2016 Henry of Pelham Family Tree Red – Vintages TBD – $18.95 – **** – I love Family Tree blends from Henry of Pelham. These are wines designed for entertaining. They over deliver on their price and offer something that everyone at your table can enjoy whether they are a...
I first met Jerry Kopanski a few years ago at the Wychwood Barns Farmer’s Market. I was enamoured with his 2011 Cabernet Franc made in a ripasso style. I bought a case of that wine and sadly have none left … it’s hard to hold onto a bottle priced at...
2016 Vineland Cabernet Franc – $14.95 – LCBO 594127 – **** – The Cabernet Franc from Vineland that occupies space in the general list at the LCBO is one of my go-to bottles to enjoy and rely on. In my home I have an adage that I won’t cook with...
2016 Hidden Bench Estate Chardonnay – Vintages 68817 – $29.95 – ****+ – This is rich and concentrated and exceptional value even at this price. The fruit is very ripe orange and peach and it’s met with caramel and vanilla. This opens up in your mouth with a flavour explosion....
2016 Fielding Estate Bottled Riesling – Vintages 251439 – $19.95 – ****+ – A beautiful off-dry and perfectly balanced bottle of Riesling. The aromas are lemon, lime and zest of both giving this some nice depth right off the nose. On the palate this opens up to an avalanche of...
2013 Redstone Chardonnay – Vintages 511428 – $25.70 – ****+ – Fantastic Chardonnay at the price from anywhere. Nice aromas of apple and peach with a bit of spice mixed in. On the palate is nice concentration of fruit and vanilla and spice to round out the package. On the...
My last trip to Niagara in 2017 included a stop at Megalomaniac. THIS is the visit I have been waiting for as the wines that are currently available at Megalomaniac are the first that have been made start to finish by Winemaker Sebastian Jacquey. The white wines available over the...
2011 Patrick Chan Sparkling Blanc de Blancs – Vintages 546291 – $29.95 – ****+ – This is a bottle worth picking up to enjoy while watching the Olympics. The nose offers a nice bready note with citrus. The flavours have some nice depth with apple and spice layered over lemon...
2016 Chateau des Charmes Gamay Noir – LCBO 57349 – $15.95 – ****+ – One thing about the Chateau des Charmes Gamay is that every vintage it’s going to offer something fantastic. This is a little more savory than past vintages with a very strong pepper note that goes from...
2016 Fielding Gewurztraminer – Vintages 146753 – $19.95 – **** – Gewurztraminer from Ontario is something worth seeking out. It doesn’t have the weight or texture of Alsatian bottles, but it’s not trying to be Alsace. The lighter texture on the mid-palate make this easier to pair with food. Aromas...
2016 Charles Baker B-Side Riesling – Vintages 523845 – $22.20 – **** – When U2 released “Where the Streets Have No Name” the b-side to that single was “The Sweetest Thing”. This feels like a literal interpretation of that release. The other side of the record would be Picone or...
13th Street has recently finished building a new addition to their facility. I was shocked to see how quickly the new addition had been built. I usually make a few pilgrimages to the barn to grab some buttertarts or stock up on Saskatoon jam (one of the few places in...
