Vintages Release: September 10, 2022

• The following 2019 Henry of Pelham ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir was hand-harvested, sustainably grown and certified by Sustainable Wine of Ontario. After being gently de-stemmed and mechanically sorted, grapes were then carefully moved by gravity. Grapes are de-seeded then seeds added back judiciously to control the tannin structure of the wine. Fruit was fermented in stainless steel using pulse-air with hand punch downs to gently manage the cap.

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Henry of Pelham ‘Family Estate’ Pinot Noir 2019
VQA Short Hills Bench $27.95 (268391) 13.0% alcohol
Gamey notes mingle with subdued aromas of barnyard, piquant spice and savoury herbs on the nose. A stream of red cherry and black currant flavours envelop the palate adorned with tang-infused passionfruit, black plum, dark ripe cherries and hints of ripe manageable tannin. It’s medium bodied with pleasant mouthfeel, good balance and plenty to like. Give this a try with smoked duck breasts or roast turkey. This is very good value and extremely enjoyable drinking now; and… it may still continue to improve over time as it has since previously tasted in October, 2021. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2018 Château Vrai Caillou was sourced from 55% merlot/25% cabernet franc/20% cabernet sauvignon by 6th generation vignerons and was bottled at the estate that is situated in the l’Entre-deux-Mers wine region between the Dordogne and the Gironde Rivers.

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Château Vrai Caillou 2018
AOC Bordeaux Supérieur, France $14.95 (348292) 12.5% alcohol
Aromas of grilled savoury herbs, rich red cherry/berry fruit and exotic spice mingle on the nose of this Bordeaux red blend. It’s medium-plus bodied with creamy smooth mouthfeel, good balance with soft tannin, crunchy red cherry/berry fruit and some delectable bramble berry jelly on the back palate, finish and aftertaste. Pour with backyard burgers or grilled gourmet sausage off the barbecue. (Vic Harradine)

Vintages Release: September 24th, 2022

• The following 2019 Chombart + Speck ‘Cave Mystère’ Merlot is a collaboration between the Chombart family of Bordeaux, France with the Speck brothers of Henry of Pelham winery here in Ontario. The prehistoric caves below the Chambort’s vineyards at their winery, Château Lamothe-Haux, are carved out of limestone and go for kilometers as the limestone is used for the buildings in the area. The raisin d’être for the collaboration is to fashion a red wine in ‘old world’ Bordeaux to please ‘new world’ palates’. This particular wine matured in French oak barriques in the caves below ground level at the winery.

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Cave Mystère ‘Chombart & Speck Families’ Merlot 2019
AOC Bordeaux, France $19.95 (17232) 14.0% alcohol
Dark, brooding and almost opaque when poured, it dishes up aromas of piquant spice, notions of mint and cherry/berry fruit galore on the nose with the gentlest of swirls. It rolls over the palate in delectable waves of mellow and smooth flavours with ripe juicy cherry and sweet bramble berry joined on the finish and aftertaste by an underpinning of soft tannin and pleasing tang-infused crunchy red cherry. Pour alongside a premium cut of beefsteak grilled medium-rare with a side of steamed, chopped and creamed, fresh spinach. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2020 Henry of Pelham Family Estate ‘Reserve’ Chardonnay was hand-harvested at 3 tonnes per acre and whole cluster-pressed then barrel-fermented in French oak with a portion in large 3000L foudres and then barrel-aged for eight to ten months with a portion of that in new oak barrels.

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Henry of Pelham Family Estate ‘Reserve’ Chardonnay 2020
VQA Short Hills Bench $34.95 (616466) 13.5% alcohol
Shy aromas can be coaxed from the glass with some serious swirls. Orange blossoms and citrus aromas mingle with green apple and toasty notes on the nose. A surge of pure ambrosia captures the palate with flavours of crisp Granny Smith apple, ripe honeydew melon and lemon-lime tang and pizzazz. It gives a full-Monty effort on and after the palate with the lip-smacking finish and delectable lengthy aftertaste. My highest compliment—it was incredibly difficult to spit after tasting, rather than swallowing the wine, although I did manage to spit. (Vic Harradine)

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Soho Wines ‘Stella’ Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand $22.95 (554311)
You will find the usual suspects when nosing this in your glass—passionfruit, gooseberry, grassy and flinty notes. It stings a bit on the front palate with piquant spice and sprigs of herbs along with Key lime and Meyer lemon before smoothing out with lemon pastille and Key lime pie on the tangy finish and lingering balanced aftertaste. Pour with steamed green-lipped mussels in a broth of cream, white wine and chopped leeks. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2019 Quinta de S. Sebastião ‘Syrah-Tinta Roriz’ is a blend of two grapes, Syrah aka Shiraz as well as Tinta Roriz aka Tempranillo in Spain and numerous other countries of the wine world.

