Canadian Wine Guy

Dark in color with a mild dark berry nose. On the mid palate the wine matches the nose with some nice dark berries coming through along with some earthy notes and some oak. On the medium length finish the wine displays some smooth tannins and dryness. This has a bit of everything in it, not a bad wine. We paired it with steaks and it held it’s own, and went well with chocolate cookies for dessert! I would give it an -88 which for the price is not bad.

Wayne Gretzky Merlot VQA — LCBO#: 63966
STYLE – Medium-bodied & Fruity
Medium ruby in colour with aromas of red cherry plus hints of vanilla. It is medium-bodied, slightly austere with flavours of red cherry ending with tart acidity. $15.95
PRODUCT DETAILS
Release Date:January 1, 2001
Alcohol/Vol 12.8% Made in:Ontario, Canada By:No. 99 Wayne Gretzky Estates Sugar Content:2 g/L Sweetness Descriptor: XD – Extra Dry Style:Medium-bodied & Fruity

Flat Rock have been consistently, quietly making varietal Pinot Noirs for a long time now. This one is no exception. Garnet in color with nice soft red berry nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some nice soft red berries to match the nose. Think raspberry and strawberry notes along with some rustic flavors. On the medium length finish the wine displays some soft tannins and acidity. This is a soft well made pinot. If your looking for a gentle wine to compliment something like salmon, or a wine that is a good introduction to Pinot Noir this is an excellent choice. I would give it an -88. The price is starting to creep up there. If you want something with a little more complexity on the finish checkout Flat Rock’s Gravity Pinot Noir.

from the LCBO web site:
Flat Rock Pinot Noir — VINTAGES#: 1545
STYLE – Medium-bodied & Fruity $20.95
PRODUCT DETAILS
Release Date:April 3, 2017
Alcohol/Vol 13.0% Made in: Ontario, Canada By: Flat Rock Cellars Sugar Content:3 g/L Sweetness Descriptor: XD – Extra Dry Description: Innovative Flat Rock Cellars specializes in crafting elegant Pinot Noir. This elegant wine is a great introduction, with its flavours of raspberry, beetroot, smoked meat and spice. This works well with grilled salmon or with veal in a red wine reduction.

Pale in color with a lovely stone fruit nose. On the mid palate the wine displays some nice stone fruit, peach and the like to match the nose. On the medium length finish the wine displays some nice acidity and mouth grip. it builds nicely in the mouth and would be VERY food friendly. I would give it an 88+. $22.95 a bottle but only available in case of 12 at the winery? This is made from County Fruit.

from the winery’s web site:
Winemaker’s Notes:
Fruit explosion in a glass! Orchard fruit, peach, pear, golden delicious apple leads to wet stone & citrus in the mouth. Finishes clean and crisp with good fruit and acid.

The Pinot Gris was handpicked and processed the same day. It was cool temperature fermented at 16 ⁰C for 10 days in stainless steel. Cold stabilized to 0 ⁰C after fermentation.

Slightly golden in color with lovely varietal nose with lots of pear and apple coming through. On the mid palate the wine matches the nose with apple and pear dominating the mid palate. This is a lovely bold, expressive, varietal chard. On the medium length finish the wine displays some nice smooth vanilla and some slight creamyness. This is a smooth well made, not over baked chard. Yum. I would give it an 89 or so. I paired it with a sea bass and it was perfect! Did I mention yum? In case you want to read up on Sur de lie follow the link.

From the LCBO’s web site for a different year:
Peller Estates Signature Series Chardonnay Sur Lie 2013 — VINTAGES#: 383075
STYLE – Full-bodied & Rich
2012 was a massive year with much weight given to many Chardonnays – but here we have the more (for lack of a better term) delicate 2013 Sur Lie Chard – here the wine sees 30% new oak and 12 months on its ‘lies’ (pronounced ‘lees’ – aka: dead yeast cells) … the result is aromas of vanilla, butter, candied apple, grilled peach and green apple skins … palate is fresh, lively and fruit driven with the subtlety of apple, butterscotch and a nice spice on the finish. Score – 4 Stars (out of 5). (Michael Pinkus, ontariowinereview.com, April 19, 2016) $31.95

From the winery’s web site for a different year:
SIGNATURE SERIES CHARDONNAY SUR LIE 2014 $31.95 / BOTTLE
Our Signature Series Chardonnay ‘Sur Lie’ is harvested from selected premium vineyard sites within the Niagara Peninsula. The grapes are gently pressed to release the purest of juice, then barrel fermented and aged sur lie for 12 months in 100% French oak barrels (30% new oak).

This full-bodied Chardonnay has a slightly rich mouthfeel and just enough acidity to refresh. Flavours of tropical fruit and delicate notes of spice and toasty develop on the palate. The smooth finish lingers with spicy oak and grilled lemon. Enjoy this wine now through 2017.

Serve lightly chilled at 14 to 15°C. If served too cold the beautiful bouquet and flavours will be muted. A perfect rich, luscious sipping wine or pair with mushroom risotto; creamy mushroom soup; baked butternut squash; grilled pork chops with Dijon and tarragon; delicate cream sauces on pasta tossed with smoked salmon or scallops; grilled firm fillets of fish on cedar plank; roasted game hen with pine nut stuffing; turkey pot pies.