Featherstone Estate Chardonnay 2008
VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Ontario $21.95 13.5% alcohol
An alluring unique nose of binned apple and frangipane mingling with nuances of light maple syrup holds your attention. There’s an explosion of psychedelic flavours on the palate—sweet apple compote, maple sugar and scents of maple wood and very ripe cantaloupe lurking in the background and riding on moderating acidity. This was fermented and aged 12 months in Canadian oak barrels. It’s mid weight with medium texture and is off-dry. Available only at the winery, you can order a case for daily home or office delivery from Featherstone. (Vic Harradine)


Featherstone Estate Gewürztraminer 2009
VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Ontario $19.95 13.5% alcohol
Very perfumed aromas roll off the glass—rosewater, minerality and ginger-infused apricot. There are off-dry flavours of spice, tangy citrus, honeyed pit fruit and the de rigueur bite on the finish—the mark of well-made Gewürzt. It dances lightly in the mouth and the fairly short finish—a perfect patio/deck/balcony sipper when served slightly chilled. Available only at the winery, you can order a case for daily home or office delivery from Featherstone. (Vic Harradine)


Featherstone Estate Pinot Noir 2007
VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Ontario $39.95 13.0% alcohol
Savoury herb and spice, slate and dark berry fruit aromas abound. There’s a persistent stream of flavour with ripe red cherry, red currant and cranberry mingling with nuances of beet root and savoury leaf. It’s mid weight and nicely textured dishing out a surge of tangy flavour on the well-balanced finish with spiced black plum, cherry and savoury notes. Smoked duck breast lightly rubbed with rosemary, sage and thyme pairs well. Available only at the winery, you can order a case for daily home or office delivery from Featherstone. (Vic Harradine)


Malivoire ‘Albert’s Honour Old Vines’ Foch 2007
VQA Ontario $24.95 13.0% alcohol
Richly purple-hued, aromas of camphor and candied dark fruit roll easily from this French hybrid, Marechal Foch. Light to medium bodied, nicely textured and tangy, there’s a rush of zesty flavour—cranberry tart and spiced red cherry coursing throughout. The finish is dry, crisp and refreshing. Paired perfectly with pasta in tomato-based sauce. Order by the case for daily office or home delivery from Malivoire. (Vic Harradine)


Malivoire Pinot Noir 2007
VQA Beamsville Bench $39.95 13.0% alcohol
Rich and expressive on the nose, there are heady aromas of exotic spice, black licorice and tarry cherry galore. The omni-present flavours include black currant, red currant and mixed spice still wrapped in the firm grip of a chalky tannin structure. This has enough moderating acidity, luscious ripe fruit and firm tannin to portend gorgeous sipping opportunities 2013 to 2018. Order by the case for daily office or home delivery from Malivoire. (Vic Harradine)


Marynissen Estates ‘Unfiltered – Lot 31’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $36.00 13.0% alcohol
Sourced from the oldest Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard in Canada—planted 1978—it’s an opportunity to taste history. The alluring nose delivers tobacco leaf, tar and spice notes. Under the grip of the firm tannin structure there’s a rush of racy flavour with pie cherry and ripe cranberry galore. This has the provenance and balance to reward careful cellaring—drink 2015 to 2020. One dollar per bottle donated to the St. Catherines General Hospital in memory of John Marynissen, the visionary who planted these vines. Order by the case for daily office or home delivery directly from Marynissen Estates. (Vic Harradine)


Marynissen Estates ‘Unfiltered’ Syrah 2007
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $25.00 13.0% alcohol
An accomplished wine maker—Jeff Hundertmark—great fruit and a fabulous vintage coalesce in this gem. There are complex aromas of black pepper, ripe mulberry and camphor. It’s deftly balanced with a generous mouth feel dishing out a focused and persistent wash of flavour with ripe succulent cherry, sweet black Damson plum and mixed spice box. The aftertaste is memorable—refreshing and full of ripe fruit flavour with just enough tannin underpinning to provide interest and structure. Order by the case for daily office or home delivery directly from Marynissen Estates. (Vic Harradine)