Cantina Goccia 3Q 2018 (Umbria)
A blend of Sangiovese with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Medium ruby colour; medicinal nose of chocolate and plum; medium-bodied, dry, earthy, plum and black cherry flavours with a dark chocolate finish. (88) The bottle is made of recycled paperboard with a food-grade liner, and is about one-fifth the weight of a regular wine bottle (not counting the wine, which weighs as much as wine usually does).
The paper bottle
Gérard Bertrand Orange Gold 2020 (South of France, $24.95; Vintages #23729)
A blend of Grenache Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Marsanne, Mauzac, Muscat. Bronze-gold in colour; earthy, orange peel nose; medium-bodied, dry, aromatic, spicy, orange with a note of orange pith. (88)
Gérard Bertrand An 990 Fitou 2019 (South of France; $17.95, Vintages #403683, to be released May 21st)
Grenache, Carignan blend. Deep ruby-purple in colour; cedary, spicy, meaty nose; medium to full-bodied, dry, savoury, plum and dark chocolate flavours, with lively acidity and soft tannins. (89)
Township 7 Benchmark Series Reserve Chardonnay 2020 (Oliver and Naramata Bench fruit)
Light straw colour; spicy, peach and vanilla nose with a floral top note; medium-bodied, dry, ripe peach, pineapple and lemon flavours; beautifully balanced, with a pleasing mouth-feel, well-integrated oak and great length. (92)
Township 7 Benchmark Series Gewurztraminer 2019 (Oliver and Naramata Bench fruit)
Pale straw colour; spicy, rose petal and lychee bouquet; medium-bodied, dry, lychee and pink grapefruit flavours, lovely balance of acidity and fruit. Hold a year or two to develop the bouquet. (90–91)
Township 7 Merlot 2019 (Okanagan Valley; $26.97 in BC)
Deep purple colour; spicy, toasty, plum bouquet with a light floral top note; medium-bodied, dry, elegant, plum and black cherry flavours; firmly structured and beautifully balanced. (91)
Ruffino Riserva Ducale Oro Gran Selezione Chianti Classico 2017 (Tuscany; $49.95, Vintages #353201)
Ruby colour with a tawny note at the rim; cedary, cherry compote nose with oak spice; medium-bodied, dry, elegant, firmly structured, raspberry and cherry flavours with toasty oak notes. (91)
Jackson-Triggs Sauvignon Blanc 2020 (Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara; $20.95, Vintages #25368)
Pale gold colour; lemon, grass, celery and green plum bouquet; medium-bodied, dry, gooseberry and passionfruit flavours; good length. (89.5)
Jackson-Triggs Grand Reserve Pinot Noir 2019 (Four Mile Creek, Niagara; $25.95, Vintages #25316)
Deep ruby in colour; cedary, lightly floral nose of raspberries; medium-bodied, dry, juicy, raspberry and cranberry flavours; well-balanced and firmly structured. Needs time. (88–89)
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)
Niagara College Teaching Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Fortified 2019 (not yet priced)
Winemaker Gavin Robertson distilled the spirit for this fortified Cabernet Sauvignon bringing the alcohol up to 18.5%. Deep purple in colour; spicy, milk chocolate, toast and black fruit bouquet with a floral top note; full-bodied, juicy, jammy, plum and mocha flavour; sweet but well-balanced. Reminiscent of a Ruby Port. (91)
