Chef Nadeau and the bird
Tasted the following wines:
Luigi Bosca De Sangre Malbec 2021 (Mendoza, Argentina, $27.95; Vintages #74922, to be released February 3rd)
Deep purple in colour; blackberry and black cherry bouquet with vanilla oak notes; full-bodied, dry, savoury, black fruit flavours with ripe tannins and a rich mouth-feel. (91)
Castell de Sant Pau Brut Rosé (Cava from Penedes, $21.95; Vintages #36065, to be released February 3rd)
Made from Trepat and Garnacha grapes by the traditional method. Pale coral in colour; active mousse; raspberry nose; light to medium-bodied, dry, raspberry and cranberry flavour. (90)
Cusumano Tenuta Presti e Pegni Benuara 2021 (Sicily, $18.95; Vintages #597138, to be released February 17th)
A blend of Nero d’Avola and Syrah. Dense purple colour; cedary, spicy nose of black plum with vanilla oak notes; full-bodied, dry, herbal, licorice and bitter chocolate flavours, earthy, firmly structured, rustic with a dusty note on the finish. (88)
S. Sebastião Syrah Tinta Roriz (Lisboa; $14.95, Vintages #632869, to be released February 17th)
Deep ruby in colour; spicy, slightly peppery, mulberry nose; full-bodied, dry, ripe mulberry and black cherry flavours; well-integrated oak and nicely balanced. Great value. (90)
Sunday, December 24th: Drove up to Waterloo to overnight with Guy and Sasha and the grandchildren, Isla and Max. Brought along two wines for dinner: Ludovio Antinori Campo di Sasso Occhione 2022 (90% Vermentino with 10% other white varieties) and The Fledge & Co. Katvis Pinot Noir 2021.
Christmas Day: Opened presents with the family. And gave Deborah her Christmas present/Birthday present as she will be away on her actual birthday (January 12th) on a Caribbean cruise with a girlfriend.
Drove back home in the fog and then onto a farmhouse in Niagara to have Christmas dinner with John Nadeau and his daughter Emily, who had been looking after Rosie during our overnight trip to Waterloo. John had cooked turkey with all the trimmings. I brought along a bottle of Morandin Pinot Noir 2021 from Prince Edward County.
As it is John’s birthday, Emily baked him a cake. He blew out the candles under the watchful eye of Shania Twain, Emily’s cat.
The birthday boy
Shania Twain
Our present from the Nadeaus was a portrait of Rosie.
Other wines tasted this week (with dinner): Morandin Sangreal Estate Pinot Gris 2021 (Prince Edward County), Tawse Gewürztraminer 2012 (Vinemount Ridge, Niagara), ICellars Sauvignon Blanc 2019, On Seven The Devotion Chardonnay 2020 (Niagara-on-the-Lake), Flatrock Cellars The Rusty Shed Chardonnay 2020, Stratus Petit Verdot 2016, Southbroook Estate Merlot 2020.
