2011 MALIVOIRE LADYBUG ROSÉ

I’m not a huge lover of Rose but my GF enjoys them so we grabbed this one. It’s light in color with a mild nose of red berries. On the mid pallet this wine is slightly fruity with red berries and strawberries coming through and some mild sweetness. This wine isn’t sparkling. On the finish the wine is on the lighter side with no tannins. It fades quickly. This is not a bad wine but not a lot too it either. The Hidden Bench Bistro red had a lot more going on in the finish. I would give it an 87-88. We were having scallops for dinner and did some reading and the top three recommendations for pairing were Sauv Blanc, Chard and Rose. I personally didn’t find Rose was a good pairing, although it did go well with Pizza! For me Chard goes the best with scallops!

From the LCBO web site:
MALIVOIRE LADYBUG ROSÉ (V) VINTAGES 559088 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 15.95

Made in: Ontario, Canada By: Malivoire Wine Co.
Release Date: Apr 18, 2012

Style: Medium-bodied & Dry Wine, Rosé Wine 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Sugar Content: 6 g/L Sweetness Descriptor: D – Dry

Description
DID YOU KNOW? Malivoire uses many tools in their sustainable farming toolkit in order to craft quality wines at all price levels. The wine is usually a blend of Cabernet Franc, Gamay and Pinot Noir. FLAVOUR & STYLE: Fresh, vital and zesty. Lots of cherry, raspberry and redcurrant aromas and flavours. FOOD MATCH: Everyday: charcuterie and olives. Take-out: deli hot dogs. Fine Dining: goat cheese crottin on endive.

Check LCBO stock.

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2003 BALGOWNIE ESTATE SHIRAZ

I’ve had this one in my cellar since March 2007 and have pulled a few out earlier and been impressed with how well it is aging. When young it required a good hours worth of breathing to take away some harsh acidity notes on the finish. Inky dark in color with a lovely rich nose of black berries. On the mid pallet this lives up to the nose and has a lovely rich blueberry flavor. Not sweet, but slightly jammy. On the finish right out of the bottle there still is some of the firm acidity that was present when it was young but way died down. And this passed quickly. There’s some nice tannins as well on the medium finish. The pepper on the finish had also mostly died down, common for a shiraz as it ages. This wine has kept very well. Sadly this was my last one. We paired it with a striploin and it held up beautifully complimenting the food. I have to say this is a fine example of an excellent Aussie style shiraz! I would give this a solid 91 and it was well worth the wait! I originally paid $27.95. Sadly not currently available in the LCBO. One of the reasons I like keeping a cellar …

From the LCBO web site at the time of purchase (good notes are very valueable in managing a cellar!):
BALGOWNIE ESTATE SHIRAZ 2003 Bendigo, Victoria This wine also received 90 points from Robert Parker Jr. (www.erobertparker.com, Oct. 2005). Tasting Note: Bright ruby. Smoked meat, bacon fat, mulberry, dried violet, dark cherry and roasted coffee aromas. Serious, structured wine, with juicy flavors of bitter cherry, sweet tobacco and licorice. Smoky, vibrant and intense on the finish, which displays dense, powerful, dusty tannins. Score – 90(+?). (Josh Raynolds, International Wine Cellar, July/Aug 2005) 024646 (D) 750 mL $27.95 Wine Spectator (US) Issue: 94 pts “The wine is a deep red/purple color and offers blackberry, licorice and spice on the nose with a hint of eucalypt and pepper. The palate is full bodied with sweet blackberry and spice flavors with fine lingering tannins. A wine which shows both structure and excellent ageing potential. $30US.” Featured 3/17/2007.

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2010 Palatine Neufield Chardonnay mini review

I tasted this at the iYellow Niagara on the Lake tasting event.
Pale in color with a lovely mild varietal chard nose. Nice mid pallet displaying some nice chard fruits. Limited vanilla or oak. It’s medium in length with some minerality. I would give it an 87-88. Not available at the LCBO, but $22.95 at the winery.

