A trio of Albariños
Abellio Albariño 2019 (Rias Baixas)
Bright, pale straw in colour; minerally, spicy apricot pit nose with citrus notes; medium-bodied, dry, peach and lemon flavours with a hint of lychee; elegant with fresh acidity, (90)
La Caña Albariño 2020 (Rias Baixas)
Straw yellow in colour; lightly minerally, peachy-lemon nose; medium-bodied, dry, richly extracted white peach and grapefruit flavours carried on lively acidity; lovely mouth-feel and great balance. (91)
Paco y Lola Albariño 2020 (Rias Baixas)
Pale straw colour; minerally nose of green plum and fresh herbs with a floral top note; medium-bodied, dry, lively acidity with lemon, grapefruit and green plum flavours. Long mouth-watering finish. (91)
Lafage Miraflors Côtes du Roussillon 2020 ($17.95, LCBO #367375)
Palest pink in colour; minerally, cranberry and strawberry bouquet; medium-bodied, dry, elegant, beautifully balanced flavours of watermelon and cranberry. (90)
Chateau Buena Vista Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 (Napa Valley; $59.95, Vintages #539106, to be released July 10th)
Dense purple-black in colour; cedary, blackcurrant nose tinged with oak spice; full-bodied, dry, richly extracted and concentrated flavours of ripe blackberry and blackcurrant with well-integrated oak; firmly structured and muscular with soft tannins. Lovely mouth-feel. (93)
Gérard Bertrand Côte des Roses Rosé 2020 (Sud de France, $19.95)
Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault blend. Palest salmon in colour; minerally, strawberry bouquet; medium-bodied, dry, fruity, raspberry and strawberry flavours carried on lively acidity. (90)
Henry of Pelham Estate Cabernet-Merlot 2016 (Short Hills Bench, Niagara, $24.95, Vintages #395855, to be released July 10th)
Deep purple-ruby colour; cedary, blackberry and plum with oak spice and a note of white pepper; medium-bodied, dry, richly extracted plum and blackcurrant flavours, firmly structured with ripe tannins; well-balanced, with an engaging floral note on the end taste. Hold 2–3 years. (90–91)
Henry of Pelham Speck Family Reserve Baco Noir 2019 (Ontario, $24.95, winery only)
Dense purple colour; lightly cedary, spicy, blackberry, tobacco and new leather on the nose with a floral top note; full-bodied, dry, richly extracted blackberry and blackcurrant flavours, beautifully balanced, ripe tannins and zesty acidity. Their best yet! (92)
Lake Sonoma Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (Sonoma County, $29.95, Vintages #380188, to be released July 10th)
Opaque purple in colour; cedary, toasty, lightly floral, black fruits on the nose with oak spice; medium to full-bodied, richly extracted sweet blackberry and blackcurrant flavours with round, supple tannins and a dark chocolate finish. (90)
Moillard Chablis Coquillage 2019 (Burgundy; $24.95, Vintages #10380)
Pale lemon yellow in colour; chalky, citrus and green apple bouquet; medium-bodied, dry, well-extracted green apple and lemon flavours, with good length. (90)
