Winemaker Allison Findlay at Niagara College Teaching Winery sent me the following wines to be designated Dean’s List:
Niagara College Sauvignon Blanc Fumé 2020
Bright, straw color; grassy, green plum nose with a touch of oak spice; medium-bodied, dry, richly extracted peach and green plum flavours with a hint of oak spice. (91)
Niagara College Gamay 2022
Purple-ruby in colour; cedary, cherry bouquet with a note of pepper; medium-bodied, dry, savoury, cherry flavour with well-integrated oak; great length on the palate. (90)
Niagara College Riesling Icewine 2020
Bright, old gold colour; lifted nose of honey and peaches with a botrytis note; full-bodied, unctuous honeyed peach flavour with balancing acidity; intense and concentrated with great tension between sweetness and acidity. (93)
Niagara College Fortified Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Opaque purple in colour; cedary, coconut and blackcurrant nose; medium-bodied to full-bodied, sweet, oaky, mulberry flavour with vanilla notes. Cellar 2–3 years for the alcohol to balance the fruit. (89)
Other wines tasted:
Henry of Pelham Bin 106 “Lost Boys” Baco Noir 2021 ($39.95, CSPC #13421, to be released in Vintages November 18)
Deep purple in colour; smoky, toasty, blackberry nose with oak spice; full-bodied, dry, richly extracted mulberry and blackberry flavours with fresh acidity. Beautifully balanced, well integrated oak. (91)
Henry of Pelham Cuvée Catharine Blanc de Blanc 2017 ($45.95, Vintages #315200, to be released November 18)
Pale straw, active mousse of tiny bubbles; leesy, minerally, apple nose with citrus notes; medium-bodied, crisply dry, green apple and lemon flavours; elegant and satisfying. (90)
Henry of Pelham Rosé 2022 (CSPC #613471; change of vintage)
Pale straw with an orange tint; strawberry and blood orange bouquet with top note of rose petals; medium-bodied, dry, fresh and lively on the palate, with strawberry, watermelon and orange flavours. (89)
Evel Tinto Douro 2019 ($14.95, Vintages #190694, to be released October 21)
Opaque purple-black in colour; intense spicy nose of black fruits; full-bodied, dry, savoury, mulberry flavour with a bitter chocolate finish; firmly structured, with ripe tannins. Great value. (89)
Domaine Berger-Rive Manoir de Mercey Hautes Côtes de Beaune au Paradis 2020 ($36.95, Vintages #20913, to be released November 4)
Ruby colour; smoky, spicy, raspberry bouquet; medium-bodied, dry, velvety mouth feel; flavours of raspberry and red plum. Firmly structured with ripe tannins; well-balanced. (91)
Gérard Bertrand Héritage 1886 Les Aspres 2019 (Côtes du Roussillon, $19.95, Vintages #413245, to be released November 18)
Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah blend; ruby in colour; cedary, blackberry nose with oak spice; full-bodied, dry, savoury with ripe, sweet blackberry fruit; firmly structured. (89)
