Château des Charmes ‘St. David’s Bench Vineyard’ Cabernet Franc 2007
VQA St. David’s Bench $25.95 (453415) 13.0% alcohol
Structured, elegant and from the fabled 2007 red-wine vintage, a spice-infused bouquet of rose petal and dark berry fruit abounds. Palate-bathing flavours persist throughout with cassis and black juicy Bing cherry mingling with toasty notes and espresso roast predominant. It’s medium bodied, nicely textured sporting well-integrated oak nuances and a supple tannin structure—certainly in the top 2 or 3 Cab Francs tasted from ’07. Purchase by the case for daily home or office delivery from Château des Charmes. (Vic Harradine)
Château des Charmes ‘St. David’s Bench Vineyard’ Gewürztraminer 2008
VQA St. David’s Bench $19.95 (453472) 13.0% alcohol
Sourced from a small, 1 hectare single vineyard, perfumed aromas roll from the glass—rosewater, tropical fruit and exotic spice. This showcases soft ripe fruit flavours—white peach, mango and spiced yellow plum—interwoven with a creamy smooth texture and delightful moderating citrus acidity. The palate and aftertaste deliver that slightly off-dry sweet and tang experience pairing so well with spicy Asian cuisine, also sipping well on its own. Purchase by the case for daily home or office delivery from Château des Charmes. (Vic Harradine)
Konzelmann ‘Barrel Fermented - 4 Generations’ Chardonnay 2009
VQA Niagara Peninsula $30.20 13.5% alcohol
This explodes on the palate with a burst of delectable flavour finishing in a blaze of mouth-watering tangy acidity—it’s simply lovely. Peach, apple and baking spice aromas presage a roaring river of green apple, ripe yellow peach and sweet pear entwined with nutmeg and caramel nuances. The lingering lip-smacking aftertaste layers on more of the same. Pour alongside roast chicken or roast pork. Purchase by the case for daily home or office delivery from Konzelmann. (Vic Harradine)
Konzelmann ‘Reserve’ Sauvignon Blanc 2008
VQA Niagara Peninsula $12.95 13.0% alcohol
Mineral, leafy and nettles on the pungent nose, this light-on-its-feet delicately textured Savvy delivers a tart and focused stream of racy lemon-lime and white peach. It’s clean, crisp and refreshing with sleek, lip-smacking aftertaste of white grapefruit. Comes into its own poured with grilled calamari rings or mussels steamed in white wine. Purchase by the case for daily home or office delivery from Konzelmann. (Vic Harradine)
Lailey Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé 2010
VQA Niagara Peninsula $18.20 13.0% alcohol
Just in time for summer sipping, this sports a delicious, crisp and refreshing mouthful of fresh and lively fruit-laden flavour—strawberry, raspberry and rhubarb. It opens with attractive aromas of floral notes and freshly sliced strawberry replaying those on the mouth-watering refreshing finish. Good wine with good texture at a good price. Purchase by the case for daily home or office delivery from Lailey. (Vic Harradine)
Lailey Vineyard ‘Canadian Oak’ Pinot Noir 2009
VQA Niagara River $35.20 12.5% alcohol
Sourced from low-yielding 15-year-old vines only 70 cases were produced—move quickly. The incredible nose of rose petals, minerality, spice and berry fruit is totally captivating. Winemaker Derek Barnett credits the Scott-Henry trellising and tri-clone selection—115, 667 and 777. There’s a steady wash of palate-bathing flavour persisting through the lip-smacking aftertaste—black currant, pie cherry and beetroot interlaced with spice and lovely wisps of mocha. Purchase by the case for daily home or office delivery from Lailey. (Vic Harradine)
Lailey Vineyard ‘Old Vines’ Pinot Noir 2009
VQA Niagara River $45.20 12.5% alcohol
Complex, well structured and delicious, Pinot-lovers won’t want to miss this—pick up a case, share with a friend. Ruby-hued with oodles of spice, there’s also red berry fruit and wisps of smoke on the nose. Racy, tangy flavours form a river of pomegranate, pie cherry and spice-infused blood plum. It’s mid weight with good mouth feel and a lip-smacking fruit-forward aftertaste wreathed in spice, supple tannin and wisps of well-integrated oak. Purchase by the case for daily home or office delivery from Lailey. (Vic Harradine)
Lailey Vineyard ‘Lot 48’ Pinot Noir 2009
VQA Niagara Peninsula $60.20 13.0% alcohol
Only 2 barrels—48 cases—of this exclusive hand-crafted Pinot were made. The gorgeous fruit-forward aromas waft easily from this complex, nicely structured brawny Pinot—spice-infused berry fruit, savoury spice with hints of underbrush. There’s lots going on here with waves of flavour cascading over the palate—ripe mulberry, juicy red cherry and lip-smacking red currant—underpinned by solid tannins wreathed by moderating acidity. Give this a go 2013 to 2016. Purchase by the case for daily home or office delivery from Lailey. (Vic Harradine)
Rosewood Estates Cabernet Franc 2008
VQA Beamsville Bench $20.20 12.5% alcohol
This is a striking red that evolves in the glass. There’s pungency on the nose, then enticing complex aromas of dried herbs, vanilla, dark chocolate, figs and dark fruit. It’s satiny, fresh and lavish on the palate with savoury herbs, dark berry, plum, smoky toast and an appealing persistent note of dark chocolate. Pour alongside rare-grilled beef. Order by the case of 6 or 12 for daily home or office delivery from Rosewood 1.866.633.3248. (Susan Desjardins)
Rosewood Estates ‘Mead Royale’ Honey Wine 2008
Ontario $18.20 500 mL 13.0% alcohol
Honey, floral and peel marmalade on the nose, it bathes the palate and aftertaste with spice-infused mandarin orange, apricot and honeyed fruit chutney. It’s light on its feet and finely balanced with a mid-length finish. Serve slightly chilled alongside aged hard cheese. Order by the case of 6 or 12 for daily home or office delivery from Rosewood 1.866.633.3248. (Vic Harradine)
Rosewood Estates ‘Süssreserve’ Riesling 2008
VQA Creek Shores $18.20 (164483) 11.0% alcohol
The floral and citrus aromas provide segue for a mélange of flavours with white grapefruit, Granny Smith apple and ripe white peach predominant. Light-bodied and delicately textured, its nicely textured with a sweet and tang aftertaste crying out for spicy cuisine—pad Thai, Cajun oyster fritters or spicy corn cakes. Order by the case of 6 or 12 for daily home or office delivery from Rosewood 1.866.633.3248. (Vic Harradine)
Rosewood Estates Sémillon 2009
VQA Beamsville Bench $18.20 13.0% alcohol
A stunning wine with perfumed aromas of citrus and buckwheat honey, it bursts on the palate with a delectable racy river of flavour—honeyed citrus and racy grapefruit with high notes of peach and mango. It’s light-medium bodied with good texture and a generous mouth feel. The lip-smacking finish is lengthy, crisp and refreshing. Sip on its own or pair with breaded and skillet-fried calamari. Order by the case of 6 or 12 for daily home or office delivery from Rosewood 1.866.633.3248. (Vic Harradine)