Ripe and warm strawberry jam fills the nose and leads the palate of this Yarra Valley Pinot, an area generally well suited to this heartbreak grape. Cherry gummies, perfumed raspberries, forest floor and fine pink peppercorn are supported by fine and ripe tannins, finishing with a flood of acidity, a stemmy grip and a whack of heat. Youthful and welcoming; enjoy with salmon burgers.
A textbook example of Merlot. Plum, dark cherry, spice, roasted herbs, chocolate and red/purple flowers flow from the glass. The 14.4% alcohol, suave tannins and excellent length make for one tasty drop of juice. Drink until 2022.
A fruity Sauvignon Blanc with aromas of white peach, grapefruit, lime and floral/mineral notes. It’s fresh on the palate with flavours of gooseberry, grapefruit, herbs, peach and lovely freshness through the finish.
A lovely Ontario Riesling at a friendly price! White peach, lime, honey, bergamot, mineral and green apple flavours are supported by acidity. Off-dry and ready to go with sushi.
I asked Paul Allamby of Toronto’s Levenswater Gin why he chose to make a potato-based gin (wouldn’t a vodka be the obvious route to follow?). “Because l wanted to create a gin that, at least for me, would represent the complex diversity that we enjoy in our city. Saffron, tellicherry, bergamot, fennel, cubeb, lavender, kaffir lime, blackberry leaves, eucalyptus. There are 34 botanicals layered into this compound gin. I also wanted to not follow the traditions of London Dry Gin and create a vivid palate of flavours and aromatics.” I’d say he succeeded. While its profile might enrage fans of “traditional” gin, it’s like no gin you’ve likely tried. Herbaceous on the nose with hints of amaro, clove, sandalwood, pine resin, liquorice, rosemary and, surprisingly, green Chartreuse. Viscous, herbal and spicy in the mouth, it is a very “un-gin-like-gin.” It’s also an incredibly engaging spirit.
Light ruby colour. Beautiful nose of small red fruits, slightly perfumed. Light taste, fruity and very nice, it goes down easy. Drink now.
This wine possesses a left bank nose of pencil shavings, smoke, tobacco/herbs, cassis, vanilla, roasted morello cherry and plums. It is full bodied, ripe, concentrated and elegant with superb length and tannins to allow for 15 years of graceful aging. It is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc.