Canadian Wine Guy

Another one from the Trialto tasting of Southbrook Whimsy! wines. Dark in color with a mild nose with some menthol coming through as well as some red berries. On the mid pallet there are some nice red berries with sugar under control. On the finish the wine displays some nice tannins and a slightly spicy finish. This wine has a very nice big mouth feel that builds. This is a nice wine with a nice bit of complexity. I would give it 89-90. Not available from the winery, but available from Trialto for $34.95 a bottle.

From the Winery’s web site:
Wine Lovers’ Notes: In the Glass

Deep red in colour with purple highlights. The nose bring notes of black berries and cassis within a frame of sweet spice, cigar box and fruit cake aromas. The broad palate is rich, deep and layered with silky and abundant tannins with a complex, lengthy finish of mocha and toast.

Gold Medal – 2012 InterVin International Wine Awards

Winemaker’s Notes: In the Vineyard
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon Appellation: VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake Brix at harvest: 24.7°

In the Winery
Alcohol: 13% Titratable Acidity: 5.8 g/l ph: 3.73 Residual Sugar: 3.5 g/l Bottled: December 15, 2011
Closure: Natural cork Cases Produced: 102 Release Date: September 29, 2012

I tasted this one at the Trialto tasting of Southbrook Whimsy! wines. Bill Redelmeir (the owner), Brian Hamilton (the winemaker), Reagan Kapach (the assistant winemaker) and Ann Sperling (Director of Winemaking and Viticulture) from Southbrook came to Toronto for the event and gave us lots of information about the winery and the wines. Slightly golden in color with a slightly creamy texture to the wine in the glass. It has a mild nose with some minerality and chard fruit coming through. On the mid pallet this is a bold wine with lots of chard fruit, and some vanilla. On the finish this wine is medium in length and beautifully coats the mouth with lovely flavours that linger nicely along with some acidity and minerality typical of Niagara on the Lake Chards. This is a well made wine. It’s only available from the winery or from Trialto for $34.95 a bottle. I would give this a 90. Yummy. It’s a fine example of the incredible wines coming out of Niagara and one of my favourites from the evening! Keep up the great work at Southbrook folks! I also enjoy their Triomphe Chard!

From the winery’s web site:
Winemaker’s Notes: Varietal: 100% Chardonnay Appellation: VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake Estate vineyard
Brix at harvest: 22° & 23.7° Alcohol: 13.2% Titratable Acidity: 6 g/l
ph: 3.4 Residual Sugar: 5.8 g/l
Bottled: September 19, 2011 Closure: Natural cork Cases Produced: 70
Release Date: November 2012
In the Cellar

This 7 barrel Whimsy Blend was selected following 11 months of barrel aging following indigenous fermentation and MLF in these same barrels. The slightly larger barrel formats of 265 L, rather than the standard 225 L allow quicker, and more subtle, integration of oak with the wine creating an elegant richness.

I tasted this one at the LCBO taste Ontario event. This is a winery located in Lake Erie North Shore. An area on Ontario wine making I’ve yet to explore! Dark in color with a bit of an odd nose. On the mid pallet there are some mild plum flavors typical of a Merlot. On the finish there’s some spicy peppery flavors along with some acidity and noticeable tannins. This was a very nice wine. A lovely surprise. I would give it an 88-89. According to the Winery’s web site it’s $15 a bottle. The tasting sheet from the event said it was $20 and suppose to be in the LCBO under product code 310532 but I couldn’t fine it.

Light in color with a lovely inviting nose of light plums and some oak. On the mid pallet there are some light plums to match the nose along with some bright acidity. There are some mild cab like flavors as well. On the finish the wine has some nice tannins, some acidity on a medium finish that build nicely in the mouth and some spicyness. While not a strictly fruit forward merlot this is a lovely wine. I would give it a solid 89-90. We paired it with a BBQ salmon and it went well!

From the LCBO web site:
ANGELS GATE MOUNTAINVIEW MERLOT 2010 VINTAGES 299172 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 18.95
Made in: Ontario, Canada By: Angels Gate Winery
Release Date: Oct 27, 2012

Wine, Red Wine 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Sugar Content: 2 g/L Sweetness Descriptor: XD – Extra Dry

Description
Rich and complex with notions of plum pudding, dark cherry, chocolate cake and woodsmoke. Vibrant cherry and plum notes on the smooth, structured palate.

Tasting Note
Here’s a rich, complex Merlot from Ontario’s ideally suited 2010 vintage — and at a fantastic price. Opens to attractive notions of plum pudding, dark cherry, cola, chocolate cake and woodsmoke. There’s a vibrancy of acidity on the palate, bringing elevated notes of tangy red cherry and plum backed by smoky and chocolaty accents. Lovely smooth texture and ripe, structured tannins on the way to a smoke-kissed finish. Pair with roast lamb and mushrooms, or some smoked provolone. (VINTAGES panel, Aug. 2012).

I tasted this one at the Vintages Ontario wine event held at the Ritz Carlton. Garnet in color with a spot on varietal nose of strawberries. Lovely … On the mid pallet the wine matches the nose with some lovely strawberries and red berries coming through. There’s a touch of acidity on the finish along with some mild tannins and some nice dryness. A very nice Niagara Pinot Noir. I think Niagara does Pinot well! This is a good example. I would give it an 89. $24.94 at the LCBO. Check LCBO stock 268391.

I first encountered this wine at the LCBO Ontario wine event. One of the items I liked about this event is that most of the wines at the event are in the LCBO. This particular wine comes from a winery near Owen Sound. It is considered an emerging area with no AVA designation. Dark in color with an unusual nose. Hard to place it. Kind of foosty, almost barnyard like. Maybe even some flint. Unusual. The varietal is a Marechal Foch which typically is kind of a rustic varietal. On the mid palette the wine displays the typical rustic flavors. Not for everyone but I like it. I last had a different Marechal Foch in Prince Edward County from Sandbanks. There’s even some similarities to a pinot noir. It’s smooth and round in the mouth. On the finish the wine displays some fine tannins and some nice dryness. I would give it an 89. I quite enjoyed it. I love the name of the winery, the wine and the label too! Checkout out the winery’s web site.

From the LCBO web site:
COFFIN RIDGE BACK FROM THE DEAD RED 2010 VINTAGES 260463 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 17.00

Made in: Ontario, Canada By: Coffin Ridge Winery

Release Date: Oct 13, 2012

Wine, Red Wine 11.2% Alcohol/Vol. Varietal: Marechal Foch
Sweetness Descriptor: XD – Extra Dry

Description
Coffin Ridge is a pioneering winery in the exciting frontier of Grey County. This wine is made from Maréchal Foch, which is something of an Ontario specialty.

Tasting Note
Woodsy, savoury aromas of wild blueberry, sour cherry, plum, tilled earth, coffee grounds and campfire smoke. Vivacious acidity brings lift and verve. Medium body with chewy tannins. Calls for fatty cuts of beef or game, gourmet sausages or a beef stew. (VINTAGES panel, Aug. 2012).

Kacaba are doing some great innovative stuff. I’ve enjoyed a number of their wines. Checkout my reviews of their wines. This one is inky dark in color with a nice mild nose of dark berries. On the mid pallet the wine displays lovely rich dark berries. Very shiraz like. Not quite to the point of blue berries. On the finish the wine has some lovely smooth tannins and lovely dryness that builds nicely in the mouth. I would give this a solid 89-90. Yumm. Another fine Niagara Cab/Shiraz.

Holly from Kacaba pass along that it will be a January 19th Vintages Release LCBO #317925, Price: $18.95. Thanks Holly! Great news!