Dave Isaacs 2/20/23 Dave Isaacs 2/20/23

New in Ontario Wineries - February 20, 2023

New in Ontario Wineries

The following wine may be purchased online or at the winery—here’s a link—Henry of Pelham Winery—and delivered to your door or you may find product at your local LCBO retail store.
The following 2021 Speck Bros. ‘Revel’ Cabernet-Baco Noir Dark Red was sourced from the ripest grapes grown in some of the warmest vineyards in the Niagara Peninsula. The grapes were fermented in stainless steel then matured for six months in oak. The price-quality proposition skews in your favour at this price… stock up.

92 ✓ Value 🇨🇦  Speck Bros. ‘Revel’ Cabernet-Baco Noir Dark Red 2021 VQA Ontario $15.95 (237883) 13.0% alcohol
A rich, aromatic nose of gamy notes, exotic spice and a flourish of savoury notes intertwine with expressive ripe cherry notes. It bathes the palate with tangy pizzazz and fresh fruit flavours of black plum, bramble berry and black Bing cherry. This is medium weight with creamy mouthfeel and plenty to like. There’s deft balance, persistent purity of fruit and a lingering lip-smacking finish and aftertaste. Pour with barbecued meats—gourmet sausage, backyard burgers or steak. (Vic Harradine)

Order the following wines by the case for daily home or office directly online from Kacaba Vineyards with FREE shipping in Ontario on orders of six bottles or more, by phone at 1 866 522-2228 or 1 905 562-5625, or pick up a bottle or case from the winery (curbside pick-up or shop in the boutique it’s open 10 am to 5 pm seven days a week) at 3550 King Street in Vineland ON.
We’re most appreciative for your continued support and all that the winecurrent.com team do to promote VQA Ontario wines. Should your subscribers like to visit Kacaba Vineyards & Winery after reading your wine reviews, we want to offer them a Buy-One-Get-One discount for wine tasting reservations booked online by using your personalized discount code (case sensitive): WINECURRENT
Please note that this discount code is only eligible on 2 OR MORE wine tastings per reservation, and must be booked via our website: http://www.exploretock.com/kacabavineyards Please feel free to promote this in your publication as the code is already active.

92 🇨🇦
Kacaba Vineyards ‘Proprietor’s Block - Escarpment’ Syrah 2019
VQA Niagara Escarpment $35.15 13.8% alcohol
Alluring aromas are sleek and elegant with boysenberry pie, © Ribena and cassis to the fore followed by grilled savoury herbs, soft ripe tannin and plenty of tang-laden palate-fruit flavours of black cherry/berry fruit that lingers on the finish and aftertaste along with 10% Viognier. Give this a go with cassoulet, osso buco or grilled vegetables for vegans. (Vic Harradine)

The syrah vines that were sourced for the following wine were planted in 1998, making them the oldest syrah vines on site. They were harvested for this wine when they were 21-years-old.

92 🇨🇦
Kacaba Vineyards ‘Silver Bridge Vineyard - Escarpment’ Syrah 2019
VQA Niagara Escarpment $35.15 14.0% alcohol
Aromas of blueberry, black juicy cherry and piquant spice abound on the nose of this nicely balanced syrah. There are creamy-smooth mouthfuls of deftly balanced and delightfully delicious ambrosia on the lip-smacking finish and aftertaste. Pour alongside grilled steak, beer-can roasted chicken or grilled and mopped pork back ribs with spicy barbecue sauce. (Vic Harradine)

The following 2020 Kacaba ‘Reserve – Meritage’ was sourced from the dazzling 2020 vintage made up from 40% cabernet sauvignon/35% cabernet franc/25% merlot sourced from the estate vineyards of the renowned VQA Niagara Escarpment.

93 🇨🇦
Kacaba ‘Reserve – Meritage’ 2020
VQA Niagara Escarpment $60.15 14.8% alcohol
Delightful aromas of cassis, Saskatoon berries, juicy black plum and black Bing cherry waft easily after the gentlest of swirls. A river of palate flavours dominated by piquant spice and wood-smoke along with tangy passionfruit, pie cherry and a smooth and mellow mouthfeel and plenty of pizzazz. This is nicely balanced and dishes up a persistent purity of fruit from cork pop to last drop. Give this a try with Asian eggplant and freshly picked zucchini and a generous helping of fried onions and cooked, minced beef. (Vic Harradine)

94 🇨🇦
Kacaba ‘Reserve – Cabernet Franc’ 2020
VQA Niagara Escarpment $60.15 14.9% alcohol
Rich, luscious aromas of dark cherry/berry fruit—blueberry, boysenberry, cassis and black juicy Bing cherry juxtaposed with tangy pie cherry. A stream of fruit-driven palate-flavours with the following to the fore—ripe Saskatoon berries, tangy passionfruit, ripe black cherries and plenty of tang and pizzazz underpinned with smooth soft tannin and savoury oak after 19 months of French and American barrel ageing. The finish and aftertaste meld nicely along with svelte tannin. Pour alongside medium-rare skirt steak,

The following Malivoire Wine Company ‘Small Lot’ Pinot Noir 2021 sourced pinot noir grapes from three Beamsville Bench sites. The blend is 56% Mottiar Vineyard/35% Moira Vineyard/10% Malivoire Estate, with all hand-harvested between September 30th and October 12th, 2021. Most of the grapes were destemmed with 6% held in whole clusters then divided into two lots, one in stainless steel and the other in concrete tanks. The wines were next combined to mature nine months in French oak barrels. After blending, 654 cases were bottled in August, 2022.

94 🇨🇦
Malivoire Wine Company ‘Small Lot’ Pinot Noir 2021
VQA Beamsville Bench $29.95 12.0% alcohol
When poured in the glass it shines with lightly-hued bright ruby red colour galore. Aromas of earthy notes and red cherry/berry fruit waft easily with the gentlest of swirls. It blankets the palate with delightful fruit-forward flavours of pie cherry, blueberry, black bramble berry and oodles of sharp tang and pizzazz expressed as delightful acidity of rhubarb flavour and Montmorency pie cherry. The finish and aftertaste are lengthy and persistent purity of fruit that is deftly balanced. Pick up an armful and drink now to 2028 with careful cellaring. Pour alongside home-smoked duck breast adorned with home-made mango marmalade. (Vic Harradine)

The following 2020 Malivoire Wine Company ‘Forgotten Row’ Chardonnay were the last hand-harvested Chardonnay grapes from the estate-owned mature vines of the Moira Vineyard on October 1st, 2020 with the average sugar content of the unfermented grape registering in at 22.6 ° C. This wine was fermented and pressed from destemmed grapes that were fermented in five French oak barrels—one barrel was new, two barrels were second use and two were neutral with monthly bâtonnage—aka lees stirring—for the first five months. Barrels were blended and the wine integrated for a further three months in a large, previously used large oak barrel. The finished wine was bottled after just over a year in oak in December 2021. It is available only at the Malivoire winery that you can access online on their website and have it delivered to your door or by ordering ahead of time and picking it up at the winery. Your call. Drink now to 2028.

96 ✓ Value 🇨🇦 Malivoire Wine Company ‘Forgotten Row’ Chardonnay 2020 VQA Beamsville Bench $34.95 13.0% alcohol
Aromas of buckwheat honey, caramel and baked apple make an appearance on the nose and replay on the palate with a freshly baked apple pie flavour adorned with baking spice, lemon pastille and a tinge of a trick or treat Halloween caramel apple. The mouthfeel is absolutely amazing and creamy-smooth from first sip to last drop as are the fabulous flavours that persist to and through the finish and aftertaste. The 2020 vintage is a dazzling one in virtually all VQA appellations and sub-appellations, especially in Ontario. This may be named the ‘Forgotten Row’, but if you get a chance to taste it, you’ll not forget how wonderful this wine tastes, on its own and/or with pan-seared-in-butter Atlantic salmon. (Vic Harradine)

The following 2022 Malivoire Wine Company Pinot Gris was hand-harvested September 15th to 18th from mature vines that achieved an average sugar content of 20.6 ° brix of the unfermented sugar in the grapes. Hand-sorted clusters were destemmed and pressed for primary fermentation in stainless steel tank. The new wine settled in tank for four months prior to bottling in January, 2023

92 ✓ Value 🇨🇦  Malivoire Wine Company Pinot Gris 2022 VQA Beamsville Bench $21.95 12.0% alcohol
Aromas of honeydew melon, savoury herbs and notions of piquant citrus—lemon curd and Key lime give way to the palate of Granny Smith apple and grilled and lightly sugared pink grapefruit sections that persist through the finish and aftertaste. Give this a go now to 2026 alongside fish tacos, grilled calamari or a deli platter of mixed sushi. (Vic Harradine)

Use this link - Rockway Vineyards - to search their winery website for the following and other wines available to you as they will take your order online and deliver to your home, business office or licensed restaurant. You can also phone them as they are open daily 11 am to 6 pm – 1-905-641-5771 or you can email them - wine@rockway.net

The following wines are being released by Rockway Vineyards and you may also find them in the near future on shelves of LCBO retail stores. The oldest hand-harvested vines sought for the following wine were 18-years-old at time of harvest. This wine was settled for 48 hours, during 10 months of oak maturation the wine was fermented in one new French oak barrel while the balance was aged in tank. The entire winemaking team deserves a doff of your and my hat for producing this gem. Give it a go.

93 🇨🇦
Rockway Vineyards ‘Small Lot’ Chardonnay 2021
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $25.00 13.0% alcohol
Aromas of citrus fruit—orange, lemon and grapefruit are intertwined with leesy notes and an interesting streak of saline on the palate along with persistent fruit-flavours of sweet white nectarine and yellow Mirabelle plum to and through the finish and aftertaste. There is also good balance along with the lip-smacking finish and tang-laden aftertaste. Give this a go alongside roast chicken or turkey with all the fixings. (Vic Harradine)

92 🇨🇦
Rockway Vineyards ‘Gamay Noir’ 2021
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $24.00 12.0% alcohol
It’s medium-bodied, deftly balanced and oozing with excellent aromas and its fair share of fruit-flavoured notes along with tang and pizzazz. There is also alluring aromas of baking spice, rhubarb and strawberry pie. The delicious fruit flavours on the palate, finish and aftertaste carry the day. Give this a go with a glass of wine on its own then try with prosciutto-wrapped figs stuffed with chèvre and topped with a balsamic glaze. (Vic Harradine)

The following 2021 Rockway Vineyards ‘Pinot Noir’ is light in colour and barely ruby red in the glass. The grapes were hand-harvested at the end of September from their estate vineyard. The fruit was crushed into tank with the juice undergoing a five-day cold soak then warmed to an alcoholic fermentation with punch-downs twice a day. It was then pressed-off to settle in a stainless steel tank before being racked to French oak barrels, 33% new. Natural malo-lactic conversion occurred in barrel and the wine remained in barrel for an additional time of ten months before it was racked back to tank where it settled prior to being filtered and bottled.

