Inaugural single varietal Cabernet Sauvignon, at premium level, yields up front red and black fruit, earthy hints and pencil shavings precede a firm, well-balanced palate led by ripe blackberry and cassis, underpinned by approachable tannins with spicy, leather and peppery notes through a plush and rounded palate through the spicy close.
Despite the rather high alcohol, this one presents lightly refreshing stone fruit, some lemony citrus and very sound overall balance. Finishes with pleasing honey citrus lift.
A sought-after Double IPA is the only beer that Waterbury, Vermont’s Alchemist Brewery makes. Every week when a new batch is released (distribution is limited to a 20-mile radius around Waterbury), long lineups of devotees, often driving in from out-of-state, snag a case or two. Canadians often get their hands on this from beer-loving friends who manage to bring a handful home. Made with a signature house yeast, this unique brew is famous for its rustic character and elegant hopping. The swallow has notes of mint, candy necklace, florals and an oily hop character with a straw-and-burlap thing happening at the finish. If you manage to grab one, indulge by pairing with foie gras.
Pale straw in colour with lightly floral nose of grapefruit; light to medium-bodied, crisply dry with green peach and lime flavours and a hint of spice. Long fresh finish.
Buy this by the case — a great-value house wine. Dense purple-black in colour, it has an earthy, spicy, blackberry nose. The wine is full-bodied and dry but creamy on the palate with well-extracted black fruit flavours and a firm finish.
The deep, intense purple colour suggests richness of flavour, which you get in spades. The spicy, cedary, blackcurrant nose leads into a full-bodied, dry wine that’s juicy and fruity with a flavour of blackcurrant jam held in check by ripe tannins.
The vines for this wine are from an 1860s-planted vineyard; they really show off their maturity with a big mineral character but also the richness of fruit, with blackberry, cassis, mocha and liquorice, and a really spicy bite to the finish.