January 7, 2012 Vintages Release
Highlights in this winecurrent newsletter include:- Susan’s Stars — 4½ stars @ $15.95 Koyle ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 — Chile: Red Wine; 4½ stars @ $14.95 Montes ‘Limited Selection’ Pinot Noir 2009 — Chile: Red Wine; 4½ stars @ $14.95 Sabor Real 2008 — Spain: Red Wine
- Vic’s Picks — a 2003 Vintage Port 4½ stars @ $19.95 — Fortified: Port and Hinterbrook Riesling $17.95 earning 4½ stars — Ontario: White Wine
- Value-packed — 4 stars @ $7.95 - New in Private Order; 4½ stars @ $14.95 Calamus Cosmic White — Ontario: White Wine; 4½ stars @ $15 Vicchiomaggio Ripa delle Mandorle 2009 — Italy: Red Wine;
- 5 stars — a dazzling Aussie red @ $24.95 Chapel Hill ‘Bush Vine’ Grenache 2008 — Australia: Red Wine
- New in Consignment Wine and Private Order — five wines you can purchase by the case for delivery to your home or office following the Main Release — it’s an interesting method to secure wines not found on retail shelves!
Feature: Euro Conversion—try at least one!
Jean Perrier & Fils ‘Cuvée Reserve’ Roussette de Savoie 2009
AOC Roussette de Savoie $14.95 (254375) 12.0% alcohol
Produced from the signature grape (also known as Altesse) of this Alpine appellation, the wine displays a very consistent profile from the first whiff to the attractive mid-length finish. The aromas and flavours bring to mind white flowers, citrus, orchard fruit and mineral. The texture is fresh yet soft, creating a wine to be enjoyed with Tôme de Savoie or with light white meat dishes. (Susan Desjardins)
Domaine de Mignaberry 2008
AOC Irouléguy $18.95 (251611) 13.0% alcohol
Primarily Tannat blended with the Cabernets, this deep violet wine from southwestern France is dry, medium-full bodied, and loaded with flavours framed by a firm structure. There’s intriguing complexity on the nose—earthy, herbal notes, a whiff of spicy flowers, an elusive gamey nuance and the richness of ripe dark berries. The tannins make their presence felt, the lush berry fruit is balanced with fresh acidity, the herbal notes suffusing the palate and lingering on the extended dry finish. Choose a hearty stew to match this hearty wine or cellar mid-term. (Susan Desjardins)
Giordano ‘Eventus’ Nero d’Avola 2008
DOC Sicily $16.95 (2316652) 14.0% alcohol
From Sicily’s most important indigenous grape comes a dry, full-bodied wine that’s well structured, ripe and fresh. Deep ruby, it offers appealing dark fruit aromas overlaid with notes of earth, leather, vanilla and chocolate. Gorgeous flavours of blackberry and plum wash across the palate, the vanilla and chocolate lingering through a warm fruity finish. Enjoy this wine with meaty lasagna. (Susan Desjardins)
Cavino ‘Nemea Reserve’ 2006
Nemea, Peloponnese, Southern Greece $14.95 (245787) 13.5% alcohol
There’s great value and an opportunity to step outside your comfort zone in this fruit-filled Agiorgitiko (ah yor YEE ti ko)—Greece’s 2nd most-planted red grape. It’s nicely balanced with tangy red cherry and lashings of ripe dark berry fruit offered on a bed of ripe tannin and smooth texture with a lingering finish laced with rich, ripe fruit and bittersweet chocolate. (Vic Harradine)
Cave Cidis Morges 2010
AOC la Côte, Switzerland $18.95 (123414) 13.1% alcohol
Think Switzerland, and you think Chasselas, or Fendant as it’s also known. This is a good example of the dry, fruity character of the grape. Straw in hue, it proffers delicious floral and citrus aromas, hints of stone fruit and a whiff of underlying minerality. Medium bodied, fresh textured and round, the citrus, mineral and apricot replay on the palate. An appealing, approachable wine, serve it with cheese fondue or with a typical raclette plate. (Susan Desjardins)
The Main Release
Fortified Wine: Port
José Maria Da Fonseca & Van Zeller Vintage Port 2003
DOC Douro $19.95 (638924) 20.0% alcohol
If you have even the slightest interest in Port, don’t pass this by—it’s fruit-laden, structured and balanced, good to go now with hard cheese or on to +2020, and an absolute steal; Vintage Port can be triple this price. It drenches the palate and lingering aftertaste with dark berry fruit, mint-infused Bing cherry, fennel and mocha. Sip with Parmigiano, chocolate dessert or on its own after dinner. (Vic Harradine)
