A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 812: Flat Rock Cellars New Releases

Posted on September 13, 2021 by tonyaspler

Flat Rock Cellars new releases

Flat Rock Cellars Good Karma Chardonnay 2020 (Niagara Peninsula, $16.95 LCBO #56873, to be released Sept. 18th)
Bright, straw colour; apple bouquet with a thread of minerality; medium-bodied, dry, apple and lemon flavours caried on lively acidity. (88)

Flat Rock Cellars Unplugged Chardonnay 2020 (Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara, $17.95, LCBO #68015, to be released Oct. 16th)
Straw colour; leesy, apple nose; light to medium-bodied, crab apple flavour with citrus acidity; nicely balanced and long in the mouth. (89)

Flat Rock Cellars Sparkling Twisted 2020 (Ontario, $19.95, LCBO #14421, to be released December 11th)
Riesling with a hint of Chardonnay and Gewurztraminer. Pale straw in colour with an apple nose; fresh and lively on the palate with apple and pear flavours and a note of orange. (89) Continue reading →

Posted in Wine Lover's Diary | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 811: Eight Wines to Savour

Posted on September 6, 2021 by tonyaspler

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Cave Mystère Merlot 2018 (Cadillac, Bordeaux, $19.95, Vintages #17232, to be released Nov. 13th)
Opaque purple-ruby in colour; cedary, plum and blueberry nose with vanilla oak notes; medium-bodied, dry, firmly structured, blueberry flavour with a floral note. (89)

Speck Brothers Family Tree “The Goat Lady” Chardonnay 2020 (Niagara Peninsula, $16.95 at the winery, CSPC #16794)

Speck Brothers Family Tree “The Padré” Cabernet-Merlot 2019 (Niagara Peninsula, $19.95, Vintages #18667, to be released Sept. 18th)
Ruby in colour; cedary, blueberry bouquet with oak spice; medium-bodied, dry, red plum and blueberry flavours with mellow tannins; well-structured, with a fine mouth-feel, (90)

Cusumano Noà 2016 (Sicily, $31.95, Vintages #109512, to be released on Sept. 18th)
A blend of 40% Nero d’Avola, 30% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. Opaque purple-black in colour; rich plum bouquet with vanilla and oriental spices on the nose; full-bodied, savoury, mouth-filling plum and prune and licorice flavours, with ripe tannins. (91)

Dievole Novecento Chianti Classico Riserva 2016 (Tuscany, $34.95, Vintages #213936, to be released Oct. 16th)
95% Sangiovese, 3% Canaiolo, 2% Colorino. Deep ruby colour; cedary, cherry with oak spice on the nose; medium-bodied, dry, savoury, cherry flavour with ripe tannins; well-structured with fresh acidity and a saline note on the finish. (90)

Château Vrai Caillou 2017 (Bordeaux Supèrieur, $16.95, Vintages #348292, to be released Nov. 13th)
Dense purple-ruby in colour; cedary, spicy, blueberry and blackcurrant bouquet; medium-bodied, dry, savoury, firmly structured, sweet plum fruit in mid-palate. (88.5)

Quinta de Curvos Loureiro 2020 (Vinho Verde, $13.95, Vintages #471284, to be released Oct. 30th)
Pale straw colour; minerally, lemon-grass nose with a light floral note; medium-bodied, dry, spicy, lemon and white peach with fresh, zesty acidity. (90)

Malivoire Mottiar Chardonnay 2019 (Beamsville Bench, $14.95)
Bright, light gold colour with a greenish tint; toasty, spicy, apple nose; apple, pear and lemon flavours; long in the mouth; great mouth-feel. (90)

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 810: Seven Wines

Posted on August 30, 2021 by tonyaspler

Malivoire Mottiar Chardonnay 2019

Malivoire Mottiar Chardonnay 2019 (Beamsville Bench, $34.95, winery only)
Bright straw colour; toasty, spicy, melon and pear bouquet; medium-bodied, dry, lemon, melon and apple flavours with well-integrated oak; wonderfully fresh on the palate. (90) Continue reading →

Posted in Wine Lover's Diary | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 809: Lang Vineyards and Others

Posted on August 23, 2021 by tonyaspler

Anniversary dinner red wines

Anniversary dinner wites wines

Thursday, August 19th: Our anniversary – which we share with two other couples – is celebrated with a dinner that rotates among us. This year it was our turn. The wines:

  • Rotari Platinum Label Brut (Alto Adige)
  • Cuvée Catharine Rosé Brut (Ontario)
  • Waterkloof Circle of Life Chenin Blanc/Sauvignon Blanc 2017
  • Mont-Redon Réserve Blanc 2019
  • Little Engine Pinot Noir 2018
  • Bachelder Lowrey Vineyard Old Vines Pinot Noir 2014
  • Errazuriz Don Maximiano Founder’s Reserve 2017

Turning to my tasting notes: I tasted several wines from Lang Vineyards, a boutique winery located on the Naramata Bench in the Okanagan Valley. Continue reading →

Posted in Wine Lover's Diary | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Grapes for Humanity Rare and Fine Wine Auction for climate and humanitarian aid

Posted on August 18, 2021 by tonyaspler

Are you able to donate wine to help combat climate change and communities in need?

Good day fellow wine enthusiast,

Please consider donating to this very worthy cause.

Below is an announcement from Steven Campbell, which outlines the effort, and requests your participation. Deadline for donations is September 1st, 2021. If you can assist, please download and complete this form so a tax receipt can be issued. Please download and complete this form with the details of the wine you are donating.

I personally ensure a fair, and well-considered evaluation of your donation!

Thank you,
Rob Jull on behalf of Grapes for Humanity

Continue reading →

Posted in News | Tagged , , | Leave a comment