• Order the following wine by the case for home, restaurant or office delivery in Ontario along with those published in the February 20, 2016 and March 1, 2016 newsletters from Nokhrin Wines or Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., if in the GTA phone 416 704-8617.
Château la Bretonnière Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2012
AOC Côtes de Bordeaux, France $15.55 13.5% alcohol
Aromas of dark berry fruit and earthy, savoury herb notes abound prior to washing over the palate, medium bodied with good mouth feel and a balanced stream of cassis, black briary berry and roasted herbs. It’s primarily high-density-planted Merlot fruit sourced from 25-year-old vines with only partial and brief oak aging. It’s medium-weight with good texture and a fairly lengthy and mouth-watering, dry finish. Given the provenance, it’s quite good value. (Vic Harradine)
• Order the following wines—plus those in the January, 2016 newsletter—by the case for home, restaurant or office delivery in Ontario from VinoLuna wine agency. Contact via website, VinoLuna, by Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or in the GTA phone 416 587-6691.
Bellini ‘Comedia’ Rosso Toscano 2013
IGT Rosso Toscano, Italy $18.15 13.0% alcohol
Wood smoke with exotic incense and spice curl from this racy, hand-picked, red blend—50% Sangiovese, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah. ‘Comedia’ links to the Divine Comedy, the countryside and the warm Tuscan sun. Pie cherry and dark berry fruit coalesce with excellent tang and acidity underpinned by supple tannin. Aerate/decant for a couple of hours serving with meat-laden pizza or spaghetti with meat balls in tomato sauce. (Vic Harradine)
Bellini ‘Riserva’ Chianti Rufina 2013
DOCG Chianti Rufina, Italy $20.60 12.5% alcohol
Aromas of cedar, tobacco, minty/mineral notes and black berry spill from the glass of this satin-smooth beauty. A smorgasbord of flavour coats the palate with ripe dark cherry and juicy bramble berry interwoven with currants, fig and spice cake. It’s medium bodied, well balanced and full of charm. It finishes with full fruit, good acidity and quite lengthy. Good to go now and on to 2019; it’s good value and soars with grilled meat, pasta dishes with red sauce or roast fowl. (Vic Harradine)
Bellini ‘Dominante’ 2013
IGT Rosso Toscano, Italy $19.20 12.5% alcohol
This is creamy smooth with oodles of ripe fruit—70% Sangiovese with the balance an even split of Merlot, Cab Sauv, Syrah. The quiet nose offers red and dark berry fruit with wisps of spice. It dishes up a luscious, medium-bodied wash of ripe briary berry fruit with black plum compote and red cherry bathing the palate and mid-length aftertaste. Pour alongside grilled steak, burgers or gourmet sausage. (Vic Harradine)
La Torre ‘La Villa’ Chianti Colli Senesi 2013
DOCG Chianti Colli Senesi, Italy $14.25 13.5% alcohol
This Sangiovese-predominant, terrific-value red was aged about 12 months in oak barrel and includes a 10% splash of Cabernet Sauvignon. Lifted aromas of baking spice and red and black berry fruit introduce a well-balanced stream of dark cherry and espresso roast adorned with high notes of piquant spice and tangy red currant. It’s medium weight with good mouth feel and dry, lengthy finish with warmth on the aftertaste. Pour with pasta puttanesca. (Vic Harradine)
La Torre ‘La Villa’ Chianti Colli Senesi ‘Riserva’ 2013
DOCG Chianti Colli Senesi, Italy $19.55 14.0% alcohol
Produced only in top vintages, this 80% Sangiovese/20% Cabernet Sauvignon blend opens with mint, red berry fruit and red cherry aromas. It bathes the palate with über-creamy texture and a glorious array of flavour—black currant and ripe, sweet mulberry melding with roasted herbs and bittersweet chocolate. There’s good balance, persistent purity of fruit, structure and poise throughout. It was aged approximately 12 months in small oak barriques that are now seamlessly integrated. It finishes long and luxurious. There’s terrific value here. (Vic Harradine)
Fattoria La Torre ‘Rosso’ San Gimignano 2011
DOC San Gimignano, Italy $21.30 14.0% alcohol
Grapes for this fruit-forward blend were sourced from 70% Sangiovese, 15% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon vines. Lively aromas of exotic spice, cedar and dark cherry/berry fruit leap from the glass. It coats the palate with a gusher of black berry and dark juicy cherry adorned with black plum and piquant spice. It’s medium-full bodied with a supple, fine-grained tannin underpinning and excellent, tangy acidity. Aerate/decant for three hours. It finishes with replays—delightful, distinctive, delicious. What’s not to like? (Vic Harradine)