Le Clos Jordanne Vineyard Chardonnay 2007
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $40.00 14.0% alcohol
Toasty oak, sweet vanilla, floral notes and hints of apple dominate the shy nose. It opens up nicely on the palate with a beautifully balanced wash of ripe orchard fruit—pear, apple and peach—interlaced with cinnamon, wisps of toasty oak and quince. It’s mid-full weight with generous texture and a lingering luscious aftertaste of tropical fruit and mouth-watering acidity; well made, well paced and well... delicious. Order by the case for home or office delivery from Le Clos Jordanne. (Vic Harradine)
Jackson-Triggs ‘Silver Series’ Sauvignon Blanc 2010
VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.95 13.6% alcohol
The price-quality balance tips well in your favour. Delicate aromas of white peach, floral notes and sprigs of herbs presage a balanced wash of lemony citrus and lime cordial mingling with hints of minerality. It’s fresh and lively with a slight spritz, good mouth feel and a lingering, lip-smacking aftertaste of white grapefruit. Pour on its own as a delightful aperitif or alongside skillet-seared calamari. Order by the case for home or office delivery from Jackson-Triggs. (Vic Harradine)
Jackson-Triggs ‘Gold Series – Delaine Vineyard’ Syrah 2008
VQA Niagara Peninsula $34.95 13.3% alcohol
This late-harvested—end of November—Syrah blossoms with attention-getting aromas of red cherry and spice-laden mixed berry fruit. It’s light-medium bodied with good mouth feel, and oodles of sweet ripe berry fruit, cherry cordial and spice-infused strawberry and blueberry on the palate. A winemaking tour de force in a challenging vintage, it drinks well on its own and beautifully with pan-seared brautwürst and potato rosti or roast pork loin. Order by the case for home or office delivery from Jackson-Triggs. (Vic Harradine)
Inniskillin ‘Three Vineyards’ Cabernet Franc 2009
VQA Niagara Peninsula $22.95 13.5% alcohol
Alluring aromas of graphite, dark berry fruit and savory herbs provide segue to a rush of palate-coating flavour with black currant, bell pepper and herbaceous notes to the fore. It’s mid weight with medium texture and a lengthy finish, all showcasing a focused stream of cool-climate fruit and good moderating acidity. It’s poured perfectly with pasta in tomato-based sauce or osso bucco. Purchase at Inniskillin Winery Boutique, Niagara-on-the-Lake. (Vic Harradine)