Steve Elder

Ferraton Père & Fils La Matinière Crozes-hermitage 2010, Ac

A classic Northern Rhone syrah; just loved this. Dominated by notes of white pepper and other spice, but fruit is ripe and round. Not profound, but completely delicious and a wine you just want to drink all night. Drinking very well right now but probably has a couple of years yet.

François Villard L'Appel Des Sereines Syrah 2010, Ac Vin De Pays Des Collines Rhodaniennes

Dark purple, with just a hint of light at the rim. Lovely, classic syrah nose of pepper and violets, with cassis beneath. Med to full bodied, round and ripe, with hardly a trace of tannin. Finish is all pepper again -- fleeting but quite deliciuous. Calls to mind Shiraz from a delicate hand, but lighter and livlier. Lots of fun and certainly excellent value. Not one for the cellar, even in this vintage.

13th Street June'S Vineyard Riesling 2011, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula

Maria Alvarez Serrano Abadía De Gomariz 2010, Do Ribeiro

Good deep colour. Nose has fresh berry notes with spicy hints. Juicy, med to full bodied, with a nice seam of acidity and lip-smacking tannins. Quite good length, if not super complexity. Mouth filling and, as the boys say, very satisfying. Nice balance of broad appeal with authenticity.

La Guita, Do Manzanilla Sanlúcar De Barrameda, Spain

This is a fine Manzanilla. Full bodied, suprisingly round, with great rancio notes but also a suggestion of the fruit beneath. Would be a good party aperitif wine for the adventurous. Very drinkable.

Flat Rock Gravity Pinot Noir 2012, VQA Twenty Mile Bench

This is starting to take shape. Full nose of freshly washed berries, with just a hint of something stony. Quite stern on the palate with tannic grip and noticeable acid, but very good fruit definition as well -- linear. Med bodied, and lingering. I'd hold this a while yet; just entering its drinking window. Classic P-N, but won't please everybody.

Pérez Cruz Reserva Limited Edition Carmenère 2012

Keint-he Portage Pinot Noir 2012, VQA Prince Edward County

Pale shimmering ruby. Classic PN nose of fresh strawberries and red candy. Really quite good body, with savoury flavours and a nice streak of acidity. Red fruit reappears as well. A well-made cool-climate PN, albeit lighter in style.

Thirty Bench Red 2012, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula

Dark ruby, with just a hint of lightening at the rim. Lovely nose of spice and oak notes, with good fruit and just a hint of earth. Mouthfilling and ripe, with a spicy finish that lingers. Excellent cool-climate winemaking, IMHO, emphasizing elegance and balance. Most certainly worth the price of admission.

Tamaya Gran Reserva Syrah 2011

Very good character here for the price. Will need to pay more attention for the second bottle to get detailed notes.