- > Trip to Niagara
Trip to Niagara
Niagara on the Lake, Canada
Tasted Friday, May 1, 2009 - Saturday, May 2, 2009 by indiscriminate palate with 883 views
Introduction
A weekend of informal tasting in Niagara. I took very few notes, so these are mostly quick, general impressions.
Flight 1 - Reif Estate (4 Notes)
Reif was a disappointing visit.
Flight 2 - Reif Estate icewine (1 Note)
2008 Reif Estate Vidal Icewine
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara River VQA
(5/1/2009)
Lighter than many of the other vidal-based ice wines we've had on this trip. Apricot, other stone fruit. Good acidity, though my palate begged for a bit more.
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Flight 3 - Marynissen Estates whites (4 Notes)
2007 Marynissen Estates Chardonnay American Oak
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara-on-the-Lake VQA
(5/1/2009)
Comparison of three Marynissen chardonnays, one unoaked, one in French oak, and one in American oak. We both preferred the French oak version. American oak was third.
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2007 Marynissen Estates Chardonnay Barrel Fermented French Oak
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara-on-the-Lake VQA
(5/1/2009)
Comparison of three Marynissen chardonnays, one unoaked, one in French oak, and one in American oak. We both preferred the French oak version. American oak was third.
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2007 Marynissen Estates Gewürztraminer
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara-on-the-Lake VQA
(5/1/2009)
Very light in weight; muted nose with some "dirty" elements
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2007 Marynissen Estates Chardonnay (Unoaked)
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA
(5/1/2009)
Comparison of three Marynissen chardonnays, one unoaked, one in French oak, and one in American oak. We both preferred the French oak version. American oak was third.
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Flight 4 - Marynissen Estates Reds (4 Notes)
A fairly disinterested woman met us in the tasting room. Her aloofness was a perfect match for the fairly uninteresting wines.
2004 Marynissen Estates Merlot
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara-on-the-Lake VQA
(5/1/2009)
Cedar, eucalyptus, sage, and lots of green walnut. Worst of the four Marynissen reds tasted.
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2004 Marynissen Estates Cabernet-Merlot Estate Bottled
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA
(5/1/2009)
Like all of the Marynissen wines tasted, this was entirely unremarkable.
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2006 Marynissen Estates Cabernet-Merlot Estate Bottled
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA
(5/1/2009)
Like all of the Marynissen wines tasted, this was entirely unremarkable. This I rated second (and L ranked first) of the four reds tasted.
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2004 Marynissen Estates Cabernet Sauvignon
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA
(5/1/2009)
The best of the four Marynissen reds tasted, though that is not saying much. Canned green pepper dominated the nose.
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Flight 5 - Marynissen Estates icewine (1 Note)
Only one dessert wine was available for tasting, but it was fairly nice.
2004 Marynissen Estates Riesling Icewine 90 Points
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara-on-the-Lake VQA
(5/1/2009)
Very nice initial attack, though a very flat, hollow midpalate.
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Flight 6 - Konzelmann (3 Notes)
2007 Konzelmann Shiraz Barrel Aged 85 Points
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA
(5/1/2009)
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2007 Konzelmann Riesling White Moose Medium Dry 87 Points
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA
(5/1/2009)
Light, off-dry. Good.
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2006 Konzelmann Gewürztraminer Reserve 82 Points
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA
(5/1/2009)
Grapefruit predominates. Disappointing.
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Flight 7 - Konzelmann icewine (3 Notes)
A very nice lineup
2006 Konzelmann Riesling Icewine 93 Points
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA
(5/1/2009)
Stone fruit, honey, brown sugar. Very racy. Great balance. Nice medium finish.
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2004 Konzelmann Riesling Icewine 91 Points
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA
(5/1/2009)
Sweeter than the 2006 without the additional acid to balance it. Still quite good.
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2007 Konzelmann Vidal Icewine 92 Points
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA
(5/1/2009)
Viscous, concentrated, glycerin.
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Flight 8 - Peller estates Signature Dinner Menu with wine pairings (8 Notes)
Dinner at the Peller Estate restaurant. Eight courses matched with wines.
2007 Peller Estates Rosé Private Reserve 83 Points
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA
(5/1/2009)
Primarily cab franc. Very light-bodied, little depth of flavor, somewhat watery; boring. With game terrine.
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2007 Peller Estates Pinot Gris Private Reserve
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA
(5/1/2009)
One-word scribbled note: "baah." With potato & fennel soup & smoked salmon.
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NV Peller Estates Ice Cuvée Rosé Andrew Peller Signature Series 88 Points
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA
(5/1/2009)
Very deep red. Light botrytis on the nose. Finishes primarily sweet. As aperitif.
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2004 Peller Estates Merlot Andrew Peller Signature Series 87 Points
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA
(5/1/2009)
Deep, rich rose colored. Oak is overpowering. With duck breast.
