The nose shows loam, black cherry, field raspberry, violets, cassis and savoury spices. The beauty of this wine really emerges on the palate with darker fruits, smoke, mushrooms, dried savoury spices, liquorice and layers of complexity that is all held together by a firm bed of tannins and oak. Lay it down for a few years.
Bachelder sourced the fruit for his first Niagara Pinot from the Lowrey Vineyard’s original 5 rows in St Davids. This is a pretty Pinot with violets, black cherry, cassis and earthy-spicy notes on the nose. It’s ripe yet silky on the palate with gorgeous cherry-raspberry fruit that’s persistent through a lengthy finish. Such finesse and verve, and balanced already.
Graham Rennie shows he can go from his full-blown, in-your-face style of red wine to this elegant Pinot Noir. The nose displays fragrant cherry, raspberry, violets and spicy nutmeg and cinnamon with just a touch of earth. It’s perfectly spiced on the palate with beetroot, savoury cherry, strawberry and a touch of liquorice that travels on a silky bed of medium tannins.
This is pure Syrah (despite the Shiraz name), a reflection of the vineyard and what it can deliver under perfect conditions in Niagara. A nose that’s meaty, earthy and smoky with gobs of dark, rich black fruits, pepper and an array of other spices. And, in the mouth, yes, there are firm tannins, but structural tannins — not overly aggressive, to go with blackberries, cassis, currants and cracked peppercorns — all lifted by vibrant acidity.
This wine was not complete when tasted with just a bit more oak aging left to go. It’s a blend of 50% Merlot, and 25% of both Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon with the grapes dried appassimento-style to 29 Brix. The nose is extraordinary with juicy plums, kirsch, sweet blackcurrants, cigar-box cedar, graphite, cinnamon and cocoa. This is a substantive wine with dark berry-fruits and a baker’s rack of spices that coat the palate and echo through the finish. The tannins are substantive and will need time to integrate, but anyone who thinks appassimento doesn’t work in Niagara should try this beautiful full-bodied wine.
Here, one will find a fairly aromatic white with a personality of red apple, pear, citrus and minerals. Drink now.
Peach, lime, grapefruit, honey, green apple and minerals are all present in this off-dry Riesling. The acidity is high, providing freshness and a delicate finish. Drink now with Thai coconut curry or tacos al pastor.