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September 28, 2021 Newsletter

Newsletter Highlights:

Wines of Argentina Special Feature

There are eight wines from Argentina reviewed in this newsletter in the Special Feature with seven of the wines offering a Limited Time Discount on the price now to October 10, 2021.

95 points and over – only one wine rang the 95 points and over bell; 2018 Bodega Luigi Bosca ‘Finca Los Nobles - Field Blend’ Malbec – Petit Verdot earned 96 points @ $59.95 found under Upstream in winecurrent: Classics Catalogue Release: November 4, 2021. If you cast bait in these pricey waters, it’s a wine not to be passed over.
There are over 60 – There are over 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 October 2, 2021 Vintages Release and in the many categories following the release. Happy hunting!
Limited Time Offers –There are 22 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 now 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 @ $19.95 found under Sparkline Wine; 2019 Henry of Pelham ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir earned 92 points @ $24.95 found under Ontario: Red Wine; 2019 Domaine Du Bicheron ‘Mâcon-Péron’ earned 92 points @ $19.95 found under France; White Wine.

Do you monitor your sugar intake?

You can easily and quickly ascertain the grams per litre of residual sugar in each bottle of wine you purchase at the LCBO. Simply click on the link in winecurrent that is in brackets for each wine that is available through the LCBO either online or purchased from your favourite LCBO retail outlet. Once on the wine you are researching on the LCBO site scroll way down to the heading “PRODUCT DETAILS” and locate the residual sugar for that particular wine.

Vintages Release – October 2, 2021

Fortified Wine: Port

89
 Warre’s Warrior ‘Finest Reserve’ Ruby Non-Vintage
 DOP Douro, Portugal $19.95 (197202) 20.0% alcohol
 Aromas of mocha, dark berry fruit and raisined notes precede a sweet, warm flow of prune and cooked fruit flavours interwoven with piquant spice and mineral notes. On the back palate bramble berry jam and grilled herbs come to the fore. More complex than most Ruby Port, this ends with a notion of bittersweet chocolate. Pour with blue cheese or chocolate dessert. There’s plenty of value in this Non-Vintage Ruby Port. (Vic Harradine)

Sparkling Wine

91
 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)

90
 Château Moncontour ‘Tête de Cuvée’ Brut Vouvray Non-Vintage
 AOC Vouvray, France $19.95 (207936) 12.0% alcohol
 This bubbly opens with a lovely nose of citrus, leesy notes and honeyed, pit fruit aromas. A profusion of bubbles carry nutty nuances and yeasty bits interlacing with racy lemon zest and juicy white nectarine. It’s medium weight with a creamy smooth texture and crisp, refreshing, lip-smacking-good aftertaste. This is very good value and worth picking up a few to keep chilled for when friends drop by unexpectedly. (Vic Harradine)

89
 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 exceptional value in this bubbly. (Vic Harradine)

Ontario: White Wine

• The following 2020 Featherstone Estate Winery Sauvignon Blanc was sourced from 100% Sauvignon Blanc on clone 317, 17-year-old vines with SO4 rootstock. Once picked, fruit was crushed/destemmed and allowed to cold soak for eight hours. Juice yield was 600 liters per tonne that was transferred into stainless steel fermentation tanks. After eight hours of juice fining and settling, it was racked off gross lees then 20% barrel fermented using neutral Canadian oak barrels with temperature uncontrolled. The other 80 % was stainless steel fermented at 15 °C with commercial yeast strain X5. Ferments were racked off lees several times before final fining.

