Niagara Wine Reviews

Saturday Vintages release features Niagara Chards, Pinot Noir

hopchard

The LCBO/Vintages release on Saturday features a couple of really nice Niagara Chards and the first 2009 Pinot Noir from the Beamsville Bench producer Hidden Bench.

Here’s what’s being released.

10_Rusty_shed_chard_-_webFlat Rock The Rusty Shed Chardonnay 2010 ($25, 89 points) — I am enjoying both the white and reds emerging from the warm 2010 vintage. The whites are voluptuous without being flabby as is the case with the Rusty Shed. The nose shows sweet vanilla, fine oak, pear, apple, minerals and hints at butterscotch. The palate reveals charred oak spice, apple, minerals and a fair amount of verve. Delicious.

Hidden Bench Estate Pinot Noir 2009 ($38, 91 points) — From a blend of Pinot Noir grapes grown in the three estate vineyards from a vintage that is proving perfect for cool-climate Ontario Pinot due to a warm late August and September. This wine spends 16 months in French barrels and is finished unfiltered and unfined and no sees no pumping during the winemaking process. The nose shows concentrated cherry fruit, savoury notes, beetroot, barnyard and pencil shavings. In the mouth it shows tart cran-cherry fruit, wild raspberry, toasty spices, silky tannins en route to a long, creamy finish. Very interesting and inspiring Pinot from the Beamsville Bench that will age beautifully.

Henry of Pelham Estate Chardonnay 2010 ($20, 89 points) — With the 2010 vintage, HoP replaces both the “Barrel Fermented” and “Reserve” Chard tiers with this wine now called “Estate.” It’s made from 100% Short Hills Bench estate Chardonnay. The nose shows bright, clean apple crisp aromas with touches of spice, cream and poached pear. It has good tension on the palate with oak in tune with the ripe, layered fruits. It’s delicious through the finish with judicious use of oak and balanced with the ripe fruits.

Also being released but not reviewed:

G. Marquis silver Line Ice Rose ($30)

Flat Rock Cellars Twisted White 2010 ($10, 375 Ml)

Megalomaniac Narcissist Riesling 2011 ($18)

Stratus Wildass White 2007 ($20)

Frogpond Farm Organic Cabernet Merlot 2008 ($20)