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May 1, 2022 Newsletter

Newsletter Highlights:

There are 34… – There are 34 wines reviewed in the following winecurrent.com newsletter.
Exceptional-value wine – There are many exceptional-value wines found throughout the newsletter and easily spotted by the icon checkmark. Happy hunting!
Featherstone Estate Winery sent along 12 wines that were Ontario Winery Only wines at time of submitting for printing to be published to loyal subscribers like you. Enjoy!

Vintages Release: April 30th 2022

Sparkling Wine

89
 Pierre Sparr Crémant d’Alsace ‘Reserve’ Brut Non-Vintage
 AOC Crémant d’Alsace, France $18.95 (388603) 12.5% alcohol
There are green hints to the light gold hue when poured. Aromas of baking brioche and citrus make way for a profusion of mousse that once settled reveals fine-bead bubbles endlessly winding their way to the top of the glass. It’s pleasant on the palate with a mélange of flavours including caramel, green apple and racy lemon citrus with the latter dominating the mouth-watering finish. The price is certainly on your side considering it’s produced Méthode Traditionnelle and it’s a ‘Reserve’ wine. (Vic Harradine)

Ontario: White Wine

• Low-yielding chardonnay vines averaging 30 years old provided excellent fruit for the following 2018 Cave Spring Cellars ‘Estate Grown’ Chardonnay. It matured in older oak casks before bottling. The price-quality ratio tips well in your favour, pick up an armful.

91
 Cave Spring Cellars ‘Estate Grown’ Chardonnay 2018
 VQA Beamsville Bench $19.95 (256552) 13.5% alcohol
 This presents with a rich nose of orchard fruit, anise and vanilla notes opening the door to a medium-full bodied wash of delicious ripe pear and peach flavours lifted with tangy and slightly pithy citrus. It is perfectly balanced with an enjoyable warm and lasting dry finish, replaying anise and vanilla notes. Pour alongside prawn risotto. (Louise Boutin)

• The following 2019 Featherstone Estate Winery ‘Canadian Oak’ Chardonnay was sourced from 100% chardonnay that was crushed, destemmed and pressed into Canadian oak barrels and fermented by autochthonous yeast indigenous to the vineyard and surrounding areas. The wine was matured for ten months—stirred on lees monthly—in 100% Canadian oak barrels with 90% one to 5-year-old barrels and 10% new. Malolactic fermentation was taken to 50% completion.

92
 Featherstone Estate Winery ‘Canadian Oak’ Chardonnay 2019
 VQA Niagara Peninsula $22.95 (149302) 13.0% alcohol
 Aromas of green apple and ripe pear interwoven with floral notes and caramel precede a palate-bathing wash of tangy lemon-lime acidity and baked apple and notions of baking spice—nutmeg and cinnamon. This is medium bodied with good mouthfeel and persistent purity of fruit, good balance and plenty of pizzazz. Palate replays persist through the finish and aftertaste crisp, clean and refreshing. Remove from the refrigerator 20 to 30 minutes before serving. It sips well on its own and also pours well with roast chicken or pork roast. (Vic Harradine)

• At time of harvest—October 1, 2021—the fruit for the following 2021 Featherstone Estate Winery Sauvignon Blanc was sourced from mature 18-year-old, 100% sauvignon blanc vines that enjoyed a lengthy, warm growing season. Fruit was harvested, crushed, destemmed and allowed to cold soak then transferred into stainless steel tanks for eight hours then racked off gross lees several times before fining. 20% was barrel fermented with the balance fermented in controlled-temperature stainless steel tanks.

90
Featherstone Estate Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2021
VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.95 (89011) 12.0% alcohol
Aromas of lemon zest, ripe peach and pineapple are joined by savoury notions of hay and green tea on the nose of this consistently well-crafted sauvignon blanc. Tart citrus flavours infused with herbs anchor the refreshing palate and endure through the lingering finish. Enjoy this dry, medium-light bodied white with a fresh, green salad topped with goat cheese. (Lisa Isabelle)

Ontario: Red Wine

• The following 2020 Featherstone Estate Winery Cabernet Franc reflects the dazzling VQA Ontario 2020 vintage. It was harvested and optically sorted then underwent a five-day cold soak before being fermented in the winery’s controlled temperature cellar. It matured in a combination of new and used American oak barrels and completed 100% malolactic conversion. Drink now and on to 2028 with careful cellaring.

