Vintages Release: February 6, 2016
Gerard Bertrand ‘Réserve Spéciale’ Viognier 2014
IGP Pays d’Oc $15.95 (147975) 13.0% alcohol
Perfumed, alluring aromas of honeysuckle, ripe pineapple and mandarin orange are precursor to a deftly balanced river of honey-brushed peach and pear, lemon pie filling, and a peach skin bite on the flavourful finish and aftertaste. This is medium weight with creamy mouth feel and offers excellent value. Pour on its own or alongside roast chicken or pan-seared pork medallions. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: February 20, 2016
Henry of Pelham ‘Reserve’ Baco Noir 2013
VQA Ontario $24.95 (461699) 14.0% alcohol
Connoisseurs, collectors and wine-lovers like you and me eagerly await each release of this with cult-like enthusiasm—it never disappoints and this one is special. Lifted aromas of spice, charred toast and red and black cherry provide segue to a mid-full bodied gusher of black currant and black raspberry interlaced with dark chocolate-dipped black cherries. It’s creamy smooth, nicely structured and deftly balanced with a lingering aftertaste of piquant spice, blueberry pie filling and racy red cherry. It rested 18 months in one- and two-year-old American oak barrel, all of which is integrated. Pick up a few, drinking now to 2022. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: TBA 2016
2027 Cellars ‘Aberdeen Road Vineyard’ Chardonnay 2013
VQA Beamsville Bench $30.00 (421362) 12.8% alcohol
Spice box, Key lime and persimmon aromas herald a mid-weight splendidly textured, medium-weight mouthful of tangy lemon-lime yoghurt, poached pear and spice-laden peach skin. This is crowd-friendly and delicious with all moving parts in synch—excellent tang balanced with ripe fruit, firm structure juxtaposed with soft creamy texture, striking individual aromas and flavours tempered with a lingering, pleasing finish and aftertaste. It’s like meeting up and spending time with an old friend. (Vic Harradine)
2027 Cellars ‘Wismer Vineyard-Fox Croft Block’ Chardonnay 2013
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $30.00 (421362) 12.8% alcohol
This striking Chardonnay opens with baking spice, flinty/minerality, oak and pastry aromas. It bathes the palate with a dazzling array of flavour with spiced, baked apple and lemon curd entwined with oaky notes and excellent tang. It’s medium-plus bodied with creamy-smooth mouth feel, complexity, structure, purity of fruit and is balanced on a pin. It was wild-yeast fermented, spending 14 months in 100% Burgundian oak barriques, 30% new. Serve 20 minutes after removing from the fridge or wine cellar to fully experience its beauty. (Vic Harradine)
2027 Cellars ‘Queenston Road Vineyard’ Pinot Noir 2013
VQA St. David’s Bench $35.00 (421370) 13.0% alcohol
Alluring aromas of cedar, exotic spice/incense and black Bing cherry open a complex, structured Pinot with depth and elegance. A medium-bodied, nicely textured stream of red currant, dark berry fruit and pomegranate interweave with chalky minerality and beetroot on the palate. Good tension, persistent purity of fruit and deft balance define this incredibly well-crafted red—it was indigenous-yeast fermented, aged 14 months in French-oak barriques, 30% new. Artisan-winemaker Kevin Panagapka hits all the high notes in this symphony of harmonious aromas and flavours. (Vic Harradine)