July 20, 2022 Newsletter
Vintages Release, Saturday, July 16, 2022
Dessert Wine
90
The Lyme Bay ‘Moniack Mead’ Non-Vintage
United Kingdom $19.95 (987263) 14.5% alcohol
The history of mead—made by fermenting honey and water—goes back as far as 8000 years. This particular brand is wildly popular and extremely sought after around the world. In the glass, it has hues of deep golden brown. There are predominant aromas of honey and beeswax with secondary notions of honeydew melon, clover and burnt sugar. It’s full bodied, sweet in the mouth—stops well short of being cloying—with flavours of caramel, honey, and apple. Enjoy by itself after dinner or with home-baked apple pie. (Dave Isaacs)
Sparkling Wine
89
Oyster Bay Sparkling Cuvée Rosé Non-Vintage
Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand $22.95 (280172) 12.0% alcohol
This attractive pink-hued sparkler is fashioned from 20% hand-harvested pinot noir and 80% low-yielding chardonnay, fermented in the Charmat, a.k.a. Cuve Close, method. It hustles from the bottle with an energetic mousse and aromas of red berry fruit and spice with hints of brioche. It delivers spirited and lively flavours of citrus and red currant interwoven with sweeter and riper cherry on the lip-smacking aftertaste. (Vic Harradine)
90
Oyster Bay Cuvée Brut Sparkling Non-Vintage
Hawke’s Bay $22.95 (163634) 12.5% alcohol
This Charmat méthode sparkling wine is made of 100% chardonnay kept in contact with the lees in a portion of the maturation process. It fills the air with aromas of fresh citrus, lactic notes, bread crumbs and mineral character. A nice froth expands on the palate expressing flavours of pink grapefruit, white peach, crispy crackers and a lingering minerality note turning saline in the medium-long finish. This is medium-bodied with great acidity, pleasant mouthfeel and weight and a no-brainer partner to sea salt chips. (Louise Boutin)
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)
Ontario: Rosé Wine
92 
Kacaba Vineyards and Winery ‘Rebecca Rosé – Summer Series’ 2021
VQA Niagara Peninsula $20.15 (227025) 11.7% alcohol
Very aromatic and quite attractive when poured in the glass. Aromas of apricot, blood orange and Ruby Red grapefruit abound on the nose decorated with mineral notes and exotic spice. It envelops the palate with a dry, racy surge of tang-infused pizzazz and acidity presented as passion fruit and sweet red cherry along with wisps of sweet watermelon and a mid-length lip-smacking finish and aftertaste. Pour alongside mixed sushi platter, pan-seared scallops or rotisserie roast chicken. (Vic Harradine)
California: Red Wine
• The following 2018 pinot noir was fashioned by Buena Vista winery California’s first and now oldest premium winery founded in 1857 in Sonoma. The following wine was sourced from six discrete sub-appellations in the AVA North Coast. Fruit was sorted pressed and aged for seven months in a blend of French, Hungarian and American oak barrels.
93
Buena Vista ‘North Coast – Vinicultural Society’ Pinot Noir 2018
Sonoma County, California $24.95 (24112) 14.5% alcohol
Aromas of pie cherry and exotic spice adorned with mocha and cinnamon are released with the gentlest of swirls. It blankets the palate with a tang-infused wash of passionfruit and pie cherry supported by excellent acidity and fruit-forward flavours of bramble berry and juicy black Bing cherry that extend to and through the lingering, deftly balanced finish and mouth-watering aftertaste. Pour with coq au vin or osso buco. (Vic Harradine)
Argentina: Red Wine
• The following 2019 Bodegas Salentein ‘Reserva’ Malbec was sourced from estate high-altitude vineyards of 100% malbec fruit. Salentein Chief Winemaker extraordinaire, Jose ‘Pepe’ Galante, is heralded as one of Argentina’s most important winemakers.
