Cave Spring Cellars ‘Dolomite’ Riesling 2008
VQA Niagara Escarpment $15.95 12.5% alcohol
Lifted aromas of citrus, floral notes and hints of mineral bolt from the glass of this gorgeously sculpted Riesling. Riveting lip-smacking flavours of key lime, orange rind and white grapefruit shower the palate and are carried through the mouth-watering finish along a spine of delectable acidity. It’s mid weight with a nice texture and a lingering balanced refreshing finish. The price-quality ratio is skewed well in your favour. Order by the case for daily office or home delivery from Cave Spring. (Vic Harradine)


Pillitteri Estates Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 

VQA Niagara Peninsula $20.00 13.5% alcohol

Opening with an alluring nose, there are riveting aromas of aromatic bitters, spiced plum compote and dark berry fruit bolting from the glass. Flavours of juicy Bing cherry and cassis coat the palate mingling with racy Montmorency cherry on the balanced and memorable finish. The judicious use of oak, silky smooth texture and ripe fine-grained tannin all coalesce to fashion this delightful red. Order by the case for daily office or home delivery from Pillitteri. (Vic Harradine)


Pillitteri Estates Winery Icewine Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 

VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $60.00 375 mL 11.5% alcohol

Pillitteri winemaster, Dr. Marc Bradshaw, continues his mastery with icewine. Exotic spice, floral and red licorice aromas give way to lip-smacking and fully textured flavours of cassis, sweet black raspberry and succulent black currant. The lingering and luxurious finish sits well in the mouth exuding excellent balance, good structure and restraint allowing each sip to be as good, even better, than the one preceding. Order by the case for daily office or home delivery from Pillitteri. (Vic Harradine)


Pillitteri Estates Winery Icewine Chardonnay 2007 

VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $35.00 200 mL 12.0% alcohol

Expressive and pristine, this delivers a finely tuned mouthful of sweet, ripe and unctuous fruit flavours that glide along and are deftly balanced by a laser-like spine of acidity. Aromas of ripe yellow peach, citrus zest and hints of ginger burst from the glass. The palate is treated to a well-sculpted gusher of sweet ripe tree fruit flavours—nectarine and apple—followed by tropical fruit with mango and ripe pineapple. It’s another triumph for Pillitteri to be enjoyed as, not with, dessert. Order by the case direct for daily office or home delivery from Pillitteri. (Vic Harradine)


Pillitteri Estates Winery ‘Select Late Harvest’ Gewürztraminer 2008

VQA Niagara Peninsula $25.00 375 mL 10.0% alcohol
Aromas of rosewater, floral notes and sprigs of herb and spice fill the air. Palate-coating flavours of lemon chiffon pie, zingy racy lime and mixed spice mingle with a gorgeous Gewürzt bite on the lengthy luxurious aftertaste. This sports a lovely mouth feel and doesn’t need a partner for dessert, drinking beautifully on its own. That said, it pairs perfectly with runny aged Stilton. A stunning wine for pouring or gifting—order by the case direct for daily office or home delivery from Pillitteri. (Vic Harradine)


Pillitteri Estates Winery ‘Select Late Harvest’ Riesling 2008

VQA Niagara Peninsula $25.00 375 mL 11.5% alcohol
Expressive and expansive aromas expose key lime pie, lychee and loads of spiced marzipan. There’s excellent tang on the palate with a riveting gust of lemon zest and ripe pineapple flavour surging through the lingering mouth-watering finish. It’s deftly balanced and well structured, just the wine for gifting or pairing with fruit flan. Order by the case direct for daily office or home delivery from Pillitteri. (Vic Harradine)


Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery ‘Meritage’ 2007
VQA Niagara Peninsula $22.95 13.0% alcohol
Aromatic and perfumed on the nose; look for cinnamon-spiced cranberry and mixed field berry. Palate-coating flavours—dark chocolate-dipped cherry, spice and black Damson plum—form a persistent stream through the lengthy finish. It’s mid weight, silky textured and well balanced with a lingering fruity finish and dusty tannin. Aerate/decant two hours before pouring alongside grilled rib eye, done rare to medium rare. Order by the case for daily office or home delivery from Peninsula Ridge. (Vic Harradine)


