August 3, 2015 Newsletter

Newsletter highlights include:

• Exceptional value wine   –only 3 of 50 wines reviewed meet the strict quality-price guidelines and are easily identified throughout the newsletter priced at $14.95, $16.95 and $17.95; Columbia Crest ‘Grand Estates’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 earning 4½ stars @ $17.95 under Feature: The Great Northwest – Washington State; Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc 2014 earning 4½ stars @ 14.95 under South Africa: White Wine and Inniskillin ‘Discovery Series’ East-West’ Pinot Grigio / Chardonnay 2014 earning 4½ stars @ $16.95 under New in Wine Rack stores. What strict guidelines? Click here.
• Finding Waldo – this sparkling wine from Penedes underwent its 2nd fermentation in the bottle you purchase and it’s under $14.00
• 5-star Wine – 1 wine rang the 5-star bell appearing after the Main Release - Wooing Tree Pinot Noir 2010 @ $53.00 found under New in Classics Catalogue.
• Susan Selects – Cedar Creek Riesling 2013 earning 4½ stars @ $18.95 found under The Great Northwest feature. 
• Julie’s Gem – Penfolds ‘Bin 9’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 earning 4½ stars at $23.95 found under Australia: Red Wine.
• Vic Picks – Rieflé Steinert Pinot Gris 2010 earning 4½ stars at $24.95 found under France: White Wine.

Access the LCBO store nearest you with stock of any wine with an LCBO product number by clicking on the number shown in brackets in wine reviews then clicking on select stores and entering your postal code. The number of bottles available in each store near you is displayed. For Vintages Release wines, stock should be displayed the Friday before a Saturday release, some stores post earlier. For LCBO wines, it should closely reflect stock in stores, updated every 24 hours. It’s always best to phone first.

Vintages Release: August 8, 2015 

Feature: The Great Northwest

Oregon

Acrobat Pinot Gris 2013
Oregon $19.95 (420729) 13.5% alcohol
Grown in western Oregon, the sustainably-managed vineyards produced organic fruit that was fermented then kept sur lie in stainless steel for 2 months before bottling. There’s good depth of aromas and flavours to this medium-bodied Gris—honeyed fruit with pear and melon dominating on the nose. Sweet luscious fruit is complemented by juicy acidity on the palate, the melon and orchard fruit married to a touch of lime and citrus zest on the finish. Showing good balance and weight, it delights on its own or with roast chicken or grilled pork tenderloin with apricots. (Susan Desjardins)

Rainstorm Pinot Noir 2012
Oregon $24.95 (419770) 13.0% alcohol
Semi-transparent with a touch of garnet to the rim, this Banfi-family Pinot offers subtle aromas of ripe fruit, sweet spice, vanilla and smoky toast. Dry, medium bodied, the ripe cherry/berry flavours dance across the palate joined by a replay of spiced vanilla and a touch of white pepper. Supple, well balanced and subtly framed, it delivers a delicious wash of ripe fruit through the aftertaste. Serve with broiled fillet of rainbow trout. (Susan Desjardins)

Sokol Blosser Pinot Noir 2011
Dundee Hills, Oregon $34.95 (748434) 12.5% alcohol
Produced in the heart of Oregon wine country, this beautifully crafted Pinot delivers the classic duo of aromas—red berries and earth. Dry and medium bodied, the juicy red fruit—cranberry, raspberry and red cherry—is framed by perceptible tannin and clean, fresh texture. There’s a lively mineral character to the wine and a long, tangy finish. A classic. (Susan Desjardins)

Washington State

Château Ste. Michelle Riesling 2013
Columbia Valley $16.95 (685651) 11.5% alcohol
This straw-green hued, engaging Riesling offers aromas of citrus and pear with a clear mineral note shining through. It’s mid weight and dry with hints of sweetness evident in flavours of honeyed pear and melon matched to zesty citrus notes and the recurring mineral quality. A well-defined backbone of vibrant acidity offers excellent counterpoint to the ripe sweetness of the fruit producing a clean, refreshing finish. Pair with grilled white fish. (Susan Desjardins)

L’Ecole No. 41 Sémillon 2013
Columbia Valley $22.95 (982157) 14.5% alcohol
This 2nd generation, family-owned, artisan winery is centred in Walla Walla Valley. It’s named for a log school house built in Frenchtown, just west of Walla Walla by French Canadians in 1870. Delivering delicate aromas of white flowers, citrus, grape and pear, this medium-bodied white offers a round, satiny texture. A hint of spice mingles with citrus and orchard fruit flavours while clean acidity and a touch of pithy bitterness add zest to the finish. Pair with seafood risotto. (Susan Desjardins)