94
Bodegas Salentein ‘Reserva’ Malbec 2019
Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina $17.95 (640854) 14.0% alcohol
Dark purple-black, it’s virtually opaque in the glass. An alluring nose of exotic incense, spicy herbs and rich, sweet floral notes abound. It captures the palate with a bountiful surge of dazzling flavours with sweet black currant, ripe black plum and black Bing cherry to the fore then balanced with excellent tang and much pizzazz. It struts its stuff through the lengthy lip-smacking finish and aftertaste with elegance and charm. It’s deftly balanced with alluring aromas, fine-grained tannin, excellent acidity, fabulous fruit flavours and a monumentally lengthy finish and aftertaste. What’s not to like? Pour alongside your favourite cut of grilled meat or vegan dish and your favourite veggies. (Vic Harradine)
France: Rosé Wine
• The following Gérard Bertrand ‘cote des roses’ Rosé is a work of art. The base of the bottle has a rose carved out of the glass by a young designer from Ecole Boulle and the winery suggests you handle it as you would a bouquet of roses, especially when presenting to someone before pouring. This wine is also a Vintages Essentials wine, always seasonally available in select stores. This was fashioned by a traditional blend of the Languedoc—grenache/syrah/cinsault. These three grape varieties were harvested and sorted separately with each at the peak of ripeness. At the winery they were destemmed, cooled to 8 °C then transferred to the press where only the first high-quality juice is retained for this wine. It is then fermented over 15 to +30 days followed by a light fining then bottled.
90
Gérard Bertrand ‘cote des roses’ Rosé
AOP Languedoc, France $18.95 (373985) 13.5% alcohol
This is an Essentials collection wine, always found in select LCBO stores. Here’s a fresh bouquet of peach, pink grapefruit, watermelon and floral aromas getting along perfectly. Round on the palate without being heavy, you’ll find flavours of strawberry and fresh apricot, a touch of white pepper and orange peel leaving a refreshing aftertaste in the dry and slightly spicy finish. This is a great sipper on its own or try with a Cobb salad for a delicious pairing. (Louise Boutin)
France: Red Wine
• The following 2019 Gérard Bertrand ‘Terroir Fitou – An 990’ Grenache/Carignan was sourced from hand-picked and hand sorted grenache and carignan grapes with carignan fermented by carbonic maceration for 10 to 15 days and the grenache fermented by traditional fermentation and aged 12 months in barrel. The Year 990 is prominent on the front wine label and on the back label it’s explained ‘why’ in French and English.
90
Gérard Bertrand ‘Terroir Fitou – An 990’ Grenache/Carignan 2019
AOP Fitou, France $17.95 (403683) 14.5% alcohol
Lively aromas of red cherry berry fruit with piquant spice and sprigs of savoury herbs waft easily from the glass. It washes over the palate with a balanced and bountiful stream of piquant spice and grilled savoury herbs adorned by bramble berry fruit, ripe black cherry and a tang-infused rush of pie cherry. The finish and aftertaste linger and provide a dry, lip-smacking experience. Pour with chorizo and prawn paella or your favourite meat-lovers pizza. The price-quality balance tips in your favour, pick up an armful. (Vic Harradine)
Spain: Red Wine
• The following 2018 Viña Real Crianza Rioja was sourced from 90% tempranillo and a 10% mix of garnacha, mazuelo and graciano with all grown in premium wine areas and vineyards of long-time suppliers from generation upon generation. The finished wine was matured for 13 – 14 months in French and American oak barrels before bottling and release. The harsh weather conditions were fortunately rescued by a warm summer and then more good luck as it became a wet winter and a godsend repellent to the previous drought conditions.
92
Viña Real Crianza Rioja 2018
DOCa Rioja, Spain $16.95 (657411) 13.5% alcohol
This is surprisingly light in colour, but manages to retain wonderful rich flavours of dark juicy cherry, ripe black currant and persistent purity of fruit flavours throughout. There’s good balance of racy tang, soft ripe tannin and a lengthy finish that adds baking spice and sweet vanilla to the delightful mix. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour; pick up a few and pour with pasta puttanesca or lamb tagine or chorizo and prawn paella. (Vic Harradine)
New in the LCBO Portfolio
In LCBO retail stores now! Not one of the four wines over $10.00! Two of them are under $8.50 each!
