Thompson Egbo-Egbo at the piano
Niagara College Dean’s List Viognier 2024
Bright, white gold in colour; fresh, honeysuckle and peach bouquet; full-bodied, just off dry; rich mouth feel; spicy, peach, guava and apricot flavours. (90)
Niagara College Dean’s List Merlot 2023
Deep purple colour; cedary, blackberry and black plum bouquet with vanilla oak notes; full-bodied, firmly structured, black plum flavour with a floral flourish on the end taste. Evident but ripe tannins. Lovely mouth-feel. (90)
Niagara College Dean’s List Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
Dense purple colour; cedary, blackcurrant nose with oak spice; full-bodied dry, richly extracted black fruit flavours, beautifully balanced and well-integrated oak. (92)
Thursday, June 18th: Andrzej Lipinski of Big Head dropped by with two wines for me to taste. I was excited to taste his Chenin Blanc, as he is an undisputed master of this varietal.
Big Head Chenin Blanc 2024 ($29)
Bright, pale straw in colour; peach and apricot nose with a thread of minerality; medium-bodied, dry, lovely moth feel; beautifully balanced white peach flavour with a suggestion of honey, ending on a saline note. (93)
Big Head Red #12 ($29)
A blend of:
- 9% 2023 Merlot (appassimento)
- 16% 2024 Merlot (fresh)
- 33% 2024 Cabernet Franc (appassimento)
- 10% 2024 Cabernet Franc (fresh)
- 13% 2024 Cabernet Sauvignon (appassimento)
- 13% 2024 Syrah (appassimento)
- 4% 2024 Malbec (appassimento)
- 2% 2023 Petit Verdot (appassimento)
Dense purple in colour; cedary, vanilla, blackberry and plum bouquet; full-bodied, dry, richly extracted black fruit and dark chocolate flavours; firmly structured with evident but ripe tannins. (91)
Saturday, June 21st: Ubered to the Hamilton Club for the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin dinner. I was seated next to the amazing jazz pianist Thompson Egbo-Egbo, who performed for the 30 members and their guests before the meal (a medley of Oscar Peterson pieces). I was invited to speak about the Domaine Marquis d’Angerville Volnay Champans 2002 and how it paired with the Roulé de Poulet in a foie gras cream sauce (beautifully!).
A great evening altogether.
Reception wines
