Red Wine
91
Mission Hill ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
Okanagan Valley $30.95 (553321) 14.5% alcohol
A lovely nose of savory herbs, wisps of smoke and vanilla introduce this gem. A luscious mouthful of dark black cherry and bramble berry blankets the palate drenched in excellent tang underpinned by ripe, fine-grained tannin as well as fruit replays on the finish. There’s good purity of fruit, complexity and deft balance throughout. Certainly a wine one can enjoy thoroughly on its own after a one or two-hour aeration/decant, it would also be a divine dance partner served with medium-rare grilled, well-seasoned striploin. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2014 Esporão ‘Reserva’ Red Blend was sourced from hand-picked, estate-grown fruit sourced from Alicante Bouschet, Aragonez, Trincadeira, Cabernet Sauvignon vines. Each variety was vinified separately, fermented in stainless steel tank with malolactic conversion, manual pump-overs and robotic plunging before maturing 12 months in 60% American, 40% French oak and further 8 months settling in bottle before release.
90
Esporão ‘Reserva’ Red Blend 2014
DOC Alentejo, Portugal $25.95 (606590) 14.5% alcohol
Lifted aromas of grilled herbs and dark berry fruit precede a rush of red and black fruit coating the palate expressed as ripe black briary berry, red cherry and wisps of blueberry. This is medium-plus bodied with good balance and plenty of lively tang on the lengthy, lip-smacking finish and aftertaste. Pour alongside hearty stew, grilled steak or beef fajitas. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2015 Concha y Toro ‘Winemaker’s Lot 148’ Carmenère is made exclusively for export to Canada and is on a limited-time discount of $2.00 from now until November 5, 2017 retailing @ $15.95 until then.
88
Concha y Toro ‘Winemaker’s Lot 148’ Carmenère 2015
Rapel Valley, Chile $17.95 (30957) 14.0% alcohol
This is good value and it’s rich, ripe and rarin’ to go now. A beautifully balanced river of juicy black Bing cherry and black plum interweave with racy pomegranate and herbal notes on the creamy smooth palate along with mixed spice and mocha. It’s a bit funky on the nose with some bell pepper and strong herbal notes, but that melts away and you’re left with a creamy-smooth, hedonistic offering. It pours and pairs well with burgers, red pizza or lasagna. (Vic Harradine)
90
Stags’ Leap Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Napa Valley, California $55.95 (996405) 14.1% alcohol
This offers good balance on the palate, flavourful fruit and a drying, mouth-watering finish and aftertaste. Aromas of dark berry fruit, tarry notes and grilled savory herbs provide segue for a full-bodied, generously textured flow of black berry, sweet vanilla and racy red currant washing over the palate infusing the dry finish and aftertaste along with reverberating tang. (Vic Harradine)
86
Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Paso Robles, California $22.95 (738823) 13.5% alcohol
Aromas of savory herbs and peppery spice mingle with red and black cherry/berry fruit on the nose of this nicely textured, mid-plus weight cabernet. It rolls over the palate with a hedonistic personality showcasing black raspberry jam, sweet vanilla and toasty/oaky notes along with nicely integrated tannin for structure. Pour with grilled steak, barbequed ribs or burgers. (Vic Harradine)