Viña Barredero Zalema 2011
DO Condado de Huelva, Spain $14.25 12.0% alcohol
Zalema is the most commonly planted grape in the DO—this opens with aromas of honeyed apple, slate and pear aromas. Fresh and focused on the palate, crisp, refreshing flavours of lemon citrus and racy lime zip along garnished with nuances of tangy white grapefruit. The aftertaste is racy and lip-smacking. Pair with pan-seared salmon under a generous squish of fresh lemon. Order by the case for home, restaurant or office (in Ontario) delivery 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. (Vic Harradine)
Bolfan Pinot Grigio 2011
Kontinentalna Hrvatska, Croatia $28.50 13.5% alcohol
Hints of honeysuckle and herb aromas open this light-on-its-feet, nicely textured sipper. It caresses the palate with a gentle wash of ripe lemon-lime and spice-infused yellow plum. The refreshing aftertaste is nicely balanced and fruity with its fair share of charm—pour as an aperitif or as company to wile away an afternoon. Order by the case for home, restaurant or office (in Ontario) delivery 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. (Vic Harradine)
Bolfan ‘Libertin’ Riesling 2009
Kontinentalna Hrvatska, Croatia $26.50 12.5% alcohol
Interesting and idiosyncratic—this’ll appeal to enterprising Riesling lovers. Pungent aromas of petrol and slate bolt from the glass preceding a balanced rush of lime sherbet, minerality with hints of leesy notes. It’s mid weight with good texture and a lingering, lip-smacking aftertaste melding binned apple and citrus with hints of Sherry-like rancio. Order by the case for home, restaurant or office (in Ontario) delivery 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. (Vic Harradine)
Bolfan Sauvignon 2009
Kontinentalna Hrvatska, Croatia $28.50 12.9% alcohol
Floral, herbaceous aromas herald a nicely textured wave of key lime and lemon curd flavours mingling with nuances of passion fruit. Light-medium bodied and racy on the palate, it broadens out on the balanced and fruit-forward aftertaste showcasing riper citrus and hints of green apple. Give it a go with grilled prawns brushed with lemon- and garlic-infused butter. Order by the case for home, restaurant or office (in Ontario) delivery 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. (Vic Harradine)
Caleis Sauvignon / Viognier 2011
IGP Pays d’Oc, France $10.95 12.5% alcohol
Alluring aromas of citrus, nettles and pineapple provide segue for an herbaceous, racy river of lemon zest and Granny Smith apple with a white grapefruit bite on the crisp, refreshing finish. It’s light on its feet with lip-smacking acidity throughout. The perfect foil to pasta with clams in cream sauce or a pot of mussels steamed in white wine and garlic. Good value here; give it a go. Order by the case for home, restaurant or office (in Ontario) delivery 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. (Vic Harradine)
Vignoble Gibault Vançay 2011
AOC Vançay, Loire Valley, France $16.00 12.0% alcohol
This light and lively blend—80% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Chardonnay—sports a nose of apple, mineral notes and hints of herbs. Racy lemon and lime cordial race across the palate and linger on the crisp, refreshing aftertaste. It’s nicely balanced and quite focused—give it a go with mesclun salad lightly dressed with verjus, garnished with chèvre. Order by the case for home, restaurant or office (in Ontario) delivery 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. (Vic Harradine)
Azienda Tilli ‘Concetto’ Pecorino 2011
IGT Terre di Chieti, Italy $22.95 13.0% alcohol
Buckwheat honey, nutty nuances and orange zest aromas abound on the nose of this fully textured, satin-smooth beauty. It coats the palate with rich and robust flavours of marzipan, pineapple and citrus. Medium bodied with a lingering aftertaste, look for crisp, mouth-watering flavours of grapefruit, lemon curd and a lovely, tangy bite on the end. Perfect as an aperitif, it has the charm and oomph to pair with seafood, pasta in cream sauce or roast chicken. Order by the case for home, restaurant or office (in Ontario) delivery 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. (Vic Harradine)
