Vintages Release: February 20, 2021

91 
Henry of Pelham ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir 2019
VQA Short Hills Bench $24.95 (268391) 13.0% alcohol
Gamy notes mingle with aromas of barnyard and savoury herbs on the nose. A stream of red cherry and black currant flavours envelop the palate adorned with plenty of tang-infused passionfruit and hints of soft, ripe manageable tannin. It’s medium bodied with good mouthfeel, balance and plenty to like. Give this a try with smoked duck breasts or wild turkey. It’s very enjoyable drinking now and will be over the next three or four years. (Vic Harradine)

Vintages Release: March 6, 2021

• The following 2017 Buena Vista ‘The Sheriff’ pays homage to one of California’s first sheriffs, Agoston Haraszthy, who also established Buena Vista Winery in 1857. It’s also a wine included in the much-vaunted category of the ‘Boisset Collection’ headed by wine icon, Jean-Charles Boisset, who is one-half of the wine world’s power couple as the husband of Gina Gallo. This is an eclectic blend of nine red grapes—29% petite sirah/22% petit verdot/16% cabernet sauvignon/9% carignan/9% grenache/7% syrah/4% malbec/2% cabernet franc/2% mission.

93
Buena Vista ‘The Sheriff’ 2017
Sonoma County, California $49.95 (539114) 15.0% alcohol
Dark, brooding and opaque in the glass, aromas of black currant, dark plum and black raspberry leap from the glass adorned with tobacco leaf and grilled savoury herbs. A brawny wash of flavours blanket the palate with bramble berry jam, kirsch liqueur and black, juicy Bing cherry framed by good tang and acidity and underpinned by perceptible, still evolving tannin. This is full bodied and fully textured with oodles of pizzazz. Aerate/decant for three hours before serving or pop corks three years from now with a prime cut of beef tenderloin. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2018 Perdeberg Cellar ‘The Vineyard Collection’ Cinsault was sourced from 30-year-old, dry-grown bush vines in the Paarl wine region without an irrigation system, only watered by natural rain in winter. Cinsault is a drought-resistant grape variety known locally as Hermitage and was a key component in the creation of pinotage. Now you know where the ‘age’ came from, you’d be correct if you guessed the other grape in this crossing to create pinotage was… pinot noir.

90 
Perdeberg Cellar ‘The Vineyard Collection’ Cinsault 2018
WO Paarl, South Africa $17.95 (18618) 14.0% alcohol
Notes of floral, strawberry and cherry waft easily from this 100% cinsault, itself an oddity as this grape is usually used in a blend with other grapes. It’s lightly ruby-hued in the glass and medium-bodied with sweet-tinged palate flavours of strawberry and raspberry framed by good tang and underpinned by perceptible and acceptable wisps of tannin underpinning. Aerate/decant for an hour or so before pouring with spiced and crispy-grilled chicken wings or thighs. (Vic Harradine)

The following 2019 Gustave Lorentz ‘Réserve’ Sylvaner is an easy-going, easy-drinking white wine that’s easily paired with shellfish, fish, charcuterie or enjoyed on its own.

89
Gustave Lorentz ‘Réserve’ Sylvaner 2019
AOC Alsace $16.95 (18160) 13.5% alcohol
Aromas of yellow pit fruit—peach and plum—intertwine with savoury notes and notions of ginger root. A well-paced and well-priced stream of medium-bodied and nicely textured palate flavour dishes up green apple and ripe pear interlaced with soft Meyer lemon and hints of pineapple persisting through the tasty finish and aftertaste. It’s nicely balanced with oodles of flavour and pizzazz. Pour with all manner of seafood—fish and shellfish—as an appetizer or a main. (Vic Harradine)

Vintages Release: March 20, 2021

• The following sustainably grown Henry of Pelham ‘Estate’ Riesling was sourced from vines +20 years old with the largest portion being 35 years old at harvest for this wine that were shovel planted by the Speck Brothers in 1984. 3.5 tons/acre was taken from the well-known Weiss 21B clone vines. It was fermented in stainless steel tank at a controlled cool temperature of 15 – 17 ° C and a portion in large, neutral-oak foudres.

91
Henry of Pelham ‘Estate’ Riesling 2019
VQA Short Hills Bench $19.95 (557165) 9.8% alcohol
The price-quality balance in this perennial favourite tips wildly in your favour. Floral, petrol and mineral notes intertwine with lime zest and piquant spice aromas on the nose of this fabulous off-dry riesling. It races over the palate with nerve, verve and delicious tang-infused flavours—lime cordial and sharp minerality with notions of Granny Smith apple. This is medium bodied with creamy-smooth texture and a lingering, lip-smacking finish. Give it a go with scallop ceviche, prawn bisque or steamed mussels in a shallow bath of white wine and garlic. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2019 Troupis Winery ‘Fteri’ Moschofiloro is 100% Moschofiloro sourced from vineyards at 640 m. Grapes were fermented at cool temperatures to preserve the floral notes and fresh, lively acidity.

88 
Troupis Winery ‘Fteri’ Moschofiloro 2019
PGI Acadia, Peloponnese, Greece $14.95 (647388) 12.0% alcohol
Hints of rosewater and plenty of floral notes and exotic incense aromas are on the nose of this lighter-styled Greek gem. It delivers a tangy line of palate flavours with lime cordial, honeydew melon and lime zest to the fore. It’s clean, crisp and refreshing from twist top to last drop, making it a great dance partner with sushi, pan-seared scallops or mussels steamed in white wine and sliced leeks. (Vic Harradine)