September 11, 2021 Newsletter
Newsletter Highlights:
Wines of Argentina Special Feature
There are eight wines of Argentina reviewed in this newsletter with seven of the wines offering a Limited Time Discount on the price September 13 to October 10, 2021.
- 95 points and over – there are four wines that rang the 95 points and over bell spread throughout the newsletter.
- There are 60 – There are 60 wines reviewed in this newsletter.
- Exceptional-value wine – There are many exceptional-value wines found throughout the newsletter and easily spotted by the
icon checkmark in the September 18, 2021 Vintages Release and in the many categories following the release. Happy hunting! - Limited Time Offers –There are 20 wines that are reviewed in this newsletter and are also being discounted at the LCBO for up to a $5.00 rebate for each bottle purchased from September 13 to October 10, 2021. They are waiting to be discovered at the end of the newsletter.
- Vic Picks – Graham Beck ‘Brut’ Rosé Non-Vintage earned 91 points @ 22.95 found under Sparkling Wine; Le Contesse ‘Brut’ Prosecco Non-Vintage earned 90 points @ $17.95 found under Sparkling Wine; Flat Rock Cellars ‘Good Kharma’ Chardonnay 2019 earned 90 points @ $16.95 found under Ontario: White Wine; Mastronardi Syrah 2016 earned 89 points @ 24.95 found under Ontario: Red Wine; Sons of Eden ‘Kennedy’ Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre 2018 earned 96 points @ $24.95 found under Australia: Red Wine.
Vintages Release – September 18, 2021
Sparkling Wine
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Graham Beck ‘Brut’ Rosé Non-Vintage
WO Western Cape, South Africa $19.95 (175588) 12.0% alcohol
This opens with fragrant aromas—strawberry, watermelon and wisps of raspberry—and plenty of mousse a.k.a. froth or bubbles that form when poured. It’s a delight on the palate with lively flavours of red cherry and red berry fruit persisting throughout. It finishes in a blaze of crisp, lip-smacking freshness. Wonderful on its own as an aperitif or party starter, it has the oomph to stand alongside most appetizers. (Vic Harradine)
• The following Non-Vintage Le Contesse ‘Brut’ Prosecco was sourced from organically grown fruit and produced in the Charmat method where a single fermentation was carried out in sealed stainless steel tank then bottled under pressure. Regulations in this DOC region dictate that at least 85% of this wine be sourced from the highly acclaimed glera grape and be bottled with a minimum alcohol level of 11.0% abv.
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Le Contesse ‘Brut’ Prosecco Non-Vintage
DOC Veneto $17.95 (516583) 11.0% alcohol
This is a sleeper, over-delivering in flavour, tang and value—it’s all in your favour. A sweet wash—nectarine, pear and apple—and racy tang—lemon, lime and pineapple—wash over the palate enhanced by tiny bubbles. Delightful when poured as a welcoming wine, it can be served right through stand-up or sit-down appetizers. (Vic Harradine)
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Bernard-Massard ‘Cuvée de l’Écusson’ Brut Rosé Non-vintage
AOC Luxembourg $19.95 (369074) 12.5% alcohol
There’s a mountain of bubbles in this lean, sleek Rosé. Aromas and flavours of red berry fruit abound—strawberry, cherry and currant, robed in tangy red grapefruit and spice. It has character, medium body, reasonable mouth feel and a crisp, refreshing finish. Pour with pasta in cream sauce or pan-seared salmon. There’s good value in this bubbly. (Vic Harradine)
Ontario: White Wine
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Cave Spring Estate Chardonnay Musqué
VQA Beamsville Bench $17.95 (246579) 13.5% alcohol
Crafted from a chardonnay grape clone, this aromatic 100% musqué varietal charms with its ripe fruit aromas—pineapple, peach and pear plus citrus and white blossom notes. This stainless steel fermented, medium-bodied white is round and ample on the palate showcasing mature orchard fruit flavours coated with a touch of honey and good balance of acidity resembling well-made viognier. A gorgeous wine to drink now with grilled sushi or seafood. (Louise Boutin)
• 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.
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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)
Ontario: Red Wine
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Mastronardi Syrah 2016
VQA Lake Erie North Shore $24.95 (581223) 13.4% alcohol
Aromas of charred toast and wood smoke dominate the nose of this medium-bodied red. A lively, fresh wave of passionfruit, red cherry and tangy red currant washes over the palate along with adornments of white pepper and dark, bittersweet chocolate. This is medium-plus bodied with good mouthfeel and medium-length finish. Give it a go with grilled, gourmet sausage or beef fajitas. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2019 Speck Brothers ‘Family Tree – The Padré’ Cabernet-Merlot is sustainably grown and sourced from a cabernet franc/cabernet sauvignon/merlot blend that is named in honour of the Speck brothers’ father who was a Padré before starting his winery with his three sons. The wine has been matured for a period of 16 months in 60% French and 40% American oak barrels with a mixture of new and pre-loved oak.
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Speck Brothers ‘Family Tree – The Padré’ Cabernet-Merlot 2019
VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 (18667) 13.0% alcohol
Heavenly aromas rise from the glass—red and black cherry/berry fruit, dark plum and grilled savoury herbs. It’s sourced from the holy trinity of the Bordeaux blend—cabernet franc/cabernet sauvignon/merlot. Flavours of black bramble berry and juicy Bing cherry are joined on the mid-palate with lively tang and pizzazz. It’s medium-plus bodied with good balance and excellent mouthfeel and lingering finish; it’s so much more than the psalm of its parts. Pick up a case or so and rejoice over the next year and even longer and pour with roast turkey and all the fixings. (Vic Harradine)
California: Red Wine
• The following 2016 Plume Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 87% cabernet sauvignon/5% malbec/4% petit verdot/3% merlot/1% cabernet franc sourced from the wineries two top vineyards. It was matured for 12 months in 25% French oak.
