Hillebrand Trius Riesling Dry 2006

May 23rd, 2008 Chuck Posted in Canada, Riesling No Comments »

This gently pressed, cool fermented (14°C) juice was aged in stainless steel tanks to produce a very crisp, citrus and minerally riesling.
This vintage finishes crisp, tart and steely. At the time of writing, the 2007 vintage is available. It will be interesting to see how a warmer growing season will affect the end result.
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste green apple, citrus (lime), mineral
Smell mineral, lemon, floral
Food light fish dishes
Sweetness dry
Price $13.95
LCBO# 303792
Score 3




Hillebrand Trius Red 2004

May 17th, 2008 Chuck Posted in Canada, Red Blend No Comments »

The wine makers at Hillebrand have combined Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc to create a blend known around the world as a Bordeaux style blend.
The Red has definite oak notes and firm tannins (specifically oak tannins). Although not a fruity wine, the herbaceous notes of the Cabernet Franc still shine through.
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste red berry, spice, oak
Smell black currant, oak, herbaceous
Food bbq steak, grilled red meat
Sweetness extra dry
Price $19.95
LCBO# 303800
Score 3




Peller Estates Heritage Series Baco Noir 2006

May 12th, 2008 Chuck Posted in Baco Noir, Canada No Comments »

Here’s a sub ten dollar VQA that I was going to mark as being off-dry but then changed it to medium-sweet just because the sugars and tartness kept lingering on in the finish.
If you’re a fan of Niagara’s baco and have found one you like, buy a few bottles because in my tastings I have yet to find two vintages that even remotely resemble each other. Nevertheless, it keeps you on your toes!
Tip: if you want to drive the ‘wine guy or girl’ at the party nuts, have them blind taste a baco noir :)
At a Glance
Taste currant, sweet raisin anise
Smell cherry, sweet oak, plum
Food grilled vegetables
Sweetness medium sweet
Price $9.95
LCBO# 582841
Score 2




Stonechurch Riesling VQA 2006

May 2nd, 2008 Sean Posted in Canada, Riesling No Comments »

Having been at one time a major Ontario wine collector I hate to admit that Ontario Rieslings have been struggling the last few years. During the Toronto Wine & Cheese Show we got to sample this pleasant and refreshing Riesling which was a bit of a surprise.
The first thing I asked the wine maker representative before tasting the wine was “What with the bottle?”. She didn’t look put off for one moment, she even seemed to anticipate the question. The bottle has a squared off shoulder instead of the usual sleek shape. My immediately fear was someone was pushing crappy wine in a fancy bottle hoping your eyes are doing the buying and not your other senses. That IS NOT the case at all! Thank you for reminding me that Ontario DOES make good Riesling!
Tip: Don’t let the sugar code fool you, it is well balanced.
At a Glance
Taste orange blossom, citrus, melon
Smell green apple, honey, peach
Food couscous salad
Sweetness off dry
Price $12.85
LCBO# 65714
Score 3.5
Stonechurch Vineyards




Rosehall Run Chardonnay 2006

April 22nd, 2008 Chuck Posted in Canada, Chardonnay No Comments »

Rosehall made a juice run from Prince Edward County to Niagara to source half of it’s juice for this nicely straw colored, dry, acidic chardonnay.
Tip: balloon glass
At a Glance
Taste ripe apple, pear
Smell toasted oak, butterscotch
Food grilled tuna
Sweetness dry
Price $11.75
LCBO#
Score 2.5




Hillebrand Trius Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

April 17th, 2008 Chuck Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, Canada No Comments »

The Trius cabernet sauvignon is a delicious medium-full bodied, slightly off-dry red that is a great value. Many times we think to ourselves when trying a slightly less expensive wine: “for a couple extra dollars I could have gotten something much better”. This is one of those better wines for an extra tooney.
Winemaker’s Notes:
“Traditional skin contact, subtle French oak integration and full malolactic fermentation produced a wine with a fruit-forward style.”

