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Just a whole lot of treats coming for the Halloween Vintages release this Saturday: Coyote’s Run, Rennie Estate, Le Clos and Wildass and more

14129129498_a9b2605db5There is nothing scary about the Halloween release at Vintages Oct. 25 in terms of Niagara wines being made available.

In fact, it’s all about the treats on Saturday, no tricks, as some of Niagara’s top wines hit the shelves including a pair of top single-vineyard wines from Le Clos Jordanne, a dynamite Syrah from Coyote’s Run and a Ripasso-style red from the Graham Rennie.

Here’s what to look for Saturday at your neighbourhood Vintages store (note: the Coyote’s Run and Rennie wines are only available at flagship Vintages stores):

Coyote’s Run Rare Vintage Syrah 2010 ($33, 92 points) — Classic cool-climate Syrah with a meaty nose of currants, cassis, mocha spice, pencil shavings and super-ripe cherry fruit. There is a lot going on the palate; roasted meats, earth, cherry-cassis fruit and spice that builds in momentum through the finish. A structured and delicious Syrah.

11897309425_9a0f5de86aRennie Estate Scarpata 2011 ($45, 91 points) — This is Graham Rennie’s (above with wife Christine) Ripasso style wine made from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes and blended with the skins of the appassimento “G” wine made up of dried Merlot, Cab Sauv and Cab Franc grapes. The nose is expressive with black currants, cherry kirsch, Christmas pudding, blackberry liqueur and rousing spice notes. This is all about concentrated currants, red fruits, baking spices, gritty tannins and length through the finish.

11294157994_6a50bdcb40Le Clos Jordanne Claystone Terrace Pinot Noir 2011 ($45, 90 points) — Claystone is the coolest of the Le Clos vineyards and is generally picked last. There is ripeness on the nose with black cherry, raspberry, sweet oak spice, wet leaves and earthy, wet-stone notes. It is youthful and energetic on the palate with ripe red fruits, grippy tannins, spice and touches of licorice, green tobacco and lively acidity. Needs time to loosen up the tight structure, but will reward once it opens up.

Le Clos Jordanne Claystone Terrace Chardonnay 2011 ($40, 92 points) — Claystone Terrace is contiguous with the top Le Clos Jordanne Vineyard yet turns out wines that are profoundly different. The clay and limestone soils of Claystone help shape the wines that are the most distinct, in my opinion, of the Le Clos portfolio both in the Chards and Pinot Noirs. For 2011, only 10-15% new oak was used for aging with no fining at all. The nose is already rockin’ with McIntosh apple, lemon tart, apricot, soft spice and subtle toast and vanilla. It is a substantive Chardonnay on the palate with weight and power but not at the expense of poise and elegance. The apple-pear fruit melds gorgeously with tropical notes and citrus zest through a lively finish that combines a delicious core of oak and vanilla toast with stony minerality. It is a beautifully integrated wine already with room to improve further with some bottle age.

Wildass Red 2011 ($20, 89 points) — This assemblage from Stratus benefits from the challenging 2011 vintage as much of the Stratus red vineyard was declassified into this wine. The nose shows ripe wild berries, raspberry, cassis, toasted oak (100% aged for 246 days in 11% new barrels), vanilla, spice and touches of licorice and smoke. It’s quite rich on the palate with a foundation of red fruits to go with bramble, spice and grippy tannins thought the long finish. A nice wine for $20.

Tawse Sketches Riesling 2013 ($18, 89 points) — The Sketches Riesling is a blend of fruit sourced from sustainably-farmed vineyards in Niagara. The nose is expressive with grapefruit, lime and mineral notes. It’s taut and lively on the palate with fresh lemon-lime, a touch of sweetness and laser-sharp acidity.

Also released but not reviewed:

Peninsula Ridge McNally Vineyards Proprietor’s Reserve Pinot Noir 2012 ($25)
Stratus Petit Verdot 2011 ($38)
The Organized Crime Break-In Pinot Noir 2012 ($21)
Flat Rock Unplugged Chardonnay 2013 ($17)
Henry of Pelham Estate Cabernet/Merlot 2012 ($25)

A pick from the international wines being released

Domaine Hamelin Chablis 1er Cru Beauroy Chablis 2011, France ($30, 90 points) — This domaine was started in 1840s by the Hamelin family, so there’s a lot of history on its side. The grapes for the Beauroy were planted in 1980 and the 2011 vintage offers up a pure and gentle Chablis with white flowers, grapefruit, lemon, crushed oyster shells and soft ocean breeze aromas. The palate reveals a vein of chalky minerality, apple skin, lemon and a profound interplay of minerality and acidity that brings a sense of harmony to the wine.