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Quinta de S. Sebastião ‘Syrah-Tinta Roriz’ 2019
Vinho Regional Lisboa, Portugal $13.95 (946360) 13.5% alcohol
Aromas of earthy notes, dark cherry/berry fruit and notions of prune plums precede a tang-infused river of palate flavours with pie cherry and passionfruit to the fore along with red currant jelly and notions of © Ribena. This is medium-bodied with structure and a fairly smooth and mellow finish and aftertaste. Pour alongside red pizza, gourmet sausage or pasta puttanesca. (Vic Harradine)

Vintages Release: October 8th, 2022

• Cafeyate boasts of some of the highest vineyards above sea level in the world.

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Bodega Alta Vista Estate ‘Premium’ Torrontes 2020
Cafeyate, Salta, Argentina $17.95 ((37127) 13.5% alcohol
Honeysuckle floral notes, rose petals and ripe apricot, pineapple and citrus note aromas dominate the nose of this gorgeous Cafeyate Torrontés. It glides over the palate with flavours of pure ambrosia—lime-drizzled honeydew melon, ripe mango, Kacaba melon and lemon curd galore. It finishes balanced, beautiful and bountiful with plenty of palate flavour replays on the lip-smacking finish and mouth-watering aftertaste. Pour on its own or with lighter-styled appetizers, now and on to 2025. (Vic Harradine)

• The following Cave de Hoen ‘Méthode Traditionnelle – Pinot Auxerrois – Blanc de Blancs’ Non-Vintage is made in the style of Champagne with the 2nd fermentation having taken place in the bottle(s) you purchase and take with you.

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Cave de Hoen ‘Méthode Traditionnelle – Pinot Auxerrois – Blanc de Blancs’ Non-Vintage
AOC Crémant d’Alsace, France $17.95 (416578) 12.5% alcohol
It opens with an alluring nose of honeyed orange and aromas followed by a lovely attack on the palate with oodles of racy zesty flavour—lemongrass, red currant and citrus galore. This is exceptional-value with loads of flavour and serious fine-bead mousse when poured in the glass. It’s light on its feet with a refreshing mouth-watering finish and an excellent aperitif and one with which to welcome friends and guests. At this price, keep a few for unexpected friends and guests, as well. (Vic Harradine) 

Vintages Release: TBD, 2022

• The following 2021 Garciarévalo ‘FINCA TRESOLMOS LIAS’ Verdejo-Vino Blanco wine is certified organic with their accreditation on the back label. It is 100% verdejo harvested at the end of September, 2021 from 30-year-old vines. The Verdejo grape is indigenous to Northern Africa, discovered sometime in the 11th Century and brought to DO Rueda, Spain where it continues to flourish at exceptionally-low price levels.

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Garciarévalo ‘FINCA TRESOLMOS LIAS’ Verdejo-Vino Blanco 2021
DO Rueda, Spain $14.95 (218354) 13.5% alcohol
Alluring aromas of floral notes, Key lime and Meyer lemon waft easily from the glass with the gentlest of swirls. It washes over the palate with racy flavours of lemon-lime, nectarine and notions of Granny Smith apple adorned with pizzazz and plenty of charm to and through the lip-smacking finish and mouth- watering aftertaste of lime cordial. It’s light on its feet and pours well with lighter-styled fish and seafood; not so well with most grilled red meat or heavy sauces. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2021 Provolo ‘Tenuta Ca’Nove’ Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from 100% cabernet sauvignon that was hand-harvested in mid-September, 2021. Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks under controlled conditions for 20 days then was matured for six months in American and French oak casks.

