White Wine
Huff Estates ‘South Bay Vineyards – Unoaked Chardonnay’ 2012
VQA Prince Edward County $21.95 12.5% alcohol
This is a single-vineyard gem with aromas of ripe apple, pear and undertones of minerality. It bathes the palate with crisp, green apple, lemon yoghurt and oodles of racy tang. It’s mid weight with good mouth feel and a lengthy finish and aftertaste—clean, crisp and refreshing. Pour with pan-seared fish or pork chops with a side of applesauce. Purchase for daily office or home delivery, no minimum, free delivery for a case of 12 or more (single wine or mixed) from Huff Estates. (Vic Harradine)
Order the following Tawse wines by the case or mixed case (free delivery over $100) for Monday to Thursday home or office delivery from Tawse.
Tawse Winery ‘Quarry Road’ Chardonnay 2011
VQA Vinemount Ridge $35.95 & 375 mL $19.95 13% alcohol
Certified organic/biodynamic, there’s a layered, perfumed nose of lemon-lime, white flowers and pit fruit with notions of pineapple. Racy minerality and tangy acidity streak across the palate with nerve, verve and sense of purpose. A laser-like line of mineral/limestone and citrus broadens on the mid-palate with ripe, spice-infused apple and pear. Clean, crisp and refreshing, there’s deft balance, mouth-watering flavour and plenty of charm and elegance—top-drawer Chardonnay, not to be missed. (Vic Harradine)
Tawse Winery ‘Robyn’s Block’ Chardonnay 2011
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $45.95 13% alcohol
Certified organic/biodynamic, it was hand-harvested from 29-year-old vines, barrel fermented and aged 12 months in small French oak barrels followed by six months in stainless steel before bottling—it’s one of Canada’s top drops. Faint floral notes mingle with aromas of chalky minerality and pit fruit. It bathes the palate with a riveting wash of key lime, steely mineral tones and lip-smacking citrus tang. It’s medium bodied with generous texture and a lingering, austere finish and aftertaste that’s nicely balanced with orchard fruit peeking through wisps of oak. A stellar wine at this stage, it will no doubt improve in bottle over the next decade. (Vic Harradine)
Tawse Winery ‘Estate’ Chardonnay 2011
VQA Niagara Peninsula $37.95 13% alcohol
Certified organic/biodynamic, this was sourced from separate Estate vineyards. It’s complex and well structured with good depth and delineation. Aromas of minerality, mandarin zest and key lime herald a gorgeous gusher of mineral-flecked tang—lime cordial, lemongrass and notions of racy grapefruit. It’s medium weight with good mouth feel and a stunning finish and aftertaste—lip-smacking citrus and green apple interweave with minerality and wisps of sweet oak—well worth seeking out. (Vic Harradine)
Red Wine
Tawse Winery Gamay Noir 2012
VQA Niagara Peninsula $18.95 13% alcohol
This single-vineyard offering dishes up an alluring nose of sandalwood and roasted herbs announcing a tangy line of sour cherry and red currant fleshing out to riper berry fruit on the mid palate and finish. It’s mid weight with good mouth feel and a chalky, drying aftertaste wreathed in still-resolving tannin. Aerate/decant three hours pouring with a mixed deli platter. (Vic Harradine)
Tawse Winery ‘Laundry Vineyard’ Cabernet Franc 2012
VQA Lincoln Lakeshore $31.95 13.5% alcohol
Black currant and spice aromas open this mid-bodied, nicely textured gem. It races across the palate with great tang and lively red fruit flavours garnished with pipe tobacco and wild herbs. There’s structure, balance and purity of fruit along with delicate touches of charm and elegance. It finishes persistent and consistent, replaying palate flavours and charm. Aerate/decant two hours and pour alongside rare-grilled skirt steak with root veggies and mushroom whiskey cream sauce. (Vic Harradine)