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2004 Peller Estates Vidal Blanc Late Harvest Private Reserve 91 Points
Canada, Ontario, Ontario VQA
(5/1/2009)
Very faint gold color. Botrytis. Served with St. Honore Cheese.
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2004 Peller Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Andrew Peller Signature Series 89 Points
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA
(5/1/2009)
Very pronounced nose of eucalyptus. Somewhat unbalanced acid & wood. Persistent tannins. With dry-aged beef loin.
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2007 Peller Estates Chardonnay Private Reserve
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA
(5/1/2009)
Very little detectable oak. Tinny. Just ok. With scallops.
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2007 Peller Estates Riesling Icewine Andrew Peller Signature Series 92 Points
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA
(5/1/2009)
A bit darker than the '04 Private Reserve late harvest, but still faint. Also, more concentrated aromas on the nose, but a bit less botrytis. Very sweet, but not at all cloying. Lots of acidity on a very light but concentrated frame. Short+ finish.
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Flight 9 - Lailey Vineyard (5 Notes)
Lailey kindly insisted that we taste several of their chardonnays and cabs before trying their icewine. They were entirely unremarkable (literally, my tasting sheet had no marks). However, the 07 riesling icewine was among the best of our trip.
2007 Lailey Vineyard Riesling Icewine
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara-on-the-Lake VQA
(5/1/2009)
Very good ice wine. Very rich and clean, with amazing acidity. Scribbles read "Very racy. Excellent!"
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2006 Lailey Vineyard Chardonnay
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara River VQA
(5/1/2009)
Tasted as part of the "you have to try these before the icewine." No notes.
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2006 Lailey Vineyard Cabernet-Merlot
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara River VQA
(5/1/2009)
Tasted as part of the "you have to try these before the icewine." No notes.
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2007 Lailey Vineyard Chardonnay
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara River VQA
(5/1/2009)
Tasted as part of the "you have to try these before the icewine." No notes.
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2007 Lailey Vineyard Counterpoint
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara-on-the-Lake VQA
(5/1/2009)
Body and flavor profile closer to a riesling than a Gewurzt, with lime and green apple. The faint gewurzt notes are actually a weird distraction. I recall being more interested by this than enjoying it.
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Flight 10 - Strewn (5 Notes)
Strewn appears to have the right idea. While other wineries in Niagara insist on trying to make world-class cabs and merlots, Strewn works with the climate it is given. The cab francs are quite good, and the cab-merlot aims at a simple, easy-drinking wine.
2006 Strewn Merlot
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA
(5/1/2009)
Very soft, supple, new world merlot. My second of five Strewn red wines tasted.
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2006 Strewn Cabernet-Merlot Two Vines
Canada, Ontario, Ontario VQA
(5/1/2009)
Very fruit-forward, light, simple style. A quaffing wine. My fourth of five Strewn red wines tasted.
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2006 Strewn Cabernet Franc / Cabernet Sauvignon Rogue's Lot
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA
(5/1/2009)
80% Cab Franc. My fifth of five Strewn red wines tasted.
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2005 Strewn Cabernet Franc Terroir
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA
(5/1/2009)
Very good. My first of five Strewn red wines tasted.
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2006 Strewn Cabernet Franc
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA
(5/1/2009)
Nice herbal, earthy nose. My third of five Strewn red wines tasted.
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Flight 11 - Strewn dessert wines (3 Notes)
2006 Strewn Riesling Icewine 92 Points
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA
(5/1/2009)
Very nice, moderately racy, and clearly better than the cab franc-based dessert wines.
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2007 Strewn Cabernet Franc Late Harvest 83 Points
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara-on-the-Lake VQA
(5/1/2009)
Similar flavor profile to the '06 icewine, but with a very muted nose and no finish.
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2006 Strewn Cabernet Franc Icewine 90 Points
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara-on-the-Lake VQA
(5/1/2009)
Very nice, herbaceous and fruity nose. Well balanced.
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Flight 12 - Joseph's Estate (3 Notes)
Fairly short availability for tasting, including one vidal icewine.
2006 Joseph's Estate Wines Gewürztraminer/Riesling 84 Points
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula
(5/1/2009)
A simple, off-dry, fully predictable, eminently drinkable, but characterless wine.
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2006 Joseph's Estate Wines Chancellor Chancellor-Merlot 78 Points
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara-on-the-Lake VQA
(5/1/2009)
Tasting room staff described this as "unique." Uniquely smoky, harsh, and not pleasant.
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1999 Joseph's Estate Wines Vidal Icewine 89 Points
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula
(5/1/2009)
Tons of fruit; oily, glycerin mouthfeel.
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Flight 13 - Southbrook Winery reds (4 Notes)
The reds were all seriously overoaked.
