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Happy 25th anniversary Trius Red, plus reviews for Peller wines, Chateau des Charmes, Henry of Pelham, Flat Rock and a whole bunch of bubbles

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The family of wines under the Andrew Peller Limited umbrella — Trius, Andrew Peller, Thirty Bench Winery and Wayne Gretzky (in Ontario, with other brands in the Okanagan Valley) — makes a wide range of vino from entry level to ultra premium across a wide spectrum of styles, varieties and blends.

One of its most recognizable labels is the Trius Red, a Bordeaux style blend that celebrates its 25th vintage with the release of the 2014 bottling.

Winemaker Craig McDonald says the Trius Red 2014 is “notably Cabernet Franc focused (55%) and clearly shows its roots back to the early days with greater structure and silky, persistent tannins. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon frame the palate with powerful tannins that we always seem to extract from our Clark and Carlton vineyards. This wine has the finesse and structure to remain the quintessential red blend from Ontario, just as it was 25 years ago.”

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Another going concern for Peller is the new Wayne Gretzky Winery and Craft Distillery (above and top) that is rising quickly from the ground along Niagara Stone Road in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

The winery will produce Wayne Gretzky branded wines and craft distilled spirits.

Construction will began in the fall of 2015 with the grand opening planned for spring 2017. The new winery is planned to be a destination for wine enthusiasts and “proud” Canadians.

Designed by award-winning architect Gren Weis, the new facility will integrate itself into a rural Ontario context but with a contemporary vision and interpretation. The 15,000 square foot facility includes a winery, a craft distillery, tasting area, retail and hospitality spaces, fermentation facilities, offices and storage areas and high-quality landscaping that surround the buildings.

 

8402076919_2b90d730c8Wayne Gretzky Estates Wines have been produced in the Niagara region for over 10 years, the last six of those years under the direction of Andrew Peller, and prior to that, at Creekside. Under the direction of the same winemaker (McDonald) throughout this period, the wines have garnered international awards and have become among the top selling wines in Canada.

The design celebrates rural Niagara with a barn-like exaggerated structure with immense glass walls to allow for uninterrupted views between the interior spaces and the landscape beyond. Large views are seen as an important feature for the appreciation and engagement with the vineyards and connection to the winemaking and distillation process. The building’s materials also play homage to the surrounding agriculture lands using light metal roof, stained wood siding and a mixture of concrete/stone interventions. The winery is two storeys in height, as is the craft distillery, with a covered walkway connecting the two buildings.

The first ever Wayne Gretzky No. 99 ‘Red Cask’ Canadian Whisky was just released Tuesday.

Made with locally-sourced grains that are individually distilled, matured and blended, then finished with premium red wine casks from the Wayne Gretzky winery, Wayne Gretzky No. 99 ‘Red Cask’ Canadian Whisky is made the Canadian way for a smooth, elegant and rich whisky, according to a news release.

“I have always enjoyed a good whisky and was thrilled to work with Master Distiller Joshua Beach to create a new fabulous Canadian whisky,” said Wayne Gretzky. “What’s truly exciting is we are using oak wine barrels from our red wines to finish the whisky for a really smooth and refined taste.”

According to Master Distiller Beach, this process polishes the whisky, adding rich oak, vanilla and spice, and balancing all of the elements to produce a refined and smooth, very drinkable whisky.

“What makes us stand out is that each of these barrels has a story and they all bring together this unique and consistent taste profile with aromas of caramel, toasted oak and a hint of allspice for a truly elegant and rich taste,” said Beach. 

In this report we have reviews for a selection of Andrew Peller wines, plus new releases from Chateau des Charmes, Henry of Pelham, Flat Rock Cellars and a section of bubblies from Niagara and B.C.

Peller family wines

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Trius Red 2014 ($24, 90 points) — This is the 25th year for Trius Red, quite an accomplishment. It’s a blend of 55% Cabernet Franc, 25% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s a bold entry on the nose with a range of blackberries, black currants, black cherries, smoky cedar and vanilla wood spices. It’s a well-integrated red with black fruits on the palate to go with an array of spice, licorice, tar and structured tannins all balanced out by racy acidity.

Trius Sauvignon Blanc 2015 ($15, 89 points) — Perky nose of grapefruit, kiwi, pear and sweet herbs. Nice and dry on the palate with gooseberry, tropical fruit, citrus and kiwi flavours with subtle spice and herbs on the finish.

