Cave Mystère Merlot 2018 (Cadillac, Bordeaux, $19.95, Vintages #17232, to be released Nov. 13th)
Opaque purple-ruby in colour; cedary, plum and blueberry nose with vanilla oak notes; medium-bodied, dry, firmly structured, blueberry flavour with a floral note. (89)
Speck Brothers Family Tree “The Goat Lady” Chardonnay 2020 (Niagara Peninsula, $16.95 at the winery, CSPC #16794)
Speck Brothers Family Tree “The Padré” Cabernet-Merlot 2019 (Niagara Peninsula, $19.95, Vintages #18667, to be released Sept. 18th)
Ruby in colour; cedary, blueberry bouquet with oak spice; medium-bodied, dry, red plum and blueberry flavours with mellow tannins; well-structured, with a fine mouth-feel, (90)
Cusumano Noà 2016 (Sicily, $31.95, Vintages #109512, to be released on Sept. 18th)
A blend of 40% Nero d’Avola, 30% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. Opaque purple-black in colour; rich plum bouquet with vanilla and oriental spices on the nose; full-bodied, savoury, mouth-filling plum and prune and licorice flavours, with ripe tannins. (91)
Dievole Novecento Chianti Classico Riserva 2016 (Tuscany, $34.95, Vintages #213936, to be released Oct. 16th)
95% Sangiovese, 3% Canaiolo, 2% Colorino. Deep ruby colour; cedary, cherry with oak spice on the nose; medium-bodied, dry, savoury, cherry flavour with ripe tannins; well-structured with fresh acidity and a saline note on the finish. (90)
Château Vrai Caillou 2017 (Bordeaux Supèrieur, $16.95, Vintages #348292, to be released Nov. 13th)
Dense purple-ruby in colour; cedary, spicy, blueberry and blackcurrant bouquet; medium-bodied, dry, savoury, firmly structured, sweet plum fruit in mid-palate. (88.5)
Quinta de Curvos Loureiro 2020 (Vinho Verde, $13.95, Vintages #471284, to be released Oct. 30th)
Pale straw colour; minerally, lemon-grass nose with a light floral note; medium-bodied, dry, spicy, lemon and white peach with fresh, zesty acidity. (90)
Malivoire Mottiar Chardonnay 2019 (Beamsville Bench, $14.95)
Bright, light gold colour with a greenish tint; toasty, spicy, apple nose; apple, pear and lemon flavours; long in the mouth; great mouth-feel. (90)
