Wine Type: Whites
Chardonnay, Rosehall Run Vineyards, ‘Cuvee Caviste’
Hillier, Prince Edward County 2010
This is the Cuvee County chard we all love - lightly oaked (half in stainless half in oak) while still retaining a lively acidity. just enough butter, just enough mineral, just enough juicy key lime fruit to lure you in. loving this wine, and loving the price!
- Price (bottle) ~ $38.
Bistro Rose, Hidden Bench
Beamsville, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario Canada 2012
Have you ever had love at first sip? This wine had me immediately - deep pink/purple color, expressive layers of ripe strawberry, cherry and juicy dark fruit on the nose and palate ‐ fresh acidity allows for unlimited food pairing combinations. Not sweet, but just enough sugar for the fruit to be expressive, juicy, complex, layered and delicious!
- Price (glass) ~ $9.
- Price (½ litre) ~ $24.
- Price (bottle) ~ $35.
Cave Spring Chenin Blanc ‘Estate’
Niagara, Ontario 2011
A crisp and medium bodied expression of this Loire Valley classic, this will be the last bottling of chenin, possibly in all of Niagara, as this vineyard has been replanted as of last year. Enjoy it while it lasts!
- Price (bottle) ~ $42.
Lillypilly Estates ‘Noble One’ Botrytis Semillon/Sauvignon
Leeton, Australia 2008
- Price (glass) ~ $12
- Price (bottle) ~ $65
Harwood Estates ‘Just Desserts’
Prince Edward County, Ontario Canada 2009
Michael Pinkus: "This sweet dessert wine delivers with sweet raspberry, cherry and cranberry on both nose and palate with great balancing acidity on the finish."
- Price (glass) ~ $10
- Price (bottle) ~ $50
Chardonnay, ‘Aradia’ Penley Estate
Coonawarra, Australia 2010
This chardonnay has been made to be crisp with fresh fruit characters and soft oak that will allow some maturation if required. The colour is medium yellow with touches of grapey green. The aroma is emphasised by melon and fresh citrus fruits with a hint of biscuity and nutty complexes achieved by aging on yeast lees and the use of soft French oak. A finely layered palate with harmonious and sensuous flavours of melons and grapefruit. The subtle oak enhances the varietal flavours without overpowering them and leads to a silky soft finish.
- Price (bottle) ~ $55.
Sauvignon Blanc, Voss Vineyards
Napa Valley, California USA 2011
You wouldn't go to an eye doctor to check on back pain, right? following that philosophy, you might as well go to the specialists for great Sauvignon Blanc. This is all of what they make at Voss, and since everyone in the Napa and Sonoma Valleys already know this, i thought i would share it with you also. Presto, you are now an insider! The 2011 Sauvignon Blanc displays classic varietal characteristics of lime and grapefruit zest, with a hint of guava. On the palate, this wine delivers a delightful combination of bold fruit flavors and crisp, lingering finish. The wine shows a lovely fullness in the palate from the skin contact before pressing and the addition of a small percentage of wine that was barrel fermented, resulting in a lingering finish that is bright and crisp. “The 2011 Sauvignon Blanc is a great expression of intense flavors and aromas. The skin contact in the press and fermenting 3 separate lots using a combination of yeasts provides the opportunity to make a wine of great varietal character. The addition of a small portion of wine fermented in barrels added another dimension to the wine on the palate” Michael Lancaster, Voss Winemaker, 2011
- Price (bottle) ~ $63
Chardonnay, Carnel Road *sustainable*
Monterey, California 2010
- Price (bottle) ~ $59
Chardonnay, Camelot
California USA 2008
- Price (bottle) ~ $35
Chardonnay, Kendall-Jackson ‘Vintner’s Reserve’ (half bottle)
California USA 2008
(375ml)
- Price (bottle) ~ $22.
Sangervasio Bianco
IGT Tuscany, 2010
Fresh and well-balanced blend of Vermentino, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Crisp, dry, and loves a variety of foods.
