From the Cellar

Three Worth Talking About (Ontario / British Columbia / New Zealand)

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Category: Uncorked Tonight

(August 12, 2015) ... We had some friends over for a little smorg on the deck, and while there were plenty of wines served only three were worth talking about, starting with a 2002 Marynissen Cabernet Merlot. Seeing that I had a former winemaking from the property over, it seem only right to go back into the vault for some old-time-Mary. Nose of dried licorice and cassis followed on the palate by earthy, cassis, dried cherry and mocha spice - not fresh but definitely interesting and still very much alive ... I'll have to check whether I have more and bring the last of if out for Christmas.

My guests are also big BC fans (not the era, the province) and so I pulled out a 10 year old Mission Hill Quatrain (2005) ... Another old Canadian winner of a wine: aromas are smoky, cassis, and licorice with a palate of dark fruit, black cherry, and smoke - needed a little time to open but when it did, it was dynamite.

Finally, and this might seem out of pouring order for the trained eye, but when the guests ask for it you pull it out (that does sound kinda dirty, but I am only talking about the wine) ... New Zealand Pinot, i did a quick search of the cellar and came out with this Akarua 2011 Rua Pinot Noir, Central Otago - an absolute delight of a wine with fresh red fruits, good acidity, and just the right amount of tannin backing. The comment that most stood out "a wine I could happily drink all night" - love these kinds of wines.

August Celebration (Ontario / California / Chile)

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Category: Uncorked Tonight

(August 9, 2015) ... Because our family has a ton of birthdays and anniversary's in August, we usually all get together for a BBQ mid-month, this one came a little early this year and of course I had to bring a few bottles along to celebrate, let's take a look:

Henry of Pelhem 2010 Estate Cabernet-Merlot ... Hot vintage with some age, nice little starting point - for full review see the original note here.

Then I pulled the cork on a Michael David 2012 Petite Petit, these guys are known for their 7 Deadly Zins and their interesting / playful labels ... This here is an 85% Petite Sirah, 15% Petit Verdot blend loaded with big flavours and aromas:  blueberry, cassis, and plum lead the charge which were quickly followed on the palate by a repeat of what's on the nose plus a little white pepper for good measure.

There's always an older bottle at the table and today's came from Chile: Korta 2007 Syrah - from the nose it came off overly oaky, maybe even corked; palate proved to be interesting with dark berries, smoky, dried berries, oaky, and spice driven ... But soon the oak really took over on the finish, with plenty of tannins and spice, while the fruit all but disappears. It was not a favourite.