2012 Creekside Estate Laura’s Red – Vintages 117960 – $19.95 – ****+ – There is a little bit of everything you can grow in Niagara in this bottle, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Coming from the hot 2012 summer the nose is nice and fruity but with an undertone of smoked meaty goodness. This isn’t a wine that you will want to age for a while but that’s okay this is priced perfect to enjoy with roast beef or stews throughout the fall. If you can save a bottle it will mark a perfect arrival of spring barbeque season. The tannin is relaxed on this wine immediately after opening and there is nice balanced acidity on the finish. This wine walks a tightrope of being nice and complex while remaining unpretentious and easy drinking.
2013 Inniskillin Reserve Series Chardonnay – Vintages 383562 – $18.95 – **** – This wine is beautifully balanced all around. The bar for Chardonnay under twenty dollars has been completely destroyed in 2015 with great wines from Flat Rock, 16 Mile, Chateau des Charmes, Cave Spring … I could go on. Let’s talk about this wine from Inniskillin. The nose is Peach, Pear and Toasted Oak. There does seem to be quite a bit of oak in this wine so make sure you are mindful of serving temperature. If you serve this much colder than 15 degrees you will notice it start to taste a little woody. The acidity on the finish of this wine leaves you with just a nice aftertaste of vanilla.