Ontario: White Wine
Calamus ‘Cosmic White’ 2009
VQA Niagara Peninsula $14.95 (255893) 12.4% alcohol
This delivers an astounding sweet and tang experience—in a word, yummy. Subtle aromas of apple, mixed spice and floral presage a delightful shower of racy lime sherbet, ripe peach and pear adorned by spice-laden yellow plum. It’s medium weight and nicely textured sporting a lengthy sweet and tang, yin and yang aftertaste setting it up as a gorgeous sipping wine or the perfect partner with spicy Asian dishes. It earned its final ½ star on value. (Vic Harradine)
Hinterbrook Riesling 2010
VQA Niagara Lakeshore $17.95 (270512) 12.4% alcohol
A gorgeous expression of off-dry Riesling showcasing the yin and yang, sweet and tang, that makes this style a natural served with spicy Asian cuisine. But there’s more to it than that, it dishes up a river of ripe tropical fruit mingling with honeyed peach and pear that’s balanced beautifully with a dollop of racy lemon acidity pulling it all togther on the mouth-watering delctable aftertaste—the price-qualty balance tips in your favour, too. (Vic Harradine)
Konzelmann ‘Reserve’ Sauvignon Blanc 2009
VQA Niagara Peninsula $12.95 (257790) 13.5% alcohol
Engaging and nicely balanced, this example of Ontario Sauvignon Blanc combines aromas of citrus, mown grass, asparagus and a whiff of tropical fruit. Smooth yet tangy, the vibrant acidity is matched with citrus, gooseberry and slightly sweet fruit flavours. Nicely balanced, the tasty finish lasts and lasts. Well made, well priced, it gets an extra ½ star for value and would pair with poached salmon with capers. (Susan Desjardins)
Sue-Ann Staff Semi-dry Riesling 2008
VQA Niagara Peninsula $14.95 (258632) 10.0% alcohol
Produced from grapes harvested from 4 separate parcels, this is Sue-Ann Staff’s first wine as proprietor. Pale yellow-green, there’s a whiff of petrol over mineral notes and the aromas of zesty citrus, ripe stone fruit and fresh-picked apple. Light-medium bodied and off-dry, this wine displays a great balance of fresh acidity, underlying minerality and tangy fruit that persists through the lasting finish. Lovely now on its own or with light appetizers, this wine will continue to age gracefully. (Susan Desjardins)
Ontario: Red Wine
Cattail Creek ‘Estate Bottled’ Pinot Noir 2009
VQA Four Mile Creek $18.95 (257303) 12.5% alcohol
From the heartbreak grape, a heartthrob wine—you’ll fall in love with this. It’s highly perfumed with red cherry, Asian spice, toast and beetroot aromas, perfectly balanced and simply delicious. Lively spice-infused flavours bathe the palate with Montmorency cherry, ripe succulent black plum and racy red currant to the fore. It’s mid weight with good mouth feel and a generous aftertaste that’s lip-smacking good. Lovely sipped on its own and poured perfectly with grilled smoked duck breasts. (Vic Harradine)
Pondview ‘Bella Terra’ Cabernet Franc 2009
VQA Four Mile Creek $28.00 (258814) 13.6% alcohol
From hand-picked fruit and low-yielding vines, this wine aged 12 months in French and American oak. This well-crafted young wine displayed complex aromas of spiced rose, plum, black berries, vanilla and smoky toast. Dry, medium bodied and structured, the perceptible tannins and vibrant acidity framed ample vivid fruit—raspberry and cherry to the fore. Underlying notes of sweet exotic spice, espresso and smoke garnished the long dry finish. A good choice for herbed rack of lamb, or cellar medium term. (Susan Desjardins)
Rosewood Estates Merlot 2009
VQA Niagara Escarpment $21.95 (211896) 14.0% alcohol
Rich lifted aromas of spice-infused dark berry fruit, mocha and tobacco stream from the glass. This is chewy and tangy with good nerve and verve expressed via a solid stream of mint-infused red cherry and bittersweet chocolate interwoven with black plum and spice. It’s medium-full weight with good mouth feel and a solid tannin underpinning. Decant/aerate a couple of hours serving with grilled spicy back ribs. (Vic Harradine)
