WINES OF THE WEEK

Petales d’Osoyoos 2015, Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley

$28.99 I 90/100

UPC: 871610004005

Easily the best Petales yet, led by 76 per cent Merlot mixed with 11.5/10.5/1/1 of Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc/Petit Verdot/ Malbec. The wine offers sweet, dense, black fruits and tannins with a drier, far more exciting profile than many North American versions of this blend. The combination of dusty tannins and plummy fruit with a touch of cedar and pepper and only an illusion of oak that should quickly dissipate over the next 18 months gives this red a big thumb up for wine lovers. It’s never as firm or dry as its big brother Osoyoos Larose, but then again, you can drink this much earlier in its life. Serve with grilled beef.

Fonseca Terra Prima Organic Reserve Port N/V, Douro Valley, Portugal

$29.99 I 89/100

UPC: 005013521101908

The cooler fall weather and dark days have me thinking about opening a bottle of sipping port to carry me through the season. I’m thinking certified organic, and that led me to revisit the Fonseca Terra Prima organic, right down to the spirit used in its fortification. The style is drier and firmer than most ruby ports, and who doesn’t like a bit of complexity in the glass. The attack is still sweet, mixing molasses, caramel, sweet cassis jam, pepper and pipe tobacco. Perfect on its own, with oven-warmed almonds or some early Christmas cake. Keeps forever, lasts at least a month when opened.