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Thursday, April 28, 2011

Sanson Bacobama: Review


Red/White Blend
No Vintage
12% abv
Sanson Estate Winery
Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada
$14.00 Canadian
My Strength Rating: 3

This is a blend of Baco Noir and a touch of white wine (probably Vidal). 

Okay, I have to admit I do not have much hope for this wine.  Like its name sake it is probably all style (nice label) and no substance.  If you believe in Obama’s substance then, if you are in debt, come on over and buy as many cases of this wine as possible.  According to the President if you are in debt you can spend your way out of it.  Great idea! 

Now, I do have some hope for this wine.  I did try it at the Sanson Winery and it was okay.  My Obama loving sister thought it was very good. 

This red/white blend has a nice purple color and a light very-berry aroma.  To me this wine has a nice black raspberry taste, a light plum, there seems to be a little strawberry swirling around, a light mouthfeel, and a bit of dark berries lingering on the back of the palate. 

I have to admit this – I liked this wine.  While, I did rate this on my strength scale as a 3 it is not thin or watery. 

At first I could not figure out the flavor then, it hit me that I have tasted this before.  So, I went to the cellar and opened up a jar of black raspberry jelly that I bought from a local farmer in Port Austin Michigan and tasted the jelly.  Yep, that tastes like the flavor I was trying to figure out – black raspberry. 

Funny thing … I called my sister and asked her if she opened her bottle yet and she had … and she did not like it. 

The one thing you will notice about this bottle is that it does not have the VQA distinction.  VQA stands for Vinters Quality Alliance.  This is an organization for Ontario Wineries that meet quality standards for their wine.  One of the standards is that the grapes are grown in Ontario.  Sanson Estate grew these grapes at their vineyard in Ontario.  But, the organization probably does not recognize the blend of a red and white grape or they just did not have it's birth certificate for those grapes.  So, Sanson Estate says, this is their wine to ‘recognize change.’  Just like Obama said during his campaign, “Change.”  Well, Sanson Estate and the American’s found out that things just stay the same.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Sanson barncat 2006: Review


13.5% abv
Sanson Estate Winery
Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada
Blend of: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir

Appearance: rich ruby

Aroma: light berry mix and spice

Flavors: red and black berry mix, tart red berries, some white pepper mustiness

Mouthfeel: light lingering berry notes, fairly light in body

My Strength Rating: 4

This was okay overall.  I think I prefer the Sanson Bird Dog Red.

Sunday, April 24, 2011

CEV Signature 2002 Merlot: Review


13% abv
100% Merlot
Fermentation: 14 days on skins
Aging: 26 months in New European oak barrels
Colio Estate Vineyards
Harrow, Ontario, Canada
$59.45 Canadian

Appearance: deep deep purple body with rich ruby highlights, almost black looking from the side.  As I look closer at the highlights I see some light browning in color.  This wine might be starting to show its age.  It is 9 years old now. 

Aroma: Oak, smoke, faint berry notes

Flavors: a solid oaky style is front and center to me.  Tobacco leaf, dried cranberries, tart cherry, and dried brown spice on the back of the palate

Mouthfeel: a dry 85% dark chocolate like finish and aftertaste.  The aftertaste is very dry and a glass of water would be perfect with this merlot.  The wine has a smooth leathery feel.

This is my kind of Merlot

Friday, April 22, 2011

Viewpointe Focal Pointe 2002: Review


Cabernet Franc
14.2% abv
Viewpointe Estate Winery
Harrow, Ontario, Canada
$15.00 Canadian – On Sale ½ off
My Strength Rating: 5.5

I tasted this wine at their winery and I thought it was just okay for a Cab. Franc.  But, half off of 30 = 15 bucks … let’s give it a try. 

When I opened the bottle the condition of the cork had me a little concerned.  One quarter of the cork looks dry.  The bottom portion looks like the wine seeped into the cork.  Is this bottle ‘corked?’ 


I take a little whiff from the bottle and it seems okay.  After pouring a little into a glass the aroma is not of a ‘corked’ wine.  The taste seems good at this point. 

Appearance: garnet body with some ruby highlights.

