Vintages Release: July 23, 2011
Château Puech-Haut ‘Prestige’ 2009
AOC Coteaux-Du-Languedoc $26.95 (237289) 14.5% alcohol
Puech-Haut translates to a hill above others; this Grenache/Syrah blend also stands out. Dark roasted herbs, cola and black currant aromas interlaced with black licorice and mocha dominate the expressive nose. A measured, rich, well-balanced stream of flavour flows over the palate with tangy black currant, minty cherry and dark briary berry to the fore. It’s medium-full bodied with a silky smooth texture and concentrated lengthy aftertaste of dark berry fruit and savoury herb supported by fine-grained tannin. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: August 20, 2011
Vintage Ink ‘Rite of Passage’ Chardonnay 2010
VQA Niagara Peninsula $16.95 (245712) 13.5% alcohol
Expressive, perfumed aromas—sweet floral, baking spice, apple and lemon-pie filling—herald a medium-bodied, fully textured Chardonnay. Flavours abound on the palate with ripe pear, crisp apple and sweet ripe pit fruit to the fore. It cleans up crisp and refreshing with a mid-length finish showcasing tangy white grapefruit. Pour with clay-baked chicken or slow-roasted pork. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: September 10, 2011
Vintage Ink ‘Mark of Passion’ Merlot - Cabernet 2009
VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.95 (250209) 13.5% alcohol
Opening with a subtle nose of dark roast, spice and espresso roast, this delivers a juicy wash of fruit-forward flavour—red cherry and black currant mingling with spiced blood plum. It’s mid weight with good mouth feel and well balanced throughout. It finishes warm and fruity framed by good moderating acidity and a supple tannin structure. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: September 2011
Rosewood Estates Cabernet Franc 2009
VQA Beamsville Bench $22.20 (211896) 14.0% alcohol
This is complex and flavourful with a silky smooth texture. Aromas of cedar, black currant, dark cherry with undertones of oak provide segue for a gusher of deftly balanced fruit-forward flavour—blueberry, mulberry and juicy Bing cherry. It’s medium bodied with good mouth feel, supple tannin and a lengthy luxurious aftertaste. Decant/aerate two hours and pour with grilled rack of lamb. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: January 2012
Rosewood Estates Merlot 2009
VQA Niagara Escarpment $22.20 (211896) 14.0% alcohol
Rich lifted aromas of spice-infused dark berry fruit, mocha and tobacco stream from the glass. This is chewy and tangy with good nerve and verve expressed via a solid stream of mint-infused red cherry and bittersweet chocolate interwoven with black plum and spice. It’s medium-full weight with good mouth feel and a solid tannin underpinning. Decant/aerate a couple of hours serving with grilled spicy back ribs. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: Winter 2012
Rosewood Estates ‘Süssreserve’ Riesling 2009
VQA Niagara Peninsula $14.95 (164483) 11.0% alcohol
Value-packed and brimming with off-dry flavour, it’s a beautiful thing. White peach, floral notes and pear aromas mingle with nuances of slate before a gusher of delicious flavour coats the palate and lengthy aftertaste. Look for ripe honeyed fruit—mango and peach—juxtaposed against vibrant tangy lemon-lime sherbet. It’s well balanced, mid weight, nicely textured and lip-smacking yummy. How good is that? (Vic Harradine)