Grey Fox Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Style R3
California, USA
Simple enjoyment here. There’s been a bit of a feeding frenzy on the magnum, but you should find lots of the 750s available. The nose presents aromas of plum, blackberry, black currant and traces of spice. A bit light, mildly flavoured and very even, with a firm acidity and soft tannins. Enjoy with simple dishes: burgers, pizza or chili.
Magnum - $14.95 (LCBO 107201)
750 ml - $7.95 (LCBO 527515)
Pillitteri Equifera Chardonnay 2007 - $14.95
Style: W1
Canada: Niagara
Look for subtle aromas of oak, citrus, baked apple, and butter. Quite tasty, with the oak leading off, giving way to mainly apple flavour. Good body and length with a pleasantly tart finish. Try with chicken Kiev, carbonnara sauce or creamy cheese. (LCBO 134155)
Malivoire "Red" 2008 - $14.95
Style: R3
Canada: Niagara
The colour here is an inky black cherry. Lovely vegetal nose, plus oak, dark berries, vanilla and spice. Appears to be dominated by merlot, with plum and dark berry flavours, gentle tannins and a somewhat bitter acidity. Good body and length. Nicely done. Would work well with roasts, hearty cheeses or lamb. (Lab LCBO 141523)
Creekside Pinot Gris 2008 - $13.95
Style: W3
Canada: Niagara
Bright medium straw colour. The nose shows tangy pear, lemon and grapefruit aromas. Quite tangy on the palate with loads of citrus/grapefruit, and hints of mineral and smoke on the close. Very good body and length, this is a scrumptious and elegant package that would please any palate. Serve with mushroom risotto, roast chicken or stir-fry. (LCBO 83196)
Colio Girls' Night Out Merlot VQA 2006 - $12.95
Style: R3
Canada: Lake Erie N. Shore ON (LENS)
This competent member of Colio's "packet of three" shows classic blackberry and dark plum aromas with nuances of wood and wet cement. Quite round and smooth on the palate, with blackberry, cherry and plum flavours, a fine acidity, and soft tannins. This is solid mainstream stuff, and very food friendly. Try with burgers, pasta in red sauce, or BBQ beef. (LCBO/Colio stores 89847)
Big oops on Regional Wine Week. It's this week, not last week. So here we're picking up from where we left off:
Sandbank's "Dunes" Vidal Reserve VQA 2008 - $12.95
Style: W2
Canada: Prince Edward County ON
The nose here is excellent , offering green apple, stone fruits, mineral and a bit of musk. Quite mouth filling, tart, with a crisp acidity, green apple, lemon and peach flavours with a whiff of smoke on the close. Very good body and length. Splendid: ripe and juicy with a huge palate. Good food choices would include soft cheeses, roast chicken or gnocchi. (LCBO 110031)
Chateau des Charmes Gamay Noir 2007 - $12.45
Style: R1
Canada: Niagara ON
Gamay is one of the grapes that excels in Ontario, and I would like to see more examples of this quality. Medium ruby in the glass, it shows lovely red berry aromas with hints of spice and hints of barnyard and bell pepper. The palate is ultra smooth, approaching delicate, but no fly-weight, showing ripe raspberry, a hint of vanilla and soft tannins. This one is dripping with elegance and would be a perfect partner for salmon or mushroom risotto. (LCBO 57349)
Celebrating Regional Wine Week
Strewn Two Vines Gewurztraminer/Riesling 2007 - $11.95
Style: W3
Canada: Niagara
Subtle green apple, rose, pear, apricot, dried pineapple aromas and just a trace of petrol. Very flavourful, barely off-dry, crisp and full with peach and pear, a touch of honey on the back palate and a viscous texture. Very good body with a tart finish. Quite gullpable with a perfect sugar level and a good partner for Thai, Szechwan, or salty cheeses. (LCBO 467662)
Pillitteri Cabernet Merlot VQA 2008 - $12.95
Style: R3
Canada: Niagara
The deep black cherry/garnet colour suggest the richness, which is evident on the nose, with classic cab aromas, slightly vegetal, black currant, plum, prune, strong tea and leather. Soft on the palate, with bright fruitiness, firm acidity and light tannins, supporting black currant, plum and prune flavours. Very good body and length, quite successful for cool climate Cab/|Merlot. Some may find it a bit vegetal. Try with beef stew, chili or lamb. (LCBO 349191)
This is “Regional Wine Week”, an initiative that was started by Dave McIntyre of Wine Line, and a lot of wine writers are getting on board. Here is my first installment 1, a white and a red both from Niagara for your enjoyment. (Note that I may repeat some previous Wines of the Week here: a small matter when it comes to supporting terrific Canadian wines.)
Malivoire "White" 2008 - $14.95
Style: W1
Canada: Niagara
Look for gentle aromas of mineral, tree fruits, and nuances of floral and citrus. The first impression suggests off-dry, but the palate goes dry immediately, with grapefruit, apple and peach flavours. Very good body, with a long and tangy finish. Nicely balanced and a good match for pork. (LCBO 141531)
Angels Gate Gamay Noir VQA 2006 - $12.95
Style: R1
Canada: Niagara
The nose presents rich red berries, spice, oak, and a touch of pepper. Very smooth with soft tannins, ripe red and dark berry flavours and a firm backbone. Light and lively with a terrific nose. Try with tuna steaks or wild mushroom dishes. (LCBO 107714)
