Vintages Release: January 25, 2020

90 
Quinta de Curvos ‘Provo Cega’ 2017
DOC Douro, Portugal $12.95 (446054) 14.5% alcohol
This is sourced from premium Port grapes—50% touriga nacional/25% touriga franca/25% tinta roriz and an incredible steal for its qualities. A lively fresh nose of mixed crushed berry, kirsch liqueur and floral note introduces a soft flow of delicious palate flavours—ripe blackberry, blueberry and cassis, lifted with bright raspberry acidity and wrapped in chalky fine tannin. The finish is nicely warm with tangy fruit flavours and a cinnamon hint in the aftertaste. This is ready to go and a delicious match with charcuterie board. (Louise Boutin)

Vintages Release: February 8, 2020

92
Bookwalter Winery ‘Readers’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Washington State $35.95 (13238) 14.9% alcohol
Don’t let the simple red label mislead you, this is serious wine. Rich ripe fruit—82% cabernet sauvignon/18% syrah—was sourced from Columbia Valley (95%) and Yakima Valley then aged 24 months in French oak. The nose is intense with ripe black fruit, green pepper, tobacco leaf, baking spice and briny black olive aromas. A cool stream of juicy black cherry, ripe blackberry and cassis flavours fill the palate until drying tannins join in, revealing dark chocolate character and layers of mixed spice and savoury dry herbs in the lasting enjoyable finish. This is an approachable, skilled-crafted full-bodied red with ageing potential but hard to resist now. Aeratedecant one hour prior to dinner and enjoy with rare prime rib or eggplant parmigiana. (Louise Boutin)

89 
Henry of Pelham ‘Three of Hearts’ Rosé 2018
VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 (552562) 11.5% alcohol
Sexy aromas of exotic spice, floral notes and freshly picked strawberries abound on the nose of this medium-bodied nicely textured rosé. It bathes the palate with a delectable river of strawberry flavour mingling with delicate Meyer lemon and lip-smacking tang persisting through the dry, crisp and clean finish. Give this a go with a charcuterie board or mixed deli platter or a white, lightly dressed three-cheese pizza—brie, Gouda and chèvre—brushed with spicy olive oil. (Vic Harradine)

Vintages Release: TBD

90  
Caves de Rauzan ‘Le Noble - Cuvée Réserve’ 2018
AOC Bordeaux, France $16.95 12.5% alcohol
This 80% merlot/20% cabernet sauvignon red blend was stainless steel and barrel-fermented then settled in stainless steel tank. This is rich and complex, mellow and smooth with a price-quality balance that tips well in your favour. Aromas of dark berry fruit and sprigs of wild herbs abound. It bathes the palate with black raspberry and dark cherry interwoven with mocha and hints of cassis. It’s balanced and beautiful showcasing charm, complexity and plenty of pizzazz. Stock up. (Vic Harradine)

89 
Caves de Rauzan ‘Villotte’ 2018
AOC Bordeaux, France $16.95 12.0% alcohol
This 70% merlot/30% cabernet sauvignon was fermented and allowed to settle in temperature-controlled stainless steel tank—it saw no oak. Fresh lively aromas of black currant, dark cherry and savoury herbs precede a wash of palate-caressing flavours with red currant and pomegranate intertwined with lip-smacking tang that persists through the mouth-watering finish along with wisps of ripe tannin. It’s light-medium bodied with no rough edges. Give it a go with pasta in tomato sauce. (Vic Harradine)

90  
3 – Rings ‘It’s Magic’ Shiraz 2017
Barossa Valley, South Australia $17.95 14.9% alcohol
This hi-octane shiraz—almost 15.0% alcohol—wafts from the glass with alluring aromas of dark berry fruit—currant and raspberry—interlaced with mixed spice and grilled savoury herbs. It coats the palate with gusher of flavour—black currant jam, bittersweet dark chocolate and notions of kirsch liqueur. It finishes in a balanced, lengthy and warm finish with persistent palate-replays and hints of gamey bits. You won’t go wrong pouring it with oven-baked or barbecued back ribs mopped with spicy barbecue sauce. (Vic Harradine) 

• The following 2017 Puelles Gran Reserva is a red blend of hand-harvested 95% tempranillo and 5% garnacha, graciano, mazuelo that matured 24 months in 50% French oak and 50% American oak barrels.

92 
Puelles Gran Reserva 2017
DOCa Rioja, Spain $25.95 14.0% alcohol
This delivers perfumed aromas of rose petals and leather and is absolutely delicious. It’s medium-full bodied with good mouthfeel as a gusher of flavour coats the palate and remain prominent in the finish and lengthy aftertaste—black plum and dark cherry decorated with peppery spice, hints of cassis and spice. This showcases deft balance, persistent purity of fruit and plenty of charm. (Vic Harradine)

89  
Cantina de Soave ‘Perlit’ Spumante Brut Non-Vintage
DOC Garda, Italy 13.95 11.5% alcohol
This is light-yellow hued and brimming with alluring aromas—floral notes, tropical fruit and citrus. Gentle bubbles when poured, they carry palate flavours of green apple and ripe pear mingling with excellent lemony tang persisting through the finish. It’s quite delightful as an aperitif or when paired with light appetizers. The aftertaste has a slight peach-skin adornment. (Vic Harradine) 

90  
Cantina de Soave ‘Settecento 33’ Spumante Brut Non-Vintage
DOC Lessini Durello, Italy $13.95 12.0% alcohol
Fashioned from the autochthonous durella grape, flavours of freshly sliced strawberry and excellent citrussy tang mingle with the bubbly mousse in this gorgeous welcoming wine. This is dry, flavourful and finishes in a mouth-watering crescendo of palate replays. Don’t hesitate, pick up a few to keep on hand for unexpected guests. This is value-packed. (Vic Harradine)

90  
Casa Vinicola Bosco Malera ‘Conte Priuli’ Prosecco Spumante Extra Dry Non-Vintage
DOC Prosecco, Italy $14.55 11.0% alcohol
This punches well above the price. Peach, pear and apple aromas abound. A lively mousse underpinned by racy tang and flavours of green apple and lemon drop candy captures the palate. There’s a hint of off-dry on the lingering balanced and beautiful finish and aftertaste. This pours well on its own and sublime when served alongside fish and seafood appetizers. (Vic Harradine)

91 
Cantina de Soave ‘Perlit’ Prosecco Spumante Brut Non-Vintage
DOC Prosecco, Italy $14.95 11.5% alcohol 
Aromas of straw and hints of floral notes provide segue to a delightful river of fruit-infused palate flavours with yellow peach, ripe Bosc pear and lemon citrus notes to the fore. There’s lots going on here with complexity, oodles of tang and plenty of ripe fruit flavours to provide balance. It finishes with more of the same… in a word, delicious. Pour with friends and a charcuterie or deli platter. (Vic Harradine) 

89 
Fattoria Le Torre ‘Guinzano’ Rosso 2016
DOC San Gimignano, Italy $16.95 14.0% alcohol
This red blend—70% sangiovese/15% cabernet sauvignon/15% merlot—opens with aromas of grilled mixed herbs and dark berry fruit. It blankets the palate with flavours of crunchy red fruit—pie cherry and currant—interwoven with earthy notes and wisps of mocha. It’s medium weight with good mouthfeel and perceptible grippy tannin—easily ameliorated with a two-hour aeration/decant—on the warm, dry finish. Pour alongside pasta puttanesca. (Vic Harradine)