92 🇨🇦
Rockway Vineyards ‘Pinot Noir’ 2021
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $28.00 12.5% alcohol

Alluring aromas of bramble berry, cassis and floral notes, waft easily after the gentlest swirl. The palate is treated to an elegant-tinged stream of Montmorency pie cherry, ripe, red raspberry and plenty of tang and pizzazz from initial cork pop to the very last drop. Pour alongside Coq au vin or Peking duck. (Vic Harradine)

The following easy-drinking 2021 Rockway Vineyards ‘Pink Ribbon – Rosé’ was sourced from 100% cabernet franc from the Rockway Estate Vineyard on the renowned Twenty Mile Bench.

93 🇨🇦
Rockway Vineyards ‘Pink Ribbon – Rosé’ 2021
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $22.00 12.5% alcohol
It sits in the glass with a psychedelic pink colour while aromas of candy floss, strawberry and notions of sweet white lilac abound on the nose before the palate is treated to a smorgasbord of flavours with tang-infused Montmorency red pie cherry, ripe black raspberry and notions of pomegranate persists to and through the finish and aftertaste. Give this a go with pan-seared-in-butter Atlantic salmon or a green salad dressed with extra-virgin olive oil, a dash of red-wine vinegar and crumbled chèvre along with sliced grape tomatoes, chunks of cut cucumber and a generous helping of grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. (Vic Harradine)

The following 2020 Rockway Vineyards ‘Clubhouse White’ is an inspired blend of 86% vidal/10% riesling/4% chardonnay that delivers a pure expression of blended wine from the VQA Twenty-Mile Bench. Once fermentation was finished naturally the wine was left on its ferment lees for 4 months before being stabilized, filtered and bottled.

92 ✓ Value 🇨🇦
Rockway Vineyards ‘Clubhouse White’ 2020
VQA Twenty-Mile Bench $17.00 10.5% alcohol
Aromas of floral notes, musky cantaloupe and buckwheat honey abound on the nose of this delightful fruit-driven—off-dry beauty with palate flavours of mango, ripe pear and lemon pastille mingling with grilled and sweetened pineapple and grilled and sugar-topped ruby red grapefruit juxtaposed with plenty of tang and pizzazz. This is medium-bodied with good mouthfeel and texture throughout. It’s nicely balanced on the palate, finish and aftertaste. Don’t hesitate to pick up a few as you can sip on its own or pour with your favourite snacks or with a plate of sushi or a deli platter. (Vic Harradine)

The following 2021 Rockway Vineyards ‘Clubhouse Red’ is another inspired blend. This time there are four grape varieties with two leading the way—54% baco noir and 33% cabernet franc along with a smaller combination of 8% syrah and 5% merlot.

93 ✓ Value 🇨🇦
Rockway Vineyards ‘Clubhouse Red’ 2021
VQA Twenty-Mile Bench $18.00 13.0% alcohol
This is an inspired blend of near-perfection with the baco noir and the cabernet franc. Aromas of mulberry and blueberry abound on the nose of this dazzling red wine. It blankets the palate with a gusher of black Bing cherry and notions of bramble berry along with a laser-like stream of delightful tang and pizzazz to balance off the ripe fruit flavours. Pour this with barbecued burgers or grilled gourmet sausage or meat-laden, red-sauced pizza. (Vic Harradine)

Dave Isaacs 12/23/22 Dave Isaacs 12/23/22

New in Ontario Wineries - December 23, 2022

New in Ontario Wineries

There are 8 or so top-notch winery’s showcasing 43 wines. After reading through this, look for more in the next winecurrent newsletter in early January, 2023.*

• The following five wines may be purchased online from this link - Casa-Dea Estates Winery. For a limited-time only; buy 6 bottles or more of any wine and receive FREE shipping in Ontario to your home, office or licensed restaurant.

• The following 2021 Dea’s Cuvée Sparkling Wine was made 100% with chardonnay and pinot noir grown and harvested from their estate-owned ‘Cold Creek’ vineyard. It’s deftly balanced and fruit-forward and was made in the Charmat method.

92 🇨🇦
Casa Dea ‘Dea’s Cuvée - Charmat Method – Sparkling Wine
VQA Prince Edward County $20.95 12.5% alcohol
Delightful aromas appear as it is poured and continues through the tasting experience with a gusher of ripe citrus fruit—Meyer lemon, Key lime and notions of white grapefruit—that provide wonderful balanced palate flavours that blossom out leaving a lip-smacking crisp and refreshing taste sensation on the palate and the lingering finish and aftertaste. Kudos to the Casa Dea team. Pour alongside cold-smoked salmon on a bagel slathered with cream cheese that’s dotted with dill weed and capers. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2020 Casa Dea ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Franc was sourced from 100% Casa Dea estate vineyards of cabernet franc in Prince Edward County.

90 🇨🇦
Casa Dea Estates Winery ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Franc 2020
VQA Prince Edward County $26.95 14.0% alcohol
This opens with an exotic Asian incense aroma joined by red and black cherry/berry fruit and notions of earthy and floral notes on the nose. It envelopes the palate with flavours of red pie cherry and black currant underpinned by still-evolving tannin and a balanced smattering of ripe black cherry and notions of blueberry and sweet vanilla intertwined with grilled savoury herbs and a replay of palate flavours on the finish and aftertaste. Give this a go with red, meat-lovers pizza or pasta puttanesca. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2021 Casa-dea Estates Winery Pinot Grigio was sourced from 50% machine-harvested, estate Pinot Grigio fruit and 50% from Niagara Escarpment with both lots fermented separately in stainless steel then blended together before bottling.

91 ✓ Value 🇨🇦
Casa-dea Estates Winery Pinot Grigio 2021
VQA Ontario $19.95 (237883) 11.8% alcohol
Ethereal aromas of ripe apricot, almonds and exotic spice precede a spell-binding gusher of palate flavours with Meyer lemon, Key lime pie and hints of green apple and pineapple adorned with nerve, verve and plenty of tang and pizzazz to and through the finish and aftertaste. It’s medium-plus textured with creamy smooth mouthfeel and leaves the palate clean crisp and refreshing. Pour alongside spicy prawns cooked in a pan in butter with a side of Jasmine rice steamed in a rice cooker and infused with finely cut red and green bell pepper. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2021 Casa-dea Estates Winery ‘Unoaked’ Chardonnay was sourced from machine-harvested, estate vineyards with vines of 100% chardonnay from that were plus-20 years old that saw not a chip of oak. It was fermented and settled in stainless steel tank before being bottled.

92 ✓ Value 🇨🇦
Casa-dea Estates Winery ‘Unoaked’ Chardonnay 2021
VQA Prince Edward County $18.95 12.0% alcohol
Delicate aromas, bordering on elegant, are easily sourced with gentle swirls—floral notes, exotic spice and delightful incense abound on the nose followed by lovely aromas of citrus—lemon and lime and ripe apricot and pear. It’s medium-bodied and nicely textured on the palate with flavours of Granny Smith apple, lemongrass and ripe peach, pear and Mirabelle plum.

• The following 2021 Casa-dea Estates Winery Melon de Bourgogne was sourced from machine-harvested estate vines in a vineyard planted some twenty years ago. It was then fermented in stainless steel and saw no oak.

93 🇨🇦
Casa-dea Estates Winery Melon de Bourgogne 2021
VQA Prince Edward County $24.95 13.0% alcohol
Alluring aromas of green apple, minerality and floral notes precede a smooth and mellow, nicely textured stream of honeydew melon and Mirabelle plum juxtaposed to lemon curd and notions of Key lime pie. The persistent purity of fruit extends to and through the crisp and refreshing finish and mouth-watering aftertaste—in a word, yummy! Pour alongside oven-roasted chicken, freshly shucked Malpeque oysters or crab cakes. Pick up a half-dozen or so and drink now to 2025 after careful cellaring. (Vic Harradine)

• Closson Chase was an early entry into the nascent Prince Edward County winery scene in the late 1990s and recently made an almost seamless transition from a former doyen of Ontario winemakers, Deborah Paskus, to the present winemaker, Keith Tyers, highly capable with focused vision on making fine wine—especially chardonnay and pinot noir—from what nature provides.

• Order the following wines by the case for daily office, home or restaurant delivery direct from the winery either by using this link Closson Chase, phone toll-free 1-888-201-2300 email <info@clossonchase.com data-preserve-html-node="true">

or pick them up from the winery 629 Closson Road, Hillier, Ontario K0K 2J0 – it’s an easy 2 or so hour drive, or less, from the GTA or Ottawa and environs - Here’s a map. Phone ahead 343-261-6465 for complimentary curbside pick-up or local delivery. They are now open 7 days a week from 11am to 5 pm.

• The following 2021 Closson Chase Vineyards ‘The Loyalist’ Chardonnay was sourced from 100% locally grown fruit and is accredited and certified as vegan by VegeCert.

92 🇨🇦
Closson Chase Vineyards ‘The Loyalist’ Chardonnay 2021
VQA Ontario $28.00 12.5% alcohol
Lifted and alluring aromas waft easily from this gem of a delicious and affordable smooth and mellow chardonnay—floral and tropical fruit aromas followed by delicious palate flavours of pineapple, mango and ripe apricot along with citrus and mineral notes persist to and through the lingering finish and mouth-watering aftertaste that’s crisp, clean and refreshing. Pick up a few and pour alongside a Thanksgiving roast turkey with all the fixings. (Vic Harradine)

92 🇨🇦
Closson Chase Vineyards ‘Vineyard’ Chardonnay 2020
VQA Prince Edward County $34.00 13.3% alcohol
Delicate, elegant aromas of vanillin, floral and notes of baking brioche and buckwheat honey can be coaxed with a number of swirls. It blankets the palate with pit fruit—Mirabelle plum and ripe apricot along with notions of ripe nectarine, It’s medium bodied with good texture and mouthfeel and dishes up both a lengthy finish and aftertaste of lemon-lime citrus and saline minerality. Pour this alongside roast fowl—chicken, turkey or duck. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2020 Closson Chase Vineyards ‘Vineyard - Unfiltered’ Pinot Noir was sourced from 100% Prince Edward County fruit and is accredited and certified as vegan-friendly by VegeCert.