90
Featherstone Estate Winery Cabernet Franc 2020
VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 (64618) 12.5% alcohol
This is a blend of cabernet franc with just a splash of merlot. It displays a beautiful nose of red cherry, bell pepper, tobacco and a touch of pepper. This is medium-bodied with delicious flavours of red cherry, pomegranate and cola notes developing on the back palate before closing on a bright, fresh red fruit and savoury note. Pour alongside stuffed red bell peppers or gourmet red-sauce pizza. (Louise Boutin)

• The following 2019 Featherstone Estate Winery Cabernet Franc is a Vintages Essentials wine always found in 225 select LCBO retail stores. It has a touch (5%) Merlot and was harvested then optically sorted prior to a five-day cold soak before fermentation with commercial yeast in the winery climate-controlled cellar. It was then matured in 100% American oak barrels with 20% one to three year old barrels, 15% four year old barrels and 25% new. Malolactic fermentation was taken to 100% completion. The winery suggest you can carefully cellar this for the next decade.

93
 Featherstone Estate Winery Cabernet Franc 2019
 VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 (64618) 12.9% alcohol
 This is rich and luscious on the nose with aromas of mocha, black cherry/berry fruit and black plum. It blankets the palate with a glorious swath of black raspberry, black currant and black juicy Bing cherry flavours cloaked in excellent tang and acidity and underpinned by firm ripe tannin structure. It’s nicely balanced, medium-plus weight and finishes lengthy and luxurious with palate replays. Pour alongside backyard burgers, beer-can chicken, pizza, or flank steak fajitas. Keep a few bottles on hand. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2018 Tawse ‘Sketches’ Cabernet-Merlot is a blend of 43% cabernet sauvignon/36% cabernet franc/23% merlot that was sourced from a variety of select Niagara vineyards that matured for 14 months in French oak.

91
 Tawse ‘Sketches’ Cabernet - Merlot 2018
 VQA Niagara Peninsula $21.95 (130252) 12.5% alcohol
 Red cherry, bell pepper, mixed berry and black peppercorn aromas mingle together harmoniously in this pretty red blend. It flows easily on the palate with fresh crunchy red fruit flavours coupled with dark cherry and a hint of jalapeno. This is medium-bodied with medium tannin structure and the perfect partner to juicy flank steak with grilled bell peppers or gourmet red sauce pizza. (Louise Boutin)

Argentina: Red Wine

• In 1999 Susana Balbo, Argentina’s first female winemaker, founded her namesake wine brand - Susana Balbo Wines - and the Dominio del Plata winery in Lujàn de Cuyo, Mendoza. Today, alongside her son José and daughter Ana, Balbo focuses on environmental sustainability and corporate social responsibility. Balbo was the first president of Wines of Argentina and, in 2019, she chaired the Buenos Aires W20 summit, a group within the G20 organization that promotes gender equity in the world’s 20 leading economies. The following wine was sourced from estate-vineyard malbec-97% and merlot-3% planted and harvested at 1250 M above sea level at Altamira, Uco Valley. Mendoza. There’s good value in the following wine.

92
 Susana Balbo Wines ‘Signature’ Malbec 2019
 Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina $20.95 (79798) 14.5% alcohol
 In spite of its dense appearance in the glass, it’s almost opaque, it’s smooth and mellow on the palate. Aromas of dark cherry/berry fruit and wisps of judiciously used and well-integrated oak add interest and depth on the palate with juicy ripe mulberry and © Ribena robed in tang-infused red pie cherry and notions of blood orange. This is medium-plus bodied with firm texture and structure and persistent purity of fruit throughout. Give this a go with grilled medium-rare skirt steak. (Vic Harradine)

Australia: White Wine

• The following 2020 Wakefield ‘Estate Label’ Chardonnay was sourced from two premium Geographical Indications 57% Padthaway/43% Clare Valley. A small portion of this wine was barrel fermented and then lees stirred for four months. After 6 - 8 months maturation in French oak, the wine was blended and bottled. This wine was crafted for immediate enjoyment but will cellar for a short term under ideal conditions. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour; pick up a few.

