LCBO Food and Drink Autumn 2016

WINE ONTARIO WINE STARS

Norman Hardie County Pinot Noir Unfiltered VQA VINTAGES 125310, $45.20 The summer of 2014 was cool in Prince Edward County, but September was glorious and Norm Hardie’s Pinot Noir re- ally came into its own. The precious new wine was put into French oak barriques for 10 months, then bottled unfined and unfiltered. Now it’s ready for its close-up, limber and elegant as a dancer, delighting us with its upfront fruit, then giving pause for thought as more complex, mineral notes emerge. Lay it down in your cellar if you have the patience—it’s a per- formance you can relish for years to come.

Hidden Bench Terroir Caché VqA VINTAGES 505610, $38.20 Terroir Caché’s dark, intense power always gets rave reviews—just imag- ine what you can expect from the amazing 2012 vintage! It’s a Meritage blend with the emphasis on Merlot, aged in French oak for 21 months. Tan- nic, densely structured but not impenetrable, it’s holding back a torrent of fruit. Cellar it for at least two years.

Bachelder Niagara Chardonnay VQA VINTAGES ESSENTIALS 302083, $25.25

There’s oak, to be sure, and plenty of tangy peach and apricot flavours, but this creamy, big-bodied Chardonnay never gives a wooden performance and is far too poised and well-bred to seem merely fruity. Thomas Bachelder’s Chardonnays have tremendous focus and balance with just the right amount of racy acidity to thrill your palate.

FOOD & DRI NK AUTUMN