California: White Wine
Laguna Ranch Chardonnay 2008
Russian River Valley, Sonoma County $32.95 (544981) 14.0% alcohol
This delivers a boatload of sweet ripe fruit on the nose and palate with nectarine, yellow plum and spice-infused mango to the fore. It’s medium-full bodied and nicely textured with full-bore fruit— honeyed pineapple and ripe apple—interlaced with a gentle wisp oak on the lingering finish. It’s an easy-going, warm-climate Chardonnay served best well chilled. (Vic Harradine)
California: Red Wine
Beringer ‘Founders’ Estate’ Pinot Noir 2009
California $19.95 (256628) 13.9% alcohol
Semi-opaque ruby, this generous Pinot offers subtle aromas of red fruit, spice, campfire smoke and intriguing autumnal notes. Dry, medium bodied, it’s fresh and fruity with attractive notes of spice and white pepper adding interest. The fine structure balances the flavourful fruit through a warm toasty finish. A very nice value that will match beef tenderloin with a mushroom sauce. (Susan Desjardins)
Ghost Pines ‘Winemaker’s Blend’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Napa County/Sonoma County $19.95 (135376) 14.0% alcohol
This Cabernet-predominant, multi-region red blend—68% Napa, 32% Sonoma—delivers involved aromas of black cherry, licorice, mint and spice box. The palate’s treated to a wash of tangy juicy red and black currant, mint-infused dark cherry and wisps of black plum compote. There’s good acidity and a supple tannin underpinning that runs through the lengthy mouth-watering aftertaste. (Vic Harradine)
Keenan Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley $57.95 (685685) 15.7% alcohol
This is a heady gem that’s balanced and beautiful despite the hi octane. Ripe berry fruit and wood smoke aromas swirl from this medium-full bodied, nicely textured Napa Cab. Rich luscious flavours wash in waves with bramble berry, cassis and red currant mingling with dark chocolate and espresso roast coating the palate and infusing the lip-smacking, lengthy finish; it’s scrumptious. (Vic Harradine)
McManis Family Vineyards Zinfandel 2010
California $18.95 (256735) 14.5% alcohol
Spice and mixed field berry on the nose, this dishes up a river of tangy, racy, red currant and sour cherry interwoven with black berry and savoury notes. Medium bodied and well-textured, there’s good racy acidity throughout with a good underpinning of tannin on the lip-smacking finish. Serve with spice-laden pizza or pasta in spicy meat sauce. (Vic Harradine)
Swanson ‘Oakville’ Merlot 2006
Oakville, Napa Valley $21.95 (262444) 375 mL 14.8% alcohol
Aromatic bitters and gamy aromas form a funky nose that quickly turns into a delectable mouthful of tangy, heady juice with loads of red currant and red cherry mingling with sweet vanilla, fennel and black raspberry. It’s medium bodied with good mouth feel and balance. The dry, mid-length finish layers on moderating acidity and a supple tannin underpinning. Aerate/decant for three hours and pour with grilled strip loin enjoying over dinner for two. (Vic Harradine)
White Oak Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Napa Valley $26.95 (684233) 14.5% alcohol
Charred campfire wood and dark berry fruit on the nose, this delivers a light-medium bodied wash of red currant and cranberry infused with kitchen spice and savoury notes. There’s a good spine of acidity throughout, contributing to the dry lip-smacking aftertaste, and grainy tannin galore. Give it a go after 2014. (Vic Harradine)
Washington State: Red Wine
Charles & Charles Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah 2009
Columbia Valley $14.95 (258178) 13.8% alcohol
You won’t go wrong picking up a few of these—a good red at a terrific price. Heady aromas of smoke, graphite and field berry fruit blast from the glass followed by a smooth and mellow wash of currants, red cherry and sweet, ripe mulberry. There’s good acidity for balance and supple tannin for structure and interest. This berry-fruit finish may be a tad short, but overall this is long on value. (Vic Harradine)
Argentina: Red Wine
Finca Flichman ‘Gestos’ Malbec 2009