 

What all means is that the wine is well balanced. You won’t find it too oaky, too tannic or too dry.
Tip: the elegant bottle design makes it a great hostess gift
At a Glance
Taste dried fruit, dark red fruit, spice
Smell blackberry, oak
Food roast beef, aged cheddar
Sweetness off dry
Price $14.95
LCBO# 587956
Score 3.5




Hillebrand Trius Unoaked Chardonnay 2006

April 10th, 2008 Chuck Posted in Canada, Chardonnay No Comments »

Having been aged in stainless steel tanks rather than oak barrels gives this chard a crisp, clean, citrus edge that you won’t find in the oaked version
So what’s the hype about ‘un-oaked’ chardonnay? Well the difference is only in where the wine aged, but the result is leaps and bounds, especially in North America. Chardonnay (especially in North America) has a bad reputation for being over oaked, producing a strong vanilla flavour and a heavy mouth-feel. This style is obviously to many people’s likings but to others it’s just overkill. Choosing stainless steel vats over oak barrels for chardonnay could trick you into thinking your enjoying a crisp Riesling if your not careful :)
Tip: balloon glass
At a Glance
Taste citrus, apricot
Smell apple, melon
Food tilapia
Sweetness off dry
Price $13.95
LCBO#
Score 2.5




Hernder Estates Fumé Blanc 2006

April 9th, 2008 Chuck Posted in Canada, Sauvignon Blanc No Comments »

Little did I know that fumé Blanc is an accepted synonym for Sauvignon Blanc. This vintage could have fooled me because it tastes and smells nothing like a typical blanc, which may be good or bad depending on where your tastes lie.
For those who don’t (or can’t) drink red and need a toasty, smoky white to pair with a big dish, you could give this a try.
Tip: try this if you are a big fan of oaky whites
At a Glance
Taste melon, chalk
Smell smoky, lemon
Food grilled shrimp
Sweetness off dry
Price $13.95
LCBO#
Score 1.5




Château des Charmes Gamay Noir 2006

March 25th, 2008 Chuck Posted in Canada, Gamay Noir No Comments »

I’m betting the extra 5 dollars to get out of Chateau des Charmes’ entry level gamay would have paid off.
Gamay is a light red to begin with, but I would have liked to taste some more prominent flavors in this vintage.
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste cherry, raspberry
Smell raspberry, cherry, berries
Food grilled chicken
Sweetness dry
Price $12.45
LCBO# 57349
Score 2




Henry of Pelham Baco Noir 2005

March 19th, 2008 Chuck Posted in Baco Noir, Canada 1 Comment »

Baco Noir is something every wine explorer should try. This intensely dark purple red isn’t comparable to anything else, especially when it’s characteristics did not line up at all with the last baco noir I reviewed from Pelee Island, therefore, if you find a winery who makes baco to your tastes, buy a few bottles.
This particular baco is medium bodied, acidic, lightly oaked and off-dry.
Tip: tulip glass after 2 years of bottle aging
At a Glance
Taste sour cherry, plum
Smell plum, smokey, sweet
Food cheddar cheese
Sweetness off dry
Price $13.65
LCBO# 270926
Score 2.5




Peller Estates Heritage Series Cabernet Franc 2005

March 13th, 2008 Chuck Posted in Cabernet Franc, Canada No Comments »

The noble cab franc is not always a great match for the beginning connoisseur’s palate. This wine like many others has it extremes and unfortunately this wasn’t on the end on the extreme one thrives to be on.
Most aromas and flavours weren’t very pronounced (possibly due to over blending and importing juice). All in all, it’s a fairly inexpensive dry red, however I do like my francs a little more fruit forward.
At a Glance
Taste smokey red and blackberry
Smell currant, spice
Food roast beef
Sweetness dry
Price $11.50
LCBO#  
Score 1.5




Chateau des Charmes Aligoté 2006

March 3rd, 2008 Chuck Posted in Aligoté, Canada No Comments »

This estate bottled aligoté is a French inspired, dry white wine with a medium body. It has a crisp fresh apple and floral taste with a similar bouquet. Very nice when served as an apertif due to it’s acidity and crispiness.
Tip: serve fridge chilled, also good on it’s own
At a Glance
Taste green apple, floral, citrus
Smell citrus, green apple
Food fish with lemon
Sweetness dry
Price $13.45
LCBO# 284950
Score 2.5




Hillebrand Collectors’ Choice Cabernet Merlot 2004

March 2nd, 2008 Chuck Posted in Canada, Red Blend No Comments »

With this meritage of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes, Hillebrand has created an easy going, medium bodied and very very smooth red blend. Coming from some of Niagara’s warmest vineyards and aged in oak barrels for a year, this vintage is very compatible with a wide array of food.
 
