I had a couple of free days in Toronto recently and I decided I should try as many Canadian wines as I could while I had the chance, the results are below. My exposure to Canadian wines and producers prior to this was very limited, so I enjoyed the opportunity to broaden my experience.
Prices are approximate pre-tax CAD retail or cellar door.
Sparkling and White
2010 Norman Hardie “County” Chardonnay (Canada, Ontario, Prince Edward County VQA) - 12% alc, 85 cases, $35
The initial impression is that of aromas of smoke and flint, with peach and lemon notes coming through as well. The palate is light, vibrant and balanced with good length, structure and some depth to it. 90/100
2010 The Organized Crime Winery Fumé Blanc (Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Beamsville Bench VQA) - $28
Barrel fermented and aged. Melon, pineapple, ginger and a whiff of smoke. The palate is fresh and driven with good acid but also shows texture and character. Interesting wine that isn’t worked into oblivion like some other barrel fermented SBs that I’ve tried. 90/100
2010 Tawse Riesling (Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Twenty Mile Bench VQA) - 10.3% alc, 1000 cases, $20
Nose of graphite, apricot, wax and a slightly odd blue cheese aroma. The palate is noticeably sweet, probably in the region of 20-30 grams per litre, but there are spikes of acid out of sync throughout. This is a well regarded wine so this may have been an off sample but I did not like the bottle I tried. 80/100
2010 Fielding Estate Winery Pinot Gris Estate Bottled (Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA) - 12% alc, 10 g/l residual sugar, $22
I loved the richness with this wine. Fig, pear and nuts on the nose. The palate is delicious, there is fruit richness with corresponding acid to play off as well as a tantalising lick of residual sugar and textural interest. I found this to be quite Alsatian in style and extremely impressive overall. 92/100
2008 Hidden Bench Estate Bottled Riesling (Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Beamsville Bench VQA) - $25
First bottle was scalped. A second sample was much better - Light nutty character, pineapple and some honey notes starting to come through despite its youth. The palate is mild, it needs a bit more zing and depth to shine, but it is still likeable. 88/100
2009 Hidden Bench Nuit Blanche Estate Bottled Rosomel Vineyard (Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Beamsville Bench VQA) - 89.7% Sauvignon Blanc 10.3% Semillon, $40
Golden coloured. The nose opens with wax and citrus, then a line of smoke in the background. The trail of smoke continues on the palate but I found it added interest to the wine rather than overwhelming the other elements. Good acidity and carry to the finish. 91/100
2009 Hidden Bench Gewürztraminer Estate Bottled Felseck Vineyard (Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Beamsville Bench VQA) - 14.5% alcohol, $30
Ginger and lemon on the nose with a hint of vanilla as well. Palate has good weight to it, it is rich and has a luscious, slightly oily mouthfeel. There is good acid present, but not prominent, to keep the palate from getting too overbearing. 90/100
N.V. Jackson-Triggs Proprietor’s Select Sparkling Chardonnay Brut (Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA) - $11
Lemon and lime on the nose. Palate is light and without depth or interest. 82/100
2010 Charles Baker Picone Riesling (Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Vinemount Ridge VQA) - 11.5% alc, 10 g/l residual, $35
Pale coloured. Appealing florals on the nose with some lemon and green apples coming through as well. The palate shows good length and while there is some roundness to the mouthfeel, the acid carries it well. There seems to be a pinch of residual sugar that I personally enjoy (later found to be 10 g/l). Well proportioned and drinking nicely right now. 89/100
2008 Peninsula Ridge Estates Sauvignon Blanc AJ Lepp Vineyards (Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA) - $20
Violets, rockmelon and grapefruit on the nose. Palate has a little kick from some white pepper flavour and there is actually some complexity and depth here. Medium length and good focus through a line of acidity. 89/100
2010 Fielding Estate Winery Gewürztraminer (Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA) - 12.5% alcohol, 12.5g/l residual sugar, $16