94
Wakefield ‘Estate Label’ Chardonnay 2020
GI’s Padthaway and Clare Valley, South Australia $16.95 (711556) 13.5% alcohol
Charming aromas of pit fruit—Mirabelle plum, nectarine and peach—precede delicious mouthfuls of palate flavours with tangy acidity melding with citrus notes and orchard fruit, ripe apple and poached pear. This is medium weight with good texture and mouthfeel, deft balance and plenty to like from twist top to last drop. Sips well on its own and pours sublime with roast fowl or steamed lobster dipped in clarified butter. Don’t be shy, pick up an armful. (Vic Harradine)

Australia: Red Wine

• The following 2019 Sidewood ‘Stablemate’ Pinot Noir was sourced from hand-harvested fruit from the estate Oakbank Vineyard and is a selected blend of Oberlin, 777, MV6 and Abel pinot noir clones. Grapes were chilled for 24 hours pre-fermentation and then separated by clonal variety and fermented separately. There were whole-bunch and non-whole-bunch batches fermented by native yeasts with approximately 30% whole bunch in the final blend. It was then matured in French oak barrels for 10 months before a careful barrel selection was made for the final blend.

92
 Sidewood ‘Stablemate’ Pinot Noir 2019
 GI Adelaide Hills, Australia $18.95 (20878) 13.0% alcohol
 Aromas of red berry fruit—currants, strawberry—and piquant spice abound on the nose intertwined with mulberry and black plum. It’s medium-bodied with creamy smooth mouthfeel and oodles of lip-smacking tang and crunchy red fruit palate flavours—passionfruit and pie cherry. It finishes in a blaze with the finish and aftertaste revealing a lovely dollop of cherry cordial and a hint of vanilla and spice. Pour with your favourite meat pie, a rich, beef stew or a simple meatloaf. This punches well over its price tag. Pick up a few and drink into 2023. (Vic Harradine)

New Zealand: White Wine

• The following 2020 Palliser Estate Wines ‘Pencarrow’ Sauvignon Blanc was sourced from two estate-grown plots with 57% from older vines in their Cloustin Vineyard and the balance from their ‘East Base’ vines. The fruit was pressed to stainless steel vats then cold settled and cold fermented to 13.5% alcohol. It rested on its lees and was stirred post fermentation then bottled January, 2021.

92
 Palliser Estate ‘Pencarrow’ Sauvignon Blanc 2020
 Marlborough, North Island, New Zealand $18.95 (148429) 13.5% alcohol
 Alluring aromas of savoury herbs and musky thiol leap from the glass after even the slightest swirl. It blankets the palate with a surge of delightful flavours with lime cordial, lemon curd and blood orange to the fore. It’s soon joined by passion fruit and lime- and sugar-drizzled guava. This is nicely balanced with persistent purity of fruit from twist top to final drop. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour; pick up a few and pour with freshly shucked, briny, Malpec oysters decorated with a few drops of hot sauce, a squeeze of fresh lemon and a pinch or two of horseradish or steamed green-lip mussels and fries. (Vic Harradine)

Italy: Red Wine

95
 Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi ‘Castelgiocondo’ Brunello di Montalcino
 DOCG Brunello di Montalcino, Italy $53.95 (650432) 14.5% alcohol
 This showcases purity of fruit, a deft tang/fruit balance and plenty of years ahead to mature—pop corks now, after a three-hour aeration/decant, or 2023 to 2028. Alluring, sexy aromas of baking spice, smoky notes, berry fruit, floral and cedar abound. A supple flow of full-flavoured ambrosia envelops the palate with crunchy red fruit—pomegranate and cranberry—interlaced with black currant, dark plum, spice and juicy Bing cherry. It’s medium-full bodied with good mouthfeel and a lingering finish underpinned by still-evolving ripe tannin. (Vic Harradine)

Upstream in winecurrent

• Available in LCBO stores April 24th to May 21st, 2022 at a Limited Time Only discount of $2.00 from the regular price of $17.95 and will be available for the aforementioned time for $15.95 per bottle.

• The following Non-Vintage Malivoire Wine Company ‘Che Bello’ Sparkling Wine was made in the Charmat method with the 2nd fermentation happening in a sealed tank. This wine did not undergo malolactic fermentation. It was sourced from two vineyards – with riesling from Geneva Frost Road and seyval and vidal from Huebel Estate Vineyards.