Mendoza $14.95 (068999) 14.0% alcohol
This is a perennial winecurrent favourite due to its attractive price-quality ratio. Char, piquant spice and berry fruit on the nose, the palate’s treated to a solid stream of bistro-styled flavour—red cherry/berry that’s nicely balanced, tangy and juicy on the palate and long aftertaste. Ratchets up a notch with food—spicy pizza, pasta in tomato sauce, fajitas, nachos and chili con carne all work well. (Vic Harradine)
Sur de los Andes ‘Réserva’ Malbec 2007
Mendoza $14.95 (208322) 14.4% alcohol
The rich aromas rush from the glass—cherry/berry, spiced rose and cedar to the fore. Aged 8 months in oak, the wine is full, fruity yet fresh, the texture’s like velvet across the palate. Attractive notes of spice and pepper enhancing the taste experience. The mid-length finish is warm and toasty. It gets an extra half star for value and would be a good match for meaty pizza. (Susan Desjardins)
Chile: Red Wine
Koyle ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Alto Colchagua $15.95 (256073) 14.0% alcohol
An outstanding value, this deep ruby Cab, hand harvested and aged in French oak, is refined and stylish. There’s beguiling complexity at first scent—minty, herbal notes, spice, tobacco leaf, cedar and berries. Dry, medium-full bodied, the fresh texture and ripe tannins frame vibrant red fruit—raspberry and cherry—with hints of cedar and spice persisting on an extended dry savoury finish. Pick up a few bottles. Try one with prime rib and cellar the balance mid term. (Susan Desjardins)
Luis Felipe Edwards ‘Gran Reserva’ Carmenère 2009
Colchagua Valley $16.95 (169854) 14.0% alcohol
While ‘Gran Reserva’ is not a regulatory term in Chile, the fruit (10% Syrah) for this was hand picked, sourced from the winery’s premium, irrigated vineyard sites then aged 12 months in French and American oak and bottled unfined. Robust on the palate, there are dark powerful waves of char, dark, juicy Bing cherry and black currant mingling with savoury nuances. It’s medium-full bodied with a generous mouth feel and a dry, lip-smacking, spicy aftertaste—classy wine, good value. (Vic Harradine)
Montes ‘Limited Selection’ Pinot Noir 2009
DO Casablanca Valley $14.95 (37937) 14.0% alcohol
Here’s another great value from a reputed Chilean producer, a dry medium-bodied ruby Pinot that offers enticing aromas of earth, beetroot, red field berry and mineral. Dry, medium bodied, the silky texture is complemented by lively acidity and vivid red berries—strawberries, red currant, cranberries. Just lovely balance, the attractive notes of spice and white pepper carrying through the tantalizing vibrant finish. With an extra half star for value, this is another multiple purchase that would pair well with duck confit on yam chips served with a cranberry-orange garnish. (Susan Desjardins)
Australia: Red Wine
Chapel Hill ‘Bush Vine’ Grenache 2008
McLaren Vale, South Australia $24.95 (262105) 15.0% alcohol
If you fish for wine in $25 water, this is the catch of day—it’s robust and voluptuous brimming with aromas of kitchen spice and dark berry fruit. Rich and scrumptious flavours abound on the palate with sweet ripe mulberry and juicy black cherry interwoven with truffle and spice. Medium-full bodied with generous texture, the lingering finish is fruit-laden with fine-grained tannin and mouth-watering, moderating acidity. Good to go now and a further 5 years. (Vic Harradine)
Jip Jip Rocks Shiraz 2009
Padthaway, South Australia $16.95 (673897) 14.5% alcohol
Rich, ripe and rarin’ to go, aromatic bitters, licorice and berry fruit aromas jump from the glass. It’s balanced and beautiful on the palate with concentrated sweet, ripe mulberry, black plum and cherry clafoutis throughout. Medium-full bodied and nicely textured, the lingering aftertaste layers on moderating acidity balancing the whole affair and making each sip as good or better than the previous. Don’t hesitate, pick up a few. (Vic Harradine)
Small Gully ‘The Formula Robert’s’ Shiraz 2006
South Australia $17.95 (142935) 15.9% alcohol
