• Order the following wine by the case for delivery to home, office or restaurant in Ontario online from Featherstone Estate Winery or phone 905.562.1949 or visit the winery and pick up a bottle or case at 3678 Victoria Ave, Vineland, ON L0R 2C0. Here’s a map.
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Featherstone Estate Winery ‘Four Feathers’ 2018
VQA Niagara Peninsula $14.95 (341586) 12.5% alcohol
This incredibly popular aromatic white blend—61% riesling/18% gewürztraminer/13% sauvignon blanc/8% chardonnay—has a large following, it delivers in spades, vintage after vintage. Aromas of rosewater, lime and peach set the table for a smorgasbord of perfectly balanced, delicious palate flavours with Key lime, crisp green apple and lemon pie filling to the fore. It’s medium bodied, creamy smooth and lingers on the finish – balanced and mouth-watering good. Sip on its own or pour alongside pan-seared fish like salmon or trout, or thin-crust, lightly dressed three-cheese—brie, mozzarella, chèvre—white pizza. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2017 Featherstone Estate Winery ‘Canadian Oak’ Chardonnay is rare and interesting in that this chardonnay was matured 10 months in 100% Canadian oak barrel, 90% of which was one to five years old with 10% new. It was also barrel fermented in Canadian oak and indigenous-yeast fermented with 50% undergoing induced malolactic conversion… pretty cool, eh.
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Featherstone Estate Winery ‘Canadian Oak’ Chardonnay 2017
VQA Niagara Peninsula $21.95 (149302) 13.5% alcohol
Alluring aromas of apple pie spice, crème brûlée and sweet vanillin abound on the nose of this gorgeous chardonnay. It caresses the palate with a smooth-as-silk river of spiced, baked apple and poached pear while a racy dollop of lemon curd appears on the lengthy lip-smacking finish and aftertaste. It’s medium-plus bodied with generous mouthfeel, deft balance, well-integrated oak and plenty of charm. Pick up a few and drink over the next five to six years; sip on its own – divine, or pair with clay-bake chicken and fresh-cut and baked oven fries or fettuccini Alfredo. (Vic Harradine)
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Featherstone Estate Winery ‘Red Tail’ Merlot 2017
VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 (131540) 13.0% alcohol
Mixed spice, rich dark berry fruit and notions of cassis aromas on the nose, this value-packed gem envelops the palate with rich, ripe and rarin’ to go creamy-smooth fruit flavours—black plum, black currant and racy pie cherry—robed in lip-smacking tang and baking spice, underpinned by soft tannin, It’s medium bodied with good mouthfeel and plenty to like about the finish and aftertaste, as well, it’s lengthy, dry with deft balance of tang, ripe fruit and soft tannin. Pour with a prime cut of beef with grilled Portobello mushrooms. (Vic Harradine)
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Fielding Estate Winery ‘Red Conception’ 2017
VQA Niagara Peninsula $22.15 13.0% alcohol
This red blend—45% syrah/34% cabernet sauvignon/11% merlot/9% cabernet franc/1% malbec—matured 9 months in French oak. It bolts from the glass with rich, ripe cherry/berry fruit aromas then envelops the palate with a smooth flow of dark fruit—Bing cherry, damson plum and black currant—robed in spice and tang and underpinned by soft approachable tannin. This is medium bodied with good mouthfeel and a memorable, lengthy finish. This is drinking well now and pairs with porchetta, osso buco or cassoulet. (Vic Harradine)
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Fielding Estate Winery ‘Rock Pile’ Chardonnay 2016
VQA Lincoln Lakeshore $40.15 13.1% alcohol
Fruit for this stunning offering was sourced from two vineyard plots on the shore of Lake Ontario then barrel fermented and barrel matured. Baking spice, smoky notes and green apple aromas open this wonderful chardonnay. It envelops the palate with a surge of lemon curd, green apple and apple pie spice along with toasty/oaky notes. It’s medium-plus bodied with a full-Monty dollop of satin-smooth texture and a lengthy, mouth-watering finish and aftertaste. This is deftly balanced, generously textured and charming. Delicious now, it will improve with a couple of more years of bottle age. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2017 Henry of Pelham ‘Estate’ Gamay was sourced from 100% gamay from their own south-facing vineyards, fermented in stainless steel tank and matured for 10 months in French and American oak before bottling.
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Henry of Pelham ‘Estate’ Gamay 2017
VQA Short Hills Bench $19.95 13.5% alcohol
Light-ruby hued, this value-laden gamay wafts from the glass with aromas of medicinal cherry and sharp spice. It bathes the palate with a serene blanket of ripe red cherry flavour and red raspberry tang interwoven with piquant spice and notions of chalky minerality. This is mid-weight with good balance, persistent purity of fruit and lingering, mouth-watering finish. Pour with summer fare—charcuterie platter with a baguette or arugula salad dressed with olive oil and red wine vinegar, topped with crumbled chèvre or blue-veined cheese. (Vic Harradine)