Special Vintages release Saturday features a bevy of Niagara wines

Vintages is releasing a fair number of Niagara wines in a special Ontario wine release on Saturday Sept. 10 for its Go Local campaign. Here’s what to look for:

Sparkling wines:

Angels Gate Archangel Pinot Noir Rose 2008 ($25, 88 points) — Made in the traditional Champagne method with a strawberry-cherry mousse nose with added yeast and freshness. Lovely berries on the palate, fresh and clean with a fine, vigorous bead of bubbles.

Vineland Estates Brut Reserve 2008 ($20, 88 points) – A nose of toast, citrus and apple with a mousse that’s tight and lively. Notes of tangerine, citrus and toasted vanilla notes in the mouth. It’s a blend of Pinot Meunier and Pinot Blanc.

Also released but not reviewed:

• 13th Street Premier Cuvee Sparkling Wine ($30)

White wines:

Fielding Estate Riesling 2010 ($19, 88 points) — This is Fielding’s entry level Riesling with a nose of sweet citrus, lime, peach and a hint of minerality. Decent acid, considering the vintage, with lovely, fresh flavours in the mouth.

Flat Rock Cellars Estate Chardonnay 2008 ($17, 90 points) — This is one heck of a chard for $17. The nose oozes minerality, tropical fruit and nuanced oak and spice. Lovely in the mouth with bright tropical fruits accented with citrus and minerals.

Also released but not reviewed:

• Lailey Unoaked Chardonnay 2010 ($16)
• Cave Spring Chardonnay 2009 ($19)
• Featherstone Black Sheep Riesling 2010 ($17)
• Featherstone Gewurztraminer 2010 ($20)
• Reif Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2009 ($15)
• Wildass Riesling 2009 ($18)

Red wines:

Coyote’s Run Red Paw Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009 ($25, 91 points) — President of Coyote’s Run Jeff Aubrey’s consistently favourite of the two single-vineyards from the estate, the Red Paw shows highly expressive creamy cherry fruit, spice, toasty cedar bits and some bramble-forest floor notes. Love the cherry pie flavours on the palate with touches of raspberry fruit, cedar, spice and roasted herbs.

GreenLane Greetings Cabernet Merlot 2007 ($15, 86 points) — Nice blackberry-cherry aromas on the nose of this lighter fruit-forward wine. The fruits get a boost from licorice and spice on the palate.

Henry of Pelham Family Tree Red 2009 ($19, 88 points) — The Speck brothers are never content with the status quo. They are always building and tweaking their portfolio of wines while maintaining quality with the core brands. Sibling Rivalry was a successful second label for the Specks and now, with the release of a next-tier third label, Family Tree, they kick it up a notch or two. The red is a blend of Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc. The nose is an intense mix of currants, pepper, campfire smoke, raspberry jam and savoury notes. The Syrah comes through loud and clear. It’s a personable wine in the mouth, and unique, with smoky, jammy fruits to go with earth, spice, vanilla, cracked pepper and firm tannins. A rustic, back-yard sipper for those who like a little oomph in their wines.

Lailey Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009 ($20, winery, 89 points) — Even this entry level Pinot, a blend of several vineyards, is a superb example of Lailey’s craftsmanship with this grape. A nose of cherry-cranberry fruit, cloves and vanilla. Again, classic Pinot texture in the mouth with gorgeous red fruits and generously spiced from sip to swallow.

Rosewood Pinot Noir 2009 ($20, 89 points) — The nose shows perfumed cherry-raspberry, blueberry and spice. It’s delicate on the palate, feminine in style, and shows restraint on the palate, with cherry fruit, spice and silky tannins. Made from estate and Niagara Escarpment fruit.

Tawse Sketches of Niagara Cabernet Merlot 2009 ($20, 87 points) — OK, here’s the thing. I like this wine with its black cherry, cassis, cherry fruits and sweet spice notes, but I really don’t like the synthetic cork closure. To me, this is a perfect candidate for screwcap.

Vintage Ink Mark Of Passion Merlot-Cabernet 2009 ($18, 86 points) — From the difficult 2009 vintage, this red blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon shows lovely currants, blackberry, cloves, oak, spice and a touch of warm cherries on the nose. It’s a fruit-forward wine, smooth on the palate and built for near-term sipping. Pretty good effort considering the cool vintage.