91 🇨🇦
Closson Chase Vineyards ‘Vineyard - Unfiltered’ Pinot Noir 2020
VQA Prince Edward County $36.00 (145888) 12.5% alcohol
A layered and complex nose sports aromas of piquant spice, wood smoke, gamey notes and notions of exotic incense. In spite of its light purple hue it blankets the palate with ripe dark fruit flavour—pie cherry, black raspberry tang and pizzazz and is underpinned by still evolving tannin. A two-hour aeration/decant will produce a more positive imbibing experience and this will play nicely with chicken pot pie, bobotie or cassoulet. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2020 Closson Chase Vineyards ‘South Clos Vineyard’ Chardonnay was sourced entirely from the South Clos estate vineyard. The fruit was whole-cluster pressed then 100% barrel fermented in 20% new oak, 80% seasoned then underwent 100% malolactic fermentation in barrel before bottling. It is accredited and certified as vegan-friendly by VegeCert.

94 🇨🇦
Closson Chase Vineyards ‘South Clos Vineyard’ Chardonnay 2020
VQA Prince Edward County $44.00 13.3% alcohol
Saline and flinty mineral aromas are adorned with floral and sweet vanilla on the nose of this gorgeous top-line chardonnay. It surges over the palate with flavours of caramel, nutty notes and notions of poached pear and yellow pit fruit—Mirabelle plum and nectarine—wrapped in the tang and pizzazz of crisp green apple and notions of lemon curd. This is medium-plus weight and texture with creamy-smooth mouthfeel and deft balance achieved through the finish and aftertaste. Give this a go with roast turkey and roast turkey leftovers. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2020 Closson Chase ‘Churchside-Unfiltered’ Pinot Noir 2020 was destemmed with no crushing, then cold soaked for 3-5 days. Fermented in large tonneaux. Aged in 100% French oak (20% new, 80% seasoned). It underwent full malolactic fermentation in barrel and was bottled unfiltered. It is accredited and certified as vegan-friendly by VegeCert.

94 🇨🇦
Closson Chase Vineyards ‘Churchside Vineyard-Unfiltered’ Pinot Noir 2020
VQA Prince Edward County $44.00 12.5% alcohol
Piquant spice and crunchy red fruit show on the nose along with wood smoke. It comes up in spades with palate flavours of Montmorency cherry, pomegranate, cranberry and cassis galore along with still evolving tannin and plenty of tang and pizzazz. There’s persistent purity of fruit

• The following vintage-dated 2021 Closson Chase Vineyards ‘Mosiac – Charmat Method’ Sparkling wine was sourced from 100% Chardonnay 50% cool fermented in stainless steel at 16 degrees C for 10 days, 60 days on lees, with the other 50% in pre-loved, neutral oak barrels. This vintage-dated Charmat Method, sparkling wine, is aptly named ‘Mosiac’ with a number of techniques carefully folded in together with great skill so that the finished wine is more than the sum of its parts. Bravo to winemaker Keith Tyers and his winemaking team.

93 🇨🇦
Closson Chase Vineyards ‘Mosaic - Method’ Sparkling Wine 2021
VQA Ontario $32.00 12.5% alcohol
This opens with plenty of mousse, aka bubbles on the top of the wine when poured in the wine glass. Aromas of citrus—lime, lemon and blood orange—are joined by mineral notes and notions of baking brioche, nutty notes and spent yeast cells. There’s refreshing palate flavours of lime cordial, a green Granny Smith apple and plenty of tang and pizzazz. It finishes with an addition of minerality and the aftertaste adds on a lingering crisp and clean flavour of citrus and tang. Keep a few around for yourself and a few for both expected and unexpected guests. Great sipped as a welcoming wine it will also pour well with salted nuts or potato chips or if you’re ambitious, what about hot, salted and buttered popcorn? (Vic Harradine)

• The following three Flat Rock Cellars wines are available from the winery in Ontario and select locations in Alberta and, for their now ‘iconic’ ‘Gravity’ Pinot Noir, also in Quebec. Here is a link for you to contact the winery in Niagara and see if you can source one or more of these wines for delivery to your home, office or licensed premise.—Flat Rock Cellars.

95 ✓ Value 🇨🇦
Flat Rock Cellars ‘Nadja’s Vineyard – Capstone Series’ Riesling 2020
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $32.95 11.5% alcohol
Aromatic ambrosia leaps from the wine glass with the gentlest of swirls. Aromas of honeydew melon, mineral notes and notions of Granny Smith apple. It’s plush and creamy smooth on the palate with deft balance, plenty of tang and pizzazz and no lack of lip-smacking Key lime on the finish and a mouth-watering lemon curd on the aftertaste. After winning Decanters Best in Show award it is now both highly sought after and spread across the world in top-line restaurants. If you can pick up a few for your home and cellar; give it a go with moules et frites or tandoori chicken and Naan. In a word, this wine is delectable with plenty of charm and plenty to offer all the fortunate imbibers. (Vic Harradine)

93 🇨🇦
Flat Rock Cellars ‘The Rusty Shed – Capstone Series’ Chardonnay 2020
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $34.95 13.5% alcohol
Light-medium yellow hued when poured in the glass, it dishes up a roomful of pleasing and alluring aromas with green apple, lemon pie filling and minerality expressed as flinty limestone.. It’s plush and creamy smooth on the palate with oodles of tang and plenty of pizzazz along with yellow nectarine, ripe pear, and juicy yellow Mirabelle plum. It finishes with good balance and showcases elegance and plenty to give for a further three or four years of careful cellaring in bottle. If you’re impatient give it a go now with a festive fowl with all the fixings or a prime cut of roast beef and root veggies done in the oven with Yorkshire pudding and make mushroom gravy and pour as a side. (Vic Harradine)

94 🇨🇦
Flat Rock Cellars ‘Gravity – Capstone Series’ Pinot Noir 2020
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $39.95 13.5% alcohol
An appealing ruby red in the glass, it also shows its youth with a thin clear robe. It releases alluring aromas with the gentlest of swirls—a collage of red and black cherry/berry fruit aromas including Montmorency red cherry along with black juicy Bing cherry and nuances of wild strawberry and black bramble berry, The palate flavours replay the aromas with red and black cherry fruit and black bramble berry all delivered with creamy smooth texture and perceptible, and acceptable, tannin underpinning. There are no rough edges after a two hour aeration/decant before serving. Pour with beet borscht or a Montreal smoked meat sandwich with a side of coleslaw. (Vic Harradine)

• Order the following four wines by the bottle(s) or case(s) for daily delivery to home, office or restaurant online from this link to Henry of Pelham – There is free delivery on 12 or more bottles in Ontario. Select ‘12 Bottles+’ at check out and allow up to 10 days for delivery or, order online then pick up bottle(s) or case(s) from the winery at 1469 Pelham Rd, St. Catharines ON. Here’s a map.

• The following 2021 Henry of Pelham ‘Classic’ Pinot Noir was sourced from an excellent vintage that’s almost as dazzling as the 2020 vintage. Imagine, two in a row! This particular wine was sourced from four numbered pinot noir clones—115, 667, 777 & 375—that are sustainably-grown and accredited by Sustainable Winemaking Ontario. This wine was fermented in stainless steel tank then matured for +6 months in European oak.

92 ✓ Value 🇨🇦
Henry of Pelham ‘Classic’ Pinot Noir 2021
VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.95 (13904) 12.8% alcohol
An abundance of interesting aromas appear on the nose of this excellent pinot noir—with tobacco leaf, dark cherry/berry fruit juxtaposed with rosewood and exotic incense. The palate’s treated to a gusher of fruit flavours with red Montmorency pie cherry and hints of passionfruit with both contributing to the wonderful tang and racy pizzazz. It’s medium-bodied with good texture, loads of fruit flavours and good mouthfeel throughout. Give this a go with pan-seared, East coast salmon fillets adorned with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour, pick up six or more. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2020 Henry of Pelham ‘Estate’ Gamay was sourced from Estate grown Gamay from the VQA sub-appellation of Short Hills Bench in the dazzling vintage of 2020. The grapes for this wine were harvested from 27-year-old-vines.

92 🇨🇦
Henry of Pelham ‘Estate’ Gamay 2020
VQA Short Hills Bench $21.95 (19903) 13.0% alcohol
Delicate aromas of violets, crunchy red cherry and passionfruit precede a river of ripe black bramble berry and juicy Bing cherry on the palate and to and through the racy finish and lip-smacking aftertaste. It’s quite smooth and mellow on entry and marries well to just about anything you do on your barbecue e.g. pork back rib slathered with spicy barbecue sauce, grilled tandoori chicken, grilled skirt steak, or simple backyard burgers. (Vic Harradine)

• The following méthode traditionelle, vintage-dated, 2016 Henry of Pelham ‘Cuvée Catharine – Carte Blanche - Estate - Blanc de Blancs ’ is named for family matriarch Catherine Smith—Henry of Pelham’s wife. It was hand-harvested, bunch-selected from 100% chardonnay, whole-cluster pressed, partially barrel- fermented, maturing on its lees more than four years in the bottle(s) you purchase before disgorgement—aka, expelling spent yeast cells from the 2nd fermentation in this bottle.

93 🇨🇦
Henry of Pelham ‘Cuvée Catharine – Carte Blanche - Estate - Blanc de Blanc’ 2016
VQA Short Hills Bench $49.95 (315200) 12.5% alcohol
This top-notch, vintage-dated sparkling wine is one of the top traditional-method, vintage-dated sparkling wines on the market, regardless of country of origin. Aromas of yeasty notes, baking brioche and flinty minerality make way for a profusion of fine-bead bubbles that endlessly wind their way to the top of your glass. This has complexity, purity of fruit, good tension, is well balanced with a painter’s palette of lively flavour—a surge of racy lemon and lime tang adorned with white nectarine, nutty and mineral notes dazzle the palate infusing the lingering finish and aftertaste. This is classy, elegant and wired for sipping on its own for two or with festive food when entertaining, e.g. roast turkey or bone-in baked ham with all the fixings. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2021 Speck Brothers ‘Family Tree – The Boxer’s Ghost’ Pinot Noir is slated for a Vintages Release on December 3, 2022

• It may get you a few more invitations if you bring this along as a thank you for the host at a festive dinner to which you were invited. The ‘Boxer’s Ghost’ refers to an unofficial boxing match in the 1800’s and after a day at the horse track—now the Devil’s Hollow Vyd—Bets were placed and the wrong man won. He was never seen again (alive at least…) This wine was sustainably grown and accredited as such by Sustainable Winemaking Ontario. It was fermented in stainless steel in conjunction with oak using pulse-air to manage the cap and colour. It also matured with European oak for 6+ months.

