Vintages Release: January 7, 2023
• The following wine was also Featured in the Vintages January 7, 2023 catalogue under ‘Local Find’
93
Konzelmann estate winery ‘Reserve Series’ Merlot - Shiraz 2019
VQA Niagara Peninsula $24.95 (30968) 13.0% alcohol
Pipe tobacco, exotic sandalwood and pomegranate aromas abound. It rolls over the palate with delicious flavours of tang-laden pie cherry, grilled savoury herbs and ripe juicy black currant robed in piquant spice and wisps of black licorice. This is medium-plus bodied with textured mouthfeel and a long finish and aftertaste. It’s drinking well now and pours well with shepherd’s pie, tourtière or grilled steak. There’s good value here. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2016 Pelee Island Winery ‘Vinedressers’ Cabernet Sauvignon/Petit Verdot is primarily cabernet sauvignon with only a splash of petit verdot according to the winery’s technical sheet.
91 
Pelee Island Winery ‘Vinedressers’ Cabernet Sauvignon/Petit Verdot 2016
VQA South Islands $19.95 (492470) 13.0% alcohol
Easily coaxed aromas translate to persistent purity of fruit to and through the palate, finish and aftertaste consisting of black berry, juicy Bing cherry and black plum adorned with savoury palate flavours of roasted sprigs of herbs and plenty of tang and pizzazz. This is balanced with good mouthfeel and underpinned with soft tannin. Give this a go after a one- or two-hour aeration/decant. Pour alongside chicken pot pie or Coq au vin. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2019 Ivory & Burt ‘Old Vine Zinfandel’ pays homage to two of the early settlers in Lodi—Charles Ivory and J.M. Burt. The Lodi soils are rich in minerals and well-drained along with a Mediterranean climate of warm afternoons and cool evenings that allows grapes to develop ripe fruit flavours. These fruit-forward wines have nice acid balance that characterize the quintessential Lodi style that has made and kept its sterling reputation. This is 100% sustainably grown and ages in new American oak.
• This wine scored a Double Gold at the 2022 New York International Wine Competition.
91
Ivory & Burt ‘Old Vine Zinfandel’ 2019
Lodi, California $19.95 (479303) 15.0% alcohol
Ripe and rich aromas of black cherry/berry fruit and mixed spice and savoury herbs abound on the nose of this rich, luscious Zin. It surges over the palate with black currant, black raspberry and hints of passionfruit and pie cherry that balance each other on the palate and throughout the finish and aftertaste. This has depth and complexity along with a good underpinning of supple tannin. Try this with grilled and smoked back ribs mopped with spicy barbecue sauce. (Vic Harradine)
• The following wine was also Featured in the Vintages January 7, 2023 catalogue under ‘Smart Buys’
• The following 2021 William Févre – ‘Mountain Grown - Reserva Especial’ Chardonnay was sourced from 100% Chardonnay and is from the clone supplied from William Févre’s vineyard in Burgundy some 25 years ago. The vineyard yield is 7,500 kg /ha taken from the San Luis Vineyard positioned at almost 700 M above sea level in the midst of thorns and briers. This wine punches well above the price-quality balance so pick up more than one, if you can.
91
William Févre – ‘Mountain Grown – Espino - Reserva Especial’ Chardonnay 2021
DO Maipo Valley - Andes, Chile $15.95 (350058) 13.8% alcohol
Aromas of ripe apricot, peel marmalade and lemon curd are easily coaxed from the wine with the gentlest of swirls. It captures the palate with a balanced and bountiful surge of ripe pineapple, plenty of tang and pizzazz and finishes with a dollop of buckwheat honey. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour—pick up a few and pour with pan-seared-in-butter fresh Atlantic salmon. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2019 Sidewood Estate ‘Stablemate’ Cabernet Sauvignon tips well in your favour regarding the price-quality balance. It earned 91 points at only $17.95 per bottle. Pick up a few and share with friends. Sidewood Estate is a premium winery in the premium Geographical Indication—aka GI—of Adelaide Hills.
