Leading and completing with dough, toast and lemon curd, this 40/30/30 Pinot Noir/Pinot Meunier/Chardonnay blend is nothing but consistent. Broad and creamy on the palate, with abundant red fruits, corn, brioche and sweet almond on the finish. Tightens and freshens a bit on the end, but this is a generous night club/nightcap-suited fizz. A sweeter NV for those who prefer that style. The cuvée takes in more than 100 crus from around the Champagne region, as well as Pinot Meunier from the Grande et Petite Montagne de Reims region.
Dark in colour with aromas of mocha and coffee. Has the body of a stout, but the creaminess of chocolate milk. A delicious beer showing flavours of dark chocolate, brown sugar, cherries, coffee and mocha mousse. Smooth and creamy, full flavoured but not heavy with a bright drinkability and great balance — but be careful — it’s 9% but doesn’t taste like it … it sneaks up on you. Great beer!
This Gamay Noir/Pinot Noir/Merlot blend bespeaks how cool-climate regions — of which Canada has many — can spearhead high-quality dry rosé. Pale copper-tinged salmon colour. Savoury, fresh strawberry-rhubarb-pie nose. Abundant red fruit flavours: strawberry, cherry, red apple. Liquorice lingers. Charcuterie-friendly.
White florals, lemon blossom and verbena dominate this accessible blend from one of Northern Rhône's leading estates, first established in 1834. The Parallelès line, their 'entry level' tier, was named because the 45th parallel runs two kilometres from the domaine’s cellars near Tain L’Hermitage. This cuvée began in 1950 and represents the Jaboulet commitment to producing France’s finest Rhône value. The estate been under the purview of the Frey family for the past decade or so, and Caroline Frey is currently oenologist and proprietor. Biodynamically farmed, this is a blend of Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Viognier and Bourboulenc averaging 20 years of age and from two family farms on the right side of the Rhone river. Succulent on the palate but streamlined in form, this was stainless formed and raised, with no MLF. Lean and lemony, with a palate padding of herbal oils and citrus cream, textural spicing, before a snappy, stony finish. Excellent value, this wine would rock with green curries, white-fleshed fish or scallops or spring pea risotto. House white, solved.
Full ruby. Spicy nose with black cherry and dark chocolate notes. Of medium body, the powerful middle palate feels slightly warm. There is enough fruit and oak flavour but the finish is a bit rough due to dry tannins. Better drink it with red meat or rich cheeses within a year or so.
Clear, very deep garnet. Nose of plums and forest floor with spices and a hint of mint. On the palate it is medium-bodied, fruity and soft, with blackberry and cherry flavours, all elements being in good balance. Could be kept another year.
Mendocino Zinfandel is from nearly thirty-year-old vines, sourced from across the AVA. Old vineyards are the heart and soul of Edmeades, with Ciapusci Vineyard planted in 1878, Perli Vineyard planted in the late 1800s, Zeni Vineyard planted in 1910 and Piffero Vineyard planted in 1930. Wild yeast fermented, this was bottled unfined and unfiltered. Dense smoked plum, cassis jam, ripe blackberries, violets, cracked peppercorn and a dusky, musk perfume. There is a swell of acidity here to carry, but the finish, at 15%, is still warming and cinnamon clad.