2014 Henry of Pelham Baco Noir – LCBO 270926 – $14.95 – **** – Baco Noir can be very hit and miss in terms of quality. However, this wine remains consistent regardless of vintage. The nose has slight hints of smoke and spice with lots of very ripe blueberry and currant. The flavours of this wine are jammy and ripe with blueberry, currant, raspberry. Beyond the fruit there is a bit of baking spice that pokes its head through the finish on this wine. This wine does have a bit of residual sugar left on the finish but it does have nice acidity to balance it out. This is one of my favorite wines to use to make stews or to pair with roast beef.
2014 Havens Chardonnay – Vintages 454587 – $22.95 – **** – Well priced, unpretentious, easy-drinking Californian Chardonnay. This is a great wine to get a sip of warm weather in a bottle. The nose has hints of spice with vanilla, pineapple and orange. The flavours of this wine match the nose with a nice creamy texture on the mid palate. The best thing about this wine is the perfectly balanced acidity. You get the big, ripe Californian ripeness but the finish is nice and refreshing with lingering notes of vanilla.
