WEEKEND WINE PICKS
El Petit Bonhomme Blanco 2016, Rueda, Castilla-Leon, Spain $13.49 | 87/100
UPC:
8437012278264 Canadian Nathalie Bonhomme is behind this 100 per cent Verdejo she makes in collaboration with Miguel Gil of Bodegas Juan Gil. The 2016 Blanco is particularly fruity, with fresh, peachy, mango fruit with nutty nectarine notes. Fresh, well-made, ready-to-drink white for seafood or summer salads. Super value.
Torres Vina Esmeralda 2016, Catalonia, Spain $15.99 | 87/100
UPC:
08410113001139
No big changes in this classic, cool Upper Penedes blend built on aromatic, spicy, floral Mediterranean Moscatel and Gewurztraminer (85/15 blend). Fermented in stainless steel at 16 C for two weeks, look for a fragrant, floral exotic fruit nose with a honeyed lush palate of spicy/limey lychee fruit. This works well with turkey or a favourite curry dish or alongside seafood appetizers. Solid.
Alvear Solera 1927 Pedro Ximenez N/V, Montilla-Moriles, Spain $24.49 | 91/100
UPC:
00766238809777
This solera began in 1927, so some portion of this extraordinary wine is now 90 years old. The grapes, Pedro Ximenez, are harvested late and dried on mats before the ferment is stopped by the addition of spirit. Dark maple syrup, treacle and roasted hazelnuts supported by an acidity finishes in a flurry of richness, pecans, walnuts, tobacco, salty hoisin, dried figs, and browned caramel. Full in the mouth, and super sweet at 405 grams per litre of residual sugar.
Painted Rock Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Okanagan Valley $34.69 | 90/100
UPC:
626990105831
You feel the heat in the 2015, and while the label says 14.6, the impression is bigger, yet — and it is a big yet — there is a sense of balance here that’s been growing since 2013. Not as juicy as the ’13, but you notice the finesse amid the menthol, savoury black cherry fruit and warm, brown spicing. California meets Bordeaux this year, which should please a lot of people. Fine tannin management, too. Not near ready, but you could roast some meat and give it a go. Best after 2022.
Alvaro Palacios Camins del Priorat 2016, Priorato, Catalonia, Spain $36.99 | 91/100
UPC:
8429073017012
How much do I like this wine? A lot. The blend is 40 per cent Grenache and 30/20/10 Cinsault, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Camins del Priorat presents a kaleidoscope of flavours from savoury, spicy dark cherries to cassis, cloves and a touch of roasted tomato and licorice but never out of balance — that quality that makes you want to finish the bottle. Beef pork, lamb or turkey pies, it all works here along with older, hard cheeses. Private wine stores only.