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TRAVAGLINI NEBBIOLO 2010

I last wrote about the 2006 UMBERTO FIORE BARBARESCO. They are made from the Nebbiolo grape. I was impressed with the wine especially for the price, so when I saw this one I thought I’d give it a whirl. Garnet in color mild on the nose. On the mid pallet the wine displays some red berries with some slight tartness on the back of the mouth. On the finish the wine has some nice dryness that builds backed by some firm acidity. The pucker power in the mouth (as well as the acidity) lingers for quite a while. This is not a bad wine but not a fabulous one either. I’d give it an 88 or so.

From the LCBO web site:
TRAVAGLINI NEBBIOLO 2010 VINTAGES 30353 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 17.95

Made in: Piedmont, Italy By: Travaglini Giancarlo Societa Ag.

Release Date: May 26, 2012

Wine, Red Wine 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Sugar Content: 3 g/L Sweetness Descriptor: D – Dry

Description
Travaglini’s home base is the little-known DOC Coste della Sesia, located near Gattinara. Here, they create a more fruit-forward wine using the legendary Piedmont grape, Nebbiolo. Whereas Barolo, Barbaresco and Gattinara are well-known for their ability to mature gracefully in a cellar for a long period of time, this version gives you an excellent opportunity to try this great grape, in a drinkable style, at a value price. An excellent match for gourmet sausages or grilled steaks.

Check LCBO stock.

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2008 Joseph Estates Chenin Blanc

I tasted this at the iYellow Niagara on the Lake tasting event.
Very pale in color, with a mild nose. On the mid pallet the wine is semi sweet, varietal chenin blanc. Some light peach flavors. This is a good patio wine. Easy sipping. It builds quite nicely in the mouth. The complexity for the price is quite good. I would give it an 88. $13.15 at the winery.

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Happy Weekend

No review, but this is the night. Enjoy your weekend!

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PAOLO CONTERNO BAROLO GINESTRA 2001

A while back my Dad asked for a recommendation for a Christmas present to give my brother in law who is quite the Barolo lover. I did some research and came up with recommendation for him, this wine. My Dad surprised me by giving me one! I’ve been carefully cellaring this wine since 2006 waiting for just the right moment. I did a Barolo tasting with the Toronto Vintner’s club and it pointed out to me this wine is probably ready. If you need some help with your cellar Check out my cellar services to see if I can help you.

Dark in color with a mild nose of dried fruits. On the mid pallet this wine is still displaying some beautiful rich Barolo flavors, some nice dried fruits, black cherries. On the finish this wine is long in the mouth with some lovely fine tannins, some nice dryness and some mild acidity. This is still 11 years later a big wine. Very nice and well made. The wine went for $59 in 2006, the current vintage in the LCBO a 2006 is going for $64. I would give this a solid 91. What a glass of yum.

Thanks Dad!

Check LCBO stock for the currently available vintage (not the one here)

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2010 Hidden Bench Felseck Vineyard Gewürztraminer

Fast review of Hidden Bench’s 2010 Gewürztraminer. This single vineyard white was much more than I was expecting, and I have to admit I am not a Gewurtz fan.

If it is even possible to call a drink this, this wine is a very good looking wine. A soothing yellow with a fragrant nose greets you and all I could think was “this is going to be good.” Tropic fruit and hints of vanilla are distinctively present. The first sips produces pineapple and orange. The acidity is not sharp and you could almost say the wine envelops your tongue as it lingers to the finish. The fruit is not consuming and you get hints of that vanilla and even a touch of floral notes. A single word comes to my mind as I write this: rich. The wine tastes and feels ‘rich’ in my mouth. Even with this I would say the wine is softer than expected, and while this surprised me, it also raises concerns for the second bottle in the cellar and how that will taste when it is eventually consumed. While this offering is well balanced, decently priced ($29 at time of purchase), and overall pleasing; it is not, however, great. ‘Good’ will have to be enough for tonight.

The CWG Subjective Rating is 87 out of 100.

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2010 Villa Maria Sauv Blanc

Pale in color with a nice smooth grassy nose. On the mid pallet this wine has some nice grassy flavours to go along with the nose along with some mild citrus flavours. The wine is on the lighter side of medium finish with some mild sweetness. The flavours build nicely in the mouth. A smooth well made albeit lighter New Zealand Sauv Blanc. This is a very food friendly wine. I would give it an 88-89.

