WEEKEND WINE PICKS
Domaine de L’Olivette Blanc Organic 2016,
Corbieres, Languedoc, France $15.99 | 88/100
UPC: 626990305903
A fresh, light-tasting organic blend of Grenache blanc and Marsanne from the Languedoc. Look for a fresh citrus, green apple, stony white with a skinny frame and a lean mineral finish. If you’re looking for a nimble, underworked light wine to pour with shellfish, this is it. Excellent value. Therapy Vineyards Freudian Sip 2016, Okanagan Valley
$15 | 86/100
UPC: 6269902773844
Ripe, round and mid-sweet, this is an aromatic and floral blend of Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier. Pear, peach gummies and candied apples come to the fore in this confected, lower acid, fullbodied, chill-down-crack-and-serve sipper you can drink solo, or try with spicy appetizers.
Haywire Pinot Gris 2016, Okanagan Valley $22.90 | 89/100
UPC: 626990185680 Winemaker Matt Dumayne is becoming a master of Pinot Gris, a fact demonstrated even in this “white label” entrylevel offering that makes a statement for place (Secrest Vineyard) over the grape. Dusty sage-kissed anise atop cool pear, lemon pith and verbenaled acidity with a fine grippy texture that reflects its ferment, and aging in concrete tanks for 10 months. Organic farming and whole bunch pressing adds to its depth. Killer value from a fine vintage.
Freemark Abbey Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Napa Valley, California $52.99 | 90/100
UPC: 015917026968
It’s nice to see this wine coming back into form. The Napa label may be commercial in size at 24,000plus cases, but it is reserve style in taste. Fresh, ripe, spicy black fruits greet the nose and tumble onto the palate flecked with tobacco, cocoa and cinnamon. The blend is 75 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon with varying amounts of Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec, all spending 26 months in wood. We love the complete body of work here and suggest this wine could easily be aged through 2023 and beyond. Steak anyone? Excellent value.
Fonseca Terra Prima Organic Reserve Port N/V, Douro Valley, Portugal $26.49 | 89/100
UPC: 005013521101908
Terra Prima, a “Reserve” port made from organically grown grapes and organic grape spirits, was first launched in 2002. The nose is a mix of fresh red fruit aromas flecked with spice, cedar and menthol. The style and attack are dry and fresh with fiery, spirity notes and rich raisiny, menthol, dried fig, blackcurrant, smoky black tea flavours. The style is sweet, but with fine intensity and polished tannins. Serve this by the fireside or after dinner with nutty berry fruit cake or chocolate dishes.