Dense purple-black in colour with a spicy nose of brambleberries and blackcurrants. Full-bodied with sweet, dark chocolate and black-fruit flavours. Firmly structured and still tight. Will reward patient cellaring for 20 years but enjoyable for senior citizens in 5 years.
From the Fukyoka Prefecture on the island of Kyushu on Japan’s southwestern tip comes this elegant, sophisticated Junmai. Crafted from Yamadanishiki rice polished to 60 per cent, it offers up aromas of Asian pear, mineral, pumpkin, nougat, and apple. Medium-dry, with a round, silky mouth feel and flavours suggesting candied almond and pear.
Beautifully focused with crunchy green apple, lime, citrus peel and a touch of petrol. Bright, mouth-watering acidity, great backbone and texture; slightly off-dry, but with great balance and a long finish. A bargain.
Light ruby in colour; on the nose, cherry and beetroot with a hint of oak spice. Dry, light on the palate; sinewy with a firm tannic finish.
One of the driest craft ciders readily available in Ontario grocery and liquor stores comes from Kitchener-Waterloo’s only cidery, founded in 2014. Reminiscent of an off-dry Riesling with aromas of white lily and apple, and a bright [what?] of wet stone and zingy citrus.
Plum, raspberry, sweet cherry, beetroot, button mushroom, liquorice and red flowers waft out of the glass and onto the palate, where brisk acidity and supple tannins round out the experience. Needs some duck to make it work perfectly
The winery sourced fruit from Similkameen’s celebrated Vanessa Vineyard for this plush rendition of a textbook Syrah with black fruits and meaty notes on the nose before a palate of blackberry and white pepper, supple tannins and a lingering end.