An Elsie and New Wines at Vintages

Ramsay Petite Sirah 2015 $29.95
—VINTAGES#: 570549 | 750 mL bottle
93 Pts Winealign.com
According to Celia Ramsay, who is this wine’s namesake and inspiration, ‘missing a single opportunity to connect with people seems a crime. That’s why we drink wine.’ This is a beautiful, ripe Petite Sirah brimming with blackberry and blueberry jam, cherry and woodsmoke supported by chewy tannins. Drink now through 2025 with grilled bacon-wrapped beef tenderloin – and good company, of course. (Vintages panel, April 2018)

“Read the back label for an excellent comment on what wine is really all about, in the larger social context. This deep, dark petit sirah expresses classic, complex dark blackberry/blueberry fruit with black pepper, meaty notes and thyme. It is full bodied, dense, firmly acidic, tannic and warm, yet still contained and well proportioned. The length is excellent. This wine has gumption and depth. Tasted June 2018” (David Lawrason)

Muré Signature Riesling 2014 $22.95
—VINTAGES#: 538421 | 750 mL bottle
92 Pts Wine Enthusiast
Heady notes of peony and carnation enter into the citrus equation of this dry, focused Riesling. Wet stone and lemon zest seem like markers on a road that leads to endless refreshment. This is delicious now, and beautifully dry, but it certainly has the stuffing to mature. Score – 92. (Anne Krebiehl, MW, Wine Enthusiast, Dec. 31, 2015)

“Muré’s is perfectly housed riesling for Alsace from the Côtes De Rouffach and it may be used to begin the climb up to and through the gates into the estate’s devout and divine Clos Saint Landelin. Pure, clear and clean mineral thoughts are supplicated with some surprisingly fleshy fruit, indicative of lemon, lime and even a bite into tart peach. If what you want is dry as the desert Alsace that teases Grand Cru exceptionality than Muré is what you need. This signature-themed riesling abides without you needing to exercize years of patience in wait for the secondary to walk its talk. Drink 2017-2023. Tasted January 2017”. (Micheal Godel)

Rex Hill Jacob-Hart Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir 2015 $89.95
–VINTAGES#: 562926   |   750 mL bottle
93 Pts Winealign.com
Not quite as ripe as the 2014 but just as delicious, this biodynamically-farmed estate wine is Rex Hill’s top reserve. Its old vine complexity shows in its substantial, full-bodied berry, plum and cherry flavors, a beet root note running down the center. At this time, the barrel aging flavors are a bit hidden, but experience suggests it will continue to improve over the next decade or longer. Cellar Selection. Score – 94. (Paul Gregutt, Wine Enthusiast, Feb. 1, 2018)

“A warm year in the Willamette Valley, though this wine retains a sense of herbal freshness, stewed rhubarb and raspberry jam flavours. Tannins are supple and well-managed, while oak is a factor though not a major flavour contributor. Excellent length and depth overall. Accomplished wine, best after 2020”. (John Szabo)

Sister’s Run Old Testament Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 $16.95
—VINTAGES#: 478271 | 750 mL bottle
88 Pts Winealign.com
The famous red terra rossa soil of Coonawarra sits on a limestone ridge and it is from here that Australia’s greatest Cabernet Sauvignons come. This one is sourced from the Old Testament vineyard in the heart of this amazing region. Look for cherry, blackberry, chocolate and spice with a smooth and approachable texture. Spark up the grill – this is one for steak, burgers and ribs that have been kissed by flame.

Tornatore Etna Rosso DOC 2015 $22.95
—VINTAGES#: 487090 | 750 mL bottle
90 Pts Winealign.com
A blend of 95% Nerello Mascalese and 5% Nerello Cappuccio, this wine is bursting with strawberry and cherry fruit backed by spicy and earthy shading. A good choice for duck. (Vintages panel, June 2017).

“The large land holdings of Tornatore mean great value in Ontario for Etna Rosso, a nerello mascalese beauty with just a small portion of nerello cappuccio. This 2015 is a bit hotter than the previous vintage and spent one year in 3000 and 5000L bottles plus cement for 10 days. It’s a perfect example of the subtleties and lithe character exposed through these grapes, from this volcanic place. I love the spicy lift and charming grace of this wine. You really have to try it. Drink 2018-2022. Tasted May 2018.” (Michael Godel)

Sister’s Run Bethlehem Block Cabernet, Barossa Valley 2015 $18.95
—VINTAGES#: 360636 | 750 mL bottle
The Sister’s Run Bethlehem Block Cabernet Sauvignon is always an elegant and complex wine. This is always crafted in a rich style that puts emphasis on the depth and concentration of the fruit while never allowing the freshness to fade too much into the background. In the past this wine has been juicy and soft with impressive cassis and red and black fruit atop notes of cedar and spice. Look for similar complexity here. A great wine for herbed steaks.

