Vintages Release: April 17, 2019
92
André Brunel ‘Cuvée Sabrine’ Côtes-du-Rhône Villages 2016
AOC Côtes-du-Rhône Villages, France $16.95 (538496) 14.0% alcohol
This blend of 70% grenache, 20% syrah, 10% mourvèdre is hand harvested from vines averaging 60-years-old and is a treat for the nose—ripe dark fruit, baking spice, violet, dry tobacco aromas and a fresh minty note. It’s a medium-full bodied red matured 18 months in concrete vats then blended and aged an additional six months before bottling. A cool and supple stream of ripe blackberry, black cherry, cassis and black olive flavours travel the palate with ease and enjoyment along with savoury herb and black pepper notes persisting in the medium-length, warm, dry finish. This is a great partner to roasted lamb or red pizza with black olives. (Louise Boutin)
90
Villa Symposia ‘L’Équilibre’ 2015
AOC Languedoc, Pézenas, France $16.95 14.0% alcohol
A combination of stainless steel and one-year-old barrels were used to mature this red blend—50% syrah/30% carignan/10% grenache/10% mourvèdre. An expressive nose—dry cherry, baking spice, cedar, milk chocolate and potpourris—delights the senses. L’Équilibre means balance and that translates perfectly with this perfectly balanced, medium-full bodied red. A perfect combination of delicious flavours of dark cherry, cassis and blackberry mingle with savoury dry herbs and black olive on the palate. There’s enough tang, spice, earthiness and fine-grained tannin to be enticed back for more, and more. Pour now to 2020 with braised beef short ribs or eggplant parmigiana. (Louise Boutin)
89
Domaine Força Réal 2016
AOP Côtes du Roussillon Villages, France $16.95 (494161) 14.5% alcohol
There’s a world of value in this delectable, hand-harvested red blend—60% grenache/30% syrah/10% mourvèdre—that matured eight months in stainless steel tanks. It needs a vigorous swirl to reveal its bouquet—black plum, dark cherry, raspberry, fresh rose and dusty minerality. The fine-grained, nicely astringent tannins are felt right away followed with ripe dark plum, blackberry and cassis flavours adding a dry savoury herb and mineral note on the mid-length finish. This is medium-full bodied with perfect alcohol integration and meant to be enjoyed with food. Pair with juicy, rare-grilled steak. Aerate/decant two hours prior to serving. (Louise Boutin)
Vintages Release: August 17, 2019
89
Valpanera Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso 2016
DOC Friuli, Aquileia, Italy $15.95 (10080) 12.5% alcohol
The price-quality balance here tips well in your favour. Smoky dark fruit, earthiness and dry herbs fill the air. This medium-bodied red’s grape variety, ‘refosco dal peduncolo’, is named because of its red stem; it’s grown primarily in Italy, with Friuli the preferred region, and also in Slovenia and Croatia. This is medium bodied with flavours of blackberry, tart cherry, cranberry and a savoury note emerging mid palate and persisting through the savoury, tart, drying finish. Aerate/decant one hour and pour with spaghetti and meatballs. (Louise Boutin)
Vintages Release: September 14, 2019
88
Ambo Grigio Pinot Grigio 2018
DOC Friuli, Italy $13.95 (10093) 12.5% alcohol
This friendly-priced medium-light bodied white from northeast Italy shows a pretty floral nose and fresh aromas of pear, green apple and pink grapefruit. Nose and palate are aligned here and the fresh juice flows easily with a nice zesty finish and aftertaste. Thirst quenching on its own, it’s also perfect with salted munchies. Drink now. (Louise Boutin)
Vintages Release: TBD, 2019
89
Cleebourg Pinot Gris 2017
AOC Alsace, France $18.95 13.5% alcohol
This medium-straw shaded with golden hues pinot gris opens the door with lactic aromas, white pepper, mild smoke, minerality and a ripe pear note. It’s both round and crisp on the palate revealing flavours of poached pear, quince, candied lemon peel and a suggestion of fresh thyme turning to a mild almond bitter note in the mid-length dry fruity finish. This is medium bodied and quite delicious with raclette and a charcuterie selection. (Louise Boutin)
90
Alba Vega Albariño 2018
DO Rias Baxias, Spain $15.95 (488973) 13.5% alcohol
Saline breeze and seaweed come to mind when nosing this medium-bodied white from the Spanish Atlantic coast. This is deliciously briny and mouth-watering with honeydew melon and citron-confit flavours on the palate carried all the way to the satisfying long tart and mineral finish. This is a food friendly wine and it’s perfect with fried calamari. (Louise Boutin
92
Domaine Courtois ‘La Source’ Côtes-du-Rhône 2017
AOC Côtes-du-Rhône, France $14.95 14.5% alcohol
This beautiful bright medium-ruby blend—80% grenache and 20% syrah, stainless steel fermented is a steal! Aromas of fresh mixed berry compote, black cherry, violet and a hint of orange zest charm the nose. It glides on the palate with softness, showcasing crunchy black cherry, black plum and tangy raspberry flavours to the fore. Then peppery herb and warmth develop on the medium-long lively fruity/savoury finish. Surprisingly lighter than expected on the palate despite the alcohol level, this medium-bodied red is a hit on its own, with red sauce pasta or dry cherry-stuffed pork tenderloin. (Louise Boutin)
91
River’s Edge ‘Elkton Cuvée’ Pinot Noir 2014
Elkton, Oregon $17.95 (557850) 14.7% alcohol
Classic pale-garnet shaded, this pinot captivates the senses with its layer of red cherry and gamy aromas on the nose. Crunchy tart cherry and earthiness mingle with baking spice and polished tannin with all in perfect harmony. This is medium bodied with invisible alcohol until it gently warms-up mid-palate and takes you in a comforting savoury and spice long finish reminiscent of ginger snap cookies. This is excellent with tourtière or moussaka. Drink now to 2022. (Louise Boutin)
91
Domaine Les Pins ‘Les Rochettes’ Bourgueil 2017
AOC Bourgueil, France $17.95 (478263) 13.0% alcohol
Sourced from 10 to 35-year-old vines; this 100% cabernet franc has a lovely bright, medium-ruby colour. The nose is shy at first, but when given a chance to open, it shows aromas of dark cherry, strawberry, jalapeño and dusty rock. It flows on the palate with the freshness of juicy red berry flavours with spicy pepper kicking in on the mid palate along with assertive fine-grained tannin and recurrent minerality in the long, delicious, sharp and dry finish. It’s medium bodied with character and excellent structure and is a hit with grilled-rare ribeye steak. Aerate/decant an hour or two. (Louise Boutin)
89
Domaine Gouron Chinon 2018
AOC Chinon, France $16.95 (470963) 13.0% alcohol
This value-packed 100% cabernet franc, sourced from 30-years old vines, went through a short wine making process with no oak contact allowing retention of the fruitiness of the grapes. Expect lively aromas of sweet red cherry and plum with peppery notes in the background. It flows easily on the palate with crunchy red fruit—cherry and cranberry—polished, noticeable tannin and chalky minerality trailing in the fruity, mineral, dry finish. This offers excellent versatility at the table. Pour now to 2022 with bell pepper pizza or red sauce and pasta. (Louise Boutin)