Huff Estates Pinot Grigio 2018 (Prince Edward County – $19): Pale straw colour; minerally, peach pit nose; medium-bodied, just off-dry, ripe white peach flavour with balancing acidity. (88.5)
Huff Estates Merlot South Bay Vineyards 2017 ($30): Deep purple-ruby colour; lightly cedary, blueberry pie bouquet; medium-bodied, dry, blueberry and raspberry flavours with lively acidity and a floral note, ending on a note of pencil lead. (89)
Huff Estates Cabernet Franc 2017 ($35): Deep purple-ruby colour; cedary, plum and pencil lead nose; with a light floral note; medium-bodied, dry, fruity plum flavour, lovely mouth-feel; beautifully balanced. (90)
Henry of Pelham Red House Wine Co. Baco Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 (Ontario – $13.95): Dense ruby-purple in colour; cedary, slightly smoky nose of blackberry and licorice; medium-bodied, dry, plum, blackberry and vanilla oak flavours. (87)
Gérard Bertrand Minervois Syrah/Carignan 2016 (South of France – $17.95, Vintages #952804): Dense purple colour; earthy, rice black fruit nose; medium to full-bodied, sweet and savoury flavours of blackberry and black plum with a note of dried herbs. Nicely balanced and lingering. (89)
Gérard Bertrand Languedoc Syrah/Grenache 2015 (Languedoc – $16.95, Vintages #413237): Deep purple ruby in colour; cedary, black plum with oak spice on the nose; medium-bodied, savoury-sweet plum flavour with a herbal twist and evident but supple tannins. (88)
Gérard Bertrand Grand Terroir Les Aspres Syrah/Mourvèdre/Grenache 2016 (Côtes du Roussillon Les Aspres Protégée – $19.95, Vintages #413245): Deep purple-ruby colour; cedar, licorice, oak spice on the nose; medium to full-bodied, dry, well-extracted flavours of plum and blackberry carried on lively acidity. Lovely mouth-feel. (90)
Buena Vista North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 (California – $24.95): Deep ruby colour; cedary, spicy, oaky, plum and dark chocolate; full-bodied, richly extracted, sweet plum flavour with ripe, grainy tannins. (88)
Closson Chase Mosaic Charmat Method 2018 (Ontario – 100% Chardonnay from the KJ Watson vineyard – $29.95): Pale golden colour; yeasty, lightly toasty, apple nose; light to medium-bodied, dry, yeasty, crab apple flavour ending on a lemony note. (89)
Closson Chase Pinot Gris KJ Watson Vineyard 2018 (Four Mile Creek, Niagara – $22.95): Bright, straw colour; minerally, peach pit nose; medium-bodied, dry, white peach flavour with a fresh, citrus finish. Nicely balanced. (89)
Closson Chase Vineyard Pinot Noir 2017 (Prince Edward County – $34.95): Deep ruby in colour; spicy, vanilla and ripe red plum bouquet with a note of violets; medium-bodied, dry, sour cherry and strawberry flavours with well-integrated oak and resolved tannins. (90)
Henry of Pelham Fumé Sauvignon Blanc 2018 (Short Hills Bench, Niagara – $19.95): Bright, white gold colour; lemongrass nose with a hint of oak; medium-bodied, lychee, grapefruit and green melon flavours. Beautifully balanced, crisp and refreshing with a long finish. (90)
Palliser Estates Pencarrow Martinborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017 (New Zealand – $20.95, Release date Sept. 14th): Shining, light gold colour; grassy, gooseberry aromas with green herbal notes; medium-bodied, crisply dry with focused gooseberry and grapefruit flavours. Beautifully structured and delicious. (92)
John Matta Ripa delle Mandorle 2016 (Tuscany): Deep ruby colour; woodsy, cherry bouquet; medium-bodied, dry, savoury, sour cherry flavour; well-balanced, lively on the palate with evident old oak notes (89).
Luigi Bosca Malbec 2016 (Mendoza – $29.95): Deep purple colour; cedary, spicy, plum nose; full-bodied, ripe plum and blackberry flavours with a sweet core; nicely balanced, fleshy and fruity with a hint of oak spice on the finish. Long and lingering. (90)
Arterra Pinot Gris 2017 (Niagara – $29.95): Pale straw colour; minerally, peach pit nose; medium-bodied, dry, crisp, green peach flavour with a long, lemony finish. (89)
Fess Parker Pinot Noir 2016 (Santa Rita Hills, California – $33.95): Deep ruby in colour; high-toned, savoury, cedary, plum and tobacco on the nose; medium to full-bodied, dry red plum and redcurrant flavours tinged with oak spice and a warm alcoholic finish (14.3% alcohol). (89)
Buena Vista The Legendary Badge Petite Sirah 2017 (Sonoma – $17.95 – Vintages #545772): Opaque purple in colour; cedary, spicy, plum and tobacco bouquet with a lightly floral top note; medium to full-bodied, dry, ripe plum and blackberry flavours with a sweetish mid-palate. Great value. (90)
The Farm Chardonnay 2017 (Niagara – $22): This is winemaker Kelly Mason’s first Chardonnay from The Farm. It’s unfiltered. Bright straw colour; fresh, spicy, lemony, green apple bouquet. Very Chablisesque in flavour, crisply dry, green apple and citrus flavours; great mouth-feel. (91)
Reminder: The password for the Reviews page is drinkme