90 ✓ Value 🇨🇦
Speck Brothers ‘Family Tree – The Boxer’s Ghost’ Pinot Noir 2021
VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 (306221) 12.8% alcohol
Aromas of piquant spice and red fruit—strawberry and cherry—mingle with earthy notes and mixed savoury herbs. Palate flavours of pie cherry, pomegranate and hints of passionfruit persist to and through the lip-smacking finish and the crisp, clean and refreshing aftertaste. There’s good balance, smooth and mellow flavours, texture and mouthfeel. Give this a go with cedar plank barbecued salmon hot off the grill with a squeeze of lemon and dotted with butter or pan-seared in butter with a squeeze of fresh lemon. (Vic Harradine)

• The following three wines should be available both at the winery and at LCBO Retail stores.

• The following 2021 Henry of Pelham ‘Old Vines’ Baco Noir was sourced from Old Vines with the oldest in this wine from a 1984 planting on their highly valued estate wine vineyards with low yields of approximately 3.5 tonnes per acre with all grapes gently moved by gravity. The wine was aged in a combination of new as well as one and two year-old American barriques then partially finished in 5000L foudres for a combined 12 months.

93 ✓ Value 🇨🇦
Henry of Pelham ‘Family Estate - Old Vines’ Baco Noir 2021
VQA Ontario $19.95 (459966) 13.0% alcohol
This is noticeably smoky and gamy on the nose with the gentlest of swirls that also reveal ripe dark cherry, bramble berry jelly and notions of piquant spice and grilled savoury herbs It envelops the palate with good weight, excellent balance, creamy-smooth mouthfeel and plenty of tang and pizzazz. There are palate fruit flavours galore—red raspberry and dark, juicy Bing cherry joining in with excellent tang and acidity and all melding well and persisting through the lingering finish. Pour alongside grilled lamb chops or rack of lamb. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour. Pick up a few, if you can. (Vic Harradine)

• During prohibition light airplanes would land at estates to collect whiskey and wine made in local barns. The following 2021 Speck Brother’s ‘Family Tree – The Bootlegger’ Baco Noir was sourced from grapes harvested in late September, 2021 then 20% barrel aged in 100% American oak and the other 80% aged in stainless steel tanks to create perfect balance between oak and fruit.

92 ✓ Value 🇨🇦
Speck Brother’s ‘Family Tree – The Bootlegger’ Baco Noir 2021
VQA Ontario $17.95 (16791) 13.0% alcohol
Charred campfire wood aromas abound along with mixed spices and dark cherry/berry fruit on the nose. It’s balanced on the palate between ripe fruit flavours, good tang and pizzazz, an underpinning of soft ripe tannin and a lingering finish and a dazzling aftertaste that is juicy ripe and delicious. Pour with grilled steak along with braised button mushrooms or backyard burgers or red pizza. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour with a 92 score and a $17.95 price tag. Pick up a few, if you can. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2020 Sibling Rivalry Red ‘Merlot – Cabernet Franc – Gamay’ was sourced from three prominent red grapes—merlot/cabernet franc/gamay—with all in the VQA appellation of ‘Niagara Peninsula’. It was fermented in stainless steel tanks with full maceration then matured with American oak for 8 months.

91 ✓ Value 🇨🇦
Sibling Rivalry Wines ‘Red - Merlot – Cabernet Franc – Gamay’ 2020
VQA Niagara Peninsula $14.95 (126151) 13.2% alcohol
Aromas of juicy black fruit—Bing cherry, black raspberry and Damson plum—give way to a delectable splash of fabulous palate flavour reflecting the aromas and the dazzling VQA 2020 vintage. It’s balanced and bountiful with good tension and plenty of tang and pizzazz that’s juxtaposed to smooth and mellow fruit flavours mentioned above. The lip-smacking finish and mouth-watering aftertaste are a pleasant sensation that will bring you back for another sip or two. Pour with grilled hot dogs or hamburgers or a vegetarian pasta dinner. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2020 Malivoire Wine Company ‘Stouck Farmstead’ Red was sourced from the Stouck family Farmstead with the Stouck family now 6th generation farmers of this land with ownership spread well over 100 years. This wine is certified sustainable by Sustainable Winemaking Ontario. The following 2020 Malivoire Wine Company ‘Farmstead Red’ was sourced from two grape varieties with 61% merlot picked on the 16th of October and 39% cabernet sauvignon harvested on the 24th of October at the Stouck Family vineyard with an average sugar level in the unfermented grapes coming in at 22.1° Brix while the finished fermented wine came in at 0.0 g/L of fermented sugar. The two grape varieties were vinified separately then blended in a 1000 Litre oak tank and the wine aged in equal portions of American and French oak barrels with 15% new. After 16 months in oak, 500 cases were bottled. The wine is available only from the winery – either during a personal visit to the winery or order on-line and it will be delivered to your door using the following link – Malivoire Wine Company.

91 ✓ Value 🇨🇦
Speck Brothers ‘Lazzara’ Bianco Secco Sparkling Wine Non-Vintage
VQA Ontario $17.95 (16789) 11.5% alcohol
This is as close as it gets to a refreshing, fruity and floral Prosecco, with peach, pear, melon and white flower aromas pushed out of the glass with a nice white froth. It is light and fruity on the palate with flavours of yellow apple and pear as well as yeasty and mineral notes completing the profile. This is a versatile sparkling to enjoy on its own, with potato chips or to pour for a festive brunch. (Louise Boutin)

92 🇨🇦
Malivoire Wine Company ‘Stouck Farmstead Red’ 2020
VQA Lincoln Lakeshore $26.95 13.0% alcohol
Aromas of black currant, dark plum and cassis reflect the deep ruby-red colour of this 61% merlot and 39% cabernet sauvignon red blend. On the palate it shows still-evolving tannin acting as a solid underpinning along with excellent tang and plenty of pizzazz needing a bit more time in bottle along with one or two-hours of aeration/decant. Careful cellaring for a few more months should be a welcomed smoothing out of the tannin, the acidity and addition of more fruit flavour and along with it, good balance. Pour with a medium-rare grilled beef steak from spring 2023 through 2030. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2021 Malivoire Wine Company ‘Estate-Grown’ Chardonnay is available at the winery either when you shop there or go online using this link Malivoire Wine Company. Or you can purchase in-store or on-line at the LCBO Vintages section as it is a Vintages Essentials wine that should be available in most LCBO stores now. The chardonnay was sourced from hand-harvested fruit from September 18th through the 22nd from 19 to 26-year-old vines with 70% from Moira Vineyard / 20% Malivoire Estate Vineyard and 10% from Mottiar Vineyard. The average sugar content of the unfermented grapes came in at 21.1° Brix, while the fermented grapes were clocked in at a low 1 g/L residual sugar. At pressing, 25% of the fruit was destemmed while the larger share remained in whole clusters. After pressing, 45% of the juice went to neutral oak barrels for primary and malolactic fermentation, while the 55% balance was vinified in stainless steel. After 10 months the two batches were blended and bottled in July, 2022.

95 ✓ Value 🇨🇦
Malivoire Wine Company ‘Estate-Grown’ Chardonnay 2021
VQA Beamsville Bench $21.95 (573147) 12.0% alcohol
Alluring aromas of rosewater, green apple, poached pear and peel marmalade meld nicely with mineral notes, citrus and notions of short-term, neutral oak barrels. A creamy-smooth river of nicely textured fruit persists to and through the balanced finish and aftertaste. Look for baked apple flavour, adorned by lemon pastille and hints of salinity. Drink now to and through 2026. The price-quality balance tips wildly in your favour—95 points and only $21.95—pick up an armful and serve with panko-crusted, pan-seared, pork cutlets and a variety of other delicious dishes that you favour at any time of the year. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2021 Malivoire Wine Company Ladybug Rosé is a Vintages Essentials wine always in stock in a large number of LCBO retail stores. It’s a blend of 56% cabernet franc/36% gamay/8% pinot noir and was sourced from select vineyards and grapes grown specifically for this popular wine. Berries were destemmed crushed and sent to tank. The mixture of crushed grapes and free-run juice cold-soaked for between two and twelve hours before pressing. Cold fermentation and stabilization were completed in stainless steel before bottling in January 2022. It’s also available from the Malivoire winery. This wine is accredited by Sustainable Winemaking Ontario.

92 ✓ Value 🇨🇦
Malivoire Wine Company Ladybug Rosé 2021
VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.95 (559088) 12.0% alcohol
Alluring aromas of watermelon, wild strawberry and orange peel marmalade provide segue to a barrage of palate flavours with pie cherry and red currant juxtaposed with taffy apple and a notion of spun sugar. It finishes tangy and with oodles of pizzazz to and through the lip-smacking finish and delightfully sharp with Montmorency grapes on the aftertaste. Pour on its own or with or serve with roast chicken, a deli board or pan-seared Atlantic salmon. (Vic Harradine)

• The following Malivoire Wine Company ‘Che Bello - Charmat Method - Non-Vintage Sparkling Wine was sourced from seyval from Huebel Estate Vineyards and from riesling from Geneva Frost Road. Following primary fermentation the wine was transferred to a pressurized steel tank for secondary fermentation in the Charmat method. It underwent no malolactic fermentation. This wine is accredited by Sustainable Winemaking Ontario. It’s available at the winery and in the LCBO General List section.

91 ✓ Value 🇨🇦
Malivoire Wine Company ‘Che Bello - Charmat Method’ Non-Vintage Sparkling Wine
VQA Ontario $17.95 (16858) 11.0% alcohol
Aromas of apricot, musky Casaba melon and yellow nectarine coalesce on the nose of this sparkling wine. It gathers itself on the palate with the yin and yang—aka, sweetness and tang—of sweet, ripe yellow Mirabelle plum and honeydew melon along with the yang and the tang of crab apple and notions of rhubarb. The balanced finish and mouth-watering aftertaste support these palate flavours as they pour well with poached oysters with a dash of Pernod, crab cakes or fish tacos. (Vic Harradine)

• The chardonnay was sourced from hand-harvested fruit from September 18th through the 22nd from 19 to 26-year-old vines with 70% from Moira Vineyard / 20% Malivoire Estate Vineyard and 10% from Mottiar Vineyard. The average sugar content of the unfermented grapes came in at 21.1° Brix, while the fermented grapes were clocked in at a low 1 g/L residual sugar. At pressing, 25% of the fruit was destemmed while the larger share remained in whole clusters. After pressing, 45% of the juice went to neutral oak barrels for primary and malolactic fermentation, while the 55% balance was vinified in stainless steel. After 10 months the two batches were blended and bottled in July, 2022.

• Order the following wines by the case for daily office, home or restaurant delivery direct by toll-free phone 1-888-399-1183, from the Rosehall Run Vineyards winery using this link - Rosehall Run - or pick it up from the cellar door on your next visit to the winery 1243 Greer Rd, Wellington, Ontario K0K 3L0 in Prince Edward County—it’s best to call first and make an appointment—it’s an easy approximately two-hour drive, or less, from the GTA or Ottawa via the 401 - Here’s a map. All orders of $85.00 and over receive FREE SHIPPING in Ontario.

