Harbour Estates Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
VQA Niagara Peninsula $13.15 (101238) 13% alcohol
Inviting aromas of dark berry, spice box and toasty notes provide segue to this juicy, rich and complex Cab. Flavours of cherry, cassis and mixed field berry bathe the palate in a persistent stream. They’re complimented by moderating acidity and underpinned by a ripe tannin structure. You can easily smooth them out with a two-hour aeration/decant and/or a thick juicy strip loin grilled rare to medium rare. This offers exceptional value, don’t miss out. Purchase direct from the winery or on-line by the mixed dozen at Harbour Estates. (Vic Harradine)


Lailey Vineyard ‘impromptu’ 2007
VQA Niagara River $45.00 13.5% alcohol
This unfined, unfiltered, estate-grown stellar red blend is 68% Syrah, 12% Malbec, 12% Petit Verdot and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon—even better than the dazzling Syrah is on its own. Elegant and pure, it washes the palate with peppery spice, succulent cherry and hints of toasty oak—aged 15 months in French oak barrels. It’s rich, full bodied and well textured with a solid underpinning of still-resolving tannin. Drinking comfortably 2011 to 2018, enjoy the wait admiring the wrapping—it arrives in its own wooden box, the cork topped with a wax capsule. Pick up one or two from the winery or order by the case of six from Lailey. (Vic Harradine)


Lailey Vineyard ‘Meritage’ 2007
VQA Niagara River $30.00 13.5% alcohol
This red blend—54% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 16% Cabernet Sauvignon—delivers a full-bodied and deftly balanced wine that’s great now with seven or more years drinking potential. You’ll experience the ripe ’07 vintage in the softly spiced fruit-driven flavour and finish—succulent boysenberry, ripe black currant and dark mixed berry fruit. There’s toasty oak, ripe supple tannin and spice on the aftertaste. Sip on its own or pair with a slab of beef, grilled rare to medium rare. Pick up some from the winery or order by the case from Lailey.


Lailey Vineyard ‘Meritage – Canadian Oak’ 2007
VQA Niagara River $30.00 13.5% alcohol
This wine is from the same fruit and vinified exactly as the wine above, except it was aged in Canadian oak for seventeen months rather than French and American for fifteen. The difference? Purchase some of each and discover it for yourself. For me? The ‘Canadian Oak’ was more integrated, even at this early stage, and there were nuances of savoury spice not detected on the first wine. Pick up a couple of bottles of each from the winery or order by the case(s) from Lailey.


Lailey Vineyard Riesling 2008
VQA Niagara Peninsula $18.00 11% alcohol
Mineral, floral and herbaceous on the nose, it blossoms on the palate with flavours of racy pink grapefruit, white peach and a stream of citrussy tang. It’s medium bodied, well textured and gorgeously balanced with sweet and tang, that delightful yin and yang that pairs so well with Asian cuisine like pot stickers and spicy spring rolls. It finishes clean, crisp and lip-smacking good. Pick up some from the winery or order by the case from Lailey. (Vic Harradine)


Peninsula Ridge Estates ‘Reserve’ Chardonnay 2007
VQA Niagara Peninsula $24.95 13% alcohol
Vanilla and smoky notes on the nose provide segue for the delicious and persistent stream of fruit-filled flavours with white peach, spiced green apple, racy mouth-watering citrus and ripe tropical fruit to the fore along with nuances of hazelnuts. The ten months oak ageing is well integrated, the texture smooth as satin and the finish deftly balanced and lingering. It’s a dazzling expression of the varietal and the wonderful ’07 vintage in Niagara. For office or home delivery order wine directly from Peninsula Ridge. (Vic Harradine)


