Nov 25 – 2013 Henry of Pelham Speck Family Reserve Riesling – 2012 Stratus Petit Verdot

2012 Stratus Petit Verdot – Vintages 142638 – $38.20 – ****+ – We could call this wine fruit galore. There are aromas of Raspberry, Plum, Strawberry and Blackberry with flavours to match. This wine is approachable now, but will do better with 3 years in a cellar and it will hold on for a decade (or more) if you decide to keep it that long. Petit Verdot isn’t a varietal you see very often in Niagara. So at the very least it’s worth picking up this bottle to taste something delicious and unique.

2013 Henry of Pelham Speck Family Reserve Riesling – $24.95 – ****+ – This is almost effervescent on the palate, but that could just be from the bright laser beam focused acidity. This acidity is a perfect balance to the sweetness on the mid palate. The sweet fruit flavours are like juicy peaches, or apricots. Before you can really have the ripe, sweet fruit flavours set in it is all washed away leaving the palate refreshed. I usually like pairing Riesling with food in my house year round… pairing food with this wine would just get in the way.