• The following 2021 Rosehall Run Vineyards ‘Indigo Method Charmat’ Sparkling Wine was sourced somewhat sparingly from Rosehall Run estate vineyards in Prince Edward County with a blend of 6.7% chardonnay musqué and 3% chardonnay plus 19.1% muscat ottonel equalling 26.3.% along with fruit sourced from their ‘vineyard away from home’ on the VQA Twenty Mile Bench in Niagara consisting of 48.6% gewürztraminer and for the first time access to the riesling with 22.5% of the overall blend and closed by the easily removed, crown cap. The artwork on the label was done by Alex Simon, a Tasting Room Associate at the winery and former Guelph U. Visual Arts student.

[92] 🇨🇦
Rosehall Run Vineyards ‘Indigo’ Method Charmat - Sparkling Wine 2021
VQA Ontario $25.00 11.5% alcohol
This opens with alluring aromas of orange marmalade, honeydew melon and floral notes preceding a nicely balanced stream of palate flavours and a wonderful mousse with musk melon, lemon curd and hints of honey on the mid-palate and extending to the off-dry lip-smacking finish and crisp, mouth-watering aftertaste. It is creamy-smooth on the palate with good balance and purpose with persistent purity of fruit throughout. Pour with your favourite platter of mixed sushi or a deli-platter of sliced tomatoes, rye bread and charcouterie. (Vic Harradine)

• The following Rosehall Run Vineyards ‘St. Cindy – unfiltered – Estate grown and bottled Pinot Noir 2020 pays homage to Cindy Zwicker Reston, the sister of Lynn Sullivan and sister-in-law to winemaker Dan Sullivan. Cindy is one of the winery’s most ardent and faithful supporters and this fabulous vintage for pinot noir gave Lynn and Dan Sullivan a wonderful opportunity to make their feelings known to all that value family, supporters and excellent wine. All the fruit—100% Pinot Noir—is from estate vineyards.

92 🇨🇦
Rosehall Run Vineyards ‘St. Cindy – unfiltered – Estate grown and bottled – Pinot Noir 2020
VQA Prince Edward County $79.00 13.0% alcohol
Light-ruby-red hued in the glass, it surprises with a flurry of aromas once given a couple of meaningful swirls that include beet root and earthy notes along with red and black cherry and plenty of tangy acidity that gets to and through the mouth-watering finish and lip-smacking aftertaste. It opens up more quickly with a one or two hour aeration/decant. Pour alongside a Montreal smoked meat sandwich or grilled Atlantic salmon on a cedar plank along with dill weed and dotted with butter. (Vic Harradine)

• The following Rosehall Run Vineyards ‘St. Cindy – unfiltered – Estate grown and bottled Chardonnay 2020 pays homage to Cindy Zwicker Reston, the sister of Lynn Sullivan and sister-in-law to winemaker Dan Sullivan. Cindy is one of the winery’s most ardent and faithful supporters and this excellent vintage for pinot noir gave Lynn and Dan Sullivan a wonderful opportunity to make their feelings known to all that value family, supporters and excellent wine. All the fruit—100% Chardonnay—is from estate vineyards.

92 🇨🇦
Rosehall Run Vineyards ‘St. Cindy – unfiltered – Estate grown and bottled – Chardonnay 2020
VQA Prince Edward County $74.00 13.0% alcohol
This is clean, crisp and refreshing from twist top to final drop as it showcases aromas of lemon curd, white grapefruit, passionfruit, pomegranate and notions of tropical fruit—mango and pineapple—along with replays on the palate with many of the aromas. It’s textured and creamy smooth on the palate with plenty of charm and aplomb and gives way on the finish and aftertaste by showcasing persistent purity of fruit. Pour alongside crab cakes or fish tacos or moules et frites. (Vic Harradine)

• The following vintage-dated 2017 Rosehall Run Vineyards ‘Ceremony ‘Blanc de Blancs’ 100% Chardonnay was Estate grown and bottled and produced ‘Méthode Traditionnelle’—Aka, handled by the Rosehall Run winemaking team here in Prince Edward County, as wine makers would in Champagne, France with the major difference the 2nd fermentation made in the bottles that you will purchase and pour from, as you would in Champagne.

93 🇨🇦
Rosehall Run Vineyards ‘Ceremony ‘Blanc de Blancs’ 100% Chardonnay Sparkling Wine 2017
VQA Prince Edward County $39.00 12.0% alcohol
A profusion of bubbles appears on the first pour into the wine glass and also continues to stream with fine-bead bubbles winding their way from the bottom of the glass to the top of the liquid in your glass. Aromas of baking brioche and nutty notes are quickly joined by oodles of tang and pizzazz in the palate presenting as lemon pie filling, Key lime cordial and flinty minerality. It’s a wonderful wine to start a wonderful evening as you can sip this on its own for as long as you wish or you can use it as a welcoming wine for close friends or family. You can also pour at the dinner table with myriad of dishes. Given the quality and the price, the price-quality balance tips well in your favour. Pick up a few. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2020 Rosehall Run Vineyards ‘JCR’ Pinot Noir sources some of the oldest estate-grown pinot noir fruit. This is a flagship wine for Rosehall Run Vineyards and never fails to shine and I wouldn’t think it would fail to shine in such a dazzling VQA Ontario vintage in virtually every VQA appellation.

92 🇨🇦
Rosehall Run Vineyards ‘JCR’ Pinot Noir 2020
VQA Prince Edward County $45.00 13.0% alcohol
A lively fresh wine with light-ruby hues in the glass. On the palate it’s mostly red fruit with cherry, pomegranate and notions of earthy notes and minerality. The mid-palate begins to add interest with texture, persistent purity of fruit and creamy smooth mouthfuls of nicely balanced pinot noir. Give it a go with a sushi platter, a deli board or a cassoulet or smoked duck breasts. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2021 Rosehall Run Vineyards Chardonnay Musqué is a ‘Small Lots’ venture from a single-vineyard plot of estate-grown fruit in a particularly dazzling vintage.

• Winemaker notes - Sourced from our small ‘Vina de Casa’, a one-acre plot of Chardonnay Musqué clone 809, which are the first vines you see when you arrive at the estate. Prince Edward County is benefitted annually by not getting as many rain episodes as the rest of Ontario. One of the most fruitful benefits includes being one of the driest areas for grape growing in Ontario, and our Chardonnay Musqué welcomes the partial aridity.
The wine was cold fermented in stainless steel tanks in order to preserve the perfumed orchard fruit aromas of our Chardonnay Musqué. To further preserve freshness, the Chardonnay Musqué was aged for a short period of about 4 ½ months and put into bottle in early May.

92 🇨🇦
Rosehall Run Vineyards Chardonnay Musqué 2020
VQA Prince Edward County $26.00 12.0%
There are aromas of nutty nuances, exotic spices and floral notes on the nose. It dazzles the palate with a wash of balanced and bountiful flavours with blood orange, lemon pie filling and plenty of tang and pizzazz. It’s balanced with smooth flavours. It finishes lengthy with a lip-smacking finish and crisp refreshing aftertaste. Pour with pan-seared salmon fillets, grilled calamari rings or a sushi platter. (Vic Harradine)

93 🇨🇦
Rosehall Run Vineyards ‘Silver Fox Block – Nedelko Vineyard’ Pinot Noir 2020
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $39.00 13.0% alcohol
Sporting an alluring nose of exotic incense, red berry fruit and tobacco leaf aromas—it envelops the palate with a stunning array of complex flavours—tangy, ripe, bramble berry fruit robed in piquant spices and black currant with racy pie cherry appearing on the back palate. It’s medium-bodied with good mouthfeel and showcases dazzling fruit flavour, excellent acidity and deft balance. It’s stylish and charming while the long, balanced and bountiful finish adds to its allure. (Vic Harradine)

• Order the following wines online for home, office or licensed restaurant: delivery in Ontario is FREE on orders of $100 or more from this link - Vineland Estates Winery. The wine shop is open for Curbside Pickup 7 days a week, 11am-5pm. Purchase online from the above link or place your order at 905.562.7088 ext. 124. Restaurant is open for Takeout Wednesday – Sunday, 11am – 6pm. Please order directly with the Kitchen at 905.562.7088 ext. 165. Best to check with the winery first as COVID-19 rules and regulations often change, and recently it hasn’t been the greatest news.

• The following 2021 Vineland Estates Winery Cabernet Franc has not yet been released at the winery at time of publishing.

90 ✓ Value
Vineland Estates Winery Cabernet Franc 2021
VQA Niagara Peninsula $15.95 (594127) 12.0% alcohol
The gentlest of swirls will fill your olfactory system with elegant and charming aromas with exotic spice, bramble berry and cassis to the fore. The palate is treated to a deftly balanced, medium-full bodied, gusher of fruit flavours that exude creamy smooth mouthfeel, plenty of tang and pizzazz that blankets the lip-smacking finish and the delightful lingering and balanced aftertaste. It’s wonderful on its own and pure ambrosia when poured with your favourite grilled beef, pork or lamb. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2020 Vineland Estates Winery ‘Reserve’ Sparkling Charmat Method Chardonnay was sourced from 100% Chardonnay old-vines from their prime estate vineyards in the best vintages only, and 2020 was one of the recent best, with 2021 a close runner-up.

90 🇨🇦
Vineland Estates Winery ‘Reserve’ Sparkling - Charmat Method – Chardonnay 2020
VQA Ontario $30.00 12.0% alcohol
This pours with a frothy mousse of fine-bead bubbles along with aromas of saline minerality and notions of grapefruit and green apple. Palate flavours of honeydew melon, lemon curd and plenty of tang and pizzazz along with persistent purity of fruit from the palate to the lengthy finish and aftertaste. Pour when guests arrive and on to lighter-styled appetizers. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2020 Vineland Estates Winery ‘Reserve’ – Sparkling – Charmat Method - Pinot Meuniere sourced from old vines on one of their best and most picturesque estate vineyards. Pinot Meunier is a red grape, and there are only two über-popular red grapes in sparkling Champagne. The other red grape? Pinot Noir!