88
Fantini Wines ‘Numero uno’ Primitivo 2020
IGT Puglia, Italy $9.95 (442491) 14.0% alcohol
Primitivo is also known as Zinfandel, as they are the same grape with two popular names with one grown in California—Zinfandel—and the other in Italy—Primitivo. This wafts aromas of dark currants with the gentlest of swirls along with bramble berry and racy pie cherry on the nose of this well-priced red wine. It envelops the palate with tang-infused acidity and pizzazz that persist to and through the finish and aftertaste. Give this a go with meat-lovers pizza with red tomato sauce and mushrooms or try a pasta puttanesca recipe. (Vic Harradine)
88
Fantini Wines Casale Vecchio ‘Lot Twenty Three – Certified Organic’ 2019
DOC Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Italy $9.95 (612788) 13.5% alcohol
Medium-ruby red in the glass, it wafts aromas easily from the glass with a firm swirl or two—look for aromas of mixed spice and dark, juicy cherry/berry fruit before revealing palate flavours of tang-infused red and black berry fruit with black bramble berry fruit and plenty of racy red cherry along with persistent purity of fruit throughout the tasting experience. It showcases balance, good fruit flavour and plenty of tang and pizzazz. Pour alongside burgers or pasta and meat balls (Vic Harradine)
89
Adesso Chardonnay d’Italy 2020
Product of Italy $8.45 (572461) 12.0% alcohol
Fresh, crisp aromas of citrussy notes and white flowers dominate the nose. It blankets the palate with mouthfuls of nerve and verve expressed as lemon curd, tang-infused pizzazz and a refreshing finish and mouth-watering aftertaste. There’s plenty to like about this flavourful chardonnay. It’s quite good on its own and matches well with roast chicken, pan-seared fish or grilled calamari rings. (Vic Harradine)
88
Adesso Merlot d’Italy 2021
Product of Italy $8.45 (572453) 12.0% alcohol
A light-hued ruby in the glass it dishes up mixed herbs and spice aromas on the nose along with red cherry/berry fruit. A gusher of crisp acidity expressed as pie cherry, passionfruit and pomegranate blankets the palate and persists to and through the finish and aftertaste. This needs a bit of time—two to three hours—aerating in a glass decanter with plenty of surface area before serving this wine. It’s a good dance partner with this Cape Malay bobotie recipe. (Vic Harradine)
Upstream in winecurrent
Vintages: available online only! July 30, 2022 - not available if shopping in LCBO retail stores.
• Fruit was sourced from vineyards at 200m sitting on a limestone bench overlooking the Mediterranean where serious winemaking took hold in 1650, almost four hundred years ago.
92
Gérard Bertrand ‘An 1650’ Syrah/Carignan/Mourvèdre 2018
AOP La Clape, France $19.95 (370262) 14.5% alcohol
This dark and brooding red blend is rich and luscious on the nose with aromas expressed as bramble berry jam, ripe black currant, grilled savoury herbs, black licorice and mixed spice. It envelops the palate with a gusher of tang and pizzazz expressed as well-rounded flavours of racy pie cherry, ripe juicy mulberry and plenty of soft, ripe tannin for underpinning and tucking away for four or more years of careful cellaring, if you are interested. Pour with osso buco or pasta puttanesca. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: August 13, 2022
• The following 2021 Gérard Bertrand ‘Perles de Grenache’ Rosé is 100% sourced from the King of grapes in the southern Rhône—grenache. Harvest was decided through multiple organoleptic tastings and observations of seed and grape colour waiting for the optimum moment to begin harvest. The bottle also sports an elegant glass necklace of ‘pearls’ by an artisan French creator, Chantal Thomass.
92
Gérard Bertrand ‘Perles de Grenache’ Rosé 2021
IGP Pays D’Oc, France $18.95 (556209) 12.5% alcohol
Delicate aromas of floral notes and berry fruit—raspberry and blueberry—on the nose of this pale-pink, crunchy rosé. A dry, tangy river of cranberry, pomegranate and strawberry race over the palate with wild abandon and plenty of pizzazz. This is crisp and refreshing from glass top to last drop with excellent minerality joining on the finish and persevering through the aftertaste. Pour with a mixed sushi plate, freshly shucked, briny Malpeque oysters or with prawn ceviche. (Vic Harradine)
• The following Henry of Pelham ‘Estate’ Chardonnay is a Vintages Essentials wine always available in select LCBO stores. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour.