- Price (bottle) ~ $52
Langhe Bianco Paolo Scavino
Italy 2009
85% sauvignon blanc, the rest chardonnay. Tasted recently, and was a group favorite in an all-Italian tasting. Fresh, crisp, and reminiscent of breezy summer days!
- Price (bottle) ~ $38.
Pinot Grigio Casa Geretto
Veneto, Italy 2011
- Price (bottle) ~ $36.
Chardonnay Bourgogne, Mischief and Mayhem
France 2009
Mischief and Mayhem is the creation of Michael and Fiona Ragg and Michael Twelftree (Two Hands Wines), three great friends whose passion for wine, and for Burgundy in particular, inspired them to create the company in autumn 2004. Their goal is to produce some of the finest wines that Burgundy can offer - well made, elegant and indvidual wines that epitomise all that is fine about this great region. With fruit sourced from outstanding vineyard sites from both the Côte d'Or and Chablis, and wines offered at fair prices, it is their aim to bring something new and exciting to the marketplace by producing great, terroir-specific wines, packaged in a way that offers detailed information to both the newcomer and the experienced Burgundy buyer. Tasting Note: Pale straw in colour with a touch of gold. Beautifuly clean, pure, mid-intensity nose of ripe melon, lemon zest, white peach, lychee and honeycomb, with traces of baked apple and shortbread.
- Price (bottle) ~ $75.
Mercurey Blanc, Domaine du Meix-Foulot (375ml half bottle)
France 2009
- Price (bottle) ~ $34
Sauvignon Blanc, Jean-Pierre Colas ‘Essence’ 13th Street
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario Canada 2009
You may know Jean-Pierre from his days at Chateau Laroche where he oversaw wine production for ten years. He also holds the honor of 1998's Wine of the Year, for Domaine Laroche Grand Cru Les Clos 1996. This particular wine shows more complexity than one would expect to find on this continent, almost reminiscent of a Cuvee Silex I once had the honor to taste.
- Price (bottle) ~ $65.
Chardonnay, Cave Spring (half bottle)
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario Canada 2009
(375ml)
- Price (bottle) ~ $18.
Gewurztraminer, Lighthall Vineyards
South Bay, Prince Edward County 2010
- Price (bottle) ~ $45
Chardonnay, Sugarbush Vineyards
Hillier, Prince Edward County 2010
- Price (bottle) ~ $2010
Chardonnay ‘CHOA’ Karlo Estates
Hillier, Prince Edward County 2010
Aged in mixed barrels of cherry, hickory, oak and ash woods, this wine is mostly experimental, but exhibits some interesting flavor profiles that lift through the palate: smokey, and reminding one of autumnal bonfires ...
- Price (bottle) ~ $55
Gewurztraminer, Sugarbush Vineyards
Hillier, Prince Edward County 2011
- Price (bottle) ~ $35.
Pinot Gris, Harwood Estates (half bottle)
Hillier, Prince Edward County 2010
- Price (bottle) ~ $20.
‘Van Alstine’ White Port-style, Karlo Estates
Prince Edward County, Ontario Canada 2010
juicy lychee and apricot fruit jump out of the glass. medium sweet and powerfully delicious! a perfect match with any creme bruleé. (500ml)
- Price (bottle) ~ $50
‘Premier Cuvee’ 13th Street Winery
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario Canada NV
- Price (bottle) ~ $59
Brut Rose, Hinterland
Prince Edward County, Ontario Canada 2009
- Price (bottle) ~ $63
‘Progression’ Sparkling Vidal, Lighthall Vineyards
South Bay, Prince Edward County 2011
- Price (bottle) ~ $40.
Prosecco ‘Valsecco’ Contarini
Italy NV
- Price (bottle) ~ $30.
Tarlant Brut Zero (half Bottle)
France, NV
- Price (bottle) ~ $55.
