Thursday, January 11^th: Tasted two wines from a new winery named Unscripted. Winemaker Marco Piccoli and filmmaker Mike Pohorly (whose uncle Joseph founded Newark Wines, which became Hillebrand – and now Trius – and ultimately he opened Joseph’s) partnered to make these VQA wines from Marco’s vineyard at Rennie’s Custom Crush facility (formerly Stoney Ridge).

Unscripted Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Almost water white in colour; lightly floral, minerally, slightly reductive nose of green plum; medium-bodied, dry, good varietal character, nicely balanced, grassy, kiwi and green plum flavours. (90)

Unscripted Cabernet Merlot 2020
The first bottle I tasted of this wine I reviewed as follows: Deep ruby-purple in colour; cedary, redcurrant and plum bouquet; medium-bodied, dry, spicy, currant and plum flavours; firmly structured and well-balanced with ripe tannins. (89) It appears the bottle was held up in the Canada Post strike and was probably stored in less than ideal conditions, given the cold temperatures we’ve experienced this winter. I tasted a second bottle and found the fruit much more vibrant and expressive. An altogether different wine experience. So, I am raising my score from 89 to 92 points.

Friday, January 10^th: Meg and Phil Dowell came over for drinks and apps. Phil brought a bottle of Stratus “Field Blend” Ancestral 2021 and I opened Isole e Olena Collegione Privato Syrah 2019 from Tuscany, and Cave Spring Cabernet Franc 2022.

Saturday, January 11^th: A birthday dinner for Deborah at Treadwell’s in Niagara-on-the-Lake. A stunningly great meal starting with a complimentary glass of Monmarthe Secret de Famille Champagne. I ordered Maple Cured Salmon, Nori, Sweet Potato Cream, Miso & Maple followed by filet steak. Deborah ordered East Coast Scallops, Slow Roasted Pork Belly, Chili Crisp, Apple Vinaigrette and then the steak. The wines: MW Cellars Sauvignon Blanc 2023, The Farm Black Label Pinot Noir 2021, 16 Miles Cellars Incivility Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019, Stratus Syrah 2020, finishing with Fonseca Vintage Port 2008 and Campbells of Rutherglen Fortified Muscat. Needless to say, we Ubered there and back.

My starter

Deborah’s starter

Our main course

Other wines tasted this week: Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta 2005 from Chile, which I bought at last year’s Grapes for Humanity on-line fine wine auction (this year’s auction happens in April), and Konzelmann Chardonnay Barrel Aged Reserve Series 2020.