Vintages: available online only! July 30, 2022 - not available if shopping in LCBO retail stores.
• Fruit was sourced from vineyards at 200m sitting on a limestone bench overlooking the Mediterranean where serious winemaking took hold in 1650, almost four hundred years ago.
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Gérard Bertrand ‘An 1650’ Syrah/Carignan/Mourvèdre 2018
AOP La Clape, France $19.95 (370262) 14.5% alcohol
This dark and brooding red blend is rich and luscious on the nose with aromas expressed as bramble berry jam, ripe black currant, grilled savoury herbs, black licorice and mixed spice. It envelops the palate with a gusher of tang and pizzazz expressed as well-rounded flavours of racy pie cherry, ripe juicy mulberry and plenty of soft, ripe tannin for underpinning and tucking away for four or more years of careful cellaring, if you are interested. Pour with osso buco or pasta puttanesca. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: August 13, 2022
• The following 2021 Gérard Bertrand ‘Perles de Grenache’ Rosé is 100% sourced from the King of grapes in the southern Rhône—grenache. Harvest was decided through multiple organoleptic tastings and observations of seed and grape colour waiting for the optimum moment to begin harvest. The bottle also sports an elegant glass necklace of ‘pearls’ by an artisan French creator, Chantal Thomass.
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Gérard Bertrand ‘Perles de Grenache’ Rosé 2021
IGP Pays D’Oc, France $18.95 (556209) 12.5% alcohol
Delicate aromas of floral notes and berry fruit—raspberry and blueberry—on the nose of this pale-pink, crunchy rosé. A dry, tangy river of cranberry, pomegranate and strawberry race over the palate with wild abandon and plenty of pizzazz. This is crisp and refreshing from glass top to last drop with excellent minerality joining on the finish and persevering through the aftertaste. Pour with a mixed sushi plate, freshly shucked, briny Malpeque oysters or with prawn ceviche. (Vic Harradine)
• The following Henry of Pelham ‘Estate’ Chardonnay is a Vintages Essentials wine always available in select LCBO stores. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour.
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Henry of Pelham ‘Estate’ Chardonnay 2021
VQA Short Hills Bench $21.95 (268342) 13.5% alcohol
Alluring aromas of mixed spice, ripe golden delicious apple, ripe pear and plenty of citrus capture the essence of this fabulous chardonnay hardly ever fails to satisfy. It bathes the palate with flavours of delicious apple, ripe pear and lemon pie filling adorned with racy tang. This is medium bodied with good mouthfeel and a lingering, juicy finish and aftertaste. It consistently showcases mixed spice, deft balance, persistent purity of fruit and a boatload of charm. Pour with roast chicken or pork cutlets. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2021 Henry of Pelham ‘Family Estate Winery’ Chardonnay is certified by Sustainable Winemaking Ontario. The hand-harvested, whole-cluster pressed grapes for this wine were kept to low yields of 3 tonnes per acre. The wine was barrel-fermented in French oak barriques with a portion in 3000L foudres then barrel-aged for eight months.
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Henry of Pelham ‘Estate’ Chardonnay 2021
VQA Niagara Peninsula $14.95 (268342) 12.8% alcohol
Fresh crisp and refreshing aromas waft easily from the gentlest of swirls with Granny Smith apple, ripe mango and saline minerality to the fore. This well-paced, well-priced chardonnay showcases crisp tang and pizzazz on the palate expressed as lemon chiffon pie filling adorned by crisp green apple and hints of honeydew melon. There’s good balance and creamy-smooth mouthfeel throughout along with persistent purity of fruit from twist top to the final delectable drop. The mouth-watering finish and crisp refreshing aftertaste lingers and is lip-smacking good. The price-quality balance swings wildly in your favour, pick up a few and pour with rotisserie chicken or your favourite deli board. (Vic Harradine)
• The following fruit-filled, exceptional-value 2021 Henry of Pelham Baco Noir was sourced from 100% Baco Noir from estate vines fermented in stainless steel tanks then matured six plus months in American oak. It was also certified by Sustainable Winemaking Ontario as sustainably grown and fashioned. Grapes were sourced from various vineyards with the oldest being 47-years-old when harvested for this wine and the youngest being five-years-old.
