2018 Platinum ‘Block 9’ Single Vineyard Ehrenfelser, VQA Okanagan Valley 12.5%
This was the biggest surprise out of the line-up, and I can honestly say the best Ehrenfelser I have ever tried. Expressive and refined, this showcases what this otherwise underappreciated grape can do when given proper attention. Dry and lean with racy acidity and juicy green apple, lemon zest, citrus blossoms and wild honey. Pair it with grilled white fish and herbed baby potatoes. 90 2017 Platinum ‘Block 5’ Chardonnay, VQA Okanagan Valley 13.1% Well balanced and refined with notes of lemon curd, ripe apple, melon and yellow plum with layers of baking spice, roasted nuts and cedar. Full bodied richness and opulent fruit is offset by vivacious acidity and underlying minerality. Perfect accompaniment to pan-seared scallops and grilled summer veggies. 90 2018 Platinum ‘Border Vista’ Sauvignon Blanc, VQA Okanagan Valley 13% For this premium bottling of Sauvignon Blanc, the winemaker used a combination of 1500L oak foudre and concrete eggs to build roundness and richness to support the grape’s intense aromatics. Powerfully perfumed with typical varietal notes of gooseberry, lemon zest and fresh cut herbs. Dry and medium-bodied, the zippy acidity perfectly compliments the creamy texture of the wine. This would be my top choice to pair with a fresh fennel and citrus salad. 88 2018 Platinum ‘Block 1’ Single Vineyard Pinot Noir Rosé, VQA Okanagan Valley 12% Stunning pale pink colour. A portion fermented in neutral oak with indigenous yeast. Very aromatic and expressive with candied cherry, strawberry and underpinning grapefruit. Lean and pretty, this is the quintessential summertime rose. A no-brainer as a before dinner sipper but equally at ease with a smorgasbord of dishes. 90 2016 Platinum ‘Block 2’ Single Vineyard Pinot Noir, VQA Okanagan Valley 13.9% In contrast to the ‘Block 4’ Pinot Noir, the Block 2 is located further down the slopes of the Home Block Vineyard. A longer and cooler vintage in 2016 resulted in an elegant and refined wine with plush red cherry, raspberry preserves, cassis, dried violet and earth notes. Medium bodied with soft, pliable tannins and polished texture. A great partner for plank-grilled salmon and roasted Portobello mushrooms. 90 2016 Platinum ‘Block 4’ Single Vineyard Pinot Noir, VQA Okanagan Valley 14.1% Grapes for this wine are sourced from 21-year-old vines grown on the upper slopes of the Home Block Vineyard. Less access to water results in smaller berries with more concentration and structure. The resulting bottling is a more powerful style of Pinot with generous proportions of strawberry jam, kirsch and plum. Medium bodied with a plump texture and lengthy earthy/sweet spice finish. A delicious option to pair with duck or wild game. 89 For more information on these spectacular wines, please visit:
2 Comments
Posted 11/14/2017
2016 Natural Amber Pinot Gris, Sperling Vineyards, Okanagan Valley BC VQA $30.00 12% This is Pinot Gris taken to the next level. Using estate-grown fruit, this is an orange wine made with 40% whole cluster, 40% whole berry and 20% press juice. Notes of rose petal, elderflower, applesauce, quince, cantaloupe and nectarine. Rounded and generous in the mouth with sturdy structure and elegant acidity. (91) 2016 ‘Five Vineyards’ Pinot Blanc, Mission Hill, Okanagan Valley BC VQA 13% From the Oliver Vineyard comes this smart expression of Pinot Blanc, with luscious aromatic ripe tree fruit – peach and red apple, with notes of honey, candied ginger. Gorgeously balanced with crisp acidity and a rounded texture. A wonderful example of this underexposed grape variety. (90) 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Mission Hill Family Estate, Okanagan Valley BC VQA 14.5% Dark, jammy fruit with notes of clove, leather, vanilla and dried berries. Full and robust with firm tannins and lengthy finish. (89) 2014 ‘Five Vineyards’ Cabernet Merlot, Mission Hill, Okanagan Valley BC VQA 14.2% Bold, plummy nose with brambly berries, smoke, raspberry, dark cherry preserves and cigar box. Richly textured with velvety tannins and good mid-palate depth. Well integrated oak with a persistent, smokey finish. (90) 2016 ‘B-Side’ Riesling, Charles Baker, Niagara Peninsula VQA 11%