Peninsula Ridge Estates Meritage 2007
VQA Niagara Peninsula $22.95 13% alcohol
This is chockfull of fruit aromas and flavours in the dark ripe and juicy zone—black currant, Bing cherry and bramble berry along with nuances of exotic spice. The persistent stream of succulent flavour is carried along on a generously textured mouth feel on a bed of ripe supple tannin. Well balanced, the lengthy finish provides more of the same with the French oak (20% new) seamlessly integrated. This crowd-pleaser is lovely on its own shining equally as bright with food—roast chicken or duck is divine. For office or home delivery order wine directly from Peninsula Ridge. (Vic Harradine)


Peninsula Ridge Estates ‘Wismer Vineyard’ Sauvignon Blanc 2008
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $18.95 (116475) 13% alcohol
This is a joy to sip and shows great versatility when pairing with food – an outstanding wine. With notes of pineapple and white flowers on the nose, the mid-palate is treated to gooseberry and herbaceous notes while the crisp refreshing finish provides a shower of zingy lip-smacking citrus tang. It’s mid weight and generously textured throughout. Linguine with calamari and garlic or Caesar salad laden with grilled chicken strips pair exceptionally well. For office or home delivery order wine directly from Peninsula Ridge. (Vic Harradine)


Peninsula Ridge Estates Viognier 2007
VQA Niagara Peninsula $ 14.95 (662601) 13% alcohol
Aromas of honey and beeswax are prominent on the nose while the palate is treated to a gusher of ripe tree fruit flavours—honeyed pear, Golden Delicious apple, succulent yellow peach, and mixed spice. The silky smooth texture provides a frame for the deft balance and lingering fruit-filled finish. A lovely wine to quaff, even better paired with food; try prosciutto, goat cheese and roasted red pepper – delicious! For office or home delivery order wine directly from Peninsula Ridge. (Vic Harradine)


Srut Wine ‘Cab Couture’ Cabernets – Merlot 2007
VQA Niagara Peninsula $11.95 12.2% alcohol
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, this opens with a fragrant nose of spice box and dark berry fruit. Positioned for the hip n’ happening modern female, the palate receives a nice hit of juicy red berry fruit, moderating acidity and firm perceptible tannin, all in good balance. There’s good body and a nice texture. This is looking for burgers, pizza or gourmet sausage. Purchase on-line or in person at any of 160 Ontario Wine Rack stores. (Vic Harradine)


Srut Wine ‘Chardonista’ Chardonnay 2008
VQA Niagara Peninsula $11.95 12.8% alcohol
Fragrant aromas of ultra-ripe apple and spice waft form the glass of this straightforward and fun summer sipper. The tag line says it all, “The wine with legs.” Look for apple and pear flavours with a good surge of citrus on the finish. It’s medium bodied, nicely textured and finishes clean, crisp and refreshing. Good to go on its own or paired with lighter appetizers, especially chicken or seafood. Purchase on-line or in person at any of 160 Ontario Wine Rack stores. (Vic Harradine)


Srut Wine ‘Red Over Heels’ Merlot 2007
VQA Niagara Peninsula $11.95 12.2% alcohol
This was built for food—meat-laden pizza, cheese burgers or pasta in a tomato sauce. Earthy with notes of camphor on the nose, look for ladles of sour cherry, savoury herb and cranberry flavours. It’s light bodied, simple and straightforward. Purchase on-line or in person at any of 160 Ontario Wine Rack stores. (Vic Harradine)


Srut Wine ‘Well-Heeled White’ Riesling - Gewürztraminer 2008
VQA Niagara Peninsula $11.95 11% alcohol
This is timely—light and fanciful yet full of spice and flavour—with summer-sipping weather upon us. The perfumed nose is all rosewater and exotic spice while the palate’s treated to a delectable mouthful of spicy fruit flavours with tangy citrus, ripe pineapple and spice galore. It’s light to medium bodied and finishes with a surge of mouth-watering citrus and ripe tree fruit flavour. ‘Yummy’ is an apt descriptor. Purchase online or in-person at any of 160 Ontario Wine Rack stores. (Vic Harradine)