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Plume Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County $39.95 (287367) 14.5% alcohol
Aromas of bramble berry and crème de cassis interweave with piquant spice and hints of vanilla on the nose. It blankets the palate with a full-bodied, full-Monty surge of elegant fruit flavours with black currant jam and cherry clafoutie to the fore. This is stylish and bursting with flavour that’s interlaced with tang and acidity and a supple ripe tannin underpinning. The finish lingers and replays of palate flavours fill the aftertaste. Give this a go with grilled, medium-rare striploin along with grilled Portobello mushrooms. (Vic Harradine
Australia: Red Wine
• All grape varieties for the following 2018 Sons of Eden ‘Kennedy’ Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre were hand-picked, fermented separately and underwent a warm fermentation of just under 30 degrees C. Fruit from grenache and mourvèdre vines were macerated on skins for 10 days to three weeks then pressed into seasoned 300L oak hogsheads and 500L puncheons then matured in barrel for 16 months, no racking, then clarified naturally, blended and bottled. All fruit for this wine was sourced in the Barossa Valley from vines over twenty-years-old to vines over 100-years-old with overall average yields approximately 2/tonnes per acre.
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Sons of Eden ‘Kennedy’ Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre 2018
Barossa Valley, South Australia $24.95 (558692) 14.5% alcohol
This 46% grenache/36% shiraz/18% mourvèdre red blend begins with a quiet nose of fruit aromas—black plum and cherry—decorated with mixed spice and savoury herbs. A spectacular surge of cassis and kirsch liqueur intertwined with ripe mulberry and tangy black currant coat the palate persisting through the lingering, balanced-on-a-pin finish. It’s medium-plus bodied with fleshy texture, persistent purity of fruit and value-packed. Pour with osso buco, grilled gourmet sausage or cassoulet. (Vic Harradine)
South Africa: White Wine
• The following 2017 Waterkloof ‘Circle of Life’ White Blend is sourced from three white grapes—69% chenin blanc/24% sauvignon blanc/7% sémillon that tell the story of Waterkloof Wines. This was a winery with great potential, and once taken over by Paul Boutinet it became a living breathing entity of organic and bio-dynamic methods. They do not fight nature, they harness it. They rely on organoleptic practises to first determine ripeness of the fruit flavours seed ripeness and state of the tannin rather than working solely off lab results. After a very long fermentation process—seven months—using autochthonous yeasts, the wine was produced as naturally as possible with no additions of acids or enzymes. There’s good value here.
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Waterkloof ‘Circle of Life’ White Blend 2017
WO Stellenbosch, South Africa $21.95 (284588) 12.5% alcohol
Aromas of honeydew melon, piquant spice and citrussy notes provide segue to a medium bodied, well-textured mouthful of tang and acidity delivered through palate flavours of Key lime and Meyer lemon along with hints of green apple and mineral notes. This is well balanced with excellent purity of fruit, thirst-quenching acidity and plenty of pizzazz. The finish and aftertaste linger. Pour alongside gourmet sushi or pan-seared, line-caught, freshwater fish. (Vic Harradine)
France: White Wine
• The following 2019 Famille Abeille-Fabre ‘Réserve – Mont –Redon’ Blanc was sourced from the Southern Rhône valley with its varied soils covered with stones and pebbles or sand. The grapes were harvested at perfect maturity. Fruit—mainly viognier/grenache blanc/roussanne—is brought to the winery where it’s whole-cluster pressed then vinified at constant low temperature without allowing any malolactic fermentation. It matured on its lees for a few months then was bottled in February 2020.
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Famille Abeille-Fabre ‘Réserve – Mont –Redon’ Blanc 2019
AOC Côtes Du Rhône, France $17.95 (18602) 13.5% alcohol
Alluring aromas of exotic incense, pit fruit and citrus abound on the nose. It dishes up a delightful tang-laden surge of palate flavours—lemon-lime, peel marmalade and blood orange that coalesce with a medium-bodied weight and texture, good acidity and persistent purity of fruit to, and through, the finish and aftertaste. Pour with all manner of pan-seared fish and seafood or olive-oiled arugula topped with crumbled chèvre. (Vic Harradine)
Italy: Red Wine
• The following 2015 Aurelio Settimo ‘Rocche Dell’Annunziata’ Barolo was sourced from 100% picked-by-hand, careful-bunch selected, nebbiolo grapes from vines with a South – South-West exposure. It had a lengthy fermentation of 15 – 20 days on skins with submerged cap and frequent breaking of the cap and pump overs of the must followed by malolactic fermentation in concrete tanks then ageing 12 months in cement tanks and 18 months in used (12 – 18 years) large (2500 L – 3500 L) French oak casks and new large Austrian barrels followed by a further six months in bottle before release.
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Aurelio Settimo ‘Rocche Dell’Annunziata’ Barolo 2015
DOCG Barolo, Italy $55.95 (293761) 14.0% alcohol
This showcases complexity, balance, persistent purity of fruit and more than its share of gorgeous fruit flavours and excellent tang-laden pizzazz. It’s medium weight with good mouthfeel and a lengthy finish and aftertaste. Aromas of dark cherry, dried flowers and earthy bits abound interlaced with tarry notes and piquant spice. It flows over the palate with pleasing flavours of kirsch liqueur and plenty of tang. It finishes with more of the same through the lengthy and luxurious finish and aftertaste. Drink now after a three-hour aeration/decant with cassoulet or roast duck or tuck away for another three or four years of careful cellaring. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2016 Tenuta Presti e Pegni ‘Cusumano Noà’ is sourced from 40% nero d’avola/30% merlot/30% cabernet sauvignon. The average age of the vines is twenty years and the fruit is manually harvested in the first two weeks of September. Each grape varietal is aged on oak for 12 months with nero d’avola going into 30 hectolitre barrels and the merlot and cabernet sauvignon ageing in barriques. This winery is accredited sustainable by two separate bodies who are both approved by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.
