Sue Sterling

Bodega François Lurton Pinot Gris 2009, Uco Valley, Mendoza

Very pale straw colour, with a hint of pink. Low to med. intensity nose of white peach, candied citrus, red apple, and some mineral.
Dry, light to med. body, med. acidity. Red apple, white peach, orange, and grapefruit. Med. length. Drink now. Serve with salads and mild cheeses.

Fontanafredda Barbera Briccotondo 2007, Doc

Med. plus density ruby core to purple rim. Low intensity nose of brine, black olives, pencil lead, and black plums.
Dry, med. to med. plus body, med. to med. plus tannin. Sweet black plums, pencil lead, blackberry, and cherry jam. Med. plus length. Drink now and for the next 2-3 years.

Vidal Fleury Côtes Du Rhône 2011

This wine is mostly Grenache, with Syrah, Mourvèdre and Carignan.

Med. density ruby/garnet colour. Med. intensity nose of leather, black plum, violet, black currant, smoke, and vanilla.
Dry, full body, med. to med.-plus tannin. Smoked meat, black olive, tar, black plum, black currant, "garrigue", and leather. Very good quality.

Peller Estates Signature Series Classic Ice Cuvée Sparkling, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Icewine Dosage, Traditional Method

Med. straw colour. Small bubbles, persistent mousse. Med. intensity nose of powdered hard candies, dried apricot, candied orange, and unripe pineapple. Off-dry, light body, med. to med. plus acidity. Candied citrus, dried apricot, papaya, and pineapple on the palate. Long length.

Huff Estates Cuvee Janine 2010, VQA Prince Edward County

Med. garnet colour. Med. intensity nose of cranberry, sour cherry, and mineral.

Dry, med. body, med. acidity. Sour cherry, cranberry, and wet stone on the palate. Med. length.

Very tasty.

Ostler Pinot Gris Audrey's 2011, Waitaki Valley

Pale straw colour. Med. intensity nose of white peach, yellow apple, unripe pineapple, and a hint of caramel.

Dry, med. to med.-plus body, med. acidity. Grilled pineapple, white peach, toffee, and tarte tatin. Long length. Delicious.

Tasted Sept. 2013

Mission Hill S.L.C. Merlot 2005

Med. density garnet/plum colour. Med. intensity nose of cooked raspberry, black cherry, cocoa powder, vanilla, cedar, new leather, and chocolate-covered raisins.
Dry, full body, med. plus to high tannin. Cherries, chocolate, cranberry, cedar, vanilla, and blackberry. Long length. Elegant.

Chateau Des Charmes Generation Seven White 2009, VQA Niagara On The Lake

Pale straw colour. Low intensity nose of rosewater, apricot, lily of the valley, and tangerine. Dry to off-dry, light body, med. acidity. Apricot, tangerine, rosewater, and white peach. Med. length.

Trius Merlot 2011, Niagara Peninsula

Nose of cocoa powder, raspberry, earth, cranberry, and some vanilla. Palate shows Cranberry, leather, cocoa powder, raspberry, and smoke.

Anselmi San Vincenzo 2011, Igt Veneto

Med. plus intensity nose of peach, some vegetal notes, yellow apple, and roasted nuts. Dry, med. plus body, med. acidity. Custard apple, almonds, and fresh herbs. Med. plus length.