This post is long overdue. I tasted the Cloudsley Cellars wines back in October of last year. These wines really made an impression on me – They have been popping up on wine lists in Toronto. The winery is owned by Adam Lowy – and as stated on his website it is inspired by Burgundy. Adam has enlisted the help of Peter Gamble as a consulting winemaker. I tasted the wines with Katy Moore, who represented Cloudsley until recently. I met Katy at the Taste Oregon event that took place in April of last year – the wines she was pouring from Winderlea were a clear highlight from the event. It’s clear that Katy has great taste, and you can check out her current portfolio at www.katymoore.ca.
While Katy is no longer selling Cloudsley you can get the wines through Nobel Estates or arrange a tasting at Cloudsley by contacting them at info@cloudsleycellars.com.
The entire portfolio delivered solid wines for value, and outstanding quality.
2014 Cloudsley, Niagara, Pinot Noir – (Sold Out) – **** – When I tasted this wine there were only a few cases left – so I’m guessing this is likely long sold out – especially at the fantastic price it was offered. It was exciting to have an opportunity to taste 2014-2016 vintages of these wines. This Pinot was rich and concentrated on the nose with dark cherry, blackberry, and slight damp earth. The plush fruit opened up on the palate – only to be met with a solid acid backbone keeping this light on its feet and food friendly. In terms of price to quality this is definitely a wine that will have you do a double take on the price.
2016 Cloudsley, Niagara, Pinot Noir – $25 – **** – This is definitely evidence of the hot 2016 Niagara summer. The aromas seem to bring out endless layers of cherry going from dark to maraschino. On the palate the juicy fruit flavours are caressed with vanilla, and there is a nice spice note that just pops on the back palate and lingers on the finish. There is a slight savoury edge that comes on the finish – this is another clear winner and perfectly balanced with acidity.
2015 Cloudsley,Twenty Mile Bench, Pinot Noir – $35 – **** – This is made with fruit from Wismer vineyards – the clones are 777 and 115. The aromas and fruit flavours are ripe red cherry. There is a heavy violet note that rises above the fruit and is met with damp forest floor. The floral and earthy notes make this nicely complex and brings me back to thinking about value – I realize that spending thirty five dollars is a lot for a bottle – but from any cool climate Pinot Noir region it will be tough to match the quality at this price.
2015 Glen Elgin Vineyard Pinot Noir – $50 – **** – The concentration of aromas and flavours has been kicked up a notch for one of the two top tier wines from Cloudsley. The ripe cherry flavours are perfectly ripe and juicy without being confected – there are subtle layers of vanilla and violet that follow. The finish is long and satisfying but still met with perfectly balanced acidity.
2015 Homestead Vineyard Pinot Noir – $50 – **** – A little more sharp, and this feels a little <cooler> on the nose. The fruit is cranberry, wild strawberry, cherry, and a nice spice note right off the top. The flavours are nice and complex in spite of how light, and restrained this bottle happens to be. Expect to find a nice vanilla note, violet, and a subtle bit of earthiness that rears its head on the finish.
