How generous should you be before calling a winery out? My view is two strikeouts and that winery is out or if you are more forgiving perhaps on probation. I have called a strikeout on Marynissen’s 2019 Cabernet Franc giving that tired and anemic wine a 64/100. What will the 2019 Cabernet Merlot bring?
Considering it’s made with 15% of the 2019 Cabernet Franc coupled with 49% Merlot and 36% Cabernet Sauvignon the latter two grapes being Ontario weakling grapes I’d be seriously watching the batter and if he strikes out again maybe it is time to send him back to Triple A in Biddlypoop, Kansas.
Ok the pitcher winds up and releases the ball with the Marynissen batter tensing up. The aroma presents one with a relaxed black cherry, very ripe strawberry and cola. The batter at least makes some contact but it is a foul ball way down left field but in the stands. The pitcher winds up and here comes the ball. The tannins are moderate. But the Marynissen batter is having a flashback about the poor 2019 Cabernet Franc and a fastball whizzes by him over the strike zone while he suffers from embarrassment at his last strikeout at his previous at bat. The Marynissen batter takes another strike looking like a rabbit nibbling on the vines just before a vineyard hawk scoops him up for dinner. The batting coach comes onto the field seeing the Marynissen batter is in distress. A few calming words and a pat on the back and he trots back to the bench. Has this little break caused concentration to return for the Marynissen batter? The fans wait as the wine aerates. Here comes the ball and it’s the treacherous knuckleball looking like it is coming in at over 100 when actually it is the mid sixties. The Marynissen batter lifts his leg and readies the swing. He looks like he is going to pound that ball out of the park after all he had 26 home runs last year and a Golden Glove award but that was yesterday and today is today. The hometown crowd is on its feet. So before the call is made or the ball hit the taste of the wine is again what one might expect from depleted soil. Smack sounds the ball as it hits the catcher’s mitt and the umpire yells “Yuuuuur Out!” Marynissen strikes out again. I am staying away from their wines. Many ballplayers have had their day and struggle for a year or so before they retire. My last interaction with Marynissen was perhaps a decade ago and their win and loss record was far better than it is now.
(Marynissen Estates 2019 Cabernet Merlot, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Marynissen Estates, Niagara-on-the-Lake, $17.95, LCBO #16713, 750 mL, 13.5%, A Little Birdie Told Me So Rating 69/100).
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