A pretty nose of rockmelon, lime and nutmeg. The palate does show some residual sweetness but there is decent acid to keep things balanced. The structure isn’t present to age, but it is enjoyable now. 88/100
2009 Angels Gate Winery Riesling Sussreserve (Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA) - 11.5% alc, 22 g/l residual sugar, 3000 cases, $14
The nose is predominantly floral with peaches and pear supporting. Off-dry on the palate, very softly textured, could probably do with a bit more acid for focus. Medium length and probably best consumed now. 87/100
2008 Ganton & Larsen Prospect Winery “Council’s Punch Bowl” Sauvignon Blanc (Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley VQA) - $10
Nose is light with some orange peel and tangerine. Palate is quite restrained as well, there is good acid and some light fruit but no depth. 85/100
2010 Inniskillin “Niagra Series” Pinot Grigio (Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA) - 13% alc, $13
Peach and citrus on the nose. The palate is simple, with some sweetness and one dimensional fruit. Serviceable but nothing to be excited about. 84/100
Red
2010 Norman Hardie Cabernet Franc (Canada, Ontario, Prince Edward County VQA) - 11.5% alc, $20
Cherry, tobacco, pencil shavings and light violet floral notes. Teeters on the edge of ripeness on the palate, I thought it was fine in a restrained style, but others with less tolerance for under-ripe character may not enjoy it so much. There is a certain something to the wine that kept me coming back, I did enjoy it more than the note sounds like. 88/100
2009 Norman Hardie “County” Pinot Noir (Canada, Ontario, Prince Edward County VQA) - 11.5% alc, $39
Visually it is obvious that it is unfined and unfiltered with that cloudy cherry colour like the Pinot from Bass Phillip and Pyramid Valley. The nose is earth driven with black cherry and stalks supporting. The palate is restrained with some sour cherry and more stalk character, with decent length and acidity. Still youthful, I think it will improve over the next 5 years. 90/100
2008 The Foreign Affair The Conspiracy (Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA) - Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc in a Ripasso style, $20
Blackberry, graphite and sour cherry on the nose, with a light palate that leans into green territory. There isn’t a great deal of depth here but the wine does improve when consumed with food. 86/100
2008 Lailey Vineyard Meritage (Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara River VQA) - 12.5% alc, close split between Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, $25
Stalks and iron with a bit of cherry and white pepper on the nose. The palate is dominated and unbalanced by stalk character, with not enough fruit. The tannin and oak structure in the background actually seems quite good, but I can’t get over the stalks. 85/100
2010 Karlo Estates Cabernet Franc (Canada, Ontario, Prince Edward County VQA) - 12% alc, $24
Aromas of nutmeg, red cherry and ground coffee. The palate is quite gamey, with savoury red cherry flavour coming through strongly. Decent tannins and balance, quite a good wine overall. 89/100
2007 Fielding Estate Winery Syrah (Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA) - 13% alc, $45
The nose is appealing and evidently cool climate, with black pepper, red cherry, graphite and some earthy notes. The palate is restrained without being thin. Balanced and textured, this was lovely. 90/100
2009 Meyer Family Vineyards Okanagan Valley Pinot Noir (Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley VQA) - 600 cases, $25
Black cherry driven nose with a splash of earth and bacon. The palate is lighter than the nose and has good focus and balance. It doesn’t show the depth or length to be better than very good, but I still enjoyed it. 88/100
2009 Inniskillin Cabernet-Merlot (Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA) - 12.5% alc, $14
Blackberry and cherry on the nose. Palate is medium bodied but lacking character. 85/100
Sweet
2010 Tawse Cabernet Franc Icewine (Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Vinemount Ridge VQA) - 10.0% alc $30 for 200 mL
Aromas of passionfruit, red cherries, plums and blueberries. Palate is extremely sweet, bordering on too sweet for my taste, without really having the acid to come in and clean it away. A small glass was nice, but I didn’t feel like a second. 88/100
