July 4, 2023 Newsletter
New in Vintages
June 24, 2023 Vintages Release
• The following wine was sourced from Sauvignon Blanc grapes from IGP, PAYS D‘OC, France.
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Gerard Bertrand ‘Cotes des Roses‘ Sauvignon Blanc 2022
IGP, PAYS D‘OC, France $19.95 (23906) 12.5% alcohol
Aromas of floral notes and notions of flinty minerality decorate the slightest of swirls. This is very nicely balanced, crisp and refreshing with lemon curd, pineapple and plenty of tang and pizzazz. The palate-flavours include rosewater, lemon zest and Key lime pie. Pour with breaded and grilled calamari or a sushi platter. (Vic Harradine)
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Gerard Bertrand ‘Cotes des Roses‘ Pinot Noir 2021
IGP, PAYS D‘OC, France $19.95 (20751) 13.0% alcohol
Beguiling aromas of spice, savory herbs and dark cherry fruit meld nicely with palate flavours of
ripe, juicy, black Bing cherry and oodles of tang and pizzazz that persist through the finish and aftertaste of this delectable Pinot Noir. It is balanced with crisp acidity, ripe, smooth tannin, palate fruit flavours and a lingering finish and aftertaste. What‘s not to like Pour alongside your favourite steak or your backyard barbeque burgers. (Vic Harradine)
• The following wine was sourced from the Languedoc appellation of Southern France with some of the top-notch fruit for this region—Grenache - Syrah – Cinsault.
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Gerard Bertrand ‘Cotes des Roses‘ - Grenache – Syrah – Cinsault – Rosé 2022
AOP, Languedoc, France $38.95 (490912) 13.0% alcohol
Fresh and lively aromas surprisingly leap from the glass given the pale pink hue of the Rosé. Aromas abound from the gentlest of swirls—passionfruit, red currant and notions of minerality and local garrigue a.k.a. wild herbs and wild spice. There is deft balance and plenty of silky tannin and tang-laden fruit on the palate and through the lengthy finish and mouth-watering aftertaste. Sip on its own or alongside smoked salmon or fresh salmon pan-seared in butter with a side of steamed broccoli with a small piece of melted butter. (Vic Harradine)
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Sacred Hill Rosé 2022
Hawke‘s Bay, New Zealand, $19.95 (31827) 13.0% alcohol
Aromas of rosewater, baking spice and red cherry- berry fruit abound on the nose of this enticing New Zealand Rosé. There are dazzling palate flavours of spice and black plum that persist to and through the finish and aftertaste, bringing you back for yet another sip or two. It is smooth with silky tannin and a streak of tang and acidity that infuse the flavours and provide a refreshing accompaniment to the flavours and aromas. Give this a go with your favourite deli board or mixed charcouterie platter. (Vic Harradine)
• The following wine was sourced from the premium and noblest of grapes associated with both premium wines and Port in the Douro region of Portugal—Touriga Nacional. Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinto Cão, Tinta Amerela. This wine punches well above the price, pick up an armful or two.
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Real Companhia Velha ‘Quinta Dos Aciprestes‘ 2017
DOC Douro, Portugal $17.95 (703561) 14.5% alcohol
Exotic aromas of grilled savory herbs, cassis and dark ripe and juicy cherry. Persistent and purity of palate flavours—black plum, dark Bing cherry and black bramble berry—are present and dominating in the lip-smacking finish and tangy aftertaste that provide deft balance, good mouthfeel and plenty of persistent fruit palate flavours throughout the excellent tasting experience. Pour with rack of lamb, osso buco, or your favourite stew. (Vic Harradine)
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SOHO ‘White Label‘ - ‘Harry Rosé‘ 2022
Marlborough, New Zealand, $22.95 (19545) 12.5% alcohol
Aromas of mango, pineapple, floral notes and minerality can be coaxed from the glass with only a few gentle swirls. The palate is treated to a number of flavours including sugared and grilled pink grapefruit, plenty of tang and pizzazz and a lingering, lip-smacking finish and aftertaste. Pour alongside freshly shucked oysters dotted with hot sauce, freshly squeezed lemon juice and a small dash of horseradish. (Vic Harradine)
• The following wine is accredited by Sustainable Winemaking Ontario. The clone is the iconic Mosel Weiss 21B clone that was on vines that were first shovel planted in 1984 making the vines 37 years of age when the fruit for this wine was harvested from them in 2021.
