2016 Remy Pannier Muscadet – LCBO 13821 – $15.20 – **** – The problem I have with Muscadet is that it generally needs to be paired with food. This Muscadet, on the other hand, is welcoming and approachable. There is a nice citrus note, a grassiness and tons of mineral....
2016 Susan’s Sauvignon Blanc – $18.15 – ***½+ – A nice grassiness is mingled in over bright citrus notes. Sauvignon Blanc will never be as recognized as Riesling or Chardonnay in the province, but it’s certainly not something that should be overlooked. It’s food friendly and pops with a bit...
2016 Two Sisters Rosé – $29.00 – ****+ – I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, I’m a sucker for a nice label and the packaging on this bottle is stunning. The clear label on the back of the bottle makes sure that you can enjoy the beautiful...
I made a long overdue visit to Rosehall Run in the spring and had the opportunity to see what winemaker Dan Sullivan is working on in the cellar. Some of the most creative winemaking in Ontario is taking place on Greer Road whether it’s at Norman Hardie’s, Casa Dea or...
2013 Domaine Queylus Tradition Pinot Noir – Vintages 392738 – $29.95 – **** – Aromas of ripe cherry with a note of vanilla and a slight earthiness. This checks all the boxes for what you expect from Pinot Noir from Ontario. Ripe fruit opens up on the palate and there...
2015 Vieni Gamay Noir – Vintages 498519 – $17.95 – ****½ – The intensity of everything in this wine will make you want to stand up and applaud it. The nose is rich black cherry and climbs out of the glass with such concentration it feels like an invasion of...
Earlier this year I had a chance to do a broad tasting of the current offerings from Southbrook. Last year I had an opportunity to taste a depth of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon. It would seem the wines for sale this year offer something a little bit interesting. Vidal served...
2016 Flat Rock Pink Twisted – Vintages 39974 – $16.95 – ****+ – This screams summer as watermelon and raspberry make appearances in the glass. I hesitate to use the word “serious” to describe this wine, but there is nothing more serious and versatile at your table than a well...
2016 Tawse Sketches of Niagara Rosé – Vintages 172643 – $17.35 – ***½+ – The nose is concentrated and sweet with raspberry and something a little like hubba bubba (bubblegum). The fruit on the palate is intense with strawberry, watermelon, and cherry. There is a slight sweetness to this rosé,...
2015 Cabernet Franc – $19.95 – ****+ – The Cabernet Franc from Featherstone is always a strong offering and one of my go-to bottles when cooking red meat around the house. The 2015 offering from Featherstone is one of the best vintages in recent memory. Beautiful aromas or raspberry and...
2016 Featherstone Black Sheep Riesling – Vintages 80234 – $16.95 – ****½ – This is a benchmark wine for Riesling in Niagara. When I’m talking about quality and value this is a flagship for the province and a perfect way to either build or bolster a cellar. The concentration of...
2014 Terraced Vineyard Syrah – $29.95 – ****1/2 – Whispers of soft white and black pepper work their way out of the glass and layer over soft red fruit. This is elegant and well balanced. Perfectly ripe fruit unravels on the palate with a hint of smoke peeking through on...
