Canadian Wine Guy

Another one from our road trip to the Finger Lakes. Almost golden in color with a mild nose of peaches. On the mid pallet the wine matches the nose with peaches and stone fruit coming through boldly with a hint of sweetness. The wine is medium in length on the finish with some nice minerality living on in the mouth. The wine has some reasonable mouth grip for a Pinot Gris. Very nice wine. I would give it an 89. When we had to choose what wines to bring back this was one that made the cut! We paired it with seared ahi tuna in sesame oil. It went ok, but it wasn’t a match made in heaven. No Rattatouli this time around 🙁 At $13.99 this wine is a bargain, sadly not at the LCBO.

From the winery’s web site:
Our fifth vintage of Pinot Gris greets the senses with exotic aromas of honeydew melon and kumquats. The palate is a mouthwatering mix of peach and green apples, finishing with lingering notes of tart pear. $13.99/BOTTLE ~ $142.68/CASE

Dark in color with a nice nose of red berries. On the mid pallet the wine displays some nice smooth red berries and cherries backed up quickly by some acidity and tannins to a medium length finish. I would give it an 88-89.

From the LCBO web site:
Vintages 25080 Alcohol/Vol 13.5% Made in:California, USA By: Hess Sugar Content:7 g/L Sweetness Descriptor:D – Dry Style: Medium-bodied & Fruity Varietal:Cabernet Sauvignon $23.95

Dark in color with a mild nose of red berries. On the mid pallet the wine displays some red berries and some mild plum notes. The wine is medium in length with some smooth tannin. This is a nice wine but definitely not a fruit forward merlot. Almost more cab like. I would give ti an 88-89.

From the LCBO web site:
Rodney Strong Merlot 2011—VINTAGES#: 497933
STYLE – Full-bodied & Smooth
Rodney Strong was Sonoma’s 13th bonded winery back in 1959, and the Klein family has owned it ever since 1989. They strive for sustainable agriculture and thus became Sonoma County’s first carbon-neutral winery. There’s terrific balance, structure, supple texture and length on the finish of this wine. Alluring aromas of mocha-coffee on the nose along with rich black fruit. Pleasantly surprising vibrant acidity for food. Plush black plums and coffee on the finish. Try is with braised beef. This warm-climate Merlot finishes with vanilla spice, dark berry and fig. Pair with: beef, cheese, poultry, borsch (beet soup), quesadillas. Drink: 2014-2018. Score – 91. (Natalie MacLean, nataliemaclean.com, March 17, 2014) $22.95

Pale in color with a lovely varietal chard nose. On the mid pallet the wine is a lovely bold rich chard. Some apple and buttery notes coming through. The wine is on the lighter side of medium in length on the finish. 89-90 yummy. This particular one is not in the LCBO sadly. $40 US at the winery.

From the winery’s web site

WINEMAKER: Janet Myers
APPELLATION: Carneros, Napa Valley
BRIX AT HARVEST: 23.5°–24.5°
VARIETAL COMPOSITION: 100% Chardonnay
FERMENTATION: 100% barrel fermented, sur lie aged
AGING: 100% French oak, 86% new, 14 months
COOPERS: Dargaud & Jaegle, François Frere and Boutes
pH: 3.35
TA: 6.9g/L
ALCOHOL: 14.5%
RELEASE DATE: August 2011
CASES PRODUCED: 3,500

Sensory Evaluation:
Appearance: Delicate lemon yellow
Aromas: An opulent, complex bouquet of honeyed Fuji apple, ripe pear, honeysuckle, vanilla, and a hint of fresh citrus wafts out of the glass with creamy undertones of melon and minerality.
Flavors: Full bodied, yet elegant and graceful, it offers an irresistible counterpoint of rich, creamy flavors impeccably balanced by bright, citrusy freshness. Opening with sweet ripe pear, honeysuckle, and vanilla bean, it evolves into lush layers of baked apple, crème brûlée, honey, and citrus on a foundation of minerality, fresh cream, and crisp acidity. Persistent, rich, citrus-infused finish.

Winemaker’s notes:
Franciscan was the first Napa Valley winery to produce a wild yeast fermented Chardonnay, starting in 1987. Following traditional Burgundian techniques, yeast is not added to the juice, but instead we let the native yeast that live on the grapes perform the fermentation. Unlike cultured yeasts, wild yeast comes in many strains, reflective of the vineyard terroir. They work in a relay, and as one strain finishes, another starts, each adding its own personality to the wine, giving layers of complexity – which is why we go to the extra effort of “going wild.”

For Cuvée Sauvage, we use exclusively our finest lots from cool Carneros, with the heart of the blend coming from our estate Larsen Vineyard. The Dijon clones planted provide concentrated fruit character, and give minerality, vibrancy, and complexity to Cuvée Sauvage, with consistency year to year of the wild yeast expression.

Pale in color, with a mild nose with some citrus coming through. On the mid pallet the wine matches the nose with some citrus coming through. This is a milder sauv blanc. I forgot to take note of the year of the wine, I was at a restaurant. I would give it an 87-88. Not at the LCBO.

From the winery`s web site:
2012 Firestone Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Santa Ynez Valley
A palate full of bright tropical fruits, citrus, and melon. The wine offers a bright acidity and a lingering mineral finish. $14

Winemaker Notes
100% estate fruit, our 2012 Sauvignon Blanc is stainless steel fermented and aged to allow the natural characteristics of the fruit shine through. Aromas of passion fruit, grapefruit, lemon and lime zest introduce a palate full of bright tropical fruits, citrus, and melon. The wine offers a bright acidity and a lingering mineral finish.

Dark in color with a mild nose of red berries coming through along with some earthy notes and some wood. On the mid pallet the wine displays some mild cherries to match the nose along with some earthy notes and wood to go right along with the nose. On the medium length finish the wine displays some mild tannins and very noticeable alcohol. I would give this wine an 87-88. Not a great wine to my tastes. I expected better. Not at the LCBO.

From the winery`s web site:
Rich, ripe and juicy, the 2010 Oroppas is driven by classic aromas of plum, quince, black cherry and black currant, and accented with inviting dark chocolate and cinnamon notes. The palate generously showcases a concentrated and elegant structure with flavors of fresh blackberry and sweet mocha. This vintage displays the signature Oroppas characteristics with an intense fruit core, smooth tannins and balanced acidity.
$55 US at the winery

Dark in color with a lovely mild nose of red berries. On the mid pallet the wine displays some lovely red cherries along with some cassis. The wine has some smooth tannins on it’s medium length finish. We paired it with a rack of lamb and it went perfectly. I would give the wine a solid 89. Yumm. I would consider this a drink now wine.

From the LCBO web site:
Aromas of cassis, cola and woodsmoke with an herbal undertone. Unabashedly Californian, it is round and generous with big fruit and a sensual touch of spice on the close. This calls for some superior cuts of meat, prepared the way God intended – grilled on a barbecue while wearing a Stetson. All joking aside, this is another stellar wine from Frei. (VINTAGES panel, April 2014)