PALATE PLEASING Clotilde Legrand 2017 Les Terrages (France)

The new generation is female. Watch the video to find out what I'm talking about : 

Clotilde Legrand 2017 Les Terrages

TERRIFIC 2027 Cellars 2020 Grimsby Hillside Chardonnay

Chardonnay from a very sought after vineyard, you'll see what I mean

2027 Cellars 2020 Grimsby Hillside Chardonnay

TASTY Tenuta Ulisse 2022 Terre di Chieti Pecorino (Italy)

Don't know the story about how Pecorino got its name? 

Let's fix that, and other notions about the wine 

Tenuta Ulisse 2022 Terre di Chieti Pecorino

AMAZING De Simone Vineyards 2020 Merlot (Canadian Wine)

Small producer, hand harvesting, single vineyard, great vintage ... 

it all makes for one hell of a wine

De Simone Vineyards 2020 Merlot

 

 

WRITTEN REVIEW ... Any question that 2020 was a good vintage; heck, a great vintage, should be put to bed; especially after I tasted this awe-inspiring bottle of Merlot from De Simone - who has made some incredible wines in his short tenure on the Niagara wine scene. With 2 years in barrel, a mix of French and American oak, of which two-thirds was new. Aromas include notes of licorice, clove, vanilla and smoked cherry; and flavours that load on the blue and black fruit backed by vanilla and spices. It has a long finish with a robust richness that's elegant, smokey and spicy all at the same time... Great mouthfeel and acidity that's totally on point. Beauty. I thought his 2019 was good, but this 2020 is next level.

SATISYFYING M Chapoutier 2021 Belleruche Blanc (France)

Usually not a Cotes-du-Rhone white fan, but I think I found one worthy of the video series : 

M Chapoutier 2021 Belleruche Blanc 

Cotes-du-Rhone Blanc

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

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.

SURPRISING Tenuta di Saragano 2017 Montefalco Rosso Riserva (Italy)

Riserva wines have a reputation of being over-oaked

and needing a long time to come around to be drinkable; 

time to change your mind

Tenuta di Saragano 2017 Montefalco Rosso Riserva

 

- WRITE UP -

There's some real complexity here that is not all wood derived - the spice and fruit play nicely on the long finish and there is age-ability of 5-10 years.