Vintages Release: June 13, 2020

• The following 2016 Gérard Bertrand ‘La Clape – Grand Terroir’ is a lovely blend of syrah, carignan and mourvèdre. Fruit was sourced from vineyards at 200m sitting on a limestone bench overlooking the Mediterranean where winemaking took hold thousands of years ago.

90
Gérard Bertrand ‘Grand Terroir’ 2016
AOP La Clape, France $19.95 (370262) 13.5% alcohol
A fresh and lively nose of red and black cherry/berry fruit and local herb aromas precede a delightful medium-plus bodied well-textured surge of palate-drenching flavour—ripe red cherry and dark bramble berry interlaced with piquant spice and espresso roast. It’s good value, nicely balanced and sports a lengthy lip-smacking finish. Pour alongside grilled gourmet sausage or beer-can, crispy-skin chicken after a two-hour aeration/decant. (Vic Harradine)

Vintages Release: June 27, 2020

• The following 2018 Henry of Pelham ‘Speck Family Reserve’ Chardonnay was hand-harvested from a field mix of sustainably grown chardonnay clones then whole-cluster pressed, barrel fermented in French oak with a portion in 3000L foudres then barrel matured eight to ten months with a portion in new oak. Daniel Speck, one of the three brothers who own this winery, points to this as his favourite wine, once you try it, there’s a very good chance you will, too.

92 
Henry of Pelham ‘Speck Family Reserve’ Chardonnay 2018
VQA Short Hills Bench $29.95 (616466) 13.0% alcohol
Alluring aromas of toasty oak and exotic incense abound on the nose. This is a balanced and beautiful mouthful of pure ambrosia that will improve with time. It bathes the palate with elegant and creamy-textured mouthfuls of ripe apple, piquant spice, caramel and racy lemon curd. It’s medium-plus bodied showcasing persistent purity of fruit, excellent oak integration and a monumentally lengthy aftertaste making this a deliriously delightful experience from cork pop to last drop. It’s an inspired pairing with festive turkey and all the fixings or steamed lobster dipped in clarified butter. (Vic Harradine)

90 
Quail’s Gate Rosé 2019
Okanagan Valley, B.C. $19.95 (170316) 12.0% alcohol
Strawberry, mandarin orange and floral notes provide segue to a light-on-its-feet delectable wash of palate flavours with sweet ripe strawberry and racy red currant intertwined with sweet watermelon. This is light-medium bodied with no shortage of flavour and a clean and refreshing finish and aftertaste. Pour on its own or alongside a deli platter or charcuterie. (Vic Harradine)

Vintages Release: July 11, 2020

89
Baron de Hoen ‘Reserve’ Gewürztraminer 2018
AOC Alsace, France $19.95 (377721) 13.5% alcohol
This aromatic grape is presented in a very elegant version, less pungent than anticipated—lychee, pear, rose water and ginger aromas. It is round and ample on the palate with delicious sweet lychee flavours leading the way followed with spicy ginger and a touch of pithy pink grapefruit peel balancing the finish. This classic medium-full bodied gewürztraminer is perfect with pad Thai. (Louise Boutin)

• The following 2019 Gérard Bertrand ‘Hampton Water’ Rosé was sourced primarily from grenache along with cinsault and mourvèdre grape varieties.

89
Gérard Bertrand ‘Hampton Water’ Rosé 2019
AOP Languedoc, France $29.95 (667337) 14.0% alcohol
This pale-salmon shaded rosé displays subtle aromas of mandarin, red berries and floral notes emerging with vigorous swirling. Expect refreshing flavours of watermelon, strawberry and orange peel offered in a round and palate-coating texture, courtesy short oak aging and alcohol level, leading to a fruit-forward finish with a white pepper note showing up in the aftertaste. Enjoy on its own or alongside grilled seafood platter. (Louise Boutin)

• The following 2018 Troupis Winery ‘Fteri’ Agiorgitiko – Moschofilero Rosé was sourced from moschofilero grapes from the Mantineia plateau and the agiorgitiko from the Corinthian hills of the Peloponnese. ‘Fteri’ translates to ‘fern’ as seen on the artistic wine label.

90 
Troupis Winery ‘Fteri’ Agiorgitiko – Moschofilero Rosé 2018
PGI Peloponnese, Greece $15.95 (15139) 12.5% alcohol
This less familiar rosé blend opens the door with captivating sea breeze and crab apple aromas plus a tomato leaf note. This is a mouth-watering briny and mineral delight characteristic of many Greek white and rosé wines. It offers a long and delicious finish on tart apple and saline notes. Make this a regional pairing with chicken souvlaki or Greek salad. (Louise Boutin)

Vintages Release: July 25, 2020

• The following 2019 Gérard Bertrand ‘Terroir’ Picpoul de Pinet was sourced from a region inhabited in ancient times and a wine growing region in the south of France for over 2000 years. The vines for this wine grow on rocky hillsides near the bassin de Thau. After a cool fermentation—16 to 18 C—the wine ages on its fine lees in stainless steel vats before being bottled in the early spring of 2020.

90 
Gérard Bertrand ‘Terroir’ Picpoul de Pinet 2019
AOP Picpoul de Pinet, France $17.95 (13000) 13.0% alcohol
This is a classic Picpoul with its characteristic fresh aromas of citrus, pear and peach but also a vegetal note of celery leaf and lots of minerality. The lees aging brings excellent weight and texture on the palate along with citron confit and peach flavours joined with a savoury touch and saline mouth-watering effect in the excellent dry and refreshing finish. This is a go to bottle for freshly shucked oysters under a squeeze of lemon juice. (Louise Boutin)

Vintages Release: TBD, 2020

90 
Podere Casanova Rosso 2017
DOC Rosso di Montepulciano, Italy $17.95 13.0% alcohol
This is an interesting blend of 87% sangiovese (prugnolo gentile)/7% cabernet sauvignon/6 % merlot, It’s light-ruby hued in the glass and dishes up a lifted nose of mixed field berry fruit, tarry notes and exotic incense. It’s light on its feet with a gentle wash of cherry clafoutie and a balancing line of lip-smacking tang. It finishes with fruit flavour and plenty of pizzazz. This is wonderful sipped on its own or with these—mac and cheese, stuffed mushroom caps or chicken pot pie. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2016 Podere Casanova Rosso is 97% sangiovese (prugnolo gentile), 2% cabernet sauvignon, 1% Merlot,

93
Podere Casanova Rosso 2016
DOCG Vino Nobile de Montepulciano, Italy $24.95 14.0% alcohol
Red and dark cherry/berry aromas intertwine with tarry bits on the nose. It flows over the palate creamy-smooth and balanced on a pin. This is elegant, smooth, mellow and absolutely delicious. There’s plenty of everything without being big or brash. It’s medium-plus bodied and fully textured and oozing with class, complexity, depth and stature. Pour on its own or alongside grilled rack of lamb or grilled striploin. This is a great value; it’s good to go now and on to 2028. (Vic Harradine)

91 
Fattoria Querciarossa ‘Maremma OSA’ 2016
DOC Maremma Toscana, Italy $18.95 13.5% alcohol
Lively red cherry aromas mingle with herbal and floral notes on the nose of this unique red blend—sangiovese/merlot/cabernet/ciliegiolo. A medium-full bodied, gorgeously textured surge of flavour coats the palate with cassis, bramble berry and sprigs of savory herbs to the fore. It’s well balanced with plenty of fruit flavour, excellent acidity and just enough tannin to add structure and depth. Give this a go with hearty heavyweights—osso buco, cassoulet, lamb tagine. (Vic Harradine)