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste strawberry, cherry, very mild oak
Smell strawberry, roasted red bell pepper, cherry
Food italian
Price $16.45
LCBO#  
Score 3




Hillebrand Trius White 2006

February 27th, 2008 Chuck Posted in Canada, White Blend No Comments »

My table full of guests found this well rounded white to be amazing. Even more amazing is that the 2006 is the first release of this wine and received critical acclaim.
Trius White is a careful blend of Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Riesling and unoaked Chardonnay, which offers bold fruit flavours that settle into a dry, clean, refreshing finish.
Trius proves to be a very dependable product line from Hillebrand. More reviews to follow. Many more… :)
Tip: lightly chilled in a tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste fruity, apricot, floral blossoms
Smell grapefruit, orange peel, floral
Food seafood, pasta with cream sauce
Sweetness off dry
Price $18.80
LCBO# 54957
Score 4




Sawmill Creek Sauvignon Blanc

February 27th, 2008 Chuck Posted in Canada, Sauvignon Blanc No Comments »

Here’s a nice medium-bodied white wine with a sticker price you can’t beat.
It exhibits a dry crisp citrus flavour with hints of green apple and oak.
I did notice that this wine is non-vintage, meaning that the juice is a blend of wine from more than one year. Should I care? well, for this class of white wine, nah.
This wine was also my first go at a Tetra-Pak® and I have to say, if I’m traveling with wine it can’t be beat, however I would never bring it to the table. And for me, yes, it does lose the romance factor of uncorking a bottle.
Tip: serve well chilled
At a Glance
Taste citrus, green apple, light oak
Smell citrus, light oak
Food shrimp
Sweetness dry
Price $9.95
LCBO#
Score 2




Inniskillin Late Harvest Riesling 2006

February 23rd, 2008 Chuck Posted in Canada, Riesling 1 Comment »

Is this late harvest Riesling Fashionably Late? Lets see, late harvest usually means it’s going to be a bit sweeter so it gets a check mark there. It has a classic honey finish that we like (check mark there) and it has a nice bright straw colour with hints of floral and fruity notes on the finish. So yes, wine too, can be Fashionably Late.
Tip: chill a bottle of this for white drinkers who prefer a sweeter wine
At a Glance
Taste apple, pear, honey
Smell apple, ripe juicy citrus
Food midly spiced courses, fruit flan
Sweetness sweet
Price $12.25
LCBO# 219543
Score 2.5




Pelee Island Baco Noir 2006

February 22nd, 2008 Chuck Posted in Baco Noir, Canada No Comments »

Picture yourself at a gathering huddled around the bar, uncorking a bottle and someone feels the need to review a wine aloud and says “I can taste earth and smell forest”. You think to yourself, what the heck..I’m just having some wine here! This bold baco noir will make you a believer and will make you say “oh yea, I can really taste and smell what that guy is talking about”. It’s medium body with a nice finish make this wine a good one to have on hand.
Tip: try this baco noir over merlot on your next pizza night
At a Glance
Taste raspberry, blackcurrant
Smell earthy, wet forest
Food pizza
Price $10.95
Sweetness dry
LCBO# 485128
Score 3




Jackson-Triggs Proprietors’ Selection Pinot Noir

February 22nd, 2008 Chuck Posted in Canada, Pinot Noir No Comments »

Crafting a good pinot noir is not an easy task, it’s even more difficult to pull off for under 13 dollars. If you are an old hand at pinot noir, you know they have their ups and downs, if you are new to pinot noir, don’t let this one shy you away from trying other vintages.
Tip: let this pinot open up in the glass for 5 minutes before serving and enjoy it with food.
At a Glance
Taste raisin, black tea, black cherry
Smell cherry, jam, strawberry
Food soft cheeses, chicken
Sweetness off dry
Price $12.50
LCBO# 549105
Score 1.5




