This is the first of six posts about Californian wineries I had the opportunity to visit in August. It’s taken me a bit to digest everything I tasted and saw but needless to say that California is definitely worth a visit. My first stop was at Chateau Montelena. Shortly after...
2013 The Good Earth Big Fork Red – Vintages 424325 – $18.95 – **** – There are a lot of non-conventional red blended wines you can find in Ontario but I don’t think any of them quite have this recipe. The Big Fork is a blend of Merlot, Pinot Noir,...
2014 Rosewood Süssreserve Riesling – Vintages 258806 – $14.95 – **** – Off-dry and well balanced. There is a very fresh feel to this wine as it has some unfermented Riesling juice added to the wine. It’s easy drinking, and is incredibly versatile with most foods. I could see myself pairing...
2012 Henry of Pelham Estate Riesling – Vintages 557165 – $17.95 – ****+ – This is a bottle of awesome right here. Off-dry and perfectly balanced with acidity. With the warmer weather this can be a little too easy drinking on a patio on it’s own. The fruit is pear,...
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...
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...
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...
2012 Flat Rock Chardonnay – Vintages 286278 – $18.95 – **** – Great value and high quality from this wine that recently won a Gold Medal at the Ontario Wine Awards. The nose is Vanilla, Pineapple and Apple. Flavours match the nose with just hints of baking spice that linger...
2013 Hidden Bench Estate Riesling – Vintages 183491 – $23.95 – **** – Hidden Bench is a great producer and I had a chance to visit them in December. It was great to get a chance to re-taste this wine. There is great mineral on the nose with apple and...
2012 Henry of Pelham Family Tree Red – Vintages 247881 – $18.95 – ****+ – Juicy, ripe and delicious flavours of blackberry, dark plum, currant, and mocha with nice pepper on the finish. I last tasted this wine in 2014 and needless to say this still has a few years...
Friday May 8th the winners of the Ontario Wine Awards were announced at Queen’s Landing in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Pillitteri took home Red Wine of the year with their 2010 Riserva Famiglia Cabernet Franc. Peller Estates took White Wine of the Year with their 2013 AP Signature Series Sauvignon Blanc. The big winner...
2012 Sue-Ann Staff Merlot – Vintages 358416 – $19.95 – ****+ – This is the sort of wine that will make a perfect addition to your spring/summer entertaining. Merlot is a great crowd pleaser because it is easy drinking and doesn’t have quite the bite that you would find in...
