AMAZING - Kacaba 2020 Reserve Syrah (Ontario, Canada)

 

Ontario, Canada seems an odd place to find Syrah; but there are pockets where the grape grows exceptionally well. Today, I'm looking at one of those places and one of those wines

Kacaba Vineyards 2020 Reserve Syrah

SUPERB - Chateau La Nerthe 2020 Les Cassagnes (France)

 

For those looking for 'Neuf-du-Pape quality, without paying 'Neuf-du-Pape prices, might I suggest this alternative by one of their great producers : 

Chateau La Nerthe 2020 Les Cassagnes, Cotes-du-Rhone Villages

OUTSTANDING No. 2 - Ca di Sopra 2019 Vigna Montale - Marzeno Riserva (It...

When I was at Ca' Di Sopra, 

I did not find just one stunning bottle of single vineyard Romagna Sangiovese, 

I found two. This is the second : 

Ca'Di Sopra 2019 Vigna Montale - Marzeno Romagna Riserva

IMPRESSIVE Domaine Depeyrie 2020 Tradition (France)

A husband and wife with a love of wine and vines in the Roussillon - 

what could be more French than this

Domaine Depeyrie 2020 Tradition

HEARTFELT Malivoire 2022 Le Coeur Gamay (Canada)

Malivoire is the undisputed KING of Gamay in Ontario, Canada 

I dare you to argue with me after tasting this

Malivoire 2022 Le Coeur Gamay

SIDEREAL San Pedro 2021 Sideral (Chile)

This wine makes its second appearance (three years apart) 

and it's another beauty from Chile: 

San Pedro 2021 Sideral

THRILLING Tenute Falezza 2019 Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore (Veneto, It...

A beauty of a bottle. This is a Ripasso that seems old school to me: 

Tenute Falezza 2019 Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore 

SUPERB Ruffino 2019 Modus (Tuscany, Italy)

Lovers of Super Tuscan wines are gonna dig today's video for the 

Ruffino 2019 Modus

FLAVOURFUL Redstone 2020 Meritage (Ontario, Canada)

From the folks at Redstone, in Ontario, Canada, comes a 2020 wine that should come as no surprise to us living in the province, but might to those new to Canadian wine : 

Redstone Winery 2020 Meritage

STARTLING Dafermou 2021 Yannoudi, Single Vineyard Selection (Cyprus)

Filmed on the balcony of my hotel room on the last (and only grey day) while in Cyprus, all other Cyprus wine videos get filmed in a vineyard in Ontario, Canada - at least I could control the weather better : 

Domaine Dafermou 2021 Yannoudi, Single Vineyard Selection

TASTY Tarapaca 2020 Etiqueta Azul, Gran Reserva

The numbers 4 and 3 play a part in this wine, 

which is more than the sum of its parts: 

 

Tarapaca 2020 Etiqueta Azul, Gran Reserva

UNIQUE Fattoria Fibbiano 2017 Sanforte (Italy)

Years of painstaking DNA testing and replanting brings us a bottle of unique and delicious wine from 

Fattoria Fibbiano 2017 Sanforte, Costa Toscana

AMAZING Domaine des Ruaults 2021 Les Deux Croix (France)

I'm giving away a big secret this week - 

Saumur Puy Notre Dame is a region to watch if you are a Cabernet Franc fan

Domaine des Ruaults 2021 Les Deux Croix

OUTSTANDING - CADISOPRA 2019 Vigna Ca' Del Rosso - Marzeno Romagna Riser...

It has been a long time since I've had a stunning bottle of wine from Romagna; 

but this one qualifies, BIG TIME: 

CADISOPRA 2019 Vigna Ca' Del Rosso - Marzeno Romagna Riserva

MARVELOUS Avignonesi 2018 Vino Nobile (Tuscany)

Nobile gets "red-headed-step-child"-like respect - 

but there are lots of things to like about these wines, 

especially when a great producer has their say: 

Avignonesi 2018 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

TEXTBOOK 2027 Cellars 2021 Cabernet Franc, King Street Vineyard (Ontario...

This is the tale of two vintages, check out my 2020 review of this wine (linked below) - 

and now here's the next vintage : 

2027 Cellars 2021 Cabernet Franc, King Street Vineyard

 

here is a link to the video of the 2020 vintage wine:

https://youtu.be/czRg1Rks5X8

ALLURING Rodney Strong 2020 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Califor...