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Tenuta Presti e Pegni ‘Cusumano Noà’ 2016
DOC Sicilia, Italy $31.95 (109512) 15.0% alcohol
Lifted aromas of piquant peppery spice, red and black cherry/berry and wisps of medicinal notes. A rich, bold stream of flavours blanket the palate with black currant jam, red and black cherry and a local rendition of herbs and spices on scrubland. This showcases persistent purity of fruit, deft balance, creamy smooth on the palate and an extended finish and aftertaste. This is unique, stylish and distinguished. Pour with grilled red meat or roast turkey with stuffing, cranberry jelly and all the fixings. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2016 Dievole ‘Podere Brizio’ Rosso di Montalcino is from vineyards located in the southwest of Montalcino at an altitude of 330-350 meters above sea level facing the sea and the Maremma. This is Montalcino’s hottest area. Here the soil consists of sandstone and rocky marl which allows the production of well-structured, mineral wines. Rosso di Montalcino is traditionally made with 100% sangiovese with a spontaneous fermentation using native yeast. The wine is aged in 54 HL untoasted French oak barrel for 12 months and refined in bottle for 3 months minimum before release.
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Dievole ‘Podere Brizio’ Rosso di Montalcino 2016
DOC Rosso di Montalcino, Italy $24.95 (17858) 13.5% alcohol
Aromas of savoury herbs, wet-stone minerality and red cherry/berry fruit precede a racy, nerve and verve flow over the palate decorated with a linear line of racy acidity expressed as passionfruit and pie cherry galore. It broadens out mid-palate with juicy cranberry and blueberry flavours. It’s lightly-hued in the glass and crisp and refreshing on the palate. Give this a go with red-sauce pizza adorned with pepperoni and mushrooms or prawn and chorizo paella. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2015 Rocca Delle Macìe ‘ Single Vineyard – Reserva Di Fizzano – Gran Selezione’ has been granted the privilege to use the ‘Gran Selezione’ endorsement on this particular wine by meeting all the requirements, here’s a link to a page that explains the requirements – Gran Selezione. Only about 4% of Chianti Classico red wines qualify; this is special.
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Rocca Delle Macìe ‘Single Vineyard – Reserva Di Fizzano – Gran Selezione’ 2015
DOCG Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy $34.95 (699454) 14.5% alcohol
Alluring aromas of dark cherry and black plum interlaced with grilled savoury herbs billow from the glass after a vigorous swirl. It blankets the palate with balanced and bountiful surge of elegant palate flavours with black bramble berry and juicy black cherry to the fore. This showcases purity of fruit, deft balance, good depth and delightful tang and acidity. It finishes with palate-flavour replays and a notion of black plum compote on the aftertaste. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2018 Tenuta Della Luia ‘Cilestro’ Toscano Rosso is a red blend of 50% sangiovese and 50% cabernet sauvignon.
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Tenuta Della Luia ‘Cilestro’ Toscano Rosso 2018
IGT Rosso Toscana, Italy $15.95 (13521) 13.5%
Alluring aromas of incense, spice and dark cherry/berry fruit abound robed in charred toast. It envelops the palate with a surge of flavours with cherry and blueberry to the fore framed with tang and acidity and underpinned by an intense savoury mouth-drying tannin. It’s medium bodied with a medium-length savoury finish and aftertaste. Pour 2024 and beyond with pasta in a red, spicy tomato sauce; perhaps spaghetti Bolognese or osso buco. (Vic Harradine)
Special Feature – Eight wines of Argentina, seven at a discounted price!
• The following eight wines of Argentina will be available at the LCBO for the price shown below (seven have a discounted price) for each bottle purchased – online or in store - from September 12 to October 10, 2021
• The Catena Family have planted and cultivated vines for over 100 years in Mendoza and now have the highest planted vines in the world. The following 2019 Alamos Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from 100% cabernet sauvignon vineyards in the foothills of the Andes from 950 metres to 1500 metres above sea level. The intense sunlight, cool evening temperatures and mineral-rich irrigation from mountain snowmelt coalesce in the following wine. This wine was fashioned by two to three days of cold maceration followed by eight to twelve days of controlled fermentation temperature of 30 °C. The wine then matured for six to eight months with chips and staves of French oak. Alamos winemaker, Lucía Vaieretti grew up in Mendoza where her family tended vines for more than four decades. Lucía attended Don Bosco, the most prestigious school of viticulture and enology in South America. She has been making wine for 12 years most of it at Alamos; she became Head Winemaker at Alamos in 2016. Hats off and kudos to Lucía and her team for fashioning this exceptional-value gem.
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Alamos ‘100 Years of Family Winemaking’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Mendoza, Argentina $13.95 (295105) 13.5% alcohol
The quality-price balance tips wildly in your favour; pick up an armful. Aromas of dark cherry/berry fruit, espresso roast and cassis abound. It pleases the palate with a lively luscious river of piquant spice, ripe juicy red cherry and wisps of black plum and bramble berry fruit. It’s medium-plus bodied with satin-smooth mouthfeel and plenty of tang throughout. It’s nicely balanced with persistent purity of fruit and a soft tannin underpinning. The finish and aftertaste replay palate flavours. Pour now, it’s ready to drink, alongside pasta puttanesca or beef short ribs. (Vic Harradine)
• The following Kaiken ‘Seleccion Especial’ Malbec was sourced from 100% malbec hand-harvested from vineyards at 950 metres above sea level in Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo. Fruit was hand-picked while berries were hand-selected once in the winery. The juice was fermented in small tanks preserving the quality of fruit. Alcoholic fermentation and later maceration lasted about 20 days with half the wine matured eight months in French oak barrels and half left unoaked to preserve the fruit flavours and aromas and maintain silky tannins. The wine was lightly filtered by using cross-flow filtration and cartridges. It’s also a Vintages Essentials wine always found in select LCBO retail stores.
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Kaiken ‘Selección Especial’ Malbec 2018
Mendoza, Argentina $13.95 (58339) 14.0% alcohol
This fruit-forward malbec boasts ripe cherry, berry and plum aromas entwined with notions of cured meat and herbs. Dry, medium bodied with silky tannins, flavours of juicy red fruit wash over the palate before finishing mid-length with smoke and herbs appearing on the aftertaste. Enjoy this exceptional-value red with pasta in tomato sauce. (Lisa Isabelle
• The following 2018 Masi ‘Tupungato - Passo Dobles – Organic’ Malbec-Corvina was sourced from organically cultivated vineyards in Mendoza, western Argentina—85% malbec/15% corvina at an altitude of 950-1050 metres above-sea-level in the Tupungato Valley. The ground is stony, sandy and chalky with low organic substance and good mineral content. Much of this wine was double fermented—in Spanish, passo dobles—aka appassimento, a Masi hallmark. It then had a malolactic fermentation before maturing nine months in French oak 30% new, 70% 2nd use. This is a certified sustainable and vegan-friendly winery.
