Cave Spring Cellars ‘Dolomite’ Riesling 2009
VQA Niagara Escarpment $16.95 11.5% alcohol
Winemaker Angelo Pavan’s an acknowledged virtuoso with Riesling; this is stunning. Vibrantly fresh on the nose and palate, aromas of white peach, mango and citrus with hints of slate/stone abound. It’s mid weight with a full and generous mouth feel delivering a tangy mouth-watering shower of zesty flavour—lime sherbet, more peach and white grapefruit—all replayed on the crisp refreshing aftertaste. In the Ottawa area order by the case from Lauren Hayes This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (613) 240-3617 for home or office delivery; elsewhere via Cave Spring Cellars.


Château des Charmes ‘Paul Bosc Estate’ Chardonnay 2007
VQA St. David’s Bench $21.95 (287268) 13.0% alcohol
Full-bodied, fully flavoured and fleshy, this is one beautiful Chardonnay that’s structured and elegant. The spice-infused nose of ripe orchard fruit and sweet vanilla gives way to a persistent and balanced rush of flavour with green apple, ripe pear and lemony citrus to the fore. It’s fully textured delivering a lengthy balanced refreshing aftertaste. It’s worth more than the asking price. Purchase by the case for daily home or office delivery from Château des Charmes. (Vic Harradine)


Fielding Estate Winery Cabernet–Syrah 2008
VQA Niagara Peninsula $24.95 13.0% alcohol
A blend of the Cabernets and Syrah, each varietal was aged separately for 12 months, then blended and aged a further 6 months in French and American oak. The nose is intriguing—tantalizing notes of smoky toast, licorice, savoury herbs and red fruit. Medium bodied and balanced, flavours of black pepper, ripe red berry fruit, toast and dark chocolate mingle with a fresh backbone of acidity and fine-grained tannin. Dry on the finish, it’s well paired with grilled vegetables and barbequed ribs. Order by the case for home or office delivery from Fielding. (Susan Desjardins)


Fielding Estate Winery ‘Estate Bottled’ Pinot Gris 2010
VQA Niagara Peninsula $21.95 12.0% alcohol
Citrus, spice and savory herbs dominate the aromas while the palate’s treated to a racy rush of white grapefruit, crisp green apple and spiced yellow plum carried on a spine of tangy acidity. It’s mid weight and nicely textured with a crisp refreshing finish replaying hints of spice with undertones of apple and pear. A great patio sipper and even better with food—steamed mussels, grilled garlic prawns or pasta in creamy white sauce with clams. Order by the case for home or office delivery from Fielding. (Vic Harradine)


Fielding Estate Winery Riesling 2010
VQA Niagara Peninsula $18.95 10.5% alcohol
Lusciously sweet stone-fruit aromas, citrus and a whiff of minerality drift from the glass of this finely crafted just off-dry gem. Sweetly fruity on entry—a basket of nectarine, peach and apricot—a backbone of acidity underlines the clean zesty flavour of mandarin and lime. Light-medium bodied, this is a great wine to sip on its own or to savor with warm salmon salad. Order by the case for home or office delivery from Fielding. (Susan Desjardins)


Fielding Estate Winery Rosé 2010
VQA Niagara Peninsula $15.95 12.5% alcohol
A pretty salmon pink, this is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Pinot Noir with a dash of Syrah. Light-medium bodied, the aromas of mint and strawberry rhubarb pie resonate delightfully on the palate. Juicy and savoury, it’s nicely balanced, crisp, fresh and bright, finishing with a lively peppery bite. Enjoy it with a summer salad or as an appetizing sipper. Order by the case for home or office delivery from Fielding. (Susan Desjardins)


Konzelmann ‘Reserve’ Pinot Grigio 2009
VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.00 13.5% alcohol
A rock-solid 4-star gem, this has a wisp of oak and gusher of flavour all delivered with gorgeous texture, almost oily, and deft balance. Floral and pear on the nose, there’s clean crisp fruit on the palate with spice-infused apple, pear and tropical fruit galore that’s joined by zesty citrus on the balanced crisp finish. This is poured and paired well with baked ham or white-sauce pizza. Purchase by the case for daily home or office delivery from Konzelmann. (Vic Harradine)


Lailey Vineyard Chardonnay 2009
VQA Niagara Peninsula $20.20 13.0% alcohol
This is a delicious well-made Chardonnay with balance, generous texture and a crisp, refreshing aftertaste. Aromas of orchard fruit mingling with wisps of tropical fruit abound followed by a wave of delectable flavour—crisp apple, ripe pear and racy citrus. It finishes with a lip-smacking refreshing aftertaste. Barrel fermented and barrel aged 10 months in well-seasoned French oak; it punches well above the price. Purchase by the case for daily home or office delivery from Lailey. (Vic Harradine)


Lailey Vineyard ‘Unoaked’ Chardonnay 2010
VQA Niagara Peninsula $16.20 13.5% alcohol
Impressive from the get-go, this is aromatic and laden with richly layered flavours persisting through the mid-length deftly balanced finish. Apple and pear aromas replay on the palate with gusto—waves of Granny Smith apple and ripe Bosc pear mingle with spiced citrus. It’s mid weight with a gorgeous mouth feel cleaning up mouth-watering and refreshing. With each sip better than the previous, it’s difficult to take your hand off the glass. Purchase by the case for daily home or office delivery from Lailey. (Vic Harradine)


