A highly aromatic Gewürz reminiscent of Grand Cru Alsatian examples. The nose is exotic and exciting with concentrated, honey-drizzled grapefruit, lychee, rose petals and nutmeg-musk notes. It is unctuous on the palate with ripe fruit, lavish spice and notable ginger, and enough acidity to nudge this showy beauty into balance.
You would never know that this wine is made with 30 g/l of residual sugar because of the balancing acid. The nose is expressive, with fresh-cut apple, lime, grapefruit and a subtext of minerality beginning to emerge. It’s very ripe and rich on the palate, with a full-fruit attack mingling with stony minerality, wild honey and racy acidity. Gorgeous.
Fielding winemaker Richie Roberts is making a career out of aromatic whites, and his Rock Pile Gris is at the top of the class. The nose shows creamy pear, apple crisp, melon and an array of expressive spices that all jump from the glass. It has viscosity on the palate and broad, ripe fruit flavours that are fortified by delicious spices.
Oak-toned aromas of vanilla and chocolate accompany the berry-fruit scents. Lean acidity and firm tannins frame the softly textured black plum fruit. Dusty, sage-toned finish. Softens up with aeration. Pair with stewed meats.
Varietally focused aromas of cedar, blackcurrant and black plum, but with the Okanagan marker of dried sage. Vibrant acidity and tight tannins juxtapose the savoury-toned fruit, while brightening the tobacco-laden finish. Pairs well with corned beef.
The 50-50 Cab Sauv-Merlot blend balances the earthier, more structured former with the softer, fruitier latter. Both nose and palate feature cedar and tobacco as well as plum and black pepper. Oak-influenced vanilla and clove linger. Poised for all manner of grilled fare.
This was one of the highlights of the Meritage category at this year’s Ontario Wine Awards competition. Approximately 30% of the crop was dried, helping to create a medium-bodied red, as well as one of the stars of the generally average red wine vintage of 2011. The bouquet of morello cherry, plum, smoke, violets and cocoa combines with very good length and supple tannins.