Vintages Release: February 6, 2021

• The following 2018 Durant & Booth Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 87% cabernet sauvignon/6% petit verdot/5% merlot/2% petite sirah source from across Napa Valley including Calistoga, St. Helena and Rutherford appellations that spent 10 months maturing in 25% new French oak.

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Durant & Booth Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Napa Valley California $34.95 (16565) 14.5% alcohol
Aromas of dark cherry, plum compote with notions of milk chocolate, brown sugar and baking spice are gently revealed on the nose. Dry, medium-full bodied with silky tannins, ripe, dark fruit flavours, backed by a touch of piquant spice and sweet vanilla, last into the mid-length, warming finish. Enjoy alongside braised beef short ribs. (Lisa Isabelle)

Vintages Release: February 20, 2021

• A portion (60%) of the following 2018 Sacred Hill ‘Reserve’ Sauvignon Blanc was barrel fermented in pre-loved French oak barrels with only 15% new. The wine was minimally fined before filtered for bottling.

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Sacred Hill ‘Reserve’ Sauvignon Blanc 2018
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand, $21.95 (490326) 12.5% alcohol
This is Marlborough sauvignon blanc on the nose with aromas of nettles, cat’s pee and passionfruit to the fore. It races over the front palate with a tang-laden, laser-like stream of white grapefruit, Key lime, apricot and blood orange that’s joined by lime cordial on the mid and back palate, finish and aftertaste. It finishes with excellent balance and delicious, lip-smacking palate flavours. Pour alongside freshly shucked oysters, pan-seared scallops or prawn ceviche. The price-quality ratio skews well in your favour. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2018 Lapis Luna Wines ‘LapisLuna’ Zinfandel is made of 80% zinfandel/20% sangiovese all sourced from the Pauli Ranch in Mendocino. It was barrel aged for 10 months with 10% new French and American oak.

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Lapis Luna Wines ‘LapisLuna’ Zinfandel 2018
North Coast, California $19.95 (17264) 14.3% alcohol
Lighter shaded than your typical zin, this medium-ruby with a garnet tinge unusual red blend offers earthy aromas along with discrete raspberry, tobacco and baking spice. This is medium-full bodied with sweet cherry pie filling and red plum flavours, complemented with mushroom and savoury notes all framed in mellow tannins and finishing on a sweet and earthy aftertaste. Pair with burgers or red sauce pizza. (Louise Boutin)

Vintages Release: April, 2021

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Henry of Pelham ‘Estate’ Gamay 2019
VQA Short Hills Bench $19.95 (19903) 13.0% alcohol
Light-purple hued, almost translucent, it offers up delightful aromas of red cherry, black plum, bramble berry and wisps of passionfruit. It’s light-medium bodied with excellent texture and deft balance and a profusion of palate flavours with pie cherry and red raspberry mingling with mixed spice. There’s a balanced and delectable finish and aftertaste. This has the oomph and pizzazz to be poured with roast chicken or crown roast of pork. (Vic Harradine)

Vintages Release: TBD, 2021

• The following 2019 Domaine Gouron was sourced from 100% cabernet franc vines that are approximately thirty years old.

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Domaine Gouron 2019
AOC Chinon, France $17.95 13.0% alcohol
This value-packed Loire staple red seems to have more fruit concentration than previous vintages. It bursts with lovely aromas of dark cherry, plum and raspberry, plus beautiful fresh rose and green bell pepper in the background. Aromas and flavours are in sync here with the addition of bright acidity, nice chalky tannins and a peppery note leading the dry savoury finish. From shepherd’s pie to duck confit, this versatile medium-bodied gem is an ideal partner. (Louise Boutin)

• The following 2019 Domaine Durand ‘Vieilles Vignes’ Sancerre was fashioned by 3rd generation vignerons of the Durand family sourcing the 100% sauvignon blanc fruit from premium vines averaging 50 years old.

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Domaine Durand ‘Vieilles Vignes’ Sancerre 2019
AOC Sancerre, France $29.95 13.0% alcohol
Aromas of tropical fruit and floral notes mingle with wisps of Meyer lemon on the nose. It bathes the palate medium-plus bodied with good mouthfeel and a crisp, clean and refreshing melange of white grapefruit, lemon curd and Key lime. It finishes balanced with palate replays along with minerality and green apple. Give this a go on its own or pair with chèvre crumbled over olive-oiled mesclun salad or Greek chicken souvlaki gyro wrap. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2019 Domaine Durand ‘Vieilles Vignes’ Sancerre was fashioned by 3rd generation vignerons of the Durand family sourcing the 100% sauvignon blanc fruit from vines averaging 30 years old.