92
Henry of Pelham ‘Estate’ Chardonnay 2021
VQA Short Hills Bench $21.95 (268342) 13.5% alcohol
Alluring aromas of mixed spice, ripe golden delicious apple, ripe pear and plenty of citrus capture the essence of this fabulous chardonnay hardly ever fails to satisfy. It bathes the palate with flavours of delicious apple, ripe pear and lemon pie filling adorned with racy tang. This is medium bodied with good mouthfeel and a lingering, juicy finish and aftertaste. It consistently showcases mixed spice, deft balance, persistent purity of fruit and a boatload of charm. Pour with roast chicken or pork cutlets. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2021 Henry of Pelham ‘Family Estate Winery’ Chardonnay is certified by Sustainable Winemaking Ontario. The hand-harvested, whole-cluster pressed grapes for this wine were kept to low yields of 3 tonnes per acre. The wine was barrel-fermented in French oak barriques with a portion in 3000L foudres then barrel-aged for eight months.
91
Henry of Pelham ‘Estate’ Chardonnay 2021
VQA Niagara Peninsula $14.95 (268342) 12.8% alcohol
Fresh crisp and refreshing aromas waft easily from the gentlest of swirls with Granny Smith apple, ripe mango and saline minerality to the fore. This well-paced, well-priced chardonnay showcases crisp tang and pizzazz on the palate expressed as lemon chiffon pie filling adorned by crisp green apple and hints of honeydew melon. There’s good balance and creamy-smooth mouthfeel throughout along with persistent purity of fruit from twist top to the final delectable drop. The mouth-watering finish and crisp refreshing aftertaste lingers and is lip-smacking good. The price-quality balance swings wildly in your favour, pick up a few and pour with rotisserie chicken or your favourite deli board. (Vic Harradine)
• The following fruit-filled, exceptional-value 2021 Henry of Pelham Baco Noir was sourced from 100% Baco Noir from estate vines fermented in stainless steel tanks then matured six plus months in American oak. It was also certified by Sustainable Winemaking Ontario as sustainably grown and fashioned. Grapes were sourced from various vineyards with the oldest being 47-years-old when harvested for this wine and the youngest being five-years-old.
93
Henry of Pelham Baco Noir 2021
VQA Ontario $15.95 (270926) 13.0% alcohol
Aromas of charred toast, black licorice and tarry notes are revealed with the slightest of swirls. It blankets the palate with black currant, black ripe juicy cherry and bramble berry jam along with tangy pie cherry and hints of cranberry. Baco Noir is a specialty of Henry of Pelham and is revered internationally and here at home. It’s medium-full bodied with good texture, structure and is fruit-driven. Pour alongside what grilled meat you pull off your barbecue—burgers, steaks, rack of lamb, gourmet sausage; you get the idea. The price-quality ratio is well in your favour… stock up. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Limited Time Special Offers
The first group of white wines offer a cash discount of $2.00 for each bottle purchased from July 18th to August 14th, 2022 followed by 11 red wines of differing discounts up to maximum of $3.00 per bottle purchased from July 18th to August 14th, 2022.
• The following 6 white wines have discounts of $2.00 for each bottle purchased from July 18th to August 14th, 2022 via online purchases or when in an LCBO retail store.
White Wines
87
Anselmi ‘San Vincenzo’
IGT Veneto, Italy $16.95 (948158) 12.5% alcohol
An über-savoury nose of grassy notes and sprigs of savoury herbs dressed in piquant spice provide segue to this garganega blend. The mid-weight, lightly textured stream of palate-pleasing flavour skips over the palate with flavours of lemongrass, pear and wisps of apple persisting through the mid-length finish and aftertaste. Pour on its own as a pleasant pre-dinner sipper. (Vic Harradine)
90
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)
88
La Crema Chardonnay
Sonoma Coast $29.95 (962886) 13.5% alcohol
This is an elegant chardonnay with subtle oak aromas on the nose combined with notes of apple and minerality. It’s medium-full bodied with zesty acidity delivering green apple and citrus flavours on the palate. The finish is tangy and underlined with clean minerality. This will evolve nicely in the cellar for a few years, and can be enjoyed with shrimp parmesan pasta. (Dave Isaacs)
89
Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand $19.95 (316570) 13.0% alcohol
Lemon-lime citrus, grassy and pit fruit on the nose, this washes across the palate at full sail with tangy, juicy flavours of lemon drop candy, herbaceous notes and lip-smacking key lime pie flavours. Medium bodied with a silky mouth feel and consistently one of the most popular white wines in the Vintages Essentials line-up. (Vic Harradine)
90
Robert Oatley ‘Signature Series’ Chardonnay
Margaret River, Western Australia $19.95 (350900) 12.5% alcohol
Powerful aromas of toasty oak and spice on the nose precede a balanced and beautiful flow of sweet-tinged Golden Delicious apple, ripe pear and Mirabelle plum nicely juxtaposed with a glorious rush of racy lemon acidity on the back palate and persisting through the long finish—clean, crisp and refreshing. This is medium-full bodied with good texture and delivers a price-quality balance tipped well in your favour. Pour with roast bird and all the extras. (Vic Harradine)
90
Tawse ‘Sketches’ Riesling
VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 (89029)10.5% alcohol
Discrete at first, this off-dry riesling opens-up to beautiful aromas of pear, yellow apple and a whisper of flint. It flows easily on the palate with refreshing flavours of apple, pink grapefruit, ginger and mineral flair adding to the thirst-quenching character of this medium-light-bodied versatile white. Pair with Vietnamese caramelized pork or sip on its own. (Louise Boutin)
Red Wines
• The following 11 red wines have discounts of $1.50 to $3.00 for each bottle purchased from July 18th to August 14th, 2022 via online purchases or at retail stores while shopping.
