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Top Canadian wines hit the auction block; plus Niagara wines featured at Vintages release Saturday

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There’s a decent selection of Niagara and B.C. wine gems hidden among the 353 lots of some of the finest and rarest wines on Earth that go under the gavel May 16-24 at the Fine Wine Online Auction.

This is formerly the Vintages online wine auction, but is now conducted by Waddingtons under the authority of Ontario’s Vintages.

The online-only auction starts on May 16 and starts closing bids on May 24 at 6 p.m.

NEBv_jPurf9oa-PmXeRluEQhw6eBCxZ_P3UilKOzGJMHm-wGjTc8wpqX13cHcxFr5UjkXpPE46XlxNuq4sUHE6e-G_bRlwUUIzpqiSJdprl5moufhnRNabcF9GwOIcU=s0-d-e1-ftMake no mistake, this auction is a big moneymaker for both Waddingtons and Vintages and it is highly unlikely that you will find any bargains here, especially considering the add-ons after you have won your bids.

A buyer’s premium of 20% is added on the successful bid price of each lot up to and including $50,000, and 15% on any amount in excess of $50,000 is paid by the buyer as part of the total purchase price.
Also add a charge of 13% HST to the hammer price and buyer’s premium, except for purchases exported from Canada. That’s a whopping 33% fee on top of what your bids end up totaling.

But if you are in the market for fine wines made for drinking now, and have no concern for your hard-earned cash, this is a pretty good place to start.

There are some collectible gems like the superb Chambertins of Armand Rousseau and the case lots of Chateau de Beaucastel Homage a Jacques Perrin, yet the majority of wines in the auction represent great opportunities for wine collectors to purchase great, and in some cases, legendary wines, for current enjoyment. The sale begins with an abundance of ready-to-drink Bordeaux in case quantities and is anchored by an exquisite southern Rhone valley cellar featuring an incredible array of Chateauneuf du Pape wines from legendary producers such as Clos St. Jean Deus Ex Machina, Beaucastel, Grand Veneur, Chateau Rayas and Domaine de Marcoux among others.

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There is also a very interesting collection of wines from a prominent Toronto chef’s collection, some lovely vintage Salon and a number of rare California cult wines in original wood crates. For those of you who enjoy purchasing mixed lots of Bordeaux, you will be delighted at the selection.

For lovers of Ontario and B.C. wines, there are some intriguing lots up for bids from some top producers. But don’t let the estimates fool you, these lots will sell for a lot higher than the estimate.

Here’s what to look for from the Canadian continent. Click here for the full Auction Gallery and here for the Catalogue PDF.

Lot 106

173902_1_l• PEARL MORISSETTE CUVÉE PERSEPHONE CABERNET FRANC, 2011 (3)
PEARL MORISSETTE GAMAY MON UNIQUE, 2013 (3)
• HIDDEN BENCH VINEYARDS LA BRUNANTE, 2010 (1)
• LAILEY WINERY SYRAH, 2010 (3 MAG.)
• TAWSE WINERY MERITAGE 2010 (4)
• TAWSE WINERY WINE CLUB WHITE, 2011 (3)

Note:

PER LOT 14 BTS & 3 MAGS
Estimate — $300-$350

Lot 127

173923_1_l• STRATUS VINEYARDS RED, 2007 (4)
• MOON CURSER VINEYARDS SYRAH, 2009 (2)
• TAWSE WINERY WINE CLUB SYRAH, 2010 (1)
• TAWSE WINERY WINE CLUB SYRAH/MERLOT, 2009 (2)

Note:

PER LOT 9 BTS
Estimate — $160-$180

Lot 143

173939_1_l• PEARL MORISSETTE CHARDONNAY CUVÉE D IX-NEUVIÈME, 2012 (2)
• PEARL MORISSETTE CHARDONNAY CUVÉE D IX-NEUVIÈME, 2010 (1)
• TAWSE CABERNET SAUVIGNON ICEWINE, 2011 (3 200ML)
• TAWSE RIESLING ICEWINE, 2009 (1 200ML)

Note:

PER LOT 3 BTS & 4 200ml BTS
Estimate — $100-$120

Lot 136

173932_1_l• LA STELLA WINERY MAESTOSO MERLOT, 2008 (2)
• TAWSE WINERY DAVID’S BLOCK MERLOT, 2009 (2)
• TAWSE WINERY DAVID’S BLOCK MERLOT, 2010 (4)
• PEARL MORISSETTE CUVEE MADELINE CABERNET FRANC, 2010 (2)
• HIDDEN BENCH CELLARS LOCUST LANE PINOT NOIR, 2007 (1)

Note:

PER LOT 11 BTS
Estimate — $120-$160

Niagara wines released at Vintages Saturday

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Nyarai Cellars Cadence 2011 ($22, 89 points) — Virtual winemaker Steve Byfield crafts his wines from sourced Niagara grapes and always finds a way to squeeze the best out of his favourite varietals and blends. The Cadence is a red blend of Cabernet Franc (42%), Merlot (33%), Cabernet Sauvignon (20%), and Syrah (5%) and has a bright, bold nose of red fruits, oak spice, cassis, blueberry, herbs and bramble. It’s a lovely mix of red and dark fruits on the palate with savoury spices and fine tannins adding to the profile. It’s a lighter version of the 2010, but nicely done from the 2011 vintage.

EastDell Black Label Cabernet Merlot 2013 ($20, 88 points) — The nose shows earthy red and dark fruits, spice notes and leather. It’s smooth and textured on the palate with a range of cassis, blackberries, cocoa, earth and bright acidity through the finish.

Also being released, but not reviewed:

  • Rosewood Sussreserve Riesling 2015 ($15)
  • The Stopper White Blend 2014 ($19)
  • Domaine Queylus Tradition Pinot Noir 2012 ($30)
  • Fielding Rose 2015 ($16)
  • Ridgepoint Pinot Noir 2010 ($15)
  • Tawse Sketches of Niagara Cabernet/Merlot 2012 ($21)
  • Viewpointe Focal Pointe Cabernet Franc 2010 ($25)