From the LCBO web site:
VILLA MARIA PRIVATE BIN SAUVIGNON BLANC MARLBOROUGH LCBO 426601 750 mL bottle Price: $ 15.95

Made in: Marlborough, New Zealand By: Villa Maria Estates Ltd.

Style: Light & Crisp Wine, White Wine 12.7% Alcohol/Vol.

Sugar Content: 6 g/L Sweetness Descriptor: XD – Extra Dry

Tasting Note
Pale straw colour; intense aromas of gooseberry, lime, grass and asparagus; dry, medium bodied, crisp acidity, and flavours of bell pepper, gooseberry citrus; clean, crisp finish.

Check LCBO stock.

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2007 Stratus Red

I am a bit time constraint but I wanted to get out review of another 2007 Niagara Bordeaux style blend. With four recent reviews from the same vintage it would be a disservice to the readers not to cover the finer points of this bottle from Stratus Vineyards. This wine falls into a very similar price point of 3 of the 4 recent wines at $44; while this seems normal it should be noted that I find Stratus wines to be consistently overpriced. Take away the fancy cellar door and very slick labeling/marketing and I still find these well crafted wines to be 10-20% higher then similar peers. This wine however is considered their “signature” red wine, so the price when compared to other “top end” wines is not truly out of whack. I know, I was just a bit wishy washy about price, if I had been talking to you in person I would simply shrug my shoulders at this stage and quickly change the subject!

The wine, yes enough blabber, the wine looks almost exactly like the past four Bordeaux-esque wines we have reviewed, inky red with good purple to it. The nose is muted, or better put the nose is nothing overwhelming. The first few sips yield a softer than expected wine with medium tannins and a quick finish. The fruit is a tad muted and overall the wine is nice but not overwhelming. After experiencing their Petit Verdot I was expecting much more of everything: longer finish, bold fruit, and strong tannins. This is a drink now wine and if you have only one do not wait or forget about it or else you may find it disappearing on you.

The CWG Subjective Rating is 86 out 100.

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2007 Calamus Meritage

Having subconsciously slipped into a 2007 Niagara Meritage drinking spree I thought there was no time like the present to continue this whirlwind tour of that fantastic vintage of Bordeaux style blends. Calamus Estate Winery has been covered a few times before but it bears repeating that this husband and wife team are a Niagara hidden gem. Tough to find and with little to no fan fare they are proving that the love of wine can produce some excellent product. This is one of those.

The 2007 vintage has a chance to go down as the best single year ever for Niagara wine making, with the reds especially being blessed. This one is no different then the past few Meritage reviews with it’s deep dark red colour and red tree fruit nose. The wine yields red berries and vanilla on the first few sips with young firm tannins gripping your tongue easily. As you settle into the drinking experience you will start to get an abundance of cassis with a smattering of pepper on your palate. All the while this wine will stay with you as the finish is long and smooth. No doubt this can continue to rest for 2 to 5 years and improve. Drinking now or laying down this is a tremendous value at $27.

The CWG Subjective Rating is 88 out of 100.

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Do not be a snob towards Niagara wines when you know NOTHING about them (and other rants, well not really)

If I had a dollar for every single person that tells me they are wine collectors/lovers in Toronto who know NOTHING about the Niagara wine region that is a mere hour south of them, I’d be a rich, very rich man. Instead I am simply a very disappointed person living in Toronto…

So let’s start with some good to great wines everyone should try before spending a random $45-$60 on a Burgundy or overpriced Napa at the LCBO simply to say they are drinking a wine from one of those regions. All of these wines should still be around somewhere; I removed the vintage year as it is easy to say get a XXXX but if they are no longer selling it then it is useless. As well, you may see some repeats of vineyards, it happens as we have some tremendous wineries that simply do quite a few things very well.


