I had to take one day in wine country this summer that didn’t involve doing deliveries for the 80x Wine Company. It had been awhile since I’ve seen Derek Barnett. We had a chance to taste outside at Legends Estate Winery and while this year has been hard on everyone the outdoor wine tastings will be a high point from the summer. I think what’s exciting about the Meldville label is that while the cornerstone of the brand is the entry level Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc – there is always something new and interesting on the go. This visit had a first edition Riesling and Syrah Rosé.
Meldville 2019 Cabernet Franc Rosé (Second Edition) – $20.00 – **** – One of two rosé’s from Derek Barnett for the 2020 summer. This is a worthy follow up to last years version of this wine. The fruit is confected red fruit on the nose and on the palate – but the sweet nose and palate are mated with perfect acidity. The fruit in this bottle is perfectly ripe with not even a whisper of savory elements. Bright acidity brings a bit of citrus pith to the finish.
Meldville 2019 Syrah Rosé (First Edition) – $24.00 – **** – What’s fascinating about this rosé is just how much the varietal characteristics come through. This offers everything you would expect from a great summer rosé – wild strawberry, watermelon, cranberry, and cherry. But both on the nose and on the finish a hint of cracked black pepper that just screams Syrah. All killer, no filler – a true Swiss Army knife when it comes to matching this wine with food.
Meldville 2019 Riesling (First Edition) – $TBD – ****+ – This is an exciting addition to the Meldville portfolio. I tasted this on one of the hot July days this summer outside – and I’ll admit the conditions definitely just spoke to this wine. Perfect balance with acidity, fruit, and a hint of sweetness on the finish. Fruit notes are peach and lime on the nose and on the palate. A lovely mineral note is fighting for attention – and it should make an appearance with a couple years in bottle. Grab a bottle now to enjoy before the cold weather is here for good – or snag one to enjoy on the first hot day of 2021.
Meldville 2019 Sauvignon Blanc (Fifth Edition) – $20.00 – **** – There’s a good reason why this wine is on so many great wine lists around the province. It’s also hard to believe that we’re already on the fifth edition of this wine. Tropical aromas with notes of citrus on the nose and palate. There is nice intensity and concentration to this wine on the mid palate but crisp acidity brings up the finish.
Meldville 2018 Chardonnay (Fourth Edition) – $20.00 – **** – This chardonnay continues to offer exceptional value at the price point – and as with the sauvignon blanc keeps making its way onto great wine lists. What an outstanding example of perfect balance in Ontario Chardonnay. Wonderful notes of apples and spice with just a hint of vanilla. The texture is quite light even thought there’s a bit of oak influence in the bottle. I love wines like this because they are easy to pair with food – the acidity is crisp and the finish is short even though a bit of spice lingers. I would love to enjoy this wine throughout the fall with chicken, chicken burgers, roast chicken … turkey… um…. just serve this with anything that flies.
Meldville 2018 Barrel Select Chardonnay – $29.00 – ****+ – The most exciting thing about the barrel select Chardonnay from Derek Barnett is how different it is every vintage. It’s the thing about getting to know a winemaker and winery – it makes tasting a bottle of wine very exciting – a little like Forrest Gump and the box of chocolates you never really know what you’re gonna get. I tasted this mid-summer 2020, and as with most of the 2018 examples of Chardonnay I’ve tasted the barrel characteristics are a little disjointed. But, this won’t take much time to soften and integrate. I’m not going to lie though – the intense pineapple, peach, and apple pie aromas and flavours still manage to soar in spite of the strong vanilla and toasted wood notes. Please, buy several bottles of this start enjoying in late 2020, and repeat every six months for the next 3-7 years.
