May 29th Ontario Wine Releases at LCBO Vintages

WHITE WINE

FIELDING ESTATE WINERY
UNOAKED CHARDONNAY 2008
VQA Niagara Peninsula

TASTING NOTE: This is great unoaked Chardonnay: lots of pure fruit character, minerality, and fine balance. Abounds with attractive ripe apple, pear, citrus and stony mineral notes on the nose. Crisp and mediumfull bodied, with a seam of acidity keeping the fruit in elegant harmony all the way through on the long, lip-smacking finish. Savour with lightly buttered lobster, or apple-lacquered pork kebabs with apricots. (VINTAGES panel, April 2010)
164491 (D) 750 mL $15.95

HENRY OF PELHAM RESERVE OFF-DRY
RIESLING 2008
VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Peninsula

TASTING NOTE: Letting the grapes hang on the vine adds to the sweetness of this beguiling riesling. But there’s a fine natural acidity to balance the sugars. Aromas and flavours show jasmine, ginger, apple and peaches elements. Pretty stuff. Score: 89+ (Gordon Stimmell, The Toronto Star, March 13, 2010)
557165 (MD) 750 mL $15.95

INNISKILLIN WINEMAKER’S SERIES
THREE VINEYARDS CHARDONNAY 2008
VQA Niagara Peninsula

Rick VanSickle in The Standard (St. Catharines) gave this wine a rating of HHHHK.
TASTING NOTE: Straw coloured with a green tint. A nose of apple and vanilla oak with hint of forest floor. Medium-bodied, Burgundian-style, dry, apple peach and pineapple flavours nicely dressed in spicy oak; lovely mouth feel and lingering flavours. Score: 90 (Tony Aspler, tonyaspler.com, A Wine Lover’s Diary, April 20, 2010)
105379 (XD) 750 mL $16.95

REIF ESTATE
CHENIN BLANC 2008
VQA Niagara River

Chenin Blanc is a little-known and often underappreciated grape variety. It’s best known as the great white grape of France’s Loire Valley. At Reif, the grapes underwent cold-controlled slow fermentation in stainless steel tanks to highlight the grape’s innate fruit characteristics and to maintain its excellent acidity.
TASTING NOTE: Another unusual offering from Reif. A nose of melon and tropical fruit. It’s juicy and vibrant on the palate showing an array of ripe fruits in a completely dry style. Think delicate white fish to go with this wonderful wine. Score: HHHHK (Rick VanSickle, stcatharinesstandard.ca, Undated)
172411 (D) 750 mL $18.95

STRATUS RIESLING 2008
VQA Niagara Peninsula

TASTING NOTE: A refined Riesling with pretty aromas of grapefruit and peach in harmony. The laser sharp acidity of the vintage hits the palate with a juicy, mouth-watering citrus blast. This wine will improve with time in the cellar. (Rick VanSickle, stcatharinesstandard.ca, Undated)
131011 (D) 750 mL $29.20

RED WINE

HENRY OF PELHAM
CABERNET FRANC ICEWINE 2008
VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Peninsula

Fermented and matured in stainless steel tanks, this rich and expressive Icewine is full of strawberry and red cherry aromas and flavours. The producer suggests matching this wine with fruit-based desserts. Also makes a lovely sipper, nicely chilled.
672402 (S) 200 mL $39.95