Essex Wine Review

Muscedere Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Gary Killops — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 02:35:53 +0000

Winemaker’s Notes:
Our 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits ripe berry notes in a fruit forward style. This full-bodied red wine was aged fifteen months in French oak barrels.

An excellent pairing for steak, venison, strong cheeses and dark chocolate.

Hand-harvested: October 21th, 2009
Total production: 100 cases

VQA Lake Erie North Shore
13.5% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $30

Rate and review Muscedere Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Pelee Island Cabernet Franc 2010

Gary Killops — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 01:34:10 +0000

LCBO# 433714

Tasting Note:
This supple yet lively red wine boasts an intriguing mix of currant and blueberry with hints of cedar. These flavours are enhanced by tannins that remain throughout the finish.

These are picked early in the day in mid-October when they have reached 20.2 brix, and arrive at the winery within hours of picking. The grapes are destemmed, crushed and fed into a rotor fermenting tank. Maturation temperature for this wine is controlled at 26 degrees Celsius. The key to the intense flavours and spicy aromas are the mature grapes and modern technology.

This modern piece of technology allows for strict temperature control during fermentation: its gentle agitation of the wine extracts more colour and tannin from the skins, and the partial pressure this vessel is under during the time of fermentation allows higher concentration of fruit flavours to remain in the wine. Finally, this wine undergoes malolactic fermentation in the barrel room, which stabilizes its red colour and enhances its firm tannic finish.

This Cabernet Franc is best served with pasta or red sauce, barbecued foods, roast beef or lamb.

GRAPE: 85% Cabernet Franc, 15% Gamay Noir
RESIDUAL SUGAR: 3.7 g/L
SUGAR CODE: (0)

VQA Ontario
13% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $11.45

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Aleksander Chardonnay 2010

Gary Killops — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 23:12:36 +0000

Winemaker’s Notes:
The unoaked Chardonnay is full-bodied and dry combining red apple, rose water and honey notes with a soft finish.

*ALL CANADIAN WINE CHAMPIONSHIPS 2011 – BRONZE MEDAL WINNER FOR 2010 VINTAGE*

Food Pairings:
Sure to be a great match with pasta in a cream sauce, grilled salmon or crusty bread and cheese.

VQA Ontario
12.8% alc./vol.

Price: 750mL $15.15

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Smith & Wilson Ridge Rock Rose 2009

Gary Killops — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 23:12:16 +0000

Winemaker’s Notes:
A Rose made in the traditional manner – red Chambourcin grapes rested on their skins for a short time after hand-picking, then pressed and fermented off the skins. Just slightly sweet, Ridge Rock is a brilliant cranberry colour and carried just a suggestion of cranberries and almonds on the palate.

Pleasant Pairings:
Poultry and pork dishes are enhanced by our rose, and it makes for a lovely lunch partner. Also a nice accompaniment to paté and French bread in the picnic basket.

VQA Ontario
10.9% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $12

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Smith & Wilson Three Belles 2009

Gary Killops — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 16:00:52 +0000

Winemaker’s Notes:
A light fruit wine with intense cherry flavour, Three Belles is perfect chilled as an after dinner wine. Add crushed ice, fresh mint, and sparkling water for a summer spritzer.

Pleasant Pairings:
Very nice with a fruit platter of a bit of chocolate, or chocolate mousse desserts.

Fruit Wine – Montmorency Cherry
9.6% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $12

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Viewpointe Cabernet Franc 2007

Gary Killops — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 02:18:09 +0000

Winemaker’s Notes:
Essex region Cabernet Franc

Aroma: Refined, elegant mocha
Palate: Follows the nose, intense dark cherry fruit & a long lasting finish.

Warmer than average summer & fall with an average rainfall which produced fuller bodied wines. A reserve quality year. 2007 vintage has excellent prospects to produce high quality wine. With the long warm season, wines made from grapes that benefit from longer ripening times should show particularly well.

VQA Lake Erie North Shore
13% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $18.95

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Muscedere Vineyards Pinot Noir 2009

Gary Killops — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 21:30:52 +0000

Winemaker’s Notes:
Coming off a tough winter, the resulting low yield produced an excellent example of an elegant light-bodied Pinot Noir with a soft silky textureand a smooth finish. Pairs well with turkey, grilled pork, and seafod dishes.

Hand-harvested: September 20th, 2009
Total production: 50 cases

VQA Lake Erie North Shore

13.3% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $25

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Pelee Island Lighthouse Cabernet Franc 2010

Gary Killops — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 04:21:12 +0000

A rustic wine with character. Some would also call it a bistro, elbows on the table wine.
LCBO# 145441

Tasting Note:
You will find very ripe, plumy-sweet flavours and richness in this wine.

GRAPES: 86% Cabernet Franc, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon

Serving Suggestion:
Great with stews, red meat or tomato-based dishes.

VQA Ontario
13% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $11.95

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Aleksander Bella Blanc (Non Vintage)

Gary Killops — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 23:18:21 +0000

Winemaker’s Notes:
This blend of Riesling, Vidal and Chardonnay is a crisp and refreshing off-dry wine. With aromas of lemon, red apple and honey dew melon. Complimented by citrus fruit flavours.

NON VQA
12.5% alc./vol.

Price: 1L $16

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CREW Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

Gary Killops — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 01:51:56 +0000

Colchester Ridge Estate Winery (CREW)

Winemaker’s Notes:
None available

VQA Lake Erie North Shore
14.9% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL – $18.00

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