2012 Union by Generations Co. Ltd. Fortè

Community Tasting Note

Pegasys wrote:

89 Points

Saturday, December 17, 2016 - This fortified wine is made with Merlot, Cabernets, and Shiraz grapes for Niagara Peninsula barrel-aged for six years. It is not your classic red Porto style dessert wine; rather it is a lighter, fragrant style on its own.

Aromas of red fruit jams, pecan pie, and oxidized wine. The mouth feels surprising crisper than expected due to a good acidity, and the Bordeaux blend structure shows through the silky sweet flavours of caramel toffee, roated nuts, and fruit cake.

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4 comments have been posted

Comment posted by mikeinottawa:

12/17/2016 11:49:00 AM - The 2012 Forte was only aged for 3 years in oak.
Comment posted by Pegasys:

1/3/2017 12:20:00 PM - "mikeinottawa" indicted that Union Forté is only aged 3 years in barrel, instead of 6 years, as I had noted in my tasting note. That might be correct. I am no longer certain. All I can say is that when I read up on this port style wine in December 2016, and again today as I verified my sources online, I found statements on both the producer's web page and in at least one other wine writer's tasting notes that the Forté saw six years in barrel.

Irrespective of the possible inaccuracy on the age statement, this is a very nice fortified wine. Cheers!
Comment posted by Pegasys:

1/3/2017 12:34:00 PM - Here is on of the reference I spoke of...

4 1/2 stars (out of five), Michael Pinkus (Ontario Wine Review):
"Talk about under-appreciated, Port is one of the most under-appreciated winesand yet can be some of the most balanced and beautiful – especially whenmatched with the right stinky cheese, a cigar, or a perfect evening. Allan Jackson (yes that Allan Jackson) loves Port and calls this 6 year in barrel Cabernet and Merlot based Tawny 'a labour of love'... it’s not just the dried cherry and cranberry that passes pleasantly over the palate – it has outstanding acidity to balance thesweetness – this elixir is a real beauty and stunning value for the price. For funand freshness a small percentage of Syrah was added back into the blend beforebottling – lifting the fruit a tad... nice decision. One of the best Port-style wines tocome out of Ontario, possibly ever. This style of wine is not only under-appreciated but this version is under-priced too (but shh, don’t tell the Union)."
Comment posted by mikeinottawa:

1/3/2017 2:12:00 PM - This is from the Union wines web site.

http://unionwines.com/

Produced from the outstanding 2012 vintage, this elegant dessert wine was aged in oak barrels for 3 years. It is complex, well-balanced and pairs nicely with strong cheeses and orchard fruits or is an excellent after-dinner treat on its own.