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Provolo ‘Tenuta Ca’Nove’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
IGT Veneto, Italy $16.95 13.5% alcohol
Exotic aromas of sandalwood, baking spice and vanilla intertwine with fresh, red cherry /berry flavours. It glides effortlessly on the palate with good balance of acidity, pizzazz and ripe juicy pie cherry juxtaposed with sweet vanilla, ripe, juicy black cherry and ripe black currant persisting with purity of fruit to and through the delightful finish and mouth-watering aftertaste. Give this a go with your favourite grilled barbecue meat or lasagna, pasta puttanesca or chili con carne. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2019 Provolo ‘Campotorbian’ was hand-picked from red grapes on vines grown in vineyards at 350 m above sea level—60% corvina/25% rondinella/10% corvinone/and 5% oseleta. All grapes were picked from 12 to 13 year old vineyards at the end of September, 2019. Grapes were macerated and stirred daily then underwent alcoholic fermentation in stainless tank for 15 days controlled from 25 ° to 29 ° C then settled on Amarone skins after adding 10% raisins. Spontaneous malolactic fermentation occurred in mid-April then the wine was matured in 40% tonneaux for 24 months and 60% wooden barrels then settled in corked bottle for 6 months. This wine is accredited as being organic. Please aerate in a decanter for twenty minutes after being removed from a refrigerator before serving.

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Provolo ‘Campotorbian’ 2019
DOC Valpolicella, Ripasso, Superiore, Italy $19.95 (13999) 14.5% alcohol
Alluring aromas of piquant spice, sandalwood and exotic incense abound preceding notions of crunchy pie cherry and red currant. Palate flavours of nerve and verve passionfruit, intertwine with kinder and softer red currant jelly and juicy black currant. This is medium-bodied with good texture and loads of pizzazz from cork pop to last drop. Pour alongside pizza, paella or fettucine noodles and tomato sauce. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 20 Provolo ‘Gino’ was hand-picked from red grapes on vines in marly- limestone grown in vineyards at 350 m above sea level—60% corvina/20% rondinella/20% rebo. All grapes were picked from vineyards averaging 30-years-old in 2021 with vines trained to being ‘pergola Veronese’. Grapes were macerated and stirred daily then underwent alcoholic fermentation in stainless tank for 10 days controlled from 25 ° to 27 ° C. Then spontaneous malolactic fermentation occurred in mid-April then the wine was matured in 40% concrete and 60% wooden barrels for six months then settled in corked bottles for an additional 3 months. This wine has an accreditation of it being organic and there is a green decal on the back label attesting to this.

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Provolo ‘Gino’ 2021
IGT Rosso Veneto, Italy $15.95 14.0% alcohol
Aromas of red cherry/berry fruit, with sprigs of mixed herbs precede a wash of palate flavours including juicy, black cherries, strawberry, mocha and bittersweet chocolate. This is medium-bodied with balance and structure and a lip-smacking finish and a lingering aftertaste that displays replays from the palate. Give this a go with aged cheese or roast chicken. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2020 Tinazzi ‘CA’ de’ Roccha - Corvé’ was soured from 100% corvina Verona with an average age of thirty years that were hand-harvested from the sunny hillsides of Valpolicella at 125 to 300 M above sea level.. The grapes were pressed and destemmed with maceration and alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel tank at controlled temperatures of 20 to 24 ° C for 10 to 15 days, then matured in both 5 and 20 hectolitre French and American barrels from 4 to 8 months.

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Tinazzi ‘CA’ de’ Rocchi - Corvé’ 2020
IGP Provincia di Verona, Italy $14.95 (19746) 13.5% alcohol
Ripe fruit, sprigs of herbs and bramble berry jam aromas dominate the nose on this single-sourced-grape wine. There’s good balance and plenty of fruit flavour on the palate with pie cherry, black bramble berry and notions of black currant persisting to and through the lengthy finish and aftertaste. This shows well when paired with grilled or braised beef, backyard hamburgers or pasta puttanesca. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2018 Tinazzi ‘Ca’ de’ Rocchi – Valpolicella was sourced from hand-harvested 80% corvina/15% rondinella/5% molinara in October. For 7/10 days grapes were pressed, destemmed, macerated and fermented. Grapes were gently pressed and fermented at a cool temperature controlled from 20 °C to 24 °C. The wine matured in five hectolitre and 20 hectolitre French and American barrels for four to eight months.