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Trius Showcase Ghost Creek Riesling 2015 ($25, 93 points) — Wow. Winemaker Craig McDonald keeps upping the standard on this benchmark Riesling from the Four-Mile Creek sub-appellation. Such a beautiful nose of lime, mineral, lemon, salinity and sweet apple notes that grow in intensity. It is beautifully balanced between sweet and tart citrus, apple and that ever-present vein of river-rock minerality. All that and gorgeous vitality and freshness through the finish. Much more room to grow if you cellar properly.

Wayne Gretzky Estates Baco Noir 2015 ($16, 89 points) — Personable Baco with notes of plums, savoury spices, currants and black cherries on the nose. It’s rich and ripe cherries, plums and soft tannins through the finish.

Wayne Gretzky Estates Pinot Grigio 2015 ($15, LCBO, 88 points) — A fresh nose of pear, apple and tropical fruits. And it’s clean and crisp on the palate with a bright fruit package and a subtle sweet note on the finish.

cq5dam-web-1280-1280-1Peller Estates Signature Series Sauvignon Blanc 2014 ($30, winery, 92 points) — Spectacular savvy with a nose of lime, pear, kiwi and grapefruit that’s also boasts elegant oak spice notes. It’s crisp yet maintains a semblance of gracefulness with rich layers of pear, citrus, guava and integrated spice notes with just a hint of herbs. Made from grapes with extended hang time, wild fermented and extended lees contact.

Other Niagara wines tasted recently:

Henry of Pelham

chardonnay_estate__nv__webHenry of Pelham Estate Chardonnay 2015 ($20, 90 points) — From the estate’s Short Hills Bench, this Chard is quite lovely with a full, rich nose of poached pear, vanilla and a generous array of spice notes. It is round and mellow on the palate with well-spiced pear and apple on delivered on a silky, smooth delivery.

Henry of Pelham Vidal Icewine 2014 ($25 for 375 mL, 93 points) — Simply gorgeous Icewine with a bold, exotic nose of apricot tart, guava, pineapple, chunky marmalade, toffee and wild honey. It’s thick and luxurious on the palate and shows rich tropical fruits, compoted peach and citrus and dripping in dark honey notes.

Henry of Pelham Estate Riesling 2013 ($18, 91 points) — A smart Riesling that touches all the bases. A nose of lemon oil, emerging petrol, grapefruit and bees wax. It has gorgeous richness and complexity on the palate with river-rock minerality, smoke, citrus and lime zest that will just get better with age. A dandy.

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Henry of Pelham Sibling Rivalry White 2015 ($14, LCBO, 88 points) — A blend of Riesling, Chardonnay and Gewurztraminer with a nose of citrus, lime, peach and green apple. It’s crisp and fresh on the palate with notes of bright apple, lychee, peach and lemon/citrus zest.

Henry of Pelham House Wine Baco/Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 ($14, LCBO, 87 points) — A perky nose of black cherries, currants, raspberry, earth, bramble and spice. It’s robust on the palate with sweet spice notes, ripe fruits and a smooth, soft finish.

Henry of Pelham Cabernet-Merlot 2015 ($15, LCBO, 87 points) — A juicy mix of cherry, cassis, red currants and spice on the nose. That all carries to the palate to go with soft tannins and integrated oak notes.

Flat Rock Cellars

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Flat Rock Cellars Gravity Pinot Noir 2013 ($30, Oct. 15 at Vintages, 92 points) — Designed as a pure expression of the Twenty Mile Bench terroir and made from the “best of the best” of the vineyard and the cellar. Gravity is always consistent and this is no different with a nose of bright red fruits, some dark berry elements, then elegant oak stylings and savoury notes that turn prettier as you let it breathe. It has beautiful texture and flavours on the palate and finely balanced with oak and earthy undertones that all lead to a silky finish.

Flat Rock Cellars Pinot Noir 2014 ($17, Vintages when 2013 runs out, 89 points) — Sourced from seven different blocks on Pinot at the estate with judicious use of oak aging. It has a lovely, fresh nose of red fruits, earth, violets, subtle spice and a floral note. Quite complex on the palate (at this price) with cherry/raspberry fruit, beetroot, earth, cedar and integrated spice.

Flat Rock Cellars Twisted White 2015 ($17, Vintages when 2014 runs out, 89 points) — A blend of Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Chardonnay with an exciting mélange of citrus, orchard fruits and subtle spice notes. It’s off-dry on the palate with rich, bold flavours that caress the palate in an array of fruit and a pinch of spice. Perfect for Asian cuisine or front-porch sipping.

