Taste it Again / Lost & Found

Taste it Again : Talking Old Vineland

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Category: Lost & Found / Taste it Again

(October 3, 2018) ... Sitting across from my podcast co-host Andre Proulx we opened these old bottles of Vineland and let the verbiage come out ... I think we were both surprised at how good these two wines still were and the value they bring to the table, as both wines at time of purchase were under $25 ...

Vineland 2005 Cabernet Franc ... From a hot / good vintage and a winemaker that loves Franc, so you must have a little faith it's going to hold up, even 13 years later: licorice, earthy, tobacco, there's even some unexpected notes of coffee and sweet dried cherry.

Vineland 2005 Elevation Cabernet-Merlot ... A red blend of the big three reds, and again 13 years later it's still juicy with blackberry and black cherry, smoky, mocha, and good acidity ... As the wine sat open there were even hints of blue fruit that popped in and out.

Usually I pick a winner but this one is too close to call - maybe I'd go with the straight up Franc which was a mere $12.95 back in 2006 when I bought the wine and has no business being that good at that age for that price.

See original reviews here:
2005 Cabernet Franc
2005 Elevation Cabernet-Merlot

Taste it Again : CREW Aged

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Category: Lost & Found / Taste it Again

(August 21, 2018) ... Time to look at some aged Ontario wines from a single producer: Colchester Ridge Estate Winery from the Lake Erie North Shore area.

2007 Cabernet Franc ... The Franc was somewhat of a let down, it's thin with dried cherry, some raspberry,  and a little peppery goodness; but it's the acidity that takes over a bit and then there is this sour component that ends up taking over the wine maybe a little more than it should. This is not a wine I would want to come back to.

2010 Meritage ... This red blend on the other hand seems to over-deliver, and I somehow remember winemaker / owner Bernie Gorski saying it might just be the best wine he has ever made, and I don't think he's far off with that assessment: smoked blackberry, dried cassis, and dusty black fruit throughout; the finish has a smoky linger and the acidity is still there to clean it all up with tannins that are still in existence and persistent, but don't get in the way.

Another easy win for one wine over another, here it's the Meritage by a good four lengths.

see original reviews: 

2007 Franc - none  /  2010 Meritage - right here