Le Clos Jordanne is back baby, yes it has been for a bit now; but it has a new home, a real brick and mortar building, with a cellar and everything. It's not exactly the winery they conceived all those years ago, but it does give the wine a new home. Today I'm looking at the Le Clos Jordanne 2021 Jordan Village Chardonnay
Viognier? What the help is it? It is a grape, a white (green) grape that makes very interesting wines in the south of France. But what happens when you take it many miles away from its home. Does it still make interesting wine? Today, it's the Wending Home 2021 Viognier - and I answer that question
Chardonnay because of what you tried at Lailey, you have Derek to blame. Derek has moved on to create his own label, and for a guy who has made some memorable Chardonnays in his day - this one might be one of his best (or at least up there).
Today, it's the Meldville Wines 2022 Chardonnay
Back to Ontario we go. And this time I'm showcasing a red blend from a vintage that will be remembered for decades to come from a relatively young winery known for taking their time, creating buzz, and making iconic wines - but in their own camouflaged? No. Disguised? No, again. Masked kinda way? Anyway, today, it's the Hidden Bench 2020 Terroir Cache
Not too long ago, I mentioned a Viognier from Ontario, and once again Viognier raises its beautiful face, but this time from the other coast. Are we looking at a new darling-grape in Canadian whites ... or are some wineries just getting lucky? Today, it's the Hester Creek 2023 Viognier
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
Small producer, hand harvesting, single vineyard, great vintage ...
it all makes for one hell of a wine
De Simone Vineyards 2020 Merlot
WRITTEN REVIEW ... Any question that 2020 was a good vintage; heck, a great vintage, should be put to bed; especially after I tasted this awe-inspiring bottle of Merlot from De Simone - who has made some incredible wines in his short tenure on the Niagara wine scene. With 2 years in barrel, a mix of French and American oak, of which two-thirds was new. Aromas include notes of licorice, clove, vanilla and smoked cherry; and flavours that load on the blue and black fruit backed by vanilla and spices. It has a long finish with a robust richness that's elegant, smokey and spicy all at the same time... Great mouthfeel and acidity that's totally on point. Beauty. I thought his 2019 was good, but this 2020 is next level.
It's from a vintage for the ages - and this is a Chardonnay you're gonna love:
Flat Rock 2020 Rusty Shed Chardonnay
>>> WRITTEN REVIEW <<<
I actually tasted this wine in the confines of its namesake – did it taste better? Nope, but it's still a tasty wine with or without the sheds presents. Beautiful notes of tropical fruit sweetness, with creamy vanilla, apple, pear and nectarine, plus a dose of acidity and spice on the finish. This leans a little more Cali than Ontario, but it's kind of what I expect from a hot vintage Chardonnay from The Rock. (****)
The year: 2019. The grape: Pinot Noir. The vineyard: Grand Clos.
The result, well watch the video to find out about :
Le Clos Jordanne 2019 Le Grand Clos Pinot Noir
<<< WRITTEN REVIEW >>>
What a pretty version of Pinot Noir this is - from the beautiful floral and cherry on the nose, to the follow-through in the mouth incorporating notes of strawberry plus black and red raspberry - there is a slight spiciness and the tannins start out "gritty”, but they manage to smooth out with some time in glass and create what might be the best Grand Clos of this iteration of the new Clos Jordanne. Rating: ****+
--- THE WRITTEN REVIEW ---
This is the second iteration of this less than 100-mile wine ... Everything is not just Canadian (grapes, barrels, winemaker) but they are all within a short sip of the winery. This year the juice is 50% pressed and 50% free run and 100% from the Churchside vineyard. It spends 18 months in these barrels from Sterling Ontario - 3rd and 4th fill (two each) - so the fruit is what really shines here: violets, black cherry, smoke, sour cherry, cranberry with a nice tannin punch, while the acidity is on-point. And the finish goes on and on and on. This just might be even be better than the first time. (****+)
Kicking off the 2022 series with a fun video for a wine from Rockway, you'll see what I mean
Rockway 2017 Cabernet Franc, Small Lot
($27.00 - available at the winery and online)
The Written Review ...
A very palate friendly Cabernet Franc endeavour that opens up nicely and delivers from the nose to the palate: aromas of raspberry, cherry, mocha and tobacco with a subtle woodiness ... On the palate there's a plethora of fun including black cherry, tobacco leaf, mocha, and white pepper with a good tannin structure on the finish. It's pretty much a ready to drink wine, but still has the potential for another 3-plus years of cellaring. Price: $27.00 - Rating: ****
