Vintages Release: December 11, 2021

• The following 2019 Henry of Pelham ‘Estate’ Cabernet-Merlot is certified by Sustainable Winemaking Ontario. Low-yielding—3 tonnes per acre—hand-harvested fruit was sourced from estate vineyards on the Short Hills Bench, destemmed, sorted and partially fermented in oak tank with extended maceration. It matured in European and American oak, 30% new, then blended in an oak tank with total time in wood reaching ten months.

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Henry of Pelham ‘Estate’ Cabernet-Merlot 2019
VQA Short Hills Bench $24.95 (395855) 13.0% alcohol
Charred toast, dark cherry/berry fruit and exotic incense aromas precede a tang-laden river of palate flavours with racy, crunchy pie cherry and passionfruit underpinned by still-evolving tannin. This needs patience and careful cellaring from now to 2023. This is medium-bodied with good texture and plenty of good reasons to be patient. If you lose patience aerate/decant this for three hours. ‘Patience is a virtue Possess it if you can Found seldom in a woman Never in a man’ by William Langland in the late 1300’s. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2019 Joliesse Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced with fruit primarily from Lodi, California, an AVA most known for their dark, fruit-driven wines.

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Joliesse Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
California $17.95 (16564) 13.5% alcohol
Alluring aromas of black currant, juicy, black, Bing cherry and mulberry waft easily from the glass. Palate flavours of bramble berry and crème de cassis are juxtaposed with tangy red fruit—red currant and pie cherry providing the Yin and the Yang for this sweet and tang gem. It’s medium-plus bodied and pleasantly textured with satin-smooth mouthfeel and supple and subtle fine-grained tannin. It showcases persistent purity of fruit, deft balance and a lingering mouth-watering finish and aftertaste. Pour with medium-rare flank steak with grilled Portobello mushrooms. (Vic Harradine

• The following 2018 Tarot ‘L’Etoile’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a red blend of 84% cabernet sauvignon/6% petit verdot/5% merlot/5%cabernet franc that were sourced from six select vineyards in northern Napa County. The wine was matured in 100% French oak with 14% new and the balance in twice and three-times used barrels.

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Tarot ‘L’Etoile’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Napa Valley, California $49.95 (16563) 14.5% alcohol
Rich, luscious aromas of mocha, bramble berry, ripe Bing cherry and mineral notes waft easily from the glass. It envelops the palate with of surge of pure ambrosia made up of dried cherry/berry fruit, black plum compote, mulberry and crème de cassis. This glides over the palate with good texture, good mouthfeel and plenty of charm and appeal. This is medium-full bodied and showcases fine-grained, polished tannin that gives structure and body to the wine. Pour with a premium cut of beef or lamb, grilled medium-rare. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2019 Veramonte ‘Primus’ Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced in the foothills of the Andes in a low-yielding vintage due to lack of rain. It has also resulted in the fruit flavours being more prominent in the finished wine—you lose some and you win some. This wine is certified organic and certified vegan friendly.

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Veramonte ‘Primus’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Alto Maipo Valley, Chile $19.95 (486043) 13.5% alcohol
Aromas of wood smoke, black plum, earthy notes and dark cherry/berry fruit herald a surge of palate flavours with cherry clafoutie, black cherry and an underpinning of still-evolving tannin that can be ameliorated with a simple, three-hour aeration/decant. This has oodles of tang and pizzazz, is nicely balanced and lingers with replays on the fairly brief finish and aftertaste. Pour alongside roast beef, grilled burgers, beef fajitas or burritos. (Vic Harradine)

Vintages Release: TBD

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Tenuta Orsumella ‘Organic’ Chianti Classico 2019
DOCG Chianti Classico, Italy $19.95 13.5% alcohol
This hand-harvested, organic red is from 100% sangiovese grapes aged 10 months in French oak barrels plus a few months in bottle. The nose is bright and fresh with red cherry and raspberry aromas, a note of cedar and cinnamon. This is medium-bodied and it flows easily on the palate with plenty of tart cherry flavour combined with earthiness all wrapped in chewy tannins leading to a pleasant dry finish with a touch of dry oregano. This is great for antipasto or spaghetti Bolognese. (Louise Boutin)

