Wines of note tasted this week:
Malivoire Courtney Gamay 2024 (Beamsville Bench, October Vintages release, $34.95; $35 at the winery)
Deep ruby in colour; lightly cedary, cherry bouquet; medium-bodied, dry, richly extracted cherry flavour with fresh acidity; firmly structured and beautifully balanced; great length. (91)
Malivoire Rose Moira 2023 (Beamsville Bench, winery only, $28)
100% Pinot Noir. Coppery-pink in colour – a shade or two deeper than the 2022 vintage. Minerally, strawberry bouquet; medium-bodied, dry; fresh and lively on the palate with flavours of strawberry, raspberry and peach carried on fresh acidity. (90)
Malivoire “Demo Series” Analog 2022 (Niagara Peninsula, winery only, $30)
77% Cabernet Franc, 23% Gamay, co-fermented. Light ruby colour; spicy, cedary, redcurrant and cherry nose; medium-bodied, dry. firmly structured; sour cherry and plum flavours ending on ripe tannins and vivid acidity. (89)
Bediani Saperavi 2022 (Caucasus Valley, Georgia, $14.25; case of 12, $171. To be sold to private customers via LCBO Special Services/Consignment program. To order, email Dave Coutts at davecoutts1@gmail.com)
Deep purple in colour; cedary, blackberry bouquet with a floral note; full-bodied, dry, richly extracted, savoury blackberry and dark chocolate flavours, finishing on ripe tannins and lively acidity. (90)