Vintages release: September 12, 2009

Henry of Pelham ‘Reserve Off-Dry’ Riesling 2007
VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment $15.95 (557165) 11.5% alcohol
Heady aromas of zesty citrus, crisp green apple and hints of spicy ginger waft from this well-balanced and fully textured white. Racy citrus, ripe pineapple and lemon chiffon pie flavours bathe the palate throughout. There’s wonderful balance between the sweet fruit flavour and the excellent moderating acidity. Pair with coquilles St. Jacques or a creamy cheese like Brie. (Vic Harradine)


Luigi Bosca ‘Reserva’ Malbec 2006 

Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina $17.95 (79293) 14.0% alcohol
Deep dark purple in the glass, it emits soft aromas of black licorice, tar and berry jam. Sweet ripe fruit flavours explode on the palate with mulberry, boysenberry and cranberry to the fore. The lingering well-balanced finish dishes out cranberry, toasty oak and sour cherry flavours. It’s medium bodied and fully textured, pairing nicely with burgers, pizza and lasagna. (Vic Harradine)

Vintages release: November 7, 2009

Château Guillou 2006
AOC Montagne Saint-Émilion, France $18.95 (140483) 13% alcohol
Merlot predominant and from older vines averaging 55 years, this opens with aromas of toasty oak, rich dark berry fruit and nuances of earthiness. Look for ripe black cherry, mulberry and dark chocolate on the palate of this medium-weight, nicely textured red. It finishes lengthy with hints of leafiness and chalky tannin. Aerate/decant two hours then pair with something rich and hearty like osso bucco or cassoulet. (Vic Harradine)


Château Fontenelles ‘Cuvée Notre Dame’ Corbières 2007
AOC Corbières, France $16.95 (106518) 13% alcohol
Bewitching aromas of dark berry fruit, plum compote and garrigue—mixed herbs of Provence—drift from this beautifully sculpted Syrah/Grenache blend. Profound purity of fruit bathes the palate with succulent boysenberry, ripe black cherry and spiced black currant galore. It’s medium weight and smooth as silk showcasing a balanced finish of fruit and finely burnished tannin. Nudging five stars; don’t pass this up. (Vic Harradine)

Vintages release: November 21, 2009

Viña Tabalí ‘Reserva’ Syrah 2007
DO Valle dei Limari, Chile $16.95 (662692) 14.5% alcohol
Cool-climate conditions plus fruit hand picked into small containers, fermented in small stainless steel tanks and aged 12 months in French and American oak coalesce to produce this dazzling red. Cracked pepper and ripe mulberry aromas precede a well-balanced wave of succulent flavour with dark berry fruit, black Damson plum and racy Montmorency cherry predominant. It’s medium to full bodied, generously textured and finishes in a lip-smacking surge of spiced red berry fruit and chalky tannin. Aerate/decant for two hours then pour with strip loin grilled rare to medium rare, now to 2014. (Vic Harradine)