Henry of Pelham Speck Family Reserve Pinot Noir 2019 (Short Hills Bench, $39.95, Vintages #657874, to be released November 5th)
Purple-ruby in colour; cedary, toasty, minty, plum and cherry bouquet; medium-bodied, dry, firmly structured, sour cherry flavour with lively acidity and well-integrated oak. (89)
Henry of Pelham Speck Family Reserve Cabernet-Merlot 2019 (Short Hills Bench; $44.95, Vintages #16433, to be released on October 22nd)
Purple colour; toasty, plum bouquet with oak spice; medium-bodied, dry, well-balanced, plum and blackcurrant flavours with vanilla oak notes; lovely mouth-feel ending on ripe tannins. (90)
Gérard Bertrand An 560 Côtes du Roussillon Villages Tautavel 2020 ($19.95, Vintages #272575, to be released October 22nd)
Grenache/Syrah/Carignan blend. Deep purple in colour; savoury nose of blackberries, wild herbs and a suggestion of pepper; full-bodied, dry, blackberry and licorice flavours. Well-balanced, richly textured, firmly structured, with a warm alcoholic finish. Good value. (90)
Gérard Bertrand An 560 Côtes du Roussillon Villages An 1886 Les Apres 2019 ($19.95, Vintages #413245, to be released November 5th)
Grenache/Syrah/Mourvèdre. Deep purple in colour; rich fruit-cake nose with oak spice; full-bodied, richly extracted blackberry and dried herbs in flavour backed by oak spice. Beautifully balanced, minty finish. Great value (91)
Ferraton Père et Fils Châteauneuf du Pape “Le Parvis” 2020 ($59.95, Vintages #638551; to be released November 5th)
Dense purple in colour; cedary, toasty, blackberry nose with oak spice; full-bodied, dry, richly extracted black fruit and dark chocolate flavours tinged with wild herbs; firmly structured, beautifully balanced and long in the mouth. (93)