The changing seasons can be tough to spot these days. As the autumn equinox approaches, there’s still an abundance of summer produce available. The early morning chill in this part of the world won’t last, so adding a layer is more of a fashion choice than a necessity.
The type of wine I’m serving also depends on my mood. I’m craving comforting red wines, like the richer malbec and cabernets recommended this week, but could also want something more refreshing to enjoy while lingering on the deck after dinner. That’s when a ripe, flavourful wine like the Hester Creek Cabernet Franc Rosé or Red Rooster Pinot Gris is at its best.
Any of these bottles would be solid options for Thanksgiving if anyone is already planning. They offer appealing flavours and satisfying characters that are easy to appreciate in the weeks to come.
Château des Tours Brouilly 2024 (France), $23.95
Rating: 90
Château des Tours farms more than 60 hectares of vineyards in Brouilly, the largest of the Beaujolais crus, the 10 regions considered to be the best places to cultivate the gamay grape variety. The 2024 vintage offers a ripe character thanks to a core of cherry and berry fruit with some spicy and stony accents. The style is juicy and approachable, which makes this fruit-driven red wine a satisfying option to enjoy on its own or with a meal. This has 13.5-per-cent ABV and 2 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2028. Available in Ontario.
Cobos Felino Malbec 2024 (Argentina), $22.95
Rating: 91
American winemaker Paul Hobbs was one of the first to seize the potential of the malbec grape in Argentina’s Uco Valley and Luján de Cuyo regions. The Felino label is made in a ripe and polished style, with concentrated dark fruit and spice flavours. Aging in American oak adds to the crowd-pleasing character of this balanced and structured red that has good aging potential. This has 14.5-per-cent ABV and 2 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2034. Available at the above price in Ontario, various prices in Alberta.
Hester Creek Cabernet Franc Rosé 2025 (Canada), $27.95
Rating: 88
Rosé wines made from cabernet franc like this one offer a compelling combination of fruity and savoury flavours. Made in an off-dry style that’s balanced and refreshing, this has pleasing red berry fruit, rhubarb and peppery spice notes. This has 12.7-per-cent ABV and 4.5 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2028. Available at the above price in Ontario, $21.99 in British Columbia ($19.99 until Sept. 26), $22.99 direct, hestercreek.com, various prices in Alberta.
Howard Park Miamup Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 (Australia), $29.99
Rating: 91
The Miamup Cabernet Sauvignon blends grapes grown in vineyards in the Wilyabrup region of Margaret River appellation in Western Australia. The area is considered one of the best regions in Australia for producing ripe cabernets with distinctive mint and floral notes. This full-boded red is based on a core of concentrated dark fruit with herbal and oak-derived vanilla and spice notes. This has 14-per-cent ABV and 0.28 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2030. Available at the above price in British Columbia, $24.99 in Manitoba.
Quails’ Gate Chardonnay 2025 (Canada), $28.95
Rating: 90
Quails’ Gate’s introductory chardonnay is made in a fresh and focused style that’s ready to drink. The winemaking team uses stainless-steel tanks and older French oak barrels for fermentation and aging to result in a bright and creamy white wine with citrus, apple and pear flavours. The pure fruit flavours are the star here, with a rich texture and lingering finish. This has 13.5-per-cent ABV and 3 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2032. Available at the above price in Ontario, $27.99 in British Columbia or direct, quailsgate.com, various prices in Alberta.
Red Rooster Pinot Gris 2025 (Canada), $19.99
Rating: 89
Established in 1990 and operating as part of Andrew Peller Ltd. since 2005, Red Rooster has been a consistent producer of satisfying white wines, especially pinot gris and riesling. This newly released pinot gris displays ripe and honeyed fruit flavours, including pear, pineapple and Meyer lemon, as part of its straightforward and easy-drinking style. This has 12.5-per-cent ABV and 4.5 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2029. Available at the above price in British Columbia, $24 direct, redroosterwinery.com, various prices in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Rustenberg Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 (South Africa), $19.95
Rating: 91
Founded in 1682 on the slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain in Stellenbosch, Rustenberg is one of South Africa’s oldest wine estates and produced the country’s first commercial release of cabernet sauvignon in 1971. The 2023 vintage, which was recently released at LCBO Vintages outlets, is a full-bodied and flavourful red wine with classic blackcurrant, plum and berry fruit flavours that gain complexity from herbal and cedar notes. It’s a refreshing and harmonious expression of cabernet that’s a great value red wine to enjoy now or place in your cellar. This 14-per-cent ABV and 3 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2030. Available at the above price in Ontario, various prices in Alberta.
Zephyr Sauvignon Blanc 2025 (New Zealand), $21.95
Rating: 91
Winemaker Ben Glover is responsible for Zephyr, a wine brand based on his family’s organic vineyard in the Dillon’s Point region of Marlborough’s Wairau Valley. The fragrant and crisp character shows a satisfying mix of green (celery, nettle, lemongrass) and citrus flavours. A refined flavour profile strikes the right balance between zesty and ripe flavours that carry through to a lingering finish. This has 13-per-cent ABV and 5 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2029. Available in Ontario.