Creekside ‘Reserve’ Merlot 2007
VQA St. David’s Bench $34.95 13.0% alcohol
From that wonderfully warm 2007 vintage comes a wine of great substance and structure. This single-vineyard wine was produced with Queenston Road Vineyard fruit aged 31 months in American Oak. Intense, rich fruit aromas rise from the glass, layered with notes of spice, toast and a subtle earthy quality. Dry, medium-full bodied, the firm tannin and clean acidity underpin layers of dark brooding spiced fruit. Peppery notes lift the long, dry finish. Cellar medium-term or decant and serve with roast leg of lamb. (Susan Desjardins)
Creekside Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2011
VQA Niagara Peninsula $13.95 (620724) 12.0% alcohol
Herbaceous, melon and citrus aromas abound on the nose of this racy, tangy gem. Palate-bathing flavours of passion fruit, lime yoghurt and tangy grapefruit mingle with crisp apple and juicy pear. It’s mid weight with fair texture and a lively citrus aftertaste that’s mouth-watering, crisp and refreshing. Pour with pan-seared fish or grilled and garlicky prawns. (Vic Harradine)
Creekside Estate ‘Creekside Estate Vineyard - Reserve’ Sauvignon Blanc 2010
VQA Creek Shores $26.95 12.0% alcohol
With only 98 cases produced, you’ll have to be quick. This was aged in new and used oak, barreling from the glass with lifted aromas of gooseberry, guava and grassy notes. There’s a gusher of concentrated flavour coating the palate with lemongrass, passion fruit and blood orange to the fore. It’s mid-full weight with excellent mouth feel and oodles of charm. It finishes in a blaze of lip-smacking acidity mingling with wisps of melon and ruby red grapefruit. (Vic Harradine)
La Crusset ‘La Bella Fernanda’ 2010
DO Rioja, Spain $25.99 13.0% alcohol
Here’s an unusual white Tempranillo, the result of a natural mutation, fermented in stainless to retain its lovely fruit, then rounded out with 3 months in American oak. Quite intense aromas rise from the glass—lush tropical fruits, vanilla and toast. Dry, medium-full bodied, the wine has great balance—sweet fruit is garnished with notes of toast, matched with fresh citrus acidity. It finishes clean and toasty. Intriguing and mouth-wateringly good. Available in 6-bottle cases. (Susan Desjardins)
La Crusset ‘6 Sombreros’ 2005
DO Rioja, Spain $34.50 14.0% alcohol
Given only 30 hectares of the grape ‘Tempranillo Peludo’ exist, this is a rare find. Produced from 80-100-year-old organically grown vines that yield small grapes, this wine offers great depth of colour and flavour. There’s complexity on the nose—rich plummy fruit, leather, earth and spice. Dry, full bodied, there an intense, persistent, mouth-filling wash of dark, spiced fruit, notes of pepper and an earthy quality, all framed by firm structure and clean acidity. Available in 6-bottle cases. (Susan Desjardins)
Gauchezco ‘Plata’ Malbec 2009
Mendoza, Argentina $31.99 14.0% alcohol
Toast, vanilla and spice aromas provide segue for a flood of rich, luscious flavour with black currant, ripe sweet briary berry and spiced blueberry to the fore. This is layered, structured with ripe supple tannin and balanced with gorgeous texture, fruit flavour and excellent moderating acidity from first sip to the luxurious, lingering finish. The aftertaste layers on espresso roast and hints of cassis. (Vic Harradine)
Quails’ Gate Chenin Blanc 2011
VQA Okanagan Valley $19.99 12.5% alcohol
Almost transparent, this fabulous award-winning Chenin presents bright aromas of tangy citrus and tropical fruits that have your mouth watering! Dry, mid-weight, clean and lively, the flavours are true to the nose, the acidity well matched to the fruit, the finish long and tangy. You’ll want more than one bottle to cellar medium term. (Susan Desjardins)
Quails’ Gate Pinot Noir 2009
VQA Okanagan Valley $26.99 14.0% alcohol
Savour the subtle floral notes, spiced red fruits and elusive earthy nuance of this finely-wrought, pale-ruby Pinot Noir. Dry and medium bodied, it offers a silky texture, supple tannin and fresh acidity. Tasty red cherry/berry flavours mingle with spicy, peppery notes that create subtle warmth through the extended finish. Enjoy with planked salmon or cellar medium term. (Susan Desjardins)
Domaine Francois Lichtlé Pinot Gris 2010
AOC Alsace, France $20.99 14.5% alcohol
Bold yellow-gold, this pleasantly off-dry wine proffers intense, honeyed tropical and orchard fruit aromas. Medium-full bodied and generous, the luscious fruit is matched with notes of citrus and refined acidity that deliver a lovely clean and fruity finish. Did I say it was fabulous? (Susan Desjardins)
Château Roudier 2005
AOC Montagne-Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, France $26.99 13.5% alcohol
Charred toast, sweet vanilla and dark berry fruit aromas herald a luscious, juicy stream of ripe, black cherry, black briary berry and roasted herbs bathing the palate, persisting through the lengthy dry, balanced finish. Mid weight with good mouth feel, this is a nicely paced, well-structured Merlot-dominant blend. Both tannin and oak are well-integrated showcasing delicious mouthfuls of a charming, affable red. (Vic Harradine)
Salchetto Rosso di Montepulciano 2010
DOC Rosso di Montepulciano, Italy $21.99 13.5% alcohol
Deep ruby in tone, this classic, lightly oaked red offers lovely cherry/berry aromas intermingled with notes of spice and earth. Dry, smooth, round in texture, the ripe tannins are well integrated, the acidity fresh, the red fruit quite lush through the lively clean finish. Enjoy with pork tenderloin and a medley of grilled mushrooms. (Susan Desjardins)
Tantalus ‘Old Vines’ Riesling 2008
VQA Okanagan Valley $45.99 12.1% alcohol
Tantalus, perched on the eastern slope of the Okanagan Valley above Kelowna, is known for its fine Riesling and here’s an excellent example for their reputation. Produced from hand-picked grapes from a single 35-year-old plot, this is a finely crafted wine offering lovely notes of citrus, pear and honeydew with a whiff of petrol. Clean and dry, there’s a focused frame of zesty acidity carrying the flavours of citrus and green apple through the crisp, extended finish. Serve with roast pork or cellar long term. Available in 6-bottle cases. (Susan Desjardins)