• Order the following wine by the case for delivery to home, office or licensee from Grange of Prince Edward along with those reviewed in the April 28, May 13 and June 13, 2015 winecurrent newsletter or pick up from the winery in Hillier, Prince Edward County.
Grange of Prince Edward ‘Lot 2 Traditional Method’ Brut 2010
VQA Prince Edward County $29.95 12.2% alcohol
This 2/3rd Pinot Noir, 1/3rd Chardonnay blend dishes a solid line of acidity caressed by lively mousse and persistent stream of fine-bead bubbles. Toasty notes and Granny Smith apple mingle with leesy notes heralding a river of lip-smacking sensations on the palate—flinty/slate and mineral notes join racy citrus and hints of rising bread dough. Pouring well now, pair with ceviche, sashimi or oysters Kilpatrick. (Vic Harradine)
• Order by the case for home, office or restaurant delivery by phoning Greenlane Estate Winery @ 905 562-7207 or send email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Greenlane Pinot Gris 2013
VQA Lincoln Lakeshore $16.95 12.9% alcohol
This is the winery’s top retail seller, and has a great story associated with the light apricot tone. There was a new winery and cellar with the cement crush pad barely set and the press silent—the Toronto-based electrician didn’t really know winery equipment—while grapes were sitting on their skins. The winemaker came to the rescue with a carefully selected filtration medium. The wine’s delightful, offering tantalizing aromas of apricot, lime, honey and melon as well as a silky texture with a touch of spritz. Dry and medium bodied, melon flavours mingle with the tang of grapefruit pith to create a keen, tangy freshness through the finish. This is a tasty sipper that’ll pair well with a range of salads, white fish or meats. (Susan Desjardins)
Greenlane ‘Unoaked’ Chardonnay 2013
VQA Lincoln Lakeshore $17.95 13.0% alcohol
A Bronze-medal winner at the All-Canadian Wine Championships. Handpicked fruit from 9-year-old vines had extensive lees contact in the production of this wine designed to prove wrong the ABC crowd. Delightful, clean aromas of crisp apple, ripe pear and juicy citrus lift from the glass of this medium-bodied beauty. The wine’s lively, vibrant with tangy acidity and mineral notes while rich with refreshing flavours of green apple and lemon zest lingering on the palate and long, dry, bright finish. (Susan Desjardins)
Greenlane Chardonnay 2013
Lincoln Lakeshore $19.95 13.5% alcohol
A Silver-medal winner at the All-Canadian Wine Championships. Thirty percent of the wine was aged in oak, hints of spice garnishing aromas of ripe apple and pear. There’s great balance here, this medium-bodied white offering a creamy, fresh texture combining a subtle touch of toasted nut with luscious flavours of custard pear tart. Consistent throughout, it finishes long, round and tangy. (Susan Desjardins)
Greenlane Rosé 2013
VQA Lincoln Lakeshore $15.95 12.5% alcohol
This blend of Cabernet Franc and Riesling has lots of character showcasing a beautiful salmon hue. On the nose, ripe red fruits combine with notes of red pepper jelly and dried herbs. Dry, with Greenlane’s characteristic combination of a round, fresh texture, the red fruits are tangy—cranberry, currant and pomegranate—the subtle note of dried herbs and ripe red peppers adding depth and intrigue. A versatile wine to enjoy with charcuterie, grilled salmon, burgers or pizza. (Susan Desjardins)
Greenlane ‘Old Vines’ Riesling 2012
VQA Lincoln Lakeshore $24.95 11.4% alcohol
The warm vintage delivers an intense, powerful wine, the nose redolent of pear and citrus with a clear whiff of petrol. Round and ripe, flavours of ripe apple layer on lemon/lime and grapefruit zest. Long, with a clean, pithy finish that’s balanced by the roundness of the ripe fruit, this is a wine that will pair well with roast pork and will evolve further over time. (Susan Desjardins)
