Vintages Release: May 1, 2010
Cattail Creek Estate Winery ‘Serendipity’ Rosé 2009
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $14.20 11.5% alcohol
This attractive rosé is composed primarily of Pinot Noir and Gamay—harvested from vines planted in the 1980s—with a touch of Merlot. Produced in the traditional saignée method, it was fermented and aged in stainless steel. It's a light cherry pink with sweet berry aromas, bright acidity and full cherry berry flavours complemented with mineral notes. Displaying the red berry flavours of its principal components on the fresh finish, it’s well priced, versatile and a great patio sipper or well matched to spicy food or sushi. (Susan Desjardins)
Knappstein ‘Enterprise Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Clare Valley, Australia $29.95 (932160) 14.5% alcohol
Inky-coloured and very aromatic, this opens with a complex nose of dark berry fruit, chocolate and spice. It’s mid weight, nicely textured and delivers a balanced savoury mouthful of cassis, black plum and tangy Bing cherry mingling with polished tannin and lip-smacking acidity—cool-climate Clare throughout. A lovely wine to sip on its own now and on to 2015, it pairs well with herb-rubbed oven-roasted rack of lamb. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: May 15, 2010
Plunkett Fowles ‘Blackwood Ridge’ Shiraz 2008
Central Victoria $19.95 15.0% alcohol
Nicely perfumed aromas—mocha, nuances of licorice and dark field berry—segue a palate-coating wash of flavour with ripe mulberry, racy red cherry and spiced black plum galore. This is a nicely balanced drink-me-now red with tannins fully resolved and the oak well integrated, The finish layers on hints of espresso roast. Pour alongside all manner of grilled red meat, gourmet sausage or burgers. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: June 12, 2010
Tawse Winery ‘Sketches of Niagara’ Rosé 2009
VQA Niagara Escarpment $14.95 12.0% alcohol
Produced from a blend of fairly equal quantities of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Merlot, this is a lovely rosé with ripe berry flavours and aromas—cherry and raspberry—along with underlying notes of mineral and graphite. It’s light-medium bodied with a crisp texture and a refreshing fruit-filled finish. Scrumptious on its own, pair with pizza or spicy Italian sausage. (Susan Desjardins)
Vintages Release: July 24, 2010
St Hallett ‘Gamekeeper’s’ Shiraz 2008
Barossa Valley, Australia $14.95 (166991) 14.0% alcohol
Spicy, earthy and freshly picked mixed field berry aromas introduce a generous mouthful of flavour with spiced black plum and racy pie cherry to the fore. It’s medium bodied, nicely textured and well balanced with a velvety underpinning of smooth ripe tannin. The zesty finish is mouth watering with a shower of red currant and ripe cranberry. Pairs well with pasta in spicy meat sauce. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: October 2, 2010
St Hallett ‘Blackwell’ Shiraz 2008
Barossa Valley, Australia $29.95 (166991) 14.5% alcohol
Inky dark and chockfull of delightful aromas—bramble berry, black licorice and chocolate—this is deftly balanced and brimming with flavour. Palate-coating succulent Bing cherry and ripe mulberry mingle with savoury, leafy pie cherry flavours throughout. It’s medium to full bodied, generously textured and dishes out a lengthy finish. It’s a lovely match poured with rare-grilled beef tenderloin and roasted root veggies. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: December 2010
Wither Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Wairau Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand $19.95 13.0% alcohol
Racy and lifted aromas of grassy herbaceous notes and citrus pierce the air from this balanced and beautifully textured gem. There are flavours of ripe white peach, lemon pie and melon washing over the palate while the lingering sweet and tang finish layers on ripe pineapple and zesty citrus. It’s delectable on its own and pairs perfectly with pan-seared fish under a squirt of lemon or spicy Asian cuisine. (Vic Harradine)