Taste of the County Wines



Essex Wine Review, Wine of the Month, March 2010
Wine of the Month - March 2010
Aleksander Estate Chardonnay 2008

I can't help but think about how busy it must be at local wineries in the month of March as I enjoy this Chardonnay. Prunning is well underway as the wineries wonder what will be in store for the 2010 vintage.

Aleksander Estate Winery has been producing a lovely Chardonnay and this 2008 is no exception. I tasted this wine last May shortly afer it was bottled. It was quite good then and seems to be really improving as it sits in the bottle. Wonderful citrus notes greet the palate. There is a nice balance of acidity and sugar making this a nice quaffer.

Aleksander's 2007 Chardonnay sold out without much notice. If you haven't tried this one yet, get it before it's gone.

CLICK HERE to see reviews of Aleksander Estate Chardonnay 2008



Essex Wine Review







Wine Reviews - Lake Erie North Shore


Sanson Sauvignon Blanc 2006 Review

Tue 30, Jun. 09
3 Reviews
0 Reviews
4.73 overall score

Winemaker’s Notes:
None yet.

VQA Ontario
12% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $15.95

Rate and review Sanson Sauvignon Blanc 2006

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    • 4.7 from 5

Sprucewood Shores Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Review

Sun 28, Jun. 09
1 Reviews
0 Reviews
5 overall score

Winemaker’s Notes:
Barrel ageing in French Oak for 18 months has softened this Cabernet’s tannins to form a complex and enjoyable wine a clean, dry finish. Expect aromas of cherry, black raspberry and currant.

Serve with peppercorn steak or rich decadent chocolate.

VQA Lake Erie North Shore
12.5% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $16.95

Rate and review Sprucewood Shores Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

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Smith & Wilson Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Review

Wed 24, Jun. 09
1 Reviews
0 Reviews
5 overall score

Winemaker’s Notes:
Grassy and subtle. A great summer white

VQA Lake Erie North Shore

12.3% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $13

Rate and review Smith & Wilson Sauvignon Blanc 2008

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Smith & Wilson Vidal 2008 Review

Sun 21, Jun. 09
1 Reviews
0 Reviews
5 overall score

Winemaker’s Notes:
None yet.

Awards:
BRONZE - 2009 Ontario Wine Awards (Blended White Award)
BRONZE - 2009 “All Canadian Wine Championship”

VQA Ontario

11.4% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $12

Rate and review Smith & Wilson Vidal 2008

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Muscedere Vineyards Baco Noir Reserve 2007 Review

Sat 20, Jun. 09
1 Reviews
0 Reviews
5 overall score

Winemaker’s Notes:
Aged 12 months in French oak, this red wine displays a radiant crimson colour with full-bodied mouth feel. The fruit driven intensity on the palette gives way to a smooth well balanced finish.

A wonderful partner with strong cheeses, grilled meats or game.

Awards:
2009 “All Canadian Wine Championship” Bronze medal

Hand-harvested on September 24th, 2007
Total production: 330 cases.

VQA Ontario
Unfiltered
13.3.% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $18

Rate and review Muscedere Vineyards Baco Noir Reserve 2007

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Muscedere Vineyards Rosé 2008 Review

Wed 17, Jun. 09
1 Reviews
0 Reviews
4.8 overall score

Winemaker’s Notes:
Our 2008 Rosé was made by siphoning off juice from the Cabernet Franc must after twelve hours of skin contact and prior to fermentations. The twelve hours of skin contact slightly taints the juice which gives it a pink colour.

Enjoy this wine in the summer sun as a cocktail or with light appetizers and salad.

Hand-harvested on September 18th, 2008
Total production: 110 cases.

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

Price: 750 mL $14

Rate and review Muscedere Vineyards Rosé 2008

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Sprucewood Shores Pinot Gris 2008 Review

Sun 14, Jun. 09
1 Reviews
0 Reviews
5 overall score

Winemaker’s Notes:
Upfront buttery and honey flavours give way to hints of peach and grapefruit, finishing with a fresh citrus zest. Ideally paired with foods enchanced by an acidic influence. Seafoods and shell fish.

12.5% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $14.95

Rate and review Sprucewood Shores Pinot Gris 2008

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Pelee Island Cabernet Sauvignon / Petit Verdot 2007 Review

Sat 13, Jun. 09
1 Reviews
0 Reviews
5 overall score

Winemaker’s Notes:
Cabernet Sauvignon / Petit Verdot is medium bodied and dense with firm tannins and a wild cherry bouquet.

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon 55%, Petit Verdot 36%, Shiraz 9%
Alcohol: 13% alc./vol.
Residual Sugar: 3.3 g/L
Brix: 20.9
Sugar Code: (0)

VQA Ontario

Awards: Silver at 2009 Ontario Wine Awards.

Price: 750 ML $19.95

Rate and review Pelee Island Cabernet Sauvignon / Petit Verdot 2007

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Aleksander Estate Riesling 2008 Review

Tue 9, Jun. 09
1 Reviews
0 Reviews
5 overall score

Winemaker’s Notes:
The medium Dry Riesling is crisp and refreshing featuring the soft aromas of lemons and grapefruit. Fresh citrus flavours refresh the palate making this a great match for fish, seafoods, grilled chicken and vinaigrette salads.

VQA Lake Erie north Shore
12.6% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $14

Rate and review Aleksander Estate Riesling 2008

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Pelee Island Meritage 2003 Review

Sat 6, Jun. 09
1 Reviews
0 Reviews
5 overall score

Winemaker’s Notes:
A classic blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc grapes in the style of the classic wines of Bordeaux. Complex, concentrated wine that combines richness with elegance. Aged for 16 months in French and Hungarian barrique barrels.

A full-bodied wine with lots of character, this wine will continue the tradition of excellence which began with the “Vinedressers” of Pelee Island Winery, to shine into the next millennium.

While strolling through the vineyards taking a look at the progress of our grapes, we decided that it was high time to add another premium brand to our line of Vinedresser Series wines. Seeing as we had enough matured fruit on vines that had been planted for fifteen years or so, we hand selected the grapes and came up with a wonderful blend idea. We would try our hand at a Bordeleaux blend known widely as Meritage. This vintage has excellent aging potential that we expect will continue well beyond 2006.

One sip of this wine and you’ll see why it deserves such a prestigious name. A wine this rich and flavourful would be excellent served at room temperature with tender cut of prime rib or all on its own.

Years ago, in an international contest to name the distinct blend of “Meritage,” the name was chosen as a word that combined “merit” and “heritage” to reflect the spirit of the members of “The Meritage Association.”

GRAPES:
50% Cabernet Franc 2003,
30% Cabernet Sauvignon 2003,
20% Merlot 2003

BRIX: 21.4
ALCOHOL: 13% alc./vol.
ACID: 5.3 g/L
RESIDUAL SUGAR: 2.5 g/L
Sugar Code: (0)

VQA Pelee Island

Price: 750mL bottle - $24.95

Rate and review Pelee Island Meritage 2003

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