Vintages Release: April 18, 2020

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Featherstone Sauvignon Blanc 2018

VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.95 (89011) 13.0% alcohol

This exceptional-value gem was 50% barrel fermented and 50% stainless steel fermented then racked off its lees before the last fining. Aromas of floral notes, kiwi fruit and yellow peach aromas waft easily from this creamy-smooth, medium-bodied sauvignon blanc. It envelops the palate with a flavourful stream of Key lime, nectarine and lemongrass notes. There are no rough edges as it finishes smooth, dry, crisp and refreshing. Pour with pasta in creamy pesto sauce. (Vic Harradine)

Vintages Release: TBD

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J. De Villebois Touraine Sauvignon Blanc 2019
AOP Touraine, France $TBD 13.0%
Get ready for aromatic intensity with this 100% sauvignon blanc from the Loire Valley. Exotic fruit aromas abound—papaya, mango and pineapple with a vegetal note and wet stone minerality as a backdrop. Six months of stainless steel ageing on fine lees bring a nice creamy texture to a crisp wash of lemon-lime flavours with a sweet touch of ripe gooseberry and a kick of white pepper in the delicious grassy and long mineral finish. Can’t help but suggesting a traditional pairing such as chèvre crostini sprinkled with roasted pistachio. Enjoy now. (Louise Boutin)

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River’s Edge Winery ‘Barrel Select’ Pinot Noir 2016
Elkton, Oregon $31.95 (456764) 15.6% alcohol
This pinot is sourced from hand-harvested fruit and the result of blending the 28 best barrels, out of 140, after 11 months of French and American oak barrel maturation, 36% new. A nice medium-ruby shaded robe with a garnet rim showcases sweet smoke aromas of dry cherry, rose petal and cedar. This is expertly crafted with an impressive alcohol integration, leaving all the space to ripe red cherry and sweet blackberry surfing on a peppery and savoury silky-textured wave of flavours. Bolder than your usual pinot, without losing its varietal identity, it offers a long delectable balanced savoury and peppery finish. This will further evolve but it’s a real treat now alongside slowly-simmered pork osso bucco served on a bed of gnocchi. (Louise Boutin)

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Broccardo ‘La Martina’ Barbera d’Alba 2018
DOC Barbera d’Alba, Italy $17.95 15.0% alcohol
Don’t be intimidated by this high-octane barbera displaying slow sliding tears on the glass. This is a fruit bomb with aromas of dark cherry pie-filling, rose water and fresh anise notes. This has excellent structure with a silky-soft textured wave of intense fruit flavours aligned with the aromas. Chalky-textured tannin and bright acidity ensure excellent structure and an enjoyable fruit-forward finish with a comforting warm feel. This is beautiful, medium-bodied barbera to pair with tourtière and pickled beets. (Louise Boutin)

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Bartali Chianti Riserva 2016
DOCG Chianti, Italy $15.95 (541524) 13.0% alcohol
This medium-bodied 100% sangiovese is your go-to wine for spaghetti or pizza night. Great complexity on the nose with dry cherry, fennel seed, milk chocolate and leather aromas pleasing the senses. More focused on the palate with tart cherry and savoury herb flavours, it offers soft tannin, medium acidity and a nice warmth as it ends on dry oregano and green bell pepper notes. An excellent value to enjoy now. (Louise Boutin)

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Corte Volponi Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore 2017
DOC Valpolicella Ripasso, Italy $19.95 14.0% alcohol
A classic blend of corvina, corvinone and rondinella crafted as a valpolicella wine then going through a second fermentation when combined with Amarone and Reccioto pomaces leads to this value-laden, complex, very approachable red. Dark cherry, blackberry, a touch of violet, cedar and a blanket of forest floor aromas open the door to a fresh wash of ripe mixed-berry flavours sprinkled with freshly cracked black peppercorn. Tannins are soft before evolving to a grippier texture and prolonging the fruity and spiced, delectable finish. Pour alongside stuffed Portobello mushroom or herb-marinated grilled flank steak. (Louise Boutin)

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Damilano ‘Marghe’ Langhe Nebbiolo 2017
DOC Langhe, Italy $21.95 (576793) 14.0% alcohol
This 100% nebbiolo harvested from mature vines--30-50 years-old—is outstanding value. It offers aromas of delicate red fruit, cured meat, caraway seed and potpourri. Crunchy red fruit—cherry, pomegranate, raspberry--with profound flavours are wrapped in extra-fine grippy tannin and sublime acidity. An enveloping warmth carries the fruit character and a delicate peppery note all the way to the long finish. Expect a medium-full-bodied baby Barolo at an unbeatable price. This calls for rare-grilled red meat or a selection of regional Piedmonte charcuterie (Louise Boutin)

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Provolo Valpolicella 2019
DOC Valpolicella, Italy $16.95 13.0% alcohol
There’s unbelievable value in this organic-certified youthful blend of indigenous Veneto fruit—60% corvina/20% rondinella/10% molinara/10% corvinone. A bit shy on the nose with subtle aromas of red cherry, plum and a hint of spice, it bursts on the palate with fresh fruit flavours—ripe red cherry, sweet plum and a touch of peppery dry herb, all enveloped in silky-soft tannin and beautiful acidity, keeping the experience very harmonious from first sip to finish. This medium-bodied red is a definite crowd pleaser and quite versatile at the table. Enjoy now. (Louise Boutin)

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Broccardo Barolo ‘I Tre Pais’ 2016
DOCG Barolo, Italy $48.95 14.5% alcohol
Expect beautiful fresh aromas of red cherry, strawberry, star anise, rose petal and a mushroom hint from this 100% Nebbiolo sourced from select vineyards of +30-year-old vines. Tart red cherry and red plum lead the flavour profile until ultra-fine texture tannin shows up bringing along licorice and peppery character in the endless delightful grippy, savoury finish. This full-bodied gem will further evolve over the next 15 to 20 years. If served now, aerate/decant three to four hours and pair with wild mushroom and braised beef short-ribs. (Louise Boutin)

• In a few Piemonte appellations, the best vineyard parcels are called ‘bricco’ They’re usually located on the higher part of the hill offering better sun exposure and yielding premium-quality fruit. The 2016 Broccardo ‘Bricco San Pietro’ Barolo below is a prime example of bricco-sourced fruit helping to fashion a premium-quality wine.

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Broccardo ‘Bricco San Pietro’ Barolo 2016
DOCG Barolo, Italy $69.95 14.5% alcohol
An inviting complex nose of dry cherry, stewed fig, rose petal, caraway seed and an earthy note introduce this full-bodied 100% nebbiolo from low-yielding 30-year-old vines. It’s matured in a combination of new and old French and Slovenian barrels for 24 months with an additional 10 months in bottle before release. A stream of racy acidity travels the palate carrying red cherry flavours morphing into dry-fruit quality mid palate, along with astringent fine-grained tannin before savoury and peppery notes slowly fade in the exquisite finish. Three to four hours of aerationdecant is worth the wait to discover this beauty’s full personality. Pair with wild mushroom risotto topped with parmesan shavings or cellar for up to 20 years for a more evolved imbibing experience. (Louise Boutin)