Cattail Creek ‘catastrophe’ 2012
VQA Four Mile Creek $13.95 (260349) 12.5% alcohol
Proceeds from this wine support Lincoln County Humane Society’s program to spay and neuter feral cats. Seductive aromas of exotic spice, lychee and floral notes herald an explosion of flavour that rolls in endless waves across the palate with sweet tropical fruit, white peach and lemon pie filling to the fore. It’s mid weight with good mouth feel, fleshy and brimming with flavour and charm. A lovely aperitif wine. (Vic Harradine)


Cattail Creek ‘Creek Series’ Riesling 2012
VQA Four Mile Creek $14.95 (241547) 11.5% alcohol
This is balanced, generously textured and mouth-wateringly delicious. Planting Riesling vines 37 years ago, these folks and this wine deserve your attention. Aromas of honeysuckle and mineral herald a delightful river of yellow plum, grilled pineapple and racy lemon zest. The sweet and tang on the finish set this up as a gorgeous wine for sipping or pouring with pad Thai or tandoori chicken. (Vic Harradine)


The Dreaming Tree ‘Crush - Red Wine’ 2010
North Coast, California $16.95 (310391) 13.5% alcohol
There’s poetry on the cork, doodles on the label and two pretty famous guys behind this, i.e Dave of the Dave Matthews Band. The other, noted winemaker Steve Reeder, earns kudos. The rich, sexy aromas of spice-laden black cherry and bramble berry pie herald a mid-full weight, generously textured wash of pure, hedonistic joy—black plum compote, kirsch liqueur and notions of herb-brushed, juicy black cherry swirl over the palate infusing the beautifully balanced, lengthy finish. How good is that? (Vic Harradine)