• Order the following wines—plus those in the most recent November 10 newsletter—by the case for home, restaurant or office delivery in Ontario from VinoLuna wine agency. Contact via website, VinoLuna, by Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or in the GTA phone 416 587-6691.

  
Mascarello ‘Grandeur’ Barbera d’Alba 2012
DOC Barbera d’Alba $46.95 13.5% alcohol
Not your typical Barbera, this had extensive aging in barrel and bottle yet retains a delightful freshness on the nose and palate. There’s a tantalizing whiff of smoke from the glass, mingling with aromas of cherry and raspberry, sandalwood, sweet spice and herbs. Medium bodied, with a rush of pure red cherry and berry fruit, the wine is juicy and tangy, subtle toast and a savory quality adding further dimension. Well balanced, tangy and dry through the persistent finish, this wine is a match for braised lamb. (Susan Desjardins)

  
Mascarello Nebbiolo d’Alba 2012
DOC Nebbiolo d’Alba $29.75 14.0% alcohol
An array of aromas lift from the glass—floral notes, red cherry/berry, sweet spice and herbs layered on savoury notes of leather and forest floor. This is a taut, structured wine with a clean, drying mouth feel; tangy red fruit flavours garnished with notes of coffee, cedar and dried herbs coat the palate. Mouth-watering through the extended dry finish, it’ll cellar long term or can be served now, after decanting 2-3 hours; pour with hearty beef or duck ragout. (Susan Desjardins)

  
Mascarello Barolo 2011
DOCG Barolo $64.35 14.5% alcohol
This is a beautiful expression of Nebbiolo with grapes from the villages of La Morra and Barolo. It delivers aromas of red cherry, currant and fig with subtle floral and leather notes and an earthy dustiness. Warming on the palate, it doesn’t disappoint, offering tangy red fruit, dried cherry, sweet spices and smoke. This full-bodied red is mouth-watering with pronounced tannins allowing for future development on to +2020. Enjoy today after a two or three-hour aeration/decant with braised stew or game. (Lisa Isabelle)

  
Mascarello ‘dal 1927’ Nebbiolo d’Alba 2011
DOC Nebbiolo d’Alba $51.40 14.0% alcohol 
Juicy red fruit, delicate floral and spice notes with vanilla and pipe tobacco entice the nose while flavours of pie cherry, blackberry and spices bathe the palate. This is a more modern wine-making style using large and small oak barrels for ageing and stainless steel for blending resulting in a lengthy finish of fresh, red fruit backed by vibrant acidity and pleasing, well-integrated tannins. (Lisa Isabelle)

  
Provolo Amarone 2010
DOC Amarone Della Volpolicella, Italy $58.80 15.5% alcohol
This rips from the glass with alluring aromas of espresso roast, fig, black plum and spice box. This red blend of 80% Corvina, 10% Rondinella, 10% Oseleta spent 3 years in oak. It dishes up a medium-full bodied and fully textured stream of smooth, mellow flavours coating the palate with raisins, black cherry, black plum compote and dark spice cake. It lingers on the aftertaste with oodles of dark coffee, bittersweet chocolate and charm. This is lovely Amarone. (Vic Harradine)

  
Domaine de Beaumière 2014
AOC Côtes-du-Rhône $14.30 13.0% alcohol
Ripened red currant and cherry combine with aromas of savory beet root, smoke and fresh cedar in this 80% Grenache/20% Syrah blend. Flavours of juicy black currant, ripe strawberry and hints of spice enrich the palate. This medium-bodied red finishes with fresh fruit backed by bright acidity and well-integrated tannins. Try this with a weeknight pizza dinner. (Lisa Isabelle)

   
Les Hauts de Cairanne 2014
AOC Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages $16.60 14.0% alcohol
The grapes from Cairanne combine the best of northern-Rhône Syrah and southern-Rhône Grenache in this 60% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 5 % Mourvèdre blend. Aromas of ripe red and dark fruit are reined in with savoury bay leaves, sweet tobacco and spicy charcuterie. On the palate the fruit is warmed with pepper and sweet spice. It finishes dry and full bodied with enough acidity for balance, leaving a lasting impression of dried cherries, savoury herbs and gamy notes. Pair with cassoulet or grilled spicy sausages. (Lisa Isabelle)

  
Domaine d’Aigues Luberon 2014
AOP Luberon, France $12.30 13.0% alcohol
Campfire smoke, berry fruit and fresh grape aromas precede a racy red river of pie cherry and red currant mingling with mixed spice. This bistro-styled red is light-medium weight with candied cherry, good acidity and wisps of tannin peeking through the mid-length finish and aftertaste. It really shines with pasta in tomato sauce or meat-laden red pizza. (Vic Harradine)

  
Domaine René Bessac ‘Plan de Dieu’ Côtes du Rhône Villages 2012 
AOC Côtes du Rhône Villages $18.35 15.0% alcohol
This Grenache/Mourvèdre/Syrah blend was sourced from the Plan de Dieu plateau with its rounded-stone-strewn landscape storing the sun’s rays releasing their warmth on fruit during cool nights. Charred toast, ripe cherry/berry fruit and floral notes on the nose, a meaty, mid-plus bodied wash of dark cherry and black currant garnished with savory herbs and notions of espresso roast, gamy notes and good acidity coats the palate. There’s a long balanced finish with good fruit, supporting tang and delightful tannin adding interest and structure. (Vic Harradine)