Chardonnay, Hanzell
Sonoma Valley, California USA 2008
WS 91. Complex and layered, offering a full-bodied mix of toasty vanilla oak, ripe pear and fig, with touches of floral and spice. Ends with a complex finish. –JL
- Price (bottle) ~ $145.
Gruner Veltliner, ‘Privat’ Nigl
Kremstal, Austria 2007
WS 93. A luscious spicy aroma is followed up by concentrated flavors of ripe peach, glazed apricot, honeydew melon and cream. The long, well-structured finish is dominated by lemon zest and smoke. Drink now through 2014.
- Price (bottle) ~ $75
Viognier, Copain ‘Tous Ensemble’
Mendocino County, California USA 2007
Winemaker Wells Guthrie's commitment to Rhone varietals has given him a unique niche in the California wine community, and this heady, yet light-hearted Viognier is a great example of understated balance and elegance in a wine sector which is often misunderstood, if not overlooked entirely. Trained under legendary Rhone winemaker Michel Chapoutier, Wells' wines would be on everybody's table -- if you could only get your hands on some!
- Price (bottle) ~ $60
Sauvignon Blanc, Rochioli
Russian River Valley, California USA 2011
This wine is a blend consisting of 42% from the original Sauvignon Blanc vineyard planted in 1959, 32% is from a planting of a very rare and special clone and 26% is from a seventeen year old hillside vineyard. Only 22% of this blend is barrel fermented which gives this wine its complexity and round texture. The rest is tank fermented to preserve its intense varietal character and firm acidity. They had me at "Rochioli" actually ... even when I lived in Napa Valley, you couldn't get your hands on this stuff! So by all means ... enjoy!
- Price (bottle) ~ $75
Chardonnay, Neyers
Los Carneros, Napa Valley 2008
I should call this wine "how I learned to love chardonnay even though it was socially passé" You've probabaly heard the phrase "A.B.C." - otherwise known as 'anything but chardonnay' - which enjoyed a bit of a sweep in the past decade or so, but if you're like me and looking to buck the trends, you'll dive into the deepest end of the pool to find arguments proving how wrong the popular vote can be! While Neyers' single vineyard chardonnays can often match price points with decent Burgundy, this one is not only very representative of what a great wine can be, it's also easy on the wallet!
- Price (bottle) ~ $75
Semillon-Chardonnay, The Lucky Country (by Two Hands)
MacLaren Vale Australia 2010
The palate is very vibrant with flavours of melon, honey and stone fruit balanced with mouthwatering acidity. The wine is fresh and long with persistent fruit and underlying creaminess. This is a really appealing style of white wine that will be best kept on hand in a cool ice bucket all summer long.
- Price (bottle) ~ $45.
Pinot Gris, Stanners Vineyard
Prince Edward County, Ontario Canada 2010
we are apparently the last restaurant to have a stock of this wine - a real favorite of everyone who tries it! lovely poached pear and a hint of tea spice, a light pink hue and opulent mouthfeel.
- Price (bottle) ~ $45
Chardonnay, Keinte-He
Prince Edward County, Ontario Canada 2009
Unoaked, but made in our favorite Chablissienne style.
- Price (bottle) ~ $39
Riesling ‘off dry’ Huff Estates
Prince Edward County, Ontario Canada 2011
Semi-sweet, with gorgeous aromatics, showing classic aromas of rose petal, fresh strawberries and lemon drop.
- Price (glass) ~ $7.5
- Price (½ litre) ~ $20
- Price (bottle) ~ $30
Chardonnay, Closson Chase Vineyards
Prince Edward County, Ontario Canada 2009
Barrel fermented, the oak is seamlessly integrated into its wildflower and vanilla character, soft tangerine notes on the finish.
