Showing posts with label organic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label organic. Show all posts

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  • Date publishedTuesday, October 24, 2017

Novas Gran Reserva Carmenere Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 (Chile) - Wine Review



organic red wine is the last in a series featuring delicious turkey recipes that I'm sure would also work well with chicken. It is produced by Emiliana, a winery known for producing fine organic wines and was recently named Winery of the Year in 2015.

This particular wine comes from their Novas line, and is made with organic grapes from carefully selected vineyards, resulting in wines of excellent quality that fully express their terroir. Its name comes from the ancient astronomers who used the word “Novas” to denote the birth of a new star.

This red wine is a General List product at the LCBO and readily available at LCBO outlets across Ontario.

Novas Gran Reserva Carmenere Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 (87 pts)

Tasting Note:

NOVAS GRAN RESERVA CARMENERE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2015 - Colchagua Valley, Chile (#434662) (XD) - $16.15
An organic wine that's a blend of 85% Carmenere and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon that was aged for 12 months in a combination of French and American oak, as well as stainless steel tanks. Light plum and blackberry notes from the cork. An initial red pepper nose gives way to oak spice, blackberry, and herbs, with whiffs of minty cassis and chocolate. The palate is medium-to-full bodied with supple tannins that are a touch chalky, and acids are lively and food-friendly. More dark berry, blackberry and herbal flavours with some cassis and mint on the palate. The finish length is very good, with an earthy chocolate aftertaste. Enjoyed with oven roasted chicken. Score: 87 pts

Southern-Style Rotisserie Turkey Recipe:


Ingredients:
  • 1 12 lb. turkey, preferably fresh

Brine:
  • 1 tbsp peppercorns
  • 5 bay leaves
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 2 lemons, quartered
  • 1 cup kosher salt
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 6 cups water
  • Ice

Rub:
  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1-1/2 tsp fresh oregano
  • 1 chipotle pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tbsp kosher salt
  • 1 sprig fresh sage, roughly chopped

Stuffing:
  • 1 apple, cored and quartered
  • 1 lemon, quartered
  • 2 sprigs fresh sage
  • 4 sprigs fresh parsley
  • 1/2 white onion, cut into six
  • 6 garlic cloves, smashed

To Prepare:
Place all brine ingredients – except for ice – in a pot large enough to fit the turkey. On the stovetop, heat until sugar and salt dissolve, stirring gently. Remove from heat and let sit until liquid reaches room temperature. Place turkey inside the pot and fill with ice. Cover and place in the fridge for 12 hours.

In a small bowl, combine all ingredients for the rub. Mix with a fork until fully incorporated. Set aside.

To Cook:
Remove the pot from the fridge and remove turkey from the brine. Place the turkey in a sink and wash with cold water. Pat the turkey as dry as possible and let sit out at room temperature for at least 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 450°F.

Using your fingers, gently separate turkey skin from the muscles. Using your hands, grab small portions of the butter and place between turkey skin and meat. Make sure to evenly spread throughout as this will help with consistent browning. Lather the outside skin as well.

Stuff the bird with apple, lemon, sage, parsley, onion and garlic. Twine the legs together and fold the wings under the breast. Season outside skin with salt. Outfit the turkey with the rotisserie rod and forks. Place a parchment-lined tray on the bottom rack of your oven and add the turkey to the rotisserie. Let the turkey cook for 20 minutes, then reduce oven temperature to 320°F and cook for 1 hour and 45 minutes or until the breast reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

When finished, remove from the oven and rest for 1 hour at room temperature. Remove rod and forks before serving.


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  • Date publishedSaturday, April 15, 2017

Southbrook Vineyards Wine Tasting - March 2017

Southbrook Vineyards Portfolio Tasting
, I was invited to a wine tasting by André Proulx to taste through some of the latest wines from Southbrook Vineyards - a winery that pursues organic and biodynamic viticulture that I've featured many times on this blog.