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Henry of Pelham Family Estate ‘The Dry River‘ – ‘Estate Grown‘ Riesling 2021
VQA Short Hills Bench, $19.95 (557165) 10.2% alcohol.
Sharp aromas of petrol and flinty minerality make way for palate flavours of lemon curd, peel marmalade and blood orange decorated with tang-laden streaks of delicious riesling that dazzles the senses. Pick up a case of 6 or 12 from the Henry of Pelham link above and have delivered to your home, office or licensed establishment. Pour with spicy Asian cuisine. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour. Go for the gusto! (Vic Harradine)
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Wakefield Wine ‘Jaraman’ Chardonnay 2021
GI’s Adelaide Hills and Clare Valley, South Australia $24.95 (18921) 13.5% alcohol
Oak and smoky on the nose after a vigorous swirl, it also has Key lime, Meyer lemon and hints of
white nectarine on the palate along with ripe mango and honeydew melon along with a strong tang and plenty of pizzazz throughout. Pour with beer-can roast chicken hot off the barbecue or with gourmet sausage or backyard burgers and all the fixings. Enjoy! (Vic Harradine)
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Wakefield Wine ‘Jaraman’ Shiraz 2021
GI’s Clare Valley and McLaren Vale, South Australia $24.95 (377036) 14.5% alcohol
A perennial favourite, this 2021 offering has a smooth and mellow personality. Look for aromas of eucalyptus, mulberry, grilled savoury herbs and plenty of tang and a streak of pizzazz from first twist top to last drop. Pour with pizza, osso buco or prawn and chorizo paella. The lengthy finish and aftertaste is pure delight. (Vic Harradine)
• The following Rocca delle Macìe is slated for the June 24th, 2023 Vintages Release and is found on p.56 of the June 24th Vintages catalogue. It is also accredited for Sustainability in Italy by VIVA. This particular wine was sourced from four estates of the Zingarelli Family in alpha order you will find--cabernet sauvignon, colorino and sangiovese.
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Societe Agricola S.R.L Rocca delle Macìe ‘Famiglia Zingarelli – Riserva’ 2019
DOCG Chianti Classico, Riserva, Tuscany, Italy $25.95 (930966) 14.0% alcohol
Aromas of pipe tobacco, earthy notes and persistent purity of palate flavours from delicious fruit such as black plum compote, black, juicy Bing cherry and ripe mulberry that persist to and through the mouth-watering finish and the lengthy, lingering aftertaste that showcases the ripe soft tannin underpinning. This offers a well-balanced and delectable tasting experience. Pour alongside lamb tagine or rack of lamb or your favourite cut of beef steak. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour. Pick up a few bottles at this price. (Vic Harradine)
Upstream in Winecurrent.com
July 22 Vintage Release
• The following Gérard Bertrand – An 990 – Heritage 2020 was sourced from grenache and carignan grapes within the AOP Fitou appellation in the south of France.
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Gérard Bertrand – An 990 – Heritage 2020
AOP Fitou, France $17.95 (403683) 14.5% alcohol
The gentlest of swirls reveal savoury herbs red and black cherries and a delightful swath of lip-smacking tang and plenty of pizzazz to and throughout the finish and aftertaste. Aromas of exotic spice and cherry – berry fruit abound on the nose of this flavourful gem. (Vic Harradine)
• The following Le Macchiole was sourced from merlot - cabernet franc – cabernet sauvignon and syrah. Fermentation and maceration took place in 15 or so days in stainless steel tank then 70% matured for 10 months in pre-loved – 2nd, 3rd and 4th used oak barriques, while the remaining 30% matured in concrete vessels.
