A blend of 46% Zinfandel, 31% Merlot and 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, possessing a wonderful approachability while still expressing the character of each of its component grapes. The Zinfandel really comes through in the aromas of blackberry and raspberry jam with hints of black cherries, currants and spice, while the Merlot provides a soft texture with flavours of plums and cherries, and the Cabernet Sauvignon contributes richness and an underlying structure. The tannins are quite soft, but despite the easy drinkability of this wine, it still maintains nice character and freshness. As with any good blend, the wine is a quite harmonious, well-knit sum of its individual parts. An excellent value.
Pop the cork off this Champagne-sized bottle and serve in your red wine glasses to help the nose of this spicy, citrusy Belgian-style saison really pop. Made from a blend of beer batches — some aged in oak casks deliberately inoculated with wild yeasts, others fresh from the fermenter — gives the naturally fermented ale a slightly wild, barnyard-like acidity and funk. But the sparkling ale drinks more like a fine, complex Champagne with white pepper, bright citrus, and orange-peel notes alongside a hit of rice-crispie-square sweetness. Elegant and super food-friendly — pair with just about anything from Thai to Mexican to a grilled peppercorn steak.
Both red and dark fruits are apparent, with a light spice a splash of vanilla, a whiff of clove, dark chocolate and a suggestion of liquorice. Medium bodied, with lightly firm but approachable tannins and not overly aggressive acidity. Bears some similarity to the reds of the Veneto.
Delicate and floral and silky in texture with cherry, strawberry and mineral, vibrant with lifted acidity and focus, showing almost more like a Chianti. Quite mouth-watering.
Bruce Nicholson has hit the mark with his third release of a Legacy wine. This time around, the wine chosen to bear the name is a Pinot Gris from the excellent white wine vintage of 2009. Light yellow colour with a peach tint, this aromatic offering reveals layers of smoke, honey, lanolin, peach, cinnamon, baked apple and cream. The 14% alcohol is held beautifully in check by flavours of peach, orange, apple, mango and cream. The length just carries on and there is just a hint of sweetness also. Only 130 cases were made of this wine. It is one of Niagara’s best renditions of this varietal to date.
Opens with red fruit, a whiff of dry herb, cinnamon and clove. Generous dark bitter cherry with appetizing sour bite supported by good tannic structure, lively acidity and medium length; satisfying finish.
Aromas of black and blue fruit with some earthy and cedar hints precede a generous medium- to full-bodied palate that continues to open in the glass with cherry, cassis and blackberry notes supported by supple, elegant tannins.