- Price (glass) ~ $10
- Price (½ litre) ~ $28
- Price (bottle) ~ $43
Chardonnay, Cave Spring ‘Dolomite’
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario Canada 2010
lightly oaked, aromatic and crisp with spicy muscat-like aromas, pink grapefruit and orange peel on the finish
- Price (glass) ~ $8
- Price (½ litre) ~ $23
- Price (bottle) ~ $34
Sauvignon Blanc, Lillypilly Estates
Riverina, Australia 2012
Lively and fresh, with tropical notes of pineapple and gooseberry. easy drinking, with a flinty, dry finish.
- Price (glass) ~ $9
- Price (½ litre) ~ $25
- Price (bottle) ~ $36
Vidal-Riesling, Sandbanks Estate ‘Dunes’
Prince Edward County, Ontario Canada 2011
crisp and refreshing, floral and aromatic.
- Price (glass) ~ $6
- Price (½ litre) ~ $18
- Price (bottle) ~ $25
Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut
Cava, Spain NV
available in 200ml and 750ml formats
- Price (glass) ~ $10
- Price (bottle) ~ $33
Sauternes 1er Cru Classé Château de Rayne Vigneau
France, 1999
(750ml) Here's an interested factoid: this property is situated directly next door to Chateau d'Yquiem, so one hopes that there are some shared attributes here. This particular vintage of du Rayne is less sweet than some others I have tasted, earthy and soft. I don't have a tasting note for the 1999, however the wines consistently rate in the low nineties score-wise, and 1999 was a decent year in Sauternes. A very good value, as it is a full-sized bottle.
- Price (bottle) ~ $95
Sauternes 1er Grand Cru Classé Château Coutet
France 1997
(375ml) 95 points Wine Spectator: Offers fascinating aromas of cooked apple, clove and honey that follow through to a full body, with superlively acidity and spicy blanched almond and honey character on the palate. Long and powerful, showing amazing botrytis character, with so much spice and richness, yet also freshness. Even better than the superb 2006. Best after 2015. –JS
- Price (bottle) ~ $75
Flemlinger Bischofskreuz Ortega Trockenbeerenauslese, Anselmann
Pfalz, Germany 1999
(375ml)
- Price (bottle) ~ $75
Hattenheimer Nussbrunnen Riesling Auslese, Balthazär Ress
Rheingau, Germany 2003
(375ml)
- Price (bottle) ~ $47
Vidal Icewine, Royal de Maria
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario Canada 2001
(200ml) Royal DeMaria specializes in icewine, and icewine only. From this we know a couple of things: 1. they are masochists. 2. They make superlative icewine. in fact - their Riesling icewine has been known to fetch over $6,000.00 a bottle at auction. no pain, no gain.
- Price (bottle) ~ $85
Tãmâiosasâ Româneascâ Cotnari
Romania 2001
(750ml) A sweet wine from Romania.
- Price (glass) ~ $6
- Price (bottle) ~ $25
Late Harvest Riesling Cave Spring Cellars ‘Indian Summer’
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario Canada 2003
(375ml)
- Price (bottle) ~ $45
Ice Cider, County Cider Co.
Prince Edward County, Ontario Canada
(375ml)
- Price (glass) ~ $10
- Price (bottle) ~ $50
Late Harvest Vidal, Harbour Estates
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario Canada 1999
(375ml)
- Price (glass) ~ $7
- Price (bottle) ~ $35
Beaune ‘Clos des Dessus des Marconnets’ Domaine Pierre Labet
France 2002
- Price (bottle) ~ $55
Riesling Lalla Gully
Pipers River, Tasmania 2003
Splashes of white flowers and fresh limes lift the nose while a nice softness tampers any exuberance on the palate. Lovely stuff and quite captivating. 12.5% alcohol. Scribblings Rating - 90/100
- Price (bottle) ~ $35
Riesling Cardinham Smith Family Vineyards
Clare Valley Australia 2003
- Price (bottle) ~ $33
Semillon Brokenwood
Hunter Valley, Australia 2004
- Price (bottle) ~ $31
Riesling St Clair
Marlborough, New Zealand 2003
- Price (bottle) ~ $31
Chardonnay Kistler
Sonoma Coast, California USA 2004
- Price (bottle) ~ $110
Chardonnay La Crema
Sonoma Coast California USA 2009
same vintage available in the half bottle. Creamy, buttery, and starting to take on a hint of caramel and lemon curd.
