Vintages Release: February 4, 2017
Fattoria La Torre ‘La Villa’ Chianti Colle Senesi 2015
DOCG Chianti Colle Senesi, Italy $14.20 (480665) 13.0% alcohol
Situated near San Gimignano, this value-packed red blend is 90% Sangiovese/10% Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s medium weight with very good mouthfeel, deft balance and raciness. A delightfully juicy wash of ripe red currant and pie cherry streaks across the palate with hints of sweet red raspberry. It finishes dry and in a blaze of mouth-watering tang. Pour with pasta arrabiata or spaghetti Bolognese. (Vic Harradine)
Miguel Torres ‘Santa Digna – Reserva’ Syrah 2013
Central Valley, Chile $14.95 (480905) 14.0% alcohol
Medium-purple hued, this certified ‘Fair Trade’ Syrah offers aromas of dark cherry and plum with hints of black pepper and violet. Red currant, cherry and garrigue provide a mouth-watering tang on the palate. Its dry, medium bodied with firm tannins through the mid-length finish. Decant an hour before serving with seasoned, grilled lamb chops. Very good value here. (Lisa Isabelle)
Henry of Pelham Estate Pinot Noir 2012
VQA Short Hills Bench (268391) $24.95 13.5 % alcohol
Delicate aromas of red cherry, pomegranate and red currant accented with floral notes and earthy forest floor float from the glass. Flavours of ripe red cherry, raspberry, sweet pipe tobacco and cloves bathe the palate. This well-balanced, medium-light bodied Pinot is dry and finishes mid length with fresh acidity and subtle tannins. Pair with roast duck with cranberry compote. (Lisa Isabelle)
• The following French Rosé is a thoughtful Valentine’s Day gift in which you may be invited to share.
Gérard Bertrand ‘Cote des roses’ Rosé 2015
AOP Languedoc, France (373985) $18.95 12.5% alcohol
This Grenache/Cinsault/Syrah blend is as attractive as its bottle with the base projecting the shape of a rose. Pale salmon in colour, it entices the nose with notes of pink grapefruit, strawberries and acacia flowers. Dry and medium bodied, it tempts the palate with flavours of blood orange, white peach, red currant and almond which linger on the mid-length finish. A talisman of love and spring no matter the season. (Lisa Isabelle)
Curvos Loureiro Vinho Verde 2015
DOC Vinho Verde, Portugal (471284) $12.95 12.0% alcohol
Lifted aromas of ripe fruit—peach, pineapple and melon—are layered with honeysuckle and ginger. A rush of nectarine, green apple and lemon flavours garnished with crisp acidity persist through the mid-length, saline finish. This dry, medium bodied wine has a refreshing, light spritz that would complement a seafood salad at brunch. (Lisa Isabelle)
Vintages Release: March 4, 2017
• The following is sourced from high-altitude +900 m, +80-year-old Tempranillo vines and is stunning. It was harvested in an excellent vintage, fermented at 28C for 10 days then macerated post-fermentation a further two weeks before malolactic conversion in new French oak barrel and aging in French and American for 24 months before an additional 12 months resting in bottle before release.
Hispanobodegas ‘12 Linajes - Reserva’ 2009
DO Ribera del Duero, Spain $32.10 (437681) 14.5% alcohol
Aromas of dried currant, red berry fruit and dark coffee waft from this sensational red. It bathes the palate with an elegant, tapestry of flavour—red cherry and cranberry interwoven with ripe black currant, excellent tang and a brushstroke of dark bittersweet chocolate. It’s medium weight with creamy, generous mouthfeel and a luxurious, lengthy finish and aftertaste. Pour with prawn and chorizo paella. (Vic Harradine)
• Wine has been made on the Cappezzana property in Carmignano—a warmer appellation just outside Chianti—since 804 AD with vines being cultivated in this region for over 3000 years. This is a red blend of 80% Sangiovese/20% Cabernet Sauvignon matured in small barrique and larger tonneaux barrel approximately 12 months.
Capezzana ‘Villa di Capezzana’ 2012
DOCG Carmignano, Italy $34.80 (344762) 15.0% alcohol
Lively aromas of piquant spice, floral notes, juicy red cherry and black licorice swirl from the glass. A medium-bodied, tang-laden wash of pie cherry, black plum and passion fruit streak across the palate with great élan. The racy finish lingers with warmth and a bit of a grilled herb bite. A two-hour aeration decant before pouring with pastitsio, lasagna or pasta in tomato sauce makes for a lovely combination. (Vic Harradine)