August 30, 2020 Newsletter

Newsletter Highlights:

• Lisa Likes - Dandelion Vineyards ‘Lionheart of the Barossa’ Shiraz 2016 earned 90 points @ $19.95 found under Limited Time Offers.
• Louise Loves – 2017 Tawse ‘Sketches of Niagara’ Riesling earned 92 points @ $16.95 found under Limited Time Offers; 2018 Stoneleigh ‘Latitude’ Sauvignon Blanc earned 90 points @ $21.95 under Limited Time offer plus 10 bonus AirMiles for each bottle purchased.
• Dave’s Delight – 2017 Jip Jip Rocks Shiraz/Cabernet earned 90 points @ $16.95 found under Australia: Red Wine;
• Vic Picks – 2018 Ferraton Père & Fils ‘Samorëns’ earned 90 points @ $16.95 found under France: Red Wine; 2016 Salvaterra Ripasso Classico Superiore earned 90 points @ $18.95 found under Italy: Red Wine; 2019 Henry of Pelham Cabernet-Merlot earned 91 points @ $15.95 found under New in LCBO Portfolio; 2019 Paco & Lola Albariño earned 90 points @ $17.95 found under Limited Time Offers.
• Exceptional-value wine – There are many wines that earned the coveted icon. They are found throughout this newsletter: 1) in the upcoming September 5, 2020 Vintages Release and following the release in 2) New in Vintages, 3) New in LCBO Portfolio 4) in Upstream in winecurrent and 5) in the Limited Time Offers at the very end of the newsletter… happy hunting!

Vintages Release: September 5, 2020

• Enjoy your long weekend; stay safe! Always drink in moderation and, please, do not drink and drive.

Ontario: White Wine

• The following sustainably grown 2019 Henry of Pelham ‘Estate’ Riesling was sourced from vines +20 years old with the largest portion being 35 years old and shovel planted by the Speck Brothers in 1984. A low-yielding 3.5 tons/acre was taken from the well-known Weiss 21B clone vines. It was fermented in stainless steel tank at a controlled cool temperature of 15 – 17 ° C and a portion in large, neutral oak foudres.

91

Henry of Pelham ‘Estate’ Riesling 2019

VQA Short Hills Bench $19.95 (557165) 9.8% alcohol

The price-quality balance in this perennial favourite tips well in your favour. Floral and mineral notes intertwine with lime zest aromas on the nose of this fabulous off-dry riesling. It races over the palate with nerve, verve and delicious tang-infused flavours—lime cordial and sharp minerality with notions of Granny Smith apple. This is medium bodied with creamy-smooth texture and a lingering, lip-smacking finish. Give it a go with scallop ceviche, prawn bisque or steamed mussels in a shallow bath of white wine and garlic. (Vic Harradine)

Ontario: Rosé Wine

92

Featherstone Estate Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2019

VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.95 (89011) 12.5% alcohol

Gooseberry aromas waft easily from the glass with a supporting cast of grassy notes and ripe pit fruit—peach, yellow plum and hints of mango. It envelops the palate with a balanced-on-a-pin, creamy-smooth mouthful of delectable flavour with quince jelly, tangy lemon curd and wisps of saline minerality to the fore. This is medium bodied with persistent purity of fruit and deft balance extending through the crisp and refreshing finish. Pour on its own or alongside fish, seafood, sushi or crumbled chèvre over a bed of olive-oiled arugula. (Vic Harradine)

Australia: Red Wine

90

Jip Jip Rocks Shiraz/Cabernet 2017

Padthaway, South Australia $16.95 (186114) 14.5% alcohol

There’s a lot of value in this cabernet sauvignon/shiraz blend. The nose is spicy with hints of cloves and pepper aromas. The palate is full bodied and smooth with a nice balanced acidity, well-integrated tannins and flavours of vanilla and pie cherry. The finish is pleasant and fruity with notes of dried herbs. Enjoy with a hearty serving of chili con carne. (Dave Isaacs)

