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.

Castle Rock 2015 Petite Sirah (California)

23 Feb 2023

 

(March 6, 2022) ... Not as old as I usually do in this column, but I thought this might be something interesting. It's from Paso Robles and a Petite Sirah, something not often seen on its own. The nose is very dark berry and dusty withCastle Rock blueberry, cassis, coffee beans and all-spice. The taste is spiced-plum, blueberry, black cherry, and black pepper, with good acidity, rich mocha and dusty tannins with a hint of smoke on the finish.

 

Joseph Phelps 2003 Insignia (California)

23 Feb 2023

(February 28, 2022) ... This one starts off a little leathery, but there is also a definite fruity nature that is underlying within that leatheriness. Plenty of dark fruit almost jammy as it opens, and that palate is silky smooth with just a hint of tannin. The blend is 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot and Malbec and Merlot take 3% each. 2003 Insignia

After only a half hour or so it shows lots of delicious dark fruits: cassis, black cherry and even a smoky note that starts to emerge. Thankfully, I decided not to decant, as CellarTracker folks said I should; by decanting I would have stripped everything interesting and appealing away from this wine. Drink from bottle within the secondary vessel, if you insist on decanting only decant a little bit to see the difference.

 

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