January 30, 2022 Newsletter
Newsletter Highlights:
- 95 points and over – one wine rang the 95 points and over bell—Malivoire Wine ‘Small Lot’ Gamay 2020 earned 95 points @ $21.95 found under New in Ontario Wineries.
- Exceptional-value wine – There are exceptional-value wines found throughout the newsletter and easily spotted by the
icon checkmark. Happy hunting! - Louise loves - Lakeview Cellars Cabernet Franc Icewine earned 91 points @ $29.95 (200 mL) found under Ontario: Icewine.
- Vic Picks – 2019 Chateau de Nages ‘ButiNages’ Rouge’ earned 91 points @ $16.95 found under New in Vintages; 2019 Luigi Bosca Cabernet Sauvignon earned 92 points @ $18.95 found under Argentina: Red Wine; Malivoire Wine ‘Small Lot’ Gamay 2020 earned 95 points @ $21.95 found under New in Ontario Wineries.
Winecurrent was recently contacted by Kacaba Vineyards advising us that the following wine will be discounted $2.00 from the price below at the LCBO checkout for wines purchased from January 30 to February 26, 2022. This wine also placed ‘Double-gold’ at the 2021 All Canadian Wine Championship, and ‘Best of Category’, as well. This wine deserves a multiple purchase at this new $13.95 price. The following review was first published in winecurrent on July 5, 2021 and is archived on the www.winecurrent.com site.
• The following 2020 Kacaba Vineyards ‘Sustainable – Vegan Friendly’ Cabernet was sourced from 71% cabernet franc and 29% cabernet sauvignon. Kacaba is well known for its value and quality-packed wines. This wine is exceptionally delicious and is also exceptional-value. Don’t dally and pick up an armful before it all disappears from LCBO shelves.
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Kacaba Vineyards ‘Sustainable – Vegan Friendly’ Cabernet 2020
VQA Niagara Peninsula (499384) $15.95 13.0% alcohol
Sexy aromas of rose petals, exotic spice and rich, ripe dark cherry/berry fruit abound on the nose of this gem. It blankets the palate with a gorgeous surge of ripe blackberry fruit, raspberry and dark Rainier cherry robed in excellent balancing crunchy red fruit tang and acidity. It’s medium-bodied with deft balance, persistent purity of fruit, lengthy lip-smacking aftertaste and has great versatility at the table. Incredibly enjoyable on its own, it’s also wonderful with barbecued beef or lamb tagine or crown roast of pork. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: February 5, 2022
Ontario: Icewine
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Château des Charmes Vidal Icewine
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $28.95 200ml (565861) 9.5% alcohol
This is the perfect after-dinner treat on its own or with dessert and … it’s the ideal size for two or three people to enjoy. Aromas and flavours of mango-infused treacle, candied-peel marmalade and racy lemon curd interweave on the nose, palate and delectable finish and aftertaste—this is absolutely delicious. It’s also perfectly balanced and the perfect hostess gift. (Vic Harradine)
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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)
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Lakeview Cellars Cabernet Franc Icewine
VQA Niagara Peninsula $29.95 200ml (53397) 11.0% alcohol
This is not your typical, gold-shaded icewine. This one has a vibrant raspberry glow and a very singular nose—ripe field strawberry, freshly cracked black pepper and a hint of green bell pepper. It flows on the palate in a luscious nectar bursting with ripened sweet strawberry and maraschino cherry flavours lifted with balancing rhubarb tartness and piquant peppercorn notes trailing into the endlessly delicious finish. No need for dessert, sip on its own after dinner to fully appreciate the complexity of this beauty. (Louise Boutin)
Argentina: Red Wine
• The following 2019 Luigi Bosca Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from 100% cabernet sauvignon from vines with an average age of 40 years that was sourced exclusively from estate vineyards at 800 to 1000 m above sea level. The grapes were manually harvested with bunch selection and de-stemming. Alcoholic fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature of 28 °C using selected yeasts. It was then matured in French and American oak barrels for 14 months before being gently filtered and bottled.