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Masi ‘Tupungato - Passo Doble – Organic’ Malbec-Corvina 2018
Valle de Uco, Argentina $13.10 (620880) 14.0% alcohol
The deep ruby colour hints at the intensity of this wine. Cherry jam, blackberry and prune aromas lift from the glass entwined with vanilla, baking spice and campfire smoke. The mouth-coating palate features ripe cherry and blackberry flavours with notions of milk chocolate, vanilla and dried herbs. Dry, medium-full bodied with gentle tannins, it finishes with a warming, medium-length finish. This is a match for sticky barbeque ribs. (Lisa Isabelle)
• The following 2019 Trapiche ‘Zaphy - Organic’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a certified organic wine sourced from 100% hand-picked cabernet sauvignon from high-altitude vines at more than 1000 meters above sea level in the Uco Valley. It’s also vegan friendly. The wine label will soon have a complete makeover.
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Trapiche ‘Zaphy - Organic’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Uco Valley, Mendoza. Argentina $10.00 (11934) 13.0% alcohol
Fresh, lively aromas of rich luscious black Bing cherry and black licorice mingle with sweet pipe tobacco. It dishes up a nicely balanced wash of palate flavours with cassis, ripe mulberry and bramble berry jelly juxtaposed with plenty of tang and oodles of racy pizzazz. This has good flavour, persistent purity of fruit at an exceptional-value price that just can’t be beat. Pour with your favourite barbecue meat or gourmet sausage. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2018 Bodega Argento ‘Estate – Reserve - Organic’ Malbec is from Argentina’s largest certified-organic wine producer. This 100% malbec was sourced and grown organically from vineyards in the Agrelo sub-region of Luján de Cuyo and the sub-region of Paraje Altimera, also in Luján de Cuyo. This wine is also vegan friendly and vegan certified.
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Bodega Argento ‘Estate – Reserve - Organic’ Malbec 2018
Mendoza, Argentina $12.15 (363192) 14.5% alcohol
Inky-black when poured, aromas of truffles, roses and mixed cherry/berry fruit leap from the glass with the slightest swirl. A surge of pure ambrosia blankets the palate with black currant, blueberry and notions of kirsch liqueur. This is balanced and bountiful with pie cherry and passionfruit making an appearance mid palate and continuing through the lengthy dry finish and aftertaste. Serve with bacon-wrapped tournedos with grilled Portobello mushrooms or festive tourtière. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2019 Domaine Bousquet ‘Naturally Elegant Wines – Organic – Vegan Friendly’ Malbec was sourced from 100% malbec in estate-owned vineyards at more than 1000 meters above sea level in the sub-region of Tupungato, which is located in the Uco Valley.
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Domaine Bousquet ‘Naturally Elegant Wines – Organic – Vegan Friendly’ Malbec 2019
Tupungato, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina $13.45 (60952) 14.0% alcohol
Delicate aromas of floral notes and mixed field berry fruit waft easily from the glass. A glorious wash of palate flavours delivers a boatload of ripe blueberry, juicy pie cherry and plenty of racy tang cascading over the palate and persisting through the aftertaste. This is nicely balanced with good weight, texture and creamy mouthfeel. The finish lingers with palate replays, crisp and dry. Pour with beef and mushroom pot pie. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2020 Francois Lurton / Bodega Piedra Negra ‘Organic – Alta Colección’ Pinot Grigio was sourced from 20-year-old vines in the wine sub-region of Los Chacayes in the famous Uco Valley wine region. The wine was pressed immediately after arriving at the winery to avoid maceration and limit extraction then was aged on fine lees for three months providing the wine with body and texture.
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Francois Lurton / Bodega Piedra Negra ‘Organic – Alta Colección’ Pinot Grigio 2020
Argentina (556746) $13.00 13.0% alcohol
Lifted aromas of jasmine, tropical fruit and honey-drizzled pear abound on the nose preceding a nicely weighted and textured river of palate-drenching flavours with Meyer lemon and racy white grapefruit intertwined with yellow apple and mineral notes that persist through the dry, crisp and refreshing finish and aftertaste. Pour chilled on its own or alongside gourmet sushi, all manner of fish and seafood or beer-can roast chicken on the barbecue. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2019 Bodega Y Viñedos Catena ‘High Mountain Vines’ Malbec is Catena Zapata’s flagship malbec wine sourced from high mountain vines planted in four estate vineyards throughout Mendoza’s premium sub-regions. It spent 12 months in French oak barrels from new to second-year and third-year use. Catena Zapata was named, ‘The World’s Most Admired Wine Brand’ in 2020 by Drinks International. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour. Pick up a case and drink over the next ten and more years.
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Bodega Y Viñedos Catena ‘High Mountain Vines’ Malbec 2019
Mendoza, Argentina $19.95 (478727) 13.5% alcohol
Aromas of sweet vanilla, oaky notes and leather precede a lively gusher of spice-laden dark cherry/berry fruit with black currant, red cherry and blueberry to the fore. This showcases its high altitude vineyards, deft balance, good weight and texture and plenty of tangy acidity throughout. It also delivers in spades through the delicious and lengthy finish and aftertaste. Pour alongside grilled rare to medium-rare beefsteak. (Vic Harradine)
Upstream in winecurrent
Vintages Release: October 16, 2021
• The following 2016 Dievole ‘Novocento – Riserva’ was sourced from 95% Sangiovese/3% Canaiolo/2% Colorino grapes by a winery and vineyard that has a documented history back to the year 1090. Fruit was fermented for 14-15 days in 75 hL unrefined cement vats at maximum controlled temperature of 26 °C to 28 °C. It matured for approximately 17 months in 41 hL untoasted French barrels then settled for six months in bottle before release.
