Vintages Release: June 8, 2013
Château des Charmes Rosé ‘Cuvée d’Andrée’ 2012
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $14.95 (333260) 12.5% alcohol
Vic and I were both impressed with the depth and character of this Pinot Noir Rosé—suggested to reflect the personality of matriarch Madame Andrée Bosc. An electric, deep-rose hue, it’s wonderfully fragrant with notes of apple blossom, red berry and cherry. Dry, vibrant and mid weight, notes of dried herbs and white pepper add complexity to the luscious red fruit—strawberry, red currant and raspberry. Tangy acidity offers a nice balance to a well-crafted wine that finishes crisp and fruity. A versatile choice that has the heft to pair with a range of foods from strawberry balsamic spinach salad to grilled meats—stock up and enjoy. (Susan Desjardins)
Vintages Online Release: June 15, 2013
Rosewood Estates ‘Mead Noir’ Rosé 2012
Ontario $25.20 14.0% alcohol
Far outside the square, this dishes up a delectable mouthful of interesting Rosé. It’s fashioned using a medieval technique called ‘pyment’—fermenting grapes, in this case, Pinot Noir, and honey to make wine. Cranberry and honeyed strawberry aromas presage a balanced, beautiful wash of ripe pomegranate with sugared, grilled red grapefruit. It’s medium bodied and beautifully textured with a lengthy balanced finish. Pair with dark chocolate, fresh red fruit or sip on its own—distinctive and delicious. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: June 22, 2013
Featherstone Sauvignon Blanc 2012
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $19.95 (354763) 12.5% alcohol
Alluring on the nose; aromas of lemon curd, passion fruit and key lime abound. A wave of juicy, delectable grilled pineapple and herb-infused gooseberry bathe the palate. It’s medium bodied with good texture and a lingering, lip-smacking finish. Balance and complexity showcase a well-paced and well-priced gem. Pour alongside fresh, ripe, fig halves topped with grilled chèvre. (Vic Harradine)
Rosewood Estates Semillon 2011
VQA Beamsville Bench $18.20 12.0% alcohol
Delicate aromas of pit fruit, nuances of honey and steely minerality open up a line of racy lemon tang that broadens out on the mid-palate with notions of nectarine and pear. These riper flavours reflect the warm block from which the fruit was sourced. It’s mid weight with good mouth feel and a zesty, refreshing, mouth-watering aftertaste. Pour with pan-seared scallops over arugula. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: July 6, 2013
Château des Charmes ‘Old Vines’ Cabernet-Merlot 2010
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $19.95 (222372) 13.0% alcohol
Aromas of cedar, dark berry fruit and notions of roasted herbs open this mid-weight, nicely textured red blend—split almost evenly between Cab Franc, Cab Sauv and Merlot. Dark berry fruit, tangy red cherry and charred toasty notes compete for attention. The fruity, lengthy finish has a dusting of tannin. Allow this to knit together, it’ll reward patience—pop corks 2015 to 2018 pouring alongside grilled strip loin or tenderloin of roast beef. If impatient, aerate/decant three hours before serving. (Vic Harradine)
Featherstone Cabernet Franc 2011
VQA Niagara Peninsula $16.95 (64618) 12.5% alcohol
If you enjoy a classic, ripe Cabernet Franc, this wine’s for you. Enticing aromas of red berries, blueberry pie, smoky roasted red pepper and herbs mingle. On the palate, it’s dry and tangy, medium-full bodied, displaying a crisp texture, grippy tannins and tasty, savoury red berry fruit. Expansive notes of toasty oak linger on the long, dry finish. Match this wine to ham or prime rib with gravy. (Susan Desjardins)
Featherstone Rosé 2012
VQA Niagara Peninsula $14.95 (117861) 12.0% alcohol
Produced from Gamay and Merlot, the deep rosy salmon color of this tasty Rosé portends the intensity of the aromas and flavours. Bursting with ripe, red field berries and cherries, apple skin and mineral notes, it also exhibits hints of spice and pepper. Dry, mid weight, all that juicy flavour is balanced with lively acidity right through the lasting, flavourful finish. A versatile, value-driven wine that will delight on its own or paired on a warm spring day with a balsamic beef and strawberry salad. (Susan Desjardins)
Mocine Toscana 2011
IGT Toscana, Italy $19.95 (332940) 14.0% alcohol
This organic red blend is primarily from hand-picked, wild-yeast fermented, Sangiovese that saw no oak. Herbs, rich, dark, berry fruit and dark cherry aromas provide segue to a lively, juicy wash of herbs and spice, sweet ripe mulberry and red cherry interwoven with good moderating acidity and a lick of still-resolving tannin. It’s mid weight and lingers on the dry aftertaste with racy pomegranate, black olive and dried currant. Give it a go after a two-hour aeration/decant poured with pasta puttanesca. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: August 2013
Featherstone ‘Four Feathers’ 2012
VQA Niagara Peninsula $14.95 (354763) 11.1% alcohol
A blend of four grapes—56% Riesling, 22% Sauvignon Blanc, 13% Gewürztraminer, 9% Chardonnay—this offers aromas of minerality, tropical fruit and citrus. It bathes the palate with balanced and beautiful lemon-lime, white peach and notions of tangy passion fruit. This is mid weight with lots of charm and a crisp, clean and refreshing finish. This is a wonderful, warm-weather sipper at very good value. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: September 2013
Featherstone ‘Black Sheep’ Riesling 2012
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $16.95 (80234) 10.0% alcohol
Mid weight with an incredibly long aftertaste, this is charming, complex and made for Riesling aficionados and ordinary wine lovers like you and me. Aromas of floral notes, citrus, notions of minerality and hints of honey are precursor to a dazzling river of pungent, juicy lemon curd, blood orange and key lime pie streaking over the palate. It’s dripping with riveting tang and lip-smacking acidity that’s balanced beautifully with ripe pear, green apple and yellow plum. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: November 2013
Featherstone ‘Red Tail’ Merlot 2010
VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 (131540) 13.0% alcohol
Like the high-flying raptor that is an integral part of Featherstone’s sustainable agriculture, this wine delivers high-toned aromas of cherry/berry, spice and vanilla. Dry, medium bodied, it’s round, fruity and fresh, well framed with ripe tannin and fresh acidity. Attractive, spicy, peppery notes enhance the tangy, fruity finish. Finely crafted and quite delicious. (Susan Desjardins)