2016 Blue Mountain Chardonnay – Vintages 350108 – $28.95 – **** – The toasted oak really does soar over the pineapple, and peach notes both on the nose and on the palate. So if you’re note a fan of oak in your Chard you may want to look elsewhere. The...
2015 Intersection Unfiltered Cabernet Franc – Winery Only – $28.90 – ****+ – Cabernet Franc from BC is a thing of beauty. The extra heat on the fruit oozes out of the glass with very ripe and almost jammy aromas of raspberry and cassis. Somehow in spite of the massive...
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...
2015 Mission Hill Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon – $30.95 – Vintages 553321 – **** – This is a great example of BC Cabernet Sauvignon with nice rich black fruit layered over smoke. The story of this wine is one of structure and approachability. This wine is drinking great right now, with...
Blue Mountain Gold Label Brut Sparkling – Vintages 206326 – $30.95 – **** – This is the second visit to vintages for 2017 and I’m excited to see this hitting the shelf heading into fall. The price has crept up by a couple dollars but this is still outstanding value....
2013 Charles Baker Piccone Vineyard Riesling – Vintages 241182 – $35.20 – ****+ – I have a hard time ageing white wines in my home. The problem with Riesling is that while it does have fantastic ageing potential, it offers so much in it’s youth. I recognize Riesling north of...
2014 Mission Hill Reserve Pinot Gris – Vintages 537076 – $24.95 – ***½ – This is truly summer captured in a glass. The fruit is pear and peach on the nose and on the palate. There is a delightful mineral note that forms the backbone to this wine and makes...
2015 Hidden Bench Estate Riesling – Vintages 183491 – $23.95 – **** – When it comes to consistency and quality for Riesling in the province of Ontario the Beamsville bench sets the bar. I look to bench Riesling as a way to help form the backbone to my collection because...
2015 Dirty Laundry Woo Woo Vines Gewurztraminer – Vintages 245140 – $18.95 – Whether it’s Niagara or the Okanagan Canada is kind of doing it’s own thing when it comes to Gewurztraminer. The texture of the wine typically falls halfway between what you would expect from Alsace or Germany. There...
2011 Ridgepoint Pinot Noir – Vintages 89003 – $14.95 – ***½+ – There is something rich and concentrated about this Pinot. The nose is cherry, and it pushes right up to the line of being cherry pie… but doesn’t seem to cross that line. There is a slight smoky and...
Blue Mountain Gold Label Brut Sparkling – Vintages 206326 – $28.95 – **** – There is a nice bready note that climbs out of the glass. Granny Smith Apple and Lime follow the yeasty notes. When you take your first taste of this wine you’re greeted with bright notes of...
2013 Burrowing Owl Meritage – Vintages 644906 – $54.95 – ****½ – The short word on this is that it’s outstanding. The nose is rich and complex – Lots of blackberry, black currant, cocoa, and licorice. The flavours in this wine are just as rich and complex as what you...
