Vintages Release: September 5, 2015

   
Domaine La Haut Févrie ‘Sur Lie’ Muscadet Sèvre et Maine 2014
AOC Muscadet Sèvre et Maine $13.95 (390625) 12.0% alcohol
Smoke, mineral and leesy notes mingle with tropical fruit on the nose of this rock-solid 4-star, value-packed beauty. It’s 100% Melon de Bourgogne from 35-year-old vines, hand harvested and left seven months on lees It bathes the palate with a generously textured stream of tropical fruit, caramel-tinted baked apple, sharp spice and lemony tang. It’s medium bodied with a lengthy mouth-watering aftertaste—crisp, clean and refreshing. Pour alongside steamed mussels or pan-seared freshwater fish. (Vic Harradine)

  
Patrick Lesec ‘Galets Blonds’ Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2012
AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape $56.95 (78089) 15.0% alcohol 
This unfined, unfiltered Grenache/Syrah red blend is gorgeous, flirting with 5 stars and awfully tough to spit. The Galets Blonds refer to rounded-boulders in the vineyards that reflect the stored heat from the sun onto the vines during the cool of the evening. Aromas from sprigs of local, wild herbs a.k.a. garrigue, exotic spice and dark berry fruit provide segue for a rich, luscious wash of black currant, juicy black cherry and dark bittersweet chocolate interlaced with black licorice and savory herbs. The lingering aftertaste replays palate flavours along with a solid lick of red berry tang. Good to go now and on to 2022, it pairs well with osso bucco or grilled rack of lamb. (Vic Harradine)