France: Red Wine

90

Ferraton Père & Fils ‘Samorëns’ 2018

AOP Côtes-Du-Rhône, France $16.95 (168708) 14.5% alcohol

This red blend—85% grenache/10% syrah/5% cinsault—dishes up a lifted nose of ripe red cherry/berry aromas interlaced with spice and sprigs of herbs. It blankets the palate with a crunchy flow of pie cherry and red currant interwoven with sweet-tinged ripe black plum and notions of kirsch liqueur. There’s very good balance with ripe fruit flavours, racy tang and soft, ripe tannin all playing well with each other on the palate and lengthy finish. (Vic Harradine)

Italy: Red Wine

90

Salvaterra Ripasso Classico Superiore 2016

DOC Valpolicella Ripasso, Italy $18.95 (14591) 14.5% alcohol

A 60% corvina/25% rondinella/10% corvinone and 5% ‘others’ blend, it sports an interesting nose of herbal notes, mixed spice and cherry/berry fruit. It dishes up a sweet and tang via a fruit-forward river of juicy black currant and pie cherry adorned with piquant spice and hints of passionfruit on the warm, drying, delicious finish and aftertaste. Aerate/decant two hours then pour alongside home-grilled burgers or grilled gourmet sausages. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2015 Sartori ‘Superiore’ Valpolicella Ripasso was sourced from a blend—corvina veronese/corvinone/rondinella/croatina—of pergola-trained vines that are not an uncommon sight in this area. (see photo below) 

93

Sartori ‘Superiore’ Valpolicella Ripasso 2015
DOC Valpolicella Ripasso, Italy $29.95 (15084) 13.0% alcohol
Ripe black currant and black plum compote aromas mingle with earthy bits, savoury herbs and mixed spice. It rolls over the palate with a surge of ripe dark fruit flavour—black Bing cherry, bramble berry jelly and blueberry enhanced by wisps of racy tang, a firm underpinning of organoleptically ripe tannin, great balance and a lengthy, lip-smacking good finish and aftertaste. Pour alongside grilled back ribs mopped with spicy barbecue sauce or with a medium-rare flank steak with a side of creamed spinach. (Vic Harradine)

New in Vintages (now in stores)

• The following 2016 LangeTwins Family Winery ‘Estate Grown’ Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from 100% cabernet sauvignon fruit from certified-sustainable estate vineyards near the centre of the Lodi appellation in California. After extended maceration it spent 18 months maturing in predominantly French oak barrels.

91
LangeTwins Family Winery ‘Estate Grown’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Lodi, California $24.95 (572305) 14.5% alcohol
Opaque and brooding in the glass, enticing aromas of wood smoke, bramble berry and leather waft easily with a gentle swirl. Palate flavours of ripe black raspberry jam and grilled savory herbs appear on entry with excellent tang and acidity on the back palate providing an interesting juxtaposition and semblance of balance. This is medium-full bodied with good mouthfeel and a balanced and bountiful long finish and aftertaste. (Vic Harradine)

New in LCBO Portfolio (now in stores)

• The following 2019 Henry of Pelham Cabernet-Merlot is a smooth and mellow blend of cabernet franc/merlot/cabernet sauvignon.

91
Henry of Pelham Cabernet-Merlot 2019
VQA Niagara Peninsula $15.95 (594241) 12.8% alcohol
Heady aromas leap from the glass—mixed cherry/berry fruit and charred campfire—supported by wisps of exotic spice. This medium-bodied gem envelops the palate with smooth, mellow flavours of black currant, dark cherry and oodles of balanced tang and pizzazz delivered as piquant savory spice and gorgeous acidity, not the least intrusive and balanced through the delectable finish. The price-quality ratio skews in your favour. Give this a go with burgers, gourmet sausage or meat-laden pizza. (Vic Harradine)

• The following fruit-filled 2019 Henry of Pelham Baco Noir was sourced from 100% Baco Noir from estate vines then matured six to eight months with American oak, 24% new.