• The following wine will be discounted $3.00 from the price shown below
88
Concha y Toro ‘Winemaker’s Lot 148’ Carmenère
Rapel Valley, Chile $19.95 (30957) 14.0% alcohol
This is good value and it’s rich, ripe and rarin’ to go now. A beautifully balanced river of juicy black Bing cherry and black plum interweave with racy pomegranate and herbal notes on the creamy- smooth palate along with mixed spice and mocha. It’s a bit funky on the nose with some bell pepper and strong herbal notes, but that melts away and you’re left with a creamy-smooth, hedonistic offering. It pours and pairs well with burgers, red pizza or lasagna. (Vic Harradine)
• The following wine will be discounted $2.00 from the price shown below
90
Fabre Montmayou Reserva Malbec
Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza $18.95 (261867) 14.5% alcohol
This popular favourite consistently impresses with its finesse, balance and affordable price tag. Inky colored and staining the glass, it’s also generous on the nose with ripe blackberry, blueberry, raspberry and menthol notes that are repeated on the palate in juicy waves followed by mild vanilla and a tang-infused finish and aftertaste. This is medium-full bodied, nicely structured and enjoyable with a variety of dishes; try eggplant parmigiana. (Louise Boutin)
• The following wine will be discounted $2.00 from the price shown below
86
Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon
Paso Robles, California $23.95 (738823) 13.5% alcohol
Aromas of savory herbs and peppery spice mingle with red and black cherry/berry fruit on the nose of this nicely textured, mid-plus weight cabernet. It rolls over the palate with a hedonistic personality showcasing black raspberry jam, sweet vanilla and toasty/oaky notes along with nicely integrated tannin for structure. Pour with grilled steak, barbequed ribs or burgers. (Vic Harradine)
• The following Malivoire Wine Company ‘Farmstead’ Gamay was sourced from Four Mile Creek, Beamsville Bench and Twenty Mile Bench with the average Brix at 22. 94% of grapes were destemmed and crushed with 6% of grapes being left in whole clusters. For alcoholic and malolactic fermentation 87% went to stainless steel while 13% was completed in concrete tank. The new wine was then divided by 2/3rds aged in stainless steel and the remainder sent to pre-loved older oak barrels. It was blended and bottled six months later. This wine is also a Vintages Essentials wine always available in select LCBO retail stores.