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Luigi Bosca Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Maipú & Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina $18.95 (128629) 14.3% alcohol
Rich and luscious on the nose, this cabernet sauvignon freely gives up aromas of dark cherry fruit, bramble berry jam along with mixed spice and smoky notes. It envelops the palate with a tidal wave of delectable flavours with black plum and passionfruit mingling with piquant spice and grilled savoury herbs. It’s generously textured with good mouthfeel and an extended finish and aftertaste. The winery suggests a pairing with wild boar, if you find yourself out of wild boar, give rare-grilled venison a chance with a side of roasted root veggies. (Vic Harradine)
• The vines sourced in the following 2018 Terrazas ‘de los Andes – High Altitude Vineyard – Reserva’ Malbec have aged 20 to 80 years. Grapes underwent classic fermentation with selected yeast from estate vineyards at 25 ºC. Maceration was for 20 days. A portion of the wine was aged in French oak for 10 months. The price-quality ratio skews well in your favour; pick up an armful.
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Terrazas ‘de los Andes – High Altitude Vineyard – Reserva’ Malbec 2018
Mendoza, Argentina $19.95 (29280) 14.0% alcohol
Aromas abound on the nose of this alluring Malbec with black currant, black Bing cherry and ripe black raspberry to the fore. It blankets the palate with fresh, crunchy red fruit—pie cherry and pomegranate intertwined with dark fruit—black plum and spice-infused bramble berry. It’s loaded with tangy acidity and plenty of pizzazz along with replays of the palate flavours through the finish and aftertaste. Aerate/decant for a couple of hours before serving with prime cuts of medium-rare grilled beef. (Vic Harradine)
Chile: Red Wine
• The following 2019 Veramonte ‘Primus’ Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced in the foothills of the Andes in a low-yielding vintage due to lack of rain. It has also resulted in the fruit flavours being more prominent in the finished wine—you lose some and you win some. This wine is certified organic and certified vegan friendly.
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Veramonte ‘Primus’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Alto Maipo Valley, Chile $19.95 (486043) 13.5% alcohol
Aromas of wood smoke, black plum, earthy notes and dark cherry/berry fruit herald a surge of palate flavours with cherry clafoutie, black cherry and an underpinning of still-evolving tannin that can be ameliorated with a simple, three-hour aeration/decant. This has oodles of tang and pizzazz, is nicely balanced and lingers with replays on the fairly brief finish and aftertaste. Pour alongside roast beef, grilled burgers, beef fajitas or burritos. (Vic Harradine)
New in Vintages (available now in many LCBO retail stores)
• The following 2020 Chateau de Nages ‘Butinages’ White blend’ was sourced from roussanne and grenache blanc fruit and is certified organic by Ecocert. The winery is owned and managed by the iconic Gassier family.
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Chateau de Nages ‘ButiNages’ White blend’ 2020
AOP Costières de Nîmes, France $16.95 (20906) 13.0% alcohol
A mélange of alluring aromas includes floral and citrus notes soon joined by cantaloupe and minerality. It envelops the palate with a surge of balanced flavours—lemon curd, ripe pineapple and yellow peach to the fore. This is medium weight with good mouthfeel and plenty of pizzazz throughout. Palate-flavours persist through the finish and aftertaste making for a delightful wine to sip on its own or pour with pan-seared salmon or steamed mussels in white wine. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2019 Chateau de Nages ‘ButiNages’ Rouge’ tips well in your favour on the price-quality balance and is certified organic by Ecocert. Pick up a few before it’s all gone.
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Chateau de Nages ‘ButiNages’ Rouge’ 2019
AOP Costières de Nîmes, Rhone Valley, France $16.95 (20637) 13.5% alcohol
Piquant, peppery spice aromas are adorned with brambleberry, licorice, grilled savoury herbs and black plum on the nose of this syrah, grenache, mourvèdre blend. It dances on the palate with deft balance and plenty of nerve and verve expressed as a laser-like beam of tangy acidity that persists to and through the mouth-watering, lip-smacking good finish and aftertaste. It’s medium-plus bodied with persistent purity of flavour, tang and fruit. Pour with beef fajitas, chicken tikka masala or prawn and chorizo paella. (Vic Harradine)
New in Ontario Wineries
• For daily home, office or restaurant delivery for the following two wines are sold at the winery only, order online from this link Malivoire Wine Company with FREE shipping on orders of $99 or more, or $20 credited next business day towards delivery outside Ontario and Québec. Phone 905-563-9253 Monday to Friday 10 am - 5 pm on weekdays and noon to 5 pm Saturday and Sunday for information and for locals to access curbside pickup instructions. Their retail shop is now open - 10 am - 5 pm on weekdays, and noon to 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday. There are guidelines due to COVID-19 that change often, best to phone or email first (the website has a space to type and is linked to their email).
