I am very late getting through these wines. Early in the summer I got a package of the latest lineup of wines from Ferox. The rebranded Rancourt winery has had some very interesting wines walk through their doors since Fabien and Stephanie Reis took the helm. I tasted through their initial lineup with wine a couple years ago and was impressed. Since the wines in this post have arrived the 2016 Black Lion Cuvée has been released. I will need to make a note to visit the winery to check this wine out.
2017 Sauvignon Blanc – **** – $35.00 – I was thrilled to get into the new vintage of the Sauvignon Blanc made half in Acacia and half in stainless steel. But I was even more thrilled to see this bottle was a few dollars cheaper than the previous vintage. While 2016 came off as a party in a bottle – 2017 is an elegant take on Niagara Sauvignon Blanc. The tropical fruit are mated with pink grapefruit cocktail. There is a battle for texture on the mid palate – there is a beeswax note that battles for the spotlight with searing acidity. This is a well made bottle of wine – perfect to enjoy now, or you can hold it for the next 3-5 years to see how it will evolve.
2017 Riesling – ****+ – $30.00 – Sometimes you need a reminder of what makes Niagara Riesling great. The aromas are golden delicious apple, pear, and beeswax. The flavours match the nose and the fruit explodes on the palate with mighty intensity. Fabien has done a great job building texture with this wine as just like with the Sauvignon blanc there’s a battle that takes place between a waxy texture and crisp acidity. I am amazed at how the fruit is so vibrant and alive when the residual sugar is impossibly low. My favourite Rieslings from the bench all have a bit of sweetness helping to bring that fruit to life – but this is just austere, and well behaved. Enjoy now or cellar until 2027.
2018 Ferox White – Steely and mineral on the nose – ***½+ – grapefruit cocktail – slightly floral but not overpowering. Grapefruit leads the charge – but there are solid tropical notes buried under the crisp acidity and strong mineral note. Good balance and a hint of petrol on the finish. It tastes Riesling driven. Kerner, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Chardonnay.
2017 Ferox Rosé – **** – Cab Sauvignon – the slight spritz is deliberate – a little more austere than most – bone dry rosé – I would say this is your fall sipper – and for some reason has me thinking of roast red meat. Strawberry and cherry – but restrained and well balanced. The juicy red notes are strong in this wine but there are hints of citrus and cranberry on the back end.
2017 Ferox Red – ****+ – Cab Franc, Malbec, Syrah, Merlot – This is the field blend from Ferox – all fruit was picked the same day and fermented together for four weeks. Fourteen months in older French oak. Wow the tannin is so soft and well put together – this is juicy red fruit. Perfectly ripe and smart but not a know it all. This is just a tasty red blend – and something to get super excited about buying and holding for 5-7 years.