Opening with a lifted, rich nose of bramble berry, tar and spice with nuances of espresso roast, this full-bodied, fully flavoured beauty coats the palate with black raspberry, sweet mulberry and ripe juicy Bing cherry. It’s mid weight and generously textured sporting a fruity and balanced, lengthy aftertaste replaying the fruit adorned with hints of mocha and spice. A former ‘Wine of the Month’ selection offering good value then and a dollar less now. (Vic Harradine)
Wolf Blass ‘Gold Label’ Shiraz/Viognier 2009
Adelaide Hills, South Australia $27.95 (606301) 14.5% alcohol
Beginning with an uncharacteristic—for Wolf Blass reds—quiet nose, it floods the palate with a rich and luscious gusher of red cherry, cranberry and kirsch liqueur. There’s a good underpinning of supple tannin and enough acidity for good balance. It’s mid weight with nice mouth feel and a long tangy aftertaste laced with red cherry and mixed spice. (Vic Harradine)
New Zealand: Red Wine
Hunter’s Pinot Noir 2009
Marlborough, South Island $21.95 (586115) 14.0% alcohol
If you haven’t cottoned on to Kiwi reds that can really strut their stuff—give this a test drive. Earthy spice-driven aromas herald a light-medium bodied, firm and focused river of palate-pleasing flavour with good nerve and verve—racy red cherry and red currant melding with ripe mulberry and black plum. The balanced, lip-smacking aftertaste is dry and delectable. Pour alongside grilled, smoked duck breasts. (Vic Harradine)
France: White Wine
Domaine du Chardonnay Chablis 2009
AOC Chablis $19.95 (183574) 12.5% alcohol
Steely, mineral and citrus aromas set up this medium-bodied, nicely textured Chablis. Look for racy lemon-lime interwoven with nutty notes on the palate and more of the same replaying on the bright, crisp and refreshing aftertaste. Pour with freshly shucked oysters with a dash of Tabasco and horseradish. (Vic Harradine)
France: Red Wine
Château la Croix de Queynac 2009
AOC Bordeaux Supérieur $14.95 (138636) 13.0% alcohol
Deep ruby, this award-winning wine offers depth of flavour and very nice value. The aromas are very ripe berry fruits, spice and cedar, with a sweet note of dried fruits. Dry, medium-full bodied, ripe tannins and a fine measure of acidity balance plush berry fruit, sweet spice and a trace of toasty vanilla that carries through the long-lasting dry finish. Enjoy this attractive blend now or over the next couple of years. (Susan Desjardins)
Jaffelin Bourgogne Passe-Tout-Grains 2009
AOC Bourgogne Passe-Tout-Grains $14.95 (216648) 12.0% alcohol
An interesting appellation blending Gamay and Pinot Noir usually resulting in a lively, lighter-styled fruity red like this one. With spice and lilac notes on the nose, it dishes up a racy tangy wash of red cherry and currant mingling with fresh-sliced strawberry. Chill slightly serving with a mixed deli board. (Vic Harradine)
Domaine du Grand Montmirail Vacqueyras 2009
AOC Vacqueyras $24.95 (251579) 14.0% alcohol
This Grenache/Syrah blend opens with lifted aromas of Provençale spice and black pepper. Rich and luscious flavours—black currant, black plum compote and bramble berry—drench the palate in endless waves. It’s mid weight with good mouthfeel and deft overall balance. The mid-length aftertaste is dry and powerful with juicy black berry, earthy notes and black plum compote. Lovely on its own, it also pours well with grilled hangar steak. (Vic Harradine)
Perrin & Fils ‘Les Sinards’ Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2009
AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape $19.95 (005975) 375 mL 14.0% alcohol
A 75% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre blend, this is a rich and robust offering with lively aromas of spice-infused dark berry fruit and black cherry. It’s mid-full weight with great mouth feel and excellent balance throughout. Palate-coating flavours of kirsch liqueur and black plum attack in waves persisting through the lengthy finish. There’s also perceptible tannin and good moderating acidity. Another fine offering from one of the elite families of the über-exclusive ‘Primum Familiae Vini’. (Vic Harradine)
Italy: Red Wine
La Pieve Barolo 2007
DOCG Barolo $28.95 (213132) 15.0% alcohol
