WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for JULY 5, 2025 release.
By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of wine news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor since 1994. These notes for better or best wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor No winery can buy their way into – or out of – my publication.
Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace, above or below its price).
I was one of the first to jump on the Robert Parker bandwagon, using numerical indications for my scores in the early 1980s. Why? Because with a database I could rate, rank and order wines in any fashion. It was just so convenient using databases. Unfortunately, the numerical system has been shown to be disgraced by overuse and "inflated numbers"; thus I have quit any ranking by number. From now on, it will just be GOOD, BETTER and BEST, which will give me some wiggle room (e.g. is this wine an 87, 88, 89, or 90? Or all of them...depends on my mood and time of day). With the rigorous standards and lab testing by the LCBO, I can safely say that every single wine at the LCBO is at least GOOD, which I would numerically rank at 75-85 points. For reasons of time and space, I will NOT be listing the GOOD wines. Just the BETTER (86-89) and the BEST (90+ ) wines. This spread of points will relate to SILVER and GOLD medals, with GOOD being BRONZE. This also fits into my scheme for trade tastings.
MVC/QPR=BETTER (86-89)=basic recommendation
MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)=superior wine
MAJOR THEME: Sunny Mediterranean Wines -- Sipping Summer
**ROSE under $20 ---
+53421 FIELDING ROSÉ VQA 2024 $17.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)
CHILE +43407 MONTES LIMITED SELECTION ROSE 2024 $16.95
FRANCE +37678 C'EST TROP ROSÉ 2024 $16.95
PROVENCE +319392 CHÂTEAU LA TOUR DE L'ÉVÊQUE ROSÉ 2024 $20.95
+43568 CHÂTEAU DE L'AUMÉRADE AUMÉRADE STYLE ROSÉ 2024 $19.95
TUSCANY +556266 RICASOLI ALBIA ROSÉ 2024 $18.95
VENEZIE +25752 SANTA MARGHERITA ROSÉ 2024 $18.95
NEW ZEALAND +43353 ERADUS SADIE ROSÉ 2024 $19.95
Recommended Wines UNDER $20
=========================
W+AUSTRALIA +41892 DELINQUENTE SCREAMING BETTY VERMENTINO 2024 $19.95
W+41435 EVANS & TATE WILD CAPE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 AUSTRALIA $19.95
W+LANGUEDOC +40434 LAURENT MIQUEL ALAINA BLANC 2022 $18.95
W+RHÔNE +18600 LES DAUPHINS RESERVE CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2023 $14.95
W+11670 GORGHI TONDI COSTE A PREOLA GRILLO 2023 $18.95
W+646067 AVELEDA LOUREIRO 2023 PORTUGAL $14.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)
SOUTH AFRICA +439554 AVONDALE JONTY'S DUCKS PEKIN WHITE 2021 $18.95
SPAIN +461327 BERONIA RUEDA VERDEJO 2024 $15.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)
R+CHILE +542183 RAVANAL GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 $16.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)
R+178657 NIETO SENETINER DON NICANOR MALBEC 2022 $17.95
R+41787 THE LANE ADELAIDE HILLS LDR 2022 AUSTRALIA $19.95
BORDEAUX +123489 CHÂTEAU HAUCHAT 2022 $19.95
+224915 DOMAINES ANDRÉ AUBERT VISAN CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2023 $17.95
ABRUZZO +396382 ZACCAGNINI TRALCETTO MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2022 $18.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)
PORTUGAL +43854 MARQUÊS DE BORBA COLHEITA RED 2022 $15.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+
SOUTH AFRICA +41452 SPIER SEAWARD SHIRAZ 2022 $19.95
SPAIN +13632 PALACIO DE PRIMAVERA VENDIMIA SELECCIONADA RESERVA 2020 $19.95
Recommended Wines OVER $20
========================
Fizz - NEW ZEALAND+280172 OYSTER BAY ROSÉ SPARKLING CUVÉE $23.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)
W+36806 LE CLOS JORDANNE CLAYSTONE TERRACE CHARDONNAY 2022 VQA $42 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)
W+45618 HIDDEN BENCH BÉTON CHARDONNAY 2023 VQA $29.95
W+112227 DOMAINE CHEVALLIER CHABLIS 2023 $37.95
W+SICILY 577676 TORNATORE ETNA BIANCO 2024 $24.95
TUSCANY +344416 CASTELGREVE RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2020 $23.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)
+438580 QUERCECCHIO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2020 $38.95
R+PIEDMONT 638338 MARZIANO ABBONA I DUE RICU 2021 $21.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)
RHÔNE +981787 DOMAINE DU GRAPILLON D'OR 1806 GIGONDAS 2021 $39.95
LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better or best" value...on sale June 23 to July 20...
