Essex Wine Review

Winemaker’s Notes:
Bold, dry Cabernet Franc / Merlot blend. Medium bodied ripe red and blue fruits, oak aged.

VQA Lake Erie North Shore
12.8% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $14

Rate and review Smith & Wilson Double Barrel 2007

Winemaker’s Notes:
Gewurztraminer, off dry intense flavors of white peach and nutmeg

VQA Lake Erie North Shore
Estate Bottled

12.5% alc./vol.
Price: 750 mL $13

Rate and review Smith & Wilson Cherieau 2008.

Winemaker’s Notes:
Unoaked and fruit forward. A blend of medium bodied reds (Gamay and Merlot)

VQA Lake Erie North Shore
12.4% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $13

Rate and review Smith & Wilson Rondeau Red 2008

Shiraz, dry, Watercress Creek Release

Award winning wine:
ACWC Silver & Ontario Wine Awards - 2008 Bronze

Winemaker’s Notes:
Deep dark red wine. The bouquet suggests cinnamon and blackberry and a whiff of pepper. It tastes soft and mellow with a lick of pepper and blackberry with a soft chocolate finish.

Our syrah pairs well with a freshly roasted spring lamb, or veal. Good with prime rib or pizza too.

13% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $18

CLICK HERE to rate and review Smith and Wilson Syrah 2006.

Winemaker’s Notes:
Gamay Noir / Merlot, dry

Fresh and fruity, a very accessible wine. Ready to drink early, but developing an unexpected depth of character while bottle aging. The nose suggests strawberry, cherry and a wee bit of violet. Rondeau Red has a smooth and supple character in the mouth without the bite of tannins.

Pairs well with stews, creamy dishes and poultry. Fine for roasted vegetables too.

Price: 750 mL $13

CLICK HERE to rate and review Smith & Wilson Rondeau Red 2006.

Winemaker’s Notes:
2007 BUCKHORN (VQA) Baco Noir, dry

Very full-bodied inky plum. The nose suggests prunes, dark red berries and a hint of cloves. This bold, dark wine is a rich complex blend of blackberry and prune, followed by pepper and soft oak.

Team our Buckhorn with game meat, a grilled steak or a rich hearty stew. It is wonderful with a rich beef bourguignon, loaded with mushrooms and served with fresh crusty bread.

Price: 750 mL $14

CLICK HERE to rate and review Smith & Wilson Baco Noir 2007.

Winemaker’s Notes:
Transparent pale lemon white wine with a nose suggesting light florals and sweet apples. Our Lighthouse is an easy drinking dry white with a long clean finish. Lighthouse Viognier bathes your tastebuds with the aromas of sweet apples and pears followed by a suggestion of honey.

Try it with hummus or emmental cheese. It marries well with chicken in a ginger and orange sauce served with basmati rice. It is also a natural with Thai coconut based curries or spicy Indian curries.

Price: 750 mL $12

Food pairing:
The highly aromatic and fruit forward nature of the grape allows Viognier to pair well with spicy foods such as Thai cuisine or Vietnamese cuisine. The subtle floral notes in some wines made of viognier and vinified without the use of oak barrels tend towards the ones found in saké, thus making it a perfect match with sushi and sashimi. Viognier pairs equally well with many outspoken (French) cheeses.

CLICK HERE to rate and review Smith & Wilson Lighthouse Viognier 2007.

Winemaker’s Notes:
Dry, oaky on the nose with notes of red berries.

Price: 750 mL $18

CLICK HERE to rate and review Smith & Wilson Cabernet Franc 2005.