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Le Macchiole 2020
DOC Bolgheri Rosso, Tuscany, Italy $39.95 (483412) 14.0% alcohol
Aromas of mocha, berry fruit—blackberry, blueberry and mulberry, along with © Ribena abound on the nose of this deftly balanced gem. There is a soft underpinning of ripe, silky tannin on the palate along with purity of fruit flavours, to and through the lip-smacking finish and lingering, mouth-watering aftertaste. Pour with barbecued back-ribs mopped with spicy sauce on the backyard or balcony barbecue. (Vic Harradine)
• The following SkyFall Wine – Red Wine Blend – 2020 was sourced from the west coast of the U. S. A. in Washington State. (not from Washington, District of Columbia, on the East coast)
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SkyFall Wines - Red Wine Blend - 2020
AVA Washington State $18.95 (305251) 13.5% alcohol
Alluring aromas of baking spice, mocha and dark, juicy Bing cherry pave the way for a delightful mouthful of palate flavours that include passionfruit, bramble berry and plenty of tang and loads of pizzazz on the palate as well as the finish and the after-taste. Pour alongside osso buco, coq au vin or pasta in tomato sauce. (Vic Harradine)
• The following Plume Cabernet Sauvignon - was sourced from Estate fruit in Alexander Valley and Sonoma County, California.
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Plume – Cabernet Sauvignon - 2020
AVA Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California $39.95 (287367) 14.2% alcohol
Aromatic after the gentlest of swirls, it’s a delightful way to introduce yourself to this delectable California Cabernet Sauvignon. The palate flavours ride smoothly and elegantly from first to last drop with ripe juicy bramble berry, ripe black Bing cherry with oodles of tang and a delicious lip-smacking finish and mouth-watering aftertaste. Pour with your favourite barbecue dinner. It should not disappoint. (Vic Harradine)
• The following ‘Smith and Smith’ is named in remembrance of the first vignerons to toil on the soil of these now excellent Estate vineyards. The price on the following wine is very much in your favour given the 94 points that it earned and the exceptional-value check mark that it also earned.
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Henry of Pelham – ‘Smith and Smith’ – Estate Gamay 2020
VQA Short Hills Bench $21.95 (19903) 13.0% alcohol
A lightly-hued ruby in the glass, it can be coaxed to produce an array of aromas that are quite interesting and enjoyable—baking spice, leesy notes and a plethora of fruit flavours with red cherry, bramble berry and mulberry along with mocha. The palate’s also treated to a nicely balanced stream of tangy passionfruit, ripe blueberry and a medium-plus weight and mouthfeel. Pour with coq au vin, oven-baked crispy skin chicken thigh or duck confit. (Vic Harradine)
New in Ontario Wineries
• The following 3 wines are available online-only at the Henry of Pelham winery. Here is a link to the winery website where you can learn more about the following 3 wines and peruse many fine wines and you can use this link to place an order with the winery- https://henryofpelham.com/our-wines/.
• In the following Mosel clone of incredible character and well known by most vignerons in Ontario and known as the Weis 21b clone purchased directly from Herman Weis as well as being the best site for Riesling on their Estate vineyards that were shovel planted in 1984 making the vines from this wine some 38 years old in the manual harvest of 2022.
