Our Top 20 Picks from the April 30 Vintages Release

As much as we look forward to Spring, the frustrating about this season is how it can tease you with warm – nearly hot – sunny days, and then just when you’re feeling the comforting, Jacuzzi-effect of nice weather, Mother Nature slaps you into submission with rainy, cool days that barely hover above freezing let alone crack the double digit mark.

But as irritating as that dichotomy is, it is just par for the course. Spring in Southern Ontario is as much a roller coaster in emotions as it is weather patterns. So you could choose to look at that and succumb to disappointment and defeat or, you could do what we do and celebrate the fact that this time of year allows you to enjoy rich red wines and hearty comfort foods one day, and crisp whites and light, fresh meals the next. Win-win.

And this week’s pick reflect just that – robust reds that are easily enjoyed or, if a sudden warm streak hits, be laid down until another day. And when that hot day strikes, we’ve also got you covered with some crisp whites.

CANADA

Featherstone “Black Sheep” Riesling, VQA Niagara Peninsula, ON 2015
$16.95 8023
An easy drinking, tasty and fruit forward off dry white, where juicy acidity balances out the sweetness. There’s a ton of flavour here by way of apricot, apple jelly, mixed citrus and a touch of honey. Try with bacon-wrapped scallops, tuna tartar or chicken with cream sauce. 88 points.

Norman Hardie Unfiltered Chardonnay Niagara Peninsula, ON 2014
$39 184432
Weighty and rich with a soft and creamy mouthfeel. The toasty flavours of nuts and poached orchard fruit are brightened by a seam of focused acid which gives great energy. Try with grilled halibut and mango salsa. 90 Points

Fielding Estate Bottled Chardonnay VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, ON 2014
$21.95 355842
Flint, stainless steel and bruised apple all come through on the nose. The palate is creamy and smooth but shows flavours of tangy green apple and lemon surrounding a steely mineral note. Pair with veal chops or scallop risotto. 88 points.

Laughing Stock “Portfolio” Okanagan Valley, BC 2013
$54.95 71464
This rich Bordeaux blend has everything big red wine lovers are after: power, depth and ageability. The nose shows cassis, ripe black cherry and smoked baking spice. Supple and smooth on the palate with loads of sweet, ripe black fruit, fine firm tannin and a mocha finish. This could likely go until 2023, but why wait? Enjoy tonight with prime rib or seared duck breast. 89 points.

13th Street Gamay Noir Niagara Peninsula, ON 2013
$19.95 177824
Fresh and juicy with cranberry, sour raspberry, moderate earth and black pepper spice. Vibrant acid keeps things lively. 89points.

Wildass Red Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula 2012
$19.95 86363
The second label to Stratus is a serious wine despite the silly name. Combining Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Sangiovese, this pours inky purple with aromas and flavours of ripe dark fruit and sweet spice. Fierce tannin. Lots of power here. 89 points.

Featherstone “Red Tail” Merlot, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, ON 2013
$19.95 131540
East drinking and smooth with a mix of black pepper spice and bright red cherry. A fresh and quaffable wine that is perfect for easy nights grilling simple steaks, burgers or eggplant. 88 points.

FRANCE

Château de Tréviac, Corbièrs 2014
$17.95 438747
An appealing nose of white floral, ripe peach and a touch of smoke. An oily mouthfeel with lots of flavour of juicy stone fruit, yellow apple, white blossoms and a lemon citrus finish. Easy drinking and a nice choice for pad Thai. 89 points.

Château Cap Léon Veyrin, Listrac Médoc, Bordeaux 2010
$31.95 351957
Grippy and dense with loads of sweet, ripe blackberry, cherry, earthy raspberry and black soil. This is polished and rich with lots of intrigue from the esteemed 2010 vintage. Drink now braised short ribs. 88 points.

Château des Damoiselles, Castillon, Côtes de Bordeaux 2011
$17.95 348755
Full bodied with firm tannins and flavours of dark fruit, earth and a bit of resinous herb. There’s a dark, smokey appeal here, and the price is terrific. 89 points.

Château de Gaudou “Renaissance,” Cahors 2012
$25.95 364786
While this does list Malbec on the label, Mendoza lovers may be surprised with what’s in the bottle. Cahors, in the South West region of France where Malbec is the leading red grape, produces more meaty, smokey, savoury examples of the popular varietal. Here, we’ve got lots of smoked meat and old leather flavours upfront with ripe blackberry fruit in the background. Fine-firm tannins lend a certain plush, velvety feel. Well worth a try with brisket or grilled sausage. 90 points.

Domaine Maby La Forcadière Rosé Tavel, Rhône 2015
$18.95 701318
On the opposite end of the rosé spectrum, this Tavel pours dark pink and has considerable weight with fine tannin and flavours of rich red berry, purple flowers and a touch of cedar and woddsy smoke. A heftier wine that can take on more substantial dishes, pair with seared halibut, turkey stuffed peppers or beef fajitas. 89 points.

ITALY

Attemis Pinot Grigio, Venezia Giulia 2014
$19.95 707950
Neutral and light on the nose with perhaps some candied almond and stone fruit notes if you really search while the palate is mid weight and creamy with mild flavours of apple, mineral and a vague ginger spice. Try this with mussels in cream sauce or halibut and braised fennel. 88 points.

Sordo Giovanni “Rocche di Castiglioni” Riserva Barolo, Piedmont 2008
$49.95 442004
A very pretty nose with red cherry, coffee and smokey notes while the full bodied palate is grippy yet juicy with cherry, spice and licorice notes against a backbone of bright acidity. 91 points.

Lornano Chianti Classico Riserva, Tuscany 2009
$26.95 208447
Powerful, complex and intriguing with chewy, sticky tannins and notes of toasted spice, red licorice and prunes. Pair with braised beef, rabbit ragu or roast lamb. 90 points.

Tenuta di Capraia Chianti Classico, Tuscany 2013
$21.95 135277
Juicy and fresh with fine-firm tannin and bright flavours of red cherry and mixed spice. Easy drinking and quaffable for cool spring nights. Serve with a slight chill and sip alongside charcuterie plates. 88 points.

Duca Catemario “Collezione Privata” Pinot Grigio Rosé, Della Venezie 2015
$14.95 451146
Pinot Grigio is actually a copper tinged grape that can produce very pretty pale pink wines – not just the water white examples that are oh-so popular. Fresh and pure with mouthwatering flavours of watermelon, white currant and citrus. A perfect pairing for oysters and crab bakes. 89 points.

NEW ZEALAND

Kim Crawford Small Parcels “Corner 50 Vineyard” Merlot/Cabernet, Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand 2013
$29.95 447433
Kim Crawford’s Small Parcel series is where winemaker Anthony Walkenhorst gets to loosen the reigns a bit and create small batch wines of exceptional quality. Made of about 3/4 Merlot and 1/4 Cab Sauv, this red blend shows both power and class with aromas and flavours of ripe blackberry, Christmas cake, old leather and fresh rosemary. Smooth, with well integrated tannin and juicy acid, this is very good. Try with grilled lamb or ribs. 91 points.

USA

Cloudline Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, Oregon 2014
$24.95 159988
France’s famed Drouhin family is behind this winery, bringing their considerable experience across the pond. Mineral-driven on the nose with crushed rock and under ripe white peach aromas. Pouring a delicate water-white it’s surprisingly creamy on the palate with a vibrant spine of acid dancing through the citrus and stone fruit flavours. Pure bright and fresh this is perfect for warm weather entertaining to sip alongside antipasto plates and seared pork belly. 88 points.