• The following wine will be discounted $2.00 from the price shown below
94
Malivoire Wine Company ‘Farmstead’ Gamay
VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 (591313) 12.5% alcohol
Pipe tobacco and peppery piquant spice aromas show first on the nose soon joined by aromas of blueberry, black currant and dark plum, adorned by grilled savoury herbs. The palate’s treated to a medium-plus bodied, textured stream of creamy-smooth ambrosia showcasing deft balance, ripe fruit flavours of red currant, pie cherry and passionfruit juxtaposed with cherry clafoutie and ripe mulberry underpinned by soft, fine-grained tannin and plenty of tang and pizzazz. This is ready to drink now and on to 2024. Pour with grilled lamb loin chops or rye bread sandwiches of Montreal smoked meat. (Vic Harradine)
• The following wine will be discounted $2.50 from the price shown below
89
Penfolds ‘Koonunga Hill’ Shiraz – Cabernet
South Australia $19.95 (285544) 13.5% alcohol
This is rich and perfumed on the nose releasing dark dusty aromas of cherry, mint and mixed dark berry fruit. On the palate there’s a delicious wave of flavour with mouth-coating succulent Bing cherry mingling with ripe mulberry and lip-smacking tart cranberry. It finishes balanced, lingering and delicious. Leaving little to be desired, it’s full value, and then some. (Vic Harradine)
• The following wine will be discounted $2.00 from the price shown below
91
Veramonte ‘Primus – The Blend’
D.O. Apalta, Colchagua, Chile $19.95 (712463) 13.5% alcohol
Aromas of charred wood and exotic incense decorated with wild berry fruit abound on the nose of this red blend. It surges over the palate with a gusher of flavour with dark berry fruit, black juicy cherry and mouth-watering tang and acidity persisting to and through the finish and aftertaste underpinned by ripe tannin and decorated with grilled savoury herbs. It’s good to go now and pairs well with hearty beef stew or rack of lamb. (Vic Harradine)
• The following wine will be discounted $3.00 from the price shown below
88
Rodney Strong ‘Sonoma County’ Cabernet Sauvignon
Sonoma County $27.95 (226944) 13.5% alcohol
Savoury herbs and red berry fruit aromas precede medium-plus bodied, well-textured mouthfuls of black and red cherry/berry flavours adorned with grilled savoury herbs and charred toast. It’s fruit-filled and pours well with grilled rack of lamb or grilled striploin after a one- or two-hour aeration/decant. As California cab goes, this is certainly attractively priced. (Vic Harradine)
The following wine will be discounted $2.00 from the price shown below
91
San Pedro ‘1865 - Selected Vineyards’ Cabernet Sauvignon
Maipo Valley, Chile $19.95 (37911) 14.5% alcohol
This is quite good value. High-toned aromas of berry fruit, baking spice and black pepper set the table for a smorgasbord of flavour—with red and black fruit—red cherry with juicy black plum and dark bramble berry intertwined with excellent tang and sweet-tinged kirsch liqueur. This is medium-full bodied with good mouthfeel, lengthy finish, balanced and beautiful throughout. Aerate/decant for a couple of hours pouring with roast beef, root veggies around the roast, mushroom gravy and Yorkshire pudding. (Vic Harradine)
• The following wine will be discounted $2.00 from the price shown below
93
Bodegas Trapiche ‘Medalla’ Malbec
Mendoza, Argentina $19.95 (547869) 14.5% alcohol
This captures the palate with a tsunami wave of flavour, texture, tang, tannin and mouthfeel. It’s not for the faint of palate. Flavours of ripe dark fruit—cherry, blueberry, and black currant and plum—blanket the palate and persist through the dry finish and aftertaste. There’s good balance between fruit flavour, tang infused acidity and drying tannin. It sports a creamy-smooth mouthfeel with excellent acidity and pizzazz. It’s also vegan-friendly; pour with vegan lentil stew. (Vic Harradine)
• The following wine will be discounted $1.50 from the price shown below
90
Domaine Bousquet ‘Virgen – Natural - Ecocert accredited Organic’ Malbec
Tupungato, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina $17.95 (21987) 14.5% alcohol
Beguiling aromas of pipe tobacco, sprigs of savoury herbs and blueberry crumble adorned with peppery spice and sprigs of fresh herbs give way to a full-Monty, teeth-staining river of drying tannin, tang and pizzazz that’s laced with fruit flavours of sweet ripe black plum, juicy ripe Bing cherry, mocha and just-picked blueberry. Aerate/decant for three hours before service and pour alongside a salt-seasoned flank steak. (Vic Harradine)
• The following wine will be discounted $3.00 from the price shown below
91
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. There is very good value here. (Dave Isaacs)
• The following wine will be discounted $3.00 from the price shown below
93
Zenato Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
DOCG Amarone della Valpolicella, Italy $52.95 (413179) 16.5% alcohol
Wood smoke, cedar and bramble berry fruit aromas provide segue for a rich, luscious, hi-octane, though deftly balanced and simply delicious stream of ripe fruit and soft tang with dried dark fruit, black berry and dark plum front and centre along with support from spice, earthy notes and notions of ripe red cherry. This is medium-plus weight with good texture, structure and a lingering full-of-flavour finish and aftertaste. (Vic Harradine)
Upstream in winecurrent
Vintages Release: TBD, 2022
• The following 2019 Orsumella ‘Rubereto - Rosso Toscano’ Sangiovese/Cabernet Sauvignon is a 50/50 split between the hand-harvested sangiovese and the hand-harvested cabernet sauvignon that were sourced from various vineyards with an average altitude of +300 meters above sea level. Skin maceration lasts 20 days and during that period of time the alcoholic fermentation is also completed at a controlled temperature of 25 °C. Daily pump-overs and delestage are finalized for greater fruit and aroma extraction. The finished wine is introduced to new 10 hL French oak barrels for malolactic fermentation before being allowed to mature in 25 hL barrels for 18 months then is bottled and further aged in the bottle then placed for sale on the wholesale and retail markets.
