Wine Reviews from 2012 Niagara Icewine Festival

During the 2012 Niagara Icewine Festival, I had the opportunity to taste many wines. Most of them were (obviously) sweet, but I was able to taste a few dry table red wines and white wines. Below, you will find  tasting notes of some of the wines I tasted.

The best Icewine of the bunch was, by far, the Chateau des Charmes Riesling Icewine. Among dry wines, I look forward to getting my hands on the Legends Estate Shiraz and serving with goat curry. I'm also looking forward to the GreenLane Cabernet Sauvignon, when it's ready.

CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES ALIGOTÉ 2009 - Estate Btld, VQA (#284950) (XD) - $10.65
Crisp apple, floral, grassy. A tinge of butter. Light, easy drinking white wine reminds me of a cross between Sauvignon Blanc and an unoaked Chardonnay. Quite nice.

CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES RIESLING 2008 - Estate Btld, VQA (#061499) (D) - $12.55
Lovely floral aromas. Mineral, slate and petrol on the palate. Crisp acidity allows it to be paired with meals. Off-dry and delicious.

CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES GENERATION SEVEN WHITE - VQA (#197988) (D) - $13.95

Soft, easy drinking white wine featuring aromas and flavours of kiwi, grapefruit and floral notes. Good "food wine" with balanced acidity.

CHÂTEAU  DES CHARMES GAMAY NOIR 2008 - Estate Btld, VQA (#057349) (XD) - $12.55

Smoke, dark fruits, white pepper, herbal aromas with a touch of cherry. All follow through on palate, with dark fruits dominating; pepper on the mid-palate. Medium-bodied red wine.

CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES 'OLD VINES' CABERNET-MERLOT 2006 - Estate Btld, VQA (#222372) (XD) - $19.95
Notes of currant, cassis, mint, oak and chocolate. Smooth and silky tannins make their presence felt. Tastes expensive.

CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES RIESLING ICEWINE 2007 - VQA, Paul Bosc Estate Vineyard (S) (375 mL) - $65.00

Seductive aromas of honey and apricot that follow through on the palate. Very good acidity that will allow this Icewine to be paired with a meal. Outstanding offering that is excellent right now, and could rested for up to 5 years. Buy online

CATTAIL CREEK SELECT LATE HARVEST VIDAL 2008 - VQA Ontario (MS) (375 mL) - $20.95
Mild honey, apricot, petrol aromas and flavours. Acidity a touch strong, providing harsh experience.

PONDVIEW VIDAL ICEWINE 2010 - VQA (S) (200 mL) - $25.15

Strong burnt honey aromas and flavours leaving tingling sensation in mouth. Some apricot notes. Strong acidity. Serve with mild blue cheese.

PONDVIEW CABERNET FRANC ICEWINE 2009 - VQA (S) (200 mL) - $35.10
Strong nose of red berries - strawberry and raspberry dipped in sugar. Pairs well with chocolate and acidity strong enough for meal pairing. Buy here

RIVERVIEW CABERNET FRANC ICEWINE 2010 - VQA (S) (375 mL) - $59.95

Full of strawberry and honey notes. Not too sweet; serve with milk chocolate or light cheese. Buy direct

JACKSON-TRIGGS GRAND RESERVE CABERNET FRANC ICEWINE 2007 - VQA (#264325) (S) (200 mL) - $19.95 (from JT website)

Aromas of raspberry. Intense flavours of sweet red berries interplay with some raisin and fig notes. A deal at $20.

PELLER ESTATES VIDAL and OAK AGED VIDAL ICEWINE - VQA (S)

Both were outstanding - delicious honey, apricots, mineral/petrol, with the Oak Aged having more peppery, spicy notes.

GREENLANE RIESLING ICEWINE 2008 - VQA (S) (200 mL) - $29.95

Honey, citrus and candied lime aromas. Lovely honey and candied fruits on the palate. Balanced wine that pairs well with (blue) cheese.

GREENLANE GREETINGS CABERNET MERLOT 2007 - VQA (#256271) (XD) - $12.95
Cassis, herbal, spicy notes. Ripe, round wine that has some tannin grip, but is easy drinking. Would match well with a wide variety of foods.

GREENLANE GREETINGS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007 - VQA (XD) - $23.95
Dark fruit, spice and hints of chocolate. Very tannic and needs more time to develop, but has excellent potential.

LEGENDS ESTATES SHIRAZ RESERVE 2006 - VQA (XD) - $19.95
Lots of smoky, pepper notes. Full bodied. Beautiful Shiraz made for lamb. Buy here

LEGENDS ESTATES VIDAL ICEWINE 2006 - VQA (S) (375 mL) - $39.95
Thick and syrupy with the usual honey, apricot aromas and flavours. A little low on sweetness for my taste.

MAGNOTTA VIDAL HARVEST MOON 2010 - VQA (MS) (750 mL) - $9.95
Medium-sweet wine with orange and tangerine on the nose. Passionfruit and apple on the palate. Tangy. Buy here

MAGNOTTA CANADIAN PASSITO VIDAL 2006 - VQA (MS) (375 mL) - $14.95
Another medium-sweet offering with melon, apricot, honey, floral and some raisin notes. Pair with cheese.

MAGNOTTA VIDAL ICEWINE 2008 - VQA (#587154) (S) (375 mL) - $29.95
Fabulous Icewine with honey, toffee, apricots and peach. Suitable for cheese and desserts. Great value!