Seven Falls Merlot 2012
Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley $19.95 (420711) 14.5% alcohol
Susan and I were both impressed with this—the sandy soil in the vineyard allows incredible drainage helping produce this dense, fully fruited Merlot. Aromas of cinnamon, nutmeg and black plum make way for a plush, luscious wave of juicy ripe, ripe bramble berry fruit, sweet vanilla and dark bittersweet chocolate. It spent 18 months in oak—80% French, 20% American—now seamlessly integrated. It’s a gorgeous red; mid-full bodied with silky mouth feel, soft, ripe tannin and lingering, lip-smacking finish. It’s very good value, pick up a few. (Vic Harradine)

Château Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Columbia Valley $19.95 (269357) 13.5% alcohol
Opaque and inky, this offers enticing aromas of dark fruit, herbs and a whiff of cedar. The concentrated cassis and black plum flavours are layered on notes of vanilla, spice and cocoa. It’s a medium-bodied, ripe, ample red with fruit framed by supple tannin and fine acidity. It offers a pleasing, polished finish. Serve with grilled filet mignon. (Susan Desjardins)

Columbia Crest ‘Grand Estates’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Columbia Valley, Washington State $17.95 (240093) 13.5% alcohol

This is fruit forward, fully textured, complex and structured—can’t get enough of Washington State red wine in general, and in particular from Columbia Crest. Savory herbs, sharp spice and mixed, dark field berry fruit aromas set the table for a feast of flavour. Rich, dense blackcurrant, kirsch liqueur and mulberry jam coat the palate, infusing the lingering aftertaste. (Vic Harradine)

Milbrandt Vineyards ‘Traditions’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 

Columbia Valley $21.95 (237784) 13.5% alcohol 

The quiet nose gives up wisps of savory herbs, dark berry fruit and spice. There’s complexity and structure throughout coupled with palate-bathing flavours of kirsch liqueur and black raspberry mingling with spice box and charred toast—aged in French and American oak, 20% new. Medium bodied and silky smooth, it finishes in a dry, mouth-watering blaze with wisps of soft-grained tannin. Pour with pasta arrabbiata. (Vic Harradine)

British Columbia – Okanagan Valley

  
Cedar Creek Riesling 2013
VQA Okanagan Valley $18.95 (423269) 9.9% alcohol
Straw-green hued, this tantalizing medium-bodied Riesling offers attractive floral and mineral notes with notions of sweet citrus and pear on the nose. It’s technically off dry but a vibrant backbone of zesty acidity creates impact on the palate paired with arresting flavours of grapefruit pith, lemon-lime and green apple underlain with a clean mineral quality. The cleansing character of citrus zest extends through the finish. Enjoy chilled, as you would to battle the heat of an Okanagan summer. Terrific value. (Susan Desjardins)

  
Dirty Laundry ‘Say Yes’ Pinot Gris 2013
VQA Okanagan Valley $19.95 (423202) 12.6% alcohol
Pale gold, this well-crafted Pinot Gris brings to mind the ripe fruit of the Okanagan with its lifted aromas of ripe juicy peach, pear and melon. It’s just off-dry and quite lush in texture, the ripe fruit balanced by refined acidity. There’s a touch of spice mingling with lively citrus flavours and tasty stone fruit. Long and bright on the finish, it has the weight to match white meat or seafood dishes, but is also lovely on its own. (Susan Desjardins)

  
Inniskillin ‘Okanagan Estate Series’ Pinot Blanc 2012
VQA Okanagan Valley $17.95 (558429) 12.5% alcohol
If you’ve never tried Pinot Blanc, here’s great value that showcases the best qualities of the variety. Appealing aromas include delicate floral notes, citrus, orchard fruit and mineral. The lovely silky, medium-bodied texture is paired with well-defined structure and loads of juicy citrus flavour with a dash of spice lingering through the dry finish. It’s tasty and offers good impact; you’ll enjoy sipping on its own or paired with seafood or chicken and pasta salad. (Susan Desjardins)