• The following 2020 Malivoire Wine ‘Small Lot Gamay’ was hand-sorted at the winery with 55% then fermented in concrete and 45% in oak vats. In both cases one-third of the grapes were retained in whole clusters to be layered in with crushed berries. After alcoholic fermentation, malolactic conversion and blending, 30% went to stainless steel while 70% went to pre-loved, neutral oak barrels with both being bottled six months later in June 2021. Kudos to the entire Malivoire winemaking team for fashioning this fabulous gamay. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour; stock up on this one. Ordering five or more bottles of this will gain you FREE shipping. It’s an exceptional wine at an exceptional-value
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Malivoire Wine ‘Small Lot’ Gamay 2020
VQA Beamsville Bench $21.95 12.5% alcohol
Peppery piquant spice aromas mingle with cherry/berry fruit and hints of graphite and juicy black plum. It envelops the palate with a delectable surge of wild strawberry, pie cherry and hints of black plum that also persist through the lengthy finish and aftertaste. This is medium-bodied with good mouthfeel, deft balance and an underpinning of polished ripe tannin. Give this a go with a deli platter or charcouterie board or a roasted festive bird with all the fixings. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2021 Malivoire Wine Company Melon de Bourgogne was hand-harvested October 6th with 64% sourced from the Malivoire Estate Vineyard and 36% from the Mottiar Vineyard with the average grape sugars coming in at 19.7 ° Brix. The grapes were pressed in whole grape clusters. The primary fermentation, settling and ageing were completed in a horizontal stainless steel ‘milk tank’ with extended lees contact until bottled in December 2021. This is a fabulous wine that provides excellent value. Five or more bottles will earn you FREE shipping.
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Malivoire Wine Company Melon de Bourgogne 2021
VQA Beamsville Bench $21.95 12.0% alcohol
Alluring aromas of casaba melon, camomile tea and ripe mango abound on this vegan-friendly, slightly yellow-hued gem. It spreads over the palate with delightful flavours of lime cordial and lemon pastille robed with a juicy and dazzling streak of tangy acidity that persists through the mouth-watering finish and lip-smacking aftertaste. This is close to a match made in heaven when poured with freshly shucked briny oysters with two or three dots of hot sauce, a smidgeon of horseradish and a medium squeeze of fresh lemon or try with pan-seared fish or steamed shellfish. Remove from the home refrigerator about 15 to 20 minutes before pouring. If you have an instant-read thermometer, the winery suggests serving at 14 °C. (Vic Harradine)
LCBO ‘Limited Time Offers’ January 31st to February 27, 2022
• 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) from January 31st to February 27th, 2022, unless otherwise notified in the newsletter.
White Wines
• The following three white wines receive a $2.00 discount on each bottle purchased from the regular price shown below from January 31st to February 27, 2022.
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Flat Rock Cellars Chardonnay
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $19.95 (286278) 13.0% alcohol
Medium yellow-gold hued, this leaps from the glass with lifted aromas of baking spice, toasty notes, pineapple and caramel. It envelops the palate with a medium-plus bodied, well-textured river of ripe apple and tingling citrus acidity with oodles of nerve, verve and pizzazz expressed as white grapefruit on the back palate and aftertaste. This will be divine paired with freshly shucked Malpec oysters, prawn ceviche or pan-seared white fish under a generous squeeze of fresh lemon. (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, New Zealand $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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Willm ‘Réserve’ Riesling
AOC Alsace, France $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)
• The following white wine receives a $3.00 discount on each bottle purchased from the regular price shown below January 31st to February 27th, 2022.
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Oyster Bay Chardonnay
Marlborough, New Zealand $19.95 (326728) 13.5% alcohol
Tropical fruit, citrus and sweet vanilla aromas abound on this tangy, generously textured, value-packed beauty. Rivers of nicely balanced flavour pour from the bottle with lemon chiffon pie, crisp grapefruit and spiced yellow plum to the fore. It’s mid weight sporting a mid-length finish that’s crisp and refreshing. Pour alongside grilled white fish, roast chicken or roast pork. (Vic Harradine)
Red Wines
• The following seven red wines receive a $2.00 discount on each bottle purchased from the regular price shown below January 31st to February 27th, 2022.