90
Malivoire Wine Company ‘Che Bello’ Sparkling Wine Non-Vintage
VQA Ontario $17.95 LTO $15.95 (16858) 11.5% alcohol
Lifted aromas of citrus and pineapple adorned by pit fruit—apricot and nectarine—abound on the nose and are carried along by the energetic ‘mousse’—aka bubbles on the top of the wine when poured in the glass. A real treat awaits on the palate with a delightful yin and yang delivered by the yin of sweet ripe fruit—cantaloupe and peach—and the delightful yang and tang delivered by lip-smacking lemon curd and crisp Granny Smith apple.

Classics Collection Release online only: May 5, 2022

• Hand-harvested pinot noir is accredited by Terra Vitas as being sustainably grown and is monitored by independent inspectors. This wine is also certified by Demeter as being an organic and bio-dynamic produced wine. Grapes are destemmed and sorted by hand removing all stems leaves etc. Australia has a wonderful name for this debris – mog (rhymes with log) – ‘material other than grapes’. The fruit underwent cold maceration for 5 to 8 days then underwent gentle punch-downs of the cap and gentle stirring with the entire procedure taking approximately three weeks before being gently pressed by pneumatic press separating free-run juice from pressed-juice with the free-run juice being cooled for 24 hours then transferred to French oak barrels for nine months of first malolactic fermentation and for then for maturation. Select barrels are then blended together and not filtered before being bottled then released.

93
Gérard Bertrand ‘Domaine de L’Aigle’ Pinot Noir 2019
IGP Haute vallée de L’Aude, Languedoc, France $35.00 (23918) 14.5% alcohol
Lifted aromas of red cherry/berry fruit adorned with mineral bits, toasty oak, piquant, peppery spice and earthy notes. It captures the palate with a stream of tang-laden fruit with pie cherry, red currant and passionfruit to the fore. There are ripe tannin for an underpinning along with medium-bodied weight and texture and plenty of tang and pizzazz. There’s also persistence of palate flavours through the lingering lip-smacking finish and mouth-watering aftertaste. Give this a go with boeuf Bourguignon or lamb tagine. (Vic Harradine)

New in Vintages online only: starting May 12, 2022

• The following 2020 Gérard Bertrand ‘Domaine de L’Aigle’ Chardonnay was sourced from densely planted estate chardonnay vineyards of 5000 to 6000 vines per hectare and at 250 M and 500 M above sea level making them amongst the highest in the Languedoc region. The wine is accredited organic and biodynamic by Demeter. The fruit is all hand-harvested and is pressed gently with the must then cooled and left to settle and mature on its lees before alcoholic fermentation begins then a percentage of the wine is transferred to oak barrels for full malolactic conversion.

94
Gérard Bertrand ‘Domaine de L’Aigle’ Chardonnay 2020
AOP Limoux, Languedoc, France $35.00 (377671) 14.0% alcohol
Alluring aromas of baking brioche, fresh pear and ripe peach dominate the nose of this well-paced gem. Palate flavours of lemon curd and lime cordial are joined by baked apple and poached pear that persist to and through the medium-length, lip-smacking finish and mouth-watering aftertaste. This is light on its feet with good balance, persistent purity of fruit, good texture and mouthfeel. It’s good to pour now and on to 2027. Pour alongside crown roast of pork or pan-seared-in-butter salmon or rainbow trout under a generous squeeze of fresh lemon when plated. (Vic Harradine)

Vintages Release: May 22, 2022

• The following 2021 Speck Brothers ‘Family Tree – The Soldier’s Wife’ Sauvignon Blanc is a new branch in the Family Tree banner. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour; pick up a few.

91
Speck Brothers ‘Family Tree – The Soldier’s Wife’ Sauvignon Blanc 2021
VQA Niagara Peninsula $16.95 (25649) 12.5% alcohol
Aromas of grassy and herbal notes waft easily from the glass with gentlest swirl. It blankets the palate with a lip-smacking lemon curd and mouth-watering tang and pizzazz. It’s medium-plus bodied with a laser-like streak of aforementioned citrus tang that persists to and through the lengthy, tang-laden finish and aftertaste. This pours well with arugula salad adorned with olive oil and crumbled chèvre or with Atlantic salmon pan-seared in butter and under a generous squeeze of fresh lemon, once it has been plated. (Vic Harradine)

Vintages Release: July 16, 2022

The following 2020 Speck Brothers ‘Three of Hearts – Trois Coeurs’ Pinot Grigio is grown under sustainable conditions and is accredited by SWO. It was hand-harvested and whole-cluster pressed obtaining pure fruit flavours that persist through the entire tasting experience. This was cool-fermented in stainless steel vat and following fermentation the wine was blended with 5% hand-harvested, barrel-fermented chardonnay to add texture and roundness to the palate.

