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

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.

 

EXCITING Malivoire 2020 Stouck Farmstead Red (Ontario Wine)

From a winery famous for Gamay, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir 

comes another in a steady line of Bordeaux blends : 

Malivoire 2020 Stouck Farmstead Red

 

 ... Written Review ...

A Merlot/ Cabernet Sauvignon blend the doles out a number of primary and secondary characteristics that are very appealing and approachable: dark fruit, like plum and blackberry meat up with licorice, vanilla and smoke, all the while it's plush with all that beautiful ripe fruit on palate. The real kicker, is the chocolate / mocha / latte finish and linger; that just makes this wine more unforgettable. It'll get better with some age, say 5 to 7 years.

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.

Malivoire 2021 Melon (Ontario Wine)

It's one of those little known grapes, but this one has quite the following : 

 

Malivoire 2021 Melon

 

 

 

--- THE WRITTEN REVIEW ---

 

Malivoire has been making, and selling out of, Melon for over 20 years; and now to alleviate those demands for more, they've planted more Melon de Bourgogne. This is 64% estate fruit and 36% from winemaker's Shiraz Mottiar's eponymously named vineyard. The aromas are a real winner and they match the palate: melon (perfect for this wine), pear, mineral-floral with fresh acidity that allows the wine to linger with a stony finish. Another winner Melon, and having just come back from the Loire, I can tell you this bottle is truly on-point.  (****)

Malivoire 2019 Mottiar Vineyard Pinot Noir (Ontario Wine)

Single vineyard Pinot Noir is all the rage, but Malivoire has been doing it for years

 

Malivoire 2019 Mottiar Vineyard Pinot Noir 

 

 

 

--- THE WRITTEN REVIEW ---

The man's name is Shiraz (winemaker of Malivoire), but he seems pretty adept with more Burgundian and Beaujolais grapes like Pinot Noir and Gamay. Here he sources Pinot from his own eponymously named Vineyard and creates a real pleasant version: kicking off with light and earthy notes plus cranberry and sour cherry; add in some violets and subtle peppery nuances, good acid punch and a long finish, and you got one of Shiraz's tastier Pinots to date.  (****+)

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: ****