FIZZ
13TH STREET CUVÉE BRUT SPARKLING ROSÉ
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario,
traditional method, sustainable, vegan
147504 (XD – 9 g/L) 750 mL $29.95
NOW $26.95 Save $3.00
CAVE SPRING BLANC DE BLANCS BRUT SPARKLING
VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario,
traditional method, sustainable, vegan
213983 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $32.95
NOW $29.95 Save $3.00
CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES BRUT SPARKLING
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario,
traditional method
224766 (D – 12 g/L) 750 mL $30.95
NOW $27.95 Save $3.00
TAWSE SPARK LIMESTONE RIDGE ORGANIC BRUT SPARKLING RIESLING
VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment,
Ontario, traditional method
370361 (M – 19 g/L) 750 mL $24.95
NOW $21.95 Save $3.00
W H I T E W I N ES
CLOSSON CHASE THE BROCK CHARDONNAY
VQA Niagara River,
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
20899 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00
FERZO ABRUZZO PECORINO SUPERIORE
DOP, Abruzzo, Italy
573683 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 mL $17.95
NOW $15.95 Save $2.00
KIM CRAWFORD MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
35386 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $21.95
NOW $18.95 Save $3.00
FLAT ROCK TWISTED WHITE
VQA Niagara Peninsula,
Ontario, sustainable
1578 (D – 12 g/L)
750 mL REG. $17.95
NOW $15.95 Save $2
ZENATO SAN BENEDETTO LUGANA
DOC, Veneto, Italy
707158 (XD – 7 g/L) 750 mL $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
R E D W I N ES
CAVE SPRING PINOT NOIR
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario,
sustainable, vegan
417642 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 mL $21.95
NOW $18.95 Save $3.00
MALIVOIRE FARMSTEAD GAMAY
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario,
sustainable, vegan
591313 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00
MONTE ZOVO SA' SOLIN VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO SUPERIORE
DOC, Veneto, Italy
650713 (D – 12 g/L) 750 mL $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00
MONTES ALPHA CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Valle de Colchagua, Chile
322586 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 mL $22.95
NOW $20.95 Save $2.00
PENFOLDS KOONUNGA HILL SHIRAZ/CABERNET
South Australia
285544 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $18.95
NOW $16.45 Save $2.50
SAN FELICE CHIANTI CLASSICO
DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
282996 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $20.95
NOW $18.95 Save $2.00
SELLA & MOSCA RISERVA CANNONAU DI SARDEGNA
DOC, Sardinia, Italy
425488 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $19.95
NOW $16.95 Save $3.00
** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Season ---
From Featherstone VQA Niagara May 2025
1.Featherstone Estate Winery Four Feathers 2024 VQA Niagara Peninsula $15.95 +341586 continuously available at LCBO: a summer social sipper or, combining Riesling (60.1%), pinot grigio (18.2%), chardonnay (12.6%), and gewurztraminer (9.1%) – all highly aromatic grapes. The percentages of the grape varieties change from vintage to vintage depending on vineyard conditions. Stainless steel fermentation. Typical fruit flavours to be found include pineapple, melon, lemon, some mango, and some sweet parts of citric tones near the finish. A popular seller, about 1068 cases. Incredibly fresh with juicy-fruity tones for summer picnics. Vegan friendly. 14.3 g/L residual sugar. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures Writing.
2.Featherstone Estate Winery Cabernet Franc 2022 VQA Niagara Peninsula $21.95 +64618 Vintages Essential: a consistent blend of 95% cabernet franc and 5% merlot. US oak was used. Full malolactic fermentation. Medium-bodied with an assortment of tastes of dark cherry-berry and plums, some leafy herby qualities. Black pepper shows on palate. Long, long finish showing tart-ish food-loving ripe acid balances. Should go well with BBQ veggies. Could keep for another few years (I tasted one bottle over a week) but ready now. Vegan friendly. 3 g/L residual sugar. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures Writing.
3.Featherstone Estate Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2024 VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.95 +89011 available at LCBO August 30th: 20% of this wine went into neutral Canadian oak barrels for fermentation, leaving 80% for stainless steel. That contributed to the softness and to the muted tones of grassiness. Tropical flowers are accented rather than tropical fruit, and this too adds to its dryness culminating with ending lime citrus notes for a long finish. It's a great wine for savvy lovers who go for complexity rather than just herbs. At the same time, this allows for more food choices. Vegan friendly. 9.5 g/L residual sugar, 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures Writing.