89
 Featherstone Estate Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2020
 VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.95 (89011) 13.5% alcohol
 Herbaceous aromas of mint, basil and rosemary leap from the nose of this savory sauvignon blanc. It envelops the palate with herb-infused, tang-laden flavours of minerality and hints of flinty bits along with sprigs of mixed herbs. It’s quite dry on the palate, finish and aftertaste. This would pour well with cooked and creamed spinach or grilled calamari under a squeeze of fresh lemon and a side of grilled greens. Great value here. (Vic Harradine)

Ontario: Red Wine

91
 Calamus Estate Winery ‘Balls Falls - Red’
 VQA Niagara Peninsula $15.95 (10527) 13.0% alcohol
 Alluring aromas of rich, dark berry fruit, dark chocolate and cassis abound on the nose of this deftly balanced, gorgeously flavoured red. It dishes up mouthfuls of sweet-tinged fruit—dark cherry and ripe bramble berry interwoven with excellent tang and acidity and mixed spice. It’s medium bodied with good mouthfeel and a lengthy finish oozing with flavour, tangy acidity and plenty of charm. Load up the trunk and pour with steak, burgers or beef fajitas. (Vic Harradine)

• The following Flat Rock Cellars Pinot Noir is a Vintages Essentials wine always found in select LCBO retail stores.

91
 Flat Rock Cellars Pinot Noir
 VQA Niagara Peninsula $22.95 (1545) 12.5% alcohol
 Aromas of tobacco, red cherry and floral notes abound. The palate’s treated to a medium-bodied nicely textured wash of crunchy red cherry, hints of passion fruit and savoury notes. There’s good purity of fruit, deft balance and a clean, crisp, lip-smacking finish and aftertaste. This sips well on its own and is versatile at the table; pour with pan-seared Atlantic salmon and bok choy or roast chicken and root veggies. The price-quality ratio is certainly attractive. (Vic Harradine

• The following 2019 Henry of Pelham ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir was hand harvested, and sustainably grown and certified by SWO. After being gently de-stemmed and mechanically sorted, grapes were then carefully moved by gravity. Grapes are de-seeded then seeds added back judiciously to control the tannin structure of the wine. Fruit was fermented in stainless steel using pulse-air with hand punch downs to gently manage the cap.

92
 Henry of Pelham ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir 2019
 VQA Short Hills Bench $24.95 (268391) 13.0% alcohol
 Gamy notes mingle with aromas of barnyard, piquant spice and savoury herbs on the interesting nose. A stream of red cherry and black currant flavours envelop the palate adorned with plenty of tang-infused passionfruit and hints of soft, ripe manageable tannin. It’s medium bodied with pleasant mouthfeel, good balance and plenty to like. Give this a try with smoked duck breasts or roast turkey. It’s good value and very enjoyable drinking now; and it will continue to improve over the next three or four years. (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.

90
 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)

Argentina: Red Wine

• The following 2017 El Enemigo Syrah – Viognier was sourced from 92% syrah grown in vineyards planted in sandy soils at 1470 meters a.s.l. and 8% viognier grown in vineyards planted in deep calcareous, rocky soils at 1400 meters a.s.l.. Grapes were fermented with wild yeast and the maximum fermentation temperature reaching 28 °C for 15 days, and 20 days of maceration. It was matured for seven months in 100-year-old foudre then bottled unfiltered. Here’s a brief overview of El Enimigo on youtube. Enjoy!

92
 El Enemigo Syrah – Viognier 2017
 Gualtallery, Tupungato, Mendoza, Argentina $24.95 (19390) 13.5% alcohol
 Deep purple in colour, this expressive red presents intriguing aromas of dark plum, blackberry and cassis with notions of spiced charcuterie, black peppercorn, violet and a dusty mineral note. Well-structured and rich, it caresses the palate with waves of ripe, dark fruit layered with baking spices, savoury herbs and a touch of mint. The medium long finish lingers with a pleasant balance of tasty fruit, bright acidity, and silky tannins. Enjoy this versatile red with your favourite mixed grill. (Lisa Isabelle)

France: White Wine

• The following 2019 Domaine Du Bicheron ‘Mâcon-Péron’ is 100% Chardonnay, It was harvested by machine early morning and taken directly to the winery for gentle pressing by pneumatic press before undergoing alcoholic fermentation then malolactic fermentation. After racking, the wine was matured 12 months in stainless steel vats before bottling in spring, 2020.