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Tinazzi ‘CA’ de’ Rocchi’ - Valpolicella 2018
DOP Valpolicella, Italy $16.95 13.0% alcohol
Light-ruby hued in the glass, aromas of earthy notes, exotic spice and dark cherry/berry fruit are easily coaxed with the gentlest of swirls. A well-paced surge of both red and black cherry is intertwined with red currant jelly and black bramble-berry tart and nicely supported by balanced and lingering finish and aftertaste. This has notions of elegance and plenty of charm from cork pop to last drop. It’s also versatile at the table. Pour with pizza, backyard burgers or spaghetti with Bolognese sauce. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2018 Tinazzi ‘CA’ de’ Rocchi – La Bastia’ was sourced from grapes that were selected from premium vineyards in a hilly area at 150 to 300 M above sea level in Valpolicella—80% corvina/10% corvinone/10% rondinella, grapes were selected and harvested by hand at the start of October 2018, After shriveling via the loss of water, until December that year then before maceration the grapes were pressed, destemmed with fermentation occurring for approximately 21 days, at a controlled temperature of 20 °C to 24 °C. The wine then matured in 5, 20 and 40 hectolitre French and American oak barrels for 12 to 24 months.

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Tinazzi ‘CA’ de’ Rocchi – La Bastia’ 2018
DOCG Amarone Della Valpolicella, Italy $43.95 16.0% alcohol
Rich and sensuous aromas of spice cake and exotic incense are adorned with a fruit cocktail of blueberry, black plum compote and hints of pie cherry. It blankets the palate with a rich and luscious stream of figs and raisins robed in dark juicy cherries and baking spice. There’s plenty of pizzazz and charm with persistence of purity of fruit palate replays through the delightfully lengthy and delicious finish and aftertaste. Pour alongside a grilled premium cut of beefsteak. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2019 Tinazzi ‘Collezione di Famiglia – Superiore’ was sourced from 90% corvina and corvinone/10% rondinella from hilly vineyards at 150 to 300M above sea level. Pressing and destemming of grapes occurred at a controlled, cool temperature of 22 to 26 °C for 10 days. At the end of December, the Valpolicella Superiore wine passed over Amarone marc—to acquire more body and complexity—hence the ‘Ripasso’ designation. The wine matured in 5 and 20 hectolitre French and American oak barrels for 8 to 12 months.

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Tinazzi ‘Collezione di Famiglia – Superiore’ 2019
DOP Valpolicella Ripasso, Italy $20.90 14.0% alcohol
Aromas of exotic incense, sprigs of herbs, prunes and raisins abound along with nutmeg and balsamic notes and juicy black currant and juicy dark Bing cherry on the nose. It blankets the palate with a pure ambrosia of persistent purity of flavours with © Ribena, ripe mulberry, black raspberry and oodles of pizzazz and plenty of charm to the fore. It’s balanced with good mouthfeel and texture and a soft, ripe tannin underpinning. In a word, delicious. Pour alongside osso buco or cassoulet. (Vic Harradine)

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Tenute Salvaterra Amarone Classico della Valpolicella 2017
DOCG Amarone delle Valpolicella, Italy $47.95 (13999) 16.0% alcohol
Lifted aromas of dried fruit, cherries and roasted espresso intertwine with baking spice and notions of vanilla. It spreads over the palate with a surge of flavours riding creamy-smooth mouthfeel and interesting texture along with flavours of dried mushrooms, ripe red berries and cherries to the fore. There is persistent purity of fruit running from the front palate to and through the lip-smacking finish and delightful, lingering aftertaste. You can sip on its own and meditate or pour with wild game bird or your favourite cut of beefsteak. (Vic Harradine)

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Tenute Salvaterra ‘Classico’ 2021
DOC Valpolicella, Italy $19.95 13.0% alcohol
This red blend consists of 60% corvina/10% corvinone/25% rondinella/5% local, autochthonous grapes. Fresh aromas of wild strawberry, black raspberry and juicy Bing cherry robed in charm and plenty of pizzazz. It washes over the palate with nerve, verve and plenty of tang expressed as pie cherry, passionfruit, bitter almond and piquant spice. It settles down on the back palate, finish and aftertaste leaving a more balanced taste to enjoy. Aerate/decant for two hours before pouring alongside smoked and grilled pork back ribs mopped with spicy barbecue sauce. (Vic Harradine)