91 🇨🇦
Vineland Estates Winery ‘Reserve’ Sparkling - Charmat Method – Pinot Meunier 2020
VQA Ontario $30.00 13.0% alcohol
Nutty notes and baking brioche aromas precede palate flavours of peel marmalade and traces of blood orange and lemon-lime. This has good texture and creamy smooth mouthfeel with excellent balance of flavours, tang and a lip-smacking finish and aftertaste and always attractive in the bottle and wine glass with its light pink hue. A lovely way to greet guests and a perfect way to begin a romantic evening for two. Pour with cocktail sandwiches and salted almonds. (Vic Harradine)

Dave Isaacs 11/23/22 Dave Isaacs 11/23/22

New in Ontario Wineries - November 23, 2022

New in Ontario Wineries

• The following 2017 Henry of Pelham ‘Cuvée Catharine – Carte Blanche - Estate - Blanc de Blanc’ Sparkling Wine was sourced from the oldest and best hand-harvested chardonnay of all of the estate chardonnay. The best juice is isolated, partially barrel-fermented then aged for 54 months on its lees – aka, spent yeast cells. This wine from Niagara was, and is, lockstep with Champagne in its winemaking procedures. The price is considerably less than Champagne on this top calibre gem earning 95 points and following the steps of Méthode Traditionnelle. Kudos to the entire winemaking team!

95 ✓ Value 🇨🇦
Henry of Pelham ‘Cuvée Catharine – Carte Blanche - Estate - Blanc de Blancs’ Sparkling Wine 2017
VQA Short Hills Bench $49.95 (315200) 12.5% alcohol
Initial aromas and mousse go hand in hand with fine-bead bubbles winding their way to the top of the pure ambrosia in your glass as it sports aromas of baking brioche, nutty notes and notions of spent yeasty notes. There’s a gusher of palate flavours led by lemon chiffon pie and hints of vanilla. It’s quite elegant with good balance, texture and plenty of yin and yang expressed as sweet and tang, first on the palate, then on the lingering finish and lip-smacking aftertaste. Pour as a welcoming glass to friends and neighbours and continue on with it when the snacks and/or dinner is served. You don’t necessarily need a special occasion to serve this outstanding bottle. (Vic Harradine)

Dave Isaacs 10/29/22 Dave Isaacs 10/29/22

New in Ontario Wineries - October 29, 2022

New in Ontario Wineries

• The following three wines may be purchased online from this link - Casa-Dea Estates Winery. For a limited-time only; buy 6 bottles or more of any wine and receive FREE shipping in Ontario to your home, office or licensed restaurant.

• The following 2021 Closson Chase Vineyards ‘The Loyalist’ Chardonnay was sourced from 100% locally grown fruit and is accredited and certified as vegan by VegeCert.

• The following 2020 Closson Chase Vineyards ‘Vineyard - Unfiltered’ Pinot Noir was sourced from 100% Prince Edward County fruit and is accredited and certified as vegan-friendly by VegeCert.

91 🇨🇦
Closson Chase Vineyards ‘Vineyard - Unfiltered’ Pinot Noir 2020
VQA Prince Edward County $36.00 (145888) 12.5% alcohol

• A layered and complex nose sports aromas of piquant spice, wood smoke, gamey notes and notions of exotic incense. In spite of its light purple hue it blankets the palate with ripe dark fruit flavour—pie cherry, black raspberry tang and pizzazz and is underpinned by still evolving tannin. A two-hour aeration/decant will produce a more positive imbibing experience and this will play nicely with chicken pot pie, bobotie or cassoulet. (Vic Harradine)

• Order the following two wines by the bottle(s) or case(s) for daily delivery to home, office or restaurant online from this link to Henry of Pelham – There is free delivery on 12 or more bottles in Ontario. Select ‘12 Bottles+’ at check out and allow up to 10 days for delivery or, order online then pick up bottle(s) or case(s) from the winery at 1469 Pelham Rd, St. Catharines ON. Here’s a map.

• For daily home, office or restaurant delivery for the following two wines are sold at the winery, order online from this link Malivoire Wine Company with Free shipping on orders of $99 or more, or $20 credited next business day towards delivery outside Ontario and Québec. Phone 905-563-9253 Monday to Friday 10 am - 5 pm on weekdays and noon to 5 pm Saturday and Sunday for information and for locals to access curbside pickup instructions. Their retail shop is now open - 10 am - 5 pm on weekdays, and noon to 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday. There are guidelines due to COVID-19 that change often, best to phone or email first (the website has a space to type and is linked to their email)

• The following Rosehall Run Vineyards ‘St. Cindy – unfiltered – Estate grown and bottled Pinot Noir 2020 pays homage to Cindy Zwicker Reston, the sister of Lynn Sullivan and sister-in-law to winemaker Dan Sullivan. Cindy is one of the winery’s most ardent and faithful supporters and this fabulous vintage for pinot noir gave the Lynn and Dan Sullivan a wonderful opportunity to make their feelings known to all that value family, supporters and excellent wine. All the fruit—100% Pinot Noir—is from estate vineyards.

• The following 2021 Rosehall Run Vineyards Chardonnay Musqué is a ‘Small Lots’ venture from a single-vineyard plot of estate-grown fruit in a particularly dazzling vintage.

• The following 2021 Vineland Estates Winery Cabernet Franc has not yet been released at the winery at time of writing.

90 ✓ Value 🇨🇦
Vineland Estates Winery Cabernet Franc 2021
VQA Niagara Peninsula $15.95 (594127) 12.0% alcohol
The gentlest of swirls will fill your olfactory system with elegant and charming aromas with exotic spice, bramble berry and cassis to the fore. The palate is treated to a deftly balanced, medium-full bodied, gusher of fruit flavours that exude creamy smooth mouthfeel, plenty of tang and pizzazz that blankets the lip-smacking finish and the delightful lingering and balanced aftertaste. It’s wonderful on its own and pure ambrosia when poured with your favourite grilled beef, pork or lamb. (Vic Harradine)

Dave Isaacs 10/4/22 Dave Isaacs 10/4/22

New in Ontario Wineries - October 4, 2022

92 ✓ Value 🇨🇦
Casa-dea Estates Winery ‘Unoaked’ Chardonnay 2021
VQA Prince Edward County $18.95 12.0% alcohol
Delicate aromas, bordering on elegant, are easily sourced with gentle swirls—floral notes, exotic spice and delightful incense abound on the nose followed by lovely aromas of citrus—lemon and lime—and ripe apricot and pear. It’s deftly balanced on the palate and is quite smooth and mellow on the finish and aftertaste. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour, pick up a few before they’re all gone then give it a go alongside skillet seared Atlantic salmon fillets under a squish of fresh lemon. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2021 Casa-dea Estates Winery ‘Late Harvest’ Pinot Grigio was sourced from estate fruit that was hand-harvested from 22-year-old vines after showing signs of naturally occurring Botrytis. It was picked on October 23rd, judged to be the final day for an optimum late harvest of this 2021 ‘Late Harvest’ Pinot Grigio. Chill before serving with sweetened dessert with all manner of fruit cake or fruit flan.

93 🇨🇦
Casa-dea Estates Winery ‘Late Harvest’ Pinot Grigio 2021
VQA Prince Edward County $21.95 11.5% alcohol
Heavenly aromas of maple syrup, caramel and wisps of molasses dominate the nose. Persistent purity of palate flavours—upside-down peach spice cake, pancakes and maple syrup—follow to and through the sweetened taste of the gorgeous finish and linger on through the delectable aftertaste. This can also be enjoyed at the end of a meal on its own… ‘as’ dessert. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2021 Closson Chase Vineyards ‘The Loyalist’ Chardonnay was sourced from 100% locally grown fruit and is accredited and certified as vegan by VegeCert.

• The following 2020 Closson Chase Vineyards ‘Vineyard’ Chardonnay was sourced from 100% Prince Edward County fruit and is accredited and certified as vegan-friendly by VegeCert. The grapes were whole cluster pressed then 100% barrel fermented. Less than 10% new oak, the rest in seasoned French oak barrels.
92 🇨🇦
Closson Chase Vineyards ‘Vineyard’ Chardonnay 2020
VQA Prince Edward County $34.00 13.3% alcohol
Delicate, elegant aromas of vanillin, floral and notes of baking brioche and buckwheat honey can be coaxed with a number of swirls. It blankets the palate with pit fruit—Mirabelle plum and ripe apricot along with notions of ripe nectarine, It’s medium bodied with good texture and mouthfeel and dishes up both a lengthy finish and aftertaste of lemon-lime citrus and saline minerality. Pour this alongside roast fowl—chicken, turkey or duck. (Vic Harradine)

The following 2020 Closson Chase Vineyards ‘Vineyard - Unfiltered’ Pinot Noir was sourced from 100% Prince Edward County fruit and is accredited and certified as vegan-friendly by VegeCert.

92 🇨🇦
Closson Chase Vineyards ‘Vineyard - Unfiltered’ Pinot Noir 2020
VQA Prince Edward County $36.00 (145888) 12.5% alcohol
A layered and complex nose sports aromas of piquant spice, wood smoke, gamey notes and notions of exotic incense. In spite of its light purple hue it blankets the palate with ripe dark fruit flavour—pie cherry, black raspberry tang and pizzazz and is underpinned by still evolving tannin. A two-hour aeration/decant will produce a more positive imbibing experience and this will play nicely with chicken pot pie, bobotie or cassoulet. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2021 Rosehall Run Vineyards Chardonnay Musqué is a ‘Small Lots’ venture from a single-vineyard plot of estate-grown fruit in a particularly dazzling vintage.

• Winemaker notes - Sourced from our small ‘Vina de Casa’, a one-acre plot of Chardonnay Musqué clone 809, which are the first vines you see when you arrive at the estate. Prince Edward County is benefitted annually by not getting as many rain episodes as the rest of Ontario. One of the most fruitful benefits includes being one of the driest areas for grape growing in Ontario, and our Chardonnay Musqué welcomes the partial aridity. The wine was cold fermented in stainless steel tanks in order to preserve the perfumed orchard fruit aromas of our Chardonnay Musqué. To further preserve freshness, the Chardonnay Musqué was aged for a short period of about 4 ½ months and put into bottle in early May.

92 🇨🇦
Rosehall Run Vineyards Chardonnay Musqué 2021
VQA Prince Edward County $26.00 12.0%
There are aromas of nutty nuances, exotic spices and floral notes on the nose. It dazzles the palate with a wash of balanced and bountiful flavours with blood orange, lemon pie filling and plenty of tang and pizzazz. It’s balanced with smooth flavours. It finishes lengthy with a lip-smacking finish and crisp refreshing aftertaste. Pour with pan-seared salmon fillets, grilled calamari rings or a sushi platter. (Vic Harradine)

Dave Isaacs 9/11/22 Dave Isaacs 9/11/22

New in Ontario Wineries - September 11, 2022

• Order the following wines by the case for daily office, home or restaurant delivery direct by toll-free phone 1-888-399-1183, from the Rosehall Run Vineyards winery using this link -Rosehall Run - or pick it up from the cellar door on your next visit to the winery 1243 Greer Rd, Wellington, Ontario K0K 3L0 in Prince Edward County—it’s best to call first and make an appointment—it’s an easy approximately two-hour drive, or less, from the GTA or Ottawa via the 401 - Here’s a map. All orders of $85.00 and over receive FREE SHIPPING in Ontario.

