Honsberger Cabernet Franc Brut (Ontario Wine)

There was a time this was supposed to be a rosé wine, but it turned out differently, a blanc de noirs

 

Honsberger Cabernet Franc Brut

 

 

--- The Written Review ---

 

Honsberger, NV Cabernet Franc Brut
What could have been called a Blanc de Noir became just “Cabernet Franc Brut” - they were looking to make a rosé brut, but the colour proved elusive (this time). Fruit from their home vineyard (from 2019) spends 24 months on lees and receives zero grams per liter of sweetness in the dosage - making it a "Brut Nature". There's so much to love here. The aromatics are Bosc pair, floral and peach pit and even some Montmorency cherry seems to slip in ... The palate shows a toastiness with some raspberry, cherry and more peach pit, there’s even some nutty characteristics, bordering on almond paste (aka: marzipan) on the finish. Complex and enjoyable. This wine should will engage all your senses, if you let it. 

Rating:  (**** ½)

Bodegas Valoria 2014 Rioja Reserva (Spanish Wine)

A modern take on an old wine, this is a lovely reserva that shows how this style can be modernized

 

Bodegas Valoria 2014 Rioja Reserva

 

 

 

 

--- THE WRITTEN REVIEW ---

 

Bodegas Valoria 2014 Rioja Reserva

 

A winery that began in 1860 but one that also seems to be moving with the times. This is an elegant, Rioja Reserva that saw 30 months in American oak barrels, then spends another six in bottle before release to the public. Soft yet with a smokey edge; there's also a toasty note and some vanilla (especially on the finish - totally expected based on that US oak); but still fruit comes through with baked black cherry and strawberry notes coming into the mix. The oak does not overwhelm. In fact, it's well integrated, making more of a seasoning statement than an intrusive part of the wine.  (****)

 

Inniskillin 2020 Gamay Noir, Discovery Series (Ontario)

Did you know Inniskillin makes Gamay? I did not, but I was pleasantly surprised to fnd out they did

 

Inniskillin 2020 Gamay Noir, Discovery Series

 

 

THE WRITTEN REVIEW ...

(check out the video above)

 

Inniskillin 2020 Gamay Noir, Discovery Series

The more I dove (drank) into this wine, the more I really liked it ... Now I do have a positive biased towards Gamay - but when one is made well it's hard not to have that bias. This one is pretty with cherry, raspberry and floral both on the nose and on the palate. It’s highly drinkable with great depth and it's a solid Gamay, deep and delicious – which reminds me, it probably would match well with a simple pizza too.  Rating: ****+

Zonte's Footstep 2018 Baron von Nemesis Shiraz (Australian Wine)

I love these labels, but labels mean nothing if the wine inside isn't good, with Zonte's both come together

 

 Zonte's Footstep 2018 Baron von Nemesis Shiraz

  

--- The Written Review ---

Zonte's Footstep 2018 Baron von Nemesis, Limited Release Shiraz

Super juicy black fruit, namely cassis and blackberry with some vanilla notes - loads of licorice and blackberry flavor with a touch of floral and white pepper - especially on the finish ... This screams Australia and don't let me forget about the cherry-plum finish that raises the bar to the next level.  Rating: ****+

Flat Rock 2020 Chardonnay, Foundation Series (Ontario)

It's a familiar name with a new face, today I's looking at the 

 

Flat Rock Cellars 2020 Chardonnay, Foundation Series 

 

 

 

 

The Written Review ...

 

Flat Rock Cellars 2020 Chardonnay, Foundation Series

It’s a new look for an old favourite. Flat Rock has updated their labels to better reflect what their wines represent. This is the base-model Chardonnay, one of the wines that Flat Rock was founded on; and because it’s from 2020 it's got something special about it: it’s a rich version of Chardonnay from a very ripe vintage ... ripe pear, peach, apricot, there’s even some notes of pineapple and vanilla cream, plus there's a touch of something tropical on the finish. You’re gonna love this one.  (****)

Gaja 2018 Barbaresco (Italian Wine)

What happens when there's a "difficult season" in Barbaresco, this : 

Gaja 2018 Barbaresco

 

 

The Written Review

Gaja 2018 Barbaresco

Barbaresco may be the most misunderstood wine of the Piedmont region, especially when compared to the more popular and more known Barolo. It is still made with the Nebbiolo grape, grown at a maximum of 8 tons per hectare, it spends less time in wood and is therefore released 1 year before Barolo. As for the 2018 vintage in the area, it was one of challenges: "crazy vintage" was the phrase used to describe it - rain in the beginning, then hail damage … so many problems that the 2018 single vineyard offerings were "lost" and went into this straight Barbaresco; but the single vineyard loss makes for a more upscale base-model Barbaresco: lovely and fruit forward with both red and black fruit taking a turn on the palate - vibrant acidity with notes of both earthy and floral adding complexity offset by gentle tannins - light, fruit forward, incredibly aromatic and well balanced. It's a beauty for a “crazy vintage”.  (****+)

Pearl Morissette 2020 Racines du Ciel Cabernet Franc (Ontario)

First time Pearl has been on the video series, and what a great wine to introduce yourself 

(in case you don't know, or haven't heard about these wines)

Pearl Morissette 2020 Racines du Ciel Cabernet Franc

 

The Written Review ... check out the video review above

When it comes to Pearl Morrissette wines this one seems to be very standard in the way it came together. Take a great vintage (2020), pull fruit from your home vineyard, age it in neutral barrels for a mere 12 months (shorter than usual) - all while using whole cluster and indigenous yeasts (the usual stuff you do) … and you get this beauty. Nose is all about tobacco, raspberry and blackberry with a hint of blueberry; while the palate has lots of upfront fruit, of the dark and smoky variety - following the nose (almost) to a tee - plus there are notes of clove, spice and even some leather on the finish. Very interesting, very inviting, and a great representation of Ontario Cabernet Franc from the 2020 vintage. Price: $32.00 - Rating: ****+