Greenlane ‘Reserve Old Vines’ Riesling 2011
VQA Lincoln Lakeshore $35.00 10.8% alcohol
A personal favourite, this was produced from fruit fermented separately in a 1000 litre tank, the wine then held 24 months in bottle. Ethereal aromas include elusive notes of wet stone, petrol and white flowers melding with melon and baked pear. Dry, medium bodied, the texture is tangy and juicy, the flavours reminiscent of fresh squeezed lemon and lime drizzled over green apple. Displaying great elegance and balance and designed to cellar, you’ll enjoy savouring this wine on its own or with a selection of artisan Ontario cheese. (Susan Desjardins)
Greenlane Chardonnay ‘Sur Lie’ 2010
VQA Lincoln Lakeshore $35.00 13.9% alcohol
This could also be called the ‘investor’s reserve’, as it is the favourite wine of Greenlane’s proprietor. The grapes from this fabulous, warm vintage were handpicked, sorted and after fermentation, aged in second fill and neutral oak barrel for twenty-two months, then held for 12 months in bottle. Brilliant gold, it offers a palate of complex aromas—toasted nut, butter pastry, pineapple, pear and apple tart. Dry, medium-full bodied, the power and intensity of the fruit is balanced by a creamy, fresh texture, the fruit flavours and subtle nutty notes replaying through a long, spiced finish. Rich and flavourful, it’s a match for coquille St-Jacques, or butternut squash ravioli with cream sauce. (Susan Desjardins)
Greenlane Cabernet 2013
VQA Lincoln Lakeshore $16.95 12.3% alcohol
Ruby-red hued, this blend of the Cabernets approachable now offering aromas of red and black berry, spice, hints of pencil shavings and grilled bread. It’s medium bodied with good freshness to the texture while perceptible tannin frames the cherry/berry fruit. Notes of dried herbs and a touch of spice linger on the dry finish. Tasty and food friendly, you’ll enjoy it with burgers or pizza. (Susan Desjardins)
Greenlane Cabernet Franc 2012
VQA Lincoln Lakeshore $23.95 13.1% alcohol
A Silver-medal winner at the All-Canadian Wine Championships. Aged nine months in French oak—a product of the warm 2012 vintage—it showcases lovely aromas of black cherry, raspberry, violet and dark chocolate shavings. Medium-full bodied, there’s harmony and integration to this artfully balanced wine. Ripe tannin provides subtle underpinning while classic fresh texture accents ripe fruit flavours. There’s a hint of white pepper and lovely notes of dark chocolate and light toast persisting on the dry extended finish. One bottle will definitely not be enough. (Susan Desjardins)
Greenlane Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
VQA Lincoln Lakeshore $32.95 13.5% alcohol
The length and warmth of this vintage meant that the grapes for this wine had extended hang time; it was hand-picked and sorted the 3rd week of November. Aged in barrel for nineteen months, gently punched down 4 times a day, this dry, full bodied gem offers great intensity and extraction. On the nose, the aromas of cassis and berry are rich and ripe, traces of vanilla, chocolate and spice merging and mingling with the fruit. Velvety tannins and refined acidity frame the concentrated dark fruit, hints of smoke, dried herbs, spice and pepper adding depth and complexity. Long and intense on the finish, the wine will cellar well and may be enjoyed now with grilled beef tenderloin or barbequed leg of lamb. (Susan Desjardins)
• The following wine can be ordered by the case for daily home, office or restaurant delivery from Kacaba or picked up from the winery on King Street in Vineland.
