Founded in 1998, 13th Street Winery has been crafting exceptional wines that reflect the unique Niagara terroir for over 25 years. French-trained winemaker, Jean-Pierre (JP) Colas, heads the winemaking program at 13th Street, crafting dynamic reds that thrive in the Niagara Peninsula like gamay noir, cabernet franc, and syrah; refined whites like chardonnay, riesling, and sauvignon blanc; and award-winning traditional method sparkling wines.
Wines included this month
August 2024
Enthusiast Red & White: 2022 Expression Series Riesling, 2020 Reserve Malbec Enthusiast Red Only: 2021 Expression Series Cabernet Merlot, 2022 Sandstone Gamay Enthusiast White Only: 2023 June’s Riesling, NV Gewürztraminer
Expert Red & White: NV Gewürztraminer, 2021 Cabernet Merlot, 2022 Cabernet Franc Expert Red Only: 2022 Sandstone Gamay, 2021 Cabernet Merlot, 2022 Cabernet Franc Expert White Only: NV Gewürztraminer, 2023 June’s Riesling, 2023 Sauvignon Blanc
Master Red & White: NV Gewürztraminer, 2023 June’s Riesling, 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, 2022 Sandstone Gamay, 2021 Cabernet Merlot, 2021 Expression Series Cabernet Merlot Master Red Only: 2022 Sandstone Gamay, 2021 Cabernet Merlot, 2021 Expression Series Cabernet Merlot, 2020 Reserve Malbec, 2020 Merlot, 2022 Cabernet Franc
Appearance: Pale straw in colour. Nose: Minerally, lightly floral nose of citrus fruits. Palate: Light-bodied, crisply dry, lime and grapefruit flavours. Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now or hold 2-3 years.
Awards:
Gold – 2023 National Wine Awards of Canada
Food Pairing: Indian dal with split peas, chilled peanut noodle salad, smoked haddock with apple compote, Thai basil beef stir fry, and jalapeño chicken wings.
Appearance: Purple-ruby in colour. Nose: Cedary, blackberry nose with a light floral top note. Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, juicy blueberry and blackberry flavours. Well-balanced and firmly structured, with well-integrated oak. Quality: 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now, but will improve with 1-2 years in bottle.
Food Pairing: Spicy tomatillo risotto, barbecued brisket, chorizo sausage and thyme fougasse, spicy lamb rogan josh, and smoked aubergine with garlic tahini sauce.
Appearance: Golden straw in colour. Nose: Honeysuckle and lychee bouquet with a suggestion of oak spice. Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, perfumed lychee and passionfruit flavours. Well-balanced. Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drinking well now, but the nose will develop with a year or two in bottle.
Food Pairing: Ginger salad with chickpeas and peanuts, strong cheeses like Stinking Bishop, smoked rainbow trout, duck in red curry, and steaming hot pot with your choice of protein.
Appearance: Bright. Semi-opaque. Garnet colour. Nose: Plum, black cherry, licorice, and a touch of baking spice on the nose. Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Bold flavours of dark cherry, blackberry, black tea, a green vegetal note, and black pepper. Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding.
Awards:
Silver – 2022 National Wine Awards of Canada
Food Pairing: EVOO-marinated eggplant and shiitake mushrooms off the grill, lamb bolognese over tagliatelle, grilled Comté cheese and prosciutto sandwiches, mole enchiladas with Cotija cheese, and your favourite pizza.
Appearance: White gold colour. Nose: Floral, grapefruit nose with a thread of minerality. Palate: Light-bodied, dry, elegant, lemon-lime and grapefruit flavours in the mouth. Quality: 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now or hold 2-3 years.
Food Pairing: Curry chicken skewers with lime, vegetable pakoras with mango chutney, tuna and edamame poké bowl, crab salad canapés, and tomatillo shakshuka.
Appearance: Deep ruby-crimson in colour. Nose: Toasty, cherry nose with a note of violets. Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, fresh and lively on the palate with cherry and red plum flavours and a firm finish. Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now or through 2025.
Appearance: Bright. Very pale straw colour. Nose: Vibrant bouquet of gooseberry, stone fruit, green apple, and lemon. Palate: Medium acid, medium body. Nectarine pit, grapefruit, lime, and lemongrass. Well-balanced with great structure. Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding.
Awards:
Silver – 2024 National Wine Awards of Canada
Food Pairing: Radicchio salad with olive and parmesan, grilled chicken in spicy mango-lime sauce, eggs benedict with chimichurri instead of Hollandaise, roasted fennel pasta with lemon and ricotta, and pork piccata.
Appearance: Bright. Semi-opaque. Garnet-ruby colour. Nose: Deep aromas of black cherry, blackberry, plum, savoury green herbs, and a hint of green pepper. Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Vivid notes of blackcurrant, licorice, green pepper, and a touch of black pepper. Great structure with firm tannins. Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding.
Food Pairing: Malaysian beef curry, portobello mushroom burger with aged gouda and smoky barbecue sauce, French dip sandwich, coffee-rubbed lamb chops, and steak frites.
Appearance: Deep purple in colour. Nose: Cedary, black cherry nose with oak spice. Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, savoury, sour cherry flavour. Well-structured with ripe tannins. Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now or hold 1-2 years.
Food Pairing: Grilled zucchini sprinkled with goat cheese, barbecued salmon with Aleppo pepper, baked penne with prosciutto and fontina cheese, chicken with braised fennel and tarragon, and pan-fried herbed sweetbreads.
Appearance: Bright. Semi-opaque. Dark garnet in colour. Nose: Vibrant bouquet of dark cherry, cassis, earth, and a hint of menthol. Palate: Medium acid, medium+ tannin, medium body. Bold flavours of blackberry, blackcurrant, and savoury green herbs. Dry with firm tannins. Quality: 89 – 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Very Good+ / Outstanding. Hold 1-2 years to integrate tannins.
Food Pairing: Barbecued chicken, Cajun blackened catfish, filet mignon with Bordelaise sauce, smoked ham and white beans with cornbread, and deep-dish spinach and ricotta lasagna.
