Essex Wine Review

Winemaker’s Notes:
Reflections of 2008 include all the gamuts of the weather spectrum occurring at the appropriate time.

The 2008 Baco Noir offers depth in both colour and flavour. This full-bodied wine is intense with dark berry undertones and black pepper aromas. The flavours of black cherry are followed by a creamy finish. Pair wiith game meats, beefsteak or hearty stews.

12.8% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $14

Rate and review Aleksander Estate Baco Noir 2008.

Winemaker’s Notes:
This wine has lots of vitality. Quite tangy, dry and refreshing so it really livens the palate and makes you hungry. These grape varieties produce a wine with a bright, cheerful character.

The Gamay Noir grapes were harvested in early October when the brix had reached 21.4 and the Zweigelt in mid-September, when the brix had reached 20. They were then left for four to six days in a temperature-controlled rotor fermenter under partial pressure.

This wine is an excellent companion to red meats and game without sauces.

GRAPES: 50% Zweigelt, 50% Gamay Noir
ALCOHOL: 13%
RESIDUAL SUGAR: 4.1 g/L
Sugar Code: (0)

Price: 750 mL $10.95

VQA Ontario

Rate and review Pelee Island Gamay Noir Zweigelt 2008.

Winemaker’s Notes:
Wine for Change! Bacobama is a unique Blend of Baco, with just a hint of white wine to offer you a lighter red. Softer notes and slightly on the off-dry side, this wine is perfect for the first time red wine drinkers or try chilling it 10 minutes in the fridge for an easy drinking glass of wine. This product is made from 100% Lake Erie North Shore Grapes, grown proudly at our Estate Winery.

Non VQA
12% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $13.95

Rate and review Sanson Bacobama.

Winemaker’s Notes:
With it’s beautiful garnet colour, the 2008 Cabernet Franc opens with the juicy flavours of red berries and sweet cherries. Berry flavours linger in the finish.

Food Pairings:
Best served with slow roasted back ribs, grilled veal and lamb chops.

VQA Lake Erie North Shore
Estate Bottled

12.8% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $14

Rate and review Aleksander Estate Cabernet Franc 2008

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

Winemaker’s Notes:
One of our fullest reds, with the warmhearted character that Merlot fans enjoy. A good balance of richness, mellow sweet flavours and the essential bite for food. Delicious now but could be aged a year or two.

These grapes were left on the vine until early October.

This wine would be excellent slightly chilled and served with a beef or lamb dish. A superb choice for the summer BBQ or dinner table.

GRAPES: 85% Merlot - 15% Zweigelt
ALCOHOL: 13.5%
RESIDUAL SUGAR: 3.0 g/L
Sugar Code: (0)

VQA Ontario

Price: 750 mL $12.95

Rate and review Pelee Island Merlot Reserve 2008

Winemaker’s Notes:
Aroma: bell pepper, black berry and black currants.
Palate: moderate tannins and acidity, notes of spice with a long finish.
Burgundy red in colour with colour to the rim.

VQA Lake Erie North Shore
13% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $16.95

Rate and review Viewpointe Cabernet Franc 2005

Winemaker’s Notes:
Ripe smooth and polished, this full-bodied Pinot Noir has elegant black cherry, currant and toasted oak flvours. This wine is best enjoyed with red meats, roast pork and ham.

The harvest for these grapes was in late September when they had reached 22.8 brix. The grapes were crushed but not pressed, then placed in a temperature-controlled rotary fermenter (18-20 degrees Celsius) for 5 to 7 days to draw out the colour from the skins. They were then pressed and the juice was placed in European-style French Oak barrels to finish fermenting. After about two weeks the wine was racked into an aging-barrel.

During maturation, the wine spent about eight to twelve months in European-style French Oak barrels with about 25 to 30% of the wine experiencing a malolactic fermentation.

This wine is best when enjoyed with grilled or roasted red meats, roasted pork, ham and Atlantic Salmon.

GRAPES: 100% Pinot Noir
ALCOHOL: 13.5%
RESIDUAL SUGAR: 2.9 g/L
Sugar Code: (0)

VQA Pelee Island

Price: 750 mL $14.95

Awards: 2009 Ontario Wine Awards BRONZE

Rate and review Pelee Island Pinot Noir Reserve 2007

Winemaker’s Notes:
Aroma: Cassis, black cherry, black currant, spice, pepper, dark chocolate, leather.
Palate: leather and moderate tannins and acidity, notes of spice with a long finish.
Burgundy red in colour with colour to the rim.

VQA Lake Erie North Shore
13% alc./vol.

Price: 750 mL $16.95

Rate and review Viewpointe Cabernet Merlot 2005

Winemaker’s Notes:
Aged in French oak, a very pleasant dry red. Great with barbequed foods.

(The follow notes are from the label, however it appears to be the 2005 Cab Franc Label with dates on lable changed to 2007)
An intense dry red and aged in oak barrels for eighteen months. This wine has good tannin structure and will develop in the cellar for three to five years.

Vintner: Sal D’Angelo

12.0% alc./vol. ??
VQA Lake Erie North Shore.

Price: 750 mL $11.99

Rate and review D’Angelo Cabernet Franc 2007