Aroma: dark berry profile, reminisces of currant, blackberry, cherry, and a touch of smoke

Flavors: earthy style, mineral soil likeness, touch of tobacco, hint of dark chocolate (90% type), dark berries, firm blackberries, toasted oak on the back

Mouthfeel: dry dark chocolate bite, earthy notes cover the teeth and gums, tart berries, still smooth in its delivery

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Detroit Red Wing Red 2007 Merlot: Review


North Coast
13.8% abv
Cellared and Bottled by:
Wine World Estates
St. Helena and Napa, California, USA

Alright, I do not have much hope for this wine.  It seems gimmicky to me but, let’s give it a good review and see.  Plus, this is game 4 of the first round tonight.  What a good way to watch the game.  Go WINGS!

Appearance: rich ruby color

Aroma: currant, berry, and a hint of alcohol spice

Flavors: dark berry like, black cherry, hint of green peppercorn spice on the finish.

Mouthfeel: light, smooth in its delivery, touch thin, linger berry note

My Strength Rating: 4 and I could see 3.5.  The aroma is light, the flavors are smooth and mellow.  There is not much in texture or long lingering notes. 

Gimmicky?  No.  It’s not a bad wine.  A good restaurant wine to go with pizza, sandwiches and the like.  Good wine to serve at a party.  Maybe a Stanley Cup Party!!!

Visit CigarPostings to see what cigar paired well with this wine

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Sanson 2008 Reserve Baco Noir: Review


Sanson Estate Winery
12.5% abv
$25.00 Canadian
Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada
My Strength Rating: 4/4.5
Baco Noir is pronounced: BA-koh NWAHR

I can remember stopping by this winery back when they first opened up.  The wine was the usual start-up wine taste a little on the thin side.  Well, now is the time to stop on by this little winery.  I have sampled a few of their wines and I have enjoyed them.  I enjoyed the Bird Dog Red so much I went back and bought four more bottles. 

Appearance: Garnet with ruby crystal highlights

Aroma: plump big dark berry notes and a whiff of oak

Flavors: this is a fruit forward wine here for the taking.  Mulberry, touch of blueberry, hint of boysenberry, red currants, and sweet cedar.  The tannins are low, which it should be for a Baco, and the acidic level is pleasing, which can be high for a young Baco Noir.

Mouthfeel: light and lively feel on the palate.  The sweet berries linger for a spell on the palate.  There is a light edge.

Visit CigarPostings for the cigar pairing with this wine.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Sprucewood Shores Cabernet Sauvignon 2006: Review


12.5% abv
Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery
Harrow, Ontario, Canada

I bought this bottle two or three years ago at the Sprucewood Winery and it was the month of February.  They have a very nice building and the inside is very attractive and inviting. I remember I was not overly impressed with this Cabernet back then but, let’s see if it has improved since then.

Sprucewood Shores was the thirteenth winery to open in the Lake Erie North Shore Region back in November of 2006.  The grape vines were planted back in 1991 and it looks like they have some good vines: Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Vidal, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Gamay, according to their web site. 

Appearance: crimson and a tad light for a Cabernet

Aroma: nice green peppercorn nose, red and dark berry notes - a bit currant like, a soft earth and a touch of smoke.  The peppery nose really softens on the second glass.

Flavors: smooth dark berry like notes and a touch of that pepper that was on the nose.  There is a little watery edge.  As the wine opens a little blackberry comes along and a welcomed touch of oak.  And, I was just wondering … where’s the oak?   

Mouthfeel: smooth overall, mild on the tannins, dry and light dusty earth aftertaste.  Seems thin at times for a Cabernet.

An okay Cabernet
A good wine

Next day: 
This wine is even better the next day.
The aroma changes a little with blackberry, touch of coffee, leather and nice spice.
The flavor, while the same, seems to be a bit fuller and what is missing is that little watery edge today.

This wine reminds me of a Pinot Noir in body. 

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Yellowfin Tuna



Poured some walnut olive oil into a glass dish and coated both sides of the tuna.  I then poured some pineapple balsamic vinegar over the tuna steaks.  I placed the dish into the fridge till it is time to cook. 

