• Order the following wine by the case plus those in previous newsletters for home, restaurant or office delivery in Ontario from Nokhrin Wines or Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., if in the GTA, phone 416 704-8617.
• Fruit for the following 2016 ‘WhataboutMe’ Malbec was sourced from high-altitude vines at 1200m, hand-harvested from 8-10-year-old vines, undergoing 12 days maceration with 3 pump-overs daily and bottled non-fined.
Alpasión Wines ‘WhataboutMe?’ Malbec 2016
Mendoza, Argentina $14.95 15.0% alcohol
This punches well above its weight with the price-quality and risk-reward propositions well in your favour. Aromas of rich, ripe berry fruit, savory herbs and piquant spice make way for a high-toned, balanced and beautiful river of bramble berry jam, pie cherry and excellent tang coating the palate persisting through the long, luscious, dry finish and aftertaste. Pour with burgers, gourmet sausage, red pizza and grilled steaks. (Vic Harradine)
• Order the following wines—plus those in previous newsletters—by the case (some in cases of six) for home, restaurant or office delivery in Ontario from VinoLuna wine agency. Contact via website, VinoLuna, by Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or in the GTA phone 416 587-6691.
• The following 2015 Domaine D’Aigues Luberon has fruit sourced from 60% syrah/20% grenache/15% carignan/5% cinsault vines averaging 25 years of age.
Domaine d’Aigues Luberon 2015
AOP Luberon, France $14.95 15.0% alcohol
This deep-ruby blend of syrah, grenache and carignan entices with lifted aromas of cherry, blackberry, sweet spice, black pepper and leather. Medium-full bodied and dry, with a weighted texture reflecting the high alcohol, it displays flavours of ripe cherry, plum jam with a touch of spice and black pepper. It finishes with good structure and lengthy, spice-infused red berry aftertaste. Enjoy with steak au poivre. (Lisa Isabelle)
Ravoire & Fils ‘Rhône to the Bone’ 2015
AOP Côtes du Rhône, France $14.95 14.0% alcohol
This is a fruit-filled, red blend—65% grenache/35% syrah—with sweet, ripe flavours throughout. Aromas of floral notes, dark cherry and piquant spice abound. A persistent river of ripe, black cherry, cassis and kirsch liqueur flecked with peppery and earthy notes wash over the palate, medium bodied, nicely textured, with considerable charm. There are wisps of ripe tannin on the finish; aerate/decant a couple of hours before serving. (Vic Harradine)
Domaine de Beaumière Côtes du Rhône 2015
AOP Côtes du Rhône, France $14.95 13.0% alcohol
Produced from the fruit of 40-year-old vines, this elegant blend of 80% grenache and 20% syrah opens with aromas of cherry and plum mingling with notes of garrigue, baking spices and violet. Dry, medium-full bodied with perceptible tannin and clean acidity, red fruit and spice replay on the palate while a hint of black pepper persists through the mid-plus length finish. Pair with a traditional cassoulet. (Lisa Isabelle)
Domaine Épicuriale ‘Cuvée Gourmande’ Côtes du Rhône 2015
AOP Côtes du Rhône, France $14.95 14.0% alcohol
This blend of 70% syrah, 30% grenache offers a wealth of aromas—red and dark berry fruit, smoke, espresso bean and charcuterie. Dry, mid-plus weight, it’s firmly structured with drying tannin and lively acidity. Ripe, sweet fruit—cherry, plum, blackberry—mingles with baking spices and cocoa lasting through the extended, warm finish. Aerate/decant for two hours and serve with grilled venison burgers. (Lisa Isabelle)