Bordeaux Style Blends:

Chateau des Charmes Equuleus
Trius Grand Red
Trius Red
Fielding Estates Meritage
Stratus Red
Calamus Meritage
Henry of Pelham Cabernet-Merlot

Pinot Noirs:
Hidden Bench (Estate/Felseck/Locust Lane, it does not matter)
Tawse (like Hidden Bench, does not matter)
Lailey Vineyard (Brickyard or Old Vines)
Malivoire
Coyote’s Run
Thirty Bench

Other Reds:
Peller Estates Andrew Peller Signature Series Merlot
Tawse Cabernet Franc
Chateau des Charmes Cabernet Sauvignon (St David’s Bench)
Kacaba Proprieter’s Syrah
Fielding Estates Cabernet Sauvignon
Henry of Pelham Baco Noir Reserve
Ravine Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

Chardonnays:
Tawse (all their Chards are outstanding, but Robyn’s Block is unbelievable)
Hidden Bench
Lailey
Coyote’s Run
Hillebrand Showcase Series
Ravine Vineyards
Chateau des Charmes
Clos Jordanne
Henry of Pelham Speck Family Reserve

Other Whites:
Thirty Bench Rieslings (single vineyard)
Hidden Bench Rieslings
Tawse Rieslings
Trius Brut (hard pressed to beat the value this classic method wine holds)
Stratus White
Cave Spring Rieslings

Now go off, try some, immerse yourself in a wine region that takes less time to get to than your cottage, weekend rental in the Kawarthas or the Richmond Hill, you will not regret it.

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LES HAUTS DE MONTFORT LES MÉGALITHES 2009

Dark in color with a mild nose. On the mid pallet the wine has some mild fruit flavors, cassis and some earthy flavors. On the finish the wine has some nice dryness and tannins well in check. For the price this wine is quite complex. It builds nicely in the mouth! I would give it an 88-89. For the money a very nice wine.

From the LCBO web site:
LES HAUTS DE MONTFORT LES MÉGALITHES 2009 VINTAGES 279554 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 13.95

Made in: Midi, France By: Pointe De Collection
Release Date: May 26, 2012
13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Sugar Content: 4 g/L
Sweetness Descriptor: D – Dry

Tasting Note
Firm nose of red fruit pastilles. A charming and drinkable, light, aromatic style with fine supporting tannins. Good flavoursome stuff with freshness and character. Nice substantial wine. Score – 4 Stars (out of 5). (decanter.com, Feb. 24, 2012).
Check LCBO stock,

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2007 Henry of Pelham Speck Family Reserve Cabernet- Merlot

Another night, another 2007 Niagara Bordeaux blend and another concise review.

Henry of Pelham’s Gold Medal Winner from the 2009 International Food & Beverage Forum Wine Awards is a quietly great wine. It is a dark inky wine with a very subtle nose. The first few sips reveal a solid amount of red fruit as well as a good amount of tannins. As the wine settles and you get further into it the complexity the long finish and good fruit will keep you entranced. At $45 this is starting to get up there in terms of price and it may be a reason to look at alternatives. Still this is a very good wine son enjoy it now or leave it cellared for two to five years.

The CWG Subjective Rating is 89 out of 100.

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2007 Chateau des Charmes Equuleus

A quick review today, the first of at least 4 consecutive Canadian Bordeaux style blends. This is the Chateau des Charmes flagship red, the Equuleus (if you want my take on the 2002 click here).

First of 6 out of the cellar, this wine is still big and strong. Solid tannins, a well-balanced and hardy Bordeaux style blend with a long finish. Fruit is still very apparent with cassis and blackberry evident; while spices like vanilla and chocolate make their appearance.

Overall this is a tremendous wine and you would be hard pressed to put this next to a solid Bordeaux Grand Cru or Napa institution without ranking it high on your list. At $40 (the usual price for the Equuleus) it is a steal.

The CWG Subjective Rating is 91 out of 100.

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2008 Haynes Barns Cab/Merlot

I last reviewed the 2009 that I tasted at Big White Ski resort and was impressed. Okanogan wines have a very distinctive taste. This wine is dark in color with a mild nose. Right out of the bottle this wine has some strong acidity and overly firm tannins. This passes quickly with a little breathing. Once a bit of time has lapsed this wine has a deep lovely mid pallet dominated by dark berries. On the finish the wine has some lovely firm tannins and nice dryness. This is a big wine, very typical of Okanogan wines. I really enjoyed this wine. I paired it with Elk sausage. It held up but didn’t pair well, largely because the sausage was dominated by pepper and spices. I would give this wine a solid 89. Yumm. The LCBO are clearing this out so if you find it grab a few. It will easily keep a good couple years!