4.Featherstone Estate Winery Black Sheep Riesling 2023 VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 +80234 Vintages Essential: more in the off-dry Mosel mode than Rhine wine, this delicious all riesling sipper is loaded with a nose of citrus highlights (lemon, plentiful lime, grapefruit) evolving to Ontario orchard fruit (green apples, peaches, pears) on the mid-palate with some minerality and a long finish which also makes it nifty food wine for many Asiatic dishes. Medium body, off-dry. Suitable for aging to get that "petrol" character. Consistent vintage. 9.01% ABV. RS 20.45 g/L. Vegan friendly. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures Writing.
5.Featherstone Estate Winery Rose 2024 VQA Niagara Peninsula $16.95 +117861 Vintages available June 7 AND again on September 27: over the years, this rose has had varying amounts of grape varieties – all dependent on what wily winemaker David Johnson sees as the best possible blend. In the past it has had pinot noir and cabernet sauvignon, as well as gamay noir, merlot, chardonnay, gewurztraminer and cabernet franc. It's an extremely useful wine for any event, any occasion, with any food, or just alone as a sipper on the beach/patio/deck/terrace/backyard/porch/balcony – even in front of a roaring fireplace (as I did just this week when the temperature unexpectedly dropped). Expect plenty of red fruit tones (strawberry, cranberry, cherry and raspberry) in its deliciousness. Great price. Vegan friendly. 9g/L residual sugar, 13% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures Writing.
6.Featherstone Estate Winery Gemstone 2023 VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.95 available July 19 Vintages LCBO +46055, currently for sale ONLINE and at the winery: Gemstone is a light red wine, with cabernet franc (57.1%) and merlot (42.9%) suggesting an ease of palate delivery and sipping. After developing in stainless steel and with full malolactic, the wine is aged in 2 months of oak. On the nose you can expect plums and raspberry tones, followed by dark cherries and oak. The cabernet franc contributes some dried herb savouriness, making it an ideal wine for pairing with appropriate appetizers or first courses. The merlot completes the picture with soft velvet mouthfeel. Ready now but can keep for a few years. 2g/L RS. 11.6% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures Writing.
By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of wine news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor since 1994. These notes for better or best wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor No winery can buy their way into – or out of – my publication.
Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace, above or below its price).
I was one of the first to jump on the Robert Parker bandwagon, using numerical indications for my scores in the early 1980s. Why? Because with a database I could rate, rank and order wines in any fashion. It was just so convenient using databases. Unfortunately, the numerical system has been shown to be disgraced by overuse and "inflated numbers"; thus I have quit any ranking by number. From now on, it will just be GOOD, BETTER and BEST, which will give me some wiggle room (e.g. is this wine an 87, 88, 89, or 90? Or all of them...depends on my mood and time of day). With the rigorous standards and lab testing by the LCBO, I can safely say that every single wine at the LCBO is at least GOOD, which I would numerically rank at 75-85 points. For reasons of time and space, I will NOT be listing the GOOD wines. Just the BETTER (86-89) and the BEST (90+ ) wines. This spread of points will relate to SILVER and GOLD medals, with GOOD being BRONZE. This also fits into my scheme for trade tastings.