92
 Domaine Du Bicheron ‘Mâcon-Péron’ 2019
 AOP Mâcon-Péron, Burgundy, France $19.95 (14960) 13.8% alcohol
 Alluring aromas of lemon-lime, floral notes and green apple abound. It blankets the palate creamy- smooth and chockful of delicious flavours with lemon-meringue pie, tangy Granny Smith apple and notions of minerality to the fore. This showcases deft balance, persistent purity of fruit and a crisp refreshing finish and aftertaste. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour—don’t hesitate to pick up a few when the opportunity presents. (Vic Harradine)

France: Red Wine

88
 Château Le Grand Moulin 2016
 AOC Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux, France $17.00 (11326) 13.0% alcohol
 A shy nose of cherry/berry fruit and nuances of savory herbs provide segue to a crowd-friendly mouthful of ripe dark berry and black Bing cherry flavours decorated with excellent acidity and a wisp of chalky tannin. It’s a medium-bodied light-on-its-feet blend of merlot, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and malbec with good balance and fairly brief finish and aftertaste. Pour with beef pot pie or backyard burgers. (Vic Harradine)

New in Vintages (available in Vintages section now)

• The following 2019 Jaraman Shiraz was sourced from estate vineyards in Clare Valley where the winery is located and McLaren Vale noted for their peppery Shiraz. The wine was matured in a mixture of coopers’ American oak hogsheads—30% in 1 year old and 70% in 2-3 year old for an average of 12 months before being bottled. There were some extreme weather conditions during the growing season, including the lowest temperature recorded in spring and the highest ever temperature in summer, but overall, the vines showed great resilience and wine quality is strong with intense flavours and colours across the classic Clare Valley varieties. In McLaren Vale, the conditions leading up to vintage 2019 were dry. These conditions, in combination with a hail event in November and hot weather in January and February resulted in both an overall reduction in harvest yields along with a corresponding increase in fruit flavour profiles intensity.

93
 Wakefield ‘Jaraman’ Shiraz 2019
Clare Valley and McLaren Vale, Australia $24.95 (377036) 14.5% alcohol
Alluring aromas of dark and juicy fruit—black plum, juicy black Bing cherry and black raspberry—intertwine with espresso roast, floral notes, peppery spice and notions of vanilla. It blankets the palate with boisterous and bountiful palate flavours of peppery spice, blueberry, black bramble berry and ripe black cherry and mulberry. This is full bodied and fully textured with a supple underpinning of ripe tannin along with good mouthfeel and plenty of tangy acidity and oodles of pizzazz along with persistent purity of fruit to and through the finish and aftertaste. Pour alongside your favourite grilled meat including gourmet sausage, steak or backyard burgers. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2018 Wakefield ‘Jaraman’ Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from two premium Cabernet Sauvignon sub-regions in South Australia with a split of 56% from Clare Valley and 44% from the iconic Coonawarra. The wine was matured in French oak barrels—50% 1 year old, 50% a combination of 2 and 3 year old—for a period of 10 -12 months before being bottled. This vintage has won an impressive number of Gold and Silver medals that can’t be all counted using your fingers on both hands and your toes on both feet.

92
 Wakefield ‘Jaraman’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Clare Valley and Coonawarra, Australia $24.95 (142398) 14.5% alcohol
Dark and brooding in the glass, aromas of dark cherry/berry fruit, mocha, mint and grilled savoury herbs waft easily with the gentlest of swirls. It envelops the palate with a bold and bountiful surge of endless flavours with crème de cassis, bramble berry and rich, luscious kirsch liqueur adorned with dark bittersweet chocolate and scads of tang-laden pizzazz. This showcases persistent purity of fruit and flavours, good texture and creamy mouthfeel. The finish lingers and provides a balanced and bountiful aftertaste, as well. Pour with all manner of meat you grill on the barbecue, from rack of lamb to a beef tenderloin roast. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2016 Lungarotti Rosso di Montefalco was sourced from estate, organically grown sangiovese, merlot and sagrantino grapes with the latter considered to be one of the most tannic grapes used for making commercially released wine. This wine was fermented in stainless steel tanks with 28 days skin contact then 12 months maturing in barriques and 3-ton casks then bottle aged for another ten months before release.

