Malivoire Bisous Rosé (Non-Vintage) (Pinot Noir, Beamsville Bench; winery only, $34.95)
Pale rose gold in colour; active mousse of tiny bubbles. A bouquet of wild strawberries and red apple; medium-bodied, dry, fresh and lively on the palate with a strawberry and red plum flavour, rounded with oak. (90)
Malivoire Gamay “Concrete” 2022 (Beamsville Bench, winery only, near-future release, $28–$30)
Fermented in concrete tanks then aged seven months in 12-year-old, 300-litre barrels. Purple-ruby in colour; spicy, peppery, cherry nose with vanilla oak notes; medium-bodied, dry, savoury, sour cherry flavour with a peppery note, carried on fresh acidity. (91)
Other wines tasted (with dinner):
- Lyme Bay Chardonnay 2021 (Devon, England)
- La Belle Alliance Toujours 2021 (Eastern Townships, Quebec)
- Cascina Chicco Rocche de Coteletto Barolo 2017
- Bachelder Wismer-Wingfield “Ouest” Chardonnay 2016
- Bachelder Wismer-Foxcroft “Nord” Chardonnay 2018
- Bachelder Les Villages Pinot Noir 2021
- Perez Cruz Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 (Maipo Valley, Chile).