Henry of Pelham Pinot Grigio 2010
VQA Niagara Peninsula $14.95 (250217) 12.5% alcohol
Look for a spiffy new label on this aperitif-styled white from the Speck boys. It blossoms from the glass with highly perfumed tropical fruit, fruit flan and floral notes. There’s loads of sweet, ripe fruit flavour on the palate with yellow peach, honeydew melon, and sweet lemon tart. It’s fully flavoured with good mouth feel and a lingering finish replaying the sweet fruit flavours. Serve well chilled. (Vic Harradine)
SKN Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Napa Valley $16.95 (218834) 13.5% alcohol
A new value-packed California Cab from tony Napa Valley that’s nicely balanced with a solid core of dark fruit flavour. The palate’s bathed with brambleberry and black plum adorned with hints of mocha and bittersweet chocolate. The finish is layered and lip-smacking good. Good to go with grilled smoked ribs, steaks or burgers. (Vic Harradine)
Sandbanks Cabernet Franc 2008
VQA Ontario $14.95 (177485) 12.0% alcohol
Asian spice, cedar and berry fruit aromas segue a persistent balanced wave of flavour on the palate—ripe blackberry, cranberry and succulent cherry. It’s medium bodied with good texture and long finish layering on an herbaceous leafy tone. It’s well priced and bistro-styled; give it a go with pasta in tomato-based sauce or spicy wings. (Vic Harradine)
Sandbanks Riesling 2009
VQA Ontario $14.95 (139022) 11.5% alcohol
Racy, dry and expressive, this is a beauty. Crisp green apple, bracing lemony citrus and juicy Greengage plum flavours wash over the palate in zesty waves. It’s bone dry, loaded with tangy freshness persisting through the lengthy aftertaste. It’s medium bodied and nicely textured with an attractive price-quality ratio. What’s not to like? (Vic Harradine)
Sandbanks ‘Shoreline – Red’ 2008
VQA Ontario $14.95 (139022) 11.5% alcohol
Spice, fig and prune aromas waft freely from this mid weight generously textured Merlot-Cabernet blend. Ripe juicy fruit coats the palate and persists through the sweet, fruit-laden finish—black juicy cherry, dark plum compote and blueberry tart. It’s mid weight with good mouth feel delivering a crowd-pleasing, value-packed red. (Vic Harradine)