Fielding Estate Winery Riesling 2009
VQA Niagara Peninsula $15.95 10.5% alcohol
Flavour and value packed, there isn’t much of this on LCBO shelves; it’s worth seeking out. The delicate nose offers soft floral notes and some minerality. The off-dry, palate-coating flavours of racy lime, ripe pineapple and succulent nectarine provide that glorious fusion of sweet and tang that pairs well with Asian cuisine. This is mid weight, very nicely textured dishing out a fabulous lip-smacking finish. Speaking of dishes, try pad Thai. Also available for daily home or office delivery from Fielding. (Vic Harradine)


Flagstone ‘Dragon Tree - Cape Blend’ 2007
WO Coastal Region $15.95 (37549) 14.5% alcohol
(Released earlier, not reviewed in winecurrent—still a few cases remaining and well worth seeking out.) This eclectic red blend, primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Pinotage, rips from the glass with perfumed aromatics of fennel-infused dark berry fruit, spice and black juicy cherry. It’s rich and concentrated on the palate with a gusher of succulent mulberry, tangy red currant and oodles of kirsch liqueur. It’s medium-full bodied nicely textured and well balanced with a gloriously lengthy finish layered with a solid core of spiced ripe sweet fruit. (Vic Harradine)


Flagstone ‘Free Run’ Sauvignon Blanc 2008
WO Cape Agulhas $13.55 (96537) 12.5% alcohol
(Released earlier, not reviewed in winecurrent—still a few cases remaining and worth a search) This punches well above the price, once tasted, you’ll wish there were more. With grapes assiduously sourced from the tiny, but emerging cool-climate ‘Elim’ ward, it dishes out vibrant waves of complex fruit-forward flavour with racy lemon-lime and vibrant pineapple mingling with ripe succulent white peach. It’s mid weight and generously textured with a tangy, crisp refreshing aftertaste. Lovely to quaff on its own and divine paired with pan-seared tilapia under a squirt of fresh lemon. (Vic Harradine)