This is a gorgeous Barolo with great carpentry, excellent fruit and a price-quality balance tipped well in your favour. Perfumed aromas of lilac and cedar roll from this medium-bodied, generously textured rich and robust red. There’s a firm tannin underpinning to the river of well-structured flavours with black currant and juicy Bing cherry to the fore. It finishes in a blaze of juicy bramble berry and mixed spice and herbs. Decant/aerate for a couple of hours pouring with osso bucco or pop the cork after 2014. (Vic Harradine)
Parusso ‘Piani Noce’ Dolcetto d’Alba 2009
DOC Alba $16.95 (232504) 12.5% alcohol
Reaching above and beyond its simple provenance—Dolcetto is considered pretty low on the totem pole—this dazzles with charm and racy elegance. A light-medium weight and nicely textured, it delivers a focused stream of Montmorency cherry and red currant to the palate and through the tangy, mouth-watering finish. Delightful to sip and even better poured slightly chilled with a mixed deli platter of salami, mortadella, spicy olives, chèvre and olive-oil dipped ciabatta. (Vic Harradine)
Rivera ‘Cappellaccio Riserva’ Aglianico 2005
DOC Castel del Monte $18.95 (984120) 13.5% alcohol
A deep jeweled ruby tone, this well-crafted gem is produced from one of Italy’s lesser known noble varietals, aged 12 months in French oak and a further 12 in bottle. Perfumed with spicy floral and herbal aromas, ripe plum, berry fruit and earthy tones, this medium-full bodied red is robust and well structured. The succulent berry fruit is matched with fresh acidity and firm tannin that underline the lengthy dry finish. Rare meats are in order, or cellar long term, as there’s lots of life here. Terrific value, it richly deserves its final half star. (Susan Desjardins)
Capezzana Barco Reale di Carmignano 2008
DOC Toscano $15.95 (508531) 13.5% alcohol
Primarily Sangiovese with 20% Cabernet and 10% Canaiolo, it was aged 10 months in French oak and further 3 in bottle before release. There are complex aromas of sweet berry fruit, cedar and leather melding with fennel and savoury herbs. It’s racy and tangy throughout with sour cherry and cranberry predominant. It finishes lip-smacking good with layers of savoury, mint-infused red cherry flavour. The price-quality ratio skews in your favour—what’s not to like? (Vic Harradine)
Fattoria ‘La Ripa Riserva’ Chianti Classico 2006
DOCG Chianti Classico $24.95 (984401) 14.0% alcohol
Aromas of dark berry fruit, exotic spice and floral notes stream from the glass while the lively flavours are in the red berry and cherry zones. This lives up to its breeding providing good value as well. It’s medium weight and framed by moderating acidity, ripe tannin and a lingering well-integrated finish. (Vic Harradine)
Vicchiomaggio Ripa delle Mandorle 2009
IGT Toscana $15.00 (677930) 13.5% alcohol
From a storied Tuscan property, this blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet proffers a lovely nose—floral nuances, berry fruit, spice and vanilla. Beautifully balanced, it’s dry yet silky, medium bodied, ripe berry fruit caressing the palate, the spice and vanilla replaying right through the scrumptious finish. Just delicious, it gets an extra half star for value and would be a good match for osso bucco. (Susan Desjardins)
Spain: Red Wine
Sabor Real 2008
DO Toro $15.95 (172932) 14.5% alcohol
The October 29, 2011 release offered the Sabor Real Vignas Centenarias and here is yet another great Tempranillo, produced from +70-year-old vines. Inky purple, the plush aromas are rich dark spiced fruit, exotic spice, cigar box and some elusive floral nuances. Subtly structured, it’s dry, full-bodied and velvety with great depth of flavour – just loaded with spicy dark fruit. Lingering notes of spice, vanilla and sweet toast persist on a warm finish. It earns an extra half star for value. (Susan Desjardins)
New in the LCBO Portfolio
181 Merlot 2008
Lodi, California $16.95 (226530) 14.0% alcohol
