A tidy little post-Thanksgiving release is coming up at Vintages this Saturday with some nice Niagara wines hitting the shelves for the first time.
I’ve also included a B.C. wine that I like from the release as we so seldom see anything from the Okanagan here in Ontario. And, with California wines so expensive now at Vintages, I have included a relative bargain Cabernet from Sonoma that I quite like. Here’s what to look for Saturday.
Creekside Reserve Viognier 2013 ($27, 90 points) — Barrel fermented and barrel aged in older oak, this Vio has an exotic nose of spicy pear, lanolin, apple skin and apricot. Quite textural on the palate with an oily feel that works well with the orchard fruits and spice through a luxurious, soft finish.
Tawse Sketches of Niagara Riesling 2014 ($18, 90 points) — Zingy lime, orange blossom, citrus rind and ginger notes on the nose. It’s a polished Riesling with good balance and a playful tug of sweet-tart citrus and tangerine fruit on the palate with hints of ginger and minerals. Very nice Riesling.
Vineland Estates Elevation St. Urban Vineyard Riesling 2014 ($20, 91 points) — Winemaker Brian Schmidt draws from the best parcels of his beloved St. Urban Vineyard, planted in 1979, for the Elevation Riesling. With the 2012 vintage all but sold out and the winemaker taking a pass on the 2013 vintage at this level, consumers will nonetheless be impressed with this wine. It has such a beautiful nose of lime, minerals and wisps of grapefruit and honey. It shows complexity on the palate and builds in momentum showing wet stone and citrus/lime zest with a dollop of honey sweetness. But, still, there is the kick-ass freshness from the lively acidity that keeps everything in balance.
Featherstone Red Tail Merlot 2013 ($20, 88 points) — Fans of Featherstone Merlot may want to load up on the 2013 vintage; the ravages of two bad winters took a toll on the Merlot vines at the estate. What was left of the 2014 Merlot went to rose after about 35% of the vineyard was lost. Almost as much was lost in 2015 and it’s not looking like there will not be a Merlot made in that vintage. Featherstone is replanting but doesn’t know when there will be another vintage of the Red Tail. The nose shows pretty raspberry, cherry, cedar and spice. It’s a medium-bodied offering on the palate with rich red fruits, cran-cherry and spice with freshness through the finish.
Henry of Pelham Speck Family Reserve Pinot Noir 2010 ($35, 91 points) — This wine displays wonderful concentration of dense brambly fruit (raspberry, blackberry and currant) while the palate shows staunch structure within a velvet glove and a finish that, though satisfying and long, is merely hinting at the complexity and pleasure once it has aged.
Southbrook Triomphe Cabernet Franc 2013 ($22, 88 points) — From sourced organic fruit with a nose of crushed herbs, raspberry, bramble bush and spice in a lean style. The red fruits on the palate are joined by herbs, toasted spices and bright acidity.
A pick from B.C.
Jackson-Triggs Sunrock Vineyard Illumina 2012, Okanagan Valley ($35, 89 points) — A highly aromatic blend of Zinfandel and Shiraz that shows mulled plums, blackberry, roasted coffee bean and a range of spices on the nose. It has firm tannic structure, dark fruits, mocha, arabica coffee, tar and spice. This is a dark and flavourful wine that can cellar for five years or more.
A pick from California
Kenwood Jack London Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Sonoma Mountain ($40, 90 points) — With the extremely high prices we pay for California wines at the LCBO (Heitz Cellars Cabernet 2012 from Napa Valley is $90 in this release at Vintages but sells for $45-$50 in the U.S.) I find this a relative bargain. It’s from Sonoma and shows rich black cherry, concentrated blackberries and integrated herbs and spices on the nose. It’s bold and tasty on the palate with a core of cherry, currants and blackberries all bolstered by lovely spice and supple tannins. Good value Cali.
Released but not reviewed
• Tawse Lauritzen Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012 ($45, flagship stores only)
• Hinterland Borealis Method Charmat Rose 2014, Prince Edward County ($22)
• Henry of Pelham Estate Riesling 2013 ($18)
• Red Tractor Premium Collection Riesling 2013 ($17)
• Lakeview Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 ($30)
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