Neil Lightfoot

Hidden Bench Estate Riesling 2011, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula

Clean, fresh and jumping out of the glass. Pale straw in colour - I get lots of floral on the nose, more lime than lemon and tons of grapefruit. I also get some stone fruit mainly white peach. The palate has more grapefruit and some great minerality and complexity. There is some racey acidity with a bit of a bite but it's softened since my last tasting.

It really begs for another glass, fantastic bottle.

Norman Hardie County Cabernet Franc 2012, VQA Prince Edward County

Light bodied and elegant - very floral with a perfumed quality. strawberries and roses, a rose bomb really, jump out of the glass. There is the slightest touch of barnyard more akin to decomposing leaves. It is not herbaceous (more herbal notes) or leafy but it's still Cabernet Franc in the glass. The acids are medium minus, the alcohol is light. The palate had more of the juicy berries, a touch of raspberry with some light spice. A deep appreciation grows with each subsequent glass.

Château La Croix De Queynac 2009, Ac Bordeaux Supérieur

Medium ruby in colour with notes of cedar, licorice, plum and sage coming through on the nose. Juicy on the palate with blackberry, currant, plum and earthy notes. Fine grippy tannins and great length. Medium to full bodied with great intensity and depth for the price.

Keint He Voyageur Pinot Noir 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula

A lovely wine with great value. A touch of barnyard on the nose with cranberry, bramble-berry and earth. Flavours of root beer, red cherry, raspberry and subtle spice from it's time in French oak. Medium bodied and dry the tannins are subtle and drying. The finish is medium. A steal at this price. Tasted April 2014 at County in the City and Vintages April 26 release.

Casal Thaulero Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, Terre Di Chieti, Abruzzo

A great value wine that is soft with a lively acidity that makes it really food friendly. Earthy aromas are accompanied by plum, cassis, currant, coffee, tart black cherry, oak and even some violets peek out of the glass. Very dry with more currant and dark fruits. Soft tannins on the medium length finish but it's been hiding away for about 16 months. Enjoyed with meat pasta & tasted May 2014.

Vineland Estates Cabernet Franc 2011, Niagara Peninsula

This wine is deep ruby and almost purple in colour. It has quite a lively nose which suprised me for the 2011 vintage. Lots of black fruit, a touch of casis, raspberry, and oak notes. I also noted some herby earthiness in the background which I enjoyed. The palate was dry, a nice balance of lively acid mixed with more red fruit flavours, bell pepper and vanilla. A finish that seems to linger indefinitely. There is lots to enjoy in this bottle.

Great value for the asking price with lots of depth and character. My bottle went quick. Paired with barbequed pulled pork. Tasted Oct 2013.

Rosehall Run 'sz' Sullyzwicker Red 2011, Ontario

Pale but with a ruby red intensity. I found the nose very fruit forward. Earthy aromas are accompanied by notes of plump cherry, cranberry, raspberry and even chocolate. On the palate I noted some cinnamon and juicy red fruit from the nose. Very smooth and "Beaujolais like" with soft tannins. There is a slight tang with a zippy edge and good length on the finish. Nicely balanced, great food wine. I enjoyed it slightly chilled the second time around. Great pairing with my bbq brisket and slaw. Tasted September 2013.

Winzergenossenschaft Königschaffhausen Pinot Noir Rosé 2012, Qba Königschaffhauser Vulkanfelsen

Dry with a light body accompanied by delicate red fruit notes. There is some carbonation that drives the fresh clean finish. Zippy acidity with notable salinity. Palate cleansing and leaves you wanting another glass. Drink now I don't see it lasting. Tasted September 2013.

Kacaba Summer Series Rebecca Rosé 2013, VQA Niagara Peninisula

Deeply rose coloured and quite the departure from last year. Syrah and Pinot Noir were cold soaked for 12 hours with the addition of Cabernet Franc juice Süssreserve.

Smells of plump raspberry, strawberries, cream, leaf and white pepper. Loads of red fruit are framed by an earthiness on the palate and ever so slightly tart on the back palate. The wine is dry, medium bodied with medium alcohol and acidity.

Was a pleasure enjoyed with herbed pork tenderloin. I'd recommend only a slight chill. Tasted March & May 2013.