Liebling Wines Riesling 2023 (Lingard Vineyard, St. David’s Bench, Niagara)
Pale straw in colour; lime zest nose with light floral note; light-bodies, dry, grapefruit and lemon flavours. Fresh and lively on the palate. Drink now or hold 1–2 years. The bold acidity will preserve it. (89)
Liebling Wines Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (Andrews Vineyard, Four Mile Creek, Niagara)
Very pale straw in colour; grassy, gooseberry bouquet; medium-bodied, crisply dry; true varietal character; green passionfruit flavour. Great length. (90)
Liebling Wines Gamay 2023 (Creek Road Vineyard, Four Mile Creek, Niagara)
Ruby colour; cherry pit nose; medium-bodied, dry, sour cherry and red plum flavours with lively acidity. Chillable. (89)
Fogolar Chardonnay 2018 (Niagara Peninsula)
Golden colour; toasty, baked apple nose with oak spice; medium-bodied, dry, richly extracted apple and pear flavours ending on a macadamia nut note. Great length.
(90)
Fogolar Cabernet Franc 2019 (Picone Vineyard, Vinemount Ridge, Niagara)
Deep purple in colour; spicy, cedary nose of black plums with vanilla oak notes; medium to full-bodied, dry, plum flavour carried on fresh acidity. (89)
Fogolar Finite X Finite Red 2020 (Niagara Peninsula)
A blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Deep ruby-purple in colour; cedary, blackcurrant and blackberry nose with oak spice; full-bodied, dry, black fruit flavours; well-balanced, well-integrated oak, finishing on ripe tannins. (90)
Sunday, September 8th: Dinner party at home. Our guests, Anne Sperling and Peter Gamble. Anne had prepared a delicious tomato tart which I paired with Guigal La Doriane Condrieu 2022, which I had purchased at the winery in May. Deborah made a beef risotto (served with River Stone Corner Stone 2020 – a Bordeaux blend) and a peach galette (with vanilla ice cream) for dessert with Nedelko Vineyard Sweet Caroline Gewurztraminer Icewine 2023.
Also tasted this week: Hidden Bench Natur Zero Dosage 2017 (to celebrate a friend’s 100th birthday in Vancouver by Zoom); MW Cellars Aligoté 2023; Kew Vineyards Soldier’s Grant 2020.
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