NOTED 86 OSBORNE SOLAZ TEMPRANILLO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2014, TIERRA DE CASTILLA ($11.45)
Deep ruby in colour with a cedary, earthy, leather nose coupled with smoky notes. Medium-bodied, dry, redcurrant and cherry flavours with a herbal tinge. (TA)
86 JEAN LEON 3055 MERLOT/PETIT VERDOT 2014, PENEDÈS ($18.95)
A singular blend of Merlot and Petit Verdot, which is easy-drinking and chock full of blackberry, plum, cherry and anise flavours. Medium length. Sausage and peppers or hamburgers are solid pairings. (ES)
UNITED STATES 92 ETUDE GRACE BENOIST RANCH PINOT NOIR 2013, CARNEROS, CALIFORNIA ($65)
Deliciously complex with layers of black cherry, plum, earth, forest floor, spice, tea and mineral; well structured. Firm yet velvety tannins, multi-dimensional and a long finish that adds another layer to the wine. Beautifully constructed. Perfect with duck, goose and other game birds. (GB)
91 CLINE CELLARS BIG BREAK ZINFANDEL 2012, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA ($38)
Purplish. Blackberries, soft spices and a menthol-like touch. Fresh attack, intense fruity taste, silky texture, except on the finish where the tannins show a fine grainy edge. Overall, seductive and ready to drink. (GBQc)
90 SLEDGEHAMMER WINES ZINFANDEL 2011, NORTH COAST, CALIFORNIA ($17)
Medium ruby. A cocktail of slightly jammy spicy red fruits notes fill the glass; this is inviting. Suppleness is the main theme in the mouth. It is fleshy and remains fresh in spite of its near 15% alc. It literally glides on the tongue, and this impression lasts a good while after swallowing. Ready to drink. (GBQc) 62 × @QUENCH_MAG × NEXT BIG THING ISSUE
88 BERINGER FOUNDERS’ ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013, CALIFORNIA ($17.95)
A solid value from Beringer’s bang-forthe-buck tier. Mid-weight, there is sweet plum and black berry fruit encapsulating the spice, vanilla, cocoa, mint and tobacco. Suave tannins make this wine ready to drink. Enjoy your favourite cut of steak with this bottle. (ES)
88 BUENA VISTA PINOT NOIR 2012, CARNEROS ($42)
A pleasant earthiness leads to elegant and defined flavours of plum and black cherry; wonderful finesse, elegance, great restraint and balance with a long finish. Great with cassoulet, roasted meats and earthy dishes. (GB)
87 BERINGER FOUNDER’S ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013, NAPA VALLEY ($17.95) Deep ruby colour with a cedar and blackcurrant nose; sweet fruit that finishes dry. Not very complex but an easy-drinking wine. (TA)
DESSERT 95 POÇAS COLHEITA 1964, PORTUGAL ($238)
A colheita (“harvest” in Portuguese) is an unblended port wine from a single vintage (much like a vintage port) but aged in barrels like a tawny. Ready to be drunk when it is released, it can also be kept many more years. This one is over 50 years old and shows a beautiful fawn colour with golden/amber reflections. Very complex nose of mild tobacco, hazelnuts, toffee and dried fruits. Unctuous, caressing the palate, it is equally fresh, rich and fat. Extremely long, its taste lasts for minutes. A real treat. (GBQc)
92 ELEPHANT ISLAND FRAMBOISE 2014, NARAMATA BENCH, BC ($18.99)
Remarkable, pure and unadulterated raspberry with that perfect edge of tartness for added authenticity, bursting with
intensity and juicy acidity for a powerful, long-lasting aftertaste. Try over ice cream with dark chocolate tart or just as a post-prandial sipper. Fortified. (TP)
92 TAYLOR FLADGATE 20 YEAR OLD TAWNY PORT NV, DOURO, PORTUGAL ($62)
The amber tawny colour is a delight to admire, along with its complex bouquet of spice, jam, nuts and hints of orange. The rich palate with concentrated flavours of Fig Newton, raisin, toffee and roasted nuts lead to a long, mellow, spice-laden finish. A pleasure to sip, particularly at a cool cellar temperature. (HH)
90 LAKEVIEW CELLARS CABERNET FRANC ICEWINE 2013, NIAGARA ($30/200 ML)
Sweet cherry, raspberry and strawberry jam meld with hints of blue fruits, cocoa and herbs. Vibrant acidity buttresses a rich texture. Long finale. A flourless chocolate cake would be gorgeous with this sticky. (ES)
BEER BOXING ROCK BLOND RYE ALE, NOVA SCOTIA ($5.20/650 ML)
Hazy blond in colour, showing persistent head, aromatic floral, minty herb and subtle malty background aroma. Lightly sweet dried citrus fruit with rounded malty flavours and dry, quite astringent hoppy character kicking in on the finish. (SW)
BOXING ROCK CRAFTY JACK ENGLISH ALE, NOVA SCOTIA ($4.79/650 ML)
Dark amber colour with typical English-style nutty malt, dried fruit aromas and a hint of roasted malt. Roasted malt comes through more forcefully in the mouth together with fruity notes and dry, persistent bitterness on the finish. (SW)
PROPELLER BREWING COMPANY RYE IPA, HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA ($5/650 ML)
Shows straw colour with intense green