Colio Estate Baco Noir 2007
VQA Ontario $9.35 (559179)
Loads of toasty, oaky and spice box aromas on the nose while the fruit flavours—raspberry jam, spiced black plum and black currant—are ripe and with gamy nuances. There’s also good acidity to balance off the residual sugar (2 g/l). It’s a big wine in flavour, weight and texture and deserves a hearty dish to match; pair this with chili con carne, osso bucco or boeuf bourguignon. Available from Colio Estates and their many winery retail stores. For daily home or office delivery, by the case, e-mail Gord Weber This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (VH)
Colio Estate Gamay Noir 2007
VQA Ontario $11.55 ( 597980)
The nose is quite subtle, but there are aromas of lilac, black currant and leafy tobacco in this bistro-styled red. It delivers a lovely mouthful of tang and zest expressed in sour cherry, cranberry and minty notes. Medium weight and textured, it’s ready to drink and shows best alongside traditional deli foods—sliced smoked meats, black olives and tapenade. Available from Colio Estates and their many winery retail stores. For daily home or office delivery, by the case, e-mail Gord Weber This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (VH)
Colio Estate Marechal Foch 2007
VQA Ontario $9.35 (277459)
There are interesting aromas of cigar box, spice and dark berry fruit on the nose while flavours are fruit-forward and persistent—pie cherry, red currant and cranberry are predominant. There’s good acidity for balance and the tannin is perceptible on the finish. It’s a well-priced hybrid red that shines with rich cuisine and strong cheeses. Pair with coq au vin or La Sauvagine cheese from Quebec. Available from Colio Estates and their many winery retail stores. For daily home or office delivery, by the case, e-mail Gord Weber This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (VH)
Lailey Vineyard Cabernet-Merlot 2006
VQA Niagara Peninsula $20.00
Poured this alongside thirty or more wines at a charity event recently, it was clearly the 'people's pick'. Aromas of mint, dark berry and spice segue rich and focused flavours of red currant and ripe cherry with undertones of leafy tobacco and pie cherry tang. It's medium in weight and texture and everyone enjoyed it on its own and with bison burgers. Winemaker Derek Barnett crafted an exceptionally delicious wine in this challenging vintage. Order by the case for daily office and home delivery from Lailey. (VH)