CATASTROPHE SERIES RED 2011
‘Last week was the Canadian International Auto Show, attended by many people who are excited to see what has changed with their favorite models of car or to see what new vehicles are ready to hit the road by their favorite manufacturer. I, on the other hand, keep busy looking for new wines offered in the LCBO, but also for when my favorite wines change their look. It has been an interesting couple of years for the wine industry in Ontario rolling out new labels. You will notice subtle changes from the likes of Henry of Pelham and Trius. You will also see some much more dramatic changes from wineries like Cattail Creek and Coyote’s Run. It is difficult to stand out on the shelves at the LCBO especially as the demand for Ontario Wine continues to grow so it is imporant (just like with your favorite model of car) that you don’t look dated and tired. As much as I am a sucker for a flashy label the bottom line is that the wine in the bottle still has to be good.
Cattail Creek Catastrophe Red 2011 – LCBO 260356 – $13.95 – This is my favorite new label! But enough about that packaging the wine is fantastic! Medium Bodied with a lot of black pepper notes coming from this mainly Gamay blend. Cherry and Raspberry (but mainly cherry) dominate the flavours in this bottle. Very easy drinking that can easily be paired with your tomato sauces (Pizza OR Pasta!)’
‘RESERVE’ CABERNET MERLOT 2007
‘From an outstanding red wine vintage, this blend – 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc – delivers rich, complex aromas of cherry, menthol and toasty notes. It’s mid weight with a smooth, silky good mouth feel is chockfull of tangy, racy, red cherry and red currant interwoven with cassis and oodles of spice. The aftertaste is dry with good structure, balance and complexity; what’s not to like?’ Rating: ****’
ESTATE SERIES CHARDONNAY MUSQUÉ 2011
‘Holy Musque Batman, have I got the perfect summer wine for you. The nose doles out aromas of floral, pineapple, delicious apple, exotic fruit … it just seems to keep on giving – and it’s very pretty. The palate also delivers the nuances you want in a summer sipper: exotic fruit, a touch of spice, a little floral with an elegantly sweet finish that almost dares you not to take another sip. It’s a simple, sexy, slightly sweet (2) patio pleaser … for drinking right now – and don’t let the sugar code of two scare you off … this one has great balance and sip-all-day-edness. Price: $17.95 – Rating: ****+’
SELECT LATE HARVEST MERLOT 2008
‘A pretty salmon pink, this fine dessert wine brings to mind summer, with aromas of strawberry rhubarb compote, fresh strawberries and ripe orchard fruit. There flavours replay on the honeyed palate, measured acidity offering a tangy note through the lengthy, honeyed, yet fresh finish.’
‘ESTATE’ SAUVIGNON BLANC 2009
‘This is a very crisp and clean wine out of Niagara that softens the aggressive character of the grape. While it’s dry, there’s a note of fruity sweetness. Look for flavours of melon, pink grapefruit, lime peel, tangerines and an underlying mineral tang.’
‘ESTATE’ SAUVIGNON BLANC 2009
‘An offbeat sauvignon blanc, this is sweet enough almost to qualify as off-dry, yet there’s good Sour Patch Kids-candy tartness to give it a virtually fizzy quality. Try it with aromatic dishes, such as lightly spicy Thai chicken curry.’
‘ESTATE’ SAUVIGNON BLANC 2009
‘Clean yellow green, the aromas of pea pod, lemongrass and subtle tropical fruit entice. Dry, light-medium bodied, the palate is fresh and lively, the acidity is clean and crisp, the flavours of tangy citrus and green apple adding verve through the finish. Enjoy with lemon-herbed roast chicken. Rating: ****’
‘ESTATE’ SAUVIGNON BLANC 2009
‘Very light yellow colour. Somewhat spicy, slightly honeyed, ripe apple-lemon nose. Dry, medium-light bodied, slightly spicy, tangy, ripe lemon-melon-apple flavours with a crisp, unoaked finish. Screwcap closure.’
‘RESERVE’ CABERNET MERLOT 2007
‘Motivate yourself mid-week by drinking an example of local excellence. This ripe, heady, sensual red from Niagara producer Cattail Creek shows us that despit our unreliable, fringe circumstances, we are capable of producing a red that sure is to turn heads. A Bordeaux blend that is likely to surprise your partner in a blind tasting. 90 points.’
