Henry of Pelham Pinot Grigio 2018 (Niagara Peninsula – $14.95, LCBO #250217): Pale straw colour; minerally nose of white peach with a floral top note; medium-bodied, dry, peachy, well-balanced with lemony acidity giving the wine a long finish. Good value. (88)
Henry of Pelham Pinot Noir 2018 (Niagara Peninsula – $16.95, LCBO #13904): Bright ruby colour; cherry and tea leaf nose; medium-bodied, candied raspberry flavour with a touch of tannin on the finish to give structure. (89)
Wlliam Fèvre Espino Reserva Especial Carmenère 2017 (Central Valley, Chile – $15.95, Vintages August 3rd release): Opaque purple-black in colour; high-toned, cedary, lightly floral nose of black fruits; medium to full-bodied, richly extracted black plum and blackberry flavours with balancing acidity and well-integrated oak. (89)
Waterkloof Circle of Life Red 2015 (Stellenbosch – $19.95, Vintages #698175, August 31st release): Syrah 73%, 16% Merlot, 11% Petit Verdot. Deep purple-ruby colour; cedary, spicy, plum bouquet with evident oak; medium-bodied, dry, savoury-herbal, sweet blackberry flavour with lively acidity. (89)
Gérard Bertrand Grand Terroir Tautavel Grenache/Syrah/Carignan 2016 (Cotes du Roussillon – $19.95, Vintages #272575): Deep purple-black in colour; cedary, spicy, licorice and blackberry nose; medium to full-bodied, ripe black fruit flavours with fresh acidity and ripe tannins. A well-structured wine. (90)
CedarCreek Platinum Pinot Noir Block 4 2016 (Okanagan Valley – $61.70): Deep ruby colour; cedary-cigar nose of cherries; medium-bodied, richly extracted sweet black cherry flavour with balancing acidity. Beautifully balanced and elegant, lovely mouth-feel ending on cocoa powder tannins. (91)
CedarCreek Platinum Sauvignon Blanc Border Vista 2018 (Okanagan – $33.70): Palest lime in colour; grassy, green fig, grapefruit nose; medium-body, briskly dry with gooseberry and grapefruit flavours and a long lemony finish. (90)
CedarCreek Platinum Chardonnay Block 5 2017 (Okanagan – $34.99): Very pale straw colour; spicy, light barnyard aroma with a floral, peachy note on the nose; medium-bodied, dry, green pineapple and peach flavours carried on fresh lemony acidity. Nicely balanced with good length. (90)
CedarCreek Platinum Ehrenfelser Block 9 2018 ($29.99): Pale straw colour; a minerally, citrus nose with a floral grace note; medium-bodied, dry with tangerine and lemon flavours threaded with minerality and a touch of honey. (89)
CedarCreek Platinum Pinot Noir Rosé 2018 (Okanagan – $18.99): Palest pink with a bluish tint; lightly floral, strawberry nose; medium-bodied, dry, elegant, wild strawberry and orange flavours, lovely mouth feel, clean and precise with a long, fresh finish. One of the best Canadian rosés I’ve tasted from this vintage. (91)
Culmina R&D Rosé 2018 (Okanagan Valley – $19): Pale salmon colour; minerally, lightly floral, wild strawberry bouquet; medium-bodied, well-extracted redcurrant and watermelon flavours with just a hint of sweetness in mid-palate. (89)
Gérard Bertrand Côte des Roses 2018 (Sud du France – $18.95, Vintages #10621, August 3rd release.): A blend of Grenache, Vermentino and Viognier. Very pale straw in colour; lightly floral, white pepper, minerally, peach pit nose; white peach flavour, full on the palate. (89)
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