  
Burrowing Owl Pinot Noir 2013
VQA Okanagan Valley $40.95 (556613) 14.5% alcohol
Look no further for a big, bold Pinot that whispers ‘come hither’ with its luscious aromas of vanilla, spice and rich, ripe fruit. This is medium-full bodied, warm and round, imbued with the intensity of well-ripened fruit—cherry and strawberry to the fore—and touched by subtle notes of baking spice and cocoa. Velvety, dense and intensely flavourful, you’ll enjoy it with grilled beef tenderloin. (Susan Desjardins)

  
Gehringer Brothers ‘Dry Rock Vineyards’ Cabernet - Merlot 2013
VQA Okanagan Valley $19.95 (556001) 13.6% alcohol
There’s good complexity on the nose of this enticing blend—plum and ripe berry fruit, vanilla and spice, earth and subtle floral notes. The entire package is polished and well balanced, ripe tannin and fresh acidity married to beautifully ripened south Okanagan fruit. Enjoy the flavours of black berries and cherry, the notes of chocolate-coated cherries and sweet spice, and the underlying counterpoint of mineral. It shows length and impact on the dry, medium-full bodied finish. This is quite good value to be enjoyed with grilled meats. (Susan Desjardins)

The Main Release

Ontario: White Wine

  
Henry of Pelham ‘Family Tree’ White 2012
VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.95 (251116) 13.0% alcohol
Both Vic and I really enjoyed this. Evocative aromas of tropical fruit and musk melon, a touch of spice and wet earth characterize this golden wine. Dry, medium bodied, this flavourful blend offers a lovely smooth texture, a vibrant spine of acidity, attractive spicy notes and a touch of nuttiness. Well balanced, it finishes with a lasting pithy note. (Susan Desjardins)

  
Rosewood ‘Süssreserve’ Riesling 2014
VQA Beamsville Bench $14.95 (258806) 9.9% alcohol
Here’s a lovely golden-green hued gem showcasing floral aromas, honey, melon and citrus from Niagara’s makers of mead. It’s off dry with a hint of spritz, attractive weight and roundness to the texture—‘süssreserve’ indicates the addition of a small amount of unfermented, ripe grape juice to the fermented wine. The freshness of clean acidity, tangy lime and an underlying minerality balance the sweetness of the honeyed fruit. It offers great balance and impact pairing well with spiced foods. (Susan Desjardins)

  
The Foreign Affair Enchanted 2013
VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.95 (389767) 12.0% alcohol
This magical blend of Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc offers intense aromatics—notions of white flowers, clover honey, citrus and tropical fruit. Just off dry, bright, fresh and clean on the palate, flavours of passion fruit, citrus and aromatic herbs mingle with a lively backbone of acidity on the long, refreshing finish. (Susan Desjardins)

Ontario: Red Wine

  
Bricklayer’s Reward ‘Block 3’ Merlot 2012
VQA Lake Erie North Shore $19.95 (419408) 14.0% alcohol
Opaque with a touch of garnet at the rim, this flavourful Merlot showcases the ripeness of berry fruit on the nose, notes of kirsch, spice and cocoa adding to the aromatic display. This is a medium-full bodied, big structured wine with ripe tannin offering a firm frame for the basket of ripe berry and plum fruit. Notes of fig, cocoa and chocolate-coated cherries tantalize while racy tang persists on the lengthy, dry finish. This will cellar, or may be served now with grilled red meats. (Susan Desjardins)

  
Cooper’s Hawk ‘Talon’ Red 2012
VQA Ontario $17.95 (426916) 12.5% alcohol
A touch of Baco Noir and Marechal Foch were added to this blend of the Cabernets and Merlot. Resulting aromas include blackberries, earth, spice and herbs. It’s medium weight and framed with clean acidity and perceptible tannin. Earthiness replays on the palate along with notes of fresh dill and smoke mingling with flavours of black currant, cherry and red berry fruit. Serve with grilled venison loin. (Susan Desjardins)

  
Inniskillin ‘Winemaker’s Series - Select Vineyards Reserve’ Shiraz/Cabernet 2012
VQA Niagara Peninsula $24.95 (225482) 13.5% alcohol
This red blend was harvested in one of Niagara’s recent warmer vintages. It offers lifted aromas of sweet ripe fruit, vanilla, cedar and spice. The rich flavours of black plum, blueberry and cherry wash across the palate garnished with notes of sweet spice and pepper with an underlying earthy quality. Firmly structured, the supple tannin and clean acidity are fine counterpoint to the ripe fruit. This is dry, full bodied and substantial; a complex wine that’s good value and will pair well with lamb. (Susan Desjardins)

