Pale ruby. Fine, delicate nose of red berries with notes of fruit stones. Supple and soft on the tongue, it is not without finesse. A fine example of Pinot Noir in a rather soft-toned style, a sign of mastered winemaking. Drink or hold.
Dark ruby. Medium-intensity nose of perfectly ripe red and black fruits. The fruit flavours are forward on the palate, texture is rich and velvety. Finish is firm, intense and very long.
Highly aromatic green herbal, asparagus and sugar snap pea scents give way to gooseberry fruit on the palate, with characteristic lively acidity and mineral on the long, fruity finish.
Deep ruby in colour; spicy, cedary, blackcurrant bouquet; medium-bodied, dry, fruity, firmly structured, red and blackcurrant flavours with evident tannins. Hold 5-6 years.
One of the first baby Bordeaux from the sensational 2009 vintage released in Canada. It’s from the Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux and has rich aromas of plum, cassis, cherry, violets, vanilla and toast. It punches way above its class on the palate with blackberry/plum flavours, cedar and toasty oak spice. Buy it by the case and age some for 4 or 5 years down the road. Seriously. Serve with roast duck.
Typical southern Rhone blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, showing perfumed red and dark fruit overlaid with peppery spice. Expansive, generously ripe blackberry and raspberry flavours fill the mouth, supported by solid tannic structure, good weight and deftly balanced acidity. Well-integrated fruit, spice and a judicious touch of oak round out the finish. Satisfying robust wine to drink with spicy grilled red meat dishes.
15- to 20-year-old Gros Manseng and Petit Manseng grapes off clay and gravel slopes are hand-harvested, pressed slow and gentle and cool-fermented over a couple of weeks before resting in a mix of oak and stainless steel for 7 months. Regular lees-stirring ups the texture, a welcome addition to a blend that is oft lean and simple. This is anything but; this dry, serious Pacherenc has structure and gentle intensity, with warmed honey, grapefruit, wild flowers and roasted bitter almonds. Fuller on the palate (14.5%), the warm sandy/stony finish lingers and is suitable for simple roasted poultry (think chicken thighs). Best enjoyed when it warms and expands in the glass. The Laplace family have been wine growing at Château Aydie for 3 generations, since 1927.