Every single grape that went into this wine was dried for 100-plus days and was aged for 27 months in French oak barrels. The aromas on the nose of this behemoth teem with thick, juicy waves of black currants, figs, kirsch, savoury herbs, cigar-box cedar, toasty vanilla, campfire smoke and rousing spice notes. It is a substantial wine on the palate but as generous as it is, it still shows rather nicely at this point in its short evolution. The flavours range from jammy cherry/currant compote to rich blackberries and raspberry bramble with notes of sweet tobacco, dark chocolate and thick spices all delivered on a plush bed of tannins.
This is made from 100% Cabernet Franc, with 50% of the grapes dried appassimento style for two months. A big, heady nose of figs, black currants, kirsch, leather, blackberries, mature red fruits and a range of barrel oak spices. It has incredible depth of fruit on the palate, from dark cassis and currants to fortified cherry/raspberry notes with added espresso bean, spice, anise, a mélange of integrated herbs, smooth tannins and a long, long finish.
Winemaker Emma Garner has crafted a pretty Cabernet Sauvignon with ripe blackberries, cherries, raspberry bramble, leather and spice notes on the nose. It does have tannic structure, but not overbearing, with lovely red and dark fruits, elegant spice notes and already well on its way to being perfectly integrated.
Up to 30% of the fruit is whole bunch pressed with 20% aged in ceramic. From the extremely warm 2016 vintage, this is the most concentrated version of the Courtney I have tasted, with expressive, penetrating and uber-ripe aromas of black cherry, red plum, rhubarb, raspberry bramble, red currants, earth and spice notes. Such a magical wine on the palate — it has depth, complexity, a full range of rich red and dark fruits and integrated spice notes with plush tannins and enough acidity to keep it fresh on a long, long finish.
This inaugural Cabernet Franc from the new Weather Report series is a pretty nice drop at an attractive price. It shows a vibrant, intense colour in the glass with aromas of brambly raspberry, dark cherry, earth, currants, spice, vanilla and subtle herbs. It has intensity on the palate with flavours of wild raspberry, anise, tobacco, herbs and integrated spice with ripe, approachable tannins that all lead to a smooth finish.
The bomb, right here. The most complex and interesting rosé from Niagara I have tasted. Made from 100% Pinot Noir, the nose is tight, delicate and complex with a range of red fruits and floral notes. It shows its true beauty on the palate with such expressive crushed red berries, layers of complexity, earth and bramble undertones and taut tension between the electric acidity and the juicy fruits all leading to a fresh, clean and super-long finish.