80x Wine Company Le P'tit Funk Sparkling Cider (Ontario)

My last "wine" video of 2021 is not for a wine - but for the best damn cider I have tasted in years

 

80x Wine Company Le P'tit Funk Sparkling Cider 

 

($22.00 / 750ml - available at Rockway Vineyards and online).

 

 

THE WRITTEN REVIEW:

 

Look, I rarely review ciders, I've done it a few times in the past (Twin Pines comes to mind), but really what can you say about something that's supposed to taste like apples and does. But sometimes one comes along that has that little bit extra and deserves a shout out. The 80X Wine Company (a virtual project in Niagara) wants to be known for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Rosé, and they've done an admirable job with all three, but if they don't watch out cider will be their calling card. This one is an unintentional bomb (in a good way). It was supposed to be a nod to those funky Normandy, France ciders, but instead they ended up with one of the best tasting ciders in the province. Great intensity of apple taste and smell with a long finish. The promised “funk” is so subtle (if even there), that it adds a layer of drinkability that is unmatched in many ciders that are made in Ontario - but the apple and the acidity pack a real punch of gulpable flavour, it's a real sipping cider that may turn into something quaffable the more you drink it. And at 9% a few goes down quite easy. The label mentions some pears, so maybe that's the secret, but I'm not a cider-maker I just drink the stuff and this one's damn good. Priced $22.00 / 750ml - Rating: ****+

 

Lakeview Cellars 2017 Malbec (Ontario Wine Review #450)

Malbec? in Ontario? Yes it can be made, and it can be made well - I give you exhibit A :

 

Lakeview Cellars 2017 Malbec 

 

($34.75 - available at the winery and online)

 

 

 

The Written Review ... 

 

Hard to see an Ontario Malbec from a vintage that had no hope in hell of ripening that grape ... until September that is – that’s when things started to turn around. Very dark fruited with its blackberry and black cherry core and a mocha linger. It’s a surprising and very delicious wine from a miracle of a vintage.  Price: $34.75 - Rating: ****

 

 

Escudo Rojo 2018 Origine Cabernet Sauvignon (The Wine Review - #326)

To many Rothschild is synonymous with France, but should we also be equating it to Chile

 

Escudo Rojo 2018 Origine Cabernet Sauvignon

 

available at the winery (and other fine wine stores)

 

 

 

 

Escudo Rojo 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Origine
(The Written Review)

This is a special cuvee of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the most storied part of the vineyard. It spends 12 months in barrel (25% new) with additional resting in bottle for another year. Lovely expression of Chilean Cabernet with plenty of minty notes on the nose along with black cherry - the palate is delicate with that mint, but loads up on blackberry and black cherry along with a lovely note of chocolate on the finish. Fresh, long and elegant.  (****+) 

Chateau des Charmes 2017 Chardonnay, Paul Bosc Vineyard (Ontario Wine Re...

These Chardonnay grapes come from the vineyard across the road from the winery - in the Paul Bosc vineyard

 

 Chateau des Charmes 2017 Chardonnay, Paul Bosc Vineyard 

 

($28.95 - available at the winery and online)

 

 

The Chardonnays from 2017 seem to have something special about them - a certain elegance of fruit core backed by good acidity. Here peach, apple, vanilla and Christmas spices mingle with a creamy mid-palate and good acidity on the finish. The nose is not as expressive as the palate, but it should open more with time once the cork is popped; factor in the nice length to the finish and this is one tasty Chardonnay for any time of year.  Price: $28.95 - Rating: ****

M Chapoutier 2019 Belleruche Rouge, Cotes du Rhone (The Wine Review - #325)

This wine took me by surprise, grabbed my tongue and wouldn't let go - and here's why

 

M Chapoutier 2019 Belleruche Rouge, Cotes-du-Rhone

 

available at the winery (and other fine wine stores)

 

 

M Chapoutier 2019 Belleruche Cote Du Rhone Rouge Belleruche Rouge

Nice dark fruit and floral notes hit the nose ... Repeat on the palate while adding in white pepper, mocha, black cherry, blackberry and a layered finish that shows nice depth and age-ability.  (**** ½)

 

Cornerfield 2019 Farmer & Frenchmen Red (Ontario Wine Review #448)

A five grape blend that is more than just the sum of its parts

 

Cornerfield 2019 Farmer & Frenchmen Red 

 

($22.00 - available at the winery and online)

 

 

Read it - Watch it - or Both:

 

A five grape blend that's both Hybrid and Vitis based: Petit Pearl and Marquette join Gamay, Cabernet Franc and Merlot to create a port-like nose that doles out deep black fruit, like blackberry, with an interesting cola note. Seemingly thick in the mouth with good acidity, it has a richness (like port) with cassis/kirsch and black cherry ... It's a pretty big red for those who like their reds with a little chew.  Price: $22.00 - Rating: ****