Sherry Karlo, proprietor of Karlo Estates in Prince Edward County, was kind enough to send me the following wines:
Karlo Estates Traminette 2018
Bright, pale straw in colour; aromatic, spicy, lychee nose; medium-bodied, dry, lemon, melon and lychee flavours with tart acidity and a foxy note on the finish. (86)
Karlo Estates Three Witches 2018
The back label says “Three old world grapes…” Bright, pale straw in colour; green apple, peach bouquet with a light floral note; medium-bodied, dry, green peach flavour. Mouth-freshening acidity. (87)
Karlo Etsates Pinot Gris 2018
Straw colour; peach pit nose; medium-bodied, crisply dry, green plum flavour with a rhubarb finish. (88)
Karlo Estates Estate Chardonnay 2018
Bright, pale straw colour; lightly toasty, apple bouquet; medium-bodied, dry; apple and Meyer lemon flavours. Good length. (87)
Karlo Estates Van Alstine White 2018 (fortified, 100% Frontenac Blanc, 17.5% alc., 375 mL)
Light gold in colour; nutty, spicy, stone fruit nose; off-dry, peachy-apricot flavour with a touch of honey. Nicely balanced and reminiscent of a white Port. (90)
Karlo Estates Triumvirate 2018
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc. Deep ruby-purple in colour; cedary, spicy, lightly floral, slightly reductive plum and blackcurrant nose; medium-bodied, dry, red plum, rhubarb and sour cherry flavours, firmly structured with ripe tannins and lively spine of acidity. (88)
Karlo Estates Quintus 2018
The Five classic Bordeaux varieties – Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot. Deep purple-ruby colour; cedary, spicy, toasty nose of plum and currants; medium-bodied, dry, fruity and fresh, elegant with well-integrated oak and ripe tannins. (89)
Karlo Estates Sextus 2018
The five Bordeaux varieties with Carménère. Dep purple-ruby colour; cedary, spicy, lightly floral nose of plum and blackcurrant; medium-bodied, dry, elegant, well-balanced flavours of bitter chocolate, tangy red fruit with supple tannins and a lovely mouth-feel. (90)
Karlo Estate Van Alstine Red 2017 (Fortified, 17% alc.)
Deep purple colour; sweet, spicy nose of mulberries; full-bodied, sweet, Port style with a flavour of cherries. (87)
Other wines tasted:
Perdeberg Cellar Cinsault 2018 (Paarl, South Africa; $17.95, Vintages #18618, to be released March 6th)
Deep ruby in colour; black raspberry nose; medium-bodied, dry, fruity with lively acidity; elegant on the palate with a lovely mouth-feel and ripe tannins. (90)
Buena Vista The Sheriff Sonoma County Red Wine 2017 ($49.95, Vintages #539114, to be released March 6th)
29% Petite Sirah, 22% Petit Verdot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Carignane, 9% Grenache, 7% Syrah, 4% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Mission. Opaque purple in colour; lightly cedary, spicy, plum bouquet; medium to full-bodied, juicy, fruity, blackberry and blackcurrant flavours with a touch of sweetness in mid palate. (89)