  
The Tragically Hip ‘Fully Completely - Grand Reserve’ Red 2012
VQA Niagara Peninsula $24.95 (411595) 13.5% alcohol
This commemorates the re-release of their ‘Fully Completely’ album and is grand wine indeed. The Cabernets and Merlot blend nicely displaying the ripe berry fruit of this excellent vintage along with earthy notes and a whiff of smoky toast. The core of ripe plum and cherry/berry flavour is framed by firm tannin and well-defined acidity while hints of spice and cocoa whisper across the palate. It’s medium-full bodied, tasty and fruit-forward on the dry finish. Tuck away in the cellar, or serve now with grilled, full-flavoured red meats. (Susan Desjardins) 

  
Viewpointe Cabernet Franc 2008
VQA Lake Erie North Shore $18.95 (359299) 14.0% alcohol
Just semi-transparent and showing its age on the rim, this lovely Cabernet Franc offers evolved aromas of dried flowers, dried fruit, earth and red berry. This is medium weight and velvety on the palate, fresh in texture, supple, approachable and finely balanced. There’s subtlety and restraint in the layering of flavours—red berries replay with light notes of toast, dried herbs and an elusive hint of dried meat. Sip on its own or serve with grilled pork tenderloin. (Susan Desjardins) 

 

Tawse ‘Sketches of Niagara’ Rosé 2014

VQA Niagara Peninsula $15.95 (172643) 12.0% alcohol

Rosé wines are a sure sign of spring and summer bringing versatility and freshness to the table. This is no exception, reliably good, veritably singing out the notes of ripening red berries and of cranberry juice. Dry, medium bodied, it’s juicy and vibrant with a fine seam of acidity supporting the tasty fruit through the dry finish. Chill and sip on its own or serve with salmon, salad, chicken or turkey. (Susan Desjardins) 

California: White Wine

J. Lohr ‘Flume Crossing’ Sauvignon Blanc 2013
Arroyo Seco, Monterey County $19.95 (418228) 13.5% alcohol
Off dry on entry, this cleans up sleek and polished on the lip-smacking finish. The involved nose of pit fruit, floral and herbaceous notes provide segue for a creamy smooth, off-dry wash of ripe peach and pear on the palate. It’s complex and flavourful with excellent lemon-lime acidity on finish and aftertaste. There’s a seamlessly integrated 1.5% splash of Viognier here and some oak aging contributing to the lift of flavours and terrific mouth feel. (Vic Harradine)

California: Red Wine

Cline ‘Ancient Vines’ Carignane 2013
Contra Costa County, Central Coast $24.95 (32177) 15.0% alcohol
Sourced from low-yielding vines primarily +80-years-old, this was aged 8 months in French oak, 35% new. Baking spice, sweet vanilla, grilled herbs and mocha interweave with mixed field berry on the nose. It coats the palate with a complex tapestry of peppery spice, dark briary berry, earthy notes and black plum compote. Medium-plus weight and fully textured, it finishes fruit-forward, balanced, structured and just plain delectable. Keep your eyes open for this and other Cline ‘Ancient Vine’ offerings—they have a Zinfandel and a Mourvèdre. (Vic Harradine) 

Easton Zinfandel 2012
Amador County $27.95 (328377) 14.5% alcohol
Easton makes 5 different Zins with this the most popular—grapes were sourced from vineyards with vine age from 25 to 80 years—it spent 12 months in French oak, now seamlessly integrated. Piquant spice and dark berry fruit aromas set the table for a lively and juicy-styled red with balanced, beautiful wash of red cherry and ripe mulberry garnished spice, sweet vanilla and red licorice. There’s good structure, persistent purity of fruit and a lovely dry aftertaste. Pour with your favourite cut of grilled steak. (Vic Harradine)

• In ten years Pali have grown from 1500 to 20 000 cases a year by making fine wine, still leaving them in the ‘artisan’ category—and one that shouldn’t be missed. Kudos again to the LCBO buyer for sourcing a sought-after wine at a very good price—given today’s exchange, you’re paying winery cellar-door price at your neighbourhood LCBO store. 