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Domaine Durand Sancerre 2020
AOC Sancerre, France $25.95 13.0% alcohol
Lifted alluring aromas waft easily from the glass—floral and tropical fruit notes adorned with citrus and honey. It cascades over the palate medium-plus bodied with generous mouthfeel and plenty of pizzazz and structure coupled with fresh, lively flavours of lemon-lime, piquant spice and saline minerality. It finishes with palate replays on the distinctive, lingering, crisp and refreshing aftertaste. Pour with crumbled chèvre over olive-oiled mesclun salad or with fish or all manner of seafood. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2020 Principe de Viana Albariño was sourced from 100% Albariño grapes.

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Principe de Viana Albariño 2020
DO Rias Baixais, Spain $17.95 (488973) 13.0% alcohol
Peach, pear and floral aromas abound before cascading over the mouth-watering palate joined by melon, lemon-lime and saline mineral flavours. It’s dry, mid-weight, nicely textured and offers a delicious, fruit-driven, medium-long finish. Enjoy on its own or with crab cakes or a seafood salad. (Lisa Isabelle)

• Fruit for the following 2017 Cardanhos ‘Espinho’ Vinho Tinto was sourced from premium Port grapes—Touriga Nacional/Touriga Franca/Tinta Roriz/Tinta Barroca—where vines reside from 75 meters to 195 meters above sea level. A temperature controlled alcoholic fermentation occurred in granite lagares with malolactic fermentation following. Wine then was matured primarily in stainless steel with a small portion resting in French oak barrels then filtered before bottling.

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Cardanhos ‘Espinho’ Vinho Tinto 2017
DOC Douro, Portugal $17.95 13.5% alcohol
An expressive nose of dark cherry-berry aromas, adorned with hints of graphite, anise and a dusty mineral note segue to flavours of juicy blackberry and red cherry, sweet baking spice and earth. It’s dry, medium-full bodied and well-structured presenting firm tannins and balancing acidity with dark fruit and spice flavours lasting into the generous finish. Serve alongside mixed grilled meats. (Lisa Isabelle)

• The following 2017 Principe de Viana ‘Bianai’ Crianza was sourced from vines more than a decade old that were high-density spaced – 4000 vines to the hectare. The wine was fermented at 28 °C and macerated for ten days on skins followed by malolactic conversion. The wine matured for 12 months in American oak then a further six months in bottle before release.

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Principe de Viana ‘Bianai’ Crianza 2017
DOCa Rioja, Spain $16.95 14.0% alcohol
The expressive nose unfolds with red berry and plum aromas entwined with vanilla bean, cloves and tobacco. Dry, medium bodied, perceptible, silky tannins and fresh texture assure balance while tart cherry, earth and savoury herb flavours coat the tasty palate. It finishes medium-long with a dusting of cocoa on the aftertaste. Pair with well-seasoned, grilled burgers. (Lisa Isabelle)

• The following 2015 Principe de Viana ‘Bianai’ Reserva was sourced from 85% tempranillo/10% graciano/5% mazuelo with vines from two vineyards—one with vines 15 years old and the other with vines over 50 years old. The wine matured for two years in 95 % pre-loved American oak barrels and 5% in French oak.

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Principe de Viana ‘Bianai’ Reserva 2015
DOCa Rioja, Spain $19.95 14.0% alcohol
An attractive complex nose of dry cherry, sweet date, dry rose petal, delicate star anise and cedar aromas introduce a juicy wash of delicious spicy fruit flavours—red cherry and dry strawberry—dusted with black pepper and cinnamon. This is medium-full bodied and drinks really well now with its polished tannins, excellent alcohol integration and a layer of dry herb flavour persisting in the medium-long finish. This value-loaded gem is excellent with tourtière or slow-cooked pot roast. (Louise Boutin)

• The following 2014 Principe de Viana ‘Bianai’ Gran Reserva was sourced from 30-year old vines at 400 meters with 75% tempranillo/20% graciano/5% mazuelo. After controlled fermentation to keep the temperature from exceeding 29 °C along with 15 days maceration with skins. It was aged for three years in American oak barrels then two more years in bottle before release.

