- Nyarai Cellars is a ‘virtual’ winery. Proprietor/winemaker Steve Byfield purchases premium fruit from meticulously chosen vineyard plots and works his magic transforming it into fabulous wine. The ‘Cadence’ has the following grape blend—42% Cabernet Franc, 33% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Syrah—in perfect cadence with seamless oak integration—it spent 27 months in French oak, 1st and 2nd fill. There’s deft balance and a lengthy, lip-smacking finish.
Nyarai Cellars ‘Cadence’ 2011
VQA Niagara Peninsula $21.95 (451781) 13.0% alcohol
Earthy, toast and mixed spice on the nose, there’s a medium-bodied gusher of ripe dark fruit on the palate with juicy black berry, ripe mulberry and black plum interwoven with cassis and bittersweet chocolate. It showcases very good mouthfeel, persistent purity of fruit and a lengthy, mouth-watering, balanced finish and aftertaste. Good to go now, it pours well with grilled striploin or beef tenderloin. (Vic Harradine)
Sebastiani Chardonnay 2013
Sonoma County, California $19.95 (364497) 13.5% alcohol
Baking spice, ripe apple and peach aromas abound. A rich, luscious river of flavour blankets the palate—tropical fruit and poached pear mingle with mouth-watering lemon curd—full bodied and creamy smooth. The lengthy aftertaste replays the gorgeous flavour. This is very good value. (Vic Harradine)
- The single-vineyard, hand-harvested fruit in the following Tawse Riesling is certified organic and biodynamic. It’s a Vintages Essentials wine, always available in many LCBO stores.
Tawse ‘Quarry Road’ Riesling 2014
VQA Vinemount Ridge $23.95 (198853) 9.5% alcohol
Heady aromas of piquant spice, lemony citrus and hints of petrol introduce a nicely textured stream of lime cordial and lemon pie filling along with grilled pineapple and racy grapefruit tang. It’s well balanced, lively and refreshing from twist top to last drop. Pour with spicy Asian cuisine, baked ham or fish tacos. (Vic Harradine)
- te Pā is a family-owned winery and the family has been on this land for 800 years. They have 400 Ha in which to contemplate and cultivate with rich topsoil and centuries-old alluvial deposits. Their Sauvignon Blanc is made with fruit from their single-vineyard, decade-old, vines. This wine was tasted at a recent New Zealand Wine Fair and stood tall amongst some of the best New Zealand has to offer. It’s very good value, certainly worth a purchase.
te Pā Family Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough, South Island $19.95 (450668) 12.5% alcohol
This is clean and crisp from twist top to last drop with aromas of floral notes, lemon-lime zest and Key lime galore. It streaks over the palate with nerve and verve— passionfruit, gooseberry and grapefruit flavours—delivering great tang and replaying on the lip-smacking aftertaste along with wisps of nectarine and mineral notes. Superb on its own, give it a go with grilled Calamari rings or pan-seared fish. (Vic Harradine)