California Cabernet is more than just Napa Valley, 

as this delicious Rodney Strong proves: 

Rodney Strong 2020 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

FULFILLING Ornellaia 2021 Le Volte (Italy)

From an iconic producer comes an entry level wine that absolutely delivers: 

Ornellaia 2021 Le Volte

REFRESHING : Concha y Toro 2020 Diablo Crystal Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand is getting all the hype, 

but there is room for others to step in too. Here's one from 

Concha y Toro in Chile: 2020 Diablo Crystal Sauvignon Blanc

TREMENDOUS Neil Ellis 2021 Syrah (South Africa)

The great South African wines rarely reach our shores, 

but this one must have escaped, and I am so glad it did: 

Neil Ellis 2021 Syrah

YUMMY Monpezat 2020 Gouleyant, Malbec de Cahors (France)

Cahors Malbec can be structured and long lived. 

This one is made a little differently, but still ... today it's the 

Comte Jean Baptiste de Monpezat 2020 Gouleyant, Malbec de Cahors

SUPERB Tenuta di Nozzole 2019 Chianti Classico Riserva (Italy)

"Riserva" wines can see too much wood and take too long to iron out the rough spots; 

but then there is the 

Tenuta di Nozzole 2019 Chianti Classico Riserva

IMPRESSIVE - Ravine Vineyard 2020 Cabernet Franc Lonna's Block (Canada)

Let's talk about a single vineyard, single block version of Cabernet Franc 

from Ontario, Canada: 

Ravine Vineyard 

2020 Cabernet Franc - Lonna's Block

 

 

Written Review ... This is one of two single named blocks Cabernet Franc wines from Ravine in 2020- I know we're not allowed to use the words masculine and feminine to describe wines anymore; but this would be the y chromosome wine... It has the defining qualities that one would give to a person of that ilk. It's starts earthy, smoky and tobacco laced on the nose; but the pallet delivers on dark fruit, black raspberry and black cherry along with firm tannins, and a waitier firm structured length of finish. This is a punch in the mouth of flavor.

STUNNING Chateau Montus 2017 Madiran (France)

You want to get to know the Tannat grape? 

Start with a bottle of Chateau Montus - the OG of Tannat : 

Chateau Montus 2017 Madiran

 

The Written Part ...

An 80% Tannat with 20% Cabernet Sauvignon – taking up a 35 hectares of the 37 hectare Montus vineyard. Vine age is about 27 years. Fermentation and maceration follow what happens at Boucassé (see above). Here 50% of the wine sees new oak for 12 months. Then 24 months in 80 hectoliter foudre (large barrels). 36 months of aging the wine rests in bottle 2 years before release.

The note … Weighty wine with lots of smoky, gritty tannin grip. Floral with good acidity; the fruit either lingers or has decided to hide within the oak – each sip holds a different outcome. It'll take time to emerge, but this oak will always be there. It's an intense wine where food needs to be involved. (****)

LOVELY BUBBLE Henkell 2016 Cremant de Loire (France)

A surprising wine, from an unlikely source, until you know the whole story : 

Henkell 2016 Cremant de Loire

EYE-POPPING Martin's Lane 2020 Simes Vineyard Pinot Noir (Canada)

After tasting through the 2020 Martin's Lane Pinots, 

this was my favourite - by a long shot : 

Martin's Lane 2020 Simes Vineyard Pinot Noir

 

 The Written Review

This is the last vineyard to be picked completely, it north facing, is slower to ripen allowing the fruit to mature at at even pace. Then it is 70% whole bunch pressed and fermented in concrete ... Kicks at the nose like a sniff of Chanel no. 5 ... This is a pretty Pinot, with lots of floral notes with a nice cherry strawberry spiced-rhubarb. Tannins are silky by comparison to the other Pinots in this line-up.  (**** ½)

DELIGHTFUL Domaine La Sarabande 2020 Bousigue (France)

For lovers of Mourvedre,

 I offer you this beauty as example of how great the wines from that grape can be 

Domaine La Sarabande 2020 Bousigue

REMARKABLE Alois Legeder 2021 Schiava (Italy)

Schiava is one of those rare grapes that makes such wonderful wines; 

here is a prime example

Alois Lageder 2021 Schiava

EYE-POPPING Masciarelli 2019 ISKRA (Italy)

For those who think Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is a simple wine; 

now's the time to change all that:  

Masciarelli 2019 ISKRA - Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva 

WONDERFUL Tenuta Sette Ponti 2020 Crognolo (Italy)

A Tuscan wine with history and taste. 

