IMPRESSIVE - Domaine de Bel-Air 2022 Les Granits Bleus Beaujolais-Villag...

 

Oh baby, I am a big fan of the Gamay grape, especially when it is done well, here this Domaine de Bel-Air 2022 Les Granits Bleus Beaujolais-Villages is a well-crafted, beautiful bottle of BoJo that hits all the right marks. Let me tell you about it.

 

HAPPY 2025 - 13th Street Winery 2021 Gamay - Blanc de Noir (Ontario, Can...

Ringing in the New Year with this awesome, yet rare, for Ontario, take on Gamay : 

13th Street Winery 2021 Gamay

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

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

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

 

ENJOYABLE Thomas Frissant 2022 Tout En Canon (France)

This Gamay is chillable and chuggable, let me tell you why : 

Thomas Frissant 2022 Tout En Canon

WONDERFUL Malivoire 2020 Courtney Gamay

Gamay is Malivoire's thing, and this thing is one of Malivoire's best (ever) : 

Malivoire 2020 Courtney Gamay

 

 

The pinnacle of Malivoire Gamays is this single block/ single vineyard that lies just outside the wineries front door. It sees oak for 14 months mixing older, newer and larger barrels. It's named for the lady who owned the land on which the vineyard sits: Selma Courtney. She was Malivoire’s neighbour up until she sold the land and Martin - and it is in her honoured he named the wine. This is possibly the winery’s annual best. The first vintage was in 2002; and 18 years later, and this is a big statement: this might be their best to date, but certainly the best since 2015. Firm and full yet fresh with lots of fresh black cherry, blackberry, black raspberry and delicate spices: vanilla, clove, and even some smoky notes show up on the lingering finish. An absolute beauty that needs time to fully evolve.

Bachelder Wines 2020 Gamay Noir - Bai Xu Vineyard (Ontario Wine)

Bachelder wines go quick, and this one might be gone; 

but let's shine a light on a new Gamay Noir vineyard, in Niagara-on-the-Lake

Bachelder Wines 2020 Gamay Noir - Bai Xu Vineyard

 

... WRITTEN REVIEW ...

Right on the label Thomas tells us what he did: a 32% whole cluster pressing on this wine- it's amazing to see this die-hard Pinot Noir/ Chardonnay producer latch onto Gamay as hard as he has; he's really showing this "lowly", "disloyal" grape some real love and respect. The nose is floral and red berry, while the palate displays a juicy core of red fruit, a spicy finish that leaves peppery notes battling it out with subtle baking spices. And let’s not forget the great length to the finish.  (****+)

 

Domaine Merceron-(Martin) 2019 Gamay Parcelles (Loire, France)

Gamay in the Loire Valley? It's a thing, and it's a good thing : 

Domaine Merceron (Martin) 2019 Gamay Parcelles

 

>>> WRITTEN REVIEW <<<

Domaine Merceron Martin 2019 Parcelles Rouge
100% Gamay … Lovely red berry fruit, lively acidity, subtle shake of pepper, black and boysenberry finish - 1 week carbonic (any longer and you take away the fruitiness and risk bitterness) - needs 2-3 years to meld and come together.  (****+)

 

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: ****+

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: ****

 

Henry of Pelham 2019 Estate Gamay (Ontario Wine Review #427)

As a Gamay Noir fan I love seeing well-made version of this wine from Ontario, here's yet another : 

 

Henry of Pelham 2019 Estate Gamay 

 

($19.95 - available at the winery and online).

 

Niagara College 2018 Balance Gamay Noir (Ontario Wine Review #420)

I love seeing more wineries getting into the Gamay Game, 

and this one in particular is a game changer, here's why : 

 

Niagara College Teaching Winery 2018 Balance Gamay Noir 

 

($18.95 each - available at the winery and online)