91
Speck Brothers ‘Three of Hearts – Trois Coeurs’ Pinot Grigio 2020
VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 (20374) 12.5% alcohol
Aromas of muskmelon and ripe apricot mingle with notions of baking spice on the nose. It dazzles the palate with fruit-driven flavours of tang-infused passionfruit, yellow peach and ripe pear. This is medium weight and fully textured with good mouthfeel and no lack of tang or pizzazz. Pour alongside chicken pot pie. (Vic Harradine)

New LCBO Release: Fall 2020

89
Speck Brothers ‘Three of Hearts – Trois Coeurs’ Pinot Noir 2020
VQA Niagara Peninsula $21.95 (26109) 13.0% alcohol
Delicate aromas of floral notes, red cherry/berry fruit and hints of earthy notes can be coaxed from the glass with a rigorous swirl. The palate reveals still-evolving tannin, sweet raspberry and racy pie cherry adorned with mixed spice and plenty of tangy acidity. Aerate/decant for three hours, or cellar for 12 months, pouring alongside roast chicken thighs generously dotted with © Hy’s seasoned salt. (Vic Harradine)

New in the LCBO

• The following 2021 Henry of Pelham ‘family estate’ Pinot Grigio was sustainably grown and accredited under SWO. Fruit was harvested then gently destemmed and whole-berry pressed in the absence of oxygen preserving the natural freshness of this wine. You’ll notice a pink hue to the wine. Pinot grigio is a clonal mutation of pinot noir so you will find purple-hued grapes on the bunch along with the lighter skin-coloured grapes.

91
Henry of Pelham ‘family estate’ Pinot Grigio 2021
VQA Niagara Peninsula $15.95 (250217) 12.5% alcohol
Piquant aromas of savoury herbs and lemon curd mingle with lime pastille. It’s creamy-smooth with gorgeous mouthfeel and plenty of dry, lip-smacking flavours with Meyer lemon and Key lime adorned with honey dew melon, piquant spice and plenty of pizzazz. It’s medium-bodied with persistent palate flavours that replay on the finish and aftertaste. This is lovely sipped on its own and divine when paired with lighter-styled appetizers and salads. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2021 Henry of Pelham ‘family estate’ Sauvignon Blanc is grown under sustainable conditions and is accredited by SWO. All grapes were gently moved by gravity after being whole-berry sorted and pressed in the absence of oxygen to preserve the natural freshness of this wine. The vineyards were established over twenty years ago.

91
Henry of Pelham ‘family estate’ Sauvignon Blanc 2021
VQA Niagara Peninsula $15.95 (430546) 12.5% alcohol
Sharp aromas of lemon-lime, grapefruit and grassy notes give way to a tang-infused wash of palate flavours with ripe pineapple, white grapefruit and lemon curd predominating to and through the lip-smacking finish and mouth-watering aftertaste. It’s medium weight and textured with good mouthfeel and plenty of pizzazz from twist top to last drop. This is very accommodating with a number of dishes, especially pan-seared rainbow trout in butter with a generous squeeze of lemon juice, once plated. (Vic Harradine)

92
Speck Brothers ‘Three of Hearts – Trois Coeurs’ Rosé 2021
VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 (552562) 11.8% alcohol
Alluring strawberry/rhubarb pie aromas decorated with red raspberry and hints minerality abound. Palate flavours of freshly picked wild strawberry and tangy passionfruit are juxtaposed with sprigs of savoury herbs and ripe Mirabelle plum. This is medium bodied and nicely textured with good balance and a lengthy lip-smacking finish and aftertaste. The Speck Brothers suggest pairing with a gourmet white pizza with basil pesto, fresh mushroom, marinated artichokes and feta cheese. (Vic Harradine)

New in Ontario Winery

• Click on this link to Featherstone Estate Winery. They have inside tasting and outside tables for tasting, curbside pick-up, online ordering, and FREE shipping within Ontario with a minimum order of $150.00 delivered to your home, licensed restaurant or office. You can also Phone 905-562-1949 to order one or more of the following 12 wines.