• The 2021 Rosehall Run Vineyards ‘Hungry Point – Estate Grown and bottled’ Pinot Gris was sourced from 100% Pinot Gris that was harvested in late September under ideal weather conditions allowing retention of good acidity and structure before frequent bouts of rain started in October. This wine was barrel fermented on lees in 500L neutral French oak puncheons for 6 months prior to assemblage and bottling. This wine was one of the great successes of the 2021 vintage.

93 🇨🇦
Rosehall Run Vineyards ‘Hungry Point – Estate Grown & Bottled’ Pinot Gris 2021
VQA Prince Edward County $29.00 12.0% alcohol
Lifted alluring aromas of almonds and nectarine intertwine with blood orange and citrus peel. It sports creamy mouthfeel, structure and plenty of palate flavours with Mirabelle plum, ripe pear and plenty of racy tang riding a streak of passionfruit and lemon curd from twist top to last drop. Clean, crisp and refreshing. Give this a go with a sushi platter or crab cakes or line-caught pickerel; A.K.A. walleye. (Vic Harradine)

Winemaker’s Notes: A harvest marked by frequent rain changed and our usual plan to harvest our pinot noir grapes for rosé first and estate grapes destined for JCR last was flipped in 2021. This resulted in light yet wonderfully complex Pinot Noir fruit ideal for rosé with lively berry notes—a benefit of the additional hang time. To help balance the lightness of the Pinot Noir fruit, we added a portion of estate Pinot Gris that had extended lees contact, building some extra structure and depth into the vintage. The eventual blend of the finished wine is 80% pinot noir/20% pinot gris. The aging was done entirely in stainless steel and put into bottle after only six months to preserve the freshness of the fruit flavours.

92 🇨🇦
Rosehall Run Vineyards ‘Rosé of Pinot’ 2021
VQA Prince Edward County $28.00 12.5% alcohol
This is orange-pink hued in the glass. Aromas of wild strawberry and ruby red grapefruit mingle with orange peel and peach marmalade. It captures the palate with flavours of pure ambrosia with sugar-coated and grilled red grapefruit along with racy pie cherry and plenty of pizzazz from twist top to last drop and through the lip-smacking finish and mouth-watering aftertaste. Pour with pan-seared, butter spotted, East-coast salmon or line-caught pickerel or bass with a generous squeeze of fresh lemon. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2013 Rosehall Run ‘Stardust – Estate Grown and Bottled’ Brut Zero - Sparkling Wine was fashioned Méthode Traditionnelle—a.k.a. in the method of Champagne with the 2nd fermentation having taken place in the bottles you purchased-- and sourced from estate grown 57% pinot noir/43% chardonnay from their Rosehall Vineyard. Fruit was barrel fermented in older French puncheons with extended lees contact.
94 🇨🇦
Rosehall Run ‘Stardust – Estate Grown and Bottled’ Brut Zero - Sparkling Wine 2013
VQA Prince Edward County $50.00 12.0% alcohol
This elegant, vintage-dated beauty gives up aromas of green apple, caramel and yeasty notes. It forms a formidable mousse when poured and gives up a delightful stream of fine-bead bubbles in the glass. Flavours of sugared baked apple and poached pear interlaced with racy lemon zest capture the palate on entry and make their way with excellent balance and persistent purity of fruit to the back palate. It finishes with flair and more of the same. This is a stylish sparkling wine to offer guests as a welcoming wine and to continue on to be poured with hors d’oeuvres and light mains. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2017 Rosehall Run ‘Loveless – Estate Grown and Bottled’ Brut Rosé - Sparkling Wine was made in the Traditional Method a.k.a. in the method of Champagne with the 2nd fermentation having taken place in the bottle(s) you purchased. This was sourced from 100% Pinot Noir from their Rosehall Vineyard. Loveless is 87% from the 2017 vintage and 13% from the 2014.

93 🇨🇦
Rosehall Run ‘Loveless – Estate Grown and Bottled’ Brut Rosé - Sparkling Wine 2017
VQA Prince Edward County $45.00 11.5% alcohol
There’s nothing ‘loveless’ about this aphrodisiac. Aromas of strawberry and yeasty notes waft easily from the glass before a surge of bubbles and flavours—red cherry/berry strawberry fruit intertwined with tangy ruby red grapefruit—bathes the palate. It’s attractive, even romantic in many ways—the soft pink hue, the gorgeous flavours, the balance and the lengthy, luxurious finish and aftertaste all point to this as a starter wine to a romantic evening for two. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2020 Vineland Estates Winery ‘Elevation - Bo-Teek Vineyard’ Cabernet is accredited as a sustainable wine from ‘Sustainable Winemaking Ontario’ and was sourced from one of the iconic and mineral-rich soil vineyards of the VQA Niagara Escarpment and is made up of 98% cabernet franc and 2% cabernet sauvignon that spent 18 months maturing in neutral oak along with settling in bottle sealed with cork before release. It has a proud history including the Bo-Teek Vineyard named for Thoroughbred Hall of Fame member George Frostad’s premier horse-breeding stable in the late 1950’s on this very site.

94 🇨🇦
Vineland Estates Winery ‘Elevation - Bo-Teek Vineyard’ Cabernet 2020
VQA Niagara Escarpment $28.00 14.0% alcohol
Aromas of fresh red cherry/berry fruit mingle with savoury herbs and mixed spice adorned with notes of minerality and rose petals. It envelops the palate with tannin and full-flavoured ripe berry fruit with black currant and mulberry to the fore. This is just coming in to its own and would benefit from three months of careful cellar time and an aeration/decant of a couple of hours on opening. If you can’t wait, pour now alongside a premium cut of grilled medium-rare beef steak with a generous shake of © Hy’s Seasoned Salt. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2021Vineland Estate Winery ‘Semi-Dry Riesling; was sourced from premium 100% Niagara Peninsula riesling fruit at the near-perfect organaleptical ripeness of residual sugar, acidity, tannin and percentage of alcohol. You may notice the unfamiliar green glass in the bottle that’s due to a world-wide supply chain shortage of the usual brown glass bottle. Personally, I like everything about it; you may, too—especially at the price-quality balance that tips wildly in your favour—93 points @ $13.95.

93 ✓ Value 🇨🇦
Vineland Estate Winery ‘Semi-Dry’ Riesling 2021
VQA Niagara Peninsula $13.95 9.0% alcohol
Aromas of lemon-lime and flinty minerality dominate the nose of this fabulous riesling. It envelops the palate with lemon-lime cordial on entry and finishes up dry, crisp and refreshing with lemon curd flavour and notions of Key lime pie intertwined with ripe white peach and plenty of tang and pizzazz from twist top to last drop. This is pure ambrosia to sip on its own and will find many dance partners at the dinner table. Try spicy prawns sautéed in butter with a side of jasmine rice or a mixed platter of sushi or with a salad of arugula with a dash of olive oil for dressing and adorned by crumbled chèvre. One of the most popular white wines at $15.95 the reduced price of $13.95 will drive even more sales by the case than usual; don’t linger, purchase now. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2021 Vineland Estates Winery ‘Unoaked’ Chardonnay was sourced from various premium Niagara Peninsula vineyards and has a healthy dollop of 9.4 residual sugar making it an off-dry offering worth tracking down as the price-quality balance tips well in your favour, especially with the discount price. Pick up an armful or two.

92 ✓ Value 🇨🇦
Vineland Estates Winery ‘Unoaked’ Chardonnay 2021
VQA Niagara Peninsula $12.95 (includes the $2 off on a Limited Time Offer) 11.5% alcohol
Alluring aromas of floral notes, exotic incense and green apple abound on the nose of this exceptional-value gem. It blankets the palate with a surge of delectable ambrosia expressed as Meyer lemon, lemon pastille adorned with grilled ripe pineapple and oodles of tang-infused Granny Smith apple and notions of layers of lemon meringue pie. Give this a go with all manner of roast fowl or pan-seared in butter, freshwater, line-caught pickerel or bass. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2021 Vineland Estates Winery Cabernet - Merlot was sourced from select Niagara Peninsula vineyards with the final blend being: 50% merlot/26% cabernet sauvignon/24 % cabernet franc along with moderate residual sugar of 6.5 grams.

92 ✓ Value 🇨🇦
Vineland Estates Winery Cabernet - Merlot 2021
VQA Niagara Peninsula $15.00 11.5% alcohol
This is lightly hued ruby in colour and easily wafts aromas of sharp spice, a mélange of black currant, juicy dark cherry and notions of charred toast. It rolls over the palate with tang-laden flavours of crunchy red fruit—pie cherry and red currant—mingling with a laser-like stream of tang-infused flavours over the palate finish and aftertaste. Give this a two-hour aeration/decant and pour now with pasta puttanesca or pastitsio (a.k.a. Greek lasagna) or chorizo and prawn paella. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2021 Vineland Estates Winery ‘Bo-Teek – Clone 54’ Pinot Blanc is accredited as a sustainable wine from ‘Sustainable Winemaking Ontario’ and is residing on a downward slope from the Twenty Mile Bench that was sourced from estate fruit sporting vines that were 25-years-old at the time of the 2021 harvest for this wine along with a moderate 6.0 residual sugar. The pinot blanc grape is a white mutation of pinot gris (itself a mutation of pinot noir that is autochthonous to Burgundy, France. Pour and serve this wine after being removed from the frig ten minutes before serving.

93 🇨🇦
Vineland Estates Winery ‘Bo-Teek – Clone 54’ Pinot Blanc 2021
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $25.00 12.5% alcohol
Light-yellow hued when poured in the glass, aromas of delicate yellow plum, floral notes and a fruit bowl of nectarine, ripe pear and yellow peach appear after a couple of serious swirls. It blankets the palate with citrus flavours of lemon curd and lime cordial, ripe pineapple and plenty of tang and pizzazz. These flavours replay to and through the lip-smacking finish and crisp, clean and refreshing aftertaste. Sip on its own or with lighter-styled appetizers or with cold-smoked Atlantic salmon on a warmed bagel smothered in cream cheese and decorated with fine-chopped dill weed and sweet onion and a few capers strewn on the bagel and cream cheese along the way. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2021 Vineland Estates Winery Chardonnay Musqué is accredited as a sustainable wine from ‘Sustainable Winemaking Ontario’ and was sourced from estate vines on the Niagara Escarpment and given the high quality and low price of the finished wine, you might want to pick up a few. It carries itself well with 9.4 g/L residual sugar and enough acidity to match up well.

