There’s a decent bounty of Niagara wines being released Saturday at Vintages not the least of which is one of the top new releases from Le Clos Jordanne and a really fine shiraz by Jackson Triggs from its Silver Series tier.
Here’s what’s available starting Saturday, Oct. 15. Check the LCBO website for availability.
Le Clos Jordanne Le Clos Jordanne Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009 ($45, 92 points) — The 2009 Pinots and Chards continue to be released at Vintages at a fairly regular clip, which is earlier than previous years. 2009 is an extraordinary vintage for Pinot and Les Clos has put together a dynamic portfolio of wines. Les Clos Jordanne Vineyard is the warmest of the estate vineyards, producing the ripest fruit. It should be noted that these wines are built for the cellar and should be purchased with that in mind. The nose shows raspberry and plum fruit with tight oak nuances and spice swirling about. It’s juicy and intense on the palate with complex red fruits and some currant and blackberry notes. The texture is dry with soft tannins and a nice wood-oak finish. Needs a couple of years to show its full potential, but decant for a couple of hours if you can’t wait.
Jackson Triggs Silver Series Shiraz 2008 ($20, 91 points) — The Shiraz grapes were picked in November of 2008, a late harvest in a somewhat difficult vintage. But JT has managed to craft a structured and thrilling wine out of low yields and late picking. A big nose of red fruits, currants, spice and defining white pepper. Just delightful on the palate with rich red fruits, pepper, soft tannins and the structure to hold for a few years in the cellar.
Reif Estate Winery The Magician 2009 ($20, 87 points) — Winemaker Roberto DiDomenico used 70% syrah and 30% pinot noir for this unusual blend. Both varieties were vinified separately with 30% of the fruit kiln dried. The nose shows sweet raspberry, cherry, oak and spice. It shows surprising heft on the palate for a 2009, with black fruits, cherry-raspberry notes, black pepper, earth and soft tannins.
Lailey Vineyard Riesling 2010 ($18, 88 points) — An impressive Riesling from a warm vintage. Shows good freshness on the nose with floral, tropical, citrus notes. On the palate the crisp citrus-lime fruits are complimented by stony minerality.
Chateau des Charmes Estate Chardonnay Musque 2009 ($17, 88 points) — This is a highly fragrant white with apple, honeysuckle, pear and spicy aromas, despite it being an unoaked wine. Lovely mouth-feel on the palate with tropical-apple fruits and a note of citrus zing on the finish.
Fielding Estate Pinot Gris 2010 ($22, 90 points) — Made from estate Pinot Gris from younger vines in the Jack Rabbit Flats Vineyards in the Lincoln Lakeshore appellation. A nose of musk, melon, pear, coconut and some minerality. It’s rich and ripe on the palate with lovely texture, balanced spice and length through the finish. Medium acid, partially barrel fermented fruit.
Other Ontario wines being released but not reviewed:
• Inniskillin Winemaker’s Series Three Vineyards Pinot Noir 2008 ($23)
• Southbrook Whimsy! Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 ($34)
• The Foreign Affair The Conspiracy 2008 ($20)
• Peller Estates Private Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2010 ($19)
Enjoy!
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