Pali Wine Company ‘Huntington’ Pinot Noir 2012
Santa Barbara County $27.95 (417519) 14.7% alcohol
Piquant spice and floral note aromas unleash a complex, structured river of dark, ripe brambly berry adorned with sweet vanilla, peppery spice and grilled herbs. It’s mid weight with good mouth feel and a lingering finish underpinned by soft tannin and enough tang for balance. The price-quality balance tips in your favour. It pours well with smoked, grilled back ribs. (Vic Harradine) 

Mendocino Wine Company ‘Zig Zag Zin’ Zinfandel 2012
Mendocino County $21.95 (39982) 14.5% alcohol
Peppery spice-infused aromas of red berry fruit and roasted herbs herald a mid-plus weight, nicely textured, rich flow of dark briary berry garnished with spice, vanilla and a bit of a bite on the palate persisting through the lengthy, dry finish. Pour alongside grilled steak, gourmet sausage or ribs. (Vic Harradine) 

Australia: Red Wine

Penfolds ‘Bin 9’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
South Australia $23.95 (411504) 14.5 % alcohol
Black fruit notes prevail on the nose of this solidly built Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s a big wine; classic and complex with black currant, black cherry flavour and suggestions of cedar and herbal notes. It’s medium-full bodied and bone dry with grippy tannin, dark berry and mocha on the lengthy finish. This deserves a great roast of beef. Aerate/decant three hours before serving. (Julie Stock)

Rolf Binder ‘Hales’ Shiraz 2012

Barossa Valley $19.95 (054239) 13.5% alcohol 

This is one easy sipper! Aromas of liquorice and blueberries lead to a full-bodied wash on the palate with velvety texture and rich dark fruits swirling and creating a delectable mouthful. There’s a splash of 4% Grenache and 7% Mataro—a.k.a. Mourvèdre—in here providing a lift to the flavours. Soft tannin prevails on the long finish; it’s a lovely Shiraz to serve with mustard-crusted lamb chops. (Julie Stock)   

South Africa: White Wine

Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc 2014
WO Western Cape $14.95 (675421) 13.5% alcohol
Much of this value-packed gem was sourced from dry-farmed bush vines. The green-straw hued liquid provides aromas of binned apple, pear and tropical fruit on the nose. A sweet and tang surge of honey-infused mango, lemon curd and Key lime pie bathe the palate followed by a dry, refreshing finish flashing notes of grapefruit pith and minerality. Its mid weight and chockfull of value; pick up a few and pour with roast chicken or spicy Asian dishes like egg rolls or butter chicken. (Vic Harradine) 

France White Wine

Rieflé Steinert Pinot Gris 2010
AOC Alsace Grand Cru $24.95 (408229) 14.5% alcohol
Six generations of the Steinert family have been making wine here since 1850. A bouquet of honeyed pit fruit and floral notes herald a rich, luscious river of sweet, ripe, juicy fruit with honey-tinged peach interweaving with hints of tangy lime and mineral notes. It’s simply delicious; medium bodied with silky mouth feel and a lingering, balanced aftertaste. Pour with foie gras, blue-veined cheese or fruit flan. (Vic Harradine)

• The only grape used in the following AOC wine region is Melon de Bourgogne, simply ‘melon’ to locals—‘Muscadet’ supposedly refers to ‘vin qui a un goût musqué’ - 'wine with a musk-like taste'. Vieilles Vignes translates to ‘old vines’; however, to my knowledge, there’s no standardized number of years of age in order to use the term. The AOC designation makes reference to two rivers flowing through the area, the Sèvre Nantaise and Petite Maine—this particular region produces the vast majority of Muscadet, while Sur Lie alerts you the wine rested on spent yeast cells after fermentation, usually providing more complexity and texture and sometimes yeast-like aromas. 

Clos Les Montys ‘Vieilles Vignes’ Muscadet Sèvre & Maine Sur Lie 2013
AOC Muscadet Sèvre & Maine Sur Lie $13.95 (297911) 12.0% alcohol
Apple, pear and flinty/slate aromas introduce a laser-like line of acidity—lemon-lime and green apple—skimming across the palate infusing the clean, crisp, lip-smacking finish and aftertaste. It’s sleek, light on its feet with persistent tang throughout. This wine shines with prawn ceviche, freshly shucked oysters or sashimi. (Vic Harradine) 