Azienda Tilli ‘Lupus’ Trebbiano d’Abruzzo 2011
DOC Trebbiano d’Abruzzo, Italy $21.50 13.0% alcohol
This dishes up oodles of delicious flavour and texture with a lip-smacking lengthy aftertaste—what’s not to like? It’s 100% Trebbiano and a step above most—aromas of honeyed orchard fruit and hints of minerality spill freely from this mid-weight, fully textured gem. There are waves of ripe apple and pear with moderating citrus on the palate and dry aftertaste—it’s balanced and beautiful throughout. Order by the case for home, restaurant or office (in Ontario) delivery from NNokhrin 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. (Vic Harradine)
Bolfan ‘Primus’ Pinot Noir 2009
Kontinentalna Hrvatska, Croatia $52.50 14.7% alcohol
This is tangy, juicy and lively with a spirited, lingering, fruit-forward finish. Heady aromas of bright red cherry and ripe berry fruit herald a river of sour cherry and tart black currant garnished with toasty notes and kitchen spice. It’s medium bodied and nicely textured with a dry, fruity aftertaste framed by good acidity and underpinned with supple tannin and herbaceous notes. Aerate/decant three hours before serving with slow-roasted pork. Order by the case for home, restaurant or office (in Ontario) delivery from Nokhrin Winesor email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; if in the GTA phone (416) 704-8617. (Vic Harradine)
Bodegas Patrocinio ‘Zinio’ Garnacha 2010
DOCa Rioja Spain $13.25 14.5% alcohol
Thought to be native to Spain, Garnacha, aka Grenache, needs a warm, lengthy, dry growing season usually resulting in high sugar converted to high alcohol reds. Mixed spice, lilac and field berry fruit on the nose, it spills over the palate with a spirited wash of ripe cherry/berry flavour balanced with mouth-watering acidity. It’s mid weight with good mouth feel and a fruit-filled, mid-length aftertaste underpinned by perceptible tannin. Aerate/decant for two hours or cellar 12 months before serving. Order by the case for home, restaurant or office (in Ontario) delivery 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. (Vic Harradine)
Quinta do Pinto ‘Estate Collection’ 2010
Vinho Regional Lisboa, Portugal $21.50 14.0% alcohol
Lively aromas of dark briary berry, mixed spice and minty notes provide segue for a balanced, tangy river of black currant and dark Bing cherry on the palate. It’s medium weight with good mouth feel and a juicy, delectable aftertaste that’s fruit-forward with a moderating bite of acidity and lots of oomph. This red blend—premium Port grapes plus Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon—is very good value and pours well with grilled T-bone or roast beef. Order by the case for home, restaurant or office (in Ontario) delivery fromNokhrin 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. (Vic Harradine)
Azienda Tilli ‘Concetto’ Merlot 2011
IGT Terre di Chieti, Italy $22.95 15.0% alcohol
A spirited (pun intended – 15% alcohol) array of aromas with stewed plums, spice cake and charry wood smoke. There’s a warm gusher of date square, raisins and mixed, dark, field berry fruit on the palate and the, surprisingly, dry finish. It’s medium-full bodied with good texture and a lingering aftertaste of black plum compote and a lick of perceptible tannin. Order by the case for home, restaurant or office (in Ontario) delivery 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. (Vic Harradine)
Azienda Tilli ‘Lupus’ Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2010
DOC Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Italy $21.50 13.5% alcohol
Well paced, well priced and well… delicious. Mocha, roasted herbs and cedar on the nose, this dances over the palate with a lively, focused rush of sour cherry, black, briary berry fruit and black plum compote. It’s medium bodied and nicely textured with a juicy, balanced, fruit-forward finish of dark berry fruit and nuances of cassis. Order by the case for home, restaurant or office (in Ontario) delivery 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. (Vic Harradine)