WEEKEND WINE PICKS
Bodega Garzón Estate Pinot Grigio 2016, Garzon, Maldonado, San José, Uruguay
$19.99 | 88/100
UPC: 7730951080259
A new player from Uruguay making Pinot Grigio and doing it well. Floral pear aromas preview a tight mid-line of acidity that carries through the finish. The Grigio spends three to six months in stainless steel on the lees to add a little extra mouth feel to counter balance the acidity. A lovely introductory-style Pinot Grigio made for spaghetti vongole.
Hardys William Hardy Chardonnay Limestone Coast 2016, Limestone Coast, South Australia
$17.99 | 88/100
UPC: 83417006445
The fruit is a collection of mostly single-vineyard Limestone Coast sites bringing bright, fresh grapefruit, green apple and pear notes to the nose with just a whiff of lees. The attack is similarly bright and juicy, with a creamy mid-palate and more green apple, nectarine skin, melon and lees. Impressive effort here in a mini-Chablis style. Try this with panfried halibut or a plate of steamed mussels. Good value.
Ruffino Il Ducale 2014, Tuscany, Italy
$16.49 | 87/100
UPC: 08001660108756 Smoked meats, cassis and a savoury minted underbelly open this blend of sangiovese, Merlot and Syrah. This is a modern, polished and medium bodied red, slick on the palate with cherry jam, more minty eucalyptus, roasted meats, grilled onions and black pepper. Try this with grilled meats or mushroom-based dishes. Good value.
Tinhorn Creek Merlot 2015, Okanagan Valley
$20.49 | 88/100
UPC: 624802971056
This is big Merlot, full ripeness from front to back. The nose is a smoky toasted coffee affair with flecks of black cherries. The entry is fresh and lively with warm, spicy, black fruit flavours that finishes a bit dry and firm. Still needs a bit of time in the bottle to resolve some sticky tannins or you could consider serving this now with barbecue ribs and or flank steak.
Palacios Remondo La Montesa Rioja 2013, Rioja, Spain
$38.90 | 91/100
UPC: 8411580034583 Winemaker Alvaro Palacios is on a rampage, redefining Spanish wine, maximizing Spain’s rich selection of spare terroir, and cutting back on the use of new oak by offering a more modern version of the ancient ways. Cedary red fruit flavours morph into a ripe, smoky, plummy red. The blend is 7/25/5 Garnacha, Tempranillo and Mazuelo. Lamb anyone? Marquis Wine Cellars only.