2016 Remy Pannier Muscadet – LCBO 13821 – $15.20 – **** – The problem I have with Muscadet is that it generally needs to be paired with food. This Muscadet, on the other hand, is welcoming and approachable. There is a nice citrus note, a grassiness and tons of mineral. So, this offers everything you should expect from Muscadet… but then there is this apple note that makes an appearance. Keep a bottle of this on hand for fresh seafood grilled, fried or on the half shell … but it will be just as approachable as a patio sipper.
2016 Remy Pannier Rosé D’Anjou – LCBO 12641 – $15.20 – **** – There is nice raspberry and strawberry on the nose. There is a lot of red fruit in the glass but there is also a nice slight citrus note that pokes through. This wine finishes slightly off-dry but the sweetness helps keep the fruit vibrant and fresh. There is still plenty of acidity to help balance out the sweetness and red fruit in the glass.
2011 Rioja Bordon Reserva – Vintages 194753 – $17.00 – **** – The nose offers up rich cocoa and vanilla notes with a bit of smoke in there. The flavours in this bottle are heavy, dark and brooding. You’ll find flavours that match the nose but also black licorice and a note of woodsmoke. It took a little while for this wine to start to open up. This does need some time to open up to reveal some plum, blackberry, and currant but there is some fruit in the bottle. When I tasted this wine it took about 30 minutes in a decanter for the fruit to reveal itself. I picture myself enjoying this bottle on the patio with a nice steak or hamburger.
2014 Leese-Fitch Zinfandel – Vintages 508184 – $21.95 – ****+ – Let’s start this on a high note. If you’re a Zinfandel fan make sure you pick this up. Aromas of cocoa, licorice and campfire layered over plum, and currant. The tannin is approachable and gives this wine an iced tea quality to the mid palate. The fruit pushes through once again with perfect ripeness. What makes this wine great is the perfectly balanced acidity that takes a wine that hits the palate heavy and leaves light. It doesn’t get much better than this at this price for Zinfandel.
2013 Flying Fish Cove Wildberry Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon – Vintages 493312 – $37.95 – **** – This is an outstanding bottle that drinks a little dangerously as there is no hint of the high 14.5% alcohol when you taste it. Flavours and aromas of black currant and cocoa. The tannin is velvet and approachable immediately, but there is very nice structure to this wine should you decide to put it in a cellar for 5-7 years.
