Vintages Release Date: TBD

93 
Vineland Estates Winery ‘Bo-Teek – Clone 327’ Cabernet Franc 2016
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $35.95 (669374) 14.0% alcohol
Lifted aromas of ripe, rich fruit—black currant and dark cherry—interweave with peppery spice and savoury herbs. It envelops the palate with medium-plus bodied, fully textured, single-clone cabernet franc exhibiting a gusher of flavours with dark berry fruit—currant and raspberry—adorned with black Bing cherry, framed by excellent lip-smacking tang and underpinned by firm tannin. It showcases persistent purity of fruit, deft balance, firm structure and a monumentally long finish replaying palate flavours. Aerate/decant three hours before service. (Vic Harradine)

90 
Broccardo ‘La Martina’ Barbera d’Alba 2018
DOC Barbera d’Alba, Italy $17.95 15.0% alcohol
This 100% Barbera opens with aromas of piquant spice, wisps of iodine and red berry fruit. It blankets the palate with a pleasing tang-laden stream of red and black currant decorated with grilled savoury herbs and plenty of nerve and pizzazz. It’s light-medium bodied with persistent tang and purity of fruit and a lengthy dry, mouth-watering finish and aftertaste. Pour on its own or alongside meat lasagna or spaghetti Pomodoro. (Vic Harradine)

93
Broccardo ‘Il Giò Pi’ Nebbiolo 2018
DOC Langhe, Italy $20.95 14.5% alcohol
This is light ruby-hued in the glass, but don’t be fooled; it’s rich and complex on the nose and palate. Alluring aromas of floral notes, black plum and exotic incense provide segue to a dazzling gusher of robust palate flavour and tang with ripe bramble berry, fig and black Bing cherry nicely framed by excellent acidity and underpinned by ripe, soft tannin. It’s balanced on a pin and sports a long, luscious finish. You’ll search a long time to find better 100% Nebbiolo at this price. Pick up an armful or two. (Vic Harradine)

90  
Caves de Rauzan ‘Le Noble - Cuvée Réserve’ 2018
AOC Bordeaux, France $16.95 12.5% alcohol
This 80% merlot/20% cabernet sauvignon red blend was stainless steel and barrel-fermented then settled in stainless steel tank. This is rich and complex, mellow and smooth with a price-quality balance that tips well in your favour. Aromas of dark berry fruit and sprigs of wild herbs abound.  It bathes the palate with black raspberry and dark cherry interwoven with mocha and hints of cassis. It’s balanced and beautiful showcasing charm, complexity and plenty of pizzazz. Stock up. (Vic Harradine)

89 
Caves de Rauzan ‘Villotte’ 2018
AOC Bordeaux, France $16.95 12.0% alcohol
This 70% merlot/30% cabernet sauvignon was fermented and allowed to settle in temperature-controlled stainless steel tank—it saw no oak. Fresh lively aromas of black currant, dark cherry and savoury herbs precede a wash of palate-caressing flavours with red currant and pomegranate intertwined with lip-smacking tang that persists through the mouth-watering finish along with wisps of ripe tannin. It’s light-medium bodied with no rough edges. Give it a go with pasta in tomato sauce. (Vic Harradine)

90  
3 – Rings ‘It’s Magic’ Shiraz 2017
Barossa Valley, South Australia $17.95 14.9% alcohol
This hi-octane shiraz—almost 15.0% alcohol—wafts from the glass with alluring aromas of dark berry fruit—currant and raspberry—interlaced with mixed spice and grilled savoury herbs. It coats the palate with gusher of flavour—black currant jam, bittersweet dark chocolate and notions of kirsch liqueur. It finishes in a balanced, lengthy and warm finish with persistent palate-replays and hints of gamey bits. You won’t go wrong pouring it with oven-baked or barbecued back ribs mopped with spicy barbecue sauce. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2017 Puelles Gran Reserva is a red blend of hand-harvested 95% tempranillo and 5% garnacha, graciano, mazuelo that matured 24 months in 50% French oak and 50% American oak barrels.

92 
Puelles Gran Reserva 2017
DOCa Rioja, Spain $25.95 14.0% alcohol
This delivers perfumed aromas of rose petals and leather and is absolutely delicious. It’s medium-full bodied with good mouthfeel as a gusher of flavour coats the palate and remain prominent in the finish and lengthy aftertaste—black plum and dark cherry decorated with peppery spice, hints of cassis and spice. This showcases deft balance, persistent purity of fruit and plenty of charm. (Vic Harradine)

89  
Cantina de Soave ‘Perlit’ Spumante Brut Non-Vintage
DOC Garda, Italy 13.95 11.5% alcohol
This is light-yellow hued and brimming with alluring aromas—floral notes, tropical fruit and citrus. Gentle bubbles when poured, they carry palate flavours of green apple and ripe pear mingling with excellent lemony tang persisting through the finish. It’s quite delightful as an aperitif or when paired with light appetizers. The aftertaste has a slight peach-skin adornment. (Vic Harradine)  

90 
Cantina de Soave ‘Settecento 33’ Spumante Brut Non-Vintage
DOC Lessini Durello, Italy $13.95 12.0% alcohol
Fashioned from the autochthonous durella grape, flavours of freshly sliced strawberry and excellent citrussy tang mingle with the bubbly mousse in this gorgeous welcoming wine. This is dry, flavourful and finishes in a mouth-watering crescendo of palate replays. Don’t hesitate, pick up a few to keep on hand for unexpected guests. This is value-packed. (Vic Harradine)

90 
Casa Vinicola Bosco Malera ‘Conte Priuli’ Prosecco Spumante Extra Dry Non-Vintage
DOC Prosecco, Italy $14.55 11.0% alcohol
This punches well above the price. Peach, pear and apple aromas abound. A lively mousse underpinned by racy tang and flavours of green apple and lemon drop candy captures the palate. There’s a hint of off-dry on the lingering balanced and beautiful finish and aftertaste. This pours well on its own and sublime when served alongside fish and seafood appetizers. (Vic Harradine)

91
Cantina de Soave ‘Perlit’ Prosecco Spumante Brut Non-Vintage
DOC Prosecco, Italy $14.95 11.5% alcohol
Aromas of straw and hints of floral notes provide segue to a delightful river of fruit-infused palate flavours with yellow peach, ripe Bosc pear and lemon citrus notes to the fore. There’s lots going on here with complexity, oodles of tang and plenty of ripe fruit flavours to provide balance. It finishes with more of the same… in a word, delicious. Pour with friends and a charcuterie or deli platter. (Vic Harradine) 

89
Fattoria Le Torre ‘Guinzano’ Rosso 2016
DOC San Gimignano, Italy $16.95 14.0% alcohol
This red blend—70% sangiovese/15% cabernet sauvignon/15% merlot—opens with aromas of grilled mixed herbs and dark berry fruit. It blankets the palate with flavours of crunchy red fruit—pie cherry and currant—interwoven with earthy notes and wisps of mocha. It’s medium weight with good mouthfeel and perceptible grippy tannin—easily ameliorated with a two-hour aeration/decant—on the warm, dry finish. Pour alongside pasta puttanesca. (Vic Harradine)