2014 Canadian Oak Chardonnay – Vintages 149302 – $21.95 – ****1/2 – The nose is rich and complex there is Pineapple, Peach, Vanilla and a hint of something funky. It really doesn’t get more local than this wine. The barrel is made with Canadian Oak and the grapes are fermented with indigenous yeasts. It would seem that with the past few vintages this wine pushes the bar a little bit higher. It’s perfectly balanced in every sense of the word. There is a great balance of Peach, Pear and Apple flavours and Vanilla and Spice granted from the barrel. The oak doesn’t overpower anything in this wine. The texture of this wine is creamy and full on the mid palate. There is terrific acidity on the long rich finish. Part of that finish is baking spice that just grips the back of your tongue and refuses to let go.
2013 Foreign Affair Apologetic Red – Vintages 471516 – $69.95 – ****½ – The label is adorned with the word sorry. The wines from the Foreign Affair are all crafted as a love letter to Canada and to Italy where owner Len Crispino fell in love with the appassimento style of winemaking. So it’s appropriate that this love letter start with a very Canadian apology. The aromas are very ripe Strawberry, Marascino Cherry, and Raspberry Jam. These fruit flavours are candied but not jammy. This wine drinks dangerously easy with Marascino Cherry filling your mouth from cheek to cheek. The finish on this wine has nice acidity to it and the wine finishes dangerously smooth. This is a bottle that could easily age for 10 years in a cellar. However, it’s drinking so good now I’m not sure you will have the patience to hold onto a bottle or two. After a glass into the bottle I was trying to figure out what the Foreign Affair could possibly have to apologize for … Until you read the back of the bottle — Not Sorry
