2015 Konzelmann Estate Winery Baco Noir – $12.15 – ***1/2 – I have recently been critical of Baco Noir with my podcast partner Michael Pinkus. For Baco producers that are not Henry of Pelham the bar needs to be raised. Konzelmann have done a great job pushing the envelope with this bottle. The fruit is juicy on the nose and on the palate with blackberry and cherry. The finish is nice acidity to keep this from being too heavy on the palate. But there is a nice juiciness that fills your mouth from cheek to cheek. The weight of this wine is enough to limit its food friendliness but coming into spring this is a great bottle to pair with ribs or steak.
2015 Konzelmann Reserve Chardonnay – $18.15 – **** – While I may be critical of Baco Noir I have the opposite feeling about Chardonnay,. It would seem like every winery in this province have their own chapter to add to a beautiful book that is being written. The nose offers apple and baking spice. Let this wine sit on your tongue for a moment and let it open right up and blossom with orchard fruit being front and centre. Well integrated oak add a note of vanilla and spice round out the package creating a beautifully balanced Chardonnay that is best enjoyed without food … but if you insist make this a match to creamy pasta dishes or fried chicken.
