophisticated red blend—60% Sangiovese, 40% Montepulciano—that oozes flavour, structure and character. It’s showing a little age with a bricky rim in the glass, but is fresh and alluring on the palate with red pie cherry, cassis and dark berry fruit flavours. It’s mid weight and nicely textured with a lengthy well-balanced finish of mint and nuances of truffles and boysenberry. In Eastern Ontario e-mail Lauren This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to order by the case of 6 for daily office or home delivery—everywhere else in Ontario via The Vine – Robert Groh Agency. (Vic Harradine)
Langtry Estate ‘Guenoc’ Chardonnay 2007
Lake County, California $21.25 14.7% alcohol
This cool-ish climate Chardonnay—marked diurnal variation with warm days and cool nights—jumps from the glass with expressive aromas and solid fruit flavour. Tropical fruit, toast and vanilla on the nose, the complex flavours include tree fruit—peach, pear and apple—mingling with crisp and refreshing citrus. It’s mid weight, nicely textured and sports a lengthy balanced finish. Great value here. Order by the case for daily home or office delivery from Hobbs Wines. (Vic Harradine)
Château Lassegue 2004
AOC Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, France $68.95 13.0% alcohol
Red berry fruit, graphite and mineral on the nose, this expressive and perfectly balanced gem delivers a textured wash of persistent flavour—black currant, spice-infused cranberry and mixed dark berry fruit mingling with hints of mint and cedar. It’s medium bodied and sports a well-balanced lingering finish that’s underpinned by a supple tannin structure and delectable fruit flavours. Drinking well now, it’ll easily cellar another 5 to 8 years. In Eastern Ontario e-mail Lauren This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to order by the case of 6 for daily office or home delivery—everywhere else in Ontario via The Vine – Robert Groh Agency. (Vic Harradine)
Domaine Lignères ‘Le Signal’ Corbières 2003
AOC Corbières, France $22.95 14.0% alcohol
The price-quality ratio skews well in your favour, it’s drop-dead gorgeous and under priced. Mixed spice box, berry fruit and toasty aromas abound from this mid-weight, generously textured blend of Syrah, Carignan and Grenache. Rich, concentrated and luscious flavours coat the palate with ripe mulberry and succulent black Bing cherry predominant. It’s deftly balanced and sports a lingering fruit-filled finish. In Eastern Ontario e-mail Lauren This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to order by the case of 6 for daily office or home delivery—everywhere else in Ontario via The Vine – Robert Groh Agency. (Vic Harradine)
Tenuta Mosole ‘Eleo Rosso’ 2006
DOC Lison-Pramaggiore, Italy $24.90 13.0% alcohol
Exotic and alluring aromas abound with flint, mineral, Asian spice and dark berry fruit among them. Palate-coating, dark and rich flavours wash in waves with cassis, spice-laden bramble berry and kirsch liqueur to the fore. It’s mid weight with a silky-smooth texture, balance, structure and a lengthy warm flavourful finish layering on nuances of mocha and fine-grained tannin. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour.
In Eastern Ontario e-mail Lauren This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to order by the case of 6 for daily office or home delivery—everywhere else in Ontario via The Vine – Robert Groh Agency. (Vic Harradine)