Inniskillin Pinot Noir Montague Vineyard 2016 (Four Mile Creek, Niagara – $30.95, LCBO #997353 and in Wine Rack outlets): Bright ruby in colour; black raspberry and beetroot bouquet lifted with oak spice; medium-bodied, dry, elegant, beautifully balanced with a ripe raspberry flavour and enough tannin to give the wine structure. Lovely mouth-feel. (90)
Thomas Bachelder has opened the first retail outlet on the Beamsville Bench in rented space at Locust Lane and will start selling his wines on line on November 1. See https://thomasbachelder.com/
I tasted through the portfolio: Continue reading
Rusterberg Sauvignon Blanc 2018 (Stellenbosch, South Africa – Vintages #456020, $14.95)
Very pale in colour with a lime tint; minerally, slightly reductive nose of cut grass and green apple with a light floral note; light to medium-bodied, crisply dry with tangy green plum and grapefruit flavours and a long finish. (89)
De’Ricci wines
Impressed by these De’Ricci wines (private imports available through George Lawrence Imports, georgelawrenceimorts@gmail.com, 416-889-4786).
Cantine Storiche De’Ricci Rosso de Montepulciano 2017 (Tuscany – $28.88)
Deep ruby colour; lightly cedary, earthy, cherry nose with well-integrated oak; medium-bodied, dry, lightly floral-tinged flavour of ripe cherries and red plums; firmly structured, very elegant for a Rosso, lovely mouth-feel, with a tannic lift on the finish. (88.5)
Cantine Storiche De’Ricci Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2015 ($35.23)
Deep ruby colour with an ambering rim; cedary nose of vanilla and cherries with oak spice notes; medium-bodied, dry, elegant and harmonious, beautifully balanced, savoury, dried cherry flavour; well-structured with ripe, grainy tannins on the finish. (91)
Cantine Storiche De’Ricci Il Voignone 2015 (Super Tuscan – Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot – $40.53)
Deep ruby colour; lightly cedary nose of dark chocolate and black cherries with oak spice; medium-bodied, dry, lovely mouthfeel, round and full on the palate with flavours of plum and currants ending on a minty note. A beautifully balanced seamless wine that needs 3–4 years cellaring. (92+) Continue reading
The Audacity of Thomas G. Bright Chardonnay Sussreserve 2017 (NiagaraPeninsula – $16.95): Shining straw colour; spicy, cedary nose of citrus fruits with toasty oak notes; medium-bodied, sweetish apple flavour. (88)
The Audacity of Thomas G. Bright Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 ($17.95) (“Aged 8 months in American oak and then five months in whisky barrels.”): Deep ruby in colour; spicy, smoky, Bourbon-like nose of plum and vanilla; medium-bodied, dry, soft on the palate with evident Bourbon notes and a hint of iodine on the finish. (87)
Cambria Chardonnay Clone 4 2016 (Santa Maria Valley, California – $34.95): Pale straw in colour; spicy, toasty, pineapple bouquet; full-bodied, just off-dry with a spicy, pineapple flavour carried on lively acidity; great length. (89)
Flat Rock Good Karma Chardonnay 2018 (Ontario, $16.95): Pale straw colour; apple nose; medium-bodied, crisply dry, green apple and lemon flavours. Match with seafood. The best vintage of this wine I have tasted. (88.5)
Flat Rock Gravity Pinot Noir 2016 (Twenty Mile Bench, Ontario – $34.95, Vintages #1560): Ruby coloured; black cherry with a cedary note on the nose; medium-bodied, dry, elegant, well-balanced, raspberry flavour; firmly structured with fresh acidity. (90)
Château des Charmes Atelier 2017 (St. David’s Bench): A blend of Gamay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Ruby colour; cedary, spicy, plum nose; medium-bodied, dry, savoury, plum flavour with lively acidity. (88.5)
Kono Sauvignon Blanc 2018 (South Island, New Zealand – $18.95, Vintages #441394): Very pale with a greenish tint; lightly reductive nose of cut grass, gooseberry and passionfruit; medium-bodied, crisply dry – almost tart – gooseberry and green plum flavours. (89)
