Tasted on August 21^st 2019:

Henry of Pelham Riesling Estate 2018 (Short Hills Bench, Niagara Peninsula – $19.95, Vintages release October 12^th): Pale straw colour; minerally, floral, grapefruit nose with a honeyed note; just off-dry, with a sweet grapefruit flavour and a touch of astringency on the finish. (89)

Simi Sonoma County Chardonnay 2017 ($19.95, Vintages # 673806): Straw colour with a greenish tint; toasty, apple nose; medium-bodied, slightly smoky, green pineapple and melon flavours with lively lemony acidity. Well-integrated oak and long on the palate. (89)

Henry of Pelham Pinot Noir Speck Family Reserve 2017 (Short Hills Bench, Niagara – $34.95, to be released November 9^th in Vintages): Light ruby in colour; mineral-tinged, candied raspberry nose with a suggestion of violets; medium-bodied, ripe cherry and raspberry flavours carried on lively acidity to a crunchy, tannic finish. (90)

Gérard Bertrand Syrah/Grenache Languedoc 2015 (Sud du France – $16.95, Vintages release October 12^th): Deep purple-ruby colour; oaky, blackberry and tobacco nose with dried herb notes; medium-bodied, dry, well-extracted ripe black plum flavour with a savoury, licorice note. Good value. (89)

Destino Fifth Empire Douro Red 2015 (45% Tinta Roriz, 30% Touriga Franca, 25% Touriga Nacional – $22.95, Vintages #646901): Dense purple colour; earthy, spicy, mulberry nose with vanilla oak notes; medium to full-bodied, richly-extracted plum and blackberry and dark chocolate flavours; firmly structured, ending on evident but ripe tannins. (90)

Jim Barry Cover Drive Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 ($19.95, Vintages #677476, to be released October 12^th): Dense purple-ruby colour; cedary, blackberry bouquet with a sandalwood note; medium to full-bodied, sweet blackberry and blackcurrant fruit flavours with lively acidity and a firm tannic finish. (90)