Wednesday, August 6th: A tasting at home with Jill Troyer, author of the upcoming biography of Paul Bosc Sr., founder of Château des Charmes, The Winemaker’s Gamble (to be published by Mosaic Press).
Palatine Hills Skin Fermented Orange Viognier 2024 (Niagara Lakeshore)
Lemon colour; earth, lightly floral, peach pit bouquet; medium-bodied, dry, orange peel flavour with brisk acidity. (89)
Palatine Hills Pinot Grigio 2024 (Niagara Lakeshore)
Very pale straw, floral, white peach nose; medium-bodied, dry, peachy flavour with lemony acidity. Lovely mouth fee, (90)
Palatine Hills Roadside Outfitters Ramblers “Dreamer” Cabernet Rosé 2024 (with 13% Merlot; Niagara Lakeshore)
Pale pink in colour; redcurrant bouquet; full-bodied, dry, richly extracted strawberry and redcurrant flavours with a touch of sweetness on the hot finish. 14.6 % alcohol. (88)
Palatine Hills Overtime Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 (Niagara Lakeshore)
Deep purple in colour; spicy, vanilla, cedar and black fruit nose; full-bodied, dry, firmly structured, richly extracted sweet plum and blackcurrant flavours, ending on oak spice and evident but ripe tannins. (89–91)
Palatine Hills Overtime Merlot 2020 (Niagara Lakeshore)
Ruby-purple in colour with a tawny rim; cedary, spicy, black plum nose with vanilla notes; full-bodied, dry, richly extracted black fruit flavours; firmly structured, well-integrated oak and a firm finish of ripe tannins. (92)
Pentâge Sauvignon Blanc 2024 (Washington State fruit)
Pale straw in colour with a lime tint; grassy, gooseberry nose with a light floral note; medium-bodied, crisply dry, lemon and grapefruit flavours with a fine spine of acidity. Great length. (90)
Pentâge Pinot Gris 2024 (Washington fruit)
Pale straw in colour; minerally, peach pit bouquet; medium-bodied, dry, peach and melon flavours with a crisp lemony finish. Great length. (90)
Pentâge Hiatus White 2023 (Estate fruit)
52% Muscat/48% Gewurztraminer. Pale straw with a light green tint; lychee, ginger nose with a note of lavender; medium-bodied, dry, lychee and peach flavours. Well-balanced, long finish. (89)
Pentâge Rosé 2024 (Malbec, from Washington)
Pink with an orange tint; a nose of wild strawberries with a reductive note; medium to full-bodied, dry, strawberry and tangerine flavours; well-balanced and richly extracted, with a firm finish. (89)
80X Wines Flight of the Bumblebee Riesling 2023 (Niagara Peninsula)
Pale straw in colour with a lime tint; minerally, grapefruit nose with a honeyed note; off-dry, green apple and grapefruit flavours; well-balanced and great length. Spätlese style. Lovely mouth-feel. (90)
Battersea Wines Weiss 2023 (Niagara Peninsula – Jeff Mote, winemaker)
An interesting blend of Viognier, Marsanne and Pinot Gris. Light straw in colour with a lime tint; lightly floral (honeysuckle) nose of white peach with a thread of minerality; medium-bodied, dry, peach and honeydew melon flavours; well-balanced, mouth-filling, lovely texture, with a spicy finish. (91)
Thursday, August 7th: Deborah and I drove to Lake Muskoka. Our friends have a cottage there and invited us to spend a couple of days. They have an amazing wine cellar and are most generous in sharing it. Here is a list of the wines we opened with other guest couples:
- The Grange of Prince Edward Rosé 2024
- Lanson Champagne 2008
- Pommery Champagne 2009
- Hinterland Blanc de Blancs 2019
- Château Le Nerte Cuvée des Cadettes Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2020
- Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
- Villa Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva 2015
Friday, August 8th: More great wines!
- Domaine Tinel-Blondelet Sancerre Frétoy
- M. Chapoutier Croix de Bois Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2012
- La Chablisienne Les Vénerables Chablis 2023
- Vino Nobile Poliziano Asinone di Montepulciano 2015
- Hacienda Lopez Haro Classica 2005
- Stone Eagle 2013
Saturday, August 9th: Drove from Muskoka into Toronto to have lunch with our daughter Annabel at a Ramen Noodle place on Dundas St. East. The drive back to Port Dalhousie was plagued by traffic.
