2005 was a fabulous vintage for reds in Ontario due to the significant amount of heat accumulated over the growing season. This fact certainly shows up in Pelee Island's Reserve Pinot Noir, available in general distribution at the LCBO. What's also worth noting is that Pelee Island, in addition to being a place and the name of the winery, is now also a VQA-recognized appellation in itself.
13% alc. Clear, medium-ruby colour with a garnet hue. Spicy cherry-candy Pinot nose with ample chicken-coop/pigeon-poop secondary aromas and some faint oaky spice. Some savoury tomato notes in the background too. Powerful structure on the entry with balanced acidity and a huge whack of tannin - very, very astringent. Puckery and chewy on the mid-palate with precise flavour replays and cherry notes toward the finish; a bit tart around the edges, but properly dry and food-friendly. A bit of heat and astringency is again noted. Subtle oak spice lingers on the long and dry finish. I suspect that with a day or so of aeration, the wine will come together even more, though it makes for an interesting study already.