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Henry of Pelham - Speck Family Reserve – Riesling 2022
VQA Short Hills Bench $29.95 (643361) 10.0% alcohol
Fermented in stainless steel in cool temperatures of 15 – 17 ° C to preserve freshness with a portion in 3000L foudres of pre-loved, neutral oak. It is an honour to be selected for all wines chosen for the ‘Speck Family Reserve Tier’. Pour this with spicy Asian cuisine, such as General Tso’s chicken or Tikka Masala. (Vic Harradine)
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Henry of Pelham – ‘Speck Family Reserve’ - Baco Noir 2022
VQA Ontario $27.95 (461699) 13.0% alcohol
Dark and brooding when poured and easily swirled for gamey aromas and plenty of tang and pizzazz. This sports excellent balance between fruit flavours, ripe soft tannin for an underpinning, and a streak of tang throughout. Give this a go with pasta puttanesca, osso buco or meat lasagna. (Vic Harradine)
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Henry of Pelham – ‘Speck Family Reserve’ - Pinot Noir 2020
VQA Short Hills Bench $47.95 (657874) 13.5% alcohol
Lightly ruby-hued in the glass and smooth and mellow on the palate, this is a gorgeous gem. Aromas of exotic incense, sandalwood and notions of rosewood. The palate’s treated to a gusher of fruit flavours—black plum compote, juicy and black Bing cherry and persistent purity of fruit from the initial palate flavours to and through the finish and aftertaste. This sports a 95 score and an exceptional-value checkmark. If you fish in these tony waters, this is worth reeling in and putting in the cellar now to 2028. The pure and persistent palate flavour hangs on to the wonderful finish and aftertaste. Pour with breaded calamari rings or egg rolls. Enjoy! (Vic Harradine)
• You can order the following wines for delivery to your home by using the online Featherstone Estate Winery web page. Wines with a CSPC number are also available at the LCBO.
• The following Featherstone Estate Winery - Black Sheep – Riesling 2022 was sourced from hand-picked 100% riesling in the Niagara Peninsula. The fruit was then gently whole-cluster pressed and transferred to temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks
at 13 ° C. This was kept on its lees until January 23rd, 2023
• It’s also a Vintages Essentials wine found stocked at most LCBO retail stores. Pick up a few at this price-quality balance as it tips well in your favour. It scored 94/100 and is only $19.95 a bottle.
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Featherstone Estate Winery ‘Black Sheep – Riesling 2022
VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 (80234) 9.5% alcohol
Aromas of lemon pastille and ripe pear meld with Granny Smith apple and exotic sandalwood and plenty of tang and pizzazz. This is well balanced with good purity of fruit making its way to and through the lip-smacking finish and mouth-watering aftertaste. It’s an enjoyable tasting and pours well with prawn ceviche or steamed mussels in cream and garlic. (Vic Harradine)
• The following vintage-dated and Méthode Traditionale Sparkling Wine was fashioned using the technique practised in Champagne, France with the 2nd fermentation occurring in the bottle (that is, the bottle you purchase and take home) beginning on February 1, 2018 then disgorged during June, 2022. This wine can only be purchased from the Featherstone winery-website at this time.
• The following wine was also sourced from 100% chardonnay in estate vineyards in the Twenty Mile Bench. It’s also a sophisticated ‘blanc de blanc’ that is 100% estate chardonnay that is sealed by a crown cap and is $25.00 a bottle less than a somewhat similar Champagne. This is a perennial favourite sparkling wine that doesn’t stay around a long time in the winery or in LCBO Vintages. If you shop early you should not be disappointed. The 100% chardonnay was picked September
25th, 2017. It was fermented at a controlled temperature of 16 ° C. When carefully cellared, you should be able to drink over the next 6 to 8 years.
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Featherstone Estate Winery ‘JOY’ ‘Premium Cuvée - Méthode Traditionelle’ Sparkling Wine 2017
VQA Niagara Peninsula $34.95 12.0% alcohol
A bubbly mousse stays on top of the glass when pouring from the bottle. It also winds its way from the bottom of the glass with a myriad of seemingly endless streams of bubbles. Along with the bubbles you are treated with a wine that greets guests when they arrive and also a wine that pairs up nicely to a platter of passed-around hors d’oeuvres. It also is a great wine to toast with. There are mineral notes, Granny Smith apple and notions of yellow Mirabelle plum along with Meyer lemon and Key lime pie, This is balanced with excellent tang and plenty of pizzazz from the palate flavour, the lip-smacking finish and the mouth-watering aftertaste. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2022 Rosé wine was sourced from 49.0% cabernet sauvignon / 18.7% cabernet franc / 18.6% gamay noir / 13.7% pinot noir. It’s easily available online from the winery-retail store and also from LCBO Vintages. You can cellar carefully for the next one or two years or invite your friends over and start with this wine as the welcoming wine after a two-hour stint in the refrigerator and remove the wine from the refrigerator twenty minutes before your guests arrive and keep it in a cool-ish place until they arrive.
