Essex Wine Review

Winemaker’s Notes:
This spectacular 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon has aromas of sweet smoky raspberries and dark chocolate truffles. Flavours of black currents and roasted vanilla coffee bean dance along the palate. The well structured tannins will ensure graceful aging. Pair with roasted leg of lamb, prime rib and sharp cheeses.

VQA Lake Erie North Shore
13.3% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $18

Rate and review Mastronardi Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Colchester Ridge Estate Winery (CREW)

Winemaker’s Notes:
A traditional Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot gives this wine beautiful balance. Ripe raspberry and cherry flavours on the nose showcase the exceptional growing conditions of the 2007 season. The buttery finish is promising with hints of vanilla which will evolve with aging.

VQA Lake Erie North Shore
13.4 alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL - $19.80

Rate and review CREW Mertiage 2007

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

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.

Colchester Ridge Estate Winery (CREW)

Winemaker’s Notes:
In your hand is a premium quality wine. CREW is located in the southernmost part of Canada where sun and terroir yield superior grapes. Meticulous attention to detail then produces this exceptional wine. Enjoy creating special memories with CREW.

VQA Lake Erie North Shore
13.3 alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL - $14.80

Rate and review CREW Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

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

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

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

Winemaker’s Notes:
The first ever Cabernet Sauvignon from Muscedere Vineyards, this wine is an expressive full-bodied red wine with aromas of licorice and dark chocolate. It presents vivid flavours of blackberry, plum and oak with a smooth long finish. This food-friendly wine pairs beautifully with grilled meats.

Hand-harvested: on October 15th, 2007
Total production: 70 cases.

VQA Lake Erie North Shore
Unfiltered
13.3% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $30

Rate and review Muscedere Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Winemaker’s Notes:
None

13% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $13

Rate and Review Wagner Estates Dark Angel.