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Dievole ‘Novocento – Riserva’ 2016
DOCG Chianti Classico, Italy $34.95 (213926) 14.0% alcohol
Aromas waft easily and boast of red fruit, piquant spice and flinty mineral notes. It blankets the palate with a bountiful gusher of pie cherry and passionfruit robed in plenty of bracing acidity and balancing fruit flavours with black currant and black Bing cherry to the fore. This showcases structure, balance, hints of tannin and elegance, and ageability along with being versatile at the table. Pour after a two-hour aeration/decant with a premium cut of beef grilled medium-rare and well-seasoned with salt. (Vic Harradine)
• Grapes—merlot/cabernet sauvignon/cabernet franc—for the following 2019 Henry of Pelham ‘Speck Family Reserve’ Cabernet-Merlot were sourced from older vines that averaged over twenty years of age. This was hand-harvested gently destemmed and mechanically sorted. All juice was separated from the skins with no press wine added back. It is accredited as sustainably farmed and fashioned.
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Henry of Pelham ‘Speck Family Reserve’ Cabernet-Merlot 2019
VQA Short Hills Bench $39.95 (616433) 13.2% alcohol
Lifted aromas of black plum, dark cherry and bramble berry abound. It captures the palate on entry with red fruit—currants and passion fruit—mingling with generous acidity and plenty of pizzazz. This showcases a supple underpinning of tannin and plenty of fruit that is, for now, slightly overshadowed by the still-evolving tannin. Give this another four to five years of careful cellaring or pour now after a four-hour aeration/decant with a premium cut of well-seasoned beef (© Hy’s of Canada - Seasoning Salt) grilled medium-rare. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: October 30, 2021
• The following 2019 Familia Arizu ‘Luigi Bosca’ Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced and hand-harvested from 100% cabernet sauvignon from estate vineyards in two of the premium sub-appellations of Mendoza—Luján de Cuyo and Maipú—and from vines averaging over 40 years of age at an altitude between 800 and 1000 meters a.s.l. The wine was aged for 14 months in French and American oak barrels before being lightly filtered and bottled.
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Familia Arizu ‘Luigi Bosca’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Mendoza, Argentina $18.95 (128629) 14.2% alcohol
Sharp aromas of red fruit, mineral notes and charred wood dominate the nose. It glides over the palate with creamy smoothness and plenty of texture along with deft balance and a fruit bowl of flavour with ripe mulberry, black currant and cherry to the fore mingling with savoury herbs and dark bittersweet chocolate. There’s good structure, deft balance and plenty of lip-smacking tang and pizzazz. This punches well over the price, don’t dally, pick up a few and pour with what you like to pull off the barbecue… rack of lamb, pork back ribs mopped with spicy barbecue sauce or a thick cut of premium beef. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2020 Curvos ‘Loureiro’ was sourced from 100% Loureiro grapes, widely acknowledged as the premium grape for Vinho Verde in the Minho region of northern Portugal.
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Curvos ‘Loureiro’ 2020
DOC Vinho Verde, Portugal $13.95 (471284) 12.0% alcohol
Lifted aromas of floral notes tropical fruit and citrus notes abound on the nose. It caresses the palate with lemon zest, pineapple and white grapefruit leaving a crisp, clean and refreshing taste that remains racy and tangy throughout the finish and aftertaste. This is looking for the perfect dance partner with fish and chips or mussels steamed in white wine garlic and cream. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour; pick up an armful. (Vic Harradine)
Classics Catalogue Release: November 4, 2021
• The following 2018 Bodega Luigi Bosca ‘Finca Los Nobles - Field Blend’ Malbec – Petit Verdot showcases its provenance in a vineyard with vines averaging over 90 years of age at a height above sea level of 1050 meters in the Finca Los Nobles vineyard in Las Compuertas in the sub-appellation of Lucán de Cuyo.
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Bodega Luigi Bosca ‘Finca Los Nobles - Field Blend’ Malbec – Petit Verdot 2018
Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina $59.95 (20328) 15.0% alcohol
Aromas of blueberry, sandalwood and dark cherry precede a medium-full bodied surge of palate flavours—juicy dark cherry and ripe black bramble berry decorated with balancing tang and acidity with all persisting through the lengthy finish and lip-smacking aftertaste. This is near perfect to sip on its own, but certainly deserves a great piece of meat if you decide to pour with dinner. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: November 13, 2021
• The following 2020 Gérard Bertrand ‘Réserve – Spéciale’ Viognier was sourced from low-yielding estate vines that were pressed on arrival at the winery then placed in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. Fermentation is under cool and controlled temperature while malo-lactic fermentation was halted.
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Gérard Bertrand ‘Réserve – Spéciale’ Viognier 2020
IGP Pays d’Oc, France 14.95 (147975) 13.5% alcohol
Aromas of honey-drizzled Bartlett pear, fragrant, sweet melon and notions of ripe apricot dominate the nose. It blankets the palate with sharp minerality, tangy blood orange, peach marmalade and hints of lemon curd delivering more of the same on the finish and mouth-watering aftertaste. Refreshing on its own, it shines with lemon chicken, seafood and line-caught freshwater fish… pickerel anyone? (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2018 Chombart + Speck ‘Cave Mystère’ Merlot is a collaboration between the Chombart family of Bordeaux, France with the Speck brothers of Henry of Pelham winery here in Ontario. The prehistoric caves below the Chambort’s vineyards at their winery, Château Lamothe-Haux, are carved out of limestone and go for kilometers as the limestone is used for the buildings in the area. This wine matured for 10 months in French oak barriques in these limestone caves with 80% pre-loved medium-toast barriques, half were one-year used and the balance two-year used with 20% new oak. The raisin d’être for the collaboration is to fashion a red wine in ‘old world’ Bordeaux to please ‘new world’ palates’.
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Chombart + Speck ‘Cave Mystère’ Merlot 2018
AOC Bordeaux, France $18.95 (17232) 14.5% alcohol
Delicate aromas of floral notes and cherry/berry fruit make way for a tang-infused flow of palate flavours with pie cherry and passion fruit to the fore. It’s medium-bodied with plenty of tangy pizzazz and flavours of red plum and red cherry making an appearance on the aftertaste along with wisps of tannin. Give this a go now to 2024 poured with meat and tomato lasagna, chicken pot pie or tomato beef stew. Aerate/decant for two hours before serving. (Vic Harradine)
• The Pommier family are now 6th generation vignerons with 1920 the year they went into full-time vignerons starting with 51 acres of vines that has expanded now into 90 acres of vines. Most of the soil composition is clay and limestone. After destemming the harvested grapes—55% merlot/20% cabernet sauvignon/25% cabernet franc—are gently pressed by pneumatic press and with vinification through thermo-regulated stainless steel tanks. Several punchdowns of the cap are made before ageing for at least 12 months in both tanks and barrels.
