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 drop and has nice intensity. Crisp acidity comes on the finish keeping this wine light and clean on the finish. At this price point this will make a great match to just about anything you can put on the table and don’t worry about being fancy if you want to enjoy this with chips while watching the games.
2016 North 42 Degrees Cabernet Franc – Vintages 546283 – $21.95 – ***½+ – It is exciting to see VQA Lake Erie North Shore on the Vintage shelf. The hot 2016 summer is immediately reflected on the nose of the bottle as currant, cedar, and woodsmoke climb out of the glass. On the palate this is brooding, heavy, and dark. The fruit is blackberry, black currant, blueberry, black licorice, and campfire smoke. This is ready to drink and approachable now, but I would still decant this or let it sit open for an hour before serving.