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Henry of Pelham Baco Noir 2021
VQA Ontario $15.95 (270926) 13.0% alcohol
Aromas of charred toast, black licorice and tarry notes are revealed with the slightest of swirls. It blankets the palate with black currant, black ripe juicy cherry and bramble berry jam along with tangy pie cherry and hints of cranberry. Baco Noir is a specialty of Henry of Pelham and is revered internationally and here at home. It’s medium-full bodied with good texture, structure and is fruit-driven. Pour alongside what grilled meat you pull off your barbecue—burgers, steaks, rack of lamb, gourmet sausage; you get the idea. The price-quality ratio is well in your favour… stock up. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: TBD, 2022
• The following 2019 Orsumella ‘Rubereto - Rosso Toscano’ Sangiovese/Cabernet Sauvignon is a 50/50 split between the hand-harvested sangiovese and the hand-harvested cabernet sauvignon that were sourced from various vineyards with an average altitude of +300 meters above sea level. Skin maceration lasts 20 days and during that period of time the alcoholic fermentation is also completed at a controlled temperature of 25 °C. Daily pump-overs and delestage are finalized for greater fruit and aroma extraction. The finished wine is introduced to new 10 hL French oak barrels for malolactic fermentation before being allowed to mature in 25 hL barrels for 18 months then is bottled and further aged in the bottle then placed for sale on the wholesale and retail markets.
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Orsumella ‘Rubereto - Rosso Toscano’ Sangiovese/Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
IGT Toscano Rosso, Italy $19.95 13.5% alcohol
Dark purple/black, almost opaque, this red blend dishes up aromas of mixed spice and chalky mineral notes before releasing a flavourful mouthful of blue and black fruit—dark cherry, blueberry and bramble berry jam—intertwined with piquant spice, vanilla and mixed herbs, This is medium-plus weight with good texture and lingering, ripe, fruit-flavoured aftertaste. It’s approachable now and particularly crowd-friendly. Pour alongside lasagna or osso buco, (Vic Harradine)
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Cantine Fratelli Bellini ‘90% sangiovese/10% merlot’ 2020
DOCG Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy $19.95 13.5% alcohol
Highly aromatic on the nose, look for dark cherry fruit, mixed spice and plenty of racy pie cherry and passionfruit that continue on the palate, finish and aftertaste. There are notions of blueberry and strawberry when you get to the finish and aftertaste. This is well-priced and well-paced for a Chianti Classico. Pour with pasta and meatballs or meat-laden red pizza. (Vic Harradine)
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Cantine Fratelli Bellini ‘Dominante’ 2018
IGT Toscana, Italy $17.95 12.5% alcohol
This red blend is primarily (70%) sangiovese and 10% of each of the following grapes—merlot, cabernet sauvignon and syrah. Aromas of tar, black licorice and dark cherry fruit abound in the nose with even a gentle swirl. Fruit flavours envelop the palate with black raspberry, red pie cherry and plenty of racy pizzazz. Pour alongside a chorizo and prawn paella. (Vic Harradine)
• The following Poggio Al Vento red blend was sourced from hand-harvested 70% sangiovese/20% merlot/10% canaiolo grapes that spent 6 months maturing in small French barrels after fermentation before blending and bottling.
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Azienda Agricola Poggio Al Vento 2019
IGT Toscano Rosso, Italy $17.95 13.5% alcohol
Aromas of mixed spice, sprigs of herbs, black currant and juicy black plum abound on the nose of this medium weight, nicely balanced Toscano Rosso at a desirable price-quality balance tipped well in your favour. It has persistent purity of fruit captured on the palate and persisting to and through the flavourful finish and delightful aftertaste. Well-paced and well-priced, give this a go with lasagna or pasta carbonara with ham. (Vic Harradine)
• The following Le Lodole matured for 12 months in American oak barriques then eight months in barrel followed by ageing for 12 months in bottle before release.