• The following wine was also Featured in the Vintages January 7, 2023 catalogue under ‘Smart Buys’
92
Sidewood Estate ‘Stablemate’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
GI Adelaide Hills, Australia $16.95 (26926) 14.6% alcohol
This single-vineyard red is matured 18 months in French oak. It displays attractive aromas—ripe black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, cocoa powder and a hint of eucalyptus. It’s silky soft on the palate carrying delicious flavours of mixed berries, including bright tangy raspberry, plus cassis, cinnamon and finishing on a pleasant minty cooling effect. Medium-full-bodied with well- integrated alcohol, polished tannins and plenty of freshness. !t’s the perfect partner to lamb burgers or marinated flank steak hot off the grill. (Louise Boutin)
• The following wine was also Featured in the Vintages January 7, 2023 catalogue under ‘Smart Buys’
• The following 2020 Casale Del Giglio ‘Satrico’ is an inspired blend of 40% chardonnay/40% sauvignon and 20% trebbiano gialio grapes. It was fermented separately for each grape variety for 7 or 8 days then after racking it was matured in stainless steel tanks and bottled at the beginning of the following year.
92
Casale Del Giglio ‘Satrico’ 2020
IGT Lazio Bianco, Italy $18.95 (569806) 13.0% alcohol
Piquant aromas of savoury spice, flinty minerality and lemon pastille and floral notes keep your attention focussed on the wine in your glass. It blankets the palate with a steady stream of delicious palate flavours that persist to and through the lip-smacking finish and crisp, clean and refreshing aftertaste. Pour with pan-seared Atlantic salmon or pan-seared fresh-water pickerel. This is balanced and full of tang and pizzazz from cork pop to last drop. (Vic Harradine)
• The following wine was also Featured in the Vintages January 7, 2023 catalogue under ‘Local Find’
93
Konzelmann estate winery ‘Reserve Series’ Merlot - Shiraz 2019
VQA Niagara Peninsula $24.95 (30968) 13.0% alcohol
Pipe tobacco, exotic sandalwood and pomegranate aromas abound. It rolls over the palate with delicious flavours of tang-laden pie cherry, grilled savoury herbs and ripe juicy black currant robed in piquant spice and wisps of black licorice. This is medium-plus bodied with textured mouthfeel and a long finish and aftertaste. It’s drinking well now and pours well with shepherd’s pie, tourtière or grilled steak. There’s good value here. (Vic Harradine)
• The following wine was also Featured in the Vintages January 7, 2023 catalogue under ‘Smart Buys’
• The following 2016 Pelee Island Winery ‘Vinedressers’ Cabernet Sauvignon/Petit Verdot is primarily cabernet sauvignon with only a splash of petit verdot according to the winery’s technical sheet.
91
Pelee Island Winery ‘Vinedressers’ Cabernet Sauvignon/Petit Verdot 2016
VQA South Islands $19.95 (492470) 13.0% alcohol
Easily coaxed aromas translate to persistent purity of fruit to and through the palate, finish and aftertaste consisting of black berry, juicy Bing cherry and black plum adorned with savoury palate flavours of roasted sprigs of herbs and plenty of tang and pizzazz. This is balanced with good mouthfeel and underpinned with soft tannin. Give this a go after a one- or two-hour aeration/decant. Pour alongside chicken pot pie or Coq au vin. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2019 Ivory & Burt ‘Old Vine Zinfandel’ pays homage to two of the early settlers in Lodi—Charles Ivory and J.M. Burt. The Lodi soils are rich in minerals and well-drained along with a Mediterranean climate of warm afternoons and cool evenings that allows grapes to develop ripe fruit flavours. These fruit-forward wines have nice acid balance that characterize the quintessential Lodi style that has made and kept its sterling reputation. This is 100% sustainably grown and ages in new American oak.