Kacaba ‘Reserve’ Riesling 2014
VQA Niagara Escarpment $17.95 11.5% alcohol
Gunflint and sharp spice aromas interlace with citrus and green apple on the nose. It dishes up a clean crisp line of lemon acidity racing across the palate meeting up with balancing and luscious waves of lemon pie filling and sugared, grilled grapefruit flavour—lip smacking good. (Vic Harradine)
Kacaba ‘Jennifer’s’ Pinot Gris 2014
VQA Niagara Escarpment $17.95 12.5% alcohol
The bronze/brick hue is a reminder of the unusual shifting of skin colour in the Pinot family—Noir, Gris and Blanc… read more. Aromas of exotic spice and floral notes set the stage for a medium bodied, fully textured surge of sugared, grilled ruby red grapefruit, red currant and strawberry/rhubarb compote. It finishes in a blaze of crisp, clean, refreshing sweet and tang. This is a lovely wine at an exceptional price. Don’t hesitate to pick up a case and pour with appetizers or mains—seafood, pork, chicken, turkey—charcuterie or deli board over the next 24 months. A Silver Medal winner at the Ontario Wine Awards; bravo to winemaker John Tummon. (Vic Harradine)
Kacaba ‘Rebecca’s’ Rosé 2014
VQA Niagara Peninsula $14.95 12.5% alcohol
Jasmine and mixed field berry fruit aromas on the nose, it bathes the palate with balanced, beautiful flavour—fresh picked strawberry, red grapefruit and tangy pie cherry. This 100% Gamay dishes up a mid-weight, nicely textured gem with a fruity, tangy, spice-infused finish and aftertaste. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour; what are you waiting for? (Vic Harradine)
• The following wine plus wine reviewed in the June 10, 2015 newsletter is available by the case for home, office or restaurant delivery from Strewn or can be picked up from the winery on Lakeshore Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Strewn ‘Terroir’ Pinot Blanc 2014
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $19.15 13.8% alcohol
Aromas of tropical fruit, honeyed and floral notes make way for a medium weight, nicely textured river of unfettered ambrosia. Delicious flavours coat the palate with ripe peach, grilled pineapple and mouth-watering citrus to the fore. Off-dry flavours replay on the palate with a splash of honeydew melon. Give this value-packed beauty a go with spicy Asian cuisine; tandoori chicken or spicy beef. (Vic Harradine)
Strewn ‘Terroir’ Sauvignon Blanc 2014
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $20.15 13.6% alcohol
Orchard fruit and citrus aromas mingle with herbs on the nose of this crisp and refreshing gem. A mouth-watering stream of lime cordial, lemon curd and gooseberry streak across the palate, full of nerve and verve. It’s mid weight with good mouth feel and a racy finish, clean and tangy. Pour with olive-oiled arugula under grilled crumbled chèvre. (Vic Harradine)
Strewn ‘Terroir’ Riesling 2014
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $19.15 12.1% alcohol
Floral notes, tropical fruit and citrus aromas provide segue for a sweet and tang rush of white nectarine and lemon-lime cordial bathing the palate, infusing the mouth-watering finish. The lengthy, luscious aftertaste adds quite a flourish with steely minerality, piquant spice and gooseberry galore. This is mid-weight with textured mouth feel and a boatload of charm. Pour with crumbled chèvre over olive-oil dressed arugula, charcuterie or mixed deli platter. (Vic Harradine)
• The following wine is available by the case for daily home, office or restaurant delivery online from Tawse along with those reviewed in the recent June 10, 2015 newsletter or pick up at the winery on Cherry Ave. in Vineland.
Tawse Winery Chardonnay Icewine 2013
VQA Niagara Peninsula $34.95 (204990) 200 mL 10.5% alcohol
Urban legend has it icewine is often re-gifted because of its rock-star status. It would reflect questionable judgment to not open and enjoy this one; it’s stunning. Aromas of honeyed mango and apple pie spice mingle with baking spice before coating the palate with unfettered nectar of the gods—candied blood orange, grilled pineapple and piquant baking spice. Yin meets yang on the finish with ripe mango and lemon acidity providing a sweet and tang, fairly balanced aftertaste. Pour with pan-seared foie gras, fruit flan or blue-veined cheese. (Vic Harradine)