• The following 12 Featherstone Estate wines are all available via the winery.

• The following 2020 ‘Canadian Oak’ Chardonnay was aged in a combination of new and used local Canadian oak barrels, producing a 93 – point wine with a few years of cellaring potential. 100% chardonnay fruit was machine harvested and wild yeast fermented then aged in 100% Canadian oak barrels for 10 months with 90% 1 to 5 years old and only 10% new while stirred on lees monthly. 50% completed malolactic fermentation.

93
Featherstone Estate Winery ‘Canadian Oak’ Chardonnay 2020
VQA Niagara Peninsula $24.95 (149302) 14.0% alcohol
This presents with a shiny medium-gold shade and an intriguing nose of ripe yellow apple and peach enveloped in aromas of crushed fennel seed, coconut and freshly cut lumber. It coats the palate with a creamy textured flow of ripe orchard fruit and zesty flavours, complemented with a piquant, almost peppery trait and a beautiful persistent buttery-vanilla note developing at the very end. This is a serious, well-crafted, full-bodied chardonnay. This is superb now with coquille St-Jacques or baked ham with roasted butternut squash. (Louise Boutin)

• The following 2021 Featherstone Estate Winery Pinot Grigio was sourced from 100% machine- harvested Pinot Grigio. 50% of the grapes were left on the skins to soak, and then pressed while the other half was pressed immediately then transferred into stainless steel fermentation tanks to be fermented with a commercial yeast strain at a controlled temperature of 15 °C and the ferment was on lees for ten days. You will notice the pink hue of the wine, although there is 100% pinot grigio fruit. It is brought about as the pinot grigio grape is a mutant clone of pinot noir with some purple grapes appearing on virtually all bunches.

93
Featherstone Estate Winery Pinot Grigio 2021
VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.95 (20599) 12.0% alcohol
Strawberry and watermelon aromas mingle with rose petals and hints of peppery spice on the nose. It’s a glorious stream of palate-flavours with wild strawberry, red raspberry and sugared and grilled ruby red grapefruit galore. This showcases gorgeous aromas and flavours, good balance, persistent purity of fruit and a moderately lengthy lip-smacking finish and mouth-watering aftertaste. Sip in its own or pour with a plate of your favourite sushi or pan-seared calamari rings or scallops. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2021 Featherstone Estate Winery ‘Old Vines’ Riesling was hand-harvested from some of the oldest Riesling vines in the VQA Niagara Peninsula. These vines produce very low yields of grapes that have tremendous depth and character. Once at the winery the fruit was hand-sorted and whole bunch pressed. The juice was transferred to stainless steel fermentation tanks and allowed eight hours of fining and racked off gross lees. It was fermented at a controlled, cool temperature of 13 ° C with wine kept on its lees until end of November, 2021. This wine may be consumed now and on to 2032 providing careful cellaring is provided during that entire time. This is very good value; pick up six or twelve.

93
Featherstone Estate Winery ‘Old Vines’ Riesling 2021
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $24.95 12.0% alcohol
The subtle nose opens quickly releasing ripe orchard fruit aromas woven with honeycomb and delicate floral notes before enveloping the palate with concentrated flavours of racy lemon-lime, sweet apricot and a grounding mineral note. Medium bodied, perceptibly off-dry with balancing acidity, it offers a smooth yet refreshing mouthfeel with tangy citrus flavours lasting on the long finish. It’s delicious and easy to sip on its own, or pair with Thai lemongrass shrimp. (Lisa Isabelle)

• The following 2020 Featherstone Estate Winery ‘Black Sheep’ Riesling was awarded a silver medal at the 2021 National Wine Awards of Canada as it reflects the impeccable handling by winemaker Dave Johnson and dazzling VQA Ontario 2020 vintage. Riesling fruit was hand-picked then hand-sorted and whole-bunch pressed then transferred to stainless steel fermentation tanks after reaching the winery. This fermented at a controlled cool temperature of 13 ° C and the fermentation was arrested with 20g/L of residual sugar while the wine remained on its lees until end of November, 2020 before bottling February 8, 2021. Drink now to 2030, with careful cellaring.

