2015 Redstone Chardonnay – Vintages 398966 – $19.95 – **** – I really shouldn’t be surprised at how great this wine is – Chardonnay at twenty dollars from this province is one of the best ways to spend your money at the LCBO. The acidity keeps this wine light on its feet and a nice match for food – roast chicken, pork chops, tofu salad – open and enjoy. The aromas offer subtle vanilla caressing apples and peaches. Flavours follow through on the nose and adds a dash of baking spice. This is pleasantly complex without being too cerebral – just open this bottle and enjoy it with a second glass whether you have it on the table with food or not.
2012 Henry of Pelham Speck Family Reserve Cabernet/Merlot – Vintages 616433 – $39.95 – ****+ – It’s a little exciting to see bottles from the stellar 2012 vintage still making their way into vintages even while most wineries have long sold out of these bottles. Now that this has had a bit of time to settle down in the bottle I would say this is ready to drink if you prefer your “Bordeaux style” reds young. There are great aromas and flavours of black currant, blackberry, raspberry, and dark cherry. A bit of smoke and cocoa help round out the package. Now if you don’t want to enjoy this young and you’re looking to stock your cellar this should hold on for another 10-20 years in a proper cellar.