Lantides Goldvine Cabernet Sauvignon, Nemea 2015 $18.95
—VINTAGES#: 546234 | 750 mL bottle
Silver Medal winner at the 2017 Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is silky and balanced with ripe blackcurrant, red berry, vanilla and clove character. Pair it with mildly spiced beef or lamb burgers. (Vintages panel, Aug. 2017)

Sister’s Run Epiphany Shiraz, McLaren Vale 2015 $16.95
—VINTAGES#: 269464 | 750 mL bottle
Full colour, both depth and hue; a medium to full-bodied that takes McLaren Vale shiraz from a good vintage, the winemaking simply taking best advantage of the fruit quality. Blackberry, plum, bitter chocolate and briar all contribute to a savoury palate and finish. Special Value. Drink By: 2025. Score – 91. (James Halliday, winecompanion.com.au, Aug. 1, 2017)

Château Lamartine Cuvée Particulière Cahors 2014 $27.95
—VINTAGES#: 441238 | 750 mL bottle
Aged in wood for 14 months, this dense wine is still in its early stages. Firm tannins dominate this blend, which has 10% Tannat along with Malbec. Ripe black fruits are developing to give a wine that will have great concentration and intense juicy black plum fruits. Drink from 2019. Score – 92. (Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast, May 1, 2017)

Stéphane Aviron Vieilles Vignes Moulin-à-Vent 2015 $23.95
VINTAGES#: 368134 | 750 mL bottle
A firm and structured cru wine from 100-year-old vines that has layers of firm fruits and tannins. It is a wine that is likely to mature well, with its wood aging and dry core. A blend from four parcels, it is concentrated and with a rich black-cherry character. Drink this exceptional wine, from old-vine hunter Stéphane Aviron, starting in 2020. Cellar Selection. Score – 94. (Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast, March 1, 2017)

A to Z Wineworks Chardonnay, AVA Oregon 2016 $22.95
—VINTAGES#: 269258 | 750 mL bottle
A to Z Wineworks has been a standout since its beginnings in 2002. Their wines are always a hit. This unoaked Chardonnay is ripe and fruit-driven with a focused, refined acidity that provides a direct zesty appeal. The flavours are crisp and sharp: white peaches, apple and citrus with a lemon custard frame and an underlying precise mineral note. Really, really nice – a real WOW wine. You will love this light, bright, versatile wine with seafood, chicken or grilled vegetables. (Vintages panel, July 2017)

Organized Crime The Download, VQA Beamsville 2010 $45.95
—VINTAGES#: 364398 | 750 mL bottle
So much going on here, with smoke and spice interwoven with blackberry, plum, bell pepper, tomato leaf, herbs, raspberry jam, sweet spice and cocoa. Hearty and expressive with drying tannins, this is a real testament to the hot 2010 vintage. Enjoy with grilled lamb or your favourite cut of steak. (Vintages panel, Aug. 2017)

Roche de Bellène Cuvée Réserve Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2015 $22.95
VINTAGES#: 299859 | 750 mL bottle
Here is your straight from the ubiquitous and broad source, varietally and regionally correct Bourgogne Rouge with no surprise from the négoce hands of Nicolas Potel. There is wild berry fruit, moments of calcaire, fine acidity and better than most at this regional level texture. Drink 2017-2019. Score – 89. (Michael Godel, winealign.com, Oct. 22, 2017)

Kloof Street Rouge, WO Swartland 2016 $19.95 ​
VINTAGES#: 460964 | 750 mL bottle
This wine’s Syrah, Cinsault and Carignan were hand-harvested from five sustainably farmed parcels selected from sites across Swartland. It has been crafted to proffer a juicy, berry-led flavour profile. Elegant and structured, with velvety texture and silky tannins. This is a perfectly pitched barbecue wine with great versatility and broad appeal. (Vintages panel, Nov. 2017)

Domaine de Bellene Les Hauts Jarrons 1er Cru 2014 $70
VINTAGES#: 540757 | 750 mL bottle
This Premier Cru is situated in the southern half of Savigny, close to Beaune proper. Here it has produced a ripe generous wine full of spicy smoky red fruits and balanced acidity. The wine is still showing its baby fruit and needs time. Drink from 2019. Score – 93. (Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast, Dec. 31, 2016)

Domaine de Bellene Cuvée du Cinquantenaire Vieilles Vignes Beaune 1er Cru 2014 $89.00
VINTAGES#: 540625 | 750 mL bottle
This blend from five Beaune Premier Crus was made to celebrate the Potel family’s 50 years in wine. It is a richly structured, beautiful wine with its dark tannins and black fruit showing so well. Concentrated from the low yielding old vines, the wine is packed with fruits and acidity that are developing slowly. Drink from 2020. Cellar Selection. Score – 94. (Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast, Dec. 31, 2016)
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Mullineux Old Vines White, WO Swartland South Africa 2016 $36.95
VINTAGES#: 556597 | 750 mL bottle​’
Texture is very important for us,’ says Chris Mullineux of this brilliant blend of mostly Chenin Blanc with Clairette, Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Sauvignon Gris and Semillon. Rich, dense and mouth filling, it’s savoury, honeyed and subtle with fine-grained oak and balancing acidity. Drink Date: 2017-2021. Score – 94. (Tim Atkin, MW, timatkin.com, South Africa Special Report 2017)