2011 Jackson-Triggs Enotourage Grand Reserve Brut – Vintages 234161 – $24.95 – **** – Another very solid sparkling wine from the province at an amazing price. A bottle like this is something I will drink for no reason, other than I want to. It’s time to stop saving bubbles for a special occasion and unleashing them on a patio, or pairing with fried chicken. There is a bright toasty note on the nose over lemon and lime aromas, the flavours on this wine match the nose with a slight creamy finish. Don’t let the price fool you this is not wine meant to be mixed down for a mimosa enjoy this on it’s own.
2013 Thirty Bench Red – Vintages 320986 – $24.20 – **** – This wine is everything that is right about Red wine coming from Niagara. The nose is raspberry, blackberry with just the slightest hint of savory herb poking through. The feel of this wine on the palate is elegant and smooth. The flavours are blackberry, raspberry, dark cherry with smoke and the roasted herb just poking through on the finish. The tannin is already approachable and makes this wine very easy drinking right after you open it. I believe that many people will be surprised at how well the 2013 Ontario red will age. This may not last for a decade in the cellar but a few bottles over the next 3-5 years should age gracefully.
