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


Smith & Wilson Cherieau 2008 Review

Sat 28, Nov. 09
1 Reviews
0 Reviews
5 overall score

Winemaker’s Notes:
Gewurztraminer, off dry intense flavors of white peach and nutmeg

VQA Lake Erie North Shore
Estate Bottled

12.5% alc./vol.
Price: 750 mL $13

Rate and review Smith & Wilson Cherieau 2008.

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Colio CEV Nine Barrel Shariz 2007 Review

Fri 20, Nov. 09
1 Reviews
0 Reviews
5 overall score

CEV Signature Series-Limited Edition Wines

Winemaker’s Notes:
Blackberry, chocolate and black pepper bouquet. Flavours of sweet red berries, chocolate and definative black pepper on the finish.

Blend: 100% Shariz
Serve at: 15º - 17º C
Winemaker: Tim Reilly
Alcohol Content: 12.5 %

VQA lake Erie North Shore

Price: 750 mL - $24.75

Rate and review Colio CEV Nine Barrel Shariz 2007.

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Smith & Wilson Rondeau Red 2008 Review

Tue 17, Nov. 09
1 Reviews
0 Reviews
5 overall score

Winemaker’s Notes:
Unoaked and fruit forward. A blend of medium bodied reds (Gamay and Merlot)

VQA Lake Erie North Shore
12.4% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $13

Rate and review Smith & Wilson Rondeau Red 2008

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Sanson Bird Dog Red 2005 Review

Sat 14, Nov. 09
1 Reviews
0 Reviews
5 overall score

Winemaker’s Notes:
Not currently available.

Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot

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

Price: 750 mL $19.95

Rate and review Sanson Bird Dog Red 2005

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Pelee Island Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Review

Wed 11, Nov. 09
1 Reviews
0 Reviews
5 overall score

Winemaker’s Notes:
The Cabernet Sauvignon is the world’s most renowned grape variety for producing fine, long-lived red wines. The combination of tannins, pigments and flavour compounds produce big wines that evolve over the years into wines with a distinct and subtle bouquet.

Our Cabernet Sauvignon is VQA Pelee Island, meaning that it is 100% Pelee Island and certainly does justice to the unique growing conditions on the Island.

Long, hot and dry summers have augmented this small berries’ characteristics, with hand-picked care and 15 months of oak aging in French and Hungarian oak barrels to produce a wine that will only improve over the next decade….and beyond.

These grapes were harvested in mid-October when they had reached 21 degrees brix. Following the harvest they spent 7 days in a rotor fermenter.

This wine has the ability to stand up to red meat in sauce or grilled game and even sausages. Its hearty staying power makes it a great winter warm-up!

GRAPES: 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc
BRIX: 21°
ALCOHOL: 13%
ACID: 5.1 g/L
RESIDUAL SUGAR: 2.8 g/L

VQA Pelee Island
Price: 750 mL $24.95

AWARDS:
Intervin International Wine Awards 2009 - Silver
Canadian Wine Awards 2008 - Bronze
Challenge International Du Vin France 2008 - Bronze
Ontario Wine Awards 2008 - Silver

Rate and review Pelee Island Cabernet Sauvignon 2005.

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Smith & Wilson Riesling 2008 Review

Sun 8, Nov. 09
1 Reviews
0 Reviews
5 overall score

Winemaker’s Notes:
Medium but sweet with a nice clean finish.

VQA Lake Erie North Shore
Estate Bottled

Bronze award winner!

11.2% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $13

Rate and review Smith & Wilson Riesling 2008.

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Colio CEV Pinot Noir 2007 Review

Wed 4, Nov. 09
1 Reviews
0 Reviews
5 overall score

CEV Signature Series-Limited Edition Wines

Winemaker’s Notes:
Aromas of cherry, dark chocolate and smoke with ripe cherry, plum and toasted vanilla flavours

Colour: Light ruby
Serve at: 15º - 17º C
Blend: Pinot Noir 100%
Brix at Harvest: 19.8
Fermentation: 10 to 14 days on the skins
Aging: 14 months in European oak
Residual Sugar: 2 g/L
Alcohol Content: 12.5 %
Production: 550 cases
Winemaker: Tim Reilly

Price: 750 mL - $19.75

AWARDS:
Silver Medal at the 2009 All-Canadian Wine Championships
Bronze medal winner at the 2009 Great Lakes Wine Competition

Rate and review Colio CEV Pinot Noir 2007.

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Smith & Wilson C-K Chardonnay 2008 Review

Sun 1, Nov. 09
1 Reviews
0 Reviews
5 overall score

Winemaker’s Notes:
Dry, fruit forward, totally unoaked, fresh citrus

VQA Lake Erie North Shore
Estate Bottled

C-K “Chatham-Kent”
A vintage for Chatham Kent.

12.2% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $11

Rate and review Smith & Wilson C-K Chardonnay 2008.

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