From the LCBO web site:
PROSPECT WINERY HAYNES BARN MERLOT CABERNET VQA LCBO 145144 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 15.95
Wine, Red Wine 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Sugar Content : 1

Made in: British Columbia, Canada By: Artisan Wine Co.

Tasting Note
clear deep ruby colour; cherry, raspberry and plum with toasty oak notes in aroma; dry, medium body; black fruit and oak spice on palate, balanced acidity and medium tannins to finish.

Check LCBO stock.

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Ontario wine tasting events in Toronto

There are two great Ontario wine tasting events here in Toronto. Be sure and check them out! They are a great opportunity to checkout a lot of different Ontario wineries! Taste Ontario (an LCBO event) is on Sept 28th and Sip and Savour on Oct 3rd. It’s a great way to plan your next trip to the wineries!

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2007 Stratus Cab Franc

I had this one at Corks the other night. Dark in color with a mild nose of dark berries and some alcohol on the nose. Almost vermouth like. On the mid pallet there are some black berries and noticeable alcohol present. The fruit has become quite subdued on this one. It had either been opened too long or it is past due. On the finish the wine has some lovely dryness and smooth tannins. This is a nice wine but I would guess it’s been kept too long. The 2008 is in the LCBO right now for a hefty 38.20. I would give it an 88.

From the LCBO web site for the 2008:
STRATUS CABERNET FRANC 2008 VINTAGES 665034 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 38.20

Made in: Ontario, Canada By: Stratus Vineyards
Release Date: Mar 3, 2012

Wine, Red Wine
13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Sweetness Descriptor: XD – Extra Dry

Description
TASTING NOTE: Impeccably crafted, this characterful Cab Franc still shows a youthful ruby-purple colour in the glass. Dense, complex nose of blackberry, blueberry, black cherry, tilled earth and woodsmoke. Quite robust and plump for the vintage, with a medium-full body, supportive tannins and lovely depth of fruit. Culminates in a long finish, with superb poise all the way along. Age this wine 1-2 more years, or enjoy it tonight with blackened beef or lamb. (VINTAGES panel, Jan. 2012)

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2007 Andrew Peller Signature Series Merlot

With two of these in the cellar it was time to ‘crack’ open a bottle and test out this premium Peller Estates wine. A true ‘first growth’ the Andrew Peller Signature Series range is the best the vineyard has to offer of each of its varietals or blends. This merlot is from the hot summer of 2007, a year which has shown great fruit and good cellaring potential. Most premium region reds have 3-7 years still left in bottle to evolve and improve. So what about this wine you may ask? Look no further!

A dark inky red greets your eyes as black cherry hits your nostrils. A few swirls in the glass and tobacco starts to rear his head. The first sips reveal firm tannins and subtle fruit. The finish is long and the wine is well balanced. The fruit gives way to cinnamon and Cuban cigars (what can I say the tobacco was large). Overall this is a very good Niagara merlot with the fruit being strong and the winemaking skillful. A good value at $38.

The CWG Subjective Rating is 89 out of 100.

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2007 Henry of Pelham Speck Family Reserve Pinot Noir

Henry of Pelham remains one of the most overlooked Niagara region wineries. Despite the consistency that most vineyards long for, its location and lack of ‘cache’ tend to put them on the forgotten list. The Speck family make good wine and a visit to their property is always recommended. Their top end label has some of the best priced first growths on the escarpment, this is one of them at $36.

This wines rusty colour was the first indication that five years of aging was probably enough. A sure sign of an aged red is that rust/orange hue for those not aware. This pinot has hints of wild red fruit with undertones of leather. The first few sips present red cherry and some earthiness. The body is still rich with tannins with a medium length finish. While fruit is still present I would avoid laying this wine down much longer than a year or two at most. Any longer and I fear you’d lose the fruit and have something much less complex. Overall a good Pinot Noir, though not great enough to put it top 5 in a fantastic producing region.

