Can Niagara produce a quality Syrah? When it comes to quality red wines in Ontario I put my hand up to get the attention of the Wine Gods and respond I think Ontario can excel with Gamay Noir and Cabernet Franc but aside from that? So stone me to death for daring to speak my mind. I have tested my thesis on many a Liquor Control Board of Ontario Vintages consultant and just about all agree with this assessment. Sure there are some decent Merlots and Pinot Noirs but the Okanagan is where I will go for those. But before you let that stone fly at my noggin I plead for forgiveness and say I haven’t given up yet.
Trying now a Creekside Estate Winery 2017 Iconoclast Syrah from St. David’s Bench in Niagara. A great nose brimming with blackberries, blueberries and Cott Black Cherry Cola. Houston do we have a winner here or will there be a King Richard moment when a spoilt Icon comes up and bashes my face for slighting his beloved Niagara Syrah’s?
On the palate the wine more or less falls apart saying, “Ontario ari ari o is no place for Syrah”. No fruit just a very empty and dilute finish. Back to the drawing board!
(Creekside Estate Winery 2017 Iconoclast Syrah, VQA St. David’s Bench, Creekside Estate Winery, Jordan, Ontario, $25, (buy at the winery or have them ship it to you) 750 mL, 13.3%. RKS Wine Rating 79/100).
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