Reif Estate Winery ‘Meritage’ 2007
VQA Niagara River $26.95 13.0% alcohol
Enticing aromas of exotic spice, black currant and mocha roll off the glass of this red blend—47% Merlot 46% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Cabernet Franc. There’s a lovely array of ripe fruit on the mid palate with cherry, blueberry and mixed berry fruit predominant. It’s mid weight, nicely textured with dry dusty tannin and hints of tobacco leaf on the finish. Aerate/decant for two hours and pour alongside herb-rubbed lamb tenderloins. Order by the case for daily office or home delivery from Reif Winery. (Vic Harradine)


Reif Estate Winery Vidal Icewine 2007
VQA Niagara River $46.95 375 mL 10.5% alcohol
This pours 18K yellow gold in the glass with lifted alluring aromas of toffee, spice cake and treacle. From 25-year-old vines, this delivers a stunning mouthful of flavour with spiced pear, honeyed mango and spice-infused apfelkuchen to the fore. It’s full bodied, fully flavoured delivering a monumental aftertaste that’s balanced and mouth-watering delicious. Well priced to pour or gift—order by the case for daily office or home delivery from Reif Winery. (Vic Harradine)


Strewn Cabernet Franc 2007
VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 12.5% alcohol
Graphite, camphor and mint on the nose this delicately balanced red offers up sweet ripe cherry and mixed red berry fruit galore on the palate. There’s a firm and moderating spine of acidity that runs through the dry minty finish. It’s medium bodied with good texture underpinned by grainy tannin. Suggest you aerate/decant for two hours then pair with grilled strip loin. Order for by the case for daily office or home delivery from Strewn. (Vic Harradine)


Strewn ‘Terroir – Strewn Three’ 2007
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $34.00 13.0% alcohol
A blend of 42% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Cabernet Franc, this opens with a subtle nose of toasty notes and spice. This is a superbly integrated blend offering ample weight and generous texture. There’s a surge of expressive ripe tangy fruit on the palate with cranberry, black currant and spiced red currant to the fore. There are perceptible, but acceptable tannin along with hints of mint and underbrush on the fruit-filled finish. Order by the case for daily office or home delivery from Strewn. (Vic Harradine)


Tawse Icewine Cabernets 2008
VQA Niagara Peninsula $35.00 200 mL 10.5% alcohol
Perfumed and expressive aromas of cinnamon-infused cranberry and minty cherry waft from this sweet and creamy-textured blend—53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Cabernet Franc. Flavours of kirsch liqueur and über ripe cherry coat the palate and are consistent through the flavourful, rich and concentrated finish. Serve chilled on its own as dessert or pair with warm cherry clafoutie—it’s the perfect bottle for two persons. Order by the case for home or office daily delivery from Tawse Winery. (Vic Harradine)


Tawse ‘Select Late Harvest- Barrel Aged – Quarry Road’ Chardonnay 2008
VQA Vinemount Ridge $20.00 200 mL 11.5% alcohol
Unique and stunning; it’s barrel fermented and barrel aged, single vineyard and farmed bio-dynamically—awaiting final certification. Ripe apple, Bosc pear and spiced Mirabelle plum aromas segue spice-infused flavours of vanilla, apple pie filling and honeyed poached pear on this gorgeously textured gem. It’s deftly balanced and dishes out a lengthy balanced aftertaste. It’s for special people on your holiday gift list. Order by the case for home or office daily delivery from Tawse Winery. (Vic Harradine)


Tawse Icewine Gewürztraminer 2008
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $35.00 200 mL 11.0% alcohol
Alluring aromas of lychee, ginger-infused apple and exotic spice introduce an elegant and restrained wash of nectar-like flavours—candied pear, succulent tropical fruit, and gingerbread. These flavours ride a mouth-watering wave of moderating acidity throughout the balanced and luxurious finish—the second and third sips continue to leave you wishing for more. It’s defty balanced and delivers a nicely textured mouth feel. Order by the case for home or office daily delivery from Tawse Winery. (Vic Harradine)