What We’re Drinking Now!

13th Street “Essence” Pinot Noir VQA Niagara Peninsula 2009
Available at the winery $45
13th Street only makes its “Essence” lable during exceptional years, with exceptional grapes; that gives them the freedom to pick the grapes that they think are showing really well to make these top tier bottles. It doesn’t always have to be Pinot, and it doesn’t have to be every year.
Anyway, this is a spectacular wine with a stunning nose of ripe strawberry, ash and caramel and bursting with flavours of ripe strawberry, baked rhubarb, barnyard, leather and crushed black pepper.

Flat Rock Cellars Pinot Noir Rosé VQA Twenty Mile Bench 2010
Vintages 39974 $16.95
This has become a go-to for lazy Sunday afternoons with cheese and charcuterie. Orangey-pink in colour, this is a delightful rosé full of flavours of strawberry and ripe orchard fruit. A surprisingly weighty mouthfeel make this also an ideal pairing with grilled salmon or roast turkey.

A Foreign Affair “Ti Amo” Cabernet Franc VQA Niagara Peninsula 2007
Available at the winery $110
Cab Franc is one of our favourite grapes — and one we think Niagara does exceptionally well. This wine is done in the appassimento style (a la Amarone) made from 100% dried grapes. What results is a beautifully rich and decadent red with black cherry, milk chocolate, cardamom spice, forest floor with a licorice finish. Just delicious.