Malivoire Stouck Merlot 2018 (Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara; $39.95)
Dense purple in colour; cedary, vanilla, black plum and blackberry nose with oak spice; medium-bodied, dry, beautifully balanced, with blackberry, plum and black cherry flavours, finishing on ripe tannins. (91)
Malivoire Small Lot Pinot Noir 2020 (Beamsville Bench, Niagara; $29.95)
Medium ruby in colour; black raspberry bouquet with tea leaf, toast and oak spice notes; medium-bodied, dry, well-balanced, sour cherry and pomegranate flavours. (90)
Kim Crawford Pinot Gris 2019 (Marlborough, New Zealand; $19.95, Vintages #369850)
Bright, straw colour; minerally, peach pit nose; medium-bodied, dry, white peach flavour with a smoky note on the finish, Crisp and well-balanced, Versatile food wine. (90)
Flat Rock Cellars Riesling 2019 (Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara; $17.95 (LCBO #43281; $2 LTO: May 22–June 18)
Pale straw with a lime tint; minerally, grapefruit with a floral note and a light reductive tone; light-bodied, crisply dry, succulent lime, green peach and grapefruit flavours; long citric finish. Great value. (89)
Flat Rock Cellars Nadja’s Vineyard Riesling 2019 ($29.95)
Pale straw with a lime tint; minerally, floral, grapefruit nose with a hint of petrol; light to medium-bodied, just off dry with lime, grapefruit and green melon flavours; beautifully balanced, Mosel in style with a long, lingering tangerine finish. Lovely mouth-feel. (91)
Flat Rock Cellars E{NV}Y Riesling 2019
Bright, pale straw in colour; floral, honeyed grapefruit bouquet with a thread of minerality; light to medium-bodied, crisply dry, green apple and green plum flavours carried on tangy lemony acidity to a long satisfying finish. (92)
Cune Rioja Crianza 2018 (Rioja, $15.95, Vintages #39925; to be released February 5th)
Deep purple-ruby in colour; lightly floral nose of red berries and coconut; medium-bodied, dry, spicy, black raspberry and cranberry flavours; firmly structured with round tannins and zesty acidity. Great value. (89)
The Prisoner Wine Company Unshackled Red Blend 2019 (California, Vintages #22597, $29.95)
A blend of Zinfandel, Malbec, Petite Sirah, Grenache. Dense purple in colour; spicy, leather, plum and white pepper on the nose with a floral lift and evident oak; full-bodied and broad-shouldered, unctuous, mouth-filling sweet black fruit flavours with vanilla oak notes. Carries its 14.5% alcohol well to a warm, chocolatey finish of ripe tannins. (89.5)
Luigi Bosco Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 (Mendoza, Argentina, $18.95, Vintages #128629; to be released February 5th)
Dense purple in colour with a ruby rim; cedary, toasty, blackcurrant bouquet with notes of leather and black pepper; medium to full-bodied, dry, blackcurrant and black plum flavours; well-balanced and firmly structured with fresh acidity and a lingering finish. (90)
