Pillitteri Estates Rosé 2011
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $15.20 12.5% alcohol
A mature Rosé—it’s sourced from 100% Cabernet Franc exclusively from the highly respected, N-O-T-L sub-appellation. A unique style, it shows its stuff with good mouth feel and full flavour, framed with hints of ripe tannin. There’s oomph and structure on the palate with mid weight, good texture and a persistent stream of racy red currant and ruby-red grapefruit pith through the lip-smacking finish. Good to go now with roast chicken, turkey or white pizza. Order online for daily home or office delivery from Pillitteri. (Vic Harradine)

Riverview Cellars – Order the following by the case of 12—mixed, if you like—with daily free delivery to your home or office in Ontario from Riverview.


Riverview Cellars Baco Noir 2011
VQA Niagara River $15.95 12.5% alcohol
Spirited aromas of roasted herbs, black plum and buckets of spice rip from the glass of this value-packed Baco. Full bodied and fully flavoured, it coats the palate with sour cherry and red currant garnished with charred toast persisting through the dry, racy, lip-smacking finish; it’s loaded with fruit, good acidity and a firm tannin base. Pour with a hearty stew like Osso Bucco or a slab of spicy, grilled, barbecued ribs. (Vic Harradine)


Riverview Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
VQA Niagara River $16.95 13.0% alcohol
Wood smoke, anise and underbrush aromas presage a tangy, juicy river of cherry-berry fruit, scorched herbs and spice with a solid underpinning of still-resolving tannin. A careful, three-hour aeration/decant is in order—it may throw a harmless deposit. It’ll certainly reward careful cellaring, pop corks 2015 – 2019. (Vic Harradine)


Riverview Cellars ‘Rosso’ Cabernet Merlot 2011
VQA Niagara River $16.95 13.0% alcohol
Lively aromas of incense, black plum and wood smoke billow from this balanced and bursting-with-flavour, red blend. Racy red cherry and tangy cranberry stream across the palate wreathed in good acidity sporting a solid, still-resolving, tannin base. It’s medium-full bodied with good texture and a nicely structured, lengthy finish of dark berry fruit and black cherry. Better poured with grilled steaks after a three-hour decant. There’s great value here. (Vic Harradine)


Riverview Cellars ‘Barrel 21’ Merlot Syrah 2011
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $29.95 13.0% alcohol
Über limited production—only 19 beautifully balanced cases produced from one, meticulously selected, American-oak barrel—you’ll need to be quick to snag one. Lifted aromas of dark raisins, mocha and cherry cola provide segue to a rich, luscious and structured river of tangy red cherry and red currant mingling with riper, sweet mulberry, black pepper and spice. It’s mid weight with good mouth feel and a lingering racy, tangy aftertaste with each sip as good, or better, than the previous. (Vic Harradine)

Strewn Winery - Order the following by the case for daily home or office delivery in Ontario by phone 905-468-1229 or online from Strewn Winery.


Strewn ‘Terroir’ Cabernet Franc 2010
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $28.00 13.4% alcohol
Black currant, sprigs of herbs, pipe tobacco and charred toast on the nose, this is tangy, juicy and delicious. There’s a boatload of sweet, ripe briary berry and black Bing cherry peeking out from beneath the grippy tannin. It’s mid-full weight and balanced with good mouth feel and a long tangy aftertaste. Aerate/decant a couple of hours pouring alongside grilled strip loins and grilled portobello mushrooms.


Strewn ‘Terroir’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $30.00 13.1% alcohol
Dark berry fruit, spice and leather aromas herald crisp, tangy waves of flavour with juicy black plum and spice-infused black currant to the fore. This is medium-full weight with a creamy smooth texture; it’s still in its infancy showcasing good fruit, moderating acidity and grainy tannin providing promise of an optimum drinking window 2016 to 2020. It’ll be well worth the wait, pick up three or more and reap the reward. (Vic Harradine)


Strewn ‘Terroir’ Merlot 2010
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $26.00 13.6% alcohol
Exotic spice, tobacco leaf and heady aromas of ripe, dark berry fruit and prunes fill the air. It’s smooth, mellow and flavour-packed—racy, red cherry and cranberry coat the palate wreathed in excellent moderating acidity and a firm underpinning of still-resolving tannin. There’s good weight and mouth feel and a beautifully structured, lengthy finish. Aerate/decant two hours and pour with rare roast beef and root veggies. Very good value. (Vic Harradine)