Essex Wine Review

Winemaker’s Notes:
A medium/light colour suggests an easy-to-drink wine, which Barn Cat is, but at the same time, like an onion, you peel away the layers and there is much more there. The aroma’s lively and pleasing with cherry notes at the core and highlights of new leather, red licorice, and a touch of anise. These impressions are rounded out on the palate with some sweet vanilla/wood and a refreshing zest of acidity that lingers on a crisp finish. The mild tannins, the smooth mouth-feel … the pleasant bite on the finish. All indications point to a great wine drinking experience for the next few years to come. This guy is just the right weight and balance for a Berkshire chop or some spicy sausage right off the barbecue.

Barn Cat 2006 is a blend of these four grapes: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir

Non VQA
13.5 alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $16.95

Rate and review Sanson Barn Cat 2006

Winemaker’s Notes:
You’ll love this one!

Non VQA
11% alc./vol

Price: 375 mL $14.95

Rate and review Erie Shore Winter Harvest Cabernet 2006

Winemaker’s Notes:
I really don’t think I have ever visited Sanson Estate without someone coming in during my time there and buying a couple of bottles of this wine. It seems to be a staple for Essex County locals.

Vidal is actually a hybrid grape that was designed to survive Canada’s inclement winters but it found a niche as icewine – actually celebrating those same cold months. Harvested a little late in the fall, after the fruit has had time to accumulate extra ripeness this wine shows round, honeyed aromas of pineapple and peach that carry to a soft, round, full palate. It’s simply an easy-to-drink, slightly off-dry, unoaked wine that is great on its own or will compliment a surprising range of foods – anything from pan-fried fish to roast fowl to spicy. The packaging for the 2008 has changed – the old cork has been replaced with a new a new Stelvin cap closure.

Non VQA
11.5 alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $12.95

Rate and review Sanson Autumn Harvest Vidal 2008.

Winemaker’s Notes:
Rich, full-bodied, deep, dark, dry red.

This rich dark full-bodied wine was made from the oldest vines on the property, planted in 1984. Fermented on its skins for seven days, barrel aged for 18 months, this wine is drinking now but will improve with age. Cellar potential, up to three to five years.

Vintner: Sal D’Angelo

Non VQA
12% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $12

Rate and review D’Angelo Old Vines Foch 2008

Winemaker’s Notes:
Reflections of 2008 included all the gamuts of the weather spectrum occurring at their appropriate time producing wines that are as diverse as the weather. They were born in and just as Mother Nature intended. The results of a late spring, a hot and dry summer and a cool harvest season are aromatic and richly flavoured wines to be enjoyed for years to come.

The vibrant aromas of red currants, black pepper, dark berries and earth make up the 2008 Shiraz. This full bodied dry red wine marries best with grilled lamb, peppered steak, roast venison and wild game.

Non VQA
12.8% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $19.95

Rate and review Aleksander Estate Shiraz 2008

Winemaker’s Notes:
None available.

NON VQA
12.5% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $12.95

Rate and review Aleksander Estate Riesling 2010

Winemaker’s Notes:
This 2010 Riesling is made in the same style as past Rieslings from Muscedere Vineyards. A light-bodied, clean, crisp white wine with a hint residual sweetness balanced by the backbone of acidity.

Pairs well with appetizers, salads and spicy foods.

Serve slightly chilled.

Hand-harvested: September 27, 2010
Total production: 120 cases

NON VQA
11.8% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $16

Rate and review Muscedere Vineyards Riesling 2010.

Winemaker’s Notes:
A single varietal estate bottled Riesling, with the perfect amount of acidity left naturally behind during fermentation to ensure the fresh crisp style of wine this grape is meant to be. Fermented slow and cold, the wine has kept all it’s characteristics of the unique terroir of the estate’s rich soil.

Tasting Notes:
Rose petal tea with a hint of natural sugar left behind to balance the crisp acidity alluding to lemongrass.

Non VQA
11.9% alc./vol

Price: 750 mL $14.95

Rate and review Cooper’s Hawk Riesling 2010

(Non Vintage)

Winemaker’s Notes:
Our unique blend of 100% estate grown wines carefully crafted to yield a vibrant citrus flavour with a clean palate pleasing finish. Matched with white meats, pork, spicy sausages, Thai dished and salads.

Part of the original Cornwall Estate, Erie shore vineyard was established in 1997 by Harvey & Alma Hollingshead and their two sons. The winery opened in 2002 making it the fifth modern day winery in the region.

NON VQA
11% alc./vol
Sugar code: 0

Price: 750 mL $11.95

Rate and review Erie Shore Cornwall Beach Proprietor’s White

Winemaker’s Notes:
Hand picked from single varietal estate vineyard this Chardonnay is quality right from bud break to the bottle. This wine acquired a higher concentration of fruit to create a full bodied flavour bursting with fruit. The wine was cold fermented for 12 days, preserving all elements but the sugar.

Tasting Notes:
Caramel apple with lemon peel and tropical fruit on it’s long clean finish.

Non VQA
13.2% alc./vol

Price: 750 mL $13.95

Rate and review Cooper’s Hawk Unoaked Chardonnay 2010