Vintages Release: April 2, 2016

• The following wine is made from the white grape, Pinot Gris, an interesting variety as it’s a mutation of the black grape, Pinot Noir. With Pinot Noir in its DNA, it ripens multi hued, from grayish/blue all the way to deep blue with some grapes almost white and others brownish-pink. Take a white piece of paper and place it on a well-lit surface. Pour an ounce or so of the following Iris Vineyards Pinot Gris in a wine glass and tip it slightly toward, not over, the rim of the glass then look at the paper through the wine. You may be able to pick up its copper-pink hue. As this, and most white wine, was fermented with little or no contact with grape skins— there’s only a slight hue to this fabulous Gris. The colour of wine is derived from the skins.

  
Iris Vineyards Pinot Gris 2013
Oregon $19.95 (445726) 12.6% alcohol
This Gris offers a unique treat—low alcohol and not a splinter of oak—enjoy pure, delectable fruit flavour without adornment. Alluring aromas of buckwheat honey, ripe pear and flecks of minerality introduce a medium weight, creamy smooth, seamless wash of apple, pear and tangy lime cordial on the palate and lingering, lip-smacking aftertaste garnished with mandarin orange and peach skin. It’s great value, balanced on a pin, very highly recommended. (Vic Harradine)

Vintages Release: April 16, 2016

  
Culmina ‘R & D’ ‘Red Blend’ 2014
VQA Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley $24.95 (445494) 14.0% alcohol
This blend of predominantly Merlot, along with the two Cabs, is from the fabulous Okanagan Valley sub region, Golden Mile Bench, just south of Oliver, BC. The lifted nose of cedar, spice and black plum aromas let loose an elegant, well-paced stream of bramble berry fruit and red cherry robed in spice cake and dark bittersweet chocolate on the palate. It’s medium-weight with good mouth feel and a balanced and beautiful finish and aftertaste. Red-wine lovers will adore this. (Vic Harradine)

  
Château Sainte-Marie ‘Vieilles Vignes’ Entre-deux-Mers 2014

AOC Entre-deux-Mers, France $14.95 (447565) 12.5% alcohol

Bright and clean on the nose, this award-winning, value-packed blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Muscadelle offers light floral and herbal aromas, notes of citrus, apricot and a notion of wet stone. Light-medium bodied on the palate, the texture is mouth-watering and crisp, the citrus expressed as grapefruit and lime with hints of smoke and flint, the herbaceous quality adds character. Finishing long and dry, this is your go-to wine for fresh seafood. (Susan Desjardins)

Vintages Release: April 30, 2016

  
Sidewood Estate Shiraz 2013
Adelaide Hills, Australia $19.85 (446146) 14.0% alcohol
Aromas of charred toast and dark, juicy briary berry mingle with baking spice on the nose of this beautifully textured, cooler-climate, hand-harvested Shiraz. It coats the palate with a dense, tightly packed gusher of sweet, ripe mulberry and black cherry entwined with black plum compote, wisps of oak and savoury notes. It’s medium-plus bodied with a long fruit-forward, tang-laden aftertaste. Drink now—after a three hour aerate/decant—pouring with grilled rack of lamb. (Vic Harradine)