2012 Vineland Elevation St. Urban Vineyard Riesling – Vintages 38117 – $19.95 – ****1/2 – This wine is as close to perfect as you might find in the vintages section whether you’re a wine noob or a hardened snob. First off – this wine is under twenty dollars a bottle. If you have any questions about whether a top notch bottle of wine needs to cost a lot of money look no further. Secondly – If you want to start a wine cellar this is a great bottle to stock up on. This will age gracefully, easily for twenty years if you have the patience … but let’s face it you’re probably not going to wait. Unlike a fine Bordeaux from the glass case at the back of the store there is nothing wrong with enjoying this wine immediately. This is off-dry but balanced with great palate cleansing acidity. Flavours of apples, peach and a nice mineral note on the finish help round out this great wine.
2012 Organized Crime Chardonnay – Vintages 408435 – $19.95 – **** – The nose on this wine is toasty oak. In the glass you will notice a cacophony of fruit with Peach, Apple and Lemon taking turns at front and centre. The oak pressence is very nice bringing butterscotch and vanilla that rise right to the roof of the mouth on the finish. A Chardonnay like this could divide a dinner party because it does have a stong oak pressence. If you’re used to serving your white wine right out of the fridge you will want to resist the urge with this bottle. This will taste much better at just a few degrees below room temperature (16-17 degrees if you have to be precise). If this wine is served too cold all you will taste is wood and unless you’re a beaver you probably won’t enjoy that.