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Borsao ‘Tres Picos’ Garnacha
DO Campo de Borja, Spain $19.95 (273748) 15.0% alcohol
This gem has developed quite the following. Aromas of black plum, fig and savory herbs set the tone for a rich, hedonistic river of bramble berry and black currant robed in lip-smacking acidity adorned with peppery notes and fennel. There are ripe fine-grained tannin adding structure and interest. It’s nicely balanced with a fruit and tang-filled finish. (Vic Harradine)
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Columbia Crest ‘H3’ Cabernet Sauvignon
Horse Heaven Hills, Washington State $19.95 (210047) 14.0% alcohol
This is a lovely red with the price-quality balance tipped well in your favour. A subdued nose of mixed spice and dark cherry/berry fruit unleashes a delectable wash of balanced and beautiful flavours with red and black currant and juicy black Bing cherry to the fore. It’s medium bodied with generous texture and long, balanced finish showcasing delicious ripe fruit. Each sip is as good as or better than the previous. (Vic Harradine)
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Bodegas Julian Chivite ‘Gran Fuedo Reserva’
DO Navarra $18.95 (479014) 13% alcohol
Here’s a red blend—tempranillo, cabernet sauvignon, merlot—delivering a delicious mouthful of flavour-packed value. Black currant, spice, minty cherry and cassis on the nose and palate, it washes over the palate in waves with a good underpinning of dusty tannin. Mid weight with a generous mouth feel, the lingering well-balanced finish is fruit-forward and refreshing. Great with grilled t-bone, ribs or burgers. (Vic Harradine)
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Porcupine Ridge Syrah
WO Swartland, South Africa $16.95 (595280) 14.0% alcohol
Balanced and brimming with beautiful fruit, this has structure, a lingering aftertaste and oodles of charm—a $14.95 red (includes discount) tasting $20 and more. Red berry fruit, floral notes and mineral on the nose, this bursts on the palate with a balanced, persistent wash of briary berry and juicy black Bing cherry adorned by mixed spice. It’s medium-full weight with lovely mouth feel and a mouth-watering lively finish—each sip’s better than the previous. (Vic Harradine)
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Small Gully ‘The Formula’ Robert’s Shiraz
South Australia $19.95 (142935) 15.9% alcohol
This is a crowd-pleasing, single-vineyard red with rich, ripe, robust flavours. Toasty oak, extra-ripe, dark berry fruit and notions of roasted herbs herald a creamy smooth, medium-plus-bodied wash of sweet, ripe dark cherry and mulberry garnished with black plum compote and kirsch liqueur. The finish layers on more of the same. Pour with grilled, smoked back ribs mopped with spicy barbecue sauce. (Vic Harradine)
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Wakefield ‘Estate Label’ Shiraz
Clare Valley, South Australia $19.95 (943787) 14.5% alcohol
Aromas of black cherry, berry and plum intertwine with baking spice and cocoa on the nose of this value-packed shiraz. It spreads over the palate creamy smooth and medium-plus bodied while unleashing a gusher of fruit-forward flavour of ripe mulberry, black plum and ripe Bing cherry adorned with balancing tang and a boatload of pizzazz. It showcases persistent purity of fruit, is balanced on a pin and sports a dry, delectable finish with palate replays plus a hint of cassis and dark, bittersweet chocolate. Pour with friends and slow-cooked lamb shoulder or grilled rack of lamb. Pick up a few and drink over the next seven or eight years. (Vic Harradine)
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Louis M. Martini Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon
Sonoma County $24.95 (292151) 14.0% alcohol
This approachable, versatile red offers intense aromas of blackberry, cassis, roasted red pepper and cedar. Dry, medium-full bodied, with perceptible tannin, the palate is supple and juicy with ripe dark plums, blackberry coulis, tobacco and a hint of vanilla. Pour alongside peppercorn steak. (Lisa Isabelle)
• The following four red wines receive a $3.00 discount on each bottle purchased from the regular price shown below January 31st to February 27th, 2022.
