2013 13th Street Winery Grande Cuvée Blanc de Noir – Vintages 361394 – $59.95 – ****½ – This bottle of bubbles is a show stopper for sure. The moment I took my first sniff of what was in my glass the complex brioche and citrus notes practically leaped out of the glass. While this has been aging on lees for 5 years – I can’t help but feel that this needs a bit more time. Don’t get me wrong, if you decide to open this now you will be very pleased to find a complex and rich bottle of bubbles that teases your mouth as it begins to open up on the palate only to be swept away with satisfying palate cleansing acidity. After the bottle had been open for an hour that’s when it really started to show it’s potential. Grab a few bottles and cellar them to enjoy from 2021-2027.
2019 June’s Vineyard Chardonnay – $21.95 – **** – This unoaked chardonnay is definitely one of the more interesting takes on the style from the province. Striking a nice balance between broad texture and crisp acidity. Flavours lean towards pear, golden delicious apple, and cantaloupe. The crunchy mineral notes dominate the finish on this wine keeping the palate refreshed waiting for the next sip. Food pairings should be a little lighter – grilled or roast chicken, or seafood dishes. Enjoyable immediately, or you can hold for 3-5 years to see how it will evolve.
2019 Whitty Vineyard Gamay – $24.95 – **** – A light, pure expression of Ontario Gamay. Made completely in stainless steel there is nothing getting in the way of the fruit here. 2019 was a cool, challenging vintage to it’s not surprising that the fruit flavours are light and tart. Sour cherry, cranberry, and freshly cracked peppercorn. This is one of those wines that are a great reminder that outstanding wine doesn’t need to be made to be locked away in a cellar. With silky tannin and nice acidity on the finish you can pair this with virtually anything you plan to put on the table. I don’t think significant aging will do much to improve the wine but holding for 3-5 years should bring about an interesting evolution if you decide to hold it that long. Best enjoyed 2021-2023 with a slight chill.
2018 Sandstone Gamay – $34.95 – **** – This blend of 80% Whitty Farm and 20% Willms Farm fruit delivers incredible depth, and speaks to the 2018 vintage. While most of the summer was blazing hot, the fall was challenging and wet. That being said this should be a great vintage for the early ripening varieties like Gamay. This wine didn’t seem to get the memo about the hot summer months with alcohol coming in at 12.5% and bright acidity keeping this light and clean on the finish. The aromas are the full cherry spectrum going from tart sour cherry moving to notes of dark cherry and vanilla. The texture is broad on the back palate allowing the fruit flavour to bloom in your mouth from cheek to cheek. This was aged in a mix of new and used french oak barrels for 14 months – but the influence of oak flavouring is well used, restrained, and very well balanced. Easily enjoyed while young, but should relax by 2023-2026.
