Rotari Brut 2014 (Trentino, Vintages #15679, $19.75)
(80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir, made in the classical method.) Pale straw colour; active mousse; toasty, apple and lemon bouquet; medium-bodied, dry, apple flavour with a honeyed note and crisp, citrus finish. Great length. (91) BB
Culmina Decora Riesling 2018 (Okanagan Valley, $21)
Bright, pale straw colour; lightly floral, minerally, grapefruit nose; medium-bodied, dry, lightly tart, lime flavour with a touch of bitterness on the finish. (89)
Culmina R & D Dry-ish Riesling 2019 (Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley, $19)
Light straw colour with a lime tint; minerally, slightly smoky, lemon-lime nose; light to medium-bodied, crisply dry with a honeyed note, green apple, green melon and lemon flavours fill the palate with long, lingering lemony finish. Beautifully balanced. (90)
Culmina R & D Rosé Blend 2019 (Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley, $19.99)
A blend of Bordeaux varieties. Pale salmon in colour; woodsy, wild strawberry nose with a light floral top note; medium-bodied, dry, mouth-filling strawberry flavour. Versatile food wine. (89)
Closson Chase KJ Watson Pinot Gris 2019 (Niagara River, $24)
Pale straw in colour with a lime tint; minerally, peach pit ose with a light floral top note, medium-bodied, crisply dry, lemon and white peach flavours. Good length. (90)
Closson Chase The Brock Chardonnay 2018 (Niagara River, $25)
(50% fermented in stainless steel, 50% barrel-fermented in neutral barrels for 14 months.) Pale lemon in colour; minerally, lightly toasty, apple bouquet with oak spice; medium-bodied, dry, apple and pear flavours carried on lively acidity. (88.5)
Closson Chase Vineyard Chardonnay 2018 (Prince Edward County, $33)
(100% barrel fermented, less than 10% new.) Pale lemon colour; lightly toasty and spicy, apple bouquet with forest-floor notes; medium-bodied, dry, apple, pear and lemon flavours with a cashew nut note on the finish. Fresh and lively on the palate. (89)
Closson Chase South Clos Chardonnay 2018 (Prince Edward County, $42)
(100% barrel-fermented, 20% new oak.) Pale straw in colour; toasty, apple nose with a light floral note; medium-bodied, dry, apple and green pineapple flavours; beautifully balanced and lingering. Reminiscent of a Chardonnay from Mâconnais). (90)
Closson Grande Cuvée Chardonnay 2017 (Prince Edward County, $95)
(100% fermented in large oak; raised in 40% new French oak for 16 months.) Pale straw in color; lifted, toasty nose of apple with oak spice; full-bodied, richly extracted flavours of apple, orange and pineapple with evident but well-integrated oak. Lovely mouth-feel and great length. (93)
Closson Chase K. J Watson Rosé 2019 (Niagara River, $24)
Light salmon colour; lightly floral, wild strawberry bouquet with a mineral note; light to medium-bodied, dry, strawberry and tangerine flavours. Clean and fresh on the palate. (89)
Closson Grande Cuvée Pinot Noir 2017 (Prince Edward County, $90)
(Fermented in large oak, then raised 18 months in 40% new French oak.) Ruby colour; smoky, spicy bouquet of black raspberry; medium-bodied, dry, richly extracted but elegant flavours of cherry and raspberry with a truffle note; lovely mouth-feel and fresh acidity. (91)
Bandol La Cadrienne Grande Tradition Rosé 2019 (Provence, $24.95, Vintages #119453, release date: June 27th)
Pale salmon in colour, almost flesh pink; minerally, wild strawberry bouquet; medium-bodied, richly extracted strawberry flavour with a touch of sweetness balanced by fresh acidity. Lovely mouth-feel. (89)
Jean-Max Roger Cuvée La Grande Dimière Sancerre Rouge 2015 (Loire, $29.95, Vintages #539858, release date; June 27th)
Great to see a red Sancerre at the LCBO. Medium ruby colour; lightly floral nose of black raspberry; medium-bodied, dry, elegant, perfumed raspberry flavour; fresh and lively on the palate. (91)
Patrick Lesec Châteauneuf-du-Pape Galets Blonds 2017 (Rhône, $60.95, Vintages #78089)
Deep ruby in colour; blackberry and dried herbs on the nose with oak spice and a touch of vanilla oak; medium to full-bodied, dry, savoury, black fruit flavours with racy acidity and a blackcurrant finish. (92)
Time Estate White Meritage 2018 (Okanagan Valley)
Pale straw in colour with a lime tiny; slightly grassy, green plum bouquet with a touch of oak spice; medium-bodied, dry, gooseberry and green plum flavour with fresh acidity; well-balanced with a long finish. Drink now and through 2021. (89)
Time Estate Viognier 2018
Pale straw colour; light honeysuckle and peach bouquet with a thread of minerality; medium-bodied, dry, succulent peach and lemon flavours with an engaging touch of bitterness on the finish for added interest. Drink now through 2020. (90)
Time Estate Syrah 2016
Dense purple in colour; cedary, blackberry bouquet with a note of dried herbs with oak spice; full-bodied, dry, richly extracted, savoury, blackberry flavour with a note of black olives and a peppery finish. A beautifully balanced wine. Lovely mouthfeel. Ripe and pillowy tannins. Drink now but can be held for two years. (92)
Time Estate Fourth Dimension 2017
(Merlot 45%, Syrah 29%, Cabernet Franc, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon 10%) Deep ruby-purple colour; cedary, spicy, black plum and black berry nose with vanilla oak notes; medium to full-bodied, dry and firmly structured with black fruit and bitter chocolate flavours ending on powdery tannins. Will reward cellaring for a couple of years but drinking well now. (90)
Evolve Cabernet Merlot 2016 (Okanagan Valley)
Deep, dark, ruby colour; cedary, vanilla, blackcurrant, tobacco leaf nose with oak spice; medium-bodied, dry, claret-like flavours of black plum and blackcurrant; ripe tannins. Fine texture with a firm tannic finish and fresh acidity. Hold 1–2 years. (89–90)
Evolve Shiraz 2016
Opaque purple in colour; cedary, blackberry, smoked meat nose with herbal notes; full-bodied, dry, well-extracted juicy, savoury flavours of blackberry, black plum and smoke carried on fresh acidity. Well-balanced and firmly structured. Drinking well now but would hold for 2–3 years. (91)
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