Henry of Pelham ‘Barrel Fermented’ Chardonnay 2008
VQA Short Hills Bench $19.95 (268342) 13.5% alcohol
This will find a lot of fans with its full-flavoured and generously textured approach. Toasty, caramel and orchard fruit with hints of mineral on the nose, it really delivers a mouthful of flavour with sweet nectarine, ripe, succulent white peach and refreshing, mouth-watering lemon zest to the fore. It’s medium-full bodied with a lingering aftertaste of oak-tinged citrus and spice-infused white fruit. (Vic Harradine)


Lailey Vineyard Wines ‘inUnison’ 2008
VQA Niagara River $30.20 13.0% alcohol
This is a limited estate bottling, 170 cases, of a spanking-new blend—Syrah/Merlot with splashes of Malbec and Petit Verdot. There’s a profusion of aromas with dark berry fruit, spice-infused cherry and whiff of black pepper. It coats the palate with juicy flavours of red berry fruit and pomegranate riding a spine of lip-smacking acidity. It’s medium bodied, generously textured sporting a fabulous finish that’s well balanced and brimming with sweet succulent dark fruit flavour. Purchase by the case for daily home or office delivery from Lailey. (Vic Harradine)


Lailey Vineyard Wines ‘brickyard’ Pinot Noir 2008
VQA Niagara River $35.20 12.5% alcohol
A limited-production gem and my top pick of a fabulous Pinot tasting. An alluring nose of spice, black currant, minerality and a whisper of toast set the stage for this deftly balanced, fruit-packed gem. Palate-pleasing flavours of blueberry, dark berry fruit, cola and spice wash endlessly, riding a wave of moderating acidity and underpinned by good carpentry from supple sweet tannin. It’s mid weight, nicely textured adorned with an über-ripe, succulent, black cherry finish. Pinot-lovers will quickly scoop this up. Purchase by the case for daily home or office delivery from Lailey. (Vic Harradine)


Lailey Vineyard Wines Riesling 2009
VQA Niagara River $18.20 11.5% alcohol
A perfect fall with extended ripening time, following a cool, damp summer, assisted in the development of this aromatic white. Floral, citrus and hints of honeyed fruit on the nose, this delivers a stunning mouthful of flavour with white peach, apple, mineral notes and lemon-lime to the fore. It’s balanced, lavishly textured—3 months on the lees—and finishes with flavours of sweet and tang—ripe, juicy fruit with racy moderating citrus—that pair so well with spicy Asian cuisine. Purchase by the case for daily home or office delivery from Lailey. (Vic Harradine)


Tawse ‘Cherry Avenue Vineyard’ Pinot Noir
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $57.95 13.0% alcohol
Celebrating its cool-climate character, this cherry red, medium-bodied Pinot has lovely bright, spicy, red fruit aromas underlaid with autumnal nuances of underbrush and earth. Dry, with perceptible tannin, it displays riveting acidity, spice-infused tangy red fruit flavours—cherry, raspberry, cranberry—and underlying mineral notes. The finish is mouthwateringly fresh and persistent. A great food wine, serve it with duck confit and roast fingerling potatoes or cellar for 2 or 3 years. Available for home or office delivery by the case from Tawse. (Susan Desjardins)