Lola Limited Edition White 2020 (Pelee Island, $17.95, LCBO #256510, to be released in LCBO’s P3 period, which begins May 21st)
A blend of 33.5% Pinot Gris, 33.5% Auxerrois and 33% Pinot Blanc. Light straw in colour; minerally, lightly floral, citrus and white peach bouquet; medium-bodied, dry, green plum and lemon flavours; fresh and lively on the palate. Reminiscent of an Alsace Edelswicker. (88.5)
Lola Limited Edition Red 2020 (Pelee Island, $18.95, LCBO #265390, to be released in LCBO’s Period 3 (September))
60% Baco Noir, 40% Merlot. Deep purple in colour; earthy plum nose with a suggestion of oak; medium-bodied, dry, plum and tobacco flavours with lively acidity and a firm tannic finish. (88)
Flat Rock Cellars Twisted 2019 (Niagara Peninsula; $17.95, Vintages Essentials #1578)
A blend of 80% Riesling, 10% Gewurztraminer and 10% Chardonnay. Bright, light straw colour; aromatic, pink grapefruit nose with a spicy note; light-bodied, crisply dry, honey apple and grapefruit flavours. Great length in the mouth. (89)
Flat Rock Cellars Red Twisted 2019 (Niagara Peninsula; $19.95, LCBO #86918)
62% Gamay, 24% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and 5% Pinot Noir. Deep ruby colour; lightly floral, tobacco leaf and black plum bouquet with oak spice; medium-bodied, dry, blackberry and plum flavours carried on fresh acidity to a finish of ripe tannins. Very Beaujolais in style. (88.5)
Niagara College Teaching Winery Pinot Noir 2022
A blend of the best barrels from both Red Paw and Black Paw barrels at the Coyotes Run site. Seventeen months in barrel. Ruby colour with a violet hue; earthy, beetroot nose with oak spice and a note of candied raspberry; medium-bodied, dry, firmly structured raspberry and mocha chocolate flavours carried on lively acidity. Delicate and restrained, Volnay style. (91)
Niagara College Teaching Winery Merlot 2020
Deep purple in colour; cedary, toasty, plum bouquet with a floral top note; medium-bodied, dry, richly extracted flavours of plum and black cherry with well-integrated oak and mellow tannins. A well-balanced wine. (90)
Niagara College Teaching Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Deep purple colour; cedary, spicy, toasty, vanilla, plum and currant bouquet; medium-bodied, savoury, blackcurrant and bitter chocolate flavours; firmly structured with evident but ripe, grainy tannins. Cellar for two years. (90–92)
Niagara College Teaching Winery Meritage Blend 2020
56% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Malbec, 6% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot. Deep purple colour; spicy, toasty nose of black fruits with evident oak influence from new oak; light to medium-bodied, dry, elegant, petit château-style; plum and blackcurrant flavours, well-structured and firm with ripe tannins. Hold two years to develop the bouquet and soften the tannins. (89–91)
(The Niagara College Teaching Winery Bordeaux varieties (3 wines above) have not been bottled yet.)