92 ✓ Value 🇨🇦
Vineland Estates Winery Chardonnay Musqué 2021
VQA Niagara Escarpment $17.95 12.0% alcohol
Aromas of hazelnut, citrus and floral notes abound on the nose. It captures the palate with a wash of balanced and bountiful surging flavours with peel marmalade, Key lime pie and plenty of tang and pizzazz. It’s beautifully balanced with smooth and mellow flavours from opening twist top to last delectable drop. It finishes crisp, clean and refreshing. Pour with skewers of garlic prawns and butter-basted, pan-seared pearl onions or prawn ceviche or freshly shucked, Malpeque oysters dotted with hot sauce, a squeeze of fresh lemon and a pinch of horseradish. (Vic Harradine)

• The fruit for the following 2021 Vineland Estates Winery was sourced from select vineyards from premium sites in the Niagara Peninsula from primarily cabernet franc fruit. Drink over the next 10 to 12 months. This carries residual sugar at 6.4g and almost the identical number for titratable acidity. Serve well chilled and taken from the kitchen frig 10 minutes before pouring and serving. We tend to serve white wines right out of the ‘too cold’ frig rather than removing from the ‘too cold’ frig 10 or so minutes before service, allowing the aromas and flavours to develop in the wine glass for the imbiber.

91 ✓ Value 🇨🇦
Vineland Estates Winery Rosé 2021
VQA Niagara Peninsula $16.95 11.5% alcohol
This is a pleasing orange-tinted pink in both the bottle and the wine glass. Aromas of mixed herbs and fresh ginger mingle with citrus and red cherry/berry fruit. It streams over the palate with tang-infused flavours of pie cherry, passionfruit and plenty of nerve and verve cascading from first sip and over the finish and aftertaste. This is a great thirst quencher and will find many dance partners at the table—try with brie cheese on a biscuit or bread roll or bruschetta or with your favourite sushi platter. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour—91 points @ $16.95. (Vic Harradine)

Dave Isaacs 8/15/22 Dave Isaacs 8/15/22

New in Ontario Wineries—August 15, 2022

• The following 2021 Casa Dea Estates Winery Pecorino is awaiting VQA confirmation and paperwork for release of the following wine. Keep an eye on the winery’s website.

93 🇨🇦
Casa Dea Estates Winery Pecorino 2021
Prince Edward County $34.95 13.0% alcohol
Aromas of floral notes, lemon citrus and hints of fennel abound on the nose of this tang-laden gem. It races over the palate on a laser-like streak of gorgeous acidity expressed as passionfruit, lemon-lime citrus notes and saline minerality that persist through the finish and aftertaste, full of tang and lip-smacking good. Give this a go with freshly shucked East-coast oysters dotted with hot sauce, a squeeze of fresh lemon and a smidgeon of horseradish. (Vic Harradine)

• The three following Flat Rock Cellars wines will be available at the winery, either online to be delivered to your home, business or restaurant or drive to the winery to pick up a curbside order made previously by phone or online. Follow the winery link to online guidelines for ordering wine online off their website and to the ever-changing provincial COVID-19 guidelines for visiting Niagara wineries including Flat Rock Cellars.

• The following 2020 Flat Rock Cellars ‘Twisted – White Blend’ is the 16th vintage of this gem. It was sourced from 72% riesling/17% gewürztraminer/11% chardonnay, in a 2020 vintage that most called absolutely outstanding. The residual sugar is 15 g/L and the titratable acidity is 7.4 g/L. The Brix level of 20.1 measures the average sugar level in the unfermented grapes of this white blend.
• This is available now at the LCBO as a Vintages Essential wine and also at the winery, participating grocery stores and the 2020 vintage could be the first to be seen with the striking new label. Keep your eyes and your wallet open and pick up a few.

91 ✓ Value 🇨🇦
Flat Rock Cellars ‘Twisted – White Blend’ 2020
VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.95 (1578) 12.0% alcohol
Exotic aromas of tinned lychee in rosewater, chalky minerality and lime cordial abound on the nose intertwined with ripe apricot and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Palate replays include tang-infused lemon juice, lime cordial and apricot. It’s clean, crisp and refreshing on the finish and aftertaste. Perfect for sipping in warm weather and to serve to guests with your choice of tapas. The price-quality balance tips in your favour; pick up a few and serve over the summer and well into fall. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2020 Flat Rock Cellars ‘Red Twisted’ was sourced from premium vineyards in the Niagara Peninsula and consists of 72% gamay/25% merlot/3% pinot noir.
• It is available now at the LCBO and the winery. Each grape component was aged separately before being chosen to be in the blend following rigorous tasting trials. This was sourced and harvested when the grapes registered 21.5 ° brix and the wine was bottled August, 2021. The residual sugar in the just-harvested grapes was titrated just before being fermented. The winery suggests seared duck breast or grilled pork tenderloin for perfect pairings with this wine.

90 ✓ Value 🇨🇦
Flat Rock Cellars ‘Red Twisted’ 2020
VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 (86918) 12.0% alcohol
Alluring aromas of dark cherry/berry fruit with savoury herbs and charred toast waft easily after a couple of gentle swirls. It’s light-on-its-feet with plenty of tang and acidity and a soft underpinning of ripe tannin. The palate’s treated to a mélange flavours with ripe black currant and black raspberry along with tang-infused red pie cherry. There’s persistent purity of fruit and plenty to like. It finishes lengthy, balanced and bountiful. Pour with a thick cut of beef steak, grilled medium-rare. (Vic Harradine

• The following 2021 Flat Rock Cellars ‘Pink Twisted’ was sourced from 56% pinot noir/ 31 % Riesling/13% gewürztraminer sourced from select vineyards in the broader VQA Niagara Peninsula.
• It’s available now at the winery and in LCBO Vintages and has been since Vintages most recent release on July 16, 2022.

90 ✓ Value 🇨🇦
Flat Rock Cellars ‘Pink Twisted - Rosé’ 2021
VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.95 (39974) 11.5% alcohol
Bronze and pink-hued, pure, palate-pleasing ambrosia pours easily emitting fruit-forward aromas with blood orange, strawberry, pear, apple and quince jelly to the fore. It’s tang-infused on the palate expressing itself as pure lemon pastille, Key lime pie and citrus-peel marmalade galore. This is medium-plus bodied with plenty of tang, pizzazz and piquant spice. It lingers on the racy finish and lip-smacking aftertaste. The winery suggests pouring alongside seasonal summer salad, or grilled vegetables, or cheese… or all three. (Vic Harradine)

• For daily home, office or restaurant delivery for the following two wines are sold at the winery only, order online from this link Malivoire Wine Company with Free shipping on orders of $99 or more, or $20 credited next business day towards delivery outside Ontario and Québec. Phone 905-563-9253 Monday to Friday 10 am - 5 pm on weekdays and noon to 5 pm Saturday and Sunday for information and for locals to access curbside pickup instructions. Their retail shop is now open - 10 am - 5 pm on weekdays, and noon to 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday. There are guidelines due to COVID-19 that change often, best to phone or email first (the website has a space to type and is linked to their email)

• The following 2019 Malivoire Wine Company ‘Moira’ Chardonnay was hand-harvested and sourced from the Moira Vineyard’s north block on October 7th, 2019 at a 21.6 ° Brix average of unfermented grape sugar. It was destemmed then went directly to press into 300 L neutral French oak barrels where the wine completed primary fermentation and partial malolactic conversion. After eight months, 97 cases were bottled unfiltered during July, 2022. This wine is accredited sustainable by ‘Sustainable Winemaking Ontario’.

• Advice from the winery:

Serve at 10 °C with generously flavoured and textured food such as crispy-skinned roast chicken, turkey pot pie or halibut in a buttery sauce or pumpkin ravioli.
Drink now to 2027.

95 ✓ Value 🇨🇦
Malivoire Wine Company ‘Moira’ Chardonnay 2019
VQA Beamsville Bench $44.95 12.5% alcohol
In spite of the ‘neutrality’ of the French oak barrels, there are notions of toasty oak on the nose along with apple pie spice of ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg. It’s fascinating on the palate with
deft balance and dazzling flavours of lemon pastille, crisp, green apple, lime cordial and plenty of tangy pizzazz juxtaposed with the creamy-smooth mouthfeel and delightful texture and elegance from cork pop to last drop. (Vic Harradine)

• This following was harvested October 15th at the Stouck Family Vineyard as the unfermented grape sugars averaged at 19.1 ° Brix. Grapes were then destemmed, pressed and fermented in a chilled stainless steel tank. After four months in tank it settled and matured and was bottled in March, 2022 without any mention of oak. This wine is accredited sustainable by ‘Sustainable Winemaking Ontario’.

• Advice from the winery:

Chill to near 11 ° C and serve with Pad Thai or grilled fatty fish with a cream sauce or lightly spiced curries or triple cream brie and Gruyère.
Drink now to 2026.

93 🇨🇦
Malivoire Wine Company ‘Stouck Family Vineyard’ Viognier 2021
VQA Lincoln Lakeshore $24.95 12.5% alcohol
Voluminous, enticing aromas of honeysuckle floral notes, orange peel marmalade and quince jelly set the stage for the surge of fruit-flavours enveloping the palate with ripe apricot, yellow peach and Mirabelle plum to the fore. There’s also good balance playing itself out as persistent purity of fruit to and through the finish and aftertaste as honey-drizzled poached pear, grilled pineapple with hints of coconut and plenty of lemon pie filling. There are palate-fruit flavours of apricot and Mirabelle plum intertwined with plenty of tang and pizzazz. It finishes mouth-wateringly good and somewhat dry—only 1.0 gram/L of residual sugar present. It’s clean and crisp throughout. (Vic Harradine)

95 ✓ Value 🇨🇦
Vineland Estates Winery ‘Elevation - Bo-Teek Vineyard’ Cabernet 2020
VQA Niagara Escarpment $28.00 14.0% alcohol
Aromas of fresh red cherry/berry fruit mingle with savoury herbs and mixed spice adorned with notes of minerality and rose petals. It envelops the palate with tannin and full-flavoured ripe berry fruit with black currant and mulberry to the fore. This is just coming in to its own and would benefit from three months of careful cellar time and an aeration/decant of a couple of hours on opening. If you can’t wait, pour now alongside a premium cut of grilled medium-rare beef steak with a generous shake of © Hy’s Seasoned Salt. (Vic Harradine)

• The following 2021 Vineland Estates Winery Chardonnay Musqué is accredited as a sustainable wine from ‘Sustainable Winemaking Ontario’ and was sourced from estate vines on the Niagara Escarpment and given the high quality and low price of the finished wine, you might want to pick up a few. It carries itself well with 9.4 residual sugar and enough acidity to match up well.