Sparkling wine is one of the wines I like to believe I specialize in, I drink enough of it anyway (rose would be in that category too). Here we have a little known virtual winery making some first class bubbles that needs to be tasted to be believed - it's awesome. Today, it's the ...
Divergence Wines 2020 Brut Nature
According to my rough count, this is video 950 and so it is time to celebrate this milestone with a little bubbly. Today, it's the Chateau des Charmes 2017 Sparkling Rose, a sparkling wine with a surprise under the caged-cork.
For those of you looking for an alternative grape to Chardonnay in Ontario, maybe, just maybe, I have one for you - will it be a continuous thing or a one off, remains to be seen?
Today, it's the 13th Street Winery 2022 Viognier Reserve
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.
Does Syrah belong in Ontario? The short answer is: probably not -
but there are certain pockets of the province (and in Niagara) that does this grape justice.
Here's one : Kacaba 2019 Syrah, Proprietors Block
You would not think 2019 to be a year for Syrah; but if you were one of the first to plant the grape, that makes your material old vines, and here that helps. Here Syrah was combined with 10% Viognier, all estate grown, then aged in a mix of American and French oak for 17 months, giving the wine elements of floral and hints of fruit sweetness in the process. Peppery and smoky notes lead things off, before the fruit really kicks in: raspberry, blackberry and creme de cassis ... This is elegant and stylish version Syrah - that's not just good for the vintage, but really good in general ... Vintage be damned.
In my books this is a rare bottle of wine, one you NEED to put your hands on,
and represents the epitome of Syrah in Ontario
Big Head Wines 2020 RAW Syrah
THE WRITTEN REVIEW ...
It's hard not to assume that during a 20-plus wine tasting at Big Head with wine maker/owner Andrzej Lipinski, you’ll come away with some favourites; but the big surprise here was just how much this one stood heads and tails above all the rest. That was the case this 2020 Syrah, part of the Raw series, which see concrete with no wood being introduced. The wine is also bottled unfiltered, but even before that Andrzej co-fermented it with 5% Viognier with the Syrah, along with a few other tricks of the trade, including carbonic maceration. Then leaving it in concrete for a year and a half. The results lay plain in the bottle: Floral aromas that lean slightly smoky ... A palate loaded with smoky-black cherry and raspberry and balsamic strawberries. It's pure, it's pretty, it's ... Damn near perfect?
This blend from Leaning Post is their 2020 Cuvee Winona,
it combines the beauty of the vintage with great wine making skills
This ABCer finds another Chardonnay that floats his boat
Cave Spring Cellars 2019 Estate Chardonnay
This is a stunning wine that delivers a bit of spice along with some richness that pairs nicely with its acidity to keep it light on the palate. Thanks to a cool growing season, 2019 was a challenging vintage, but the folks at Cave Spring clearly didn’t get the memo. This may be the best Chardonnay in the LCBO at this price point from anywhere.
Just over a year ago, I looked at this very same wine
Westcott Vineyards 2020 Estate Chardonnay
time to take a second look; here are my thoughts again
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. (****+)
Consistency is key to this value priced Franc, but some years it just elevates to another level
Vineland Estates 2020 Cabernet Franc
>>> WRITTEN REVIEW <<<
Vineland Estates 2020 Cabernet Franc
Not since the 2016 has the basic Cabernet Franc from Vineland been this good ... Once again it feels like you're stealing from them at this price, so buy a bunch. Juicy with some rugged tannins that will make this one age a decade or more especially under screwcap. There's also some mocha, tobacco, chocolate-cherry and even some bittersweet chocolate on the finish. The fruit really is the signature here, but when that chocolate kicks in it takes it to the next level. Rating: ****+
Not usually a fan of Vincenzo's version/style of Chardonnay, until now
De Simone 2019 Chardonnay
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: ****+