• This wine scored a Double Gold at the 2022 New York International Wine Competition.
91
Ivory & Burt ‘Old Vine Zinfandel’ 2019
Lodi, California $19.95 (479303) 15.0% alcohol
Ripe and rich aromas of black cherry/berry fruit and mixed spice and savoury herbs abound on the nose of this rich, luscious Zin. It surges over the palate with black currant, black raspberry and hints of passionfruit and pie cherry that balance each other on the palate and throughout the finish and aftertaste. This has depth and complexity along with a good underpinning of supple tannin. Try this with grilled and smoked back ribs mopped with spicy barbecue sauce. (Vic Harradine)
• The following wine was also Featured in the Vintages January 7, 2023 catalogue under ‘Smart Buys’
• The following 2021 William Févre – ‘Mountain Grown - Reserva Especial’ Chardonnay was sourced from 100% Chardonnay and is from the clone supplied from William Févre’s vineyard in Burgundy some 25 years ago. The vineyard yield is 7,500 kg /ha taken from the San Luis Vineyard positioned at almost 700 M above sea level in the midst of thorns and briers. This wine punches well above the price-quality balance so pick up more than one, if you can.
91
William Févre – ‘Mountain Grown – Espino - Reserva Especial’ Chardonnay 2021
DO Maipo Valley - Andes, Chile $15.95 (350058) 13.8% alcohol
Aromas of ripe apricot, peel marmalade and lemon curd are easily coaxed from the wine with the gentlest of swirls. It captures the palate with a balanced and bountiful surge of ripe pineapple, plenty of tang and pizzazz and finishes with a dollop of buckwheat honey. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour—pick up a few and pour with pan-seared-in-butter fresh Atlantic salmon. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2019 Sidewood Estate ‘Stablemate’ Cabernet Sauvignon tips well in your favour regarding the price-quality balance. It earned 91 points at only $17.95 per bottle. Pick up a few and share with friends. Sidewood Estate is a premium winery in the premium Geographical Indication—aka GI—of Adelaide Hills.
• The following wine was also Featured in the Vintages January 7, 2023 catalogue under ‘Smart Buys’
92
Sidewood Estate ‘Stablemate’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
GI Adelaide Hills, Australia $16.95 (26926) 14.6% alcohol
This single-vineyard red is matured 18 months in French oak. It displays attractive aromas—ripe black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, cocoa powder and a hint of eucalyptus. It’s silky soft on the palate carrying delicious flavours of mixed berries, including bright tangy raspberry, plus cassis, cinnamon and finishing on a pleasant minty cooling effect. Medium-full-bodied with well- integrated alcohol, polished tannins and plenty of freshness. !t’s the perfect partner to lamb burgers or marinated flank steak hot off the grill. (Louise Boutin)
• The following wine was also Featured in the Vintages January 7, 2023 catalogue under ‘Smart Buys’
• The following 2020 Casale Del Giglio ‘Satrico’ is an inspired blend of 40% chardonnay/40% sauvignon and 20% trebbiano gialio grapes. It was fermented separately for each grape variety for 7 or 8 days then after racking it was matured in stainless steel tanks and bottled at the beginning of the following year.