Domaine des Côtes Blanches Sancerre 2013
AOC Sancerre $24.95 (409292) 12.5% alcohol
Sancerre produces mainly white wines from Sauvignon Blanc and red wine from Pinot Noir. This winery is owned by Monique and François Millet, 5th generation vignerons near the small village of Bué in the Loire Valley. Pear and floral notes interlace with wisps of flinty/mineral aromas. It’s tangy, medium-bodied and nicely textured with a wonderful mouthful of flavour—lemon and lime robed in blood orange and notions of white peach. It finishes with more of the same, pouring well with pan-seared fish or mussels steamed in white wine. (Vic Harradine) 

Justin Monmousseau Vouvray 2014
AOC Vouvray $16.95 (271940) 12.0% alcohol
Aromas of honeyed peach and pear set the table for a medium-sweet wash of sweet, ripe peach and grilled pineapple balanced with racy citrus and minerality. It’s medium weight with good mouth feel and a long aftertaste showcasing sweet, ripe fruit and just enough racy tang to keep it from cloying. Pour with milk-marinated, pan-seared scallops or smoked, grilled duck breasts over arugula salad with mango chutney. (Vic Harradine)

France Red Wine

Château Chantelys 2010
AOC Médoc $21.95 (421214) 13.5% alcohol
This Cabernet-predominant red blend, along with Merlot and Petit Verdot, was sourced from high-density planted, 30-year-old vines. Dark berry fruit and piquant spice aromas introduce a medium bodied, lightly textured line of racy red berry fruit and hints of mocha. It finishes in a blaze of acidity, somewhat astringent with grainy tannin. Cellar three years allowing this to knit together. (Vic Harradine)

Château Maurac 2010
AOC Haut-Médoc $23.95 (365817) 14.5% alcohol
An involved nose of sprigs of herb and spice aromas mingle with berry fruit, cedar, charred toast and vanilla preceding a flow of tang-laced red and black currant interwoven with smoke and notions of mint. It’s mid-plus weight with a solid line of racy acidity on the drying finish. Pour alongside Swiss steak or pasta Bolognese. (Vic Harradine) 

Pascal Aufranc ‘Vignes de 1939’ Chénas 2013

AOC Chénas $17.95 (329987) 12.5% alcohol

Perfumed aromas of ripe, lively berry fruit interweave with floral notes and incense. There’s red berry fruit galore on the palate—strawberry, raspberry and currant—along with blueberry and sour cherry. It’s mid weight with a soft, approachable demeanour and balanced, fruity finish. Lovely sipped on its own, it pours nicely with roast pork or festive bird and all the fixings. (Vic Harradine)

Chateau de Treviac Corbières 2012
AOP Corbières $16.95 (670505) 14.5% alcohol
Rich aromas of dark berry fruit and spice introduce a medium-plus weight, tang-laden wash of black currant and mulberry fruit robed in aromas and flavours of garrigue—wild herbs growing in this area in the south of France—in this 80% Syrah, 20% Grenache, hand-harvested blend. It’s creamy smooth on the palate ending with a racy finish of pie cherry and black currant framed in lip-smacking acidity. Pour with rich cassoulet or grilled, smoked back ribs. (Vic Harradine) 

Spain: Red Wine

 
Monasterio de las Viñas Gran Reserva 2005 

DO Cariñena $16.95 (82024) 13.0% alcohol 

Principally Garnacha, blended with Tempranillo and Cariñena, a.k.a. Carignan, this evolved, balanced red was aged two years in oak and cellared three years in bottle prior to release. It’s opaque, with spicy fruit aromas, notes of vanilla and a whiff of leather. There’s great depth of ripe fruit flavour, notions of sweet baking spice and a remarkably fresh texture to this dry, full-bodied red. It retains good structure and depth of fruit flavour through the long dry finish. Enjoy with paella. (Susan Desjardins)

Upstream in winecurrent

Vintages Release: August 22, 2015

Gérard Bertrand ‘Grand Terroir’ La Clape 2011
AOP La Clape, Coteaux de Languedoc $18.95 (370262) 14.0% alcohol
This hand-picked southern France red blend—Syrah, Carignan, Mourvèdre—hails from one of the sunniest wine regions in France. Heady aromas of pipe tobacco, menthol and black currant leap from the glass. It’s mid-full weight with a smooth and mellow wash of tangy pie cherry framed by good acidity underpinned by a soft, fine-grained tannin structure. This really soars poured alongside pastitsio—here’s a recipe—or pasta in tomato sauce. (Vic Harradine) 