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Tenuta Orsumella ‘Corte Rinieri – Riserva - Organic’ Chianti Classico 2018
DOCG Chianti Classico, Italy $23.95 13.5% alcohol
Aromas of dry cherry and sundried tomato dusted with mixed dry herbs come up the glass with a nice swirl. A softly textured flow of red cherry flavours joined with red plum, cooked brown mushroom and a piquant note take you on a spicy and earthy finish with astringent tannins. There is 5% of cabernet sauvignon in this medium-full-bodied sangiovese blend aged 14 months in new and used French oak barrels and it will be perfect for a hearty lasagna or a rare flank steak on the grill. Aerate/decant 2 hours or cellar for a couple of years. (Louise Boutin)

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Tenuta Orsumella ‘Gran Selezione – Organic’ 2015
DOCG Chianti Classico, Italy $34.95 13.5% alcohol
Thirty months of maturation in French oak barrels plus bottle ageing goes into this aromatic red—dry cherry, tobacco, potpourri and fennel seeds—very pleasant to the nose. A delicious flow of ripe red cherry and dry fig coats the palate with elegance until ripe, yet firm dusty tannins and high acidity add robustness and longevity character to this fine red. The finish is peppery and warm with red pepper and rosemary notes. This traditional medium-full bodied well crafted-red has cellaring potential but can be enjoyed now with 2 hours of aeration/decant alongside osso bucco or your favourite rare beef cut on the grill. (Louise Boutin)

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J. de Villebois Sauvignon Blanc 2020
IGP Val De Loire, France $16.95 (15774) 12.5% alcohol
This staple Loire white wine is matured in stainless steel tank on fine lees for six months. It screams freshness with its aromas of gooseberry, pineapple and thyme plus a layer of flinty minerality. The lees contact signature—round and coating mouthfeel—is noted as soon as the first sip hits the tongue, then a sharp fruit acidity—starfruit, passion fruit and lime—makes your mouth salivate. A pleasant white pepper note develops in the finish and otherwise mineral aftertaste. High acidity white wine lovers are in for a treat with this medium-bodied bottle. This is a perfect match with pesto pasta or warm, goat-cheese crostini. (Louise Boutin)

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Cave de Cleebourg Gewürztraminer 2018
AOC Alsace, France $18.95 13.5% alcohol
This straw-hued, Gold Medal winning gewürz leaps from the glass with lifted aromas of piquant spice, rosewater, mangoes and apricots; along with considerable spritz tingling the tongue with each pour. It’s fully textured with good mouthfeel and a strong, off-dry [15 g/L residual sugar], spice-laden, palate- flavour persisting through the finish and aftertaste. Pour with tarte d’Alsace or your favourite spicy Asian cuisine. (Vic Harradine)

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Tenuta Orsumella ‘Corte Rinieri – Riserva’ 2016
DOCG Chianti Classico, Italy $23.95 13.5% alcohol
This 100% sangiovese dishes up an array of aromas with roses, gamy notes and black and red cherry/berry notes galore. It envelops the palate with a deftly balanced, creamy-smooth mouthful of gorgeous flavours with ripe mulberry, delicious bramble berry compote and an excellent melding of acidity/tannin/fruit-flavour. This is nicely textured and finishes up with a lingering delicious aftertaste. Pour with spaghetti in a Bolognese sauce. The price-quality balance swings well in your favour; pick up three or more. (Vic Harradine)

