Vintages Release: November 12, 2016

  
Gérard Bertrand ‘Cap’ Insula’ Grenache/Syrah/Mourvèdre Languedoc 2013
AOP Languedoc, France $17.00 (474973) 13.5% alcohol
Heavily perfumed with rich dark berry fruit aromas, the hand-picked fruit was taken to the eco-designed winery, macerated approximately three weeks then aged eight months in barrel. It’s dense, rich and concentrated with a surge of palate-coating flavour—black plum compote, cherry clafoutie and dark bittersweet chocolate. These replay on the finish joined by mouth-watering, moderating acidity and firm structure. Pour with grilled back ribs slathered in barbecue sauce. (Vic Harradine)

The following red is from Chateau Mont-Redon, one of the oldest wine-producing Estates in France (since 1344) and the largest single property in Châteauneuf-du-Pape (100 hectares from 80% red and 20% white grapes). The name of the overall appellation, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, translates to ‘new house of the Pope’ referring to Pope’s residing here in the 1300s.

  
Chateau Mont-Redon Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2012
AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France $45.95 (959627) 14.5% alcohol
Lifted aromas of floral notes, mixed field berry and espresso roast abound. A mid-full bodied red blend of 65% Grenache/15% Syrah/10% Cinsault/5% Mourvèdre and bits of a variety of other grapes flows creamy smooth over the palate—ripe black raspberry and dark Bing cherry interlaced with grilled, piquant spice and herbs with notions of kirsch liqueur, especially on the balanced and bountiful finish and aftertaste. (Vic Harradine)


Vintages Release: November 26, 2016

• The following 2011 vintage, Cuvée Catharine sparkling wine is stunning. People often and mistakenly refer to sparkling wine as Champagne, perhaps not realizing only sparkling wine from the Champagne region in France is Champagne. The differences are not minor, they are fairly significant: in the long history of meticulous, precise winemaking techniques; the terroir (especially chalky soils); the flavour and taste of Champagne—adding up to, ‘quality’. The following could be easily mistaken for Champagne. That doesn’t make it Champagne, but Wow… it’s terrific. And… it’s Canadian. According to winery technical sheets—hand-harvested, 100% estate Chardonnay was gently, whole-cluster pressed, 20% barrel fermented and aged a full 60 months in bottle on its lees before being disgorged.

  
Henry of Pelham ‘Cuvée Catharine – Carte Blanche - Estate Blanc de Blanc’ 2011

VQA Short Hills Bench $44.95 (315200) 12.5% alcohol
This is a perennial winner delivering possibly its best to date, redolent of the 2008. Fine-bead mousse releases a bouquet of baking brioche, lemon tart and minerality. The attack on the palate is dramatic with crisp green apple, lemon yoghurt and bracing citrusy tang riding a laser-like stream before developing depth, texture and breadth on the middle and back palate with replays on the mouth-watering, lengthy finish. (Vic Harradine)