92
Casale Del Giglio ‘Satrico’ 2020
IGT Lazio Bianco, Italy $18.95 (569806) 13.0% alcohol
Piquant aromas of savoury spice, flinty minerality and lemon pastille and floral notes keep your attention focussed on the wine in your glass. It blankets the palate with a steady stream of delicious palate flavours that persist to and through the lip-smacking finish and crisp, clean and refreshing aftertaste. Pour with pan-seared Atlantic salmon or pan-seared fresh-water pickerel. This is balanced and full of tang and pizzazz from cork pop to last drop. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: January 21, 2023
• The following 2019 Primus Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from a Mediterranean climate with well-defined seasons and rainfall concentrated during winter. The proximity to the Andes Mountains cools the nights and lengthens the slow ripening process and enhances the drying tannins on the palate. The wine spent 12 months in French oak barrels, 18% new. This wine tips well in your favour with its price-quality balance of 91 points at only $19.95
91
Primus Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Alto Maipo, Chile $19.95 (486043) 13.5% alcohol
A flurry of aromas dazzle the senses with dark cherry/berry fruit, black plum and notions of black currant and bramble berry pie. It sports still-evolving tannin with lots of tang and plenty of pizzazz. Aerate/decant two or three hours before serving with grilled beefsteak. You could also be patient and pop corks after 2024. (Vic Harradine)
• The following three wines from Ontario are slated to be in both the Henry of Pelham Winery as well as the LCBO with all sporting their recently released new vintage.
• The following 2021 Henry of Pelham ‘Old Vines’ Baco Noir was sourced from Old Vines with the oldest in this wine from a 1984 planting on their highly valued estate wine vineyards with low yields of approximately 3.5 tonnes per acre with all grapes gently moved by gravity. The wine was aged in a combination of new as well as one and two year-old American barriques then partially finished in 5000L foudres for a combined 12 months.
93
Henry of Pelham ‘Family Estate - Old Vines’ Baco Noir 2021
VQA Ontario $19.95 (459966) 13.0% alcohol
This is noticeably smoky and gamy on the nose with the gentlest of swirls that also reveal ripe dark cherry, bramble berry jelly and notions of piquant spice and grilled savoury herbs It envelops the palate with good weight, excellent balance, creamy-smooth mouthfeel and plenty of tang and pizzazz. There are palate fruit flavours galore—red raspberry and dark, juicy Bing cherry joining in with excellent tang and acidity and all melding well and persisting through the lingering finish. Pour alongside grilled lamb chops or rack of lamb. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour. Pick up a few, if you can. (Vic Harradine)
• During prohibition light airplanes would land at estates to collect whiskey and wine made in local barns. The following 2021 Speck Brother’s ‘Family Tree – The Bootlegger’ Baco Noir was sourced from grapes harvested in late September, 2021 then 20% barrel aged in 100% American oak and the other 80% aged in stainless steel tanks to create perfect balance between oak and fruit.
92
Speck Brother’s ‘Family Tree – The Bootlegger’ Baco Noir 2021
VQA Ontario $17.95 (16791) 13.0% alcohol
Charred campfire wood aromas abound along with mixed spices and dark cherry/berry fruit on the nose. It’s balanced on the palate between ripe fruit flavours, good tang and pizzazz, an underpinning of soft ripe tannin and a lingering finish and a dazzling aftertaste that is juicy ripe and delicious. Pour with grilled steak along with braised button mushrooms or backyard burgers or red pizza. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour with a 92 score and a $17.95 price tag. Pick up a few, if you can. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2020 Sibling Rivalry Red ‘Merlot – Cabernet Franc – Gamay’ was sourced from three prominent red grapes—merlot/cabernet franc/gamay—with all in the VQA appellation of ‘Niagara Peninsula’. It was fermented in stainless steel tanks with full maceration then matured with American oak for 8 months. The price-quality balance tips wildly in your favour; pick up an armful or have it delivered to your home, your office or your licensed establishment.
