2027 Cellars ‘Queenston Road’ Pinot Noir 2012

VQA St. David’s Bench $35.00 (421370) 13.0% alcohol 
Here’s a fabulous Pinot with great purity of fruit, complexity, balance and delectable flavour. Funky aromas of earthiness, savory bits, spice and dark toast are pried from the subdued nose. Palate-coating flavours of juicy, tangy sour cherry and spice-infused black berry interweave with notions of anise and cocoa. It finishes with a balanced, complex replay of palate flavours garnished with ripe, supple tannin and charm—it was tough to spit. Good to go now and on to the early 2020s. (Vic Harradine) 

   
The Grinder Pinotage 2013
WO Western Cape, South Africa $13.95 (269076) 14.0% alcohol
This is a Vintages Essentials product, always available in select stores—it won a ‘Judges Choice’ award at the ‘World Wine Awards of Canada’. Campfire smoke, roasted chicory root and red berry fruit on the nose, it flows over the palate medium bodied and creamy smooth with flavours of red cherry, grilled herbs and kirsch liqueur. It finishes rustic and lengthy with a lovely bitter bite. Pour with grilled, smoked, pork back ribs mopped with spicy bar b que sauce. (Vic Harradine)