90
Featherstone Estate Winery ‘Black Sheep’ Riesling 2020
VQA Niagara Peninsula $18.95 (80234) 10.5% alcohol
Discrete aromas of pear, honey and petroleum introduce a fresh off-dry white with delicious flavours of apple, pink grapefruit, ginger, a touch of honey and great minerality in the finish and aftertaste. This is medium-bodied with lots of versatility at the table. Try with a selection of sushi or tandoori chicken. (Louise Boutin)
• The following 2021 Featherstone Estate Winery ‘Phoenix’ Gewürztraminer was machine-picked, cold-soaked and pressed. Fermentation was achieved using select commercial yeast at a controlled temperature of 15 °C and was racked off gross lees immediately after fermentation completed.

92
Featherstone Estate Winery ‘Phoenix’ Gewürztraminer 2021
VQA Niagara Peninsula $18.95 (519025) 12.0% alcohol
Beguiling aromas of rose petals and rosewater mix with piquant and exotic spice on the nose. It dazzles the palate with replays of the rosewater and piquant and exotic spice along with a lovely addition of racy ruby red grapefruit that’s been sugared and grilled. This is medium-plus bodied and creamy-smooth with excellent mouthfeel and lengthy lip-smacking finish and a mouth-watering aftertaste. What’s not to like? Pour with baked bone-in ham (not a spiral cut) basted with maple syrup and dotted with cloves that are partially inserted into the outside of the ham. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2021 Featherstone Estate Winery Rosé was carefully chosen from three grape varieties—60% gamay noir/33.3% cabernet sauvignon/6.7% pinot noir. This was fermented in stainless steel tanks by commercial yeast at a controlled temperature of 15 °C, between October 22nd and November 20th with the ferment kept on its lees until mid-December 2021.

90
Featherstone Estate Winery Rosé 2021
VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.95 (117861) 13.0% alcohol
There’s a vivid intensity throughout starting with the medium pink hue and continuing with expressive candy-apple, strawberry-rhubarb jam, watermelon and rose petal aromas. Dry, medium bodied with a generous mouthfeel, an array of juicy, red berry flavours flood the palate leaving a hint of sweetness on the lengthy finish. This versatile rosé is tasty as a patio sipper and can stand up to grilled chicken or salmon. (Lisa Isabelle)

• The following four-blend is a perennial favourite and has one of the best price-quality ratios. It was sourced from the following grapes; 54% riesling/18% chardonnay/15% pinot grigio/13% gewürztraminer that had some fruit hand-picked with the balance machine-harvested. Juice was pressed and transferred to 100% stainless steel where the juice was fined and settled then racked off gross lees and fermented with a commercial yeast at 15 °C throughout October 2021. If you haven’t tried it yet, this, or any other vintage won’t disappoint; pick up a few.

92
Featherstone Estate Winery ‘Four Feathers’ 2021
VQA Ontario $14.95 (341586) 12.0% alcohol
Floral and citrus aromas meld nicely with hints of minerality and savoury fennel. It blankets the palate with glorious mouthfuls of fruit—ripe red apple, ripe pear and lemon-lime nuances. It’s medium-bodied with good balance and plenty of pizzazz. This showcases a price-quality ratio that skews well in your favour, ripe fruit, excellent tangy acidity and a medium-plus lengthy finish and aftertaste. Pour on its own with friends or with olive-oiled arugula generously topped with crumbled feta cheese. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2020 Featherstone Estate Winery ‘Red Tail’ Merlot was harvested, optically sorted and cold soaked on skins for 5 days then fermented with commercial yeast in the winery’s climate-controlled cellar. It then matured for ten months in French oak barrel coopered in Tonnellerie Siruge – Nuits Saint George, France. It also underwent 100% malolactic conversion.

91
Featherstone Estate Winery ‘Red Tail’ Merlot 2020
VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 (131540) 12.0% alcohol
Cherry, blackberry and blueberry aromas meld with black pepper and baking spice before surging over the fresh and lively palate. Dry, medium bodied with well-integrated tannin, abundant red and dark berry flavours are joined by dried herbs and a distinct mineral note on the persistent finish. This is exceptional-value and perfect for a summer barbeque and on to 2027 with careful cellaring. (Lisa Isabelle)

• This Vintage-dated, Méthode Traditionnelle, Sparkling Wine is quite special with the winemaking duo of Winemaker Dave Johnson and Assistant winemaker Kevin Qin deserving a tip of the cap and a hearty pat on the back. Grapes were sourced only from estate vineyards. The Clone-78 chardonnay was hand-picked in to small picking bins then once at the winery it was hand-sorted and whole-bunch pressed, then transferred into stainless steel fermentation tanks. It was then settled for 36 hours of natural cold settling. The first fermentation temperature was set for 16 ° C and the wine was fermented to dry. The 2nd alcoholic fermentation was completed in bottle then disgorged in June 2020 and bottled July 2020.