Lailey Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009 

VQA Niagara Peninsula $25.20 12.5% alcohol 

The price and Niagara Peninsula appellation suggest ‘entry level’, the tasting suggests otherwise—it’s a crowd-pleaser with the price-quality balance tipped wildly in your favour. Lifted aromas jump from the glass with oodles of cinnamon, cloves and mixed dark berry fruit. It’s an amalgam of mouth-watering flavours—ripe cranberry and pomegranate mingling with spice, strawberry and cherry. It’s medium bodied, generously textured with a lengthy aftertaste of sweet, succulent cherry/berry flavour. Purchase by the case for daily home or office delivery from Lailey. (Vic Harradine)


Lailey Vineyard Riesling 2010
VQA Niagara Peninsula $18.20 11.5% alcohol
This is pure, focused and fruit forward with a creamy silky-smooth texture. Riesling expresses terroir and wine maker Derek Barnett wisely allowed this wine to do all the talking. Focused aromas and ripe flavours persist on the palate and lip-smacking aftertaste—white flowers, lemon-lime sherbet with high notes of honeyed tropical fruit. Perfect to sip, it has the balance and slightly off-dry character to marry well with a variety of dishes, especially spicy Asian. Purchase by the case for daily home or office delivery from Lailey. (Vic Harradine)


Malivoire Pinot Gris 2010
VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 13.0% alcohol
Perfumed aromas of honeyed citrus, peach and minerality presage a rich luscious surge of flavour with lime sherbet, pineapple and hints of mint predominant. Medium bodied with a creamy smooth mouth feel, it sports a lengthy, well-balanced aftertaste of lip-smacking tangy grapefruit with a dollop of ripe melon with hints of licorice. This is a fabulous Gris with balance and grace—a treat on its own and paired well with roast pork or roast chicken. Order by the case for daily home or office delivery from Malivoire. (Vic Harradine)


Malivoire ‘Moira’ Chardonnay 2008
VQA Beamsville Bench $39.95 13.0% alcohol
Absolutely stunning, this earned its accolades before bottling— single-vineyard, organically farmed, hand harvested, 12-year-old vines, barrel fermented, 12 months in French oak. Sweet vanilla, minerality and caramel on the beguiling nose, it bathes the palate with an elegant structured wash of balanced tangy flavours—lemon-lime, musk melon and white peach with undertones of baking spice. It’s medium-full bodied with satin smooth texture and a long, luxurious, refreshing aftertaste. Order by the case for daily home or office delivery from Malivoire. (Vic Harradine)


Peninsula Ridge ‘McNally Vineyards Proprietor’s Reserve’ Pinot Noir 2009 

VQA Beamsville Bench $25.15 13.0% alcohol
Fruit laden and adorned with well integrated oak, tannin and acidity, this delivers a juicy mouthful of seriously good Pinot. Aromas of red cherry and berry fruit with wisps of earthiness set up a wash of flavour bathing the palate with ripe cranberry, strawberry, sweet red cherry and nuances of fennel. It’s light on its feet with a silky-smooth mouth feel and a lingering fruity finish. Order by the case for daily home or office delivery from Peninsula Ridge. (Vic Harradine)


Peninsula Ridge ‘McNally Vineyards’ Sauvignon Blanc 2009
VQA Beamsville Bench $19.95 13.5% alcohol
Clean, crisp and refreshing, this splashes into the glass accompanied by aromas of green apple and citrus with nuances of mineral and leafy tones. Medium bodied with a distinctive soft mouth feel, there’s an abundance of flavour with pit fruit, grapefruit zest and hints of gooseberry dominant. It finishes zesty and looking for a partner—mussels steamed in white wine sauce or pan-seared freshwater fish. Order by the case for daily home or office delivery from Peninsula Ridge. (Vic Harradine)


Peninsula Ridge ‘Vintner’s Private Reserve’ Sauvignon Blanc 2009
VQA Niagara Peninsula $24.95 13.0% alcohol
This is involved and complex with aromas of mineral, grass and apple billowing from the glass. Structured and deftly balanced throughout, mouth-watering flavours of grapefruit rind, pineapple and hints of melon and passion fruit persist on the palate and through the lengthy mouth-watering aftertaste. This was aged 4 months on its lees and stirred often resulting in a silky smooth mouth feel. Winemaker Jamie Evans reaches a new level of excellence here. Order by the case for daily home or office delivery from Peninsula Ridge. (Vic Harradine)


Pillitteri Estates Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2009 

VQA Niagara Peninsula $18.00 12.0% alcohol
Brimming with racy grassy aromas mingling with citrus and hints of pineapple, this rides on a firm spine of zesty acidity through the dry crisp and mouth-watering finish. It’s light on its feet with a nice texture and oodles of charm and focus. Sip on its own or pair with mesclun greens under grilled crumbled chèvre or pan-seared garlic prawns. Order online for daily home or office delivery from Pillitteri. (Vic Harradine)