- Price (bottle) ~ $68
Gewurztraminer Adler Fels
Russian River Valley, California USA 2002
Drinking so well right now! an unctuously rich texture supports aromas of honeysuckle, rose petals and juicy litchi fruit.Flavors unfold on the mid palate with subtle notes of nut shell and nut butter on the back. Very complex and showing lots of elegance right now, a reflection of the marl and alluvium soil of the Russian River Valley.
- Price (bottle) ~ $41
Riesling Kabinett Zeltinger Schlossberg Selbach-Oster
Mosel, Germany 2002
- Price (bottle) ~ $45
Riesling Kabinett Steinberger, Staatweinsgüter Kloster Erbach
Rheingau Germany 2001
- Price (bottle) ~ $45
Riesling Kabinett Halbtröcken Zeltingter Himmelreich Markus Molitor
Mosel Germany 2000
- Price (bottle) ~ $43
Riesling Kabinett Würzburger Stein-Harfe Bürgerspital Zum Hl. Geist
Franken Germany 2004
- Price (bottle) ~ $45
Riesling Kabinett Winkeler Hasensprung Prinz Von Hessen
Rheingau Germany 2002
- Price (bottle) ~ $39
Riesling Kabinett Graacher Domprobst Riechsgraf Von Kesselstatt
Mosel Germany 1999
- Price (bottle) ~ $43
Riesling Kabinett Saarburger Rausch Forstmeister Zilliken
Saar Germany 2002
- Price (bottle) ~ $39
Riesling Kabinett Halbtröcken Hochheimer Victoriaberg Weingut Hupfeld 01
Rheingau Germany 2001
- Price (bottle) ~ $39
Riesling Kabinett Halbtröcken Hochheimer Victoriaberg Weingut Hupfeld
Rheingau Germany 2004
- Price (bottle) ~ $39
Riesling Kabinett Erbacher Schlossberg Schloss Reinhartshausen
Rheingau Germany 2002
- Price (bottle) ~ $39
Riesling Kabinett Bacharacher Hahn Toni Jost
Mittelrhein Germany 2004
- Price (bottle) ~ $39
Riesling, Charta Weingut Johannishof
Rhiengau Germany 2004
- Price (bottle) ~ $39
Riesling Kabinett Johannisberger Klaus Schloss-Schonborn
Rheingau Germany 1996
- Price (bottle) ~ $37
Riesling Kabinett Hochheimer Hölle, Domdechant Werner
Rheingau Germany 2004
- Price (bottle) ~ $39
Riesling Kabinett Hallgartener Schönhell Fürst Löwenstein
Rheingau Germany 2005
- Price (bottle) ~ $37
Riesling Kabinett Forster Jesuitengarten Basserman Jordan
Pfalz Germany 2002
- Price (bottle) ~ $37
Riesling Kabinett Halbtröcken Niersteiner Heiligenbaum Louis Guntrum
Germany 2002
- Price (bottle) ~ $35
Silvaner Kabinett Dry, Thungersheimer Ravensberg Winzergenossenschaft Thungersheim
Franken Germany 2003
- Price (bottle) ~ $31
Riesling Spätlese Ungersteiner Herrenberg Darting
Pfalz Germany 2003
- Price (bottle) ~ $33
Siegerrebe Spätlese Edesheimer Rosengarten Werner Anselmann
Pfalz Germany 2002
- Price (bottle) ~ $31
Rueda Verdejo ‘Doña Beatriz’ Bodegas Cerrasol
Spain 2004
- Price (bottle) ~ $35
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Château La Nerthe
France 2003
- Price (bottle) ~ $65
Côteaux-du Layon Moulin Touchais
France 1994
This is an absolutely unbelievable wine - sweet, delectable, chenin blanc.