90
Henry of Pelham Baco Noir 2019
VQA Ontario $15.95 (270926) 13.0% alcohol
Exotic spice, tarry notes and black fruit—plum, cherry and currant—aromas leap from the glass. It envelops the palate with a wide swath of flavours—kirsch liqueur, blueberry and passion fruit—robed in spice and grilled herbs. It’s medium-plus bodied with creamy smooth mouthfeel and a lingering finish of palate replays, balanced and beautiful. Pour with grilled pork back ribs mopped with spicy barbecue sauce. (Vic Harradine)

• The following fresh and lively Just Merlot 2019 was sourced from 100% merlot in the warm, sunny south of France and was fermented and settled in stainless steel tank; it’s not been touched by oak.

89
Just Merlot 2019
IGP Pays d’Oc, France $11.95 (17528) 13.5% alcohol
Fresh and lively aromas of cherry and dried currants mingle on the nose. It dazzles the palate with a tsunami-like surge of flavour with black plum, cassis and sweet juicy black cherry to the fore, adorned with good tang and an underpinning of ripe tannin. It punches over the price from twist top to last drop. Delightful with the grilled meats or gourmet sausage you grill on your barbecue. What’s not to like. (Vic Harradine)

Upstream in winecurrent

Vintages Release: October 3, 2020

• The following taste-good, feel-good chardonnay from Flat Rock Cellars donates a portion of sales to ‘Feed Ontario’ (formerly, Ontario Association of Food Banks) from all sales of this wine via the LCBO and the winery door—both in person and on-line. The goal of Feed Ontario and of Flat Rock Cellars is to assist in ending poverty and hunger in Ontario.

90
Flat Rock Cellars ‘Good Kharma’ Chardonnay 2019
VQA Niagara Peninsula $16.95 (356873) 12.0% alcohol
Apricot, tropical fruit and citrus aromas on the nose provide segue to a medium-plus bodied, generously textured wash of palate-pleasing flavours featuring green apple, sweet ripe pear decorated with mouth-watering lemon and grapefruit citrussy tang. This has good balance and a lengthy dry finish and aftertaste. Pour with all manner of fish and seafood, grilled, pan-seared or poached along with roast chicken and roast pork. (Vic Harradine)

Vintages Release: October 31, 2020

• The following 2018 Bookwalter Winery ‘Readers’ Chardonnay was sourced from a blend of old vines 80% chardonnay/20% viognier in their Conner Lee Vineyard harvested in the cool night and pressed cool in early morning then co-fermented cold at 10 °C. It then spent four months on its lees in stainless steel vats with bâtonnage.

90
Bookwalter Winery ‘Readers’ Chardonnay 2018
Columbia Valley, Washington State $19.95 (634162) 13.8% alcohol
There’s good value here. Aromas of orchard fruit—pear and apple—mingle with wisps of lemon on the nose of this medium-bodied, nicely textured chardonnay. It blankets the palate with a lively fresh flavours of crisp green apple, Meyer lemon and key lime. Palate replays persist through the mouth-watering finish and aftertaste. Pour with pan-seared fish, roast chicken or three-cheese white pizza—stilton, chèvre and brie. (Vic Harradine)

Vintages Release: October 31, 2020

• The following 2018 Sacred Hill Pinot Noir was sourced from Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand. A well-known wine region for their sauvignon blanc, they’re now making an international splash with their tasty, value-laden pinot noir. A portion of this saw six months of maturation in pre-loved French oak barrels.

92
Sacred Hill Pinot Noir 2018
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand $19.95 (277665) 13.5% alcohol
Lightly red-hued in the glass, lifted aromas of spice-infused red plum and medicinal notes abound. It streaks over the palate with tension, nerve and verve expressed as flavours of passionfruit and pie cherry decorated with piquant spice and ripe black plum adding balance and a pleasing finish. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour. Give this a go with smoked duck breasts over oiled arugula and mango chutney or cedar-planked grilled Atlantic salmon. (Vic Harradine)

LCBO ‘Limited Time Offers’ – Now to September 13, 2020

Regardless of the vintage you purchase from the LCBO, you’ll receive the discount shown for each bottle of wine reviewed below that’s purchased now to September 13, 2020.


