Vintages Release: April 17, 2021
• The following 2018 Domaine Agnés et Didier Dauvissat Petit Chablis was sourced from estate vineyards with rocky, fossil-rich and limestone-streaked soils.
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Domaine Agnés et Didier Dauvissat Petit Chablis 2018
AOC Petit Chablis, France $26.95 (18675) 13.0% alcohol
This is the most expressive Chablis I’ve tasted—it leaps from the glass with alluring aromas of caramel, poached pear and wisps of minerality before dazzling the palate with a myriad of delicious flavours with baked apple and ripe pear juxtaposed and deftly balanced with a racy rendition of lemon pie filling and a boatload of lip-smacking, mouth-watering tang and pizzazz that runs from the first drop to the final stop. Pour this value-laden gem with mussels steamed in white wine, garlic and leeks or try breaded and grilled calamari. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: April 17, 2021
• The following 2017 Parker Station Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from 100% cabernet sauvignon carefully selected in the AVA of Paso Robles, then aged six months in 100% French oak before bottling.
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Parker Station Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Paso Robles, Central Coast, California $24.95 (17684) 14.0% alcohol
Intense aromas of black juicy cherry and bramble berry intertwine with exotic spice and black licorice. A medium-full weight, nicely textured river of crème de cassis and kirsch liqueur decorated with sweet vanilla, mouth-watering tang and savoury herbs that blanket the palate and infuse the balanced and beautiful finish and aftertaste. This sips well on its own and pours well with grilled steak, grilled burgers or pasta, tomato sauce and spiced Italian sausage. (Vic Harradine
Vintages Release: May 1, 2021
• The following 2016 Château des Charmes ‘St. David’s Bench Vineyard’ Chardonnay was sourced from a single vineyard on the east side of the Château enhancing the underground artesian water flow. Fruit was barrel fermented and aged ‘sur lie’ with regular bâtonnage in French oak barrels for up to 12 months. This has aged nicely since last tasted in 2018.
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Château des Charmes ‘St. David’s Bench Vineyard’ Chardonnay 2016
VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara-on-the-Lake $24.95 (430991) 13.5% alcohol
Aromas of toasty notes, baking spice and nuances of wet-stone minerality peek through on the nose. This dishes up palate flavours of caramel, honeydew melon and lemon pie filling, smooth, mellow, balanced and delicious. It’s medium-plus bodied with a good buttery mouthfeel and plenty of palate-flavour replays along with mouth-watering tang on the finish and aftertaste. Pour alongside roast chicken done with roasted root veggies or a pork roast. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: May 1, 2021
Fortified Wine: Port
• Fonseca was established in 1815 and now stands proudly as one of the most respected Vintage Port Houses. It has been earned by five generations of the Guimaraens family since its inception. Late Bottled Vintage Port at Fonseca is bottled when ready to drink. There is no need to cellar this Port. You may want to decant this before serving as it has not been filtered or fined. Providing it has been properly stoppered each time it has been opened, you can drink this over two months after being opened for the first time.
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Fonseca Late Bottled Vintage Port 2015
Product of Portugal $23.95 (87551) 20.0% alcohol
This un-fined and un-filtered gem leaps from the glass with delightful aromas of raisins, currants, black licorice, figs and black plum compote. It envelops the palate with a surge of kirsch liqueur, crème de cassis and espresso roast intertwined with black berry jam, ripe figs and sweet cherry clafoutie. It’s full-bodied and fully textured with good complexity, balance and a lingering luscious finish and aftertaste. This punches well above the price. Pour with stilton blue-veined cheese or chards of Parmesan reggiano. For an incredible treat, pour with dark berry fruit and chards of dark chocolate Drink in moderation – 20.0% alcohol. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: May 1, 2021
• The following 2019 Ivory and Burt Chardonnay was 100% sustainably grown in the Lodi AVA in California. This underwent a judicious American oak ageing without interfering with the lovely chardonnay aromas and flavours. The price-quality ratio skews well in your favour.
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Ivory and Burt Chardonnay 2019
Lodi, California $19.95 (17575) 14.0% alcohol
Tropical fruit, caramel and baking spice aromas provide segue for delicious mouthful after mouthful of palate flavours showcasing deft balance, excellent tang-laden acidity along with Golden Delicious apple, mixed spice and a bowl of ripe fruit—mango, honeyed ripe pear and wisps of apricot. It’s medium-full bodied with creamy-smooth mouthfeel and a lingering luscious finish and aftertaste. Sip on its own or pair with breaded pork cutlets or homemade mac and cheese. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: May 15, 2021
• The winery notes that fruit for the following 2019 Sacred Hill Vineyards Chardonnay was sourced at peak ripeness, deft balance and packed full of flavour over a long summer of ripening and lower than usual yields—this has been known to drive winery accountants and bank loan managers to despair while winemakers and wine-lovers experience glee and ecstasy at their good fortune. Fruit was sourced from the winery’s iconic ‘Rifleman’s Vineyard’ and left slightly hazy during fermentation, adding texture and complexity. It matured with French oak on lees for five months with regular bâtonnage. This wine is certified ‘New Zealand Sustainable Wine Growing’. Pick up a few.
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Sacred Hill Vineyards Chardonnay 2019
Hawke’s Bay, North Island, New Zealand $26.95 (541577) 13.5% alcohol
Ripe apricot, lemon zest and notions of caramel on the nose, this builds on the palate with delightful flavours of lemon curd, ripe Mirabelle plum and hints of baked apple. It’s medium-plus bodied with good balance, persistent purity of fruit and good acidity throughout. It finishes with a replay of palate flavours and the aftertaste does the same. Pour with clay-baked chicken or crown roast of pork. (Vic Harradine)