Vintages Release: July 25, 2020
• Many wine lovers avoid viognier as they aren’t certain how to pronounce it. What a pity; Click here to listen to the correct pronunciation. The 2018 Gérard Bertrand ‘Réserve Spéciale’ Viognier punches well above the price. Pick up a half dozen and spread enjoyment over summer and fall, 2020.
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Gérard Bertrand ‘Réserve Spéciale’ Viognier 2018
IGP Pays d’Oc, France $14.95 13.0% alcohol
Alluring delicate aromas of tropical fruit, honey, floral notes and soft citrus waft easily from the glass. It bathes the palate with a creamy smooth, fully textured wash of mixed spice, orchard fruit and wisps of white grapefruit. This is balanced and charming from cork pop to final drop. It showcases persistent purity of fruit from entry to lingering finish and aftertaste. Incredibly versatile at the table, pour on its own as an aperitif, with poached or grilled seafood, with Salad Niçoise or ham and cheese omelet. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: August 8, 2020
• Certified for Sustainable Winegrowing, the following 2017 Ivory & Burt ‘Old Vine’ Zinfandel was aged in American oak, some new, and sourced from 100% Lodi Zinfandel.
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Lange Twins Family Vineyards and Winery ‘Ivory & Burt - Old Vine’ Zinfandel 2017
Lodi, California $19.95 (479303) 15.0% alcohol
You would never guess that this fruit bomb is 15.0% hi-octane. No sign of heat and all signs of concentrated fruit—plum compote, blackberry, even peach jam—and baking spice make up for a very charming cocktail on the nose. Sweet juicy plum and ripe black cherry flavours mingle with smooth tannin and cinnamon notes in a very easy-drinking fashion. This is a crowd pleaser and it will be perfect alongside a selection of artisan sausages at your next barbecue party. (Louise Boutin)
Vintages Release: August 8, 2020
• The following 2019 Redstone Rosé is a blend of—50% cabernet franc/25% merlot/25% syrah—sourced from estate and other select vineyards across the Niagara Peninsula.
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Redstone Rosé 2019
VQA Niagara Peninsula $18.15 13.0% alcohol
This is the perfect fruity-savoury mix both on the nose and palate with aromas of strawberry, cranberry, red bell pepper and fresh celery leaf followed with palate-bathing tart red fruit flavours, a hint of red bell pepper jelly, topped with a peppery note. This is a refreshing medium-bodied rosé extremely versatile to enjoy alongside grilled steelhead trout burger, red sauce gourmet pizza or simply with mixed olives and feta cheese at the apéro. (Louise Boutin)
Vintages Release: August 8, 2020
• The following 2016 Sartori ‘Superiore’ Valpolicella is a ‘Special Edition’ bottling to mark their 120th anniversary. Hand-picked fruit was sourced from a vineyard at 260m above sea level with vines trained overhead in the traditional ‘pergola Veronese trellis system’—see photo below. The wine underwent malolactic fermentation then 18 months of maturation in small- and medium-size oak casks.
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Sartori ‘Superiore’ Valpolicella 2016
DOC Valpolicella, Italy $24.95 (14584) 13.0% alcohol
Aromas of grilled herbs, exotic spice and cherry/berry fruit herald a gorgeous mouthful of pure ambrosia with a mélange of flavours—black currant, black Bing cherry and black raspberry interwoven with soft ripe tannin and plenty of tang and pizzazz. It’s medium-weight with excellent texture, balanced and beautiful. Pour with spaghetti, pasta sauce and meatballs. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: September 2020
• The following 2016 Henry of Pelham ‘Estate’ Cabernet-Merlot is certified by Sustainable Winemaking Ontario as sustainably grown. Low-yielding, 3 tonnes per acre, hand-harvested fruit was sourced from estate vineyards on the Short Hills Bench, destemmed, sorted and partially fermented in oak tank with extended maceration. It matured in European and American oak, 30% new, then blended in an oak tank with total time in wood reaching ten months.
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Henry of Pelham ‘Estate’ Cabernet-Merlot 2016
VQA Short Hills Bench $24.95 (395855) 13.5% alcohol
Lots of peppery character on the nose but also ripe dark fruit, cedar and graphite with this Bordeaux-styled red blend. Über silky-textured at first, it morphs into a robust juice of ripe blackberry and cassis flavours joined with savoury dry herbs, bright acidity and black peppercorn notes persisting in the very dry finish. This has cellaring potential with its grippy tannin but will be delicious with rare, grilled flank steak, seasoned with ‘Montreal steak’ spice mix. Aerate/decant two hours. (Louise Boutin)
Vintages Release: TBD 2020
• The following 2019 André Brunel ‘Bécassonne’ Blanc is a blend of 50% roussanne/30% grenache blanc/20% clairette hand-harvested from vines averaging 40 years old. It was vinified in concrete vats at 18C and settled for six months in vats before bottling.
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André Brunel ‘Bécassonne’ Blanc 2109
AOP Côtes du Rhône, France $17.95 13.5% alcohol
A Rhône blend—50% roussanne/30% grenache blanc/20% clairette—it dishes up lifted aromas of melon, citrus and floral notes. It’s crisp and refreshing from cracking the twist top to last drop with palate flavours galore—honey dew and musk melon interwoven with apricot and grapefruit zest. This is creamy smooth with medium-plus texture and a lengthy finish that replays palate flavours and it’s lip-smacking good. Perfect to sip outdoors on its own or with lighter-styled appetizers. In a word… delicious. (Vic Harradine)
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Domaine de Vervine Vacqueyras 2016
AOP Vacqueyras, France $26.95 14.5% alcohol
This GSM blend—65% grenache/30% syrah/5% mourvèdre—wafts aromas easily from the glass with bramble berry and black juicy cherry intertwined with cedar and mixed spice. It blankets the palate with a spice-laden and tang-infused mouthful of sweet, ripe mulberry, fig, crème de cassis and black currant jelly. This is medium-full bodied with plenty of mouthfeel and a balanced and beautiful finish and aftertaste. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour. (Vic Harradine)
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Born To Be Wine Carignan 2019
Product of France $18.95 14.5% alcohol
This is certified organic and 100% carignan. It offers up fruit-forward aromas of bramble berry, blueberry and exotic incense. It envelops the palate with a burly surge of black currant and kirsch liqueur laced with sweet vanilla. This is medium-full bodied with silky-smooth texture and enough tang and acidity for balance. It finishes lengthy, fruity and full of pizzazz. Pour alongside smoked and grilled back ribs slathered with spicy barbeque sauce. (Vic Harradine)