White Wines

• The following three wines receive a $2.00 discount on the price shown below on each bottle purchased now to September 13, 2020.

90

Paco & Lola Albariño

DO Rias Baixas, Spain $19.95 (350041) 13.0% alcohol

Lively aromas of slate and mineral blend with floral and pit fruit before unleashing a sweet and tang surge of lime cordial, soon joined by lemon curd, blood orange and saline minerality on the long, crisp, clean and lip-smacking aftertaste. Pour alongside ceviche, freshly shucked oysters under a dot of hot sauce and generous lemon squeeze or sushi. This offers very good value and opportunity for a multiple purchase. (Vic Harradine)

• The following Susana Balbo ‘Crios’ Torrontés is a Vintages Essentials wine always available in select LCBO stores. This wine was sourced from hand-harvested 100% Torrontés fruit from Salta and Uco Valley in Mendoza at an elevation of 1700 meters above sea level. It was fermented at a maximum of 13 °C and left on its lees for three months in oak to enhance structure in the wine. Susana Balbo is one the planet’s premier wine makers. This white gem punches well above its price

91  
Susana Balbo ‘Crios’ Torrontés

Cafayate Valley, Salta, Valle de Uco, Argentina $14.95 (1834) 13.0% alcohol
Aromas of rosewater, piquant spice and tropical fruit provide segue to a crisp, clean and refreshing wash of tang-infused flavour with lemon curd, white grapefruit and hints of blood orange and mineral notes to the fore. It’s medium bodied with firm mouthfeel and plenty of acidity and pizzazz from twist top to last drop. Pour on its own over the next 12 or so months or alongside pan-seared fish or grilled calamari, both under a squeeze of fresh lemon. (Vic Harradine\

• The following Tawse ‘Sketches of Niagara’ Riesling is a Vintages Essentials wine always found in select LCBO stores.

92
Tawse ‘Sketches of Niagara’ Riesling
VQA Niagara Peninsula $18.95 (89029) 10.0% alcohol
An assortment of hand-harvested grapes from select vineyards in the Niagara Peninsula fashioned this delectable fruit-forward, off-dry, low-alcohol gem. Fragrant petrol notes introduce ripe nectarine, grapefruit, Asian pear aromas and a whiff of nutmeg. The palate’s mellow with rich, stone fruit flavours flirting with perfectly balanced acidity and minerality. This is perfect to sip on its own or paired with pomelo and spicy crab salad. (Louise Boutin)

• The following wine receives a $1.00 discount on the price shown below on each bottle purchased now to September 13, 2020.

90 [
Flat Rock Cellars Riesling

VQA Twenty Mile Bench $17.95 (43281) 11.0% alcohol
Aromas of yellow peach and green apple drizzled with lime mingle with piquant spice and mineral notes on the nose of this lovely off-dry riesling. It envelops the palate with a tang-laden surge of lime cordial and lemon curd persisting through the finish and aftertaste decorated with wisps of saline minerality. It’s quite food friendly; pour alongside spicy Asian fare like tandoori chicken or moo shu pork or Moroccan-style lamb tagine. (Vic Harradine)

Red Wines

• The following nine wines receive a $2.00 discount on the price shown below on each bottle purchased now to September 13, 2020.

90
Borsao ‘Tres Picos’ Garnacha

DO Campo de Borja, Spain $19.95 (273748) 15.0% alcohol

This gem has developed quite the following. Aromas of black plum, fig and savory herbs set the tone for a rich, hedonistic river of bramble berry and black currant robed in lip-smacking acidity adorned with peppery notes and fennel. There are ripe fine-grained tannin adding structure and interest. It’s nicely balanced with a fruit and tang-filled finish. (Vic Harradine)