- Price (bottle) ~ $45
Coteaux du Layon Saint Aubin Domaine Philippe Delesvaux
France 2002
chenin blanc. as for the state of this wine, i do not know, but will report here if we have occasion to do some tasting!
- Price (bottle) ~ $45
Pouilly Fumé ‘Les Vignes de Saint-Laurent-l’Abbaye’ Jean Claude Chatelain
France 2004
- Price (bottle) ~ $50
Montlouis ‘Les Hauts Boulay’ Guy Saget
France 2004
- Price (bottle) ~ $33
Puligny-Montrachet, Domaine Jean Chartron ‘Vieilles Vignes’
France 2004
- Price (bottle) ~ $110
Morey-Saint-Denis Domaine Dujac *white*
France, 2002
A rarity - a white burgundy from Morey-Saint-Denis, the most northern village in the Cotes de Nuits - better known for their reds, and where most of the Grands Crus are located. Dujac is named simply for its proprietor, Jacques Seysses, who still makes the wine along with his son Jeremy, who is in charge of the white wine production. This wine is a firmly structured example of what excellent Burgundy can and should be: judicious use of new oak frames a smoky, nutty and mineral core, giving up aromas of nut butter, toffee and fresh cream. A complex finish unfolds with layers of spice, tea, french vanilla, lime and baked apple. A real stunner! (Cellar temperature, please allow ten minutes to chill)
- Price (bottle) ~ $95
Marsannay Château de Marsannay
France 2003
- Price (bottle) ~ $38
Pouilly-Fuissé ‘Terres du Menhir’ Domaine Chataigneraie-Laborier
France 2009
- Price (bottle) ~ $75
St Romain, Verget
France 2002
- Price (bottle) ~ $41
Pinot Gris Herrenweg de Turkheim, Domaine Zind Humbrecht
Alsace, France 2002
- Price (bottle) ~ $85
Tokay Pinot Gris Vendanges Tardives, J.M. Sohler
Alsace, France 1999
Yet another rarity from JM Sohler, this one a medium-sweet late harvest Tokay, with a slight pink tinge. a bit peachy and stone fruity, and not at all cloying. easy to finish this, you and i, over a cheese plate or - dare i say it - a nice warm foie gras ... sheer heaven!
- Price (bottle) ~ $110
Gewürztraminer ‘Heissenberg’, J.M. Sohler
Alsace, France 2004
the tiniest production ever! JM Sohler owns vast vineyard plantings, and makes about a hundred cases from each one, and the care which he takes in making these wines is something you can taste. doesn't matter which of his wines you try, you will never go wrong!
- Price (bottle) ~ $65
Pinot Gris ‘Winzenberg’ Grand Cru, J.M. Sohler
Alsace, France 2004
As with all of JM Sohler's wines, this one's production weighs in at less than 100 cases, so you're tasting a rare wine indeed. complex and decadent, this wine is just now hitting its stride. Enjoy with pork loin, or our catch of the day.
- Price (bottle) ~ $70
Riesling ‘Heissenberg’ J.M. Sohler
Alsace France 2001
- Price (bottle) ~ $65
Riesling Grand Cru ‘Saering’ Domaines Schlumberger
Alsace, France 2004
- Price (bottle) ~ $49
Gewürztraminer Domaine Paul Blanck
Alsace France 2004
- Price (bottle) ~ $43
Riesling ‘Mühlforst’ Martin Zahn
Alsace, France 2000
- Price (bottle) ~ $37
Pinot Gris Réserve Pierre Sparr
Alsace, France 2004
- Price (bottle) ~ $37
Riesling Louis Sipp
Alsace France 2002
- Price (bottle) ~ $35