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Marchesi de' Frescobaldi ‘Tenuta di Castiglioni’
IGT Toscana, Italy $22.95 (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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Perrin & Fils ‘Les Sinards’
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France $39.95 (926626) 14.0% alcohol
From one of the world’s iconic wine-making families - Primum Familiae Vini, this dishes up warm aromas of dark cherry, black plum compote and espresso roast. It’s complex and interesting on the palate with red and black currant interwoven with hints of cassis and toasty notes. Medium-full bodied, nicely textured with a juicy, tangy lengthy aftertaste and supple tannin underpinning, you won’t be disappointed with this—ideal for drinking and gifting. (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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Travaglini Gattinara
DOCG Gattinara $32.95 (713354) 13.5% alcohol
This 100% nebbiolo was sourced from vines ranging from 12 to 45 years of age. It’s medium-red with an expressive nose of tobacco, mint, spice, raspberry and cocoa powder. This is medium bodied with a refreshing balance of acid, flavours of juicy plum and smooth tannins that seem diminished at first but grow in intensity toward the finish. Drink now after a two-hour aeration/decant or cellar until 2023. It’ll pair well with braised duck. (Dave Isaacs)
Other Wines and Spirits
• The following two wines will have $2.00 discounted from the regular price shown below for each bottle purchased from January 31st to February 27th, 2022.
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Foss Marai Prosecco ‘Extra Dry’ Non-Vintage
DOC Prosecco $19.95 (729392) 11.5% alcohol
A tempting nose of floral and citrussy notes tingle the nose and provide a fitting entry to this very well-priced sparkler. Nothing complicated, but everything is in balance, from the frothy attack of tropical fruit flavours and lemon zest to the lovely tang of acidity on the finish. Serve well chilled to guests as a welcoming wine. (Vic Harradine)
• The following Kim Crawford Rosé is a Vintages Essentials wine always available in select LCBO stores.
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Kim Crawford Rosé
Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand $18.95 (650325) 13.0% alcohol
A wonderful rosé to raise in a toast to spring, this is a blend of 93% merlot with the balance malbec. It has a salmon-pink and peach-hue colour, with a nose of strawberry and clover aromas. This is medium-full bodied with a slightly off-dry sensation and nice crisp level of acidity. There are flavours of strawberry throughout, and a slight touch of gentle tannins on the finish. Enjoy with a baby spinach and strawberry salad drizzled with balsamic vinegar. (Dave Isaacs)
• The following wine will have $3.00 discounted from the regular price shown below for each bottle purchased from January 31st to February 27th, 2022.
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Kittling Ridge Vidal Icewine
VQA Ontario $29.95 (563247) 375 mL 10.3% alcohol
Mango, melon, honey and apricot aromas dominate the nose of this über sweet, luscious icewine. A full-Monty tsunami wave of texture and flavour blankets the palate with baked apple, peach marmalade, ripe mango and wisps of lemon chiffon pie enveloping the palate with gusto. It finishes with replays, sweet and unctuous. This is dessert in a glass; serve on its own as the only course for dessert or pair with chunks of Stilton and water biscuits. (Vic Harradine)
• The following wine will have $5.00 discounted from the regular price shown below for each bottle purchased from January 31st to February 27th, 2022.
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Inniskillin Vidal Icewine
VQA Ontario $49.95 (388306) 375 mL 9.5% alcohol
This vidal icewine from Niagara expresses itself without reservation starting with lifted aromas of apricot, lemon and earthy notes. It blankets the palate with a textured wash of apricot tart, lime-soaked guava and orange marmalade. Lemon zest and grilled pineapple provide semblance balance on the finish and aftertaste. Serve well chilled on its own or paired with fruit flan or blue cheese. (Vic Harradine)
• Earn 190 Aeroplan bonus points from January 30th to February 26th, 2022.
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Charles Smith ‘Wines of Substance’ Cabernet Sauvignon
Washington State, U.S.A. $23.95 (419770) 13.5% alcohol
This superb Washington State cabernet sauvignon is opaque in the glass and alive with aromas of mocha, cherry, vanilla and traces of rosemary. It hits the palate full bodied and bursting with juicy, red fruit flavours. The tannin’s prominent but smooth and there’s good balance of acidity drawing out a pleasantly herbaceous finish. Cellar for another 5 years or enjoy now with a juicy, medium-rare steak. (Dave Isaacs)
*Stay safe, stay healthy and, if possible, reach out to help someone not as fortunate as you.
Best wishes, Lisa, Louise, Dave, Vic