The CWG Subjective Rating is 87 out of 100.

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2007 Burrowing Owl Syrah

This 2007 was short listed with the recent cellar space shortage as there were two still left and five years is a great start for this wine. Burrowing Owl remains a star in the gorgeous Okanagan wine region. This was a wine club offering that was snapped up at $35 a bottle. This will be brief update so on to the tasting notes.

A deep purple greeted us with subtle vanilla notes. The first sip brought out strong tannins that gripped hard. The finish was quicker than expected for such a strong body. Vanilla remains with hints of blackberries and currants. Licorice rears its head towards the end which adds to this already interesting red. A few more years and this should settle down and reward those with the patience.

CWG Subjective Rating is 87 out of 100.

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2010 Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay

I’ve blogged about this wine for a bit now. It’s on my fav list and one of my go to wines. It’s tough to find a good inexpensive California style chard. Pale in color with a mild chard nose. On the mid pallet this wine is a whole lot sweeter than it has been in the past. Sugar levels are much higher (to my tastes). Some butterscotch and some vanilla but very light. I kept hoping it would improve as it warmed up. In the mouth this wine is a melody of incongruant flavors that didn’t work for me. So sadly, all good things come to an end. Inexpensive wines are often inconsistent year to year and this is a bad year for this one. I would give it an 87-88. Pooh. Off my favs for this one 🙁 If you can find any more of the 2009 grab it. But not too much. I don’t expect it will age all that well. Maybe a year or so …
So this leaves me back to either the J Lohr Riverstone or the Sterling Vintner’s reserve for a reliable readily available reasonably priced chard …

Check LCBO stock but be careful the various years fall under the same product code.

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2010 Hillebrand Artist Series Gewürztraminer ‘Limited Edition’

A wise man once said: “A hot and muggy summer day calls for a nice chilled white wine in the late afternoon.” If you use that quote be sure to attribute it to myself as I cannot pin it on anyone else. Hillebrand‘s well priced Artist Series has produced a mix bag of wines over the past few years, but despite that their innovated plan of using Ontario Artists works on their labels has brought colour and grace to their entry level offerings.

This wine in question features Elizabeth Baker’s Green Light, a vibrant sea of colour that compliments this pale yellow ‘Limited Edition’ wine. Hillebrand should be complimented on their effort to spread the arts to their consumers.

As for the wine the colour is as soft as the initial sip. Daisies and tulips dance on your nose as you swirl the wine in your glass. Nothing about the first few tastes will overwhelm you. A light bit of citrus compliments the floral notes though nothing jumps out. The finish lingers much longer than expected and the acidity is high. Not a bad wine for the money and perfect for the occasion. This retails at $17.75 from the vineyard or online.

The CWG subjective rating is 83 out of 100.

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2010 Jackson Triggs Silver Series Chardonnay

We grabbed this one at the winery while on our tour of Niagara on the lake. Pale in color with a mild nose. On the mid pallet this is softer well made chard dominated by some oak, some vanilla, slightly creamy with some lovely fruit coming through. There’s also some lovely varietal Niagara on the lake minerality. The finish is on the lighter side of medium in length. This is a beautiful wine, very food friendly. We paired it with Shrimp penne Alfredo and it went very well. I would give this wine an 89-90. Very nice. Not in the LCBO so you will have to take a trip out to the winery to get it. $19.95. The 2009 is in the LCBO for $17.95. Not sure how it compares.

From the Winery’s web site:
2010 Silver Series Chardonnay

Our Chardonnay is soft pressed, malolactic fermented and barrel-aged in select barrels for 1 year. This wine full bodied with creamy caramel and vanilla notes, apple, lemon and buttery flavours that express the essence of the Niagara terroir.

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Niagara Wine Week 2012 – Suggestions needed

Next week will be Niagara Wine Week 2012 for the CWG family, if you would like to influence the where we go, vote in the poll below!

Which Wineries should be visited for 2012 Niagara Wine Week? Choose a maximum of 8
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