90
Dandelion Vineyards ‘Lionheart of the Barossa’ Shiraz
Barossa, Australia $21.95 (167189) 14.5 % alcohol

Produced from old-vine shiraz, many over 100 years of age, this value-laden beauty spent 18 months in French oak barrel and was left unfiltered before bottling. Abundant dark fruit aromas—blackberry, cassis and black currant—sprinkled with anise and baking spices rise easily from the glass. Dry, full bodied with velvety tannin, succulent dark fruit flavours dominate the palate adorned with spice and earthy notes while a note of mint permeates the long finish. Pair with herb-encrusted rack of lamb. (Lisa Isabelle)

90
Francis Coppola ‘Diamond Collection Ivory Label’ Cabernet Sauvignon
California $24.95 (521021) 13.5% alcohol 

Wood smoke and toasty oak mingle with ripe dark fruit—mulberry, bramble berry and juicy cherry on the nose of this meaty, delectable California Cab. It’s full bodied and fully flavoured flaunting rich, concentrated and luscious flavours of spice-laden black Bing cherry and briary berry garnished with dark chocolate and cassis. The finish lingers with gorgeous replays, lip-smacking tang and a supple tannin base. (Vic Harradine)

92
J. Lohr ‘Seven Oaks’ Cabernet Sauvignon
Paso Robles, California $23.95 (656561) 14.0% alcohol
This is delicious, very good value, deftly balanced and smooth and mellow from cork pop to last drop. This opens with alluring aromas of black cherry, cassis and notions of sandalwood. It continues to tempt with palate flavours of black currant and black plum, ripe, but not jammy, that are adorned with excellent tang and hints of piquant spice. This is lengthy, balanced and beautiful on the finish and aftertaste. Pour with a prime cut of beef, grilled medium rare. (Vic Harradine)

• The following Rocca delle Macie ‘Riserva Chianti is a Vintages Essentials wine always found in select LCBO retail stores.

90   
Rocca delle Macie ‘Riserva’ Chianti 2016
DOCG Chianti, Italy $15.95 (111641) 13.5% alcohol
Aromas of cherry/berry fruit and floral notes introduce a medium-bodied, nicely textured stream of lively, tang-laden palate flavour with red currant, ripe black cherry and passionfruit. This is primarily sangiovese with a cup or two of cabernet sauvignon and merlot. It’s medium weight, nicely textured with good red fruit flavour framed with tang and underpinned by wisps of soft tannin. A wash of pie cherry and red currant jelly races over the palate persisting through the finish and adorned with wisps of tannin on the aftertaste. Best poured with pasta in a tomato-based sauce; try spaghetti Bolognese or pasta puttanesca. (Vic Harradine)

• The following wine receives a $3.00 discount on the price shown below on each bottle purchased now to September 13, 2020.

92     
Two Hands Wines ‘The Gnarly Dudes’ Shiraz 2016
Barossa Valley, South Australia $24.95 (660043) 13.8% alcohol
Purple/black, almost opaque in the glass, this unleashes aromas of ripe black berry fruit with support from mixed spice and savory herbs. On the palate, crunchy red fruit—pie cherry and cranberry—meet up with ripe black fruit—currant and mulberry—in a delightful, delicious pairing that’s balanced, well paced and well priced. Flavours replay on the long, mouth-watering finish. This pours well on its own—with each sip as good, or better than the previous—and with rack of Australian lamb or grilled steak. (Vic Harradine)

• The following wine receives a $5.00 discount on the price shown below on each bottle purchased August 17 to September 13, 2020.

90     
Stags’ Leap Winery Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California $59.95 (996405) 14.1% alcohol
This offers good balance on the palate, flavourful fruit and a drying, mouth-watering finish and aftertaste. Aromas of dark berry fruit, tarry notes and grilled savory herbs provide segue for a full-bodied, generously textured flow of black berry, sweet vanilla and racy red currant washing over the palate infusing the dry finish and aftertaste along with reverberating tang. (Vic Harradine)

Rosé Wine

• The following two wines receives a $2.00 discount on the price shown below on each bottle purchased now to September 13, 2020.

