Ontario wineries do well by Meritage particularly where Cabernet Franc is in the blend. This Redtail 2020 Meritage is 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and 28% Cabernet Franc. Aroma: One might say a perfect blend of a “balanced” red wine. The essential aroma characteristics of each grape is identifiable but none predominate so if youContinue reading “RKS 2026 Ontario Wine: Redtail 2020 Meritage from Niagara”
Tag Archives: Wines of Ontario
RKS 2026 ONTARIO WINE: Drea’s 2022 Small Batch Cabernet Franc
Aroma: One senses a firm and tight wine lacking fruit effusiveness. Pardon any reference to Gogol’s short story “The Nose” but you need to deeply nose about to detect black cherry, black currant, strawberry jam and those Peek Freen cookies with a blob of red goo in the centre. Overshadowed by oak, perhaps too muchContinue reading “RKS 2026 ONTARIO WINE: Drea’s 2022 Small Batch Cabernet Franc”
RKS 2026 Ontario Wine: Fogolar Funk Riesling?
Aroma: Fascinating funk as an aroma in decay. Never encountered this bizarre and alluring fog from Fogolar. Fog meets Fogolor! Niagara peach and apricot intertwined in this strangeness. Slate and marmalade. Palate: This medium dry Riesling is Pfalz all the way. Honeyed smoothness. Penetrating stone fruit with an endless finish. A full bodied almost aContinue reading “RKS 2026 Ontario Wine: Fogolar Funk Riesling?”
RKS CANADIAN Wine: Reif Estate’s 2020 Niagara River Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
Ontario Cabernet Franc offers wine drinkers excellent results but with Ontario Cabernet Sauvignon it is “Brave New World”. It seldom impresses. What about the REIF Estate 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve from Ontario’s Niagara River appellation? Aroma: Blueberry, black cherry, licorice and charcoal. Palate: Diffuse and moderate tannins. The intriguing aromas do not migrate to theContinue reading “RKS CANADIAN Wine: Reif Estate’s 2020 Niagara River Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve”
RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Cabernet Franc Ontario’s Great Red Wine Strength: Does a 2027 Cellars Cabernet Franc Carry the Torch?
If you can’t produce a top-notch Cabernet Franc in Ontario you might as well go home. There were 366 cases of 2027 Cellars 2021 Cabernet Franc produced. Aroma: On the head of the nail with bright cherry, black cherry, cocoa and cola. Palate: Packs more of a punch than its tender aromas might suggest andContinue reading “RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Cabernet Franc Ontario’s Great Red Wine Strength: Does a 2027 Cellars Cabernet Franc Carry the Torch?”
RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Palatine Hills 2023 Viognier
Viognier is a rare grape in Ontario! So with great interest Viognier from Palatine Hills. Aroma: Apricot, peach, Seville marmalade, mango and talcum powder. Palate: Guava, banana and Orri tangerine. Firm. Dry. Big mouthfeel. Long finish. Personality: Don’t be timid about giving me a try. You will not find much of me as a singleContinue reading “RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Palatine Hills 2023 Viognier”
RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Redstone 2021 Gamay Noir
Aroma: Raspberry, Niagara red cherry and a generous dosage of French oak. Palate: Restrained and tight giving little rein to the raspberry and cherry but not stifling it. Short finish with light and passing tannins. Personality: So if I don’t flaunt my fruit this is a matter of choice and style. Cellarbility: Drink now. FoodContinue reading “RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Redstone 2021 Gamay Noir”
RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Rosehall Run’s 2024 Unoaked Chardonnay From Prince Edward County in Ontario, Canada
Rosehall Run 2024 Unoaked Chardonnay is an “entry level” Chardonnay from Rosehall Run in Prince Edward County although it is a VQA Ontario wine as opposed to VQA Prince Edward County. Wonder if the grapes were trucked in from Niagara? Aroma: Pear, apple, lemon, pineapple and some lemon meringue pie. Palate: Crisp and taut. WhileContinue reading “RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Rosehall Run’s 2024 Unoaked Chardonnay From Prince Edward County in Ontario, Canada”
RKS 2025 Canadian Wine: Shale Ridge 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon: Gutsy and/or Suicidal
Producing single varietal Cabernet Sauvignon in Ontario is a risky business as far as I can see. Most often it is a bland experience but jazzed up with generous oak it just may surprise you. Shale Ridge is located in Thedford, Ontario proximate to the shores of Lake Huron in Southwest Ontario. Their 2023 CabernetContinue reading “RKS 2025 Canadian Wine: Shale Ridge 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon: Gutsy and/or Suicidal”
RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: & Evermore Chardonnay: Can an Ontario “Budget” Chardonnay Deliver?
If one pauses momentarily in a wave of Canadian patriotism accentuated by Trumpian carnival barking annexation of Canada aggression and decides to buy Canadian wine one may discover Canadian wines can be pricier than many Chilean, Spanish, Argentinian and Portuguese wines. Chardonnay is no exception so with interest we try a $16 & Evermore 2023Continue reading “RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: & Evermore Chardonnay: Can an Ontario “Budget” Chardonnay Deliver?”
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