Vintages Release: December 12, 2020

• The following 2017 Wakefield ‘Jaraman’ Shiraz was sourced from two South Australia, Geographical Indications—Clare Valley (where Wakefield winery is located) and McLaren Vale, with both highly acclaimed for their individual terroir.

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Wakefield ‘Jaraman’ Shiraz 2017
Clare Valley / McLaren Vale, South Australia $24.95 (377036) 14.5% alcohol
Heady aromas of deep, rich, dark berry fruit cocktail leap from the glass interwoven with notions of tar and medicinal notes. It blankets the palate with a surge of piquant spice and oodles of acidity mingling with ripe mulberry fruit and tang-laden passion fruit all underpinned by still-evolving tannin. A three-hour aeration/decant will go a long way to enhancing your imbibing experience, popping corks in three years after careful cellaring will take it even further. (Vic Harradine)

Vintages Release: January, 2020

• The following 2018 Buena Vista Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from vineyards in Lake County and Sonoma County in the North Coast AVA then matured in French oak for 11 months, 10% new.

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Buena Vista Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
North Coast, California $19.95 (254458) 14.5% alcohol
Expect a fresh nose of black cherry, raspberry and a touch of cedar aromas with this classic California cab. It flows softly on the palate with flavours of cherry, blackberry, cassis, a vegetal note and a peppery touch in the dry finish and aftertaste. The alcohol is quite well integrated in this medium-full bodied red that will please your guests around an outdoor BBQ. (Louise Boutin)

Vintages Release: January, 2020

• The following 2018 Quail’s Gate Dry Riesling was sourced in East and West Okanagan estate-owned vineyards with fruit pressed and racked, with long, cool, temperature-controlled fermentation over four weeks—enhancing aromatics and preserving crisp and vibrant fruit flavours. This family-owned winery is managed by a 4th generation Okanagan wine family.

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Quail’s Gate Dry Riesling 2018
VQA Okanagan Valley, BC $19.95 (308312) 12.5% alcohol
Lemon-lime and green apple aromas surge from the glass joined by delicate whiffs of orchard blossoms and petrol. The tangy palate is bathed in an array of citrus flavours, Granny Smith apple, and a defined mineral note with a hint of honey. Dry, medium-light bodied with bright acidity, vivid citrus flavours endure on the lengthy finish while accents of lime zest emerge on the aftertaste. Enjoy with pan-seared snapper. (Lisa Isabelle)

Vintages Release: TBD 2021

• The following 2020 André Brunel ‘la Bécassonne’ Blanc is a blend of 50% roussanne/30% grenache blanc/20% clairette hand-harvested from vines averaging over 40 years old. It was vinified in concrete vats at 18° C and settled for six months in vats before bottling.

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André Brunel ‘la Bécassonne’ Blanc 2020
AOP Côtes du Rhone, France $16.95 13.5% alcohol
This young, white southern-Rhône blend will make you smile with its exquisite aromas of ripe pear, fresh sweet honeydew melon, white freesia flower and a backdrop of minerality.
Uber soft and ample on the palate, it carries flavours of pear and fresh apricot immediately followed with white grapefruit zest. The finish is slightly pithy with a white pepper and saline note providing excellent balance and length. It’s delicious paired with fish and chips or bacon-wrapped scallops. (Louise Boutin)

• The following 2017 Bodegas Ugalde ‘Casa Centimaria’ Crianza—in Rioja, red wines identified as ‘Crianza’ signify they were aged for one year in oak barrels. This particular vintage is a blend of 85% tempranillo/15% garnacha that was matured twelve months in American oak followed by at least six months in bottle prior to release.  

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Bodegas Ugalde ‘Casa Centimaria’ Crianza 2017
DOCa Rioja, Spain $16.95 14.0% alcohol 
The nose offers an abundance of pleasing aromas—cherry, blackberry and strawberry—backed by notes of tobacco, bay leaf and violet. Dry, medium bodied with fresh acidity, apparent tannin and well-integrated alcohol, the juicy palate features berries and plums with nuances of herbs and spice. This exceptional-value wine showcases a remarkably fresh texture, a lengthy fruit-infused finish, and would complement grilled chorizo sausages. (Lisa Isabelle)

• The following 2015 Bodegas Ugalde ‘Casa Centimaria’ Reserva was sourced from vines over 50 years of age on the Sierra de Cantabria slopes and another estate vineyard of 15 year old vines and is a blend of 85% tempranillo/10% graciano/5% mazuelo that spent 10 days in alcoholic fermentation at 29 °C and eight days of skin-contact maceration then malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks.

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Bodegas Ugalde ‘Casa Centimaria’ Reserva 2015
DOCa Rioja, Spain $19.95 13.5% alcohol 
Lifted aromas of dark cherry, plums and red currant are enhanced with notes of leather, sandalwood, anise and dark chocolate. Red and dark fruit flavours surge over the tasty palate with savoury herbs, a touch of vanilla and a dusty mineral note persisting on the extended finish. Medium-full bodied, and well balanced with fine-grained tannins and enlivening acidity, this is a terrific value to enjoy with braised lamb shanks. (Lisa Isabelle)

• The following 2015 Provolo ‘Campotorbian’ Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore was sourced from a blend of grape varieties—60% corvina/25% rondinella/10% corvinone/5% oseleta—the latter an ancient grape that was ‘re-discovered’ fairly recently. Grape harvest occurred end of September with the 1st fermentation at 10 to 15 °C for 10 days and the 2nd fermentation carried out in mid-April—the ‘Ripasso’—at 15 to 23 °C for 17 days followed by spontaneous malolactic fermentation in oak barriques. The wine then matured for 24 months in oak barriques followed by six months in bottle before release.

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Provolo ‘Campotorbian’ Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore 2015 
DOC Valpolicella Ripasso, Italy $19.95 14.5% alcohol 
The nose offers intriguing notes of dried cherries, cooked plums, and fig aromas melding with hints of paprika, rose petal, pipe tobacco and cedar. Fresh cherry and plum flavours coat the palate garnished with classic notions of dried fruit, baking spice and vanilla. Medium-full bodied and well-crafted with lively fruit underpinned by perceptible tannin and vibrant acidity. Suggestions of figs and sweet spice linger on the generous finish. Versatile and very well-priced, this would complement grilled meats with a side of root vegetables. (Lisa Isabelle)

• The following 2014 Bodegas Ugalde ‘Gran Reserva’ is a blend of autochthonous vines—75% tempranillo/20% graciano/5% mazuelo—that average over 30 years old in estate vineyards at 400m above sea level. Grape varieties were fermented separately for 10 days at a maximum of 29 °C then macerated with skin contact for 15 days at 18 °C. Wine was then blended and matured for three years in American oak then settled a further two years in bottle before release.

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Bodegas Ugalde ‘Gran Reserva’ 2014 
DOCa, Rioja, Spain $24.95 14.0% alcohol
Time and patience has paid off with this gorgeous Rioja blend. Starting with profound and complex aromas—dry cherry, cooked brown sugar, sweet tobacco, violet and a hint of pencil shaving—introducing a velvety wash of evolved flavours—prune, ripe plum, dry herb, a touch of black pepper and a bright blackberry note lifting the persistent, delectable finish. Keep this harmonious, medium-full bodied red in mind, it will pair beautifully with lamb-stuffed bell pepper or a hearty lentil stew. (Louise Boutin)