Tawse Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Icewine 2011
VQA Creek Shores $34.95 (306035) 200 mL 10.0% alcohol
Lovely, sweet floral notes, honeyed red berries, grilled pink grapefruit and a whiff of candied ginger mingle on the nose of this elegant, sumptuous wine. The flavours replay, the sweet grapefruit and ripe berry fruit shining through, the luscious texture is honeyed yet exquisitely balanced with subtle, refreshing acidity. Superb, and so richly flavoured as to be dessert quite on its own—nibble a truffle if you must. Designed to cellar, but no need to wait. Available by the case for daily home or office delivery from Tawse. (Susan Desjardins)


Tawse Winery Cabernet Merlot 2011
VQA Niagara Peninsula $20.95 13.0% alcohol
Primarily Cab Franc with 27% Cab Sauv and 15% Merlot, this bounds from the glass with kitchen spice, herbs, chocolate and mixed field berry aromas. It needs time to knit, but everything’s there—great carpentry, deft balance, complexity and charm. Rich, ripe flavours of cherry and spiced black plum coat the palate. red and black currant with a solid tannin underpinning provide an aftertaste that’s dry and elegant. Better left until 2014, a three-hour aeration/decant works well for now. Available by the case for daily home or office delivery from Tawse. (Vic Harradine)


Tawse Winery Meritage 2009
VQA Niagara Peninsula $59.95 13.0% alcohol
This impressive, deftly-crafted wine is composed of the Cabernets and Merlot from three select vineyards, each variety separately fermented, then aged 24 months in French oak. Tempting aromas of dark fruit, sandalwood, mocha, spice and a touch of vanilla drift from the glass. Dry, full flavoured and powerful, the fine-grained tannins underpin juicy black cherry and black currant, compelling notes of earth, pipe tobacco, dark chocolate and coffee bean adding complexity and depth, the latter persisting on the dry, mid-length finish. Decant and enjoy this wine with herbed leg of lamb, or cellar medium term. Available by the case for daily home or office delivery from Tawse. (Susan Desjardins)


Tawse Winery Meritage 2010
VQA Niagara Peninsula $59.95 13.5% alcohol
It’s rich and luscious with structure and complexity—an outstanding blend, a superlative vintner, an exemplary vintage. Ripe, dark cherry and black currant aromas mingle with vanilla, black pepper and roasted herbs. A smooth, balanced wash of spice, cassis, red and black cherry bathe the palate garnished with pipe tobacco and wisps of forest floor. It’s mid-full weight, generously textured with a lengthy finish of dark coffee and bittersweet chocolate underpinned by fine-grained tannin. Drink 2014 – 2020. Available by the case for daily home or office delivery from Tawse. (Vic Harradine)