STUNNING Chateau Montus 2017 Madiran (France)

You want to get to know the Tannat grape? 

Start with a bottle of Chateau Montus - the OG of Tannat : 

Chateau Montus 2017 Madiran

 

The Written Part ...

An 80% Tannat with 20% Cabernet Sauvignon – taking up a 35 hectares of the 37 hectare Montus vineyard. Vine age is about 27 years. Fermentation and maceration follow what happens at Boucassé (see above). Here 50% of the wine sees new oak for 12 months. Then 24 months in 80 hectoliter foudre (large barrels). 36 months of aging the wine rests in bottle 2 years before release.

The note … Weighty wine with lots of smoky, gritty tannin grip. Floral with good acidity; the fruit either lingers or has decided to hide within the oak – each sip holds a different outcome. It'll take time to emerge, but this oak will always be there. It's an intense wine where food needs to be involved. (****)

LOVELY BUBBLE Henkell 2016 Cremant de Loire (France)

A surprising wine, from an unlikely source, until you know the whole story : 

Henkell 2016 Cremant de Loire

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)

DELIGHTFUL Domaine La Sarabande 2020 Bousigue (France)

For lovers of Mourvedre,

 I offer you this beauty as example of how great the wines from that grape can be 

Domaine La Sarabande 2020 Bousigue

REMARKABLE Alois Legeder 2021 Schiava (Italy)

Schiava is one of those rare grapes that makes such wonderful wines; 

here is a prime example

Alois Lageder 2021 Schiava

EYE-POPPING Masciarelli 2019 ISKRA (Italy)

For those who think Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is a simple wine; 

now's the time to change all that:  

Masciarelli 2019 ISKRA - Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva 

WONDERFUL Tenuta Sette Ponti 2020 Crognolo (Italy)

A Tuscan wine with history and taste. 

Time to talk about the Tenuta Sette Ponti 2020 Crognolo (again)

 

(Sangiovese / Merlot)
Rich and juicy with plenty of dark fruit, mocha, and nice acid hit on the tongue - well-balanced with a long finish. (****+)

INCREDIBLE : Bodegas Martinez Lacuesta 2015 Campeador (Spain)

First created in 1916, this Tempranillo-Grenache is a stellar wine 

even at almost 9 years from vintage - 

let me tell you what I mean as I talk about the 

Bodegas Martinez Lacuesta 2015 Campeador

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

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. (****+)

 

EXCITING Chateau de Pibarnon 2019 Bandol (France)

This was the first winery in the Bandol area I visited and it was stunning: 

the views, the cellar, and most of all the wine : 

Chateau de Pibarnon 2019 Bandol

BLISSFUL Stag's Leap Wine Cellars 2019 Karia Chardonnay (California)

California Chardonnay is making the turn towards fresher, fruitier wines. 

It's been a slow roll out, but it's getting there. 

This wine is pointed in the right direction

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars 2019 Karia Chardonnay

 

... WRITTEN REVIEW ...

The chill here was perfect and brought out so many of this white's cool temperature loving characteristics. “Karia” is Greek for graceful and that's just what this wine was: super-pleasant from beginning to end. Rich, smoky, oaky, but with a fruit core, that doles out salinity and good acidity; vanilla and some butterscotch also join the show. The wine is made in what Marcus called “a less intervention style”. Only 9 months in barrel, 34% new, all French, with 8% going into stainless steel to retain a modicum of freshness. There's also 0.5% Muscat Canelli that sneaks in - just enough to give it a floral aspect.

 

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

 

IMPRESSIVE Chateau Boucasse 2017 Grand Vin (France)

Time to taste Tannat from the Madiran region of France - 

known for grippy tannins and big fruit these wines age a long time : 

Chateau Boucasse 2017 Grand Vin

 

Chateau Boucassé 2017 Grand Vin de Madiran

60% Tannat with 20% each Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon ... These grapes take up 45 hectares of the 85-hectare vineyard Boucassé. The soils are "red and yellow clays on limestone" and the vine age ranges from 25 to 100 years. Slow fermentation happens between 8 to 10 days and a long maceration between 30 and 45 days (depending on the vintage) . It spends its first year in barrels, of which 20% to 30% are new, then 24 months in large wood casks. And after the 36 months is over, the wine spends another 2 years in bottle before release.

The note … Stunning nose that lures you into the glass. The fruit is smoky and has notes of blackberry, cassis and floral. Very approachable with a long finish. It's a lovely sipping wine. (**** ½)

STUNNING Peay Vineyards 2021 Pomarium Pinot Noir (California)

If you scour the internet, you'll find lots of quotes about Pinot Noir, 

I was looking for one to fit; 

but this kind of California Pinot Noir breaks a lot of molds. 

Cool climate California Pinot at its best: 

Peay Vineyards 2021 Pomarium Pinot Noir