93
Featherstone Estate Winery ‘Premium Cuvée - Joy’ Sparkling Wine 2016
VQA Niagara Peninsula $34.95 (310334) 12.0% alcohol
This traditional method, 100% chardonnay sparkling fills the glass with a thick froth and lots of lively bubbles. The extended aging on the lees is clearly expressed on the nose with brioche and hazelnut notes along with peach and Meyer lemon zest. A beautiful soft, ample, meringue-like mousse fills the palate with delicious flavours of orchard fruit—peach, yellow and green apple—and beautiful pink grapefruit acidity taking you on a long zesty, mineral, refreshing finish. This expertly-crafted bubbly is worth every penny and will be perfect to start brunch or pour as a dinner aperitif. (Louise Boutin)

• The following 2020 Featherstone Estate Winery Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from 100% machine-picked cabernet sauvignon then run through an optical sorter transferred to open-top vats to cold soak for 72 hours. It was fermented by commercial yeast then matured in 100% neutral American oak barrels—five years old and older—for 10 months. The wine underwent 100% malolactic conversion. It also reflects the dazzling 2020 vintage in all Ontario VQA appellations; pick up an armful and drink now to 2025.

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Featherstone Estate Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
VQA Niagara Peninsula $29.95 12.0% alcohol
A lovely nose of ripe red cherries and juicy black currant adorned with mocha and earthy notes precede a ripe, luscious mouthful of palate flavours with tangy bramble berry, black plum and notions of dark bittersweet chocolate to the fore. It’s deftly balanced, full of flavour with an underpinning of perceptible, soft, ripe tannin. It satisfies the palate with a medium-length finish and a mouth-watering aftertaste. Pour with a prime cut of grilled beef or lamb, or pork back ribs mopped with spicy barbecue sauce. (Vic Harradine)

New in Ontario: Winery Only - available mid-May

• For daily home, office or restaurant delivery for the following wine is sold at the winery only, order online from this link Malivoire Wine Company with FREE shipping on orders of $99 or more, or $20 credited next business day towards delivery outside Ontario and Québec. Phone 905-563-9253 Monday to Friday 10 am - 5 pm on weekdays and noon to 5 pm Saturday and Sunday for information and for locals to access curbside pickup instructions. Their retail shop is now open - 10 am - 5 pm on weekdays, and noon to 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday. There are guidelines due to COVID-19 that change often, best to phone or email first (the website has a space to type and is linked to their email).

• The following 2020 Malivoire Wine Company ‘Wismer Vineyard’ Cabernet Franc is comprised of 100% cabernet franc from a single ‘Wismer’ vineyard with fruit averaging 24.1 ° Brix at harvest. Wow, a lovely high number for the sugar level in the unfermented grapes. Grapes were destemmed before primary fermentation in two large oak cuves. Then 12% of the wine was transferred to new French oak puncheons with the balance to more neutral (2nd to 6th use) and smaller French oak barriques. It was then blended back together into mature barrels to age for an additional three months before bottling in December 2021. The finished wine reflects the dazzling 2020 vintage in virtually every VQA Ontario appellation and sub-appellation.

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Malivoire Wine Company ‘Wismer Vineyard’ Cabernet Franc 2020
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $26.95 13.5% alcohol
Alluring aromas of juicy, dark cherry-berry fruit interlaced with grilled savoury herbs, baking spice and earthy notes abound on the nose of this juicy gem. It races over the palate with plenty of spicy, lip-smacking tang and nerve and verve acidity along with flavourful dark, juicy, palate fruit-flavours with dark Bing cherry, black currant and dark plum compote to the fore. It’s good to pour now after a two-hour aeration decant and pours well with grilled beef strip loin, gourmet sausage, or beef or pork fajitas. (Vic Harradine)

Best wishes, always, from Lisa, Louise, Dave, Vic