The Week of Monday, April 2^nd: Here are the wines I tasted – in addition to the Wines of the Week – and a photo of the best wine I reviewed at Friday’s Vintages release tasting in Toronto (plus a couple of birdlife in St. Catharines).

Henry of Pelham Estate Pinot Noir 2016 (Niagara): ruby colour; cedary, earthy, black cherry nose with a mineral note; medium-bodied, dry, cherry flavour with light oak and lively acidity. (89) (matched with spicy kofta kebabs)

Sartori Corte Bra Amarone 2010 (Veneto – $49.95): dense purple-black in colour; rich, warm, plum and currant nose with notes of dried rose petals; full-bodied, thick and unctuous on the palate; juicy sweet plum flavour with a raisiny note carried on lively acidity. (91) (served with beef stirfry)

Keint-He Pinot Noir 2013 (Prince Edward County): medium ruby in colour with a mature rim; cedary, vanilla oak and raspberry nose; light to medium-bodied, dry, raspberry and cranberry flavours with nicely resolved tannins. (88)

Trius Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2016 (Niagara Peninsula – $19.95 ): bright straw in colour; toast, apple and citrus nose; medium-bodied, dry, moderately spicy, apple and green pineapple flavours with a long citrus finish. Great mouth-feel and nicely integrated oak. (90)

Flat Rock Cellars Gravity Pinot Noir 2014 (Twenty Mile Bench – $34.95): ruby colour; spicy, violets and raspberry nose; medium-bodied, dry, firmly structured, cherry and red berry flavours. Well-balanced; Burgundian style. (89)

Flat Rock Cellars Chardonnay 2016 (Twenty-Mile Bench – $19.95): bright golden straw in colour; spicy, light vanilla oak and a peachy-floral note on the nose; medium to full-bodied, peach and pineapple flavours with buttery oak note; richly extracted and mouth-filling. (89)

Sprucewood Shores Pinot Grigio 2017 (Lake Erie North Shore): Pale straw in colour; minerally, white peach bouquet; light to medium-bodied, dry and crisp peach, lemon and crabapple flavours with good length. Drink now. One of the best PG’s I’ve tasted from Ontario. (89)

Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 (Sonoma County): dense purple black in colour; cedary, savoury, black fruits on the nose; medium to full-bodied, dry, black plum and cherry and blackcurrant flavours with a firm tannic finish. (88).

Luigi Bosca Gala 2 2014 (Mendoza – Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot – $36.95): dense purple colour; cedary, blackberry nose with vanilla oak; medium-bodied, dry, lively and fresh on the palate with a rich blackberry flavour. Good length. (90)

Best wine I tasted at the Vintages release tasting on Friday in the LCBO lab:

Ornellaia 2014 (Bolgheri, Tuscany – $199.95): dense purple in colour; cedary, spicy, warm sweet tobacco and blackcurrant nose with vanilla oak notes; medium to full-bodied, firmly structured blueberry and blackberry flavours. A beautifully crafted wine. Hold 5 years at least. (95)