Time to talk about the Tenuta Sette Ponti 2020 Crognolo (again)

 

(Sangiovese / Merlot)
Rich and juicy with plenty of dark fruit, mocha, and nice acid hit on the tongue - well-balanced with a long finish. (****+)

INCREDIBLE : Bodegas Martinez Lacuesta 2015 Campeador (Spain)

First created in 1916, this Tempranillo-Grenache is a stellar wine 

even at almost 9 years from vintage - 

let me tell you what I mean as I talk about the 

Bodegas Martinez Lacuesta 2015 Campeador

Cave Spring 2021 Gamay (YUMMY)

Ontario's red is Cabernet Franc, right? 

"Hold my chilled bottle," says Gamay Noir. "I might have something to say about that."

Today I'm looking at the Cave Spring Vineyard 2021 Gamay

UNCOMPROMISING 2027 Cellars 2020 King Street Vineyard Cabernet Franc

The 2020 vintage has given Ontarians some very different wines than usual - 

this Franc is different and yet follows in the footsteps of other wines from this producer

2027 Cellars 2020 King Street Vineyard Cabernet Franc

 

The Review

There's a gentle easiness about this wine that shows some real appeal. It has a fruit-forward core with the brightness of black cherry and floral. I could happily drink this Franc like I’d listen to the Kinks: All the Day and All the Night. (****+)

 

EXCITING Chateau de Pibarnon 2019 Bandol (France)

This was the first winery in the Bandol area I visited and it was stunning: 

the views, the cellar, and most of all the wine : 

Chateau de Pibarnon 2019 Bandol

BLISSFUL Stag's Leap Wine Cellars 2019 Karia Chardonnay (California)

California Chardonnay is making the turn towards fresher, fruitier wines. 

It's been a slow roll out, but it's getting there. 

This wine is pointed in the right direction

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars 2019 Karia Chardonnay

 

... WRITTEN REVIEW ...

The chill here was perfect and brought out so many of this white's cool temperature loving characteristics. “Karia” is Greek for graceful and that's just what this wine was: super-pleasant from beginning to end. Rich, smoky, oaky, but with a fruit core, that doles out salinity and good acidity; vanilla and some butterscotch also join the show. The wine is made in what Marcus called “a less intervention style”. Only 9 months in barrel, 34% new, all French, with 8% going into stainless steel to retain a modicum of freshness. There's also 0.5% Muscat Canelli that sneaks in - just enough to give it a floral aspect.

 

DELISH Ravine Vineyard 2021 Gamay Noir (Canadian Wine)

Gamay Noir is another Ontario red variety that does very well in the climate it has; why more wineries aren't making these wines is beyond me; but when a new one joins the fray, it's reason to celebrate

Ravine Vineyard 2021 Gamay Noir

 

IMPRESSIVE Chateau Boucasse 2017 Grand Vin (France)

Time to taste Tannat from the Madiran region of France - 

known for grippy tannins and big fruit these wines age a long time : 

Chateau Boucasse 2017 Grand Vin

 

Chateau Boucassé 2017 Grand Vin de Madiran

60% Tannat with 20% each Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon ... These grapes take up 45 hectares of the 85-hectare vineyard Boucassé. The soils are "red and yellow clays on limestone" and the vine age ranges from 25 to 100 years. Slow fermentation happens between 8 to 10 days and a long maceration between 30 and 45 days (depending on the vintage) . It spends its first year in barrels, of which 20% to 30% are new, then 24 months in large wood casks. And after the 36 months is over, the wine spends another 2 years in bottle before release.

The note … Stunning nose that lures you into the glass. The fruit is smoky and has notes of blackberry, cassis and floral. Very approachable with a long finish. It's a lovely sipping wine. (**** ½)

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

FLAVOURFUL Tawse 2020 Growers Blend Cabernet Franc (Canadian Wine)

Ontario really can hang its hat on Cabernet Franc. 

Here is yet another exemplary example : 

Tawse Winery 2020 Growers Blend Cabernet Franc

LIVELY Pasetti 2022 Collecivetta, Abruzzo Pecorino (Italy)

Pecorino, a great cheese, an even better wine (sometimes) - 

this is one of those wines : 

Agricola Pasetti 2022 Collecivetta, Abruzzo Pecorino

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

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. 

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.

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 

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

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.

 

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