Vintages release: June 8, 2011
Cave de Rasteau ‘Ortas les Haut du Village Rouge’ 2006
AOC Côtes du Rhône Villages Rasteau $21.95 (581785) 14.5% alcohol
Made only in best vintages, this blend—Mourvèdre, Syrah, Grenache—is dense, layered and succulent. Exotic aromas of licorice, espresso and tarry notes give way to a luscious mouthful of juicy flavour bathing the palate in waves —cassis, dark ripe brambleberry and Bing cherry. It’s medium bodied and generously textured offering a deftly balanced lengthy aftertaste. Divine paired with braised beef short rib. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages release: June 25, 2011
Featherstone Estate Winery Cabernet Franc 2009
VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula $16.95 (64618) 12.3% alcohol
Dark berry fruit, graphite and mixed savory spice on the nose, the racy flavour rides a stream of crisp refreshing acidity. Red currant, sour cherry and hints of pomegranate wash over the palate replaying on the mouth-watering finish. This is truly showcased when poured with meat-laden spicy pizza or spaghetti Bolognaise. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages release: July 23, 2011
Featherstone Estate Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2010
VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula $19.95 (89011) 13.5% alcohol
The lifted aromas are full of verve and excitement—lemon chiffon pie and dazzling tropical fruit notes. There’s good tension between the ripe fruit—citrus and tropical—and the tangy acidity. It sports a gorgeous mouth feel and brims with flavour layering on nervy lemon-lime and a delightful wave of grapefruit on the crisp, lip-smacking finish. The perfect summer sipper and more—it pairs well with pan-seared fish, prawns and scallops. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages release: September 10, 2011
Featherstone Estate Winery Gewürztraminer 2010
VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula $19.95 (64592) 13.5% alcohol
Spice-driven perfumed aromas of rosewater and musk presage a gorgeous mouthful of flavour—spiced and honeyed citrus, ripe pineapple and yellow plum. It’s medium weight with a generous mouth feel and an off-dry, sweet and tang aftertaste that’s versatile—perfect when chilled and sipped on its own as an aperitif or paired with spicy Asian cuisine like Pad Thai or butter chicken. (Vic Harradine)