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Lots of Niagara bubbly ready to pop in the Vintages release on Saturday, plus some re-releases

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The Dec. 7 Vintages release is chock full of sparkling delights as the LCBO has New Year’s Eve firmly in its sights.

In terms of Niagara wines being released, it’s a bit of an odd one.

O6CrandCuveeThere are some nice sparklers and a few new wines being released but a fair amount of retreads; wines that have been offered up previously with some on their third appearance.

Particularly strange is the 13th Street Grand Cuvee Blanc de Noirs 2006. Not because it isn’t a delightful wine, it is!, but because the 2007 version of this wine was just released Nov. 23. Not sure how consumers will react to seeing both the 2007 and 2006 vintages on shelves so close together.

There are also 2009 Pinot Noirs, all of which have been offered previously and, perhaps most curious, a couple of 2008 reds that will need careful consideration.

But, there are some gems, so here’s what I can recommend for what is essentially the last shot at decent Vintages wines before Christmas.

13th Street Cuvee 13 Sparkling Brut Rose ($25, 90 points)There is a lot going on in this perfect holiday bubbly. Made from 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay, the nose oozes cherry, raspberry, cranberry and pomegranate with a lovely sage-citrus-brioche afterglow. It’s bold and zippy on the palate with a steady, energetic mousse that rides along a racy vein of acidity.

1Flat Rock Riddled Sparkling 2008 ($25, 90 points)A blend of 71% Chardonnay with the rest Pinot Noir. A fantastic follow up to the more fleshy 2007 vintage. I truly adore the no-fuss beer-bottle style crown cap that simply pops off with no spillage whatsoever. The nose is all about clean, fresh apple, lime-citrus, toast and mineral. It’s vibrant and lively on the palate with an energetic mousse, lemon-lime zest flavours and razor sharp acidity.

Peller Estates Signature Series Ice Cuvee Rose ($35, 93 points)This sparkler includes a dosage of Cabernet Franc and Vidal icewine. This is such a magical wine with strawberry, citrus, watermelon, raspberry, spice, honey and toast on the nose. Simply delicious in the mouth with a sweet, vigorous bead of bubbles, lush red fruits of raspberry and strawberry and just a kiss of sweetness to balance out the acidity.

Featherstone Canadian Oak Chardonnay 2011 ($22, 90 points)The oak comes from trees planted along the Grand River in Brantford, Ont. and the staves are shipped to California for the completion of the barrels. Johnson likes Canadian oak in his Chardonnay, which he says fits somewhere between French and American oak in terms of spice seasoning. The Chard sees one year in 100% new oak and is fermented with wild yeast. The nose shows toasted vanilla, apple-pear, and creamy notes. It has lovely texture on the palate with poached pear, vanilla wood spices, brioche and apple butter notes through a smooth finish. Interesting and different style of Chard.

Rosewood Sussreserve Riesling 2012 ($15, 88 points)An expressive off-dry Riesling with a nose of lemon-lime and wet-stone minerality. I love the sweet-tart play on the palate with vivid lime and grapefruit flavours.

Cave Spring Estate Pinot Noir 2009 ($35, 91 points)A beauty from the famed Cave Spring Vineyard, with a classic and refined nose of juicy cherry fruit, toasted spices, forest floor and beetroot. It’s elegant and smooth on the palate with good structure and texture to go with ripe, rich red fruits and fine oak-inspired spices. Drink or hold.

HOP_E_pinotnoir_09_bottleHenry Pelham Estate Pinot Noir 2009 ($25, 89 points)A nose of cherries and strawberries with some earth and spice. Good acidity and firm tannins on the palate with red fruits and spice. Quite tasty through the finish.

Tawse Estate David’s Block Merlot 2010 ($50, 92 points)About as perfect a vintage as you will find in Niagara for single-variety Merlot. You just want to melt into this super-juicy, super-concentrated Merlot. The aromas range from succulent black cherries and currants to vanilla toast, Damson plums, smoke and riveting spices. It builds on the palate with smoky red fruits, licorice, tar, darker fruits and medium soft tannins. It is rich and textured, not at all flabby, but will benefit, like all top Bordeaux varieties in Niagara from 2010, with time in the cellar.

Other Niagara wines released but not reviewed:

Pillitteri Antagonist 2010 ($16)

Southbrook Triomphe Cabernet/Merlot 2008 ($23)

The Foreign Affair The Temptress 2009 ($45)

13th Street Grand Cuvee Blanc de Noirs 2006 ($60)

Megalomaniac Bubblehead 2011 ($29)

Cave Spring Estate CSV Chardonnay 2011 ($19)

Inniskillin Winemaker’s Series Montague Vineyard Chardonnay 2012 ($25)

Cave Spring Estate Cabernet Franc 2008 ($25)