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What to look for at Vintages Aug. 8 AND Aug. 22, plus Benjamin Bridge from Nova Scotia

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A mid-summer release of wines on Saturday, Aug. 8, at Vintages features a few nice whites from Niagara.

And because Wines In Niagara is taking a little summer break, we’ve included featured Niagara wines (and a beauty from Nova Scotia) being released at Vintages stores on Aug. 22.

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Henry of Pelham Family Tree White 2012 ($18, 88 points) — The Family Tree White combines Chardonnay, Viognier, Gewurztraminer and Sauvignon Blanc with about 40% of the fruit barrel fermented and barrel aged for 8 months. The nose shows apple, pear, citrus and a rich array of oak-derived spices. The palate reveals spicy pear, lychee and apricot through a zesty finish. Good value white.

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Rosewood Sussreserve Riesling 2014 ($15, 89 points) — At 9.9% abv., this is Rosewood’s lowest alcohol wine they have ever made. It has an interesting nose of marmalade, citrus, lime, Mandarin orange and crisp apple notes. It’s bright and juicy on the palate with citrus, orchard fruits and a smidge of sweetness on the finish.

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The Foreign Affair Enchanted 2013 ($18, 88 points) — Made in the ripasso style, this is a blend of 55% Sauvignon Blanc and 45% Riesling. It has a luxurious nose of grapefruit, lime, citrus and integrated herbs and spice. It reveals freshness and energy on the palate with a full array of citrus fruit and just a hint of grass and herbs.

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Tragically Hip Fully Completely Reserve Red 2012 ($25, 90 points) — I thought this was sold out long ago, but it keeps popping up at Vintages releases (so I’m not certain this is the same wine that I originally reviewed). It’s a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc that shows off the warm vintage in Ontario in 2012. It has a bold nose of cherries, currants, cigar leaf, spice and blackberries. It’s bold and rich on the palate with an array of red and dark fruits, interesting spice notes and a smooth delivery.

Also released but not reviewed:

  • Inniskillin Shiraz-Cabernet 2012 ($25)
  • The Good Wine Big Fork Red 2013 ($19)
  • Tawse Sketches of Niagara Rose 2014 ($16)

An international wine suggestion:

Chateau de Treviac Corbieres 2012, Languedoc-Roussillon ($17, 89 points) — A blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Grenach, the nose shows spicy, rich cassis, currants and blueberries with a lifted floral note and cinnamon-nutmeg spice. It’s inviting and caressing on the palate with an array of ripe dark fruits and peppery spices all delivered on a bed of soft tannins.

August 22 Vintages release

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This release features the much-talked about Benjamin Bridge Nova 7 from the Gaspereau Valley in Nova Scotia.

The Gaspereau Valley is one of the rare grape-growing regions with a growing season very similar to Champagne. The cool climate fosters extremely low natural cropping levels leading to a precious (and expensive) yield of grapes with rich flavours, texture and length.

It is a real treat to have the Nova 7 appear on Vintages shelves. I’ve also included a review for the Benjamin Bridge Brut 2008, but it, unfortunately, is not a part of the release.

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Benjamin Bridge Nova 7 2013, Nova Scotia ($25, 91) — A tribute to Nova Scotia winemaking, this friendly and flavourful wine is a proprietary blend of signature aromatic white grapes highlighting select Muscat varieties. Showing a pale salmon colour and sporting a light spritz, the nose is highly aromatic with honeysuckle, jasmine, ginger, apple, lime and grapefruit. Such an inspiring range of fruit on the palate, with a citrus zing on the refreshing finish. A delight, and only 7% alcohol.

Benjamin Bridge Brut 2008, Nova Scotia ($45, 92 points) — Made in the Methode Classique style, it’s a blend of old world Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with new world (Nova Scotia) L’Acadie and Seyval with a brilliant nose of lemon chiffon, peach and saline minerality that is piercing and inviting. It shows a gentle mousse on the palate with a ripe citrus, peach tart and mineral attack that adds subtle spice through a long and vibrant finish.

Charles Baker Picone Vineyard Riesling 2012 ($35, 92 points) — An interesting comparison to the 2011 vintage in that this was made with 14 g/l of residual sugar, a lot drier than the 20 g/l RS of the 2011 vintage. The nose is typical of this single-vineyard with lemon-lime, lanolin, swirling minerality and subtle floral-herbaceous notes. It feels drier on the palate with more mineral notes washing over the palate and riper fruits. Perhaps a Picone that best shows its beauty in its youth? Time will tell.

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Vineland Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2013 ($17, 89 points) — The nose shows bright grapefruit, grass, tropical fruits and wild herbs. It’s fresh and brash on the palate with citrus, grapefruit, passion fruit and lemon grass notes. A great summer sipper.

Featherstone Onyx 2010 ($30, 92 points) — This red blend is culled from the best 10% of the Merlot and Cabernet Franc barrels and is aged in 100% American oak for 24 months. It is a delight. A bold nose of plums, currants, tobacco leaf, nutmeg, mocha and rich red fruits that are lifted by a nice herb note in the background. It’s stylish on the palate with integrated red fruits and spice with fine tannins and mid-weight through the finish. Drinking great right now or can cellar a few years.

Henry of Pelham Estate Cab Merlot 2010 ($25, 89 points) — From the ripe and hot 2010 vintage, Henry of Pelham has created a juicy and age-worthy blend of Cab Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The nose displays lovely cherry, plum, red currants, smoke, leather, oak vanilla toast and spice. It’s nicely structured on the palate with earthy fruits, mocha spice, bright acidity and a smooth texture through the finish. This will get better if you lay it down in your cellar for a couple of years. I originally reviewed this wine in 2013 and just recently re-tasted it. The fruit is more fully evolved and the spices nicely integrated. It is coming along nicely but still can be cellared for five plus years. A rare treat to be able to purchase a Niagara red with appropriate age on it.

Also released but not reviewed:

• Kabang Red 2012 (Stratus) ($20)
• Thirty Bench Red 2013 ($24)
• Featherstone Four Feathers 2014 ($15)
• Southbrook Triomphe Chardonnay 2013 ($23)