In early August I had an opportunity to pop in to Legends Estates to see what Derek Barnett has been working on for his Meldville label. The third edition bottles are making their way out, and there are more wines going into bottle in the fall. The Sauvignon Blanc continues...
2016 Henry of Pelham Family Tree Red – Vintages TBD – $18.95 – **** – I love Family Tree blends from Henry of Pelham. These are wines designed for entertaining. They over deliver on their price and offer something that everyone at your table can enjoy whether they are a...
2015 Cave Spring Estate Bottled Chardonnay Musqué – Vintages 246579 – $16.95 – **** – It’s always nice to see this bottle make an appearance on the vintages shelves. There is a lot of apple, lemon and peach on the nose and on the palate. There is a signature note...
2014 Charles Baker Picone Vineyard Riesling – Vintages 241182 – $35.20 – ****+ – I love it when my Riesling has a hint of sugar. But sweetness needs balance and this is perfectly balanced. The sweetness brings some golden delicious apple to lemon drop. The mineral note adds even more...
It can be a challenge to redefine yourselves. One of the largest challenges facing the Canadian wine industry is gaining recognition on the world stage for more than just Icewine. The wineries of South Africa are facing a similar dilemma in that they are recognized internationally for great affordable bottles...
I recently had an opportunity to sit down with Derek Barnett to taste through some of the new wines coming out from Meldville. I was very pleased to find that the portfolio has grown by a few bottles since inception. The red wines are something to truly enjoy but the...
2016 Nyarai Pinot Gris – $20.95 – **** – Pinot Gris from Ontario needs to bring great texture to the glass to be interesting. This bottle from Nyarai is definitely interesting. The weighty nose climbs out of the glass with heavy baked apple and peach aromas. A bit of a...
2015 Creekside Iconoclast Sémillon/Sauvignon Blanc – Vintages 520627 -$22.95 – ***½+ – There is a charred wood aroma layered over tropical and citrus fruits on the nose. There flavours of lemon and passion fruit with a hint of grassiness tossed in for good measure. The finish is bright and crisp...
2014 Riverview Angelina’s Reserve Gewurztraminer – Vintages 511642 – $17.15 – ***½+ – This wine is truly all about the texture and the acidity. There is a bit of sweetness that starts to creep up after you take your first sip, but it’s immediately washed away by nice acidity. The...
Let’s call this post an epilogue on my visit to Oregon last summer. I drove from Oregon to Regina, Saskatchewan to finish off my summer road trip last year. I couldn’t resist making he pit stop in Walla Walla, Washington. Apart from being one of the most fun places to...
I stopped by Creekside as one of my first winery visits for 2017. It has been a while since i’ve stopped but the recent releases making their way to Toronto through Vintages have been fantastic. Needless to say there is a lot to look forward to available from Creekside. From...
2015 Flat Rock Chardonnay – Vintages 286278 – $18.95 – ****+ – Every vintage the Chardonnay from Flat Rock offers something to open with anticipation. The nose offers vanilla, orange and an apple note. There is a slight creaminess on the mid palate and balanced with nice acidity. The fruit...
