We’re seeing signs of spring around these parts, subtle, but nonetheless the worst does appear to be over.
What a crap winter; the worst I’ve seen in a decade. Polar vortex be damned! It’s time to put it all behind us and Vintages has decided to help with that by releasing spring like wines starting with the release this Saturday.
There are plenty of Rieslings to entice you, and a couple of rosés making an appearance. So shake it off, forget about the horrible winter and get yourself some Niagara wine and move forward into spring and summer.
Here are my Niagara wine recommendations from the Vintages release on Saturday (plus another Bachelder wine, this one from Oregon).
Rosewood Estates Pinot Noir Reserve 2010 ($40, 91 points) — Rosewood only makes a reserve Pinot in what it feels are the best vintages. The wine is aged in seasoned premium French oak barrels for 10 months. It has an inviting nose of black currants, dark mature cherries, nutmeg spices, toasted vanilla and earthy-funky notes. On the palate, look for savoury cherry fruit, cassis and spices. This is a nicely aged Pinot that shows off the rich fruits and savoury spices and delivered along a long, silky finish.
13th Street June’s Vineyard Riesling 2012 ($20, 89 points) — An aromatic Riesling with peach, citrus, buckwheat honey and subtle minerality in the background. It’s made in an off-dry style with ripe peach and some tropical notes to go with underlying sweet minerality. Solid, approachable Riesling for drinking now.
Chateau des Charmes Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 ($15, 88 points) — This is a new wine from CdC and is being released on the LCBO General List. There’s a lot of bang for the buck here with a nice nose of blackberry, cherry, light spice notes and showing the warmth of the vintage with ripe fruits and varietal character. The black cherry-blackberry fruits are well integrated with the spices on the palate.
Chateau des Charmes Estate Cuvée d’Andrée Rosé 2013 ($15, May release at the winery and boutique stores, 88 points) — A lovely and refreshing rosé that’s all about the pretty cherry and raspberry aromas on the nose. It’s perfectly ripe on the palate, and tastes like a basket of cherries and sun-soaked wild raspberries, with a subtle sweet accent. A summer porch sipper.
Bachelder Oregon Chardonnay 2011 ($30, 89 points) — OK, so this isn’t a Niagara wine, but it’s made by Niagara’s Thomas Bachelder as part of his tri-regional collection of Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs from Niagara, Burgundy and Oregon. The grapes for this Chard were sourced from the Willamette Valley and displays showy peach, pear, almond brittle and a nice refreshing citrus nuance on the nose. It’s juicy and ripe on the palate with apple and citrus leading the way with touches of soft oak spice, smoke and minerals chiming in. Love the energy of this wine and it should be nicely integrated by the time it hits the shelves likely next spring.
Other Niagara wines being released but not reviewed:
• Reif Vidal Icewine 2012 ($25 for 200 ml)
• Fielding Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2013 ($19)
• Henry of Pelham Estate Riesling 2011 ($18)
• Lailey Chardonnay 2012 ($20)
• Malivoire Gewurztraminer 2012 ($25)
• Pondview Riesling 2012 ($16)
• Rosewood Sussreserve Riesling 2013 ($15)
• Tawse Sketches Cabernet/Merlot 2011 ($21)
• Featherstone Rose 2013 ($15)
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