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Cháteau Vrai Caillou 2017
AOC Bordeaux Supérieur $15.95 (348292) 12.5% alcohol
Deep, rich aromas of black cherry/berry fruit, licorice and wisps of tar on the nose. It envelops the palate with a racy streak of tang and acidity expressed as passionfruit, red currant and pie cherry interlaced with dark cherry and notions of cassis. It persists through the mouth-watering finish and lip-smacking aftertaste. It’s medium-bodied with oodles of tang from first to last sip. Give this a go with spaghetti Bolognese, red pizza or pasta puttanesca. (Vic Harradine)
• The following three wines are available now at the winery and at the LCBO.
• The following 2020 Speck Bros. ‘Sibling Rivalry- White’ was sourced from a trio of grapes—riesling, chardonnay, gewürztraminer—that were fermented at cool, controlled temperatures from 15 °C to 17 °C.
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Speck Bros. ‘Sibling Rivalry- White’ 2020
VQA Niagara Peninsula $14.95 (126144) 12.0% alcohol
Aromas of rosewater, yellow peach and pear leap from the glass after a gentle swirl. A racy, tang-laden river of lemon pie filling, ripe pineapple and Granny Smith apple capture the palate persisting through the lip-smacking finish and aftertaste. This is flavourful throughout the tasting experience. Give it a go with sushi, crab cakes or fish tacos. The price-quality proposition skews well in your favour; pick up a few. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2020 Speck Bros. ‘Sibling Rivalry- Red’ was sourced from merlot, cabernet franc and gamay that was fermented in stainless steel with full maceration then matured in American oak for eight months. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour; pick up an armful.
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Speck Bros. ‘Sibling Rivalry- Red’ 2020
VQA Niagara Peninsula $14.95 (126151) 12.8% alcohol
Fresh, lively aromas of red cherry/berry fruit and wisps of grilled savoury herbs dominate the nose. It blankets the palate with a racy, tang-infused wash of red berry fruit—currant, strawberry and raspberry—mingling with mocha and savoury notes. This is medium-bodied and quite nicely balanced with persistent fruit flavours that are full of pizzazz. Serve with red pizza with toppings of pepperoni, mushroom and bacon. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2020 Speck Bros. ‘Revel’ Cabernet-Baco Noir Dark Red was sourced from the ripest grapes grown in some of the warmest vineyards in the Niagara Peninsula. The grapes were fermented in stainless steel then matured for six months in oak. The price-quality proposition skews well in your favour; stock up.
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Speck Bros. ‘Revel’ Cabernet-Baco Noir Dark Red 2020
VQA Ontario $15.95 (575662)
A rich, aromatic nose of gamy notes, exotic spice and a flourish of savoury notes intertwine with expressive ripe cherry notes. It bathes the palate with tangy pizzazz and fresh fruit flavours of black plum, bramble berry and black Bing cherry. This is medium weight with creamy mouthfeel and plenty to like. There’s deft balance, persistent purity of fruit and a lingering lip-smacking finish and aftertaste. Pour with barbecued meats—gourmet sausage, backyard burgers or steak. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: TBD, 2021
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Caves de Rauzan ‘Château Haut-Maziéres’ 2019
AOC Bordeaux, France $17.95 (487546) 13.5% alcohol
Aromas of red berry fruit abound on the nose robed in sharp spice. The fruit is overpowered with green tannin and a dry feeling on the palate. The drying finish delivers more of the same. Red fruit dominates the aftertaste with pie cherry, currants and pomegranate to the fore. Some of this is ameliorated in a three-hour aeration/decant while another three years of careful cellaring in bottle should be handsomely rewarded. There’s good value here. (Vic Harradine)
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Caves de Rauzan ‘Villotte’ 2020
AOC Bordeaux, France $15.95 13.0% alcohol
Earthy note aromas mingle with red cherry/berry fruit and piquant spicy notes. A dry surge of still-evolving tannin dominates the palate persisting through the drying finish and aftertaste. There are notes of coffee, racy passion-fruit, red currant and sour cherry throughout. This is a cellar dweller in need of four more years of bottle age. Give it a try in 2025. (Vic Harradine)
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Caves de Rauzan ‘Château Le Mayne – Cabanot’ 2019
AOC Bordeaux, France $16.95 13.0% alcohol
Aromas of exotic spice and mocha dominate on the nose. It blankets the palate with juicy black cherry and black currant robed in excellent acidity and plenty of pizzazz and underpinned by perceptible drying tannin. A three-hour aeration/decant ameliorates some of this and a well-seasoned (© Hy’s of Canada - Seasoning Salt) grilled medium-rare steak should take care of the balance. (Vic Harradine)
LCBO ‘Limited Time Offers’ – September 13 to October 10, 2021
• Regardless of the vintage you purchase from the LCBO, you’ll receive the discount shown below for each bottle of wine reviewed below that’s purchased (either ‘in person’ or online) September 13 to October 10, 2021.
White Wine
• The following three wines will have a discount of $3.00 taken off the price shown below for each bottle purchased from September 13 to October 10, 2021.
• There’s very good value in the following premium Beringer Napa Chardonnay. Grapes sourced from multiple vineyard parcels were fermented in 25% stainless steel and 75% French oak followed by eight months barrel aging before bottling.
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Beringer Vineyards Napa Valley Chardonnay
Napa Valley (84988) $26.95 14.1% alcohol
The nose leads with lemon, lime zest and red apple adorned with a pleasant floral note, hints of spice and toast. Dry and medium bodied with balancing acidity, the generous mouthfeel transports flavours of Meyer lemon, pear and Gala apple through the medium-long finish before a mineral note appears on the aftertaste. Sip on its own or alongside simply-prepared roast chicken. (Lisa Isabelle)
• The following Sonoma Cutrer ‘Russian River Ranches’ Chardonnay is a Vintages Essentials wine—always available in select LCBO stores.