MVC/QPR=BETTER (86-89)=basic recommendation
MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)=superior wine
MAJOR THEME: Sunny Mediterranean Wines -- Sipping Summer
**ROSE under $20 ---
+53421 FIELDING ROSÉ VQA 2024 $17.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)
CHILE +43407 MONTES LIMITED SELECTION ROSE 2024 $16.95
FRANCE +37678 C'EST TROP ROSÉ 2024 $16.95
PROVENCE +319392 CHÂTEAU LA TOUR DE L'ÉVÊQUE ROSÉ 2024 $20.95
+43568 CHÂTEAU DE L'AUMÉRADE AUMÉRADE STYLE ROSÉ 2024 $19.95
TUSCANY +556266 RICASOLI ALBIA ROSÉ 2024 $18.95
VENEZIE +25752 SANTA MARGHERITA ROSÉ 2024 $18.95
NEW ZEALAND +43353 ERADUS SADIE ROSÉ 2024 $19.95
Recommended Wines UNDER $20
=========================
W+AUSTRALIA +41892 DELINQUENTE SCREAMING BETTY VERMENTINO 2024 $19.95
W+41435 EVANS & TATE WILD CAPE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 AUSTRALIA $19.95
W+LANGUEDOC +40434 LAURENT MIQUEL ALAINA BLANC 2022 $18.95
W+RHÔNE +18600 LES DAUPHINS RESERVE CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2023 $14.95
W+11670 GORGHI TONDI COSTE A PREOLA GRILLO 2023 $18.95
W+646067 AVELEDA LOUREIRO 2023 PORTUGAL $14.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)
SOUTH AFRICA +439554 AVONDALE JONTY'S DUCKS PEKIN WHITE 2021 $18.95
SPAIN +461327 BERONIA RUEDA VERDEJO 2024 $15.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)
R+CHILE +542183 RAVANAL GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 $16.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)
R+178657 NIETO SENETINER DON NICANOR MALBEC 2022 $17.95
R+41787 THE LANE ADELAIDE HILLS LDR 2022 AUSTRALIA $19.95
BORDEAUX +123489 CHÂTEAU HAUCHAT 2022 $19.95
+224915 DOMAINES ANDRÉ AUBERT VISAN CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2023 $17.95
ABRUZZO +396382 ZACCAGNINI TRALCETTO MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2022 $18.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)
PORTUGAL +43854 MARQUÊS DE BORBA COLHEITA RED 2022 $15.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+
SOUTH AFRICA +41452 SPIER SEAWARD SHIRAZ 2022 $19.95
SPAIN +13632 PALACIO DE PRIMAVERA VENDIMIA SELECCIONADA RESERVA 2020 $19.95
Recommended Wines OVER $20
========================
Fizz - NEW ZEALAND+280172 OYSTER BAY ROSÉ SPARKLING CUVÉE $23.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)
W+36806 LE CLOS JORDANNE CLAYSTONE TERRACE CHARDONNAY 2022 VQA $42 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)
W+45618 HIDDEN BENCH BÉTON CHARDONNAY 2023 VQA $29.95
W+112227 DOMAINE CHEVALLIER CHABLIS 2023 $37.95
W+SICILY 577676 TORNATORE ETNA BIANCO 2024 $24.95
TUSCANY +344416 CASTELGREVE RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2020 $23.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)
+438580 QUERCECCHIO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2020 $38.95
R+PIEDMONT 638338 MARZIANO ABBONA I DUE RICU 2021 $21.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)
RHÔNE +981787 DOMAINE DU GRAPILLON D'OR 1806 GIGONDAS 2021 $39.95
LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better or best" value...on sale June 23 to July 20...
FIZZ
13TH STREET CUVÉE BRUT SPARKLING ROSÉ
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario,
traditional method, sustainable, vegan
147504 (XD – 9 g/L) 750 mL $29.95
NOW $26.95 Save $3.00
CAVE SPRING BLANC DE BLANCS BRUT SPARKLING
VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario,
traditional method, sustainable, vegan
213983 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $32.95
NOW $29.95 Save $3.00
CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES BRUT SPARKLING
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario,
traditional method
224766 (D – 12 g/L) 750 mL $30.95
NOW $27.95 Save $3.00
TAWSE SPARK LIMESTONE RIDGE ORGANIC BRUT SPARKLING RIESLING
VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment,
Ontario, traditional method
370361 (M – 19 g/L) 750 mL $24.95
NOW $21.95 Save $3.00
W H I T E W I N ES
CLOSSON CHASE THE BROCK CHARDONNAY
VQA Niagara River,
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
20899 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00
FERZO ABRUZZO PECORINO SUPERIORE
DOP, Abruzzo, Italy
573683 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 mL $17.95
NOW $15.95 Save $2.00
KIM CRAWFORD MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
35386 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $21.95
NOW $18.95 Save $3.00
FLAT ROCK TWISTED WHITE
VQA Niagara Peninsula,
Ontario, sustainable
1578 (D – 12 g/L)
750 mL REG. $17.95
NOW $15.95 Save $2
ZENATO SAN BENEDETTO LUGANA
DOC, Veneto, Italy
707158 (XD – 7 g/L) 750 mL $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
R E D W I N ES
CAVE SPRING PINOT NOIR
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario,
sustainable, vegan
417642 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 mL $21.95
NOW $18.95 Save $3.00
MALIVOIRE FARMSTEAD GAMAY
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario,
sustainable, vegan
591313 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00
MONTE ZOVO SA' SOLIN VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO SUPERIORE
DOC, Veneto, Italy
650713 (D – 12 g/L) 750 mL $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00
MONTES ALPHA CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Valle de Colchagua, Chile
322586 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 mL $22.95
NOW $20.95 Save $2.00
PENFOLDS KOONUNGA HILL SHIRAZ/CABERNET
South Australia
285544 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $18.95
NOW $16.45 Save $2.50
SAN FELICE CHIANTI CLASSICO
DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
282996 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $20.95
NOW $18.95 Save $2.00
SELLA & MOSCA RISERVA CANNONAU DI SARDEGNA
DOC, Sardinia, Italy
425488 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $19.95
NOW $16.95 Save $3.00
** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Season ---
From Featherstone VQA Niagara May 2025
1.Featherstone Estate Winery Four Feathers 2024 VQA Niagara Peninsula $15.95 +341586 continuously available at LCBO: a summer social sipper or, combining Riesling (60.1%), pinot grigio (18.2%), chardonnay (12.6%), and gewurztraminer (9.1%) – all highly aromatic grapes. The percentages of the grape varieties change from vintage to vintage depending on vineyard conditions. Stainless steel fermentation. Typical fruit flavours to be found include pineapple, melon, lemon, some mango, and some sweet parts of citric tones near the finish. A popular seller, about 1068 cases. Incredibly fresh with juicy-fruity tones for summer picnics. Vegan friendly. 14.3 g/L residual sugar. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures Writing.