91
Orsumella ‘Rubereto - Rosso Toscano’ Sangiovese/Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
IGT Toscano Rosso, Italy $19.95 13.5% alcohol
Dark purple/black, almost opaque, this red blend dishes up aromas of mixed spice and chalky mineral notes before releasing a flavourful mouthful of blue and black fruit—dark cherry, blueberry and bramble berry jam—intertwined with piquant spice, vanilla and mixed herbs, This is medium-plus weight with good texture and lingering, ripe, fruit-flavoured aftertaste. It’s approachable now and particularly crowd-friendly. Pour alongside lasagna or osso buco, (Vic Harradine)
92
Cantine Fratelli Bellini ‘90% sangiovese/10% merlot’ 2020
DOCG Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy $19.95 13.5% alcohol
Highly aromatic on the nose, look for dark cherry fruit, mixed spice and plenty of racy pie cherry and passionfruit that continue on the palate, finish and aftertaste. There are notions of blueberry and strawberry when you get to the finish and aftertaste. This is well-priced and well-paced for a Chianti Classico. Pour with pasta and meatballs or meat-laden red pizza. (Vic Harradine)
88
Cantine Fratelli Bellini ‘Dominante’ 2018
IGT Toscana, Italy $17.95 12.5% alcohol
This red blend is primarily (70%) sangiovese and 10% of each of the following grapes—merlot, cabernet sauvignon and syrah. Aromas of tar, black licorice and dark cherry fruit abound in the nose with even a gentle swirl. Fruit flavours envelop the palate with black raspberry, red pie cherry and plenty of racy pizzazz. Pour alongside a chorizo and prawn paella. (Vic Harradine)
• The following Poggio Al Vento red blend was sourced from hand-harvested 70% sangiovese/20% merlot/10% canaiolo grapes that spent 6 months maturing in small French barrels after fermentation before blending and bottling.
91
Azienda Agricola Poggio Al Vento 2019
IGT Toscano Rosso, Italy $17.95 13.5% alcohol
Aromas of mixed spice, sprigs of herbs, black currant and juicy black plum abound on the nose of this medium weight, nicely balanced Toscano Rosso at a desirable price-quality balance tipped well in your favour. It has persistent purity of fruit captured on the palate and persisting to and through the flavourful finish and delightful aftertaste. Well-paced and well-priced, give this a go with lasagna or pasta carbonara with ham. (Vic Harradine)
• The following Le Lodole matured for 12 months in American oak barriques then eight months in barrel followed by ageing for 12 months in bottle before release.
91
Cantine Fratelli Bellini ‘Le Lodole - Toscano Rosso’ 2018
IGT Toscano Rosso, Italy $17.95 12.5% alcohol
The red blend in this wine is an interesting 80% sangiovese/ 10% merlot/ 10% cabernet that expresses itself admirably in the alluring aromas—exotic incense, dark cherry/berry fruit and fruit flavours on the palate—black cherry, ripe mulberry and bramble berry pie. This is medium-plus bodied with good texture and creamy-smooth mouthfeel from cork pop to last drop. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour; pick up an armful and serve with pasta puttanesca or osso buco. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2019 Antonio Roncolato ‘Ripasso’ was sourced from a red blend of hand-harvested 60% corvina/20% corvinone/20% rondinella grapes in late September, 2019. It macerated and fermented in their skins for 10-15 days then matured in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature. Ripasso translates loosely to passed over as the wine is re-fermented or passed over the skins of Amarone and drinks well now to 2028 when cellared carefully—a.k.a. ‘consistent dark, and cool temperature’.