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Sonoma Cutrer ‘Russian River Ranches’ Chardonnay
Sonoma Coast, California $27.95 (608653) 14.2% alcohol
Baking spice, oak, pear and apple aromas abound. A medium-full bodied, generously textured surge of tangy lemon curd and Key lime interweave with baked apple and spice along with hints of grapefruit pith on finish and aftertaste. This has come around nicely since last tasted. Pour with roast chicken. (Vic Harradine)
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Thirty Bench ‘Winemaker’s Blend’ Riesling
VQA Beamsville Bench $22.95 (24133) 10.8% alcohol
The lifted nose of lime and piquant spice aromas is also decorated with sharp mineral notes and notions of petrol. An off-dry surge of citrus-infused flavours explode on the palate with lemon curd and lime cordial providing pizzazz along with delicious accoutrements of melon, minerality and under-ripe orchard fruit. It’s medium-weight with a bountiful, lip-smacking finish. Divine sipped on its own, it pours well with grilled or pan-seared fish, steamed mussels or breaded and skillet-fried calamari. (Vic Harradine)
• The following six wines will have a discount of $3.00 taken off the price shown below for each bottle purchased from September 13 to October 10, 2021.
• The following ‘Flat Rock Cellars ‘Twisted’ is the #1 selling white wine in LCBO’s ‘Vintages Essentials’ category. This vintage, the grape blend is 69% riesling/17% gewürztraminer/14% chardonnay.
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Flat Rock Cellars ‘Twisted – White’
VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.95 (1578) 11.0% alcohol
There are aromas of green apple, ripe pear with wisps of lychee fruit and minerality on the nose of this lovely white blend. On the palate it’s medium bodied and generously textured with flavours galore—lime cordial, ripe pineapple, apple and scads of tangy pizzazz. It’s a tad off-dry and quite nicely balanced with complexity and persistent purity of fruit. The finish is crisp and refreshing with each sip bringing you back for more. There’s enough interest here to drink on its own, but a pairing with spicy chicken masala or General Tso’s chicken are inspired choices. (Vic Harradine)
• The following Kim Crawford Chardonnay is a Vintages Essentials wine always available in select LCBO stores.
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Kim Crawford Chardonnay
Marlborough/Hawke’s Bay $19.95 (991950) 13.5% alcohol
This popular and exceptional-value chardonnay is clean and fresh on the nose with lots of mineral, peach, and floral aromas. It’s medium-full bodied on the palate with juicy acidity and flavours of apple and peach that fade in a luxuriously refreshing finish. Enjoy with Camembert cheese. (Dave Isaacs)
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Louis Jadot Chardonnay Bourgogne
AOC Bourgogne, France $24.95 (933077)
Ripe pear, red apple and a salad bowl of tropical fruit aromas precede a nicely textured wash of crisp, green apple, white peach and lemon yoghurt. It’s medium weight with a delicious, mouth-watering finish. Very refreshing on its own, it has plenty of oomph to pair with steamed seafood—lobster or mussels, or roasted fowl—chicken or turkey. (Vic Harradine)
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Oyster Bay Pinot Grigio
Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand $19.95 (326090) 12.0% alcohol
This is a cool-climate styled pinot grigio that was stainless steel fermented with a similar profile both on the nose and palate—ripe pear, green apple, a touch of ginger and a grassy/herbal note in the background. It’s medium-light bodied with a good balance of sweetness and acidity. It pairs well with friends and a sushi platter. (Louise Boutin)
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Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio
DOC Valdadige, Italy $19.95 (106450) 12.5% alcohol
The LCBO once touted this as their best-selling wine. A delicate nose of floral notes, lemon tart and wisps of mineral precede a mid-weight, very nicely textured streak of lemon and lime garnished with notions of green apple. The mid-length finish is crisp, refreshing and lip-smacking good. Pair with steamed mussels and a sliced and buttered baguette. (Vic Harradine)
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Willm ‘Réserve’ Riesling
AOC Alsace $19.95 (11452) 12.5% alcohol
A perennial favourite for many years, this dishes up lifted aromas of peach, pear and apple interlaced with white flowers and lemon zest. The palate’s treated to mouthfuls of tang-infused flavours with Key lime, white grapefruit and hints of flinty minerality. This is medium bodied with persistent purity of tang and fruit. It finishes lip-smacking good. (Vic Harradine)
Red Wine
• The following seven wines will have a discount of $2.00 taken off the price shown below for each bottle purchased from September 13 to October 10, 2021.
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Kilikanoon ‘Killerman’s Run’ Shiraz
South Australia $19.95 (925453) 14.5% alcohol
Powerful, bold and concentrated, this is a rich and luscious crowd pleaser. Aromas and flavours abound in this dark purple opaque Aussie red with mixed spice, black pepper and a gusher of dark berry fruit, minty black cherry and kirsch liqueur among them. It’s medium-full bodied with a generous mouth feel and a balanced, lingering aftertaste. It’s also a Vintages Essentials wine, always available in select stores. (Vic Harradine)
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Allegrini ‘Palazzo Della Torre’
IGT Veronese $24.95 (672931) 13.5% alcohol
Toast/oaky aromas mingle with raisin and bright, evergreen needles on the nose before releasing a tangy line of red currant and cranberry flavour on the palate intertwined with soft, ripe black cherry and dried currant. This is medium-plus bodied with smooth texture, balance, complexity and structure with good purity of fruit and oodles of charm. It lingers luxuriously on the finish. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2017 Gérard Bertrand Languedoc Syrah/Grenache is a Vintages Essentials wine always available in select stores.
