Vintages Release: TBA, 2010

Tawse Winery ‘Sketches of Niagara’ Chardonnay 2008
VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 13.0% alcohol
Toast, spice and delicate aromas of pit fruit segue a rich and luscious wash of flavour with lip-smacking lemon sorbet, ripe apple compote and nuances of pineapple predominant. It’s mid weight and nicely textured. Seamlessly integrated oak, deft balance and a lingering luscious finish mark this as well made, well paced and well… delicious. Poured and paired perfectly with roast chicken or roast pork. (Vic Harradine)

Vintages Release: May 15, 2010

Henry of Pelham ‘Reserve’ Off-Dry Riesling 2008
VQA Short Hills Bench $15.95 11.5% alcohol
This is a steal, punching well above the price. Green apple and mineral-laden on the nose, this delivers a glorious wash of tang and flavour. Beginning with lemony citrus giving way to ripe pineapple and peach on the mid-palate, it finishes lengthy and lip-smacking good with a crisp refreshing ginger snap and lemon biscuit aftertaste. Pour on its own for a delightful experience or pair with spicy Asian food. (Vic Harradine)

Vintages Release: May 29, 2010

Finca El Origin ‘El Origin Gran Reserva’ Malbec 2008
Valle De Uco, Mendoza, Argentina $19.95 (65425) 14.8%
Darkly hued violet, it exudes richly perfumed aromas of black licorice, camphor, dark berry fruit and a faint whiff of toasty oak. It’s mid weight, nicely textured and well balanced with ripe and friendly tannin. There’s oodles of fruit with mulberry, red pie cherry and spiced black plum predominant finishing fruit-driven and tangy with a predilection for meat-laden pizza or sauced barbequed back ribs. (Vic Harradine)

Vintages Release: June 26, 2010

Liberty School Chardonnay 2007
Central Coast, California $17.95 (960120) 13.5% alcohol
Toasty notes, vanilla and alluring tropical fruit aromas abound on the nose of this mid weight and very generously textured beauty. Ripe citrus, persimmon and green apple flavours persist throughout while the moderating acidity provides a clean and lip-smacking finish. Seamlessly integrated oak, luscious fruit and deft balance coalesce in this value-packed offering. (Vic Harradine)


Seghesio Family Vineyards ‘Old Vine’ Zinfandel 2007
Sonoma County, California $39.95 (56879) 15.6% alcohol
Parcels of this were sourced from vines +100-years-old. Attractive aromas of rich dark berry fruit, floral notes and camphor segue luscious palate-coating flavours of kirsch liqueur, black currant and spiced black Damson plum. Smooth and mellow on the palate, this is marked by deft balance, firm tannin structure and a lengthy involved finish of spice, bramble berry and pie cherry. Good to go now and safely cellared until 2020. (Vic Harradine)


Tawse Winery ‘Sketches of Niagara’ Riesling 2009
VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.95 10.0% alcohol
Delicate mineral, floral and lemon-lime aromas waft from this mid weight, generously textured off-dry beauty. With a glorious fusion of sweet and tangy flavour on the palate—sweet ripe tropical fruit and bracing citrus—it delivers that sweet and tang, yin and yang that pairs so well with spicy Asian cuisine. The finish lingers 30 seconds or more, well balanced and delectable. It’s a lovely wine delivering very good value. (Vic Harradine)

Vintages Release: July 10, 2010

Treanna Red 2007
Central Coast, California $39.95 (11221) 15.5% alcohol
A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Syrah, this is a gorgeous wine. Expressive and involved aromas of toasty oak, dark berry fruit, mint and licorice give way to a burst of flavour with spicy black currant and succulent Bing cherry predominant. It’s medium-full bodied with a creamy smooth mouth feel and firm tannin structure. The memorable finish is lengthy, balanced and full of luscious fruit. (Vic Harradine)

Vintages Release: July 24, 2010

Tawse Winery ‘Growers Blend’ Pinot Noir 2008
VQA Niagara Peninsula $31.95 (130989) 12.5% alcohol
Earthy, spicy with notes of minerality on the nose, it delivers a well balanced—fine-grained tannin, good acidity and fresh fruit flavour—and lip-smacking rendition of quality Pinot Noir from a challenging year. Tangy red currant, cranberry and mixed berry fruit flavours mingle with hints of beet root and spiced black plum. It’s light-medium bodied, nicely textured sporting a lingering focused dry finish. (Vic Harradine)

Vintages Release: August 7, 2010

Featherstone Estate Winery ‘Red Tail’ Merlot 2008
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $19.95 (131540) 12.5% alcohol
Lightly coloured, the aromas are a lovely amalgam of spice and earthy tones. The initial attack on the palate is tangy—red currant and cranberry—blossoming on the palate and lengthy finish with ripe red cherry, juicy strawberry and zesty spice. It’s mid weight, lightly textured with supple tannin and a crisp clean finish. This ratchets up a notch or two when sipped with food; spaghetti Bolognese, pizza and Swiss steak all fit the bill. (Vic Harradine)

Vintages Release: September 18, 2010

Seghesio Family Vineyards ‘Home Ranch’ Zinfandel 2008
Alexander Valley $45.95 (70391) 15.5% alcohol
This is a ripper; lifted aromas of mixed spice, black pepper, dark field berry and notes of mineral peel off the nose of this complex and beautifully structured red. Waves of flavour wash over the palate with juicy boysenberry, succulent black cherry and tangy black raspberry predominant—this vineyard was planted in 1895. It’s full bodied dense and concentrated with excellent texture and a lingering balanced lip-smacking aftertaste layering on ripe supple tannin, moderating acidity and sprigs of spice mingling with dark berry fruit. (Vic Harradine)

Vintages Release: Fall, 2010

Featherstone Estate Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2009
VQA Niagara Peninsula $16.95 (89011) 12.5% alcohol
Lifted aromas of gooseberry, citrus and grassy notes introduce this mid-weight creamy-textured mouth-watering white. It’s full of nerve and verve delivering a focused and delightful splash of tangy flavour right through the lip-smacking finish—lime sorbet and ripe juicy grapefruit mingling with lovely herbaceous notes. It has just the right measure of acidity to sip well on its own and to pair with all manner of seafood—grilled prawns, pan-seared fish, calamari rings. From a limited production of 250 cases, pick up a few while you can. (Vic Harradine)