Steely and focused with notes of lime pith, granny smith apple, honeydew melon and white flowers. Lean and sleek, a classic example of Niagara Riesling. (90) 2011 Wildass White, Stratus, Niagara Peninsula VQA 13.8% A wonderfully mature white showing lots of tertiary character while maintaining a core of fruit and lively seam of acidity. Notes of apple sauce, honey, pie crust, roasted nuts, baking spices, dried fruits (papaya, apricot) and dried floral notes. Full bodied and creamy textured with a lengthy finish. (90) 2014 Chardonnay 'Tradition' , Queylus, Niagara Peninsula VQA $24.95 A layered nose of lemon meringue, baking spice, cedar, butterscotch, apple butter and pastry. Full bodied and toasty with racy acidity and lingering cedar finish. A solid Niagara Chard that delivers on flavour and class. (90) 2014 Chardonnay 'Réserve', Queylus, Niagara Peninsula VQA $34.95 Restrained, flinty nose with lemon, apple, pie crust, spice, cedar. Full bodied, savoury with impressive intensity and length. A well-made beauty that will develop over the next 2-3 years. If you're going all out, serve it with lobster and drawn butter. Would also be amazing with an Alsatian-style onion tart with gruyère. (90) 2014 Foxy Pink, Fancy Farm Girl (Sue Ann Staff Winery), VQA Niagara Peninsula $14.95 (469338)
A fun blend of 92% Riesling with 8% Cabernet Franc. There is residual sugar here (14g/l) but don’t let that scare you away, this is very well balanced with the sweetness balancing out the racy acidity from the Riesling. Very easy going and will compliment almost anything food-wise. My ideal pairing with this would be garlic grilled shrimp with a simple arugula salad. (88) 2012 Merlot, Red Tractor, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Niagara, Ontario 13%
A ripe and ready Merlot with plump black fruit and spice, coffee and hints of toast. A relaxed style with appealing softness and fruit forward nature. Serve it with tuesday night pizza and wings. (86) 2013 Riesling-Gewurztraminer, Red Tractor, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Niagara, Ontario A friendly and extroverted blend that is ridiculously easy to drink, with pleasant citrus, apple, floral and peachy character. Sure to be a hit at any function this summer - a good sipper on its own but also plays well with pork chops, assorted salads or something like tilapia with cilantro and coconut. (87) 2012 Wildass White, Stratus, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Niagara, Ontario A blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Semillon and Viognier. A dangerously good white with citrus, apple, nuts, spice and vanilla hints. Med-full bodied with fresh acidity and impressive texture and length. A heavy hitting white that will charm the pants off tough-ass red drinkers. A winner with spaghetti alle vongole (and you don't have to go easy on the garlic, this wine can take it!) (88) 2010 Dean's List Meritage, Niagara College, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara, Ontario 13.5% $28.15 What were you doing in 2010? If you weren't picking up bottles of this Meritage to throw in your cellar, now's your chance to try it at its peak. A solid blend of 57% Cabernet Franc, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot. Mature aromas of leather, musk, spice, cedar, black peppercorn alongside concentrated stewed red fruit, raspberry, cherry and blackberry. Full bodied with seductively smooth tannins and ample flavour. With a wine like this, you'll want someone to come over and get all up in your grill (with some lamb shanks preferably) (89) 2012 Cosmic Red, Calamus, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Niagara, Ontario 13.3% $17.95 (342568) An assemblage of 50% Cab Sauv, 21.5% Merlot, 21.5% Cab Franc and 7% Pinot Noir. Unpretentious and approachable with a juicy nose of red cherry, red currant, strawberries and spice. Full bodied with grippy tannins and boatloads of flavour. Bold, generous and fruit forward. The perfect wine to bring over for a backyard party to enjoy while chowing down on burgers and ribs. (86) 2013 Locked & Loaded, Rosewood Estates, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Niagara, Ontario A funky little number with sass - a little nutmeg and sweet spice, cedar, raspberry and red fruit. Medium bodied, juicy acidity and pleasantly supple tannins. Very tasty with elegant structure. A Versatile food wine that gets along with everybody. It's so good, you might want to keep it locked up. (88) 2010 Estate Cabernet-Merlot, Henry of Pelham, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara, Ontario 13.5% $24.95 (395855) A superb mature Cab-Merlot showing developed balsamic notes, black fruit preserves, cedar, savoury notes, spice and soy. Meaty and full bodied with medium acidity and solidly structured tannins. A wine with enough complexity to keep you interested. Go for heavier meat dishes - a juicy ribeye with a side of herb roasted potatoes. (89) 2012 Cabernet-Merlot, Domaine Quelyus, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Niagara, Ontario
