The Saturday release at Vintages (Sept. 28) is the second part of a large contingent of Ontario wines hitting the shelves in stores across the province.
The wines released this weekend are mostly white wines with a good cross-section of styles.
I am also offering up the Niagara highlights from the Classics Collection that recently came out. Consumers have until Oct. 1 to place their orders.
Here’s what I like from the Niagara wines released Saturday.
Château des Charmes Vidal Icewine 2009 ($25 for 200 mL, 91 points) — I love icewine with a little age on it and this one from Chateau des Charmes is drinking quite nicely right now. The nose shows intense honied peach, pear, caramel and toffee-nutty notes. The lovely unctuous texture in the mouth works brilliantly with the creamy pear, marmalade, peach compote with a touch of toasted almonds and sweet honey all delivered on an energetic beam of acidity for balance. Drink now or watch it mature further for a couple of years.
13th Street White Palette 2011 ($16, 87 points) — This blend of Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Musqué and Viognier amounts to a lovely summer sipper with fresh citrus, floral, tropical fruits and touch of herbs on the nose. It’s juicy on the palate with moderate acidity in an easy-going style that will appeal to a broad spectrum of wine lovers.
Bachelder Saunders Vineyard Chardonnay 2011 ($44, 91 points) — Pure Beamsville Bench minerality on the nose with pear, spiced apple, lemon and lovely creamy vanilla. This is a voluptuous Chard in the mouth with rich, layered fruits, a vein of stony minerality and touches of nutmeg-cinnamon spice that’s all propped up by fresh acidity.
Fielding Estate Bottled Chardonnay 2012 ($22, 89 points) — A fragrant nose of peach, tropical fruit, apple, vanilla spice and poached pear notes. It’s creamy, not buttery, on the palate with ripe fruits and lovely spices that finish completely dry.
Innikillin Reserve Pinot Gris 2012 ($20, 90 points) — Yowser! This is a ripe and bold Gris that sees 30% of the fruit barrel fermented and aged for three months. The nose shows peach cobbler, apple, spice and citrus notes. In the mouth, this is a full, fleshy offering with ripe apple, tropical fruits and creamy vanilla and nutmeg spices. On the soft side, but oh so delicious.
Tawse Sketches of Niagara Riesling 2012 ($18, 88 points) — There’s a lot to like here in this friendly Riesling. Aromas of fresh cut apple, citrus, honeydew, honeysuckle and riverbed minerality. It’s vibrant and doesn’t feel like there’s 20 g/l of residual sugar, with peach fruit and citrus the main players on the palate.
Other Niagara wines released Saturday but not reviewed:
• Henry of Pelham Barrel Fermented Estate Chardonnay 2011 ($20)
• Vintage Ink Rite of Passage Chardonnay 2011 ($17)
• Angels Gate Mountainview Merlot 2011 ($19)
The highlights from the Niagara Vintages Classics Collection wines now ready for ordering (online and phone ordering deadline is on Tuesday Oct. 1 at 6 p.m. at Vintages or 416-365-5767).
Southbrook Vineyards Poetica Red 2010 ($55, 92 points) — This is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. The nose shows ripe raspberry, cassis, kirsch and an exciting array of oak spices. This is such a baby, and needs decanting if drinking in the near-term. It’s bold and structured on the palate with dark red fruits, currants, vanilla toast and a long, long finish. One to tuck away in the cellar for 10 years or more. A beauty.
Henry of Pelham Speck Family Reserve Pinot Noir 2009 ($40, 91 points) — I first tried this wine at a retrospective tasting of Ontario Pinot Noirs. It was tight and young when we tasted it and now, a year later, it is starting to open up. I would still, however, recommend decanting for a good hour before tasting. It has a bold expression of cherry, bramble, blueberry, roasted meat, currants and layered spice notes on the nose. It’s still tightly wound at the moment, with firm structure, tannins and vibrant acidity but showing red and black fruits, mocha-clove spices and a smooth texture through the finish. A treat, and one to tuck away in the cellar for many years to come.
Other Niagara wines in the Classics Collection, but not reviewed:
• Coyote’s Run Rare Vintage Pinot Noir 2010 ($50)
• Tawse Van Bers Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2009 ($50)
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