Friday, March 15, 2024

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

Friday, March 8, 2024

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Monday, February 12, 2024

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

Thursday, February 1, 2024

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. 


Monday, January 29, 2024

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.

Thursday, January 25, 2024

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 

Friday, January 12, 2024

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

Sunday, January 7, 2024

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.

 

Thursday, January 4, 2024

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

Wednesday, December 27, 2023

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

Thursday, December 21, 2023

ICONIC Montes Wines 2020 Purple Angel (Chile)

Rediscovered in 1994, Carmenere has become the icon grape of Chile (like it or loathe it) - 

here is one of the country's icon producers doing it justice, in a big way

Montes Wines 2020 Purple Angel

 

 

Spicy, earthy and coffee bean notes mix it up with blackberry, cassis and black cherry - there's a whole lot of more-ish-ness about this wine and age ability too.  (****+)

Friday, December 15, 2023

TEXTBOOK Ravine Vineyard 2020 Cabernet Franc (Canadian Wine)

This wine has all the hallmarks of great Cabernet Frank in Ontario, 

it's the Ravine Vineyard 2020 Cabernet Franc

 

 

The amazing 2020 vintage brings about another winner in the Franc category. The Ravine FranC has all the hallmarks of good Ontario Cabernet Franc... Tobacco, black cherry, blackberry with a hint of vanilla... There are also subtle notes of earth, a little char from the barrel and some toasty smoky notes on the finish; those should hopefully settle in time.

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Chateau Boucasse 2017 Les Jardins Philosophiques (France)

For a part of the country known for wines made from the Tannat grape, 

how does Madiran do with white wines? Let me tell you

Chateau Boucasse 2017 Les Jardins Philosophiques

 

... The Written Notes ...

A white blend made from the indigenous Petit Courbu and Petit Manseng from Boucassé’s 85-hectare vineyard. The vines are 45 years of age and these grapes take up nine hectares of the vineyard, at no more than 110 m above sea level. It is fermented in stainless steel and then aged in same for 12 months, but on fine lees.

The note … Grapefruit peel and pith that plays off of an oxidized sensation on the tongue. Great acidity back stops the wine giving it an exceptional length on the finish. A beauty of a sipper.