Prisoner Wine Co 2018 Unshackled Cabernet Sauvignon (The Wine Review - #...

The Prisoner un-cuffs a wine that easier on the pocketbook - but still damn tasty : 

 

Prisoner Wine Co 2018 Unshackled Cabernet Sauvignon

 

available at the winery (and other fine wine stores)

 

 

Prisoner Wine Co. 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Unshackled

Sweet red fruit with a good acidity... Typically big alcohol for California (14.5%) but with a juicy dark fruit, and chocolate and subtle spice ... Sure it has that California fruit, it's a seductive wine with all that sweet fruit, but there's also a milk chocolate note that really sways your taste buds and the core is all dark fruit. (****+)

Malivoire 2020 Demo Series Analog (Ontario Wine Review #447)

Time to try something new with a label from the way-back machine

 

Malivoire 2020 Demo Series Analog 

 

($27.95 - available at the winery and online)

 

 

 

These are “hand labeled” / “handwritten” wines (at least the first one was) ... But the gimmick is to make you feel that you really are truly a drinking a demo wine (like a demo tape, remember those?) complete with crossed out words and augmented hand-written lettering (like doodles). This co-fermented and aged Cabernet Franc and Gamay is done in ceramic and old barrels so as not to impart too much into the wine. There's a juiciness to those red berries (Gamay - 27%) but also hints of tobacco (Cabernet Franc - 73%) ... It's very simple and really enjoyable. A beauty to chill and perfect for Christmas dinner or just sipping on the patio in the late fall weather.  Price: $27.95 – Rating: ****

 

Barnard Griffin 2018 Merlot (The Wine Review - #323)

Long time Washington winemaker makes a delightful Merlot

 

Barnard Griffin 2018 Merlot

 

 available at the winery (and other fine wine stores)

 

 

Merlot sourced from three vineyards in Washington: Black Rock, Vinagium, and Lonesome Spring Ranch - two located in Yakima and the other from Red Mountain ... All age 17 months in a mix of new and neutral European oak barrels. Now, this is pure Washington Merlot pleasure as notes of violet meet black fruit helping to drive the wine forward - there's a smooth delicacy across the palate with subtle smoke ... But when all is said and done this is a drinkable, almost crushable, bottle of Merlot that's balanced and has enough complexity to please oenophiles and newbies alike.  (****+)

Le Clos Jordanne 2019 Jordan Village Chardonnay (Ontario Wine Review #446)

A new line of wines from Le Clos, this time it's not vineyard specific

Le Clos Jordanne 2019 Jordan Village Chardonnay 

($24.95 - available at the winery and online)

Le Clos Jordanne 2019 Chardonnay, Jordan Village

A new wine for the Clos but this one is not a single vineyard offering, instead it's a three-vineyard blend taken from the Estate vineyard plus Talon and Claystone vineyards. This 2019 Chardonnay has beautiful acidity that helps to balance this intensely fruit-forward wine that has notes of saline plus peach, apple cobbler, hints of pineapple all culminating with a buttery-spicy feel to the finish. The fruit comes across sweet across the mid-palate, but that acidity helps to keep everything in check and manages to balance it out ... Bottom line here: nice complexity with a long finish. Price: $24.95 – Rating: ****+

Aurelio Settimo 2015 Barolo Rocche dell'Annunziata (The Wine Review - #322)

Time to look at a single vineyard, or "cru" Barolo

 

Aurelio Settimo 2015 Barolo Rocche dell'Annunziata

 

available at the winery (and other fine wine stores)

 

 

 

Aurelio Settimo 2015 Barolo, Rocche dell'Annunziata

 

This single vineyard, or “cru”, Barolo is aged extra time in barrel, cask and bottle - a total of 42 months before release and most of the wood is of the older French variety (between 12 and 18 years) large casks with no toast ... When all is said and done only 20% is new, meaning the wood does not play a significant role in flavouring. The Rocche is just a baby at the moment with aromas of rose petal, mocha, black cherry, black cranberry and all those smells translate to the palate, but with a power and weight on the tongue – plus there’s great structure and a hint of smoke. Ready in another couple of years, but will age well for a decade or more (many more) but it’s all going to depend if you want to keep that fruit profile intact.  (****)

 

Leaning Post 2019 Sauvignon Blanc (Ontario Wine Review #445)

Looking for that last gasp of "nice weather" wine - I've got you covered

 

Leaning Post 2019 Sauvignon Blanc 

 

($28.00 - available at the winery and online)

 

Bleasdale 2018 Broad-Side (The Wine Review - #321)

Looking for an Aussie fruit-bomb? This ain't it : 

 

Bleasdale 2018 Broad-Side

 

available at the winery 

(and other fine wine stores).

 

Henry of Pelham 2019 Estate Pinot Noir (Ontario Wine Review #444)

One of the best Estate Pinot Noirs from this winery I have tried - they are upping their own bar

 

Henry of Pelham 2019 Estate Pinot Noir 

 

($24.95 - available at the winery and online)

 

Gold Hill Winery 2016 Syrah (The Wine Review - #320)

British Columbia Syrah? Yes Please! And here's another great example : 

 

Gold Hill Winery 2016 Syrah

 

available at the winery (and other fine wine stores)