Vintages Release Date: TBD

• The first 12-bottle case of wine I purchased from the LCBO was about twenty-five years ago, a Henry of Pelham baco noir. A prescient purchase at the time, it was enjoyed over three or four years. I’d suggest the following would be just as pleasing a purchase. Comparing this to then, it’s now certainly less rustic, has much better balance and while a stretch to describe as ‘elegant’, it certainly has tamed what was then deemed to be ‘wild, hybrid characteristics’ on the nose and palate, it’s now smooth, almost mellow. And, it now deserves high praise as an über-dependable, value-packed red that delivers in spades. If you haven’t tried baco for a while, this would be the time.

  
Henry of Pelham ‘Speck Family - Reserve’ Baco Noir 2016

VQA Ontario $24.95 (461699) 13.5% alcohol

Grilled roasted herbs and dark cherry/berry fruit aromas unfurl from this medium-full bodied, nicely balanced, generously textured baco. A stream of sweet-tinged dark fruit flavours envelop the palate with black plum compote and bramble berry jam to the fore infused with a potpourri of spice. This was aged 13 months in new and seasoned American oak, now well integrated, and finds perfect dance partners with grilled, smoked back ribs mopped in spicy barbecue sauce or your favourite red pizza. (Vic Harradine)