  
Henry of Pelham ‘Estate’ Cabernet/Merlot 2010
VQA Short Hills Bench $24.95 (395855) 13.5% alcohol
This is structured with good depth and complexity showcasing deft balance and persistent purity of fruit. It was fermented in stainless steel with extended maceration then aged 18 months in French and American oak barrel, 40% new. Alluring aromas of wood smoke, sandalwood, berry fruit and exotic spice abound. Palate-bathing flavours of tangy red and black cherry interweave with hints of cassis and red currant. The lip-smacking, lengthy finish is fruit forward with a solid tannin underpinning. Aerate/decant three hours then pour with grilled red meat or tuck away, opening 2017 to 2020. (Vic Harradine)

King Estate ‘Signature Collection’ Pinot Noir 2013
Oregon $34.95 (470323) 13.5% alcohol
Savory herbs, cedar and baking spice aromas intro a medium-bodied, structured and textured flow of red berry fruit interlaced with pie cherry and ripe, black plum. It’s mid weight with a balanced lingering finish showcasing mostly red fruit, excellent acidity and a soft tannin underpinning. Drink now, aerating/decanting two hours before pouring with roast chicken, turkey or pork. (Vic Harradine)

October 3, 2015

Acrobat Pinot Noir 2013
Oregon $24.95 (421149) 2013
Savoury-tinged aromas of wild berry fruit and red cherry make way for a balanced, tangy river of passion fruit, red currant and cranberry. It’s persistent and purposeful replaying flavour throughout the lip-smacking finish and aftertaste. Light-medium bodied with good mouth feel, it’s lively and smooth drinking well on its own pouring perfectly with grilled smoked duck breast or liver pâté. (Vic Harradine) 

New in Classics Catalogue 

(with a few bottles currently available in select LCBO stores, best not to dally)

Wooing Tree Pinot Noir 2010
Central Otago, New Zealand (60574) $53.00 14.0% alcohol
From arguably one of the world’s premiere Pinot Noir regions, this dishes up aromas of spice-infused dark chocolate, sandalwood and Asian spice to the fore. It’s structured with persistent purity of fruit, deft balance and age on its side. Hand-harvested fruit—clones: 115, 777, 667, 6 and 5—was cold soaked 5-7 days, hand-plunged 3 times a day in fermentation then aged 10 months in French oak barrel, 25% new, and left unfined. It bathes the palate with a delectable stream of cherry and mulberry fruit garnished with piquant-spiced bittersweet chocolate. It’s good weight and textured with a lingering fruity, dry aftertaste. (Vic Harradine) 

New in Wine Rack stores

(160 neighbourhood locations in Ontario, click on the above link for store nearest you) 

  
Inniskillin ‘Discovery Series’ East-West’ Pinot Grigio / Chardonnay 2014
Niagara ON /Okanagan Valley B.C $16.95 13.0% alcohol
Sally meets Harry, East meets West, Pinot Grigio meets Chardonnay; the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Honeyed tropical fruit aromas abound signalling a flavourful, refreshing mouthful of slightly off-dry peach and grilled pineapple interwoven with lemon pie filling—simply delicious. It finishes clean and crisp, sipping well on its own and pairing beautifully with roast fowl, roast pork or pan-seared freshwater fish. Pick up a few… it’s that good. (Vic Harradine)

New in the LCBO

Cavas Hill ‘1887’ Cava Brut Non-Vintage
DO Cava, Penedes, Spain (370866) $13.20 11.5% alcohol
This has creditable provenance, hailing from Penedes, with premium production standards—made in the traditional method (2nd fermentation in the bottle you purchase) from the Holy Trinity of Cava grapes—Xare-lo 50%, Macabeo 35% and Parellada 15%. It’s light on its feet, fairly skipping over the palate with fine-bead bubbles of lemon and tropical fruit flavours. There are a lot of fine-bead bubbles for very little money. (Vic Harradine)

  
Colio ‘Girls’ Night Out – BFF’ Red 2013
VQA Ontario (415299) $12.95 13.0% alcohol
A delightful blend of the Cabernets and Shiraz, this rolls over the palate with good texture showcasing savory aromas and flavours of roasted herbs, racy red currant and cherry mingling with tangy passion fruit. Pour on its own or serve with a charcuterie, mixed deli platter, pizza or wings. There’s good value in this latest addition to the über-popular BFF brand. (Vic Harradine) 

Cheers, Vic, Susan, Julie