Sue Sterling

Poole's Rock Cockfighter's Ghost Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Langhorne Creek, New South Wales

Opaque plum colour. High intensity nose of menthol, black currant jam, violets, and cherry cough drops.
Dry, full body, med. tannin. Cherry cough drops, leather, violets, black currant, and Fig Newtons. Long length.

Francois Lurton Les Haut De Janeil Syrah Grenache 2008, Vin De Pays D'oc

Med. density plum colour. Low to med. intensity nose of smoke, black pepper, dark plum, and smoked meat.
Dry, med. body, med. tannin. Smoked meat, dark plum, and black pepper. Med. plus length.

Quinta Da Aveleda Vinho Verde 2009

Pale straw colour, almost watery. Clean, fresh nose of hard candy, tangerine, and wet slate.
Dry, light body, med. acidity. Tangerine, mineral, and unripe pear.

Bellingham Shiraz Viognier 2005

Dense plum/ruby colour.
Fresh, medium intensity nose of cooked raspberry or raspberry crumble, vanilla (which suggests oak aging), plums, and baking spices like nutmeg.
Dry, medium-plus body, medium tannin. Baked raspberry, vanilla, hint of cinnamon, and cranberry. Long length. Excellent value.

Grilled meats; winter stews; and robust cheeses

Candor Lot 7 Zinfandel, Lodi

Dense black plum colour.
Med. intensity nose of cranberry, black currant, earth, white pepper, black olive, and orange Pekoe tea.
Dry, full body, med. tannin. Pie cherries, tea, white pepper, blueberry jam, and raspberry. Plush mouthfeel. Med. length.

Freixenet Cordon Rosado Cava, Do Cava

Med. density cranberry colour. Low to med. intensity nose of cranberry and tart cherry.
Dry, light to med. body, med. acidity. Cranberry, red currant, and a hint of pink grapefruit. Short to med. length. A frothy bit of fun.

Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Paso Robles

Deep garnet colour. Med. intensity nose of smoke, leather, black currant, blackberry, and blueberry.
Dry, med. plus body, med. tannin. Pencil lead, smoke, black currant, blueberry, and earth. Long length. Elegant.

Liberty School Chardonnay 2011, Central Coast

This wine includes 5% each of Marsanne and Viognier.
Med. gold colour. Med. intensity nose of baked apples, pastry crust, pineapple, vanilla, and popcorn.
Dry, full body, med. acidity. Apple crumble, pineapple, vanilla, and baking spice. Long length.

Fresita Sparkling Wine Infused With Strawberries

Deep candy apple red colour. Med. intensity nose of Kool Aid, sour keys, and a bin full of sugary candies.
Sweet, light body, low acidity. It's like drinking liquefied Swedish berry candies, and of course, strawberries. Simple, straitforward fruity bubbles.

Mike Weir Estate Chardonnay 2008, VQA Niagara Peninsula

Pale straw colour. Low intensity nose of yellow apple, wet slate, and Bartlett pear. Dry, med. body, med. plus acidity. Yellow apple, pear, and chalk.