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.
Domaine La Font du Mont ‘Notre Passion’ Côtes-du-Rhône 2010
AOP Côtes-du-Rhône, France $14.95 13.5% alcohol
Dark spice, pipe tobacco and red berry fruit herald a mid-weight, balanced and gorgeous array of palate-bathing flavours. Red cherry and notions of red currant mingle with mixed spice and toasty bits. It’s fully textured and long on the finish with good fruit, tangy acidity and a lick of still-resolving tannin lining up for attention. Aerate/decant for a couple of hours or wait until 2014 before popping corks and pouring with grilled or roast beef. (Vic Harradine)
Cascina Del Pozzo Roero Arneis 2012
DOCG Roero Arneis, Italy $16.95 13.0% alcohol
Lively aromas of honeysuckle, key lime and mineral/slate notes open this beautifully balanced mouthful of flavour and charm. A stylish wash of grilled pineapple, white peach and crisp Granny Smith apple ripple over the palate persisting through the lengthy lip-smacking finish. It’s mid weight with considerable texture and notions of honeyed fruit peeking through on the aftertaste. Pour alongside roast pork and veggie risotto. (Vic Harradine)
Gonnet ‘Rhône Selection’ Côtes-du-Rhône 2012
AOP Côtes-du-Rhône, France $11.95 14.5% alcohol
This is a lively, fresh Grenache/Syrah/Mourvèdre blend that spills from the glass with red cherry, spice and wisps of currant. It’s a crowd pleaser from start to finish. A loaded-with-flavour wash of black currant, rich, dark cherry and fennel bathe the palate in waves. It’s mid weight with good mouth feel and excellent balance. It finishes lengthy and lip-smacking good. (Vic Harradine)
Domaine Font De Michelle ‘CuvéeTradition’ Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2011
AOP Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France $39.95 14.5% alcohol
This delectable red blend, 70% Grenache/10% Syrah/10% Mourvèdre/10% Counoise, is a rich, luscious red with wonderful texture, balance and cellarability. Dark toasted oak, black cherry, balsamic and black licorice aromas provide segue to a gusher of medium-full bodied, silky smooth black currant, red cherry and truffle. It finishes lengthy and luscious with good fruit, moderating acidity and a gentle wisp of still-resolving tannin, Aerate/decant three hours or pop corks 2015-2022. (Vic Harradine)
Pertico Merlot 2012
IGT Venezie, Italy $12.50 13.0% alcohol
Lifted and lively aromas of red berry fruit and piquant spice provide introduction to a solid line of racy tang—a river of sour cherry and red currant streaking across the palate. It’s light on its feet with good focus and persistence, the flavours replay through the juicy lip-smacking finish and aftertaste. Best poured with pasta in tomato sauce or meat/tomato lasagna. (Vic Harradine)
Babylon’s Peak Shiraz/Carignan 2012
WO Swartland, South Africa $14.75 14.0% alcohol
Fashioned from old, dry-farmed, hand-harvested, low-yielding bush vines in the dry, blistering-hot Swartland District, aromas of black licorice, rich dark berry fruit and heady black plum compote abound. A balanced gusher of dark, juicy cherry and ripe mulberry interlace with charry toast and fennel on the palate. It’s mid weight with good texture and a juicy finish that’s silky smooth, balanced and complex with a lengthy aftertaste of salty, black licorice. Terrific value here. (Vic Harradine)