• The following 2018 El Enemigo Chardonnay was sourced from 100% chardonnay vines planted in calcareous soil at 1470 M asl. It was vinified at 18 °C in French oak barrel, 35% new, using indigenous yeast then matured nine months in those 500 L barrels.

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El Enemigo Chardonnay 2018
Mendoza, Argentina $24.95 (482984) 13.5%
Floral and citrus aromas dominate the nose of this gem preceding a deftly balanced stream of palate flavours with green apple, Meyer lemon and ripe pear to the fore. There’s persistent purity of fruit, delightful medium-full bodied texture and creamy mouthfeel along with a lip-smacking line of mouth-watering tang and pizzazz to and through the clean, crisp and refreshing finish and aftertaste. Lovely sipped on its own, it also pours well alongside Sunday roast chicken, crown roast of pork or line-caught freshwater fish pan-seared in butter. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2017 El Enemigo ‘El Baranco Vineyard’ Bonarda was planted some time ago in sand and river stone soils at 650 M asl. It was fermented by wild yeast at a maximum temperature of 28 °C for 15 days then a further 25 days of maceration before aging in 100-year-old foudres for 12 months.

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El Enemigo ‘El Baranco Vineyard’ Bonarda 2017
Mendoza, Argentina $21.95 (15132) 13.5%
Black currant and damson plum aromas mingle with dark cherry and grilled savory herbs on the nose. It’s a bit grippy on the palate from ripe, but still-evolving tannin while the palate flavours of pie cherry and red currant are juxtaposed to ripe black plum and notions of crème de cassis. It’s medium-plus weight with good mouthfeel and plenty of texture throughout and good balance of acidity, tannin and palate flavour. It finishes balanced and bountiful. Give this a go with a premium cut of beef tenderloin grilled medium-rare. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2017 El Enemigo ‘El Mirador Vineyard’ Bonarda was vinified aged, etc. and is almost a carbon copy of the ‘El Baranco Vineyard’ above.

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El Enemigo ‘El Mirador Vineyard’ Bonarda 2017
Mendoza, Argentina $21.95 (15120) 13.5%
Aromas of mixed spice, dark cherry/berry fruit and notions of sprigs of herbs abound on the nose. It envelops the palate with a fruit-forward, smooth and balanced stream of palate flavours with piquant spice, bramble berry and passionfruit along with ripe, smooth tannin, delectable tang and acidity from cork pop to last drop. There’s persistent purity of fruit and a lingering finish and aftertaste. Pour alongside braised beef and root veggies. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2019 Luigi Bosca Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from 100% cabernet sauvignon from vines with an average age of 40 years that was sourced exclusively from estate vineyards at 800 to 1000 m above sea level. The grapes were manually harvested with bunch selection and de-stemming. Alcoholic fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature of 28 °C using selected yeasts. It was then matured in French and American oak barrels for 14 months before being gently filtered and bottled.

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Luigi Bosca Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Maipú & Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina $18.95 (128629) 14.3% alcohol

Rich and luscious on the nose, this cabernet sauvignon freely gives up aromas of dark cherry fruit, bramble berry jam along with mixed spice and smoky notes. It envelops the palate with a tidal wave of delectable flavours with black plum and passionfruit mingling with piquant spice and grilled savoury herbs. It’s generously textured with good mouthfeel and an extended finish and aftertaste. The winery suggests a pairing with wild boar, if you find yourself out of wild boar, give rare-grilled venison a chance with a side of roasted root veggies. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2018 Viña Real Crianza – Rioja was sourced from a blend of hand-harvested estate vineyards of tempranillo/garnacha/mazuelo. It was aged at least 12 months in French and American oak casks then rests for a number of months at the winery in bottle before being released. It’s accredited vegan friendly. The exceptional-value, price-quality balance both tip wildly in your favour. Pick up a few and open now until 2030.

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Viña Real Crianza - Rioja 2018
DOCa Rioja, Spain $16.95 (657411) 13.5% alcohol
Fresh and lively aromas of spice- and herb-infused red cherry berry fruit precedes a balanced and bountiful river of palate flavours with tang-laden pie cherry and red currant melding wonderfully with black currant. Drying tannins underpin the back palate, finish and aftertaste—they are easily ameliorated with a two-hour aeration/decant. It finishes with a flourish of tangy pizzazz. Pour with pasta in tomato sauce with meatballs or hamburgers grilled in a grill pan on and in the oven from now until spring when you can move to the outside grill. (Vic Harradine)

• The following Henry of Pelham Riesling Icewine is a Vintages Essentials wine always available in select LCBO stores.

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Henry of Pelham Riesling Icewine 2019

VQA Niagara Peninsula $49.95 (430561) 375 mL 9.5% alcohol

This is a perennial favourite showcasing excellent acidity and ripe, sweet, fruit flavours that are perfect partners in this delicious offering. Aromas of peach, pear and wisps of minerality unleash a flow of palate-enveloping flavours—baked apple and poached pear interlace with crisp green apple, sharp ginger and lemony tang in a crescendo of balanced and beautiful ambrosia. It all replays on the lengthy finish and aftertaste. Gorgeous now, will develop depth and complexity with bottle age. Pour on its own or with premium blue-veined cheese, fruit flan or pan-seared foie gras. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2016 CVNE ‘Imperial – Reserva’ is a hand-harvested red blend of 85% tempranillo and 15% graciano/mazuelo/garnacha with all vines bush trained and over 40 years old. Grapes were alcoholic fermented using indigenous yeasts then the wine was aged for two years in French and American with all new barrels. It then aged a further one year in bottle before being released.

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C.V.N.E. ‘Imperial – Reserva’ 2016
DOCa Rioja, Spain $39.95 (424390) 14.0% alcohol
Highly perfumed and alluring on the nose, the aromas of floral notes, mulled spice and red berry fruit assert themselves easily. A tang- and herb-laden river of flavours with red and black cherry fruit and oodles of savoury herbs and notions of minerality make their way to the lingering finish and aftertaste. Pour with prawn and chorizo paella or your favourite tapas meat dish, perhaps grilled oxtail. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2019 Veramonte ‘Primus – The Blend’ is certified sustainable and accredited Vegan on the back label of the bottle.

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Veramonte ‘Primus – The Blend’ 2019
D.O. Apalta, Colchagua, Chile $19.95 (712463) 13.5% alcohol
Aromas of charred wood and exotic incense decorated with wild berry fruit abound on the nose of this red blend. It surges over the palate with a gusher of flavour with dark berry fruit, black juicy cherry and mouth-watering tang and acidity persisting to and through the finish and aftertaste underpinned by ripe tannin and decorated with grilled savoury herbs. It’s good to go now and pairs well with hearty beef stew or rack of lamb. (Vic Harradine)