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Principe de Viana ‘Bianai’ Gran Reserva 2013
DOCa Rioja, Spain $24.95 14.0% alcohol
Smoked meat and pencil shaving mingle with aromas of red cherry, potpourri and earthy notes in this Gran Reserva red. Silky soft on the palate, a cool stream of evolved fruit flavours—dry cherry and prune—plus loads of savoury character please the senses. The tannins are nicely chewy adding excellent structure to a peppery, warm, long finish with dry fruit flair. Aerate-decant two hours and enjoy with braised beef short-ribs. (Louise Boutin)

• The following Non-Vintage Pra di Bosso Lambrusco Secco was sourced from lambrusco marani/ lambrusco montericco/ lambrusco salamino then fashioned by the Charmat method.

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Pra di Bosso Lambrusco Secco Non-Vintage
DOP Lambrusco Reggiano, Italy $18.95 11.0% alcohol
A festive purple froth fills the glass and offers aromas of ripe blackberry, dark plum and a distant peppery hint. A nice tangy foam feeds the palate with crisp mixed berry flavours, tart cherry and a delicious persistent savoury in the dry finish and aftertaste. This is a very good example of an under-appreciated red sparkling worth rediscovering, slightly chilled, with a selection of gourmet charcuterie. (Louise Boutin)

• The following 2018 Tenuta Della Luia ‘Cilestro’ Toscano Rosso is a red blend of 50% sangiovese and 50% cabernet sauvignon.

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Tenuta Della Luia ‘Cilestro’ Toscano Rosso 2018
IGT Rosso Toscana, Italy $15.95 (13521) 13.5%
Alluring aromas of incense, spice and dark cherry/berry fruit abound robed in charred toast. It envelops the palate with a surge of flavours with cherry and blueberry to the fore framed with tang and acidity and underpinned by an intense savoury mouth-drying tannin. It’s medium bodied with a medium-length savoury finish and aftertaste. Pour 2024 and beyond with pasta in a red, spicy tomato sauce; perhaps spaghetti Bolognese or osso buco. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2014 Principe de Viana ‘Viña Cerrada’ Gran Reserva 2014 is a blend of 75% tempranillo/20% graciano/5% mazuelo with an average of 30 years old grown at 400 m above sea level. The three grape varieties were vinified separately for 10 days and macerated with skins separately for 15 days followed by three years in American oak and at least two more years more in bottle before release.

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Principe de Viana ‘Viña Cerrada’ Gran Reserva 2014
DOCa Rioja, Spain $24.95 14.0% alcohol
Exotic spice and dark cherry aromas dominate the nose decorated with toasty notes in this traditionally fashioned Gran Reserva. It’s medium-bodied, nicely textured with style and grace on the palate with a creamy smooth mouthfeel, excellent balance and delicious flavours of red cherry, red raspberry and just the right amount of tangy acidity. Given its provenance, high quality and favourable price, it certainly deserves your careful consideration. Pour with a prime cut of medium-rare roast beef along with baked potato and root veggie fixings. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2019 Carson Scott Pinot Noir was sourced from premium fruit across California and was matured in French oak barrels.

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Carson Scott Pinot Noir 2019
California $19.95 13.8% alcohol
This is translucent ruby and brimming with aromas of alluring incense, earthy notes and bramble berry. A surge of flavours coat the palate with kirsch liqueur, wisps of red licorice and ripe juicy black Bing cherry to the fore and joined by balancing tangy acidity mid-palate. It’s medium-plus weight with good mouthfeel, balance and a lengthy dry finish and aftertaste. Pour with roast fowl, crown roast of pork or pan-seared salmon. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2017 Owl Ridge Wine ‘DCV – Identified’ Zinfandel was sourced from the Zinfandel-friendly Dry Creek Valley with warm summer days cooled by coastal breezes. It was matured for 18 months in French oak barrels with 30% new, then a further 12 months in bottle before release.

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Owl Ridge Wine ‘DCV – Identified’ Zinfandel 2017
Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California $19.95 14.8% alcohol
Mixed spice, mocha and a field blend of red and dark cherry/berry fruit aromas leap from the glass. Zin lovers should find this to their liking—it captures the palate with a sweet-tinged river of dark cherry, bramble berry and sweet vanilla decorated with good tang and pizzazz. The alcohol is well-integrated as is the oak. It’s well paced, well priced, medium-full bodied with good mouthfeel and a lengthy finish and aftertaste. Pour with osso buco, spicy Asian cuisine or meat-laden, red sauce pizza. (Vic Harradine)