1.Henry of Pelham Pinot Grigio VQA Niagara Peninsula, +250217 LCBO,
$14.95: a wine made in the pinot gris style (Oregon, Alsace) but labeled
pinot GRIGIO should sell well for those looking at a pinot grigio with some
kick. Grigio has a reputation of being the vodka of wine, but here it is done
up as a fairly complicated off-dry wine with layers being revealed as the
wine chills down or warms up. One time it has tropicality then it becomes
more citrus with more chilling. That makes it a sipper and a food wine,
suitable for pre-prandial in the winter or spring. Of note is its slight tinge of
orange colour (aha, another "orange" wine!!) from the grape – it is "gris"
after all. Some part of the juice was from warmer regions in Niagara, other
parts came from a cooler regions. There is some cranberry tartness and
some melon sweetness, with some pear notes. Stainless steel all the way.
12.5% ABV, twist top. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of
Gothic Epicures.
2.Henry of Pelham Estate Pinot Noir 2015 VQA Short Hills Bench Niagara,
+268391 Vintages TBD, $24.95: Here is a deft Burgundian character pinot
noir wine, with cherry-berry tones, some toast, mildly opulent style, not
totally cool climate at all. Fermented in stainless and aged in "European"
oak (30% new). Expect also some cloves, tobacco and oak which will
mute over time. Ready now but will get better, very food friendly. 13.5%
ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
3.Henry of Pelham Riesling Estate 2016 VQA Short Hills Bench, +557165
Vintages, $17.95: intense riesling in a Rhine style of cool fermentation, with
a very off-dry palate but a dry finish (good acid levels on the finish) – broad
grapefruit and lemons on the mid-palate, sip or food. 11.5% ABV, twist top,
from HOP's oldest Estate vineyards (30+ year old riesling vines,
handpicked). Should also age well. Try with fish that live in water but die in
wine. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
4.Henry of Pelham Riesling 2016 VQA Niagara Peninsula, +268375 LCBO
$14.95: absolutely delicious Euro MVC riesling in a Rhine style, with an
off-dry palate but a dry finish (good acid levels on the finish). Citrus and
flowers on the mid-palate, sip or food. 11.5% ABV. Cool fermentation is
stressed. Try with goat cheeses, hams, grilled veggies. Quality/Price rating
is 88 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
5.Pelee Island Vidal [Canada Limited Edition] 2016 VQA Ontario, +393405,
$11.45: for this year, there are new labels emphasizing the 150th
anniversary of Canada. As always, it is a bit on the lightish side and off-dry
with 15 g/l RS. The vidal has been augmented with geisenheim (16%).
Expect a bit of honey/lemon citric flavours and tones, either with food or as
a sipper. The winery suggests Tex-Mex food or tempura. 12.5% ABV.
Quality/Price rating is 87.5 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
6.Pelee Island Cabernet Franc [Canada Limited Edition] 2016 VQA Ontario,
+393405, $11.45: for this year, there are new labels emphasizing the 150th
anniversary of Canada. As always, it is a bit on the lightish side although
13% ABV indicates a hotter growing season. Expect mute tones of ripe fruit
jam, some cassis, and softness throughout. Best as a sipper, although the
winery suggests steak or pulled pork. Quality/Price rating is 87 points by
Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
7.PUKLUS PINCÉSZET TOKAJI SEMI-SWEET YELLOW MUSCAT 2015
Hungary, +46508 Vintages, $16.95: This Yellow Muscat is related to Muscat
Blanc. Made from older vines, done up in Late Harvest style, with that
peachy complexity, medium-bodied, but with lemons and pineapple acidity
on the longer finish. Floral aromatics. 12% ABV, a volcanic wine. Serve with
later courses (fruity mains, salads, cheeses, off-dry desserts). Great for Easter Sunday food!!
Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
8.Sacred Hill Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2016 Marlborough, +490326,
$21.95 Vintages April 15: a dry summer led to a fruity harvest. The tropical
fruit intensity leads to a citric lemony finish for food, typically white fish or
seafood. It should be even better next year! 12.5% ABV, twist top.
Quality/Price rating is 88 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
9.Chateau Vrai Caillou 2014 Bordeaux Superieur, +348292, $16.95 April 15
Vintages: Medal winner Paris 2016. Mostly merlot (55%) from the "Entre
deux Mers" region which excels in quantities of value Bordeaux. Aged a
year in both tanks and barrels, and could age a bit more in your cellar (or
do a double-decant and wait an hour). Red fruit dominates, edged by some
plumminess. Food ideas basically suggest lamb roast and cheeses.
12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 88 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic
Epicures.
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