Kelly Mason, The Farm’s winemaker (who also makes wine at Domaine Queylus and Honsberger)
On August 9th I went to The Farm’s open house when they sell Kelly Mason’s wines. I tasted her portfolio with her.
The Farm Chardonnay 2018
Bright, light straw colour; lively, peach and apple nose with well-integrated oak. Dry and elegant, peach-apple flavours with balancing acidity. (91)
The Farm Pinot Noir Black Label 2018
Light ruby in colour; a nose of red berries; medium-bodied, dry with a flavour of crushed raspberries. (89)
The Farm White Label Pinot Noir 2017
Ruby colour; lovely bouquet of violets and raspberries; medium-bodied, dry; richly extracted flavours of raspberry and cherry; beautifully balanced. (92)
The Farm Mason Vineyard Pinot Noir 2017
Ruby colour; plum, smoke and cherry bouquet; medium-bodied, dry, spicy, black fruit flavours, well-balanced and firmly structured. (93)
I ended up buying 2 bottles each of the Chardonnay, White Label Pinot and Mason Vineyard Pinot.
Other wines tasted since the last diary entry:
Lange Twins Family Winery & Vineyards Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 (Lodi, California, $24.95)
Dense purple in colour; spicy, cedary, black fruits on the nose; full-bodied, dry, richly extracted plum and black cherry flavours with well-integrated oak and balancing acidity. (90)
Henry of Pelham Classic Chardonnay 2019 (Niagara, $24.95)
Straw coloured; spicy, toasty, apple bouquet; medium-bodied, dry, apple and lemon flavours; beautifully balanced. (89)
Henry of Pelham Family Tree White 2016 ($17.95, Vintages #251116) (40% Chardonnay, 29% Viognier, 19% Gewurztraminer, 12% Chardonnay Musqué)
Golden straw in colour; spicy, grapefruit and lychee on the nose; medium-bodied, dry, clove, lychee and melon flavours. Great length. (90)
Henry of Pelham Baco Noir 2019 ($15.95, LCBO #270926)
Dense purple in colour; spicy, blackberry and vanilla nose; medium-bodied, dry, juicy blackberry flavour carried on lively acidity. Good length. (89)
Burrowing Owl Merlot 2016 (Okanagan Valley)
Deep purple colour; cedary, tobacco and plum bouquet; medium-bodied, dry. Savoury, juicy plum and blackberry flavours with fresh acidity; firmly structured with ripe tannins. (90)
Kismet Estate Winery The Hermit 2018 (Okanagan Valley) (60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Petit Verdot, 15% Syrah, 7% Malbec)
Deep ruby colour; cedary, blackcurrant nose with oak spice; medium to full-bodied, dry, fruity blackcurrant and plum flavours with fresh acidity and enough tannins to give the wine structure. (90)
Kismet Wine Company RMX 2017 by Ingo Grady (Okanagan Valley)
Deep ruby in colour; cedary, plum bouquet with oak spice and a herbal note; medium to full-bodied, dry, blackberry and plum flavours with racy acidity and a warm alcoholic finish. The Syrah component sings through. (91)
Bookwalter Readers Chardonnay 2018 (Columbia Valley, Washington, $19.95, Vintages #634162)
Very pale, bright straw colour; apple nose with a light floral note; medium-bodied, dry, apple and melon flavours with lingering fresh acidity and a lovely mouthfeel. Great value (91)
Clever label: Bookwalter Readers Chardonnay 2018
Ferraton Père & Fils Côtes du Rhône Samorëns 2018 ($16.95, Vintages #168708)
Deep ruby in colour; cedary, plum bouquet with oak spice; medium to full-bodied, dry, savoury, blackberry flavour with fresh acidity. (89)
