Coyote’s Run ‘Black Paw Vineyard’ Cabernet Franc 2007
VQA Four Mile Creek $20.00 12% alcohol
This is a gutsy Cab Franc with age on its side. The heavy dark clay soil and 14 months in oak contribute to its density and charm. There are aromas and flavours galore—ripe dark berry fruit, anise, spiced black plum and herbal notes among them. It’s medium to full bodied with perceptible grainy tannin and a lingering finish. Drink 2011 to 2014 or pour now with a strip loin grilled medium rare. Purchase by the case for daily home or office delivery from Coyote’s Run or Winery to Home. (VH)


Coyote’s Run ‘Black Paw Vineyard’ Chardonnay 2007
VQA Four Mile Creek $21.00 13.5% alcohol
Look for expressive aromas and flavours in this classy barrel-fermented Chard. Mixed spice, pear and apple aromas give way to rich and intense flavours with Granny Smith apple, ripe lemon citrus and delicious nectarine to the fore. It wraps up clean, refreshing, well balanced and lip-smacking good. It’s paired perfectly with roast chicken or turkey with root veggies. Purchase by the case for daily home or office delivery from Coyote’s Run or Winery to Home. (VH)


Coyote’s Run Pinot Gris/Pinot Blanc 2008
VQA Niagara Peninsula $16.00 12% alcohol
Enjoy lifted aromas of ripe yellow peach and pear along with floral and spice notes in this medium-bodied gem. Succulent flavours—tropical fruit and refreshing citrus—are delivered via a silky smooth texture and mouth-watering finish of lemon-lime verve. Impeccably balanced, this delightful patio-sipping blend has the structure and character to pair well with food; try pan-seared scallops on a bed of arugula or tarte d’Alsace. Purchase by the case for daily home or office delivery from Coyote’s Run or Winery to Home. (VH)


Konzelmann ‘Red Moose’ 2007
VQA Niagara Peninsula $15.00 12.5% alcohol
Austria is home to Zweigelt, the grape used to make this barrel-aged red, but it’s also grown in Niagara and B.C.. There are spicy and gamey notes on the quiet nose while the flavours are in the sweet mulberry and pie cherry zones. There’s a generous dollop of lip-smacking zesty tang on the finish redolent of a spicy Pinot Noir. A versatile food wine, pair with pizza, burgers and gourmet sausage. Order by the case for daily home or office delivery direct from Konzelmann. (VH)


Konzelmann ‘Winemaster’s Selection - Barrel Aged’ Shiraz 2007
VQA Niagara Peninsula $13.00 13% alcohol
The fabulous ’07 vintage, 9 months in oak and meticulous vine management and winemaking technique coalesce in this lovely Shiraz that earned its final half star on the value it presents. Peppery, earthy and fruity on the nose, the flavours arrive in wave after delicious wave—sweet succulent plum, black berry and ripe sweet mulberry. It’s light to medium bodied, incredibly well balanced and sports a lingering silky smooth finish. It’s simply delicious. Order by the case for daily home or office delivery direct from Konzelmann. (VH)


Lailey Vineyard Vidal 2008
VQA Ontario $14.00 11.5% alcohol
Clean, refreshing and brimming with tangy fruit; aromas and flavours of sweet white peach, ripe nectarine and crispy lemon flow smoothly through the lingering mouth-watering finish. There’s good texture, deft balance—a scant (2) on the sugar scale, it tastes like a (1)—in this medium-bodied beauty providing a summer sipper as well as a perfect partner with seafood, veal, chicken or spicy Asian cuisine. Purchase by the case for daily home or office delivery from Lailey Vineyard. (VH)


Lailey Vineyard ‘Old Vines’ Chardonnay 2007
VQA Niagara River $40.00 13% alcohol
This is stunning and provides terrific value—if from Burgundy, double the price. Delivered in a wooden box, it’s low yield, estate fruit—35 year old vines—unfined and unfiltered. Vanilla, smoky notes plus apple and pear aromas abound. The sensory experience gets into high gear on the palate—complex and perfectly balanced you’ll find caramel, tropical fruit and crisp Granny Smith apple. Only 100 dozen of this premium wine made, far fewer remain. Purchase by the 6 bottle case for daily home or office delivery from Lailey Vineyard. (VH)


