Redstone Estate Cabernet Franc 2013
VQA Lincoln Lakeshore $39.95 13.5% alcohol
This is the first release of this certified organic/biodynamic wine. Dark berry fruit and savory herb aromas precede a muscular, full-bodied, full textured wash of ripe red cherry and black currant, mixed spice and excellent moderating acidity and tang. It’s nicely balanced on the palate and finishes in a blaze of passion fruit and tart cranberry tang interwoven with savory herbs. This matured 18 months in French oak barrel.

• Organic/biodynamic fruit was sourced for the following Tawse single-vineyard, Merlot from 13-year-old vines and aged 18 months in French oak barrel. Sadly, this is the 2nd last vintage for this wine as all the Merlot vines in this block were destroyed by a particularly cold winter in 2014.

  
Tawse Winery ‘David’s Block’ Merlot 2012
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $49.95 14.0% alcohol 
Lifted aromas of dark berry fruit, cigar box and wisps of campfire smoke herald a muscular wash, with depth and concentration, enveloping the palate with rich, ripe cherry and dark berry fruit, excellent racy tang and a firm underpinning of grainy tannin. This is structured, full bodied and fully textured showcasing a powerful wine coming into its own after careful cellaring 2018 to 2022. (Vic Harradine)

  
Tawse Winery ‘Growers Blend’ Pinot Noir 2012
VQA Niagara Peninsula $26.95 12.0% alcohol
From one of Niagara’s stellar vintages this matured 16 months in French oak barrel before bottling. Aromas of cherry pastilles and roasted herbs provide segue for a well-paced river of cranberry, strawberry and red plum flavour. This has firm structure, purity of fruit and a monumentally long and luscious finish and aftertaste laced with piquant spice. Aerate/decant for three hours before pouring with crispy, smoked and oven-grilled duck breasts. (Vic Harradine)

• The following Pinot Noir from Tawse Winery is available only to licensee holders, e.g. those who hold a liquor license - restaurants, hotels. Look for it on wine menus at wine-friendly restaurants.

  
Tawse Winery Pinot Noir 2013
VQA Niagara Peninsula $21.95 13.0% alcohol
This showcases excellent value, persistent purity of fruit and deft balance—making it a winning match for appropriate cuisine—with a lengthy finish and aftertaste. Aromas of cedar, pipe tobacco and savory herbs abound on the nose of this mid-weight, smooth and mellow, balanced-on-a-pin Pinot. It bathes the palate with a tangy flow of ripe red currant and pie cherry garnished with earthy notes and a brushstroke of piquant spice. This well-structured red rested 16 months in French oak barrel before bottling—it’s ready to drink now. (Vic Harradine)