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Gérard Bertrand Languedoc Syrah/Grenache 2017
AOP Languedoc, France $16.95 (413237) 14.0% alcohol
Aromas of black currants, black licorice and tarry notes abound. It rolls over the palate with crunchy red and black fruit—plum, currant and passionfruit—framed by tangy acidity and underpinned by soft, ripe tannin. Medium-full bodied and nicely textured, this is enhanced with a two-hour aeration/decant. Versatile at the table, pour alongside burgers, gourmet sausage, red pizza or pasta in Bolognese sauce. The price-quality proposition favours the purchaser/imbiber. (Vic Harradine)
• The following Kaiken ‘Seleccion Especial’ Malbec was sourced from 100% malbec hand-harvested from vineyards at 950 metres above sea level in Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo. Fruit was handpicked while berries were hand-selected once in the winery. The juice was fermented in small tanks preserving the quality of fruit. Alcoholic fermentation and later maceration lasted about 20 days with half the wine matured eight months in French oak barrels and half left unoaked to preserve the fruit flavours and aromas and maintain silky tannins. The wine was lightly filtered by using cross-flow filtration and cartridges. It’s also a Vintages Essentials wine always found in select LCBO retail stores.
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Kaiken ‘Selección Especial’ Malbec 2018
Mendoza, Argentina (58339) $15.95 14.0% alcohol
This fruit-forward malbec boasts ripe cherry, berry and plum aromas entwined with notions of cured meat and herbs. Dry, medium bodied with silky tannins, flavours of juicy red fruit wash over the palate before finishing mid-length with smoke and herbs appearing on the aftertaste. Enjoy this exceptional-value red with pasta in tomato sauce. (Lisa Isabelle)
• The following wine is a Vintages Essentials wine always available in select LCBO stores.
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Kim Crawford Pinot Noir
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand $22.95 (626390) 13.0% alcohol
A portion of this elegant and easy-drinking pinot noir has been aged in French oak barrels, 10% new. This has resulted in a complex nose with aromas of musty wood, dried red fruit, fresh cherries and spice. It’s medium bodied with good acidity and tannins that start gentle then slowly grow, but never become overwhelming. Red berry flavours linger nicely on the finish. It can be cellared another three years and enjoyed with a beef and mushroom stew. (Dave Isaacs)
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Louis Jadot Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2011
AOC Bourgogne, France $26.95 (162073) 12.5% alcohol
An attractive light-ruby hue in the glass, the quiet nose offers spice, floral and red berry fruit aromas. This is über-tangy throughout with a racy line of red currant and sour cherry mingling with beetroot and spice. It’s light on its feet with good texture. Pour alongside pasta in tomato sauce or meat-laden pizza. (Vic Harradine)
• The following Tawse ‘Growers Blend’ Pinot Noir is a Vintages Essentials product always available in select stores. This is a blend from hand-harvested fruit from select vineyards across the Niagara wine region matured 14 months in French oak barrels before bottling and release.
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Tawse ‘Growers Blend’ Pinot Noir
VQA Niagara Peninsula $25.95 (130989) 13.0% alcohol
A lightly-hued red in the glass, it offers delicate aromas of piquant spice, cedar and raspberry on the nose. It streaks over the palate with tart tang and acidity borne of crunchy red fruit flavours—currant, pie cherry and passionfruit—along with wisps of sharp spice. I enjoyed the tart acidity and am confident that with a pasta in tomato sauce, red pizza or lasagne pairing, most others will. (Vic Harradine)
• The following three wines will have a discount of $3.00 taken off the price shown below for each bottle purchased from September 13 to October 10, 2021.
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Marchesi de' Frescobaldi ‘Tenuta di Castiglioni’
IGT Toscana, Italy $21.95 (145920) 13.0% alcohol
This red blend—cabernet sauvignon/merlot/cabernet franc/sangiovese—matured 12 months in French oak barriques and a further two months in bottle before release. Alluring aromas of red and black berry fruit mingle with mocha on the nose of this medium-bodied, nicely textured gem. It bathes the palate with a round, smooth stream of red currant and pie cherry interlaced with mixed spice and grilled savory herbs. It finishes dry, lip-smacking good. (Vic Harradine)
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Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon
DO Colchagua, Chile $19.95 (322586) 14.0% alcohol
There’s great value here. Ripe, juicy, red cherry/berry fruit, exotic spice and grilled savory herb aromas abound. It cuts a broad, complex swath across the palate with a nicely textured, medium-plus bodied flow of bramble berry and juicy black cherry mingling with sweet vanilla, baking spice, cracked black pepper and a wisps of soft, ripe tannin. The balanced finish and aftertaste is robust, lengthy and mouth-watering good. (Vic Harradine)
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The Foreign Affair ‘The Conspiracy’
VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 (149237) 13.8% alcohol
This cabernet, Ripasso-inspired red—the wine was ‘passed over’ cab sauv and cab franc skins from dried wines—highlights aromas of raisin, fig and red cherry. It flows over the palate with tannin-infused waves of dark berry fruit and red cherry that are spice laden and framed with good moderating acidity. It’s full bodied and fully textured with a long finish laced with still-evolving tannin. Pop corks now-2025 after a two-hour aeration/decant. (Vic Harradine)
• The following wine will have a discount of $5.00 taken off the price shown below for each bottle purchased from September 13 to October 10, 2021.
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Umberto Cesari ‘Liano’ Sangiovese/Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
IGT Rubicone $27.95 (225086) 13.5% alcohol
Red cherry/berry aromas intertwine with savory herbs and baking spice preceding a dark chocolate-tinged river of mixed dark berry fruit and crunchy red cherry flavours mingling and melding on the palate, balanced with structure and depth. It’s full bodied with satiny texture and lengthy, mouth-watering aftertaste. Pour with beef and cheese manicotti. (Vic Harradine)
Other Wines and Spirits
• The following wine will have a discount of $5.00 taken off the price shown below for each bottle purchased from September 13 to October 10, 2021.
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Jackson-Triggs ‘Reserve’ Vidal Icewine
VQA Ontario $39.95 (389411) 375 mL 9.5% alcohol
Mango and ripe yellow peach aromas unleash a gusher of sweet, honeyed flavour on the palate with honey-drizzled peach pie and candied apricot coating the palate and persisting through the finish. It’s full bodied and generously textured delivering a sticky, sweet aftertaste. Pour with quality blue cheese or fruit flan. (Vic Harradine)
• The following wine will have a discount of $2.00 taken off the price shown below for each bottle purchased from September 13 to October 10, 2021.
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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)
Cheers and please stay safe! Louise, Lisa, Dave, Vic