Vintages Release May, 2021
• The following 2018 Tawse ‘Sketches’ Cabernet-Merlot is a blend of 43% cabernet sauvignon/36% cabernet franc/23% merlot that was sourced from a variety of select Niagara vineyards that matured for 14 months in French oak.
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Tawse ‘Sketches’ Cabernet - Merlot 2018
VQA Niagara Peninsula $21.95 (130252) 12.5% alcohol
Red cherry, bell pepper, mixed berry and black peppercorn aromas mingle together harmoniously in this pretty red blend. It flows easily on the palate with fresh crunchy red fruit flavours coupled with dark cherry and a hint of jalapeno. This is medium-bodied with medium tannin structure and the perfect partner to juicy flank steak with grilled bell peppers or gourmet red sauce pizza. (Louise Boutin)
Vintages Release: January 8, 2022
• The following 2019 Sidewood ‘Stablemate’ Pinot Noir was sourced from hand-harvested fruit from the estate Oakbank Vineyard and is a selected blend of Oberlin, 777, MV6 and Abel pinot noir clones. Grapes were chilled for 24 hours pre-fermentation and then separated by clonal variety and fermented separately. There were whole-bunch and non, whole-bunch batches fermented by native yeasts with approximately 30% whole bunch in the final blend. It was then matured in French oak barrels for 10 months before a careful barrel selection was made for the final blend.
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Sidewood ‘Stablemate’ Pinot Noir 2019
GI Adelaide Hills, Australia $18.95 (20878) 13.0% alcohol
Aromas of red berry fruit—currants, strawberry—and piquant spice abound on the nose intertwined with mulberry and black plum. It’s medium-bodied with creamy smooth mouthfeel and oodles of lip-smacking tang and crunchy red fruit palate flavours—passionfruit and pie cherry. It finishes in a blaze with the finish and aftertaste revealing a lovely dollop of cherry cordial and a hint of vanilla and spice. Pour with your favourite meat pie, a rich, beef stew or a simple meatloaf. This punches well over its price tag. Pick up a few and drink into 2023. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: TBD
• The following 2020 Labouré-Roi ‘Le Beaunois’ Chablis is sourced from 100% hand-harvested chardonnay. The ‘Le Beaunois’ is what Chablis winemakers call the chardonnay grape. Chardonnay yields are approximately 50 hl/ha.
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Labouré-Roi ‘Le Beaunois’ Chablis 2020
AOC Chablis, France $24.95 12.5% alcohol
Orchard fruit aromas—apple pear and yellow plum—interweave with notions of flinty minerality and floral notes. It streaks over the palate with a blaze of nerve, verve and pizzazz riding piquant flavours of lemon zest, lime-drizzled tropical fruit and a gorgeous array of minerality and acidity that persists through the finish and aftertaste. This pours well on its own on a warm day and also pours well with steamed mussels in a cream, garlic and leek sauce or Coquilles St. Jacques. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: TBD
• The following 2020 Labouré-Roi Bourgogne Chardonnay was sourced from 100% hand-picked chardonnay yielding approximately 50 hl/ha.
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Labouré-Roi Bourgogne Chardonnay 2020
AOC Bourgogne, France $20.95 13.0% alcohol
Alluring aromas of vanilla, baking spice and pit fruit abound —apricot, peach and Mirabelle plum. It captures the palate with a creamy-smooth river of palate flavours—apple, ripe pear and oodles of tang-infused citrus fruit. It’s medium bodied with great mouthfeel and a clean refreshing finish. The aftertaste layers on notions of minerality and lemon zest. Pour with sushi, roast chicken or pan-seared white fish. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: TBD
• The following 2020 Cave du Marmandais ‘Keep Cool’ Colombard is an accredited Sustainable winery. Fruit was sourced from 100% Colombard grapes that matured for three months in stainless steel vats before bottling.
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Cave du Marmandais ‘Keep Cool’ Colombard 2020
IGP Comte Tolosan, France $15.95 9.0% alcohol
Delicate aromas of floral notes and lemon citrus precede a light-bodied wash of tang-laden acidity riding a laser-like stream of tingling acidity that streaks across the palate riding a wave of tang and mouth-watering palate flavours of Key lime and white grapefruit from twist top to last drop. Pour with prawn ceviche or arugula salad dressed with olive oil and decorated with crumbled chèvre. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: TBD
• The following 2020 Bodegas Pazo de Villarei Albariño was sourced from 100% Albariño fruit grown in vineyards from 100 to 300 metres above sea level. The grapes were fermented with native yeasts and settled in stainless steel, no oak.
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Bodegas Pazo de Villarei Albariño 2020
DO Rías Baixas, Spain $16.95 (14054)13.0% alcohol
Voluminous aromas abound—tropical fruit, floral notes, casaba melon and buckwheat honey to the fore. It dishes up a fabulous stream of deftly balanced palate flavours with lemon-lime cordial, mandarin orange and plenty of lip-smacking tang. It’s medium bodied and nicely textured with plenty to like about flavour and even more to like about the price-quality ratio. Pour on its own after taking it out of the fridge for twenty minutes before serving. You can also match this with summer salads, a deli platter or charcuterie board. (Vic Harradine)