SAUVIGNON BLANC, 2022

Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.

Geographical Indication: VQA Four Mile Creek
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 12.8%
Residual Sugar: 3 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 540

Appearance: White gold colour.
Nose: Grassy, passionfruit bouquet.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, fresh and lively on the palate, New Zealand-style Sauvignon with flavours of green melon and fig. Beautifully balanced and long on the finish.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now and through 2025.

Awards:

• Gold – 2023 All Canadian Wine Championships
• Silver – 2023 National Wine Awards of Canada

Food Pairing: Oysters with cucumber and mint, strawberry-balsamic vinaigrette-glazed chicken thighs, homemade pasta with cherry tomatoes and fresh basil, bacon and Manchego croquettes, and avocado and pesto toast.

MERITAGE, 2021

Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Lakeshore
Varietal: Cabernet Franc (56%), Merlot (44%)
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 12.8%
Residual Sugar: 2.45 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 970

Appearance: Solid ruby colour.
Nose: Cedary, spicy, blackcurrant and redcurrant bouquet with vanilla oak notes.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, Bordeaux petit château style. Firmly structured, well-balanced, savoury with evident but ripe tannins.
Quality: 90 – 92 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Hold 1-2 years.

Food Pairing: Chinese barbecued pork, black olive-crusted venison, apple-braised duck legs, green lentil curry, and Gruyère cheese fondue.

CHARDONNAY, 2021

Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara on the Lake
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 13.4%
Residual Sugar: 1.2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 500

Appearance: Golden straw in colour.
Nose: Baked apple nose with oak spice notes.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, crisp yellow apple flavour with vanilla oak notes on the finish. A seamless wine with fresh acidity and well-integrated oak.
Quality: 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drinking well now, but will sustain for two or three years.

Food Pairing: Grilled shrimp with oregano and lemon, pork chops with garlic and thyme rub, pear and Brie flatbread, smoked salmon crostini, and fettuccine alfredo.

SAND & GRAVEL REDCOAT, 2021

Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Cabernet Franc (28%), Merlot (12%)
Vineyard: Various Niagara Peninsula vineyards
Alcohol: 13.2%
Residual Sugar: 2.9 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 400

Appearance: Deep ruby in colour.
Nose: Cedary, minerally nose of red plum and redcurrant with vanilla oak notes.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, firmly structured, cherry and redcurrant flavours with a suggestion of oak and dry tannins.
Quality: 89 points – Wine Club Canada. Very Good+. For the impatient can be opened now but will reward holding for 1 –2 years.

Food Pairing: Red wine-braised lamb shanks, smoked duck with fingerling potatoes, sun-dried tomato and oregano pizza, smoked bacon-wrapped chicken, grilled veggie and bocconcini skewers.

SMALL BATCH RIESLING, 2022

Geographical Indication: VQA Four Mile Creek
Varietal: Riesling
Vineyard: Four Mile Creek vineyard
Alcohol: 10.5%
Residual Sugar: 13.8 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 400

Appearance: Bright. Pale straw colour.
Nose: Refined aromas of golden delicious apple, lemon, lime, honey, and petrol.
Palate: Medium+ acid, medium- body. Lovely notes of green apple, lime, and hints of stone fruit. Great structure.
Quality: 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding.

Food Pairing: One-pan coconut lime chicken, tarte flambée, smoked pork belly, zucchini gratin, and sausage and broccoli risotto.

CABERNET FRANC, 2021

Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara on the Lake
Varietal: Cabernet Franc
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 2.7 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 830

Appearance: Deep ruby in colour.
Nose: Cedary, blueberry nose with oak spice.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, plum and blueberry flavours with evident, but ripe, tannins. Firmly structured and well-handled oak.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drinkable now, but 1-2 years of cellaring will make for a delicious wine.

Food Pairing: Lamb meatloaf, penne with sausage and fennel, risotto-stuffed bell peppers, sage chicken with roasted butternut squash, and eggplant parmesan.

SAND & GRAVEL RIESLING, 2022

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara on the Lake
Varietal: Riesling
Vineyard: Estate vineyards
Alcohol: 10.2%
Residual Sugar: 19.5 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 275

Appearance: Bright. Pale straw colour.
Nose: A floral bouquet is accompanied by pear, lemon, lime, and a hint of green apple.
Palate: Medium acid, medium- body. Tantalizing notes of lemon-lime, yellow apple, pear, and a touch of peach and honey. It’s nicely balanced with a round mouthfeel.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. A very approachable wine.

Food Pairing: Spicy crab tacos, honey garlic-glazed salmon, grilled cheese with arugula and tomatoes, cavatelli with asparagus, and orange and rosemary roasted chicken.

MERLOT, 2021

Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.

Geographical Indication: VQA St. Davids Bench
Varietal: Merlot
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 13.2%
Residual Sugar: 2.8 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 614

Appearance: Deep ruby in colour.
Nose: Spicy, plum and blackberry nose with vanilla oak notes.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, plum and blackcurrant flavours. Elegant with a lovely mouthfeel and ripe tannins.
Quality: 90 – 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. A beautifully made wine with zesty acidity that can be opened now, but a year or two of cellar-rest will give you more drinking pleasure.

Food Pairing: Pulled pork sandwiches, pan-seared ribeye with miso butter, baked chicken curry dip with pita chips, braised lamb shank, and cheese tortellini with pesto.

SAND & GRAVEL CABERNET, 2021

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietal: Cabernet Franc (60%), Cabernet Sauvignon (40%)
Vineyard: Four Mile Creek vineyard
Alcohol: 13.2%
Residual Sugar: 1.7 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 460

Appearance: Bright. Semi-opaque. Deep ruby red colour.
Nose: Aromas of dark cherry, plum, licorice, leather, and pepper spice.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Blackcurrant, blackberry, green pepper, savoury green herbs, and a hint of black pepper. Firm tannins.
Quality: 89 – 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Very Good+ / Outstanding. Decant and drink now or hold 1-2 years to soften tannins.

Food Pairing: Smoked hamburger with mushrooms and Swiss cheese, French dip sandwich with caramelized onions, pan-seared tofu in black pepper sauce with sesame bok choy, spicy Korean chicken wings, and veal stew with spring greens.

CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2021

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara on the Lake
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 2.3 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 650

Appearance: Bright. Semi-opaque. Dark ruby colour.
Nose: A beautiful bouquet of violets, red cherry, raspberry, savoury green herbs, and a touch of white pepper.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Bold notes of dark cherry, blackberry, savoury green herbs, and black pepper. Well balanced with ripe tannins.
Quality: 90 – 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now or hold 1-2 years.

Food Pairing: Smoked teriyaki tofu steaks, prime rib with bechamel sauce cream cheese-stuffed mushrooms, warm burrata with tomatoes and basil, and coq au vin.