2005 Southbrook Winery Cabernet-Merlot Triomphe
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara-on-the-Lake VQA
(5/1/2009)
Much more toned down oak than the 2000 and 2001 tasted alongside it. Both of our favorites of the three vintages, not for its strengths but because the other two were so overpowered by cedar notes. Shows almost no tannin. A drink-today quaffer.
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2001 Southbrook Winery Cabernet-Merlot Triomphe
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara-on-the-Lake VQA
(5/1/2009)
Tasted three vintages of cab-merlot. The 2000 and 01 were both quite oaky, with cedar dominating.
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2000 Southbrook Winery Cabernet-Merlot Triomphe
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara-on-the-Lake VQA
(5/1/2009)
Tasted three vintages of cab-merlot. The 2000 and 01 were both quite oaky, with cedar dominating.
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2000 Southbrook Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Triomphe
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara-on-the-Lake VQA
(5/1/2009)
More structure and balance than the cab-merlot
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Flight 14 - Southbrook Winery icewine (3 Notes)
2004 Southbrook Winery Vidal Icewine
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA
(5/1/2009)
2004 "Barrel Fermented". My third, L's second of the three Southbrook dessert wines we tasted, though far behind the 2005 vidal icewine. Brooding. Blackberry.
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2006 Southbrook Winery Cabernet Franc Icewine
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA
(5/1/2009)
Deep red. My second of the three Southbrook dessert wines we tasted.
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2005 Southbrook Winery Vidal Icewine 92 Points
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA
(5/1/2009)
Both had this first of three Southbrook dessert wines. Quite good. Dried pineapple, apricot; racy.
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Flight 15 - Horrible by the glass selections at an undeservedly pompous restaurant (3 Notes)
They were very proud of their selection of local wines.
2006 Château des Charmes Pinot Noir 75 Points
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA
(5/1/2009)
Almost no nose. Diluted and watery; sharp finish.
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2007 Peninsula Ridge Estates Viognier 84 Points
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA
(5/1/2009)
Pretty, subtle nose overpromises. Boring, characterless new world viognier, but more dilute.
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2006 Henry of Pelham Cabernet-Merlot Meritage 85 Points
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA
(5/1/2009)
Typical, cheap by-the-glass restaurant offering, though without the usual ridiculous injection of oak.
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Flight 16 - Inniskillin (5 Notes)
2006 Inniskillin Cabernet Franc Reserve Series 82 Points
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA
(5/1/2009)
Last of three reds tried.
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2006 Inniskillin Meritage Reserve Series
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA
(5/1/2009)
My 2nd of the three Inniskillin bordeaux-variety wines tasted.
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2006 Inniskillin Cabernet Sauvignon Winemaker's Series
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA
(5/1/2009)
My top of the three Inniskillin bordeaux-variety wines tasted.
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2007 Inniskillin Chardonnay Winemaker's Series Montague Vineyard
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Four Mile Creek VQA
(5/1/2009)
Only quickly scribbled note: "ehhh"
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2004 Inniskillin Pinot Noir Single Vineyard Series Montague Vineyard
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA
(5/1/2009)
Served at the Inniskillin tasting room. Strangely tropical fruits, pineapple, and pickled red cabbage. I *hope* this wine is flawed, though the tasting room attendant thought it "a marvelous accompaniment to German food." Ummm...
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Flight 17 - Inniskillin icewine (3 Notes)
2007 Inniskillin Vidal Sparkling Icewine
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA
(5/1/2009)
Very sweet and entirely without balance (though L proclaimed: "I like it" with very mild enthusiasm)
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2006 Inniskillin Riesling Oak Aged Icewine 89 Points
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA
(5/1/2009)
Tasted the oak-aged and non-oaked aged versions side by side. Almost no difference as they used a minute amount of oak aging.
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2006 Inniskillin Riesling Icewine Niagara Peninsula VQA 89 Points
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA
(5/1/2009)
Tasted the oak-aged and non-oaked aged versions side by side. Almost no difference as they used a minute amount of oak aging.
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2006 Reif Estate Cabernet Franc
Canada, Ontario
(5/1/2009)
My favorite of the Reif reds tasted. L however disagreed: "sour swill. Mouthfull of manure."
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2006 Reif Estate Merlot Reserve
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA
(5/1/2009)
Velvety, fuzzy, mouthfeel. Wood dominates the hint of cherry on the palate. Cherries dropped into liquified wood. L's note: "velvety swill." I was a drop more charitable.
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2007 Reif Estate Cabernet-Merlot
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA
(5/1/2009)
Cedar and red fruit. My note read only "not bad."
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2006 Reif Estate Sauvignon Blanc
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula
(5/1/2009)
Nice lemonade. Oh, wait, this is wine?
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