There were 13 wines available for tasting, including the 2015 Southbrook Organic Triomphe Pinot Noir and 2015 Southbrook Organic Triomphe Chardonnay that I previously tasted earlier this year, as well as other wines from the Triomphe line of wines that are an expression of carefully tended vines that produce quality wines.

The majority of the wines were from the Estate Grown Small Lot series and tended to be my favourite of the bunch. These organic and biodynamic wines are hand-made to express the unique contributors to winemaking - site, soil, climate, vintage, and the human touch. A sub-series within this line of wines is the Estate Barrel Series, where winemaker Ann Sperling illustrates the subtleties that different barrels can make to Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc bottlings. We got to taste the exquisite 'Allier' Chardonnay, but there are 3 other Chardonnays in this line as well, plus 6 Cabernet Francs - it would've been great to taste all of these side-by-side. A visit to the winery to taste through the rest of the Estate Barrel Series may be in order.

In addition to the above, there was also a wild ferment cider, an effervescent bubbly made with 100% Vidal, and a lovely Chardonnay from their top-of-the-line Poetica series.

Guiding us through the tasting were Paul DeCampo, Director of Marketing & Sales, and Andrew Redelmeier, son of owners Bill and Marilyn Redelmeier who is also a Sales & Marketing Specialist at Southbrook Vineyards.

Wine reviews of my favourite wines at this tasting are provided below, and all of the wines are available (or will be available soon) for purchase direct through the winery.

From left to right: André Proulx, Paul DeCampo and Andrew Redelmeier

Southbrook Portfolio Tasting + Cheese

Tasting Notes:

SOUTHBROOK ESTATE GROWN SMALL LOT 'ALLIER' CHARDONNAY 2013 - VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $39.95
Aged for 11 months in combination of new and old oak sourced from the Allier forest in central France, this has a gorgeous nose that is very appealing with elegant, sweet vanilla, nutty, butter and integrated oak with hints of pear. The palate is medium-bodied with nice depth, balanced acids and very nice aroma replays led by more nutty characters and hints of caramel and smoke. Excellent finish length. Score: 91 pts

Southbrook Estate Grown Small Lot 'Allier' Chardonnay 2013 (91 pts)Southbrook Poetica Chardonnay 2013 (91 pts)

SOUTHBROOK POETICA CHARDONNAY 2013 - VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#366500) (XD) - $49.95
Seems somewhat closed compared to a couple of weeks ago at Taste Ontario, offering medium-high aromatics of stone fruit and oak. The palate is medium-bodied and minerally textured with rich stone fruit flavours and integrated oak notes. Refined with balanced acids. Very good finish length with some nutty flavours adding interest. Has the stuffing to age a number of years, but is enjoyable now. Score: 91 pts

SOUTHBROOK ESTATE GROWN SMALL LOT '101' CABERNET FRANC 2013 - VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $34.95
My favourite red of the tasting, this is 91% Cabernet Franc and 9% Cabernet Sauvignon that is sourced from the "101" vineyard, this is highly aromatic with very nice red & black fruits, herbaceous, tobacco, leather, and dark currant aromas. The palate is medium-full bodied with ripe tannins integrating nicely and very appealing aroma replays. Refined with finely balanced acids and long finishing. Will reward 2+ years ageing and drink to 2023. Score: 91 pts

Southbrook Estate Grown Small Lot '101' Cabernet Franc 2013 (91 pts)

SOUTHBROOK ESTATE GROWN SMALL LOT PETIT VERDOT 2013 - VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $39.95
Appears shy at the moment, offering glimpses of dark berry fruit, black cherry, and oak along with hints of purple fruit, earth and barnyard notes, all of which come through nicely on the full-bodied palate. Tannins are well-integrated and balanced by very good, juicy acids. The finish length is very good. Score: 89 pts

Southbrook Estate Grown Small Lot Petit Verdot 2013 (89 pts)Southbrook Estate Grown Small Lot 'Witness Block' Cabernet Sauvignon / Cabernet Franc 2013 (90+ pts)

