Hidden Bench Vineyards and Winery ‘Rosomel Vineyard – Nuit Blanche’ 2007
VQA Beamsville Bench $40.20 13.5% alcohol
A stunning wine—89% Sauvignon Blanc, 11% Semillon—it opens with a heady nose of brioche, toasty nuances, and distinctive smoky notes that emanate from the terroir, not the oak. On the rich, generously textured and beautifully structured palate there’s a wash of flavour with hazelnut, spice and Granny Smith apple mingling with peach and pear notes. Only 40% of the wine aged in oak barrels and that’s been seamlessly integrated. It finishes clean, crisp, refreshing and drop-dead gorgeous. Order by the case for daily office or home delivery from Hidden Bench. (Vic Harradine)


Hidden Bench Vineyards and Winery ‘Estate’ Riesling 2008
VQA Beamsville Bench $24.20 11.0% alcohol
Low yields, wild yeasts and meticulous vine and wine management coalesce to produce this racy gem. Mineral, slate and yellow plum on the nose, there’s a focused stream of zesty flavour with lemon-lime, pineapple and white grapefruit to the fore. It’s balanced, refreshing with a lingering lip-smacking finish that adds adornments of nectarine and the promise of desirable petrol characteristics after three to five years of careful cellaring. Order by the case for daily office or home delivery from Hidden Bench. (Vic Harradine)


Hidden Bench Vineyards and Winery ‘Roman’s Block’ Riesling 2007
VQA Beamsville Bench $34.20 10.8% alcohol
If you like or love Riesling, you must try this. Vinified from the famous 21-B Weiss clone, hand picked, hand sorted, whole-bunched pressed, wild yeasts, this lives up to its breeding—these vines produced Canada’s Best Riesling 6 of the past 10 years. A wave of zesty racy flavour is carried along on a plush texture—lots of mineral nuances, pink grapefruit and lemon pie filling. It also delivers a mouth-watering array of flavour on the lengthy and well-balanced finish with green apple and Mirabelle plum to the fore. Order by the case for daily office or home delivery from Hidden Bench. (Vic Harradine)


Rosewood Estates ‘Reserve’ Merlot 2007
VQA Beamsville Bench $40.20 13% alcohol
Artisanal and rare—only 3 barrels made—you’ll be seduced by the purity of fruit and deft balance. Dark berry fruit and exotic spice box on the nose, palate-coating succulent flavours wash through the lingering finish with briary berry, spiced black plum and kirsch liqueur predominant. It’s medium bodied, fully textured and underpinned by ripe supple tannin. The finish layers on espresso roast and lip-smacking pie cherry flavour. Drink now to 2014. Order by the case toll free from Rosewood 1.866.633.3248. (Vic Harradine)