Tonight at Far Niente restaurant in Toronto, Matias Rios, winemaker for Cono Sur, hosted a dinner (with Cono Sur's Ontario agent, Authentic) - one that featured a myriad of Chardonnay and Pinot Noirs, plus a couple of other special wines ... but the focus was on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay - here's a look at the wines and the evening ...
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| Our host from Cono Sur, Matias Rios (winemaker) |
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| the tasting gets set up |
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| Our pre-tasting wine was this Cono Sur Sparkling Rose ($16.95 - #365205) made from 100% Pinot Noir in the Charmat method, four months in tank; strawberry, raspberry nose is followed on the palate and is delightfully playful on the tongue with a nice hit of acidity (****) |
"With our wines we are always looking for the drinkability factor." - Matias Rios, winemaker
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| Cono Sur 2012 Bicicleta Pinot Grigio ($9.95 - #366344) This is the first vintage of Pinto Gris for Cono Sur, I say say Gris because it is not in the Grigio-style: lots of tropical fruit and floral notes; fresh and fruity (*** 1/2) |
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| Cono Sur 2012 Bicicleta Chardonnay ($9.95 - #321448) the Chardonnay for this wine comes from three different areas of Chile, fresh and fruity with melon, pear, hints of apple and good acidity; this is a very easy drinking Chardonnay (*** 1/2) |
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| Cono Sur 2012 Chardonnay Reserva Especial ($12.95 - #270066) 35% of this wine is barrel fermented and aged for 5 months, then blended in; tropical notes of grilled pineapple on the nose and palate, there's also grapefruit pith hints of vanilla and a touch of minerality that comes through in the mouth (*** 1/2+) |
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| Cono Sur 2013 Single Vineyard Chardonnay ($16.95 - Private Order) Matias called 2013 the coolest vintage in the last 5 years ... 40% of this wine was aged in French oak barrels, ony 7000 cases have been made Nose of honey dew, pear, vanilla, melon, pineapple and banana chip - great aromatics Palate just as delightful, peach, vanilla, grilled pineapple and honeydew with mineral freshness amazing drink-ability and a long pineapple-vanilla cream finish (****+) |
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| Cono Sur 2012 20 Barrels Chardonnay ($24.95 - Private Order) spending 8 months in barrel this Chardonnay has both a creamy and spicy element nice apple and pear notes that take in the oak with a nice balance of each (****) |
The Red Wines of Note ...
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| Cono Sur 2012 Bicicleta Shiraz ($9.95 - #64295) Labelled as Shiraz this is most definitely a Syrah, but some are labeled as Syrah; floral, violet and white pepper; good drinkability (*** 1/2) |
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| Cono Sur 2012 Reserva Especial Pinot Noir ($14.95 - Private Order) 100% of this Pinot Noir spends 10 months in oak, 15% of which is new; Aromas of sour cherry and raspberry lead to a palate of white pepper, spiced black cherry, spiced raspberry - plenty of fruit and finesse (*** 1/2+) |
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| Cono Sur 2012 Single Vineyard Pinot Noir ($18.95 - Private Order) 100% of this Pinot Noir comes from a single block and spends 11 months in oak; aromas are strawberry and raspberry with white pepper, violets and clove, palate has a lovely fruit base with nice concentration of spice and fruit: cassis, black raspberry and peppered strawberry - nice long finish (**** 1/2) |
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| The aftermath of the tasting |
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| this single block series of wines from Cono Sur are amazing, both in terms of value and what's in the bottle |
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| the 3 top wines of the night, plus the sparkling rose, which is a real treat |
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| Surprising to me, the Far Niente menu had a "pre-appetizer" section |
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| Caesar Salad |
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| Salmon |
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| Creme Brulee |
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