2017 13th Street Whitty Vineyard Gamay – $23.95 – **** – This is a stellar example of why 13th Street is at the top of the Gamay game in Ontario. 2017 was a challenging vintage – but you wouldn’t know that from the bottle in front of me right now. The aromas are sour cherry, raspberry, cranberry, with a hint of black pepper. The fruit flavours are tart cranberry, sour cherry, and raspberry – but the fruit flavours are still juicy and satisfying. This wine is exceptionally food friendly thanks to it’s acid backbone. Well-made Gamay is almost as food food friendly as well-made Rosé – so you can expect to pair this with heavier red meats like beef or lamb – but it will also hold up to grilled to salmon or barbequed chicken.
2017 13th Street June’s Vineyard Chardonnay – $21.95 – **** – This wine was made and aged in stainless steel. I know that I’m guilty of accusing unoaked Chardonnay of being boring – but this is anything but boring. The nose is golden delicious apple, lemon, and mineral. On the palate the texture of this wine really opens up without feeling like an invasion of your senses. The fruit flavours really fill your mouth from cheek to cheek – but the feeling is ephemeral as crisp acidity comes and keeps the palate refreshed.
