Purchase by the case for daily home, restaurant or office delivery from Château des Charmes. 


Château des Charmes ‘Estate Bottled’ Chardonnay Musqué 2012 
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $16.95 (640516) 13.5% alcohol 
Golden in the glass, this wine is produced from a particularly aromatic clone of Chardonnay, evidenced by lifted aromas of ripe stone and orchard fruit, preserved citrus and spiced floral notes. Dry, medium bodied, the wine shows noticeable weight and a creamy texture. Flavours of peach, pear and citrus zest are well matched to subtle, clean acidity and a pleasing touch of tangy white pepper on the finish. Enjoy with chicken Caesar salad or planked salmon. (Susan Desjardins) 

Order the following three wines by the case for delivery to home, office or licensee from Closson Chase. 


Closson Chase ‘South Clos’ Chardonnay 2012 
VQA Prince Edward County $39.95 12.7% alcohol 
The hand-picked, low-yielding—approx. ½ tonne/acre—indigenous-yeast fermented fruit was aged 17 months in primarily seasoned French oak, undergoing malolactic conversion in barrel then bottled unfiltered. Caramel, spice and grilled pineapple on the nose, it bathes the palate with a tangy wash of lemon zest, flinty minerality and notions of blood orange and lime sorbet. It’s medium-full bodied with good texture and wisps of grapefruit peel on the aftertaste. From one of North America’s premium producers of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, this’ll improve in bottle over the next 12 months. (Vic Harradine) 


Closson Chase ‘Closson Chase Vineyard’ Chardonnay 2012 
VQA Prince Edward County $29.95 12.7% alcohol 
Dark buttered toast, ripe apple and notions of toffee on the nose, it spills over the palate with Granny Smith apple, toffee and wisps of toasty oak. It’s medium-full bodied with oodles of creamy texture, complexity, balance and a promising future. The finish is robed in good acidity and orchard fruit. Give it 12 months to weave in the 17 months of French oak, it’ll handsomely reward that short-term cellaring. (Vic Harradine) 


Closson Chase ‘K.J. Watson Vineyard’ Pinot Noir 2011 
VQA Niagara River $34.95 12.7% alcohol 
From a year sandwiched between two that were outstanding, this easily holds its own. Quite lightly hued and light-medium weight, don’t be fooled, it dishes up an elegant stream of ripe fruit that’s balanced, mouth-watering and full of charm. Aromas of spice, red berry fruit and wisps of truffles herald a lively, flavourful stream of ripe red cherry and red currant jelly robed in red grapefruit and mandarin orange. The finish is lengthy, balanced and tangy. (Vic Harradine) 

Order the following three wines and those reviewed in the previous, May 23 newsletter, online for daily home, office or restaurant delivery from Pillitteri Estates Winery.  


Pillitteri Estates ‘Winemakers Selection’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $68.00 13.0% alcohol  
Earthy and dark cherry aromas mingle with mocha and roasted herbs on the nose. It spills over the palate with dense, complex dark, juicy Bing cherry, black briary berry and mixed spice, rich and luscious. Framed by mouth-watering acidity and underpinned by a solid bed of perceptible tannin, it’s full-bodied and fully flavoured, portending a monumental wine. From the vaunted 2010 vintage and robed in tannin, this limited-production gem needs time—drink 2016-2024. (Vic Harradine) 


Pillitteri Estates ‘Exclamation’ Chardonnay 2011

VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $23.00 13.5% alcohol  
Old-vine fruit for this stylish, outstanding white was barrel fermented and aged on lees 6 months in new and seasoned French oak barrels. Aromas of toffee apple, citrus and pear presage a complex and structured surge of ripe juicy pear, Meyer lemon and Granny Smith apple garnished with buttered toast and wisps of white nectarine. This is medium weight, creamy textured with a lengthy lip-smacking, delectable aftertaste. Winemaker, Alex Kolundzic, fashions yet another gem. (Vic Harradine) 


Pillitteri Estates Pinot Gris 2012

VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $15.00 (146787) 12.5% alcohol 
Lifted alluring aromas jump from the glass—lime cordial, tropical fruit and notions of flinty minerality. Palate-bathing flavour washes over the palate with honeydew melon, ripe pear and ruby red grapefruit to the fore. It’s medium bodied and beautifully textured with a crisp, refreshing finish and aftertaste. Pours well with seafood, chicken and veal dishes. Also available in select LCBO stores, it’s worth seeking out. (Vic Harradine) 

Order the following wine, and those reviewed in the May 7 and May 23, 2014 newsletter by the case for daily home or office delivery via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Owned and advised by Tawse Winery, they’ve arrived on the scene with quite a splash - pun intended.   


Redstone Winery Meritage 2010 

VQA Niagara Peninsula $39.95 13.5% alcohol  
Equal part Merlot and the two Cabs, this offers up an alluring nose of tobacco, cedar and baking spice. It bathes the palate with dark berry fruit and good acidity that’s presently in the grip of a tannin underpinning. All the components are here and it may develop into a very good red. Pull corks 2016 and again 2018. (Vic Harradine) 

Order the following three wines and those reviewed in the May 23, 2014 newsletter by the case of 12—mixed, if you like—with daily free delivery in Ontario to your home, office or restaurant from Riverview.  