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Tenuta Orsumella ‘Rubereto’ Rosso 2015
IGT Toscana, Tuscany, Italy $19.95 13.5% alcohol
There are beguiling aromas of dark juice berry fruit, pipe tobacco, grilled savoury herbs and floral notes in this 60% sangiovese/ 40% cabernet franc red gem. It captures the palate with a surge of fruit flavours— black, juicy Bing cherry, ripe black currant and bramble berry—decorated with spice, wonderful acidity and plenty of pizzazz. A monumentally long finish and aftertaste help make this a pleasing, unique tasting experience. The price-quality balance tips wildly in your favour; pick up a half-dozen or more. Serve with Spanish paella. (Vic Harradine)

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Tenuta Orsumella ‘Gran Selezione’ 2018
DOCG Chianti Classico, Italy $34.95 13.5% alcohol
Aromas of red cherry/berry fruit, leather and piquant spice abound on the nose of this ‘Gran Selezione’ red wine. It bursts over the palate with a satin-smooth river of fruit-driven ambrosia with dark cherry, juicy black plum, and bramble berry robed in excellent tang and acidity, underpinned with supple ripe tannin and lengthy in the finish and aftertaste. This is fair value, nicely textured, well balanced, fruit forward and simply delicious. Pair and pour with osso buco or pasta puttanesca. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2020 Provolo ‘Costa Del Monte’ is certified organic. It was sourced from 60% Müller-Thurgau/40% Chardonnay vines with an average age of 10 years planted at 900 meters above sea level. The fruit was hand-harvested then macerated on skins for six hours at 10 °C before being fermented in stainless steel for 20 days at controlled temperatures of 10-14 °C. It then matured in stainless steel for three to four months then kept in bottle for a further two months before being released. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour; pick up an armful, then go back for more.

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Provolo ‘Costa Del Monte’ 2020
IGT Bianco Veneto. Italy $17.95 13.0% alcohol
Beguiling aromas of exotic spice, soft citrussy notes and wisps of white flowers dominate the nose of this 60% müller-thurgau/40% chardonnay white blend. It’s crisp and refreshing with lemon-lime cordial, and hints of pineapple and honeydew melon being prominent as palate flavours in this just off-dry beauty. Light-medium bodied with good mouthfeel, it replays palate flavours throughout the dry finish. Pour with all manner of fish or seafood or as an aperitif or with lighter-styled appetizers. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2020 Rocca Sveva ‘Soave Classico’ was sourced from 100% garganega grapes that were gently pressed with the must being gravity settled then fermented and aged in stainless steel for approximately 6 months. Remove from the refrigerator about 15 minutes before pouring to allow the wine to show at its best.

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Rocca Sveva ‘Soave Classico’ 2020
DOC Soave, Italy $17.95 12.5% alcohol
Aromas of floral notes, minerality and soft citrus tones precede a gusher of balanced-on-a-pin palate- flavours of the Yin and Yang of sweet and tang with lemon pastille and lime cordial intertwined with a squeeze of fresh lemon and passionfruit. It’s medium weight with excellent creamy-smooth mouthfeel and a deftly balanced finish and aftertaste. Pour on its own or alongside mussels steamed in white wine, cream, garlic and cut-up leeks or with pan-seared white fish under a generous squeeze of fresh lemon. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2020 Rocca Sveva Pinot Grigio was sourced from 100% pinot grigio grapes that were gently pressed with the must being gravity settled then fermented and matured in stainless steel for approximately 6 months. Remove from the refrigerator about 15 minutes before pouring to allow the wine to show at its best.

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Rocca Sveva Pinot Grigio 2020
DOC Garda, Italy $17.95 12.5% alcohol
The delicate nose gives little away in terms of aromas—wisps of mineral notes and notions of citrus. It bathes the palate with a balanced and beautiful stream of green apple, Meyer lemon and white grapefruit juxtaposed with ripe, grilled pineapple and notions of Key lime pie and replays all of them on the mid- length finish and aftertaste. Pour on its own or with lighter-styled appetizers or a salad of arugula with an olive-oil dressing decorated with crumbled chèvre. (Vic Harradine)