A few exciting Niagara wines are released at Vintages this Saturday, Oct. 1, including the first of the Le Clos Jordanne 2009 single-vineyard Chardonnays and the iconic Vineland Estate St. Urban Vineyard Riesling 2009. Use may also want to check out the Cabernet Franc from Prince Eward County’s Rosehall Run. Supplies are limited so shop early.
Le Clos Jordanne Talon Ridge Vineyard Chardonnay 2009 ($40, 91 points) — This is the first Chardonnay to be released from the 2009 vintage of Le Clos Jordanne and the first vintage that winemaker Sebastien Jacquey is responsible for since taking over from Thomas Bachelder, who nurtured the brand through five vintages before announcing his departure last year. Talon Ridge Vineyard (seen at dusk in top photo), in the Vinemount Ridge appellation, is the youngest and largest of Le Clos’s four estate vineyards. The nose shows intriguing gunflint, woodsmoke and mineral notes on the nose with poached pear, citrus and a touch of honey. It is youthful and tight, almost a shame to open at this point, but let it breathe a bit and the flavours emerge in the glass. A core of pear-lemon fruit in the mouth with stony minerality, vanilla-nut and toasty oak notes and wonderful acidity that washes over the palate. A beautiful Chardonnay that will benefit from cellaring.
Vineland Estate St. Urban Vineyard Riesling 209 ($20, 92 points) — This is classic Niagara Riesling from the famed and historic St. Urban Vineyard. A nose of zesty, mineral rich citrus goodness that carries to the palate in a pure expression of sweet-tart citrus, minerals and racy acidity. I would lay this down in the cellar for a few years and watch as it develops those wonderful mineral qualities. And this version, from the highly acidified 2009 vintage, will cellar very well indeed.
Tawse Sketches of Niagara Chardonnay 2009 ($20, 87 points) — From Tawse’s second label, the Chard shows pear, vanilla, citrus and butterscotch-spice on the nose. It’s juicy and fresh in the mouth with forward fruit that plays nice with the oak and spice.
Henry of Pelham Family Tree White 2009 ($18, 87 points) — The white blend from this new label consists of Viognier, Chardonnay, Chardonnay Musque and Gewurztraminer. It has a floral nose with tropical fruits, peach and a bit of spice. It has lovely mouth feel with pear, melon, tropical fruits and vanilla-spice notes from barrel-aged Chardonnay and Viognier.
Rosehall Run Cold Creek Cabernet Franc 2008 Prince Edward County ($23, 89 points) — I just tasted this wonderful Cab Franc from Rosehall a couple of weeks ago at the winery during a quick visit. Rosehall excels in its Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays but has crafted a delicious Cab Franc out of the 2008 vintage. The nose shows juicy, layered fruits, herbs and spice in typical cool-climate fashion. In the mouth, raspberry-cherry fruit mingle with roasted herbs, vanilla-wood, fine tannins and racy acidity. A beautiful food wine to drink now with your meal or cellar for a couple of years.
Other wines released but not reviewed:
Wayne Gretzky No. 99 Estate Series Pinot Noir 2008 ($19)
Megalomaniac Coldhearted Riesling Icewine 2007 ($30, 200 ml)
Angels Gate Riesling 2009 ($14)
Stoney Ridge Cranberry Wine 2009 ($17))
Coyote’s Run Red Paw Pinot Gris 2009 ($18) — From a review in Wine Tidings by Evan Saviolids. A combination of citrus, apple, spice, melon and a hint of peach are all present in the mid weight Gris. Refreshing acid and very good length make this wine perfect for schnitzel with lemon. 87 points.
Enjoy!
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