The Vintages wine release on Saturday (Go, Broncos, Go!) features a trio of bold, rich red wines from Niagara as well as a nice rose bubbly perfect for Valentine’s Day and an icewine that hits all the right notes.
It would appear the LCBO is over its post-holiday doldrums with some exciting local wines hitting the shelves.
Here are the highlights from the Niagara wines:
Fielding Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 ($30, 92 points) — A very difficult variety to work with in Niagara but 2012 offered a warm reprieve to achieve optimal ripeness. The nose shows rich barrel spices against a background of ripe blackberries, cherries, bramble, earth with nothing overdone. It’s structured with fine tannic grip on the palate and shows delicious currants, blackberries and cherries with an array of oak barrel spices. Very fine, with both balance and finesse. Cellar worthy.
Fielding Red Conception 2012 ($19, 90 points) — A gorgeous vintage is bringing some very nice wines at reasonable prices to market. This is a blend of Cabernet Franc (68%), Cabernet Sauvignon (18%), Syrah (8%) and Petit Verdot (6%). It has an attractive nose of blackberries, currants, black cherry and peppery spices. It shows pretty good structure on the palate with evident tannins and dark fruits highlighted by rich blackberry and earthy-spicy bits. Good value red blend that can age for five or more years.
The Foreign Affair The Conspiracy 2013 ($20, 89 points) —This incarnation of Conspiracy (now bottled with a screwcap) is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc and 16% Merlot with all three components passed over appassimento skins to add complexity and concentration. It spends 12 months in French oak. Good effort here from a so-so vintage in Niagara. The nose shows thick cherry, cassis, violets, toasted oak spice with nutmeg and cinnamon spice. It’s vibrant and punchy on the palate with lovely purity of rich cherry and cassis fruit, integrated spice, licorice and length through the finish. A well-made wine offered at a very good price point.
Lakeview Cellars Cabernet Franc Icewine 2013 ($30 for 200 mL, 92 points) — An expressive note of black cherry, strawberry and blueberry pie. It’s sweet and rich on the palate with strawberry/raspberry jam and subtle herbs that provide a lavish and textured icewine with good balance from freshening acidity through the finish.
Chateau des Charmes Rose Sparkling 2012 ($29, 91 points) — This is a 50-50 blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with a Pinot Noir dosage that was recently disgorged after 18 months on the lees and is made in the traditional method. It has a pretty nose of soft red fruits of raspberry, cranberry and cherry with subtle herbs. A gentle mousse leads to rich, ripe cherry and cranberry fruits that are elegant and lush on the palate. This is a nicely mature and poised rose with a touch of sweetness on the finish.
Also released, but not reviewed:
- The Magician Shiraz/Pinot Noir 2012 ($25)
- Cave Spring Estate Bottles Chardonnay Musque 2014 ($17)
- Megalomaniac Narcissist Riesling 2014 ($18)
- Sue-Ann Staff Love By Lu Riesling 2014 ($17)
- Creekside Merlot 2013 ($25)
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