Chateau des Charmes

2015_aligote_egb_2Chateau des Charmes Aligote 2015 ($15, 88 points) — An attractive nose of pear, melon, apple and peach. It’s round on the palate with generous flavours of pear, melon and peach — it’s like summer in a glass with a crisp finish.

Chateau des Charmes Cuvee D’Andree Rose 2015 ($15, 89 points) — The nose shows cherries, strawberries, violets, cassis and cranberry. Nice and dry on the palate with crisp red fruits and some complexity and stuffing and a crisp finish.

A selection of Niagara and B.C. sparklers

cq5dam-web-1280-1280-3Cave Spring Cellars Blanc de Blancs Brut NV, Niagara ($30, 93 points) — Traditionally made sparkler with 30 months on the lees, this is simply gorgeous on the nose with bright apple, ripe pear, toasty-yeasty notes and profound minerality. It is complex and elegant on the palate with a tight bead of bubbles and shows a range of orchard fruits, lemon, toast, roasted almonds and laser-sharp acidity through the finish.

Chateau des Charmes Blanc de Blancs 2012, Niagara ($29, 93 points) — Traditional method Chardonnay that spends 24 months on the lees. The nose shows an inviting range of toast, lemon, crisp apple and fresh baked bread notes. It’s finely balanced on the palate with tight bubbles that pop and crackle in the glass and shows creamy apple and pear, brioche, toast, citrus that all lead to a refreshing, lasting lemony finish.

Jackson-Triggs Entourage Grand Reserve Sparkling Merlot 2013, Niagara ($30, 92 points) — Those who like their sparklers rich, bold and able to pair with red meats, look no further. Pouring a robust head of bubbles, this sparkler has a nose of black cherries, crème de cassis, black currants and rich spice notes. It’s thick and juicy on the palate but still shows some balance between the ripe and earthy red fruits and racy acidity.

Westcott Vineyards Brilliant Sparkling Brut 2013, Niagara ($33, 92 points) — Traditionally made sparkler from a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. It has a gorgeous and complex nose of perky citrus, apple, flinty minerality and toasty biscuit. It shows bright acidity and persistent bubbles on the palate with a range of citrus and apple fruit, brioche and toasted almond through a long, vibrant finish.

Jackson-Triggs Entourage Grand Reserve Brut 2012, Niagara ($25, 91 points) — This Pinot/Chard blend spends 24 months on the lees. It shows an elegant combination of biscuit, citrus, apple, vanilla toast and brioche on the nose. It’s lively and perky on the palate with bright citrus, green apple and added toast and vanilla on a refreshing finish.

Jackson-Triggs Entourage Grand Reserve Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc, Niagara ($30, 89 points) — Traditionally made Sauvignon Blanc that spends 12 months on the lees. The nose shows lovely herbaceous notes of melon, citrus, fresh hay, grass and citrus with biscuity undertones. It’s bright and lively on the palate with a vigorous mousse to go with citrus and herbs through a sparkly finish.

Konzelmann Methode Cuve Close Rose, Niagara ($16, 89 points) — Lovely, friendly sparkling rose with a nose of strawberry, cherry, violets and subtle cassis notes. It’s tart and lively on the palate with bright red fruits that soften through the finish.

Konzelmann Methode Cuve Close Riesling, Niagara ($16, 88 points) — A spritzy entry with a nose of expressive lime, grapefruit, apple and mineral notes. It has a firm acidic backbone, mellowing bubbles, citrus and floral notes on a refreshing finish.

Sumac Ridge Steller’s Jay Sparkling Shiraz Methode Classique NV, Okanagan Valley ($26, 88 points) — A fun, bold sparkler that shows modest effervescence in the glass with a range of forward fruits including cassis, blueberry, black cherry and blackberry with added spice notes on the nose. It’s rich and complex on the palate with some tannic structure to go with layers of dark fruit and spice.

Sumac Ridge Steller’s Jay Sparkling Gewurztraminer NV, Okanagan Valley ($22, 88 points) — Lively mousse with an attractive nose of citrus, pineapple, lychee, guava and fresh apple. It’s perky and refreshing on the palate with a range of lemon, lime and tropical notes.

And … one from Argentina

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Norton Barrel Select Sauvignon Blanc 2015 ($13, LCBO, 87 points) — A little gimmicky, but it does work. The bottle comes with a cold sensor “Polar” sticker on the label that turns blue with it has reached its ideal temperature in the fridge. Not sure it’s necessary, but what the hell, it’s a talking point. The wine itself is fresh and fruity on the nose with notes of apple, citrus and a hint of spice. It’s vibrant on the palate with freshness and verve to go with apple, lemon, lime and a touch of guava.