Bodega Bouza 'Clásico' Tannat 2010
Montevideo, Uruguay $21.95 13.5% alcohol
Piquant spice, matchstick and wisps of berry fruit aromas provide segue for a wash of dark berry fruit wreathed with sprigs of herbaceous notes and charred wood smoke. It’s juicy and tangy throughout with mid weight, nice texture and a dry, mouth-watering aftertaste that layers on earthiness and oaky tones. Order by the case for home or office delivery from agent Dave Coutts via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. (Vic Harradine)
Order the following by the case for home, restaurant or office (in Ontario) delivery from Nokhrin Wines or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; if in the GTA phone (416) 704-8617.
Spirits
Michel Beucher Vieux Calvados
AOC Calvados Production Fermière, France $119.95 700 mL 43% alcohol
This highly recommended, amber-hued ambrosia leaps from the glass with heady aromas of vanilla, spun sugar and ripe apple. It coats the palate with concentrated, spirited flavours of treacle and baked apple mingling with citrus and spice. It broadens out on the lingering, nicely balanced aftertaste. Certified organic, it’s made entirely on this family-producer’s farm, aged three years before release. Though not improving in bottle, it’ll keep its freshness at least 12 months, capped in a cool place—this has a glass stopper. (Vic Harradine)
White Wine
Bodegas Cristo de la Vega ‘Marques de Castilla’ Airén 2011
DOP La Mancha, Spain $10.50 12.0% alcohol
Alluring aromas of floral notes, tropical fruit and spice blossom from this mid weight, value-laden white. It’s nicely textured with a persistent, palate-bathing wash of tangy citrus, succulent white peach and ripe pear. In a lighter style and punching well above the price, this finishes smooth as silk, crisp and refreshing. Highly recommended, a case of this won’t hang around long. (Vic Harradine)
Bodegas Cristo de la Vega ‘Marques de Castilla’ Sauvignon Blanc - Chardonnay 2011
DOP La Mancha, Spain $10.50 12.5% alcohol
Ripe orchard fruit and lime cordial mingle with hints of rosewater on the nose heralding a nicely textured river of green apple, tangy lemon and ruby red grapefruit. It sports good mouth feel and deft balance finishing dry clean and crisp. Pour with prawn ceviche or pan-seared calamari. (Vic Harradine)
Ewald Gruber ‘Reserve’ Grüner Veltliner 2011
DAC Weinviertel, Austria $25.95 13.5% alcohol
An aromatic nose of white pepper, floral and mineral notes rips from the glass of this well-balanced, fruit-laden beauty. It’s medium bodied with a generous, silky-smooth mouth feel and oodles of charm and structure. Ripe tropical fruit—melon and pineapple—interweave with white peach, citrus and minerality on the palate. It finishes lengthy, refreshing and mouth-watering good. Pour alongside roast chicken, slow-roast pork or pan-seared tuna. (Vic Harradine)
Cascina Del Pozzo Roero Arneis 2011
DOCG Roero Arneis, Italy $18.75 13.0% alcohol
Produced from the Arneis grape in the upscale region of Roero in the Piemonte region, this opens with a nose of tangy grapefruit and white flowers. A blaze of flavour arouses the palate with zesty lemon, ripe nectarine and blood orange to the fore. It’s mid weight with good texture and a long, juicy aftertaste. This offers a boatload of value, pairing well with steamed mussels, garlic shrimp or calamari—über delicious. (Vic Harradine)
Red Wine
Az. Agricola Bocchino Giuseppe ‘arduine’ Barbera 2011
DOCG Barbera d’Asti, Italy $17.50 13.5% alcohol
Asian spice, charred cedar and ripe, dried dark fruit aromas intro a balanced and lively, racy river of sour cherry and tangy red berry fruit on the palate. It’s mid weight with nice texture and a solid spine of acidity throughout. It finishes dry and refreshing with prominent sprigs of herbaceous tones on the aftertaste. Pour with pasta in tomato sauce. (Vic Harradine)
Az. Agricola Bocchino Giuseppe ‘L’Aurelio’ Nebbiolo 2010
DOC Nebbiolo d’Alba, Italy $21.95 14.0% alcohol
Mint, blueberry and new leather aromas on the nose, this dishes up a lovely array of ripe fruit on the palate—tangy, juicy black currant, dark plum compote and dark cherry. It’s rich and complex with a mid-full body and extended finish showcasing briary berry and toasty notes underpinned by a solid tannin structure. Drink 2014 to 2019. If impatient—aerate/decant three hours pouring with smoked, grilled back ribs or a prime cut of grilled beef. (Vic Harradine)
Az. Agricola Bocchino Giuseppe ‘Blincin’ Barbera 2010
DOCG Barbera d’Asti, Italy $21.95 14.5% alcohol
Aromas of rich, dark berry fruit and fennel open this medium-bodied, well-textured red that’s brimming with ripe berry fruit, juicy dark cherry, exotic spice and mocha. It’s delicious throughout with good structure, balance and oodles of charm and complexity. Dark cherry and bittersweet chocolate dominate the aftertaste along with hints of briary berry and dark toast—a top-notch red. (Vic Harradine)
Az. Agricola Bocchino Giuseppe ‘Sens’ Barbera 2011
DOCG Barbera d’Asti Superiore, Italy $15.75 12.5% alcohol
This is from a family-owned and operated winery producing flavourful, good-value wine in Asti, the home of Barbera. It’s lively and zesty with floral notes, spice and red berry fruit on the nose. It’s light on its feet with a balanced wash of red currant and sour cherry and kitchen spice. A bistro-styled, fun and flavourful red made for early drinking, give it a go with pizza, wings or ribs. (Vic Harradine)
Cascina Del Pozzo ‘Fossamara’ Barbera 2010
