The centre of excellence for Canadian Pinot Noir in my humble opinion would be the Okanagan in British Columbia with highwater producers such as Meyer Family Vineyards, Mayhem Wines and Oak Bay. Ontario is a bit inconsistent in the Pinot Noir domain but there is Clos Jordanne that is consistently good. I have given up on low budget Pinot Noirs from Burgundy still hoping for Ontario Pinot Noir success stories.
With that Ontario great hope in mind we try a Wescott 2018 Pinot Noir from Niagara.
Aromatics of raspberry, cherry, beet juice, strawberry and a light dusting of mocha. On the palate the wine is light handed and restrained in comparison to Okanagan Pinot Noirs which are a bit more concentrated flavour wise on the palate. Light handed as to tannins and acidity which are both in the background as it should be with a Pinot Noir. There is cranberry, Portuguese roasted almonds, Obidos cherry liqueur with a little rift of charcoal. Short finish.
The wine would cruise nicely until the end of 2024 improving slightly in the bottle. It would suit a charcuterie platter with Iberian smoked ham and soft cheeses such as Oka and St. Nectaire or Morbier from France. For a more substantial match it would do well with a truffle pizza, mushroom Wellington or a mushroom ragout.
The $31.95 price tag may seem a bit steep but in the Ontario price range for a quality Pinot Noir it is fair and gives the finger to French Burgundies at this price point. At the end of the day far leaner than Okanagan Pinot Noirs but do we clap and say this is Niagara terroir speaking?
(Westcott 2018 Pinot Noir VQA Vinemount Ridge, Westcott Vineyards, Jordan, Ontario, $31.95, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 427500, RKS Wine Rating 90/100).
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