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Featherstone Estate Winery Rosé 2022
VQA Niagara Peninsula $16.95 (117861) 12.5% alcohol
Alluring aromas of cotton candy and honeydew melon quickly make way to palate flavours of
passionfruit and dark red cherry throughout the tasting from cork pop to last drop. This is medium-bodied and full of pizzazz along with a delightful finish and aftertaste. Pour as a summer sipper or with a few tidbits. (Vic Harradine)
• The following wine was sourced from 95.0% cabernet franc and 5.0% merlot. It is also accredited vegan-friendly and is easily available online from the Featherstone winery retail store and from LCBO Vintages. Only the ripest of grapes made their way to a 5-day cold soak followed by an alcoholic fermentation then a 100% malolactic fermentation and aged in 100% American oak barrels for 10 months with stirring on lees monthly. 25% of the wine were in new barrels.
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Featherstone Estate Winery Cabernet Franc 2021
VQA Niagara Peninsula $21.95 (64618) 12.5% alcohol
Cabernet Franc is becoming more and more popular in Ontario and this gem of 2067 cases is a great example of what is in store for you. Exotic aromas of grilled savoury herbs and a touch spice is apparent on the nose of this well-priced cabernet franc. It is smooth and mellow on the palate with flavours of cherry/berry fruit from twist top to last drop. There is a good underpinning of ripe tannin and plenty of tang and pizzazz. Pour with prawn and chorizo sausage paella or your favourite pasta and red tomato sauce. (Vic Harradine)
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Featherstone Gamay Noir 2021
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $18.95 12.0% alcohol
This wine is an excellent value crowd pleaser, sporting a nose bursting with aromas of cherry, raspberry, and mint, plus a hint of smokiness. It’s medium bodied with an appealing tartiness, and perceptible but low tannins. Flavours of sour cherry and vanilla carry through to the finish. Drinking beautifully right now, this wine will make a great addition to any backyard BBQ. (Dave Isaacs)
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Featherstone Sauvignon Blanc 2022
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $17.95 (89011) 12.5% alcohol
This is an exceptional example of a sauvignon blanc wine, with aromas of cut grass and asparagus on the nose, accompanied by hints of honeysuckle and lemon peel. Crisp acidity carries flavours of lemon and honeydew melon, which meld together for a citrusy finish. Enjoy this wine paired with braised lemon cod. (Dave Isaacs)
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Featherstone Phoenix 2022
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $18.95 (519025) 13.0% alcohol
This 100% gewurztraminer wine offers a very aromatic nose of lychee fruit, pear, grapefruit, and apple. It’s medium-to-full bodied with an ever-so-slight touch of sweetness that is nicely balanced with crisp acidity. Flavours of canned pear and grapefruit abound, with a lingering finish of citrus peel. A few years in the cellar will likely bring some pleasant developments in its flavour profile, although the wine can be enjoyed today paired with spicy Thai food. (Dave Isaacs)
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Featherstone Canadian Oak Chardonnay 2021
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $24.95 (149302) 12.5% alcohol
This chardonnay was fermented for 10 months in Canadian oak barrels using wild, indigenous yeast. The result is a gorgeous wine with a nose greets you with notes of butter, apple, and perceptible but not overpowering oak. There is a full body with a creamy mouthfeel and crisp acidity, and flavours of apple, butter, and vanilla. The finish is pleasantly fruity. This will keep nicely in the cellar for the remainder of the decade, but why wait? Enjoy it today paired with roast chicken. (Dave Isaacs)
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Featherstone Pinot Grigio 2022
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $17.95 (20599) 12.5% alcohol
After harvesting, half of the grapes for this wine were pressed immediately, while the remainder were left to soak on their skins. This gives the wine a characteristic light rose gold and peach colour. The nose is a delightful floral and fruit mix, dominated by notes of clover, pear, and honeydew melon. The body is medium-to-full, with lots of mouthwatering citrus acidity. This will be a definite hit if you bring along to your next summer picnic. (Dave Isaacs)
Cheers!
Dave, Lisa, Louise, and Vic.