From the Cellar

Just because I started a website called OntarioWineReview.com doesn't mean it's All-Ontario-All-the-Time. When I kick back at night my mood (and sometimes my curiosity) decides my wine of choice. And the title should read, "Uncorked and Un-Screwed Tonight" ... but that just sounds wrong.

Night 2: All Canadian Wine Championships 2015

19 Sep 2015

(May 13, 2015) ... Tonight at the All Canadian Wine Championships was bring your bottles to the restaurant night and I pull out some old Ontario to see where they were. My first experimental wine was an hommage to our former judging region, Lake Erie North Shore ... D'Angelo 2002 Reserve Pinot Noir - what a nightmare of a wine. I remember talking to sal years ago when this wine was released and he said he had built it to age and win competitions, well it has done neither. And I don't care how much flak I get for saying this, the plastic cork has turned this wine and turned it into something hard to drink, dirty and harsh; there was not a dry eye in the house over this wine, especially who remember trying it in its youth.

Next, a bottle of base model Henry of Pelham 2007 Pinot Noir ... This was a real surprise and Eye-opener for those tasters not from Ontario and not exposed to Henry on a regular basis. Aromas proved inviting witb earthy, black cherry, cassis, and hints of pepper; the palate was a more settled down affair with sour cherry, slight cranberry, and white pepper ... Still really pleasant, its drink now cause I can't see this getting any better.

Other wines brought by other people ...

I believe the bottle of Quails' Gate 2013 Pinot Noir, Stewart Family Reserve was a left over from the morning tasting and it was a real gem. Lovely red fruits, hints of violets and white pepper, this is the kind of Pinot you could Lionel Richie - all night long.

My buddy Marty, who knows I'm a Zin-nut brought a bottle of St Francis 2007 'Old Vines' Zinfandel, it did not go with any of the mains this evening but it was still a lovely wine with plum, spice, black cherry, and peppery goodness - this one went fast, so I'm sad to say I only had the half glass.

Night 1: All Canadian Wine Championships 2015

19 Sep 2015

(May 12, 2015) ... Night one of the All Canadian Wine Championships and after a day of Canada I like to open a few things from "away" ... Tonight it was a Juan Gil 2006 Monastrell from the Jumilla region of Spain. Last time I opened an older bottle of this I was aghast to see a plastic cork, this time there was no such surprise. The nose was full of dried cranberry, oak, and cedar; sure seemed quite old aroma-wise. Palate still retained good acidity and much more fruit and spice than the nose let on - sure it's mainly dried fruit but it was still quite lovely to drink.

The next bottle was of Argentinean origin, Chakana 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon ... It was under a black plastic cork and this scared me a bit, but one must soldier on ... The nose was incredibly muted, as in there was no smell to speak of, but the palate proved to be surprisingly robust of red and dark fruit and nicely balance ... The wine died fairly quickly but was drinkable for a little while anyway.

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