cube3087

Hidden Bench Estate Riesling 2020, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment

This NWAC 2023 gold medalist sports wonderful lift, purity and precision. Riesling's aromatic prowess is front and centre with lifted, ripe pear/melon fruit, subtle petrol and a lovely spice I often get from older vine Niagara rieslings.

Apr 2025 - found it a bit sour on the finish

Black Bank Hill Merlot Lincoln Lakeshore 2023

Bachelder L'Il Kirby A.k.a.kirby East Gamay Noir (52% Whole Cluster) 2024, Cru De Niagara VQA Four Mile Creek

Note - 2023 vintage. From the Four Mile Creek VQA. Fruity and a bit riper, with less earth and minerality, than their bench offerings. 53% whole cluster.

Sindicat La Figuera Garnatxa Negra 2024, D.O.C. Montsant

Liquidity Dividend 2020, Okanagan Valley

Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot

Wynns Coonawarra Estate The Siding Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, Coonawarra, South Australia

Double thumbs up!
Entry-level cabernet sauvignon is rarely this lovely and true to form. The Siding is already approachable, with a delicious core of supple dark fruit including blackberries, dark plums, and blackcurrants. Barrel influence in the form of notes of nutmeg, cloves, and black cardamom adds dimension and appeal, as do savoury nuances of earth and dried herbs. The palate is full-bodied and ever so slightly warm, supported by chalky, grippy tannins and succulent acids, while the finish is long and flavourful.

Redstone Cabernet Sauvignon Icewine 2019, VQA Niagara Peninsula (375ml)

Brokenwood Hunter Valley Sémillon 2024

Very few $25 wines anywhere on this big home we call earth are as great and important as sémillon from Brokenwood. Clean with notes of green apple skin and salty, dry, and mineral profile. A touch of viscosity lends length to the finish. Hold at least 3-4 years for a more complex expression.

Torbreck Cuvée Juveniles 2022, Barossa Valley

The Juveniles is a spirited blend of grenache, mataro, carignan and counoise. Spicy and generous, it brims with bramble, pink peppercorn, black currant and morello cherry. Rich and inviting without heaviness, its brooding palate reveals layers of complexity and excellent length. A sophisticated Rhône style blend of notable value.

Torre Mora Scalunera 2021, Etna Rosso Doc

Nerello Mascalese Blend. Perfectly ripe red fruit, including dark cherries, redcurrants, and strawberries are joined by pretty aromas of cherry blossoms. There is also a savoury side to this wine, reminiscent of muddy wild mushrooms, wet earth, and savoury herbs. The long finish is equally multifaceted. The palate is medium bodied, with bright acidity and fine, quite drying tannins