2013 Merlot – ****+ – $24.95 – Winery Only – This wine is stunning! The nose is ripe aromas of smoke with black currant, blackberry and coffee. The nose almost fools you because it is restrained and elegant. Once the wine hits your tongue prepare for a wake up call....
I have had Grappa a couple of times before. And while we are in the middle of a cocktail revolution that is sweeping the city Grappa has not made it’s way into many cocktails that I’ve seen. For myself, I prefer spirits that require little fuss and can be enjoyed...
I hosted a Cabernet Franc tasting earlier this year, and I am still sorting through my notes on 47 different wines from all over the province. I was fortunate to have the Bench Trial wines included in my panel. Currently operating as a virtual winery they have a 2010 and 2011...
I was really looking forward to my visit to Leaning Post. I had a chance to meet owners Ilya and Nadia Senchuk last summer at I4C. After that this winery has a bit of a buzz about them. I have a soft spot for Gamay and they have quickly joined...
The weekend I was in Niagara tasting this wine it wasn’t supposed to be Syrah weekend but I was tasting with my friend Julian who loves it. I tasted Syrah at Marynissen, Lailey and Leaning Post (review next week). Needless to say I came home after eating my words that...
My visit to Back 10 Cellars was long overdue. I have been told by many people that I had to make the stop to try the Cabernet Franc. It was nice to find that there was more to Back 10 than just the Cab Franc. The small focused portfolio is...
Marynissen isn’t a winery that many people are talking about these days. I have heard from other writer and people about the glory days of the winery and how great the wines were in the 90’s. Marynissen owns the oldest commercially planted Cabernet Sauvignon vines in the province. The winery...
2014 Jennifer’s Pinot Gris – Winery Only – $17.95 – ****1/2 – Let’s face it, Pinot Gris is generally boring, inoffensive and tasteless. This wine from Kacaba is anything but. Your eyes don’t deceive you, this has a beautiful pink hue to it. Subtle flavours of apple, peach are layered over...
2012 Vieni Gamay Noir – Winery Only – $17.95 – ****+ – This was the gold medal winner at the Ontario Wine Awards. Coming from the hot 2012 vintage this wine still keeps all the signature qualities of great Gamay. The flavours are nice concentrated Cherry with hints of pepper...
The last time I was at Casa-Dea in Prince Edward County I was introduced to their first appassimento wine called Adamo. I had the opportunity to taste the white counterpart – Eva. It is always exciting to see what comes out of the doors of the winery when you have...
2012 Tenuta Frescobaldi Di Castiglioni – Vintages 145920 – $21.95 – **** – Mainly Cab Sauv, with Merlot, Cab Franc and Sangiovese to round out the package this is a very nice full bodied, easy drinking wine. The nose and flavours are licorice and black currant. Flavours are very fruit...
I stopped by the Mike Weir Winery during “Get Fresh” in the spring of this year. I haven’t done much tasting of the wines at Weir lately. When they do make their way into my home I have always enjoyed them. I know most of us have already forgotten about...