This is a wine that proudly showcases what a Niagara red should be. Power meets elegance with this dangerously delicious wine - solidly constructed with ripe tannins and classy black fruit notes of cassis, blackberries layered with loads of spice, cigar box, leather and cedar. Full bodied and flavourful with a wonderfully plush texture, great density and overall harmony. This is a classic that is drinking gorgeously but will continue to develop in bottle over the next 2-4 years. This wine deserves an equally noble pairing, and would beautifully complement a traditional beef wellington with roasted forest mushrooms and garlic mash potatoes. 91 2012 Dean’s List Merlot, Niagara College, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara, Ontario 13.5% $28.15 A great old school style wine. Muscular, mature and masculine in style. Mature nose with spice, leather, Christmas cake, berry preserves and stewed plum. Full bodied, velvety medium+ tannins, great concentration. Well integrated wood, lots of nice tertiary development, great complexity. This wine will school you on what a great Ontario Merlot should be. Quick, go grab a rib eye! 91 2013 Lock, Stock & Barrel, Rosewood Estates, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Niagara, Ontario Ripe and seductive with sexy blackberry preserves, strawberry jam and vanilla, nutmeg and star anise. Generous on the palate with smooth tannins and underpinning acidity providing good balance. Sweet spice and hints of cedar segueing onto the finish with flirty persistence. Fruit forward and playful, perfect accompaniment to a juicy ribeye with blueberry reduction and roasted fingerling potatoes. 89 2012 Small Lot Pinot Noir, Malivoire, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara, Ontario 12.1% $24.95 If you're not already drinking Ontario Pinot then it's about time you started. A great little number with enticing ripe red fruit, strawberry jam, rhubarb, hints of dusty rose petal. Medium bodied, mouth-watering acidity with modest tannins. A very pleasant pinot with good depth of flavour and notable length on finish. Enjoy it with cedar plank salmon and maple glaze and mustard mashed potatoes. It's a small miracle it's not all gone, so hurry up and get some bottles! 89 2013 Cabernet Franc, Malivoire, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara, Ontario 12.7% $24.95 A good example of a softer Cab Franc with a ripe and ready black fruit profile, lots of black cherry pie filling character and accents of sweet spice and cedar. Medium bodied, supple tannins, fresh acidity, easy going and approachable. A leaner style of CF that will work with almost anything, yay for versatility! This is a great option to pick up and keep on hand for cottage parties. 87 2010 Speck Family Reserve Pinot Noir, Henry of Pelham, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara, Ontario 13% $34.95 Love a good, funky Pinot? Here's one for you: super earthy, meaty, animal-y with cured meat, rubber, red fruit and lifted hints of rose petal and violet. Lean bodied, supple texture, fresh acidity with silky tannins. Layered, savoury and complex, this is an intriguing wine that true Pinot-philes need to get a hold of asap. 89+ 2013 Estate Chardonnay, Henry of Pelham, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara, Ontario 13.5% $19.95 (268342) Layered and yummy with lemon custard, red apple and kernel tones. A full bodied and luxurious Chard with lively acidity and creamy texture. Refined and great value. Boil up some lobster and crab and melt the butter while this bottle's chillin'. 88 2013 Speck Family Reserve Chardonnay, Henry of Pelham, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara, Ontario 13.5% $29.95 If you're still ABC, that's great, because there's more of this wine for us. A full fledged oaked Chardonnay. Good intensity on the nose with baking spice, melted butter, hazelnut, cedar. Medium bodied, elegant acidity, well balanced, medium length. Sorry, Burgundy who? 88 2014 Long Rows White, Rosewood Estates, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Niagara, Ontario A great go-to house white with broad citrus, apple notes and lovely racy acidity. Medium bodied and zesty with a clean, fresh finish. Grab a bottle, sit in your muskoka chair, and chill out. 87 2012 Long Rows Red, Rosewood Estates, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Niagara, Ontario 13.3% $15.00 A blend of 65% Pinot Noir and 35% Merlot. Pinot dominates this red blend flaunting a dusty red fruit and attractive dried floral bouquet. A pretty medium bodied wine with bright acidity and very supple tannins. An elegant and polished style that works well a touch chilled and served up with charcuterie and cheeses. 88 |
|