DOC Barbera d’Alba, Italy $18.50 13.5% alcohol
An involved nose of toasty oak, dark berry fruit and espresso roast provides segue for a medium-full bodied river of dark, juicy cherry and black currant mingling with leather and earthy nuances on the palate. It sports good mouth feel, deft balance and a lengthy aftertaste of ripe mulberry and spice underpinned by ripe, supple tannin. Good value here. (Vic Harradine)
Cascina Del Pozzo ‘Lucrezia’ Barbera 2008
DOC Barbera d’Alba, Italy $26.25 13.5% alcohol
Showing a bit of age with brick on the rim, this fills the room with a glorious bouquet of leather, spice-infused black plum and dark coffee. It’s mid-full weight with a creamy-smooth mouth feel and good structure and complexity throughout. It finishes with tangy flavours of cherry and cassis that wash in endless waves. It has excellent moderating acidity to balance the delectable fruit and enough tannin for structure—the oak’s perfectly integrated. It’s a fine Barbera that was tough to spit. (Vic Harradine)
Quinta da Casaboa ‘Vinho Tinto’ 2008
Vinho Regional Lisboa, Portugal $13.90 14.0% alcohol
This regional red blend—Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Alicante Bouschet—wafts from the glass with exotic spice, black plum compote and dark cherry. It’s deftly balanced, medium bodied with silky-smooth mouth feel and delectable, palate-bathing, sweet, dark berry fruit, bittersweet chocolate and oodles of charm. It finishes, lengthy, fruit-forward and lip-smacking good – a sure-fire crowd pleaser. (Vic Harradine)
Quinta da Casaboa Touriga Nacional 2006
Vinho Regional Lisboa, Portugal $17.95 14.0% alcohol
Aromas of ripe, black plum, mocha and cola introduce this balanced, brawny gem. Wave after wave of delectable black currant, sweet mulberry and plum bathe the palate. It’s medium bodied and fully textured with a supple tannin underpinning and an endless aftertaste. This hefty red pours well with hearty stew, ribs or a slab of grilled beef. (Vic Harradine)
Domaine Combe blanche ‘Calamiac terroir’ Tempranillo 2011
IGP Pays Côtes du Brian, France $14.95 14.5% alcohol
The French argue this is home for Tempranillo; you may want to sidestep the argument, but not this wine. Cola and toast aromas on the nose, there are sweet, ripe and delicious dark cherry, black currant and kirsch liqueur flavours bathing the palate and long finish. It’s medium weight with good mouth feel and an excellent balance of fruit, supple, sweet tannin and moderating acidity. Each sip is better than the last and the price-quality ratio skews in your favour. (Vic Harradine)
Bodegas Cristo de la Vega ‘Marques de Castilla - Reserva’ 2007
DOP La Mancha, Spain $14.25 12.5% alcohol
This contemporary blend of Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon dishes up a nose of mocha, cedar and mineral-laced red cherry. It sprays over the palate and through the drying, tangy finish with a balanced, nicely textured wash of sour cherry, spice-laden black plum coupled with lingering herbaceous notes on the aftertaste. Give this a try with chorizo and prawn paella. (Vic Harradine)
Bodegas Cristo de la Vega ‘Marques de Castilla - Barrica’ Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
DOP La Mancha, Spain $11.50 12.5% alcohol
Rich aromas spill from the glass of this powerful, balanced blend—spice-infused black plum and cassis adorned with dark cherry. It’s mid weight with oodles of mouth feel and a solid tannin underpinning. Flavours of racy red cherry and red berry fruit mingle with ripe mulberry, spice and good moderating acidity on the palate and through the lengthy, dry aftertaste. Aerate/decant a couple of hours before pouring with venison steaks or a hearty stew like cassoulet or osso bucco. (Vic Harradine)
Bodegas Cristo de la Vega ‘Marques de Castilla’ Crianza Tempranillo 2008
DOP La Mancha, Spain $13.90 12.5% alcohol
The ‘Crianza’ designation indicates at least one-year ageing in oak before bottling, this is 100% Tempranillo grape. The complex bouquet of black plum, aromatic bitters and cedar is garnished with pipe tobacco. It’s simply delectable on the palate with ripe, sweet, dark fruit and plum pudding infused with Christmas cake spice and dark coffee. It’s medium bodied and fleshy on the palate with a satin-smooth aftertaste that’s balanced and fruit-forward. It’s value packed; what’s not to love? (Vic Harradine)
Bodegas Cristo de la Vega ‘Marques de Castilla’ Tempranillo-Syrah-Merlot 2011
DOP La Mancha, Spain $10.50 12.5% alcohol
Aromas of freshly crushed grapes, red berry fruit and cola rip from this crowd-pleasing, balanced, dripping-with-fruit, red blend. Light on its feet and silky smooth, ribbons of red cherry, black currant and black raspberry bathe the palate in rolling waves. It’s built for hedonistic enjoyment with food—pizza, ribs, wings, fajitas, burgers, mac and cheese—or on its own and you simply can’t beat the price. (Vic Harradine)
Bodegas Cristo de la Vega ‘Yugo - Reserva’ Tempranillo 2007
DOP La Mancha, Spain $16.70 12.5% alcohol
This is a 50th Anniversary red offering a bouquet of black plum mingling with wisps of dark toast and sweet oak. It bathes the palate with a consistent, satin-smooth wash of black currant, ripe, juicy black cherry and a supple tannin underpinning. It’s complex and nicely balanced with enough acidity and ripe tannin to add interest and provide structure. Pour with grilled rack of lamb or risotto with a field mushroom medley. (Vic Harradine)