88

Three of Hearts ‘Trois Coeurs’ Rosé

VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 (552562) 11.5% alcohol

This racy rosé is a blend of 53% pinot noir, 41% pinot gris (itself a mutation of pinot noir) and 6% gamay. It dishes up aromas of red raspberry, rhubarb and watermelon before unleashing a tang-laden explosion of passionfruit, lemon zest and ruby red grapefruit that blankets the palate persisting through the finish and aftertaste. This is tang-driven from cork pop to last drop. Seek out a pasta with rich zesty sauce; try pasta puttanesca or spaghetti and Bolognese sauce. (Vic Harradine)

• The following iconic Malivoire ‘Ladybug’ Rosé is the 22nd vintage produced by Malivoire with the first in 1998. It’s now a Vintages Essentials wine always available in select stores. This vintage it’s a 65% cabernet franc/27% gamay/8% pinot noir blend with all grapes being grown to make this specific wine. When measured, the sugar content in all varieties when unfermented averaged 20.4 Brix. Fruit was destemmed, crushed and placed in stainless steel tank then cold-soaked for 24 hours before pressing. Cold fermented and stabilized in stainless steel tank, it was bottled March 2020.

90
Malivoire ‘Ladybug’ Rosé
VQA Niagara Peninsula $16.95 (559088) 12.0% alcohol
Myriad red fruit aromas—strawberry, watermelon and ruby red grapefruit among them—precede a light-medium bodied, racy wash of palate flavours with passion fruit and red currant to the fore. It finishes with a blaze of lip-smacking tang reminiscent of the red grapefruit aromas on the nose. It’s clean, crisp and refreshing from twist top to last drop. It pairs well with skinless Atlantic salmon pan-seared in butter or ham and cheese crust-less quiche. (Vic Harradine)

Bonus AirMiles

• You will receive 10 Bonus AirMiles for each bottle of the following two wines you purchase from now to September 13, 2020

90
Stoneleigh ‘Latitude’ Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (324228) $21.95 13.0% alcohol
The fruit for this gem was sourced from the ‘Golden Mile’ in Marlborough, it’s blessed with extra warmth relayed by the stones covering the soil that allow the grapes to fully mature. Partially hand-harvested and aged six months in French oak, this delicious white offers citrus aromas along with lactic, cedar, grassy and mineral notes. Deliciously tart and crisp on the palate, this is medium bodied with flavours of grapefruit, honeydew melon and lime zest finished with beautiful minerality. Try alongside scallop ceviche for a mouth-watering pairing. (Louise Boutin)

92

Reif Vidal Icewine
VQA Niagara River, Niagara Peninsula $24.95 200 mL (544791) 10.0% alcohol
Apricot, truffles and honeyed pear on the nose, this coats the palate with a glorious wash of peel marmalade, apricot and piquant spice along with notions of lemon curd and a fruit bowl of honey-dipped tropical fruit. It cleans up nicely on the back palate and aftertaste with good, balancing acidity and tang to the rescue allowing following sips to be as enjoyable as the previous. Pour with aged Gouda or pan-seared foie gras. (Vic Harradine)

• The following $1.00 Limited Time Offer of $16.95 for the 2017 vintage only Flat Rock Cellars ‘Twisted’ runs from September 13th until October 12th, 2020. This wine is the #1 selling white wine in Vintages Essentials. It’s a blend of 64% riesling/32% gewürztraminer/4% chardonnay.

90    

Flat Rock Cellars ‘Twisted - White’ 2017

VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.95 (1578) 11.0% alcohol

The price-quality balance tips wildly in your favour. Rosewater, mixed spice, green apple and lime aromas abound on the nose of this gorgeously balanced riesling/gewürztraminer/chardonnay blend. It bathes the palate medium bodied, creamy textured and off-dry with a flavour-packed mouthful of grilled pineapple, Key lime pie and lemon curd. Palate replays dominate the lingering dry and crisp, lip-smacking finish. Sip on its own or pour with an array of dishes—roast chicken, spicy Asian or white pizza and more. (Vic Harradine)

Cheers, Lisa, Louise, Dave, Vic