Naked Grape Chardonnay

February 21st, 2008 Chuck Posted in Canada, Chardonnay 12 Comments »

Why on earth would you call your wine Naked Grape? well, it’s not just marketing hype, it’s also because this winery chooses to go against the grain [haha, insert golf clap here] and not use oak barrels to age their wine. This gives a wine a lighter, crisper and a more fruit-forward stance without the possibility of drowning it in oak or vanilla flavours.
In general we can say this is a fun outdoor summer sipping wine with it’s tart tropical fruit finish.
Tip: Enjoy this wine straight from the fridge as it will lose it’s crispiness as it warms up.
At a Glance
Taste pear, green apple, citrus
Smell pineapple, citrus
Food shellfish
Sweetness off dry
Price $10.25
LCBO# 665232
Score 2.5
naked_grape_chard.jpg




Hillebrand Collectors Choice Chadonnay 2006

January 15th, 2008 Archive Posted in Canada, Chardonnay No Comments »

From the winemaker www.hillebrand.com
Straw yellow colour with a fruit-forward bouquet of pineapple, ripe apple, pear, star fruit and just a touch of oak. A light to medium-bodied wine with flavours of ripe tree fruit and spice. The spicy finish is complemented by lime and green apple freshness.
Enjoy with creamy lemon risotto, crab cakes, poached salmon, panfried halibut. Wonderful with lighter cream sauces on seafood pasta dishes. Enjoy now to allow the fruit to shine or cellar for 2 to 3 years for added complexity.
$ 15.95
This wine has not been reviewed by nosnob.com
Feel free to Rate It if you’ve had the chance to taste this wine




Hillebrand Artist Series Gamay Noir 2006

January 15th, 2008 Archive Posted in Canada, Gamay Noir No Comments »

From the winemaker www.hillebrand.com
Deep cherry red colour with aromas of strawberry and black cherry with just a touch of earth and black pepper.
Raspberry, black cherry and strawberry flavours fill the mouth followed by juicy blackberries and cherries which linger through on the finish of this wine.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:
Serve slightly cool at 14 to 16°C. Serve with gourmet pizza
$ 11.45
This wine has not been reviewed by nosnob.com
Feel free to Rate It if you’ve had the chance to taste this wine




Hillebrand Artist Series Muscat 2006

January 15th, 2008 Archive Posted in Canada, Muscat No Comments »

From the winemaker www.hillebrand.com
Lemon yellow colour with perfumed aromas of floral, pear and tangerine. Light-bodied white wine with slightly sweet, juicy flavours of pear, pineapple, orange and green apple.
Serve with lightly spiced Asian cuisine; honey glazed ham and sweet potatoes; curried chicken; grilled chicken with fruit chutneys; and fresh spring rolls
$ 11.95
This wine has not been reviewed by nosnob.com
Feel free to Rate It if you’ve had the chance to taste this wine




Hillebrand Artist Series Seyval Blanc 2006

January 15th, 2008 Archive Posted in Canada, Seyval Blanc No Comments »

From the winemaker www.hillebrand.com
Hillebrand Seyval Blanc evolves from fully mature Seyval Blanc grapes. Its delicate fragrance and clean, dry finish complement many meals, especially those with fish or poultry.
$ 9.25
This wine has not been reviewed by nosnob.com
Feel free to Rate It if you’ve had the chance to taste this wine




20 Bees Cabernet Merlot 2005

January 13th, 2008 Archive Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, Canada No Comments »

From the winemaker www.20bees.com
This is a crimson-coloured wine, which is a good colour for red wine to be, and has great aromas of black cherry, eucalyptus and pine needles. It’s got a nice fruit-forward finish.
$ 13.05
This wine has not been reviewed by nosnob.com
Feel free to Rate It if you’ve had the chance to taste this wine




20 Bees Baco Noir 2005

January 13th, 2008 Archive Posted in Baco Noir, Canada No Comments »

From the winemaker www.20bees.com
This dark, ruby-red wine shows classic Baco aromas of plum, raisin and slight tones of cedar. A great wine with dark fruit flavours.
$ 13.05
This wine has not been reviewed by nosnob.com
Feel free to Rate It if you’ve had the chance to taste this wine




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