89
 Lungarotti Rosso di Montefalco 2016
DOC Montefalco Rosso, Italy $26.95 14.0% alcohol
Deep-purple hued in the glass, aromas of red cherry/berry fruit and baking spice abound on the nose. It blankets the palate with a tang-laden river of flavour with pie cherry and passionfruit underpinned by perceptible tannin that can easily be ameliorated with a two-hour aeration/decant and being poured with a well-seasoned premium cut of grilled beef or with a further two years of careful cellaring. (Vic Harradine)

New in LCBO Portfolio (available in the main store section now)

• The following 2016 Casa Vinicola Gerardo Cesari ‘Essere’ Valpolicella was sourced from hand-picked grapes that were vinified after the grapes were destemmed and then pressed. The must was left to macerate for about ten days then completed malo-lactic fermentation before settling and then being bottled. The price-quality balance tips wildly in your favour.

88
 Casa Vinicola Gerardo Cesari ‘Essere’ Valpolicella 2016
DOC Valpolicella, Italy $13.95 (19774) 12.0% alcohol
An interesting blend of 70% corvina/20% rondinella and 10% Negrara/Rossignola, it offers aromas of red cherry/berry fruit, passionfruit and wisps of piquant spice. It’s tang-laden on entry then settles mid-palate into flavourful, palate-pleasing flavours of wild strawberry, red raspberry and red cherry. The finish and aftertaste delivers in spades with textured mouthfeel, good balance, red fruit flavours and plenty of pizzazz. Pour with pasta in a red sauce, medium-ripe cheese or grilled steak. (Vic Harradine)

• The following wine is available now at the winery—Here’s a link—and at the LCBO.

• The following 2019 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.

90
Speck Bros. ‘Sibling Rivalry- Red’ 2019
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)

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.

94
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)

91
Flat Rock Cellars ‘Unplugged - Unoaked’ Chardonnay 2020
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $17.95 (68015) 13.0% alcohol
This saw not a splinter of oak; it’s pure and chardonnay-fruit driven. Alluring aromas of green apple, soft citrus and notions of pear dominate the nose. A wash of palate flavours—Meyer lemon, Granny Smith apple and a hint of tangy grapefruit—persist through the crisp, clean and refreshing finish and aftertaste. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour; it’s delicious, very well balanced and versatile at the dinner table. Give this a go with pan-seared fish and seafood, pork cutlets or roast chicken. (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.

94
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)

• The following 2018 Tawse Winery ‘Quarry Road Vineyard – Estate Bottled’ Pinot Noir was sourced 100% from the hand-harvested fruit from the Estate Quarry Road Vineyard of tightly knit vines planted in 2007. This wine was matured for 12 months in French oak.

89
 Tawse Winery ‘Quarry Road Vineyard – Estate Bottled’ Pinot Noir 2018
 VQA Vinemount Ridge $37.15 (307686) 13.0% alcohol
 Lively aromas leap from the glass—piquant spice of cinnamon and ginger mingling with earthy and mineral notes galore. There’s a laser-like streak of red fruit on the palate—cranberry, passionfruit and pomegranate—riding a stream of tang and acidity that’s ameliorated on the back palate by riper red cherry and raspberry. There’s a lick of tannin throughout the dry finish and aftertaste. Aerate/decant for three hours before serving with coq au vin or cassoulet. Careful cellaring for two or three years should also be rewarded. (Vic Harradine)

Vintages Release: October 30, 2021

• The following 2019 Tawse Winery ‘Growers Blend’ Cabernet Franc was sourced from 100% selected plots of purchased fruit from around the Niagara Peninsula that was hand-picked then matured in 228L French oak barrels for 16 months, with 35% new oak.

88
 Tawse Winery ‘Growers Blend’ Cabernet Franc 2019
 VQA Niagara Peninsula $29.15 (284579) 12.5% alcohol
 Fruit-forward aromas of dark cherry/berry and black plum abound on the nose. It leads on the palate with a burst of acidity expressing itself as tang–infused red currant and passionfruit interlaced with notions of Montmorency cherry and saline minerality. It opens up on the mid-palate with riper dark cherry fruit and black currant while the acidity lessens a tad. Pour with red pizza with mushroom, bacon and pepperoni or spaghetti with Bolognese sauce. (Vic Harradine)

• 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.