Lailey Vineyard Cabernet Merlot 2007
VQA Niagara River $20.00 13.5% alcohol
A gorgeous red blend—45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc—offering expressive aromas and rich succulent dark fruit flavour—ripe black currant, tangy pie cherry and spiced black plum galore. This is medium bodied, boldly textured and offers a solid underpinning of perceptible tannin. Decant/aerate two hours before serving and pair it with marinated barbecued flank steak and stuffed green peppers. Purchase by the case for daily home or office delivery from Lailey Vineyard. (VH)


Lailey Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2007
VQA Niagara River $30.00 13.5% alcohol
It’s concentrated and gutsy, look for expressive aromas of vanilla, bramble berry fruit and toasty notes. The palate is drenched with ripe dark fruit, black raspberry, Damson plum and Bing cherry to the fore. It’s medium to full bodied, well balanced and finishes warm and lengthy with a lovely gusher of cassis. The 2007 vintage really shines here with ripe dark and juicy fruit flavours. Glorious sipped on its own, it also pairs well with grilled red meat. Purchase by the case for daily home or office delivery from Lailey Vineyard. (VH)


Pillitteri Estates Winery ‘Select Late Harvest’ 2004
VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 (71761) 375 mL 11% alcohol
This blend—95% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon—is just a tad off being ice wine for a fraction the cost. It was pressed from the same grapes used to make ice wine, but just as they reached 0+ degrees C. It’s a hedonistic experience with sweet succulent bright cherry and ripe cranberry flavours galore. There’s incredible balance from a firm stream of zippy acidity and it finishes very clean and refreshing. Absolutely divine paired with blue-vein cheese or Tiramisù. Order a case for home or office daily delivery directly from Pillitteri. (VH)


Tawse Winery ‘Laundry Vineyard’ Cabernet Franc 2007
VQA Lincoln Lakeshore $29.00 13% alcohol
Aromas of spice and mineral with undertones of chalk introduce expressive flavours of succulent pie cherry, ripe cranberry, red currant and nuances of mocha. The serious spine of lip-smacking acidity is deftly balanced by the ripe red cherry, red berry fruit and chalky tannin. It’s young and a bit tight right now, handsomely rewarding short-term cellaring—enjoy 2010 to 2014. Order a case for home or office daily delivery from Tawse Winery. (VH)


Tawse Winery Chardonnay Musque 2008
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $22.00 11% alcohol
This limited-production—only 110 cases made—single-vineyard beauty deserves a spot on your spring/summer patio table. The aromas of exotic spice and ripe pear provide segue to rich flavours of spiced green apple, ripe lemon citrussy tang and white peach. It’s light to medium bodied, nicely textured with a brief, but well-balanced dry finish. Sip on its own or pair with grilled prawns marinated in lemon and garlic. Order a case for home or office daily delivery from Tawse Winery. (VH


Tawse Winery ‘Growers Blend’ Pinot Noir 2007
VQA Niagara Peninsula $38.00 13% alcohol
Perfumed and tantalizing aromas of ripe red cherry, black plum and incense drift from the nose of this well-structured red. The mouthful of gorgeous flavour includes a gusher of tangy cherry, ripe mulberry and red currant along with hints of chocolate and mixed spice. It’s medium in texture and body with a lingering well-balanced finish of dark berry fruit. This saw 15 months in oak—already perfectly integrated—and was farmed and bottled respecting organic principles. Pair this with marinated pork tenderloin or smoked duck breast. Order a case for home or office daily delivery from Tawse Winery. (VH)


Tawse Winery ‘Misek Vineyard’ Riesling 2008
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $22.00 10% alcohol
Mineral, honeyed citrus peel and floral notes form the aromatic profile of this medium-bodied silky-textured off-dry Riesling. There’s a spectacular explosion of sweet and tang flavours with spiced citrus, pineapple and white peach drenching the palate. The lengthy finish has deft balance. Pair with pan-seared lemon and garlic prawns and scallops or any spicy Asian dish. Order a case for home or office daily delivery from Tawse Winery. (VH)