91
Sibling Rivalry Wines ‘Red - Merlot – Cabernet Franc – Gamay’ 2020
VQA Niagara Peninsula $14.95 (126151) 13.2% alcohol
Aromas of juicy black fruit—Bing cherry, black raspberry and Damson plum—give way to a delectable splash of fabulous palate flavour reflecting the aromas and the dazzling VQA 2020 vintage. It’s balanced and bountiful with good tension and plenty of tang and pizzazz that’s juxtaposed to smooth and mellow fruit flavours mentioned above. The lip-smacking finish and mouth-watering aftertaste are a pleasant sensation that will bring you back for another sip or two. Pour with grilled hot dogs or hamburgers or a vegetarian pasta dinner. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2019 Primus Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from a Mediterranean climate with well-defined seasons and rainfall concentrated during winter. The proximity to the Andes Mountains cools the nights and lengthens the slow ripening process and enhances the drying tannins on the palate. The wine spent 12 months in French oak barrels, 18% new. This wine tips well in your favour with its price-quality balance of 91 points at only $19.95
91
Primus Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Alto Maipo, Chile $19.95 (486043) 13.5% alcohol
A flurry of aromas dazzle the senses with dark cherry/berry fruit, black plum and notions of black currant and bramble berry pie. It sports still-evolving tannin with lots of tang and plenty of pizzazz. Aerate/decant two or three hours before serving with grilled beefsteak. You could also be patient and pop corks after 2024. (Vic Harradine)
• The following three wines from Ontario are slated to be in both the Henry of Pelham Winery as well as the LCBO with all sporting their recently released new vintage.
• The following 2021 Henry of Pelham ‘Old Vines’ Baco Noir was sourced from Old Vines with the oldest in this wine from a 1984 planting on their highly valued estate wine vineyards with low yields of approximately 3.5 tonnes per acre with all grapes gently moved by gravity. The wine was aged in a combination of new as well as one and two year-old American barriques then partially finished in 5000L foudres for a combined 12 months.
93
Henry of Pelham ‘Family Estate - Old Vines’ Baco Noir 2021
VQA Ontario $19.95 (459966) 13.0% alcohol
This is noticeably smoky and gamy on the nose with the gentlest of swirls that also reveal ripe dark cherry, bramble berry jelly and notions of piquant spice and grilled savoury herbs It envelops the palate with good weight, excellent balance, creamy-smooth mouthfeel and plenty of tang and pizzazz. There are palate fruit flavours galore—red raspberry and dark, juicy Bing cherry joining in with excellent tang and acidity and all melding well and persisting through the lingering finish. Pour alongside grilled lamb chops or rack of lamb. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour. Pick up a few, if you can. (Vic Harradine)
• During prohibition light airplanes would land at estates to collect whiskey and wine made in local barns. The following 2021 Speck Brother’s ‘Family Tree – The Bootlegger’ Baco Noir was sourced from grapes harvested in late September, 2021 then 20% barrel aged in 100% American oak and the other 80% aged in stainless steel tanks to create perfect balance between oak and fruit.
92
Speck Brother’s ‘Family Tree – The Bootlegger’ Baco Noir 2021
VQA Ontario $17.95 (16791) 13.0% alcohol
Charred campfire wood aromas abound along with mixed spices and dark cherry/berry fruit on the nose. It’s balanced on the palate between ripe fruit flavours, good tang and pizzazz, an underpinning of soft ripe tannin and a lingering finish and a dazzling aftertaste that is juicy ripe and delicious. Pour with grilled steak along with braised button mushrooms or backyard burgers or red pizza. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour with a 92 score and a $17.95 price tag. Pick up a few, if you can. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2020 Sibling Rivalry Red ‘Merlot – Cabernet Franc – Gamay’ was sourced from three prominent red grapes—merlot/cabernet franc/gamay—with all in the VQA appellation of ‘Niagara Peninsula’. It was fermented in stainless steel tanks with full maceration then matured with American oak for 8 months. The price-quality balance tips wildly in your favour; pick up an armful or have it delivered to your home, your office or your licensed establishment.
