Redstone Winery | 2023
Niagara, Ontario
Redstone Winery® is the latest venture by Moray Tawse and his incredible winemaking team. In his quest to explore terroir, Tawse purchased the Lincoln Lakeshore property in 2009. Inspired by the red dust which covered everything, including his boots, the first time he strolled the vineyard, he named the new winery Redstone, for its intensely red clay soil and large stones.
The 38-acre estate vineyard, farmed organically, is perfect for maturing late-ripening varietals including merlot, cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon and syrah. There is also pinot gris on the property, and riesling, sauvignon blanc, and chardonnay from their Limestone Vineyard rounds out the estate portfolio.
Wines included this month
July 2023
Enthusiast Red: White: 2021 Bistro Chardonnay, 2018 Estate Merlot
Enthusiast Red Only: 2018 Estate Merlot, 2020 Bistro Cabernet Merlot
Enthusiast White Only: 2019 Limestone Chardonnay, 2020 Gewürztraminer
Expert Red: White: 2021 White Meritage, 2021 Skin Fermented White, 2018 Estate Merlot
Expert Red Only: 2013 Merlot Syrah, 2020 Bistro Cabernet Merlot, 2018 Estate Merlot
Expert White Only: 2019 Limestone Chardonnay, 2020 Gewürztraminer, 2021 White Meritage
Master Red: White: 2020 Gewürztraminer, 2019 Limestone Chardonnay, 2021 Skin Fermented White, 2018 Estate Merlot, 2013 Merlot Syrah, 2015 Estate Syrah
Master Red Only: 2018 Estate Merlot, 2013 Merlot Syrah, 2015 Estate Syrah, 2020 Bistro Cabernet Merlot (x2), 2013 Limestone Pinot Noir
BISTRO CHARDONNAY, 2021
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vineyard: Select Niagara Peninsula vineyards
Alcohol: 12%
Residual Sugar: 3 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 200
Appearance: Bright, straw colour.
Nose: Toasty, spicy, apple with a vanilla note.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, apple flavour, crisp, well-balanced, well-integrated oak. Lovely mouthfeel. Lemony finish giving great length.
Quality: 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now or through 2024.
Food Pairing: Roasted chicken with lemon and garlic, creamy seafood chowder, pesto penne with tomatoes and mozzarella, sweet potato and quinoa chili, and grilled crab legs.
ESTATE MERLOT, 2018
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Lincoln Lakeshore
Varietal: Merlot
Vineyard: Redstone Vineyard
Alcohol: 13%
Residual Sugar: 0 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 166
Appearance: Deep purple in colour.
Nose: Cedary, blueberry, vanilla, cherry cola nose with oak spice and a tobacco note.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, firmly structured with lively acidity and ripe tannins.
Quality: 90 – 92 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Can be opened now but will reward cellaring two years.
Food Pairing: Hazelnut-crusted lamb chops, Hawaiian burger with grilled pineapple, honey-balsamic pork chops, sweet and sour-roasted brussels sprouts, and steak frites.
LIMESTONE CHARDONNAY, 2019
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Twenty Mile Bench
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vineyard: Limestone Vineyard
Alcohol: 13%
Residual Sugar: 1 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 100
Appearance: Bright, straw colour.
Nose: Toasty, spicy, apple bouquet with a thread of minerality.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, apple, peach and lemon flavours with well-integrated oak. Good length.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now and through 2024.
Food Pairing: Seafood risotto, grilled chicken with bruschetta topping, bell pepper and ricotta primavera, garden vegetable tempura, and chili-glazed salmon.
BISTRO CABERNET MERLOT, 2020
Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon (46%), Cabernet Franc (44%), Merlot (10%)
Vineyard: Select Niagara Peninsula vineyards
Alcohol: 13%
Residual Sugar: 2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 250
Appearance: Bright. Semi-opaque. Dark ruby colour.
Nose: Aromas of candied apple, cherry pie, blackberry, hints of savoury green herbs, and a touch of menthol.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Dry. Black cherry, cassis, green pepper, black tea, and a hint of pepper spice. Nicely balanced with a long finish.
Quality: 90 – 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now or hold 1-2 years.
Food Pairing: Red wine-braised pork tacos, smoked cheddar steak sandwich, duck ragu, vegan enchiladas, and prime rib with garlic aioli.
GEWÜRZTRAMINER, 2020
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Vinemount Ridge
Varietal: Gewürztraminer
Vineyard: Redstone Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 15 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 333
Appearance: Golden straw in colour.
Nose: Minerally, spicy, aromatic, lychee nose with a floral note and a touch of sulphur.
Palate: Medium-bodied, just off-dry, lychee and passionfruit flavours. Well-balanced, juicy and delicious.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now or hold 1-2 years.
Food Pairing: Coconut shrimp with sweet chili sauce, miso-glazed pork belly, Thai red curry, maple-ginger chicken stir fry, and summer squash carpaccio.
MERLOT SYRAH, 2013
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietals: Merlot (60%), Syrah (40%)
Vineyard: Merlot — Laundry Vineyard and Syrah — Hillside Vineyard
Alcohol: 13%
Residual Sugar: 0 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 250
Appearance: Deep purple-ruby in colour.
Nose: Cedary, toasty, tobacco and blackberry nose with vanilla and white pepper notes.
Palate: Medium- to full-bodied, dry, juicy, blackberry flavour with lively acidity.
Quality: 89 – 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Very Good+ / Outstanding. Can be opened now but will improve with 1 –2 years.
Food Pairing: Chorizo and sweet potato chili, baby back ribs with Tamarind glaze, seared ahi tuna steaks, beef stroganoff, and pan-fried gnocchi and broccoli in black peppercorn sauce.
SKIN FERMENTED WHITE, 2021
Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietals: Riesling (56%), Gewürztraminer (44%)
Vineyard: Redstone Vineyard
Alcohol: 10.5%
Residual Sugar: 0 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 250
Appearance: Clear, bright. Light amber colour.
Nose: An intense bouquet of orange blossom, honeysuckle, orange, apricot, and sweet green herbs.
Palate: Medium acid, medium- body. Dry. Savoury flavours of apricot, citrus zest, and green herbs.
Quality: 89 – 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Very Good+ / Outstanding. Drink now or hold 1-2 years.
Food Pairing: Charcuterie board with brie and prosciutto, mushroom quesadilla with caramelized onions, lobster Thermador, orange chicken with orzo, and baked vegetable Biryani.
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