2.Featherstone Estate Winery Cabernet Franc 2022 VQA Niagara Peninsula $21.95 +64618 Vintages Essential: a consistent blend of 95% cabernet franc and 5% merlot. US oak was used. Full malolactic fermentation. Medium-bodied with an assortment of tastes of dark cherry-berry and plums, some leafy herby qualities. Black pepper shows on palate. Long, long finish showing tart-ish food-loving ripe acid balances. Should go well with BBQ veggies. Could keep for another few years (I tasted one bottle over a week) but ready now. Vegan friendly. 3 g/L residual sugar. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures Writing.
3.Featherstone Estate Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2024 VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.95 +89011 available at LCBO August 30th: 20% of this wine went into neutral Canadian oak barrels for fermentation, leaving 80% for stainless steel. That contributed to the softness and to the muted tones of grassiness. Tropical flowers are accented rather than tropical fruit, and this too adds to its dryness culminating with ending lime citrus notes for a long finish. It's a great wine for savvy lovers who go for complexity rather than just herbs. At the same time, this allows for more food choices. Vegan friendly. 9.5 g/L residual sugar, 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures Writing.
4.Featherstone Estate Winery Black Sheep Riesling 2023 VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 +80234 Vintages Essential: more in the off-dry Mosel mode than Rhine wine, this delicious all riesling sipper is loaded with a nose of citrus highlights (lemon, plentiful lime, grapefruit) evolving to Ontario orchard fruit (green apples, peaches, pears) on the mid-palate with some minerality and a long finish which also makes it nifty food wine for many Asiatic dishes. Medium body, off-dry. Suitable for aging to get that "petrol" character. Consistent vintage. 9.01% ABV. RS 20.45 g/L. Vegan friendly. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures Writing.
5.Featherstone Estate Winery Rose 2024 VQA Niagara Peninsula $16.95 +117861 Vintages available June 7 AND again on September 27: over the years, this rose has had varying amounts of grape varieties – all dependent on what wily winemaker David Johnson sees as the best possible blend. In the past it has had pinot noir and cabernet sauvignon, as well as gamay noir, merlot, chardonnay, gewurztraminer and cabernet franc. It's an extremely useful wine for any event, any occasion, with any food, or just alone as a sipper on the beach/patio/deck/terrace/backyard/porch/balcony – even in front of a roaring fireplace (as I did just this week when the temperature unexpectedly dropped). Expect plenty of red fruit tones (strawberry, cranberry, cherry and raspberry) in its deliciousness. Great price. Vegan friendly. 9g/L residual sugar, 13% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures Writing.
6.Featherstone Estate Winery Gemstone 2023 VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.95 available July 19 Vintages LCBO +46055, currently for sale ONLINE and at the winery: Gemstone is a light red wine, with cabernet franc (57.1%) and merlot (42.9%) suggesting an ease of palate delivery and sipping. After developing in stainless steel and with full malolactic, the wine is aged in 2 months of oak. On the nose you can expect plums and raspberry tones, followed by dark cherries and oak. The cabernet franc contributes some dried herb savouriness, making it an ideal wine for pairing with appropriate appetizers or first courses. The merlot completes the picture with soft velvet mouthfeel. Ready now but can keep for a few years. 2g/L RS. 11.6% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures Writing.
Dean Tudor, Prof Emeritus T'karonto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) School of Journalism
Treasurer of Wine Writers' Circle of Canada http://www.deantudor.comhttp://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures
