It’s been awhile since I’ve sat down at Southbrook to do a proper tasting. I think it’s one thing I take advantage of as a consumer in Toronto – we have a handful of wineries that have become mainstays at our various Farmer’s markets. I always look forward to finding...
2016 Southbrook Laundry Vineyard Pinot Noir – $34.80 – ****+ – The lineup at Southbrook has been very interesting over the past few vintages with the addition of Riesling and Gamay – so this Pinot was something I was very looking forward to opening. I was not disappointed – the...
2014 16 Mile Rebel Pinot Noir – Vintages 520783 – $22.95 – ****+ – The short note on this wine is that it’s the new benchmark for value Pinot Noir in the province. Everything in this wine is just harmonious from ripe fruit and earth to nice acidity on the...
2016 Southbrook Triomphe Chardonnay – Vintages 172338 – $24.95 – ****+ – Aromas are baking spice, baked apple, and vanilla. There is so much texture and richness coming out of the bottle – it’s unapologetic with the invasion of flavour it brings to your glass. There is nice weight on...
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...
2015 Southbrook Triomphe Chardonnay – Vintages 172338 – $24.95 – **** – The short note – this is the best Triomphe Chardonnay that I can remember. The long – Aromas are spicy and layered over apples and peach. This wine opens up on the palate with nice weight and texture....
2016 Seriously Cool Chardonnay – LCOB 457481 – $14.95 – **** – Bright and crisp with a nice mouthfeel. Unoaked Chardonnay of this calibre is anything but boring. The aromas speak of peaches and apples with some citrus tossed in there. The flavours match the nose and are met with...
2013 Cave Spring Estate Bottled Gewurztraminer – Vintages 302059 – $17.95 – **** – Gewurz in time for summer is something interesting. You will read tons of notes on how these wines pair well with spicy asian cuisine – Thai or Japanese. I love having something that pairs well with...
Earlier this year I had a chance to do a broad tasting of the current offerings from Southbrook. Last year I had an opportunity to taste a depth of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon. It would seem the wines for sale this year offer something a little bit interesting. Vidal served...
2015 Southbrook Organic Triomphe Pinot Noir – **** – This is a new entry fo the Triomphe line from Southbrook. This may push the price point of the triomphe line a little higher, but this still speaks great value. I will lament value priced Pinot Noir in this province as...
2013 Southbrook Triomphe Cabernet Franc – Vintages 275958 – $21.95 – **** – I submit this wine as evidence that we should be flying the Franc flag high over the vineyards of Ontario. 2013 was a fairly typical summer in Niagara and this is reflected well in the bottle. This...
2012 Southbrook Wild Ferment Chardonnay – ****+ – $34.95 – Curiously Southbrook has released their 2012 Wild Ferment after the release of their 2013. Coming from the very warm 2012 summer this is a very different wine from the more subtle 2013 Chardonnay’s coming from Southbrook. Bolder, and bigger with...