Riverview Cellars Baco Noir 2012 

VQA Ontario $15.95 12.5% alcohol 
Wood smoke, charred toast and red cherry/berry aromas presage a racy zesty wash of cranberry, pomegranate and blood orange on the palate. It’s mid weight with good texture and a tang-laden finish and aftertaste. Pour with grilled, smoked back ribs or spaghetti Bolognese. (Vic Harradine) 


Riverview Cellars ‘Salvatore’s Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 

VQA Niagara River $24.95 13.0% alcohol 
Aromas of charred toast, tobacco and dark cherry abound. Sour cherry, tangy red currant and pomegranate flavours mingle with toasty oak and black berry on the mid-full bodied, nicely textured wash of flavour. The drying finish layers on fresh lively hits of black Bing cherry and dried currants. Aerate/decant three hours pouring with grilled gourmet sausage or steak. (Vic Harradine) 


Riverview Cellars Riesling 2012 

VQA Niagara River $14.95 11.0% alcohol 
Brilliant, light-gold hued in the glass, aromas of honeysuckle and citrus provide segue for a creamy-textured, fully flavoured river of lime cordial, Granny Smith apple and ripe pear. It’s light-medium bodied with a delightful sweet fruit and citrus tang throughout. The finish is lengthy and luxurious, dry, crisp and refreshing. The perfect dance partner with pan-seared fish, steamed mussels or grilled prawns. (Vic Harradine)   

Order the following three wines by the case for daily office, restaurant or home delivery direct from Rosehall Run. 


Rosehall Run ‘Hungry Point’ Unoaked Chardonnay 2013 
VQA Prince Edward County $19.95 12.5% alcohol 
Exotic spice, floral notes, apple and pit fruit aromas abound. Bathing the palate with spice-infused Granny Smith apple and ripe pear garnished with Meyer lemon, it’s medium bodied, value-laden and nicely textured. There’s complexity and charm throughout with good purity of fruit and a balanced refreshing finish. A 20-minute, room-temperature aeration/decant provides quite a lift. Pair with gougère, white pizza or chicken Caesar salad. (Vic Harradine) 


Rosehall Run ‘The Righteous Dude – Single Vineyard’ Riesling 2013 
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $19.95 9.2% alcohol 
There’s very good value in this off-dry beauty. Fresh, lively aromas spring from the glass—orchard fruit, floral notes and pineapple to the fore. It dazzles the palate with ripe peach and nectarine robed in racy lemon curd and Granny Smith apple on the palate, infusing the crisp, mouth-watering finish. It’s good weight with substantial mouth feel and oodles of charm. Pour with tandoori chicken. (Vic Harradine) 


Rosehall Run ‘Just One Rose’ Rosé 2013 
VQA Ontario $17.95 12.5% alcohol 
A blend of 80% Gamay and 20% Pinot Noir, this copper-bronze gem sports aromas of floral notes and red currant jelly. There’s plenty going on in this delightfully interesting blend with surges of red cherry, strawberry, blood orange and ruby red grapefruit bathing the palate. It’s medium bodied with a silky smooth texture to complement the lip-smacking aftertaste. Sip on its own or pour with friends and a deli board or supermarket rotisserie chicken. (Vic Harradine) 

Order the following four wines by the case for daily home, restaurant or office delivery by phone 905-468-1229 or online from Strewn Winery. 


Strewn ‘Terroir’ Gewürztraminer 2012 
VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.95 13.4% alcohol 
Sexy aromas of exotic spice, rosewater and apricot presage a beautifully textured, heavenly scented river of grilled pineapple, mango and spice-laden pit fruit—mango, nectarine and apricot. It’s Alsatian-styled with an oily mouth feel and a bit of a bite on the crisp, refreshing aftertaste. Hats off to Aussie-born winemaster, Marc Bradshaw, as he bats for six with this beauty. (Vic Harradine) 


Strewn ‘Terroir’ Riesling 2012 
VQA Niagara-on the-Lake $16.95 11.9% alcohol 
Aromas of herbs, green apple and wisps of minerality and machine oil intro a racyy line of lime, lemon zest and white grapefruit mingling with wisps of passion fruit. This is crisp and refreshing with oodles of tang and acidity. It’s light-medium bodied with plenty to offer at the table; give it a go with ceviche, sashimi or freshly shucked oysters with a dot of hot sauce and a squirt of freshly squeezed lemon. (Vic Harradine) 


Strewn ‘Terroir’ Sauvignon Blanc 2012 
VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.95 12.7% alcohol 
Fresh, lively aromas of floral notes, savory herbs and notions of gooseberry herald a tang-laden, bracing line of lime cordial and lemon zest streaking across the palate, infusing the racy aftertaste. It’s light on its feet with a lengthy, crisp, refreshing finish. Pair with crumbled chèvre over arugula or grilled calamari rings. (Vic Harradine) 


Strewn ‘Select Late Harvest’ Cabernet Franc 2011 
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $19.95 13.9% alcohol 
Give ice wine grapes a 2nd pressing and voila—value-packed nectar of the gods. Aromas of clove-infused cherry cordial herald medium-bodied, creamy-smooth waves of cranberry tart and plum compote balanced nicely with tangy blood orange. This delivers equal parts of sweet and tang with a delicious, lip-smacking finish. Pour with blueberry tart or sugared fresh strawberries. Great value here. (Vic Harradine)