A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 845: The Farm

Posted on July 21, 2022 by tonyaspler

The Farm wines

The Farm Chardonnay 2020 (Twenty Mile Bench, $25): Bright, light straw in colour; toasty, spicy, apple bouquet; medium-bodied, dry, apple and peach flavours with a nutty finish. Beautifully balanced with lemony acidity. (90)

The Farm Pinot Noir 2020 ($27): Medium ruby colour; lifted raspberry nose with oak spice; medium-bodied, dry, lean and sinewy, raspberry and sour cherry flavour. Volnay-style. (90)

The Farm Pinot Noir Neudorf Vineyard 2019 ($55): Ruby with a tawny hue; raspberry nose with tealeaf and tobacco notes; medium-bodied, dry, elegant, well-balanced, nicely integrated oak. Lovely mouth-feel. (91)

The Farm Pinot Noir Mason Vineyard 2019 ($50): Ruby with a tawny hue; raspberry nose with oak spice; medium-bodied, dry; richer mouth-feel than the Neudorf and a shade deeper in colour; black raspberry flavour. Great length. (92)

Lakeside Cellars wines

Lakeside Cellars’ Lakeshore vineyard is perched on the east shore of Lake Osoyoos in the southern Okanagan Valley. Continue reading →

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A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 844: 13th Street and Other Wines

Posted on July 11, 2022 by tonyaspler

13th Street wines

13th Street Reserve Pinot Gris 2019 (Creek Shores, Niagara)
Golden straw in colour; peach pit bouquet with pear notes and a light floral tone; medium-bodied, dry, peach and pear flavors carried on lively acidity. Drink now. (89)

13th Street June’s Vineyard Riesling 2020 (Creek Shores, Niagara)
Pale straw colour, minerally, grapefruit and lime bouquet; light-bodied, just off-dry with grapefruit, lime flavours and a touch of honey. Elegant, beautifully balanced with a long finish. Lovely mouth-feel. Drink now or hold 2–3 years. (90) Continue reading →

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A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 843: Kacaba, On Seven, Backyard Vineyards (Kelowna) and Others

Posted on June 27, 2022 by tonyaspler

Kacaba Vineyards & Winery Rebecca Rosé 2021

Kacaba Vineyards & Winery Rebecca Rosé 2021 (Niagara Peninsula, LCBO #227025, $20.15)
Gamay grapes. Pink with a bluish tint; strawberry nose with a thread of minerality; medium-bodied, dry, strawberry flavour with a cranberry note; crisp on the palate; well-balanced and easy drinking. (88.5)

Kacaba Vineyards & Winery Reserve Riesling 2021, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery Summer Series Susan’s Sauvignon Blanc 2021, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery Irresistible Joanne’s Blend 2019

Kacaba Vineyards & Winery Reserve Riesling 2021 (Niagara Peninsula, $21.15)
Pale straw in colour; minerally, honeyed grapefruit zest bouquet with a light petrol note; light-bodied, floral, lime and grapefruit flavour; elegant, fresh and lively with a lingering lemony finish. (90) Continue reading →

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A Wine Lover’s Diary, part 842: Peller Estates Wines

Posted on June 20, 2022 by tonyaspler

John Peller with his JEP blend

Before my trip to Naples, I had been invited by John Peller to taste his latest release – JEP XXI (John Edward Peller, blended in 2021). This a Bordeaux-style blend from five vintages, crafted by winemaker Katie Dickieson – 45% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in 100% French oak. Deep purple in colour, with a savoury, toasty nose of plums and currants with oak spice; medium-bodied, dry, elegant and harmonious with a lovely mouth-feel, well-balanced with ripe tannins. Very much in St. Julien style. (92). The price: $79.95. This bottling celebrates the Peller company’s 100 years of winemaking in Canada.

In addition to the JEP XXI I tasted the following Peller Estate wines before dinner in the cellar: Continue reading →

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Donation Request: Grapes for Humanity Fine Wine Auction

Posted on June 15, 2022 by tonyaspler

A letter from Doris Miculan Bradley:

Today I’m writing to you as the president of Grapes for Humanity (GFH), to share news and remind you of our 2022 Virtual Charity Wine Auctions.

The 2020 and 2021 GFH Virtual Charity Auctions were successful beyond our imagination thanks to the generous support of our donors. In 2020, we supported the hard-hit hospitality industry with hundreds of thousands of dollars. In 2021, we funded vital investments into a greener future with Tree Canada and The Nature Conservancy of Canada.

This year, in addition to our continued support of Tree Canada and The Nature Conservancy of Canada, we will help repair a war-torn Ukraine through The Halo Trust.

In perilous times like these, we need to come together as a community and support positive action. By donating to the GFH auctions, you can do this and actively help make a difference. We are partnering with Waddington’s, Canada’s pre-eminent fine wine auctioneer.

We are asking wine lovers to dig deep into your wine cellar, and donate one, two, a few bottles, or cases, towards these efforts. GFH will provide you with a tax receipt for the appraised value of your donation. The deadline for donations is June 30, and the virtual auction is October 12–19, 2022.

Read more details about the auction, and donating wines on the GFH website here.

We are Grateful for Your Consideration.

Doris Miculan Bradley
Grapes for Humanity
President

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