91
Sibling Rivalry Wines ‘Red - Merlot – Cabernet Franc – Gamay’ 2020
VQA Niagara Peninsula $14.95 (126151) 13.2% alcohol
Aromas of juicy black fruit—Bing cherry, black raspberry and Damson plum—give way to a delectable splash of fabulous palate flavour reflecting the aromas and the dazzling VQA 2020 vintage. It’s balanced and bountiful with good tension and plenty of tang and pizzazz that’s juxtaposed to smooth and mellow fruit flavours mentioned above. The lip-smacking finish and mouth-watering aftertaste are a pleasant sensation that will bring you back for another sip or two. Pour with grilled hot dogs or hamburgers or a vegetarian pasta dinner. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: TBD 2023
• The following 2020 ARH Australian Wine Company ‘Paringa’ Shiraz was sourced from 100% Shiraz from the state of South Australia with yields of approximately 4 tons per acre
92
ARH Australian Wine Company ‘Paringa’ Shiraz 2020
G. I. South Australia $19.95 (632083) 14.9% alcohol
Alluring aromas of baking spice and dark cherry/berry fruit waft easily from the glass with a gentle swirl or two. It’s creamy-smooth on the palate and abounds with fresh ripe pie cherry and notions of black juicy cherry. This full bodied red spent one year in 50% new and 50% pre-loved used French oak barrels, as well as 12 months resting in bottle. It delivers persistent purity of fruit and juicy flavours of tang and pizzazz, adding persistent baking spice and a warm feeling on the finish and aftertaste brought on by the hi-octane alcohol. Give this a go with barbecued, rack of lamb, burgers or roast chicken. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2020 Caves de Rauzan ‘Château Haut-Mazières’ was sourced from 65% merlot/20% cabernet sauvignon/15% cabernet franc with all from the Bordeaux region of France. The finished wine underwent 12 months of maturation in oak barrels before blending and bottling. The yield was 56 hl per ha.
93
Caves de Rauzan ‘Château Haut-Mazières’ 2020
AOC Bordeaux, France $16.95 (487546) 13.5% alcohol
Medium ruby red in the glass, this incredibly well-made red blend—65% merlot/20% cabernet sauvignon/15% cabernet franc dishes up a smorgasbord of aromas on the lively, fresh nose—red pie cherry, black plum and black bramble berry intertwined with grilled, savoury herbs and a dollop or two of soft ripe tannin for a soft underpinning. The palate is treated to a gusher of fruit flavours with black raspberry and blueberry to the fore along with tang-laden passionfruit and plenty of pizzazz. Pour alongside coq au vin, osso buco or cassoulet. (Vic Harradine)
• The following Tenuta Della Luia ‘Cilestro’ 2021 was sourced from 50% sangiovese/50% cabernet.
92
Tenuta Della Luia ‘Cilestro’ 2021
IGT Toscano Rosso, Italy $17.95 (13521) 13.5% alcohol
Aromas of baking spice, tobacco leaf and sprigs of savoury herbs waft easily from the glass with a few moderate swirls. The palate is blanketed with pure ambrosia of fruit-driven flavours with bramble berry, dark cherry and a boat load of cassis and kirsch liqueur along with tang-laden pie cherry and plenty of pizzazz from cork pop to final drop. Pour alongside prawn and chorizo paella. (Vic Harradine)
90
Caves de Rauzan ‘Fleur’ Sauvignon - Blanc 2022
AOC Entre-Deux-Mers, France $15.95 (20900) 12.0% alcohol
This wine is vegan friendly and sustainably farmed. Strong, green vegetal aromas fill the air along with soil aromas of clay and limestone. The palate experiences creamy-smooth mouthfeel and plenty of tang-laden flavours including Key lime pie and Meyer lemon with notions of white grapefruit pith on the finish and aftertaste. Pour with fish and seafood or lighter styled salads or appetizers. (Vic Harradine)
90
Caves de Rauzan ‘Le Noble – Cuvée Réserve – Sauvignon - Blanc 2022
AOC Bordeaux, France $15.95
Alluring aromas of citrus fruit—lemon, lime and blood orange intertwined with tang-laden fruit-flavours replayed from the aromas along with a streak of salinity and an eruption of flinty minerality to and through the finish and aftertaste. Give this a go with breaded and pan-seared calamari or an assorted sushi platter or deli board. (Vic Harradine)