BLISSFUL Stag's Leap Wine Cellars 2019 Karia Chardonnay (California)

California Chardonnay is making the turn towards fresher, fruitier wines. 

It's been a slow roll out, but it's getting there. 

This wine is pointed in the right direction

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars 2019 Karia Chardonnay

 

... WRITTEN REVIEW ...

The chill here was perfect and brought out so many of this white's cool temperature loving characteristics. “Karia” is Greek for graceful and that's just what this wine was: super-pleasant from beginning to end. Rich, smoky, oaky, but with a fruit core, that doles out salinity and good acidity; vanilla and some butterscotch also join the show. The wine is made in what Marcus called “a less intervention style”. Only 9 months in barrel, 34% new, all French, with 8% going into stainless steel to retain a modicum of freshness. There's also 0.5% Muscat Canelli that sneaks in - just enough to give it a floral aspect.

 

DELISH Ravine Vineyard 2021 Gamay Noir (Canadian Wine)

Gamay Noir is another Ontario red variety that does very well in the climate it has; why more wineries aren't making these wines is beyond me; but when a new one joins the fray, it's reason to celebrate

Ravine Vineyard 2021 Gamay Noir

 

IMPRESSIVE Chateau Boucasse 2017 Grand Vin (France)

Time to taste Tannat from the Madiran region of France - 

known for grippy tannins and big fruit these wines age a long time : 

Chateau Boucasse 2017 Grand Vin

 

Chateau Boucassé 2017 Grand Vin de Madiran

60% Tannat with 20% each Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon ... These grapes take up 45 hectares of the 85-hectare vineyard Boucassé. The soils are "red and yellow clays on limestone" and the vine age ranges from 25 to 100 years. Slow fermentation happens between 8 to 10 days and a long maceration between 30 and 45 days (depending on the vintage) . It spends its first year in barrels, of which 20% to 30% are new, then 24 months in large wood casks. And after the 36 months is over, the wine spends another 2 years in bottle before release.

The note … Stunning nose that lures you into the glass. The fruit is smoky and has notes of blackberry, cassis and floral. Very approachable with a long finish. It's a lovely sipping wine. (**** ½)

STUNNING Peay Vineyards 2021 Pomarium Pinot Noir (California)

If you scour the internet, you'll find lots of quotes about Pinot Noir, 

I was looking for one to fit; 

but this kind of California Pinot Noir breaks a lot of molds. 

Cool climate California Pinot at its best: 

Peay Vineyards 2021 Pomarium Pinot Noir

FLAVOURFUL Tawse 2020 Growers Blend Cabernet Franc (Canadian Wine)

Ontario really can hang its hat on Cabernet Franc. 

Here is yet another exemplary example : 

Tawse Winery 2020 Growers Blend Cabernet Franc

LIVELY Pasetti 2022 Collecivetta, Abruzzo Pecorino (Italy)

Pecorino, a great cheese, an even better wine (sometimes) - 

this is one of those wines : 

Agricola Pasetti 2022 Collecivetta, Abruzzo Pecorino

ROUSING Martin's Lane 2020 Dehart Vineyard Pinot Noir

Is Pinot Noir a good grape for the Okanagan Valley? 

Time will tell. But Martin's Lane winery is betting is it : 

Martin's Lane 2020 Dehart Vineyard Pinot Noir

SURPRISING Feudo Arancio 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon (Italy)

When one thinks of Sicily, I suspect Cabernet Sauvignon

is not the grape that comes to mind - maybe it should be

Feudo Arancio 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon 

 

Here's the Written Review ...

This comes from the aforementioned Sicilian project ... A wonderful Cab from Sicily that's silky on the palate with notes of chocolate, red cherry and black cherry plus subtle tannins... Hidden behind that fruit our notes of vanilla and molasses. Only 10% new oak keeps the fruit fresh and forward ... A steal in Ontario at $15.95. 

IMPRESSIVE Cave Spring Vineyard 2021 Chardonnay (Canadian Wine)

Entry-level wines are rarely this good, 

but Cave Spring has raised the bar here's why

Cave Spring Vineyard 2021 Chardonnay

 

THE WRITTEN REVIEW

This is not a straight Chardonnay it is Chardonnay (65%) and Chardonnay Musque (35%); it is 52% estate (grown on the Beamsville Bench) while the rest is grown in the Lincoln Lakeshore sub appellation (closer to the lake). A majority of the wine is fermented in stainless steel; another 5% sees neutral oak and the final 5% sees new oak. Ageing happens for 6 months on lees and only 15% of the wine goes through malolactic fermentation - keeping the wine fresh and fruity. Melon, apple, floral all meet up with good acidity and hints of minerality. You'd be hard pressed to find as good a Chard for the price.

STUNNING Domaine Boudau 2020 Patrimoine (France)

Talk about a takeaway. 

This wine from the Roussillon was an eye-opener about how good the wines of the region can be: 

Domaine Boudau 2020 Patrimoine 

FRESH & CLEAN William Fevre 2020 Petit Chablis (France)

Chardonnay from Chablis is not your same old-same old. 

There is something about these wines that just sing in the mouth : 

William Fevre 2020 Petit Chablis

ENJOYABLE Malivoire 2020 Stouck Merlot

Ontario Merlot does not always have the best reputation, 

but this one is so good it is gone

Malivoire 2020 Stouck Merlot

 

The Written Review ...

Merlot from a hot vintage aged in American oak for 12 months, and 6 months in neutral: notes of cocoa, blue and black berry with a nice tannin seam. Vanilla and smoke jam with silky tannins on the finish. This is approachable now, but also has a decade ahead of it.

 

MARVELOUS Domaine Tempier 2020 Bandol - Lulu & Lucien (France)

Bandol is part of Provence and while there is Rosé there, 

it is primarily known as a red wine region embracing Mourvedre : 

Domaine Tempier 2020 Bandol

NEW YEAR's BOTTLE Blue Moutain 2019 Brut (Canadian Wine)

You wanna bring in the New Year in style and drink Canadian in the process? 

Have I got the bottle for you  

Blue Mountain 2019 Brut

CLASSIC Masciarelli 2022 Villa Gemma Cerasuolo Superiore (Italy)

Montepulciano D'Abruzzo is used to make Rosé, or is it light red? 

This is the rosé of Abruzzo and a delicious version at that

Masciarelli 2022 Villa Gemma Cerasuolo Superiore