Then I coated each of the steaks with Spicy Tuna Rub from Spice Merchants.  This is a mixture of black sesame, black pepper, sea salt, cayenne pepper, and lemon zest.

I place the Tuna Steaks on a bed of bamboo rice.  The green color of the rice makes an attractive plate. 

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Sanson Estate Bird Dog Red 2005: Review


13.5% abv
$20.00 a bottle
Sanson Estate Winery
9236 Walker Road
Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada
Cabernet Sauvignon 40%, Cabernet Franc 35%, Merlot 25%
My Strength Rating: 5.5

When I opened this bottle of wine it was like I just walked into a winery.  The aroma filled the air with fresh berries, oak, and earth.  The taste follows the nose.  The red and black currant like notes with sweet raspberry and Bing cherry flavors make for a tasty berry experience.  A pleasing light oak and delicate earthy profile adds some structure.  

The mouthfeel is smooth.  This blend leaves a light aftertaste of berries and has a fairly clean aftertaste for a red wine.   

Overall, this is a tasty blend.  I tried this wine when I went to the London, Ontario Wine and Food Show and it caught my palate.  So, when I got home I made some time to head on over to this winery.  Being in southeastern Michigan I am just a hop, skip, and jump from Amherstburg, Ontario.  I visited the Sanson Winery and bought 4 bottles of this wine and several other bottles.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

CEV Meritage 2006: Review


13% abv
60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc
Colio Estate Vineyards
Coliowines.com
Appearance: Deep garnet with a ruby edge around the rim.

Aroma: Dark berry, spice, and smoky notes

Flavors: Blackberries coat the palate, nice spice, mix of musty white pepper and green pepper, soil earthiness, firm cedar.

Mouthfeel: Thick lasting aftertaste of dry soil, oak, and a blackberry bite.

Sunday, April 3, 2011

D’Angelo 2006 Old Vines Foch: Review


12%abv
D’Angelo Winery

Amherstberg, Ontario, Canada
Dangelowinery.com
My Strength Rating: 4
This tasty little wine was fermented with the grape skins on for seven days and then barrel aged for 18 months.

Light berry notes and a little smoky note on the nose. Delicate flavors of blueberry, red berries and I am thinking cranberry like, with some soft mineral and mossy earthy tones. This wine has a blueberry like aftertaste with a smooth and soft texture. A pretty clean finish.

With its delicate flavors, soft texture, and a fairly clean finish I am going with a 4 ‘Strength Rating’ – mild-medium.

Friday, April 1, 2011

Wines of Ontario Month

This April I will be reviewing Wines from Ontario, Canada.

There are 14 wineries southeast of Windsor Ontario Canada.  From Amherstburg to Pelee Island and don’t forget Smith and Wilson out by Chatham.  There are four planned wineries to open in the next few years.  If you are looking for a fun day trip look no further than the Lake Erie North Shore Wine Route. 

During the month of April (maybe longer) I am going to introduce you to some of the Lake Erie North Shore Wines.

There are two wineries that I have been visiting over the years (decades now) they are D’Angelo Estate Winery in Amherstburg and Colio Estate Wines located in Harrow.  I have reviewed a few wines from these two wineries already.  Look in the left margin for the links to their wines that I have reviewed.  Colio wines are listed as CEV in my links.

This month I am planning to review some wines from, of course, D’Angelo and Colio.  I have wines from Viewpointe Estate and Sprucewood Shores and then Sanson Estate Winery.  The bottle from Sprucewood is from the first year they opened. 

If you live in driving distance this is a worthy day trip to this wine region.  And they have wines that will interest the newbie to the experienced consumer. 



Visit
Essexwinereview.com

Here is the lineup
I will link them when they get posted
Colio 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon
CEV Signature 02 Merlot
Colio 2006 Meritage
Sanson 2005 Bird Dog
Sanson Barn Cat 06
Sanson Res. Baco Noir 08
Sanson Bacobama
Sprucewood Cabernet 2006
D'Angelo 2006 Old Vines Foch
View Pointe Focal Pointe 02