And the hits keep coming from Tawse’s 2007 red wine lineup! First were the succulent Pinots, then the great Francs, followed by the powerful monster Meritage, and now, this sexy Merlot. With a dark cherry colour, this wine is somewhat shy on the nose right now, but plums, black cherries, cassis, cocoa and rubber have emerged. The palate is concentrated and possesses supple tannins and very good length. Drink this baby over the next 3 to 4 years.

After spending 20 years crafting fine wine in the Okanagan, Bruce Nicholson returned to his Niagara roots as Inniskillin’s winemaker in 2007, just in time to put his thumbprint on Ontario’s best red wine vintage ever. Legacy is the new name of Inniskillin’s flagship wine, replacing the Founder’s Reserve label. Full-bodied, this wine reveals layers of raspberry liqueur, cassis, black pepper/spice on the nose and added elements of red currants and herbs on the palate. The finale is long, the acid is mild and the tannins are present. Hold it until 2012 and drink it until 2020.