90
Antonio Roncolato ‘Ripasso’ 2019
DOC Valpolicella Ripasso, Italy $19.95 14.5% alcohol
Lightly hued ruby in the glass, it offers up aromas of juicy black plum and black cherry preceding a full-fruit flavoured palate wash of structured and medium-plus bodied pure ambrosia with crème de cassis and ripe mulberry to the fore along with exotic spice and grilled savoury herbs. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour, pick up a few, when released. Pour with your favourite hearty stew or try Cassoulet or osso buco (Vic Harradine)
• The following Antonio Roncolato ‘Valpolicella Superiore’ 2020 was sourced from a red blend of 50% corvina/30% corvinone/20% rondinella in October, 2020. It macerated and fermented on its skins for 10-15 days then matured in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature. The wine refines in the bottle for 3-4 months and drinks well now to 2028 when cellared ‘carefully’—a.k.a. ‘consistent dark, and cool temperature’.
89
Antonio Roncolato ‘Valpolicella Superiore’ 2020
DOC Valpolicella Superiore, Italy $18.95 13.5% alcohol
Alluring aromas of floral and mineral notes join hands with mixed spice and red cherry/berry fruit. A surge of racy tang and pizzazz asserts on the palate expressing itself as pie cherry and passionfruit underpinned by a bed of soft, ripe tannin. There’s persistent purity of fruit to and through the mouth-watering finish and lip-smacking aftertaste. Give this a go with pasta puttanesca. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2018 Bodegas Valdelacierva ‘Alfar – Reserva’ was sourced from 100% tempranillo from a vineyard that had many aged tempranillo vines of 50 years and older.
91
Bodegas Valdelacierva ‘Alfar – Reserva’ 2018
DOCa Rioja, Spain $19.95 14.0% alcohol
Aromas of rose petals, cedar and mixed spices abound on the nose of this smooth and mellow Rioja reserva. It blankets the palate with creamy smooth texture and mouthfeel along with flavours of black plum compote, juicy black cherry, racy passionfruit and bramble berry jam along with persistent purity of fruit to and through the finish and aftertaste. Pour with prawn and chorizo paella or an array of tapas. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2021 Cantina del Giusti ‘Fontedoccia’ was sourced from 90% sangiovese and the other 10% is made up of the following four red grapes—ciliegiolo, colorino, canaiolo nero, mammolo.
90
Cantina del Giusto ‘Fontedoccia’ 2021
IGT Toscana, Italy $17.95 14.0% alcohol
This offers up aromas of red cherry/berry fruit entwined with savoury herbs and exotic spices. Flavours of pie cherry, black currant and tannin-tinged Ribena envelop the palate and infuse the tang-laden finish and racy aftertaste. It’s medium-bodied with deft balance and plenty of pizzazz from cork pop to last drop. Aerate/decant for two hours before serving with well-seasoned, medium-rare-grilled skirt steak. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2021 Azienda Agricola Valerio Zenato ‘Le Morette - Mandolara’ was sourced from 90% to 100% hand-harvested turbiana grapes. Wine regulations of the region make 90% the least amount of turbiana grapes in a DOC Lugana wine.
92
Azienda Agricola Valerio Zenato ‘Le Morette - Mandolara’ 2021
DOC Lugana, Italy $19.95 12.5% alcohol
This is lightly yellow hued in the glass with notions of green on the edge. Lifted aromas of Granny Smith apple and ripe Mirabelle plums waft easily from the glass with a gentle swirl or two. It races over the palate with tang-infused flavours of Meyer lemon, Key lime and peel marmalade with a lip-smacking finish of saline and mineral notes and a persistent purity of ripe tropical fruit through the crisp and refreshing aftertaste. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour; serve with your favourite pan-seared fish or grilled seafood or roast chicken. (Vic Harradine)
Cheers and best wishes from winecurrent.com for staying safe and in gaining and keeping good health for you and your loved ones.
Louise Boutin, Lisa Isabelle, Dave Isaacs, Vic Harradine