Dobbin Estate 2019 Chardonnay
Saturday, July 20th: Deborah and I were invited to Dobbin Estate for a comparative tasting of their 2019 and 2020 Chardonnay (Twenty Mile Bench fruit) and their 2019 and 2020 Chardonnay Estate Chardonnay, followed by Dobbin Estate Cabernet Blend 2020 (85% Cab Franc from two vineyard sites on the Twenty Mile Bench, and 15% Merlot from Four Mile Creek). The final wine was the Dobbin Estate Dry Riesling 2019.
The wines were served with delicious finger food to match. (See my notes on these wines from a tasting I did on June 3, 2023 at https://tonyaspler.com/2023/06/05/a-wine-lovers-diary-part-882-bartier-bros-dobbin-estate/)
In the evening, we changed into all whites for the annual White Night party on Henley Island. Last year it rained but the weather behaved this evening. Participants bring the food and dishes, cutlery, etc. And you buy your wine on sight. We bought Henry of Pelham Chardonnay 2023 and Henry of Pelham Baco Noir 2022.
Tuesday, July 23rd: A tasting at On Seven Estate Winery with winemaker Peter Gamble and owner Vittorio Destefano – and my wine writer pal Rick VanSickle. We tasted two chardonnays from the 2021 vintage.
Winemaker Peter Gamble with On Seven Chardonnays
On Seven Pursuit Chardonnay 2021 ($48 – to be released September 29th)
Golden colour; lifted nose of ripe peaches and almond with oak spice notes; full-bodied, dry, richly extracted apple and peach flavours opening to butterscotch and lemon, carried on dramatic acidity to a long, fresh nutty finish. Beautifully balanced. Reminiscent of a Chassagne-Montrachet. Should age well. (94)
On Seven Devotion Chardonnay 2021 (A selection of the best barrels – $68)
Golden colour; more intense bouquet than the Pursuit – toasty, peach with vanilla oak and struck flint notes; full-bodied, dry, full on the palate with a creamy mouth feel. A beautifully balanced, seamless wine in Montrachet style. (96)
(Because of winter-kill there will be no On Seven Chardonnay 2022 vintage.)
Thursday, July 25th: On the way to dinner in Port Dalhousie (at Twisted Pig), we dropped into Robbie Raskin’s bottle shop (17 Lock Street) and had a glass of Fogolar Chardonnay 2018. Robbie told us that in addition to his shop in downtown St. Catharines (39 James Street), he’s opening a venue in Toronto (1879 Gerrard Street East). Worth checking out.
Fogolar Chardonnay
Other wines consumed this week were:
Meldville Barrel Select Sauvignon Blanc 2022 (Beamsville Bench)
Bright, pale straw in colour; grassy, gooseberry nose with a thread of minerality; medium-bodied, crisply dry, green plum and green peach flavours. Long palate-freshening finish with an intriguing touch of bitterness. Drink now and through 2024. (89)
Meldville Viognier 2022 (Lincoln Lakeshore)
Light gold in colour; floral, peach bouquet; medium-bodied, dry, peach and lemon flavours carried on lively acidity that gives the wine great length. Drink now and through 2024. (90)
Meldville whites
Meldville Barrel Select Pinot Noir 2021 (Niagara Peninsula)
(Ontario Wine Awards Hold Medal Winner 2024) Medium ruby colour; lifted nose of raspberry with a note of tea leaves; medium-bodied, dry, elegant, raspberry and cherry flavours; well-balanced. Drink now or hold until 2025. (90)
Meldville Barrel Select Pinot Noir 2019 (Niagara Peninsula)
(corked bottle – awaiting a replacement)
Meldville Barrel Select Syrah 2018 (Lincoln Lakeshore)
Deep purple-tinged ruby in colour; blackberry bouquet with oak spice; full-bodied dry, savoury blackberry flavour with racy acidity and well-integrated oak. Lovely mouth feel. Can be opened now but will reward cellaring for 1–2 years. (91)
Meldville Barrel Select Impromptu 2021 (Unfiltered; Niagara Peninsula)
80% Syrah, 10% Petit Verdot, 10% Malbec. Deep purple in colour; cedary, blackcurrant nose with oak spice; medium to full-bodied, dry, black fruit flavours with a suggestion of pepper and herbal notes. Fresh acidity. Drink now or hold for 1–2 years. (90–91)
Meldville reds
Saturday, July 27th: Peter and Andrea Rod invited a bunch of his friends for a film screening in his garden of The Big Night. The theme of the evening was Italian and we were asked to bring Italian wine.
Arnaldo Capria Rosso Outside 2010 (my contribution to The Big Night dinner, along with Antinori Vermentino 2023)
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