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Cantine Fratelli Bellini ‘Le Lodole - Toscano Rosso’ 2018
IGT Toscano Rosso, Italy $17.95 12.5% alcohol
The red blend in this wine is an interesting 80% sangiovese/ 10% merlot/ 10% cabernet that expresses itself admirably in the alluring aromas—exotic incense, dark cherry/berry fruit and fruit flavours on the palate—black cherry, ripe mulberry and bramble berry pie. This is medium-plus bodied with good texture and creamy-smooth mouthfeel from cork pop to last drop. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour; pick up an armful and serve with pasta puttanesca or osso buco. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2019 Antonio Roncolato ‘Ripasso’ was sourced from a red blend of hand-harvested 60% corvina/20% corvinone/20% rondinella grapes in late September, 2019. It macerated and fermented in their skins for 10-15 days then matured in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature. Ripasso translates loosely to passed over as the wine is re-fermented or passed over the skins of Amarone and drinks well now to 2028 when cellared carefully—a.k.a. ‘consistent dark, and cool temperature’.
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Antonio Roncolato ‘Ripasso’ 2019
DOC Valpolicella Ripasso, Italy $19.95 14.5% alcohol
Lightly hued ruby in the glass, it offers up aromas of juicy black plum and black cherry preceding a full-fruit flavoured palate wash of structured and medium-plus bodied pure ambrosia with crème de cassis and ripe mulberry to the fore along with exotic spice and grilled savoury herbs. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour, pick up a few, when released. Pour with your favourite hearty stew or try Cassoulet or osso buco (Vic Harradine)
• The following Antonio Roncolato ‘Valpolicella Superiore’ 2020 was sourced from a red blend of 50% corvina/30% corvinone/20% rondinella in October, 2020. It macerated and fermented on its skins for 10-15 days then matured in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature. The wine refines in the bottle for 3-4 months and drinks well now to 2028 when cellared ‘carefully’—a.k.a. ‘consistent dark, and cool temperature’.
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Antonio Roncolato ‘Valpolicella Superiore’ 2020
DOC Valpolicella Superiore, Italy $18.95 13.5% alcohol
Alluring aromas of floral and mineral notes join hands with mixed spice and red cherry/berry fruit. A surge of racy tang and pizzazz asserts on the palate expressing itself as pie cherry and passionfruit underpinned by a bed of soft, ripe tannin. There’s persistent purity of fruit to and through the mouth-watering finish and lip-smacking aftertaste. Give this a go with pasta puttanesca. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2018 Bodegas Valdelacierva ‘Alfar – Reserva’ was sourced from 100% tempranillo from a vineyard that had many aged tempranillo vines of 50 years and older.
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Bodegas Valdelacierva ‘Alfar – Reserva’ 2018
DOCa Rioja, Spain $19.95 14.0% alcohol
Aromas of rose petals, cedar and mixed spices abound on the nose of this smooth and mellow Rioja reserva. It blankets the palate with creamy smooth texture and mouthfeel along with flavours of black plum compote, juicy black cherry, racy passionfruit and bramble berry jam along with persistent purity of fruit to and through the finish and aftertaste. Pour with prawn and chorizo paella or an array of tapas. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2021 Cantina del Giusti ‘Fontedoccia’ was sourced from 90% sangiovese and the other 10% is made up of the following four red grapes—ciliegiolo, colorino, canaiolo nero, mammolo.
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Cantina del Giusto ‘Fontedoccia’ 2021
IGT Toscana, Italy $17.95 14.0% alcohol
This offers up aromas of red cherry/berry fruit entwined with savoury herbs and exotic spices. Flavours of pie cherry, black currant and tannin-tinged Ribena envelop the palate and infuse the tang-laden finish and racy aftertaste. It’s medium-bodied with deft balance and plenty of pizzazz from cork pop to last drop. Aerate/decant for two hours before serving with well-seasoned, medium-rare-grilled skirt steak. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2021 Azienda Agricola Valerio Zenato ‘Le Morette - Mandolara’ was sourced from 90% to 100% hand-harvested turbiana grapes. Wine regulations of the region make 90% the least amount of turbiana grapes in a DOC Lugana wine.
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Azienda Agricola Valerio Zenato ‘Le Morette - Mandolara’ 2021
DOC Lugana, Italy $19.95 12.5% alcohol
This is lightly yellow hued in the glass with notions of green on the edge. Lifted aromas of Granny Smith apple and ripe Mirabelle plums waft easily from the glass with a gentle swirl or two. It races over the palate with tang-infused flavours of Meyer lemon, Key lime and peel marmalade with a lip-smacking finish of saline and mineral notes and a persistent purity of ripe tropical fruit through the crisp and refreshing aftertaste. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour; serve with your favourite pan-seared fish or grilled seafood or roast chicken. (Vic Harradine)