181 refers to the Merlot clone—from Pomerol, Bordeaux—used in this. Aromas of spice-infused black plum and black berry compote waft from this crowd-pleasing, value-laden red. It brims with rich, ripe dark berry fruit and kitchen spice on the palate following through to the lengthy aftertaste. It’s mid weight with good mouth feel and a gorgeous layering of dark chocolate and espresso roast on the finish. (Vic Harradine)
Mionetto ‘Il Prosecco’ Non vintage
DOC Prosecco, Italy $11.95 (588053) 10.5% alcohol
Everything you’d want in a Prosecco—crisp, clean and refreshing, slightly fizzy, soft and mellow, ripe, fruit-filled flavour, rock-solid value and under twelve bucks! It’s incredibly versatile; serve with food, as an aperitif, a welcoming wine or sip on its own curled up with a good read. (Vic Harradine)
Antoine Moueix Merlot 2010
AOC Bordeaux, France $12.95 (245860) 13.5% alcohol
This opens with aromas of incense and tobacco leaf. A mid-weight, racy, tangy river of red currant, cranberry and red cherry runs throughout. There’s nerve and verve in the mid-length, dry finish adorned with savoury spice and a supple tannin underpinning. This offers good value pairing particularly well with pasta in tomato-based sauce. (Vic Harradine)
New in Consignment Wine
Herdade do Sobroso ‘Vinho Tinto’ 2008
DOC Alentejo, Portugal $22.00 14.5% alcohol
This has character and depth of concentration. It’s a symphony compared to elevator music. It’s also exciting—a sensational blend of indigenous red grapes delivering succulent, juicy flavour, incredible structure and character plus a monumental aftertaste. Ripe, racy cherry, sweet mulberry and a sinewy texture not found in ordinary red wine roll over the palate. The aftertaste lingers with balanced fruit-forward flavour and nuances of espresso roast and chocolate. Order by the case delivered to your home or office from Nokhrin Wines. (Vic Harradine)
Herdade do Sobroso ‘Sobro’ 2010
Vinho Regional Alentejo, Portugal $17.50 14.0% alcohol
Piquant spice, aromatic bitters and cedar aromas provide intro to a tangy, juicy river of dark cherry and spice-laden black plum mingling with a solid ripe tannin underpinning. Medium bodied and nicely textured this red blend finishes fruit forward and nicely balanced. Decant/aerate a couple of hours and serve alongside roast pork or grilled hangar steak. Order by the case delivered to your home or office from Nokhrin Wines. (Vic Harradine)
Friedrich Schatz Acinipo 2003
Product of Spain $37.40 13.0% alcohol
There’s leather, exotic spice and cedar on the quiet nose of this Lemberger—a red grape with Austrian roots. A tangy racy river of red cherry, red currant and cranberry runs throughout. It’s mid weight and nicely textured with good acidity and wisps of still-evolving tannin on the medium-length aftertaste. Sips well on its own; easily moves up a notch or two with a mixed deli board or pasta in tomato-based sauce. Order by the case delivered to your home or office from Nokhrin Wines. (Vic Harradine)
Friedrich Schatz Petit Verdot 2006
DO Sierras de Málaga, Spain $49.95 14.0% alcohol
From sunny Spain, this is brimming with juicy, tangy red berry fruit and spice, delivering the goods with solid carpentry, deft balance and a memorable finish. Sandalwood and berry fruit aromas on the nose, palate-coating flavours of sweet, ripe mulberry and briary berry mingle with sour cherry and red currant rippling through the lip-smacking finish. It’s medium-full bodied with good mouth feel and a ripe, supple tannin underpinning—simply delicious. Order by the case delivered to your home or office from Nokhrin Wines. (Vic Harradine)
New in Private Order
La Sima Tempranillo 2010
DO Manchuela, Spain $7.95 13.0% alcohol
Flavour laden, this has a dash of Bobal—a local grape—and way more than its fair share of outstanding value. Lively on the nose and palate, look for a steady stream of light-medium bodied red currant and cherry interwoven with spice and excellent tang throughout. It dishes up good balance and mouth feel with a dry finish and hints of cranberry. Good to sip or pair with thin-crust, gourmet pizza. Order by the case for delivery via email from agent Dave Coutts at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (Vic Harradine)
Cheers, Vic and Susan