93
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.

88
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. This is an exceptional wine at a very good price.

96
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.

89
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’.

91
 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.

88
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)

Vintages Release: December 11, 2021

• The following 2020 Flat Rock Cellars ‘Twisted’ Sparkling Wine is a vintage-dated sparkling wine sourced from mainly riesling grapes adorned with small amounts of chardonnay and gewürztraminer that add their interesting aromas and flavours to this stylish, enjoyable wine.

90
Flat Rock Cellars ‘Twisted’ Sparkling Wine 2020
VQA Ontario $19.95 (14421) 12.5% alcohol
Lifted aromas of Key lime, apricot and pear precede a sweet and tangy surge of palate flavours carried along on a vigorous mousse of small-bead bubbles that include racy lemon and white grapefruit juxtaposed with a balancing surge of ripe nectarine and sweet-ish lime cordial. It’s nicely balanced, crisp and mouth-watering refreshing on the palate, finish and aftertaste. This is a very well-priced, vintage-dated, Charmat-method fashioned bubbly that you may want to try and to keep on hand for drop-in friends and neighbours around the upcoming holiday season. (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 that is shown on the bottles below below) for each bottle purchased – online or in store - from now 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.

91
 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)

New in Ontario Wineries

• This Château des Charmes 2017 Château des Charmes Pinot Noir ‘Old Vines’ is available at the winery and online at Château des Charmes for shipping to your home, office or restaurant.

• The following 2017 Château des Charmes Pinot Noir ‘Old Vines’ was sourced from the oldest vines in the St. David’s Bench vineyard. This pinot noir requires certain quality characteristics present in order to be released, the last one to be released was in 2012. Gentle barrel ageing is used to bring depth and richness to this wine. There’s good value here.

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Château des Charmes Pinot Noir ‘Old Vines’ 2017
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $24.95 (256834) 13.0% alcohol
Beautiful aromas of cherry pie filling, strawberry, dry bay leaf and earthiness are truly charming to the nose. The velvety texture is noticeable as soon as it touches the tip of the tongue introducing delicious flavours of sour cherry, tart raspberry and mushroom, topped with a sprinkle of black pepper, before closing on a dry and savoury medium-long finish. The tannins are ripe yet perceptible, adding nice structure to this medium-bodied well-crafted red. Pour alongside rainbow trout fillet just off the grill or mushroom risotto. (Louise Boutin)

• The following two Flat Rock wines are available now only at the winery, either online to be delivered to your home, business or restaurant or drive to the winery to pick up a curbside order made previously by phone or online. Follow the winery link to online guidelines for ordering wine online and to the ever-changing provincial COVID-19 guidelines for visiting Niagara wineries including this link to Flat Rock Cellars.

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Flat Rock Cellars ‘Twisted’ Sparkling Wine 2020
VQA Ontario $19.95 (14421) 12.5% alcohol
Lifted aromas of Key lime, apricot and pear precede a sweet and tangy surge of palate flavours carried along on a vigorous mousse of small-bead bubbles that include racy lemon and white grapefruit juxtaposed with a balancing surge of ripe nectarine and sweet-ish lime cordial. It’s nicely balanced, crisp and mouth-watering refreshing on the palate, finish and aftertaste. This is a very well-priced, vintage-dated, Charmat-method fashioned bubbly that you may want to try and to keep on hand for drop-in friends and neighbours. (Vic Harradine)

LCBO ‘Limited Time Offers’ – Now 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) now 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 now 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 $2.00 taken off the price shown below for each bottle purchased from now 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)

89
 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)

89
 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 now to October 10, 2021.

90
 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)

92
 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.

88
 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.

91
 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)

89
 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 three wines will have a discount of $3.00 taken off the price shown below for each bottle purchased from now to October 10, 2021.

90
 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)

89
 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)

89
 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 now to October 10, 2021.

92
 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 now 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 now to October 10, 2021.

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)

Cheers and please stay safe! Lisa, Louise, Dave, Vic