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Ontario
Vintages
Rick's Picks - February
2010
by Rick
VanSickle
We
are witnessing one of the most fascinating
periods in Ontario wine history
with the 2007 red wines that continue
to hit store shelves. The wines
continue to amaze for their ripe
fruity flavours and intensity on
the palate. There has never been
a better vintage for Ontario red
wines, especially from the Niagara
Peninsula.
I
have tasted hundreds of Niagara
wines from this vintage and have
found very few that have not met
expectations. The hot, dry 2007
growing season produced some of
the most wonderful red wines, especially
from the finicky Bordeaux varietals
(cabernet sauvignon, merlot and
cabernet franc), that we have ever
seen in Niagara. Even the '07 whites,
while more voluptuous than wines
made in cooler vintages, are showing
extremely ripe fruits that will
dazzle wine lovers in the near term.
Here
are a few excellent Niagara 2007
reds now on the shelves at the LCBO:
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Wildass
Red 2007
($20,
LCBO)
This
is a standalone red
blend from the super-premium
Stratus winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake
and, for $20, an outstanding
wine. Currants, wild
berries and spice on
the nose followed by
juicy fruits and oak/spice
notes in the mouth.
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Jackson-Triggs
Delaine Vineyard Cabernet-Merlot
2007
($23,
Vintages)
A
really good price for
a single-vineyard red
of this quality. A rich,
concentrated blend that
has it all — raspberry,
blackberry, cherries,
cedar and spice on the
nose. There is a fabulous
array of fruit, spice
and some mint on the
palate. Simply add red
meat and enjoy.
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Mike
Weir Pinot Noir 2007
($22,
LCBO)
A
more traditional style
from Mondavi with citrus,
tropical fruits, and
lemon zest. This is
all about crisp, fresh
and lively fruits and
not overly grassy as
some sauvignon blancs
tend to be.
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Some
other wines worth checking out that
are on shelves now from around the
world:
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Matua
Valley Paretai Marlborough
Sauvignon Blanc 2008
($25,
Vintages)
A
relative newcomer to
Vintages shelves from
New Zealand, this is
one gorgeous and interesting
white. Loaded with aromas
of tropical fruit, grapefruit
and minerals. It's crisp
and juicy in the mouth
with fabulous fruit
and intensity. You can
also try the Matua Hawkes
Bay Sauvignon Blanc
2009 with more lime/grapefruit
notes. It's $16.
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Rasteau
Cotes du Rhone Villages
Rouge Ortas 2008
($15,
LCBO)
This
is the number one selling
Cotes du Rhone in Quebec
and has now made its
way, finally, to the
LCBO. The nose shows
lovely red plum, cherry
and licorice notes to
go with vanilla and
spice. Cherry dominates
in the mouth with a
supporting role from
the savoury spices.
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And
a couple from the bargain shelves:
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Stone
Cellars
($14,
LCBO)
This
winery is run by the
big Napa Valley premium
producer Beringer. Quality
is top notch in all
brands made by Beringer,
including the Stone
Cellar brand that sources
grapes from all over
California. The merlot,
chardonnay and cabernet
sauvignon are on shelves
now and I can highly
recommend all of them
for every day drinking.
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Lindemans
($11,
LCBO)
I've
got a soft spot for
this popular Australian
brand. It's what we
served at our wedding
when the brand first
arrived in Canada. Lindemans,
like Stone Cellars above,
is noted for its consistent
quality and style from
vintage to vintage.
Both the Bin 95 Sauvignon
Blanc 2009 and Bin 85
Pinot Grigio are fabulous
wines for the money.
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