by Paul B. » Sun Sep 03, 2006 9:59 pm
I've often said that the Bordeaux-style reds in Ontario really only shine in the best of red-wine vintages, and that is certainly the case with 2005. This is my first Ontario red from '05, and I find that it backs up what I've said about these wines for a long time.
$10.95 at Colio's retail outlet. 13% alc. Deep, dark garnet colour with excellent saturation and a slightly opaque cherry-garnet hue when viewed through the glass. Very pleasant juicy-berry nose comprising cherry and blackcurrant with high-quality oak nuances rounding it out. There is barely any green-pepper here - something that literally plagues the majority of Cab Sauvignons and Cab Francs from ordinary and mediocre vintages. Tart, fully (and properly) dry on the entry with abundant, ripe, mouth-coating chalky tannins. Very pleasantly dry and astringent, and quite substantial on the mid-palate. An excellent, chewy finish; pleasant oak-nuance replays on the finish.
I highly recommend this wine - it's truly a worthy and inexpensive Bordeaux-style Ontario red. The vintage was excellent for reds in Ontario, and if this is any indication, I will be buying more wines like this from '05. I certainly can't wait to try the hybrid reds from '05 too. Chances are that they'll be inky blockbusters, as were the '98s and '99s.
The wine went very well with the lamb chops I made for supper using a balsamic vinegar/rosemary/juniper reduction sauce.
http://hybridwines.blogspot.ca