Vintages Release Date: November 11, 2017

88   
Vinha do Cais da Ribeira ‘Reserva’ 2014
DOC Douro, Portugal $13.95 (523639) 13.5% alcohol
Cedar, spice and dark berry fruit aromas roll easily from the glass. A mid-weight, fruit-forward wash of juicy red cherry/berry flavour bathes the palate flecked with notions of crunchy pomegranate and a generous dollop of tang; it finishes with hints of mocha. This is easy to drink—satin-smooth on the palate and über-easy on the wine budget. Pour with meat-laden red pizza or beef fajitas. (Vic Harradine)

Vintages Release: TBD 2017/2018

• The following 2016 Henry of Pelham Chardonnay ‘Speck Family Reserve’ was hand-harvested from the oldest estate vineyard where yields were held to under 2 tonnes per acre then whole-cluster pressed and barrel fermented. The wine then matured in French oak, 40% new Alliers, and 60% seasoned one year.

89     
Henry of Pelham Chardonnay ‘Speck Family Reserve’ 2016
VQA Short Hills Bench $29.95 (616466) 13.5% alcohol
Lifted aromas of baking spice, toasty oak and flinty mineral notes abound on this well-textured, medium-full bodied, cool-climate chardonnay. It blankets the palate with piquant spice, lemon zest, apple and oaky notes galore. It finishes with wonderful citrussy tang. Expect this to mature gracefully in bottle over the next two years gaining in balance, unity and melding of what are now disparate flavours, much enhancing its charm and elegance. Pop corks, 2020 to 2026. (Vic Harradine)