DELIGHTFUL Le Clos Jordanne 2021 Claystone Pinot Noir (Canada)

 

Time after time, again and again, this winery delivers for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir lovers. Today, I'm lookingnat a Le Clos Jordanne 2021 Claystone Pinot Noir - and once again it's a wine that's going to put smiles on faces

ENTICING Nk'Mip Cellars 2022 Qwam Qwmt Pinot Noir (British Columbia)

 

Pinot Noir? From the southern Okanagan? Yes, it is a thing, and yes, it is really good. I don't often agree that BC Pinot is "their thing", but then wines like this come along and it makes me re-think my whole theory. Today, it's the Nk'Mip Cellars 2022 Qwam Qwmt Pinot Noir -  Another bottle I tasted during the All Canadian Wine Championships

MARVELOUS Inniskillin 2021 Montague Vineyard Chardonnay (Ontario)

 

In a world full of mediocre Chardonnay this was one of the first I tried that opened my eyes to what Chardonnay could be. Now, many years later, Montague Vineyard Chardonnay is still one of those eye-popping Chardonnays - and that it is from here, in my own backyard (so to speak) makes it even more exciting ... It is time to reveal the newest edition of the Inniskillin 2021 Montague Vineyard Chardonnay.

IMPRESSIVE - Perez Cruz 2021 Piedra Seca Cabernet Sauvignon (Chile)

 

Sure you've had Cabernet Sauvignon before, but this is a different kind of Cab. This is not just a single vineyard, it's a designer, and designed, single vineyard; but at a price that's affordable for all. 

Today, it's the Perez Cruz 2021 Piedra Seca Cabernet Sauvignon

WONDERFUL - Fattoria Carpineta Fontalpino 2019 Vigna Montaperto - Gran S...

 

There are plenty of reasons to love wines derived from a single vineyard. Let me tell you about just one : 

Fattoria Carpineta Fontalpino 2019 Vigna Montaperto 

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

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

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

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.

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)

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. (****+)

 

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.

 

NAILED IT Cono Sur 2019 Carmenere La Rinconada (Chile)

Carmenere is a tough grape to get right; but I think Cono Sur nails it in this bottle of 

2019 Carmenere "La Rinconada"

 

Nice to see someone who knows their way around the finicky Carmenere grape. There's some earthy nuances here, plus some smoky and herbal characteristics. The fruit hits in the cassis realm and there's also coffee bean and spice all wrapped in a medium length finish. It's a lovely Carmenere from a grape that doesn’t see enough love and get enough respect.  (****)

Rosehall Run 2019 JCR Vineyard Chardonnay

Oops, he's done it again, yet another wonderful bottle of 

Rosehall Run 2019 JCR Vineyard Chardonnay

 

>>> THE WRITTEN REVIEW <<<

Here’s a surprise. I just got a chance to taste this wine again – the first time was just after its bottling, and not some months later I was implored to try it again (by a Chardonnay loving friend who will remain nameless) … Dan Sullivan continues his winning streak with Chardonnay from his own vineyard. This 2019 has a beautiful mix of minerality and acidity to go along with the white fruit (apple and pear) plus notes of peach and pineapple. There's a little vanilla on the back end and creamy-esque mouthfeel that comes across rich and delicious. This is another JCR Chardonnay I could sit and sip on all day.  

Rating: ****+

Cono Sur 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon - No. 18 Suelo de Piedras (Chile)

Cabernet and Chile go hand-in-hand, don't believe me? Then you need to get a taste of this one

Cono Sur 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon

Single Vineyard - No. 18 Suelo de Piedras

 

WRITTEN REVIEW

Super cherry-mocha and spiced-red plum start, and it just keeps getting better from there as it opens up in steps: subtle oak, cinnamon, more spiced plum, this time it's of the darker variety and some strawberry – cherry finishes it all off and lingers a long time. This fine bottle of Chilean Cab hits all the right notes, all that's missing is the mint, maybe it just needs time.  (****+)

Closson Chase 2019 Chardonnay, Churchside Vineyard (Ontario Wine)

Been a bit since we've seen a wine from Closson, 

so let's check in on a Chardonnay and why I'm liking this one : 

Closson Chase 2019 Chardonnay, Churchside Vineyard 

 

>>> WRITTEN REVIEW <<<

There's a slight smokiness here that plays well with the white peach and green apple; there's a subtle, spicy apricot note on the finish that helps to it elevate this Chardonnay out of the realm of merely typical into one of delicious. (****)

Chateau des Charmes 2017 Chardonnay, Paul Bosc Vineyard (Ontario Wine Re...

These Chardonnay grapes come from the vineyard across the road from the winery - in the Paul Bosc vineyard

 

 Chateau des Charmes 2017 Chardonnay, Paul Bosc Vineyard 

 

($28.95 - available at the winery and online)

 

 

The Chardonnays from 2017 seem to have something special about them - a certain elegance of fruit core backed by good acidity. Here peach, apple, vanilla and Christmas spices mingle with a creamy mid-palate and good acidity on the finish. The nose is not as expressive as the palate, but it should open more with time once the cork is popped; factor in the nice length to the finish and this is one tasty Chardonnay for any time of year.  Price: $28.95 - Rating: ****

Fogolar 2018 Cabernet Franc, Oppenlaender Vineyard (Ontario Wine Review ...

It's another look into the mind of those making great Cabernet Franc in Ontario

 

Fogolar 2018 Cabernet Franc, Oppenlaender Vineyard 

 

($24.95 - available at the winery and online)

Le Clos Jordanne 2018 Pinot Noir, Le Grand Clos (Ontario Wine Review #434)

Le Clos Jordanne is back in business and with their original winemaker at the helm 

 

Le Clos Jordanne 2018 Pinot Noir, Le Grand Clos 

 

($44.95 - available at the winery and online).

 

Pondview 2017 Bella Terra Chardonnay (Ontario Wine Review #418)

This Chardonnay is made from some pretty old vines, 

yet they say nothing about it on the label - let me tell you about : 

 

Pondview 2017 Bella Terra Chardonnay 

 

($39.95 each - available at the winery and online)

 

Culmina 2018 Chardonnay, Stan's Bench No. 11 (The Wine Review - #293)

A British Columbia Chardonnay experiment - one bottles tops the chart (for me anyway)

 

Culmina 2018 Chardonnay, Stan's Bench No. 11 

 

available at the winery (and other fine wine stores).