Derek Barnett’s Meldville wines are still one of the most exciting additions to the landscape of Ontario over the past couple years. The core lineup of wines is still exciting and tasted – and frankly, I enjoy having each bottle labeled by edition. It’s an interesting way to track which...
I recently had a chance to speak with Barb DiGiulio of Newstalk 1010 about evidence of some very old wine being made. I confessed that old wines don’t really do it for me. I’ll admit that I find it interesting seeing how wines evolve and change with time. These are...
2013 Lailey Merlot – Vintages 591396 – $24.95 – **** – The nose is jammy dark fruit with plum, blackberry and currant. I still maintain that I am a Merlot doubter… but when it’s done right it is very good. The flavours are Blackberry, Black Currant and Raspberry with hints...
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...
2013 Lailey Unoaked Chardonnay – Vintages 299776 – $14.95 – ****+ – Who said unoaked Chardonnay is boring? This offering from Lailey is excellent with a nice creamy texture on the palate. There are flavours of apple, peach, and melon with beautiful acidity on the finish. Nice light and crisp!...
2013 Lailey Unfiltered Cabernet Franc – ****+ – (Price TBD) – This is an elegant follow up to big 2012 vintage. This wine is made from a block of thirty year old vines and is only made in years that winemaker Derek Barnett feels worthy. There are layers of Raspberry,...
Vidal is not just for Icewine. Most people know Vidal for the rich honeyed icewines that are made from the juice of this grape. When it is vinified into table wine you end up with wines that are bright and crisp. It holds onto a lot of the floral qualities...
The question you answer for the next few days after Cuvée is “What was your favorite wine?”… Truthfully I can’t answer. Cuvée is hosted at the Fallsview Casino. It is one of the events that I look forward to every year. You take as many wineries as you can fit...
It seems that the rain follows me when I make my way down the QEW for the Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration. Last year I attended the kickoff barbeque that was hit by major torrential rain. This year I made sure to check out the Grand Tasting and Dinner held at...
The label may not be familiar but I assure you these are VQA wines. There is a company called Sideroad Twenty, they carry an impressive portfolio of Ontario wines that can be ordered and shipped right to your door. They carry wines from Malivoire, Creekside, Lailey, Cooper’s Hawk, Henry of...
2012 Lailey Select Late Harvest Vidal – Vintages 72918 – $19.95 – I know we tend to think about Icewine in the winter over Christmas and New Years but I prefer saving a bottle of two for spring and summer. There is nothing better than serving a chilled glass of...
2012 Lailey Chardonnay – Vintages 193482 – $19.95 – Beautifully subtle and fantastically priced. Flavours of apple, peach with vanilla on a finish that lingers a little bit. This is something I would serve to people who are fussy about overoaked Chardonnay. This has great balance between bright fruit and...