SOUTHBROOK ESTATE GROWN SMALL LOT 'WITNESS BLOCK' CABERNET SAUVIGNON / CABERNET FRANC 2013 - VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $39.95
A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon (from 2003 planting), 37% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Merlot, this has medium-high aromatics that offer touches of evergreen, red and black fruits, cassis and black cherry. Oak is well-integrated on the full-bodied palate with nice aroma replays and balanced acids. Long finishing. Slightly chalky tannins should soften with time. Drink over the next 5 years. Score: 90+ pts


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  • Date publishedFriday, March 31, 2017

Emiliana Adobe Reserva Merlot Organic 2015 (Chile) - Wine Review

wine is an organic red wine made by Emiliana Organic Vineyards of Chile.

"Adobe" refers to an ancient natural material used for construction in Chile and is now the main foundation of Emiliana's winery in Chile. It is also the name of their "reserve" line of wines, one of many lines in their portfolio, that are made with organic grapes which reflect the quality of their vineyards. These wines are also made with deep respect for the environment and their workers.

This wine is a General List product and widely available at LCBO locations throughout Ontario and is perfectly suitable for upcoming Easter celebrations paired with red meats.

Emiliana Adobe Reserva Merlot Organic 2015 (87 pts)

Tasting Note:

EMILIANA ADOBE RESERVA MERLOT ORGANIC 2015 - DO Rapel Valley, Chile (#322024) (D) - $12.95
Screw cap. This organic Merlot offers ripe fruited aromas of raspberry, blackberry, black cherry, black plum, along with wood-influenced cocoa, milk chocolate and oak notes. The palate is full-bodied with a plush mouthfeel, balanced by fresh acids and a flavour profile that mimics the aromas, plus some graphite tones. Sweet, dusty tannins gain volume and become quite chalky towards the long chocolatey finish. Ideal with red meat. Score: 87 pts


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  • Date publishedTuesday, January 31, 2017

Southbrook Connect Organic White 2014 (Ontario) - Wine Review (Bottle 2)

I first tried organic white wine from Southbrook Vineyards just over a year ago. And tonight, I am opening the second bottle with an expectation that it has matured a little. This wine is bottled under Stelvin screw cap, so I am expecting only subtle changes, if any at all.

If you're interested in purchasing this wine, there may be some 2014s left at the LCBO, but I suspect they have shifted to the next vintage as the 2015 is now available for purchase on the Southbrook Vineyards website. You should also know that the 2014 was a blend of 58% Vidal, 21% Chardonnay, 12% Riesling, and 9% Sauvignon Blanc, while the 2015 is a blend of 56% Vidal, 31% Riesling, 13% Sauvignon Blanc - bigger Riesling component and no Chardonnay.

Southbrook Connect Organic White 2014 (86 pts)

Tasting Note:

SOUTHBROOK CONNECT ORGANIC WHITE 2014 - VQA Ontario, Canada (#249078) (D) - $15.95
Waxy and slightly oxidative, along with subtle aromas of melon, citrus and white peach of medium-intensity. The palate is soft, round and full-ish with sour edged flavours of honey and ripe citrus. Delicate acids. There's a hint of sweetness, but finishes with bitter notes of average length. Drink now. Score: 86 pts


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  • Date publishedSunday, January 22, 2017

Southbrook Organic Triomphe Chardonnay 2015 (Niagara) - Wine Review

wine was bottled last , but only released by the winery for home delivery across Canada a few weeks ago.

This small batch organic Chardonnay has been produced by Southbrook Vineyards for many years now. I've tasted the previous 3 vintages (2014, 2013 and 2012), which were all delicious, and I expect the 2015 to also be delicious, while continuing to be suitable for vegans and vegetarians.

Ann Sperling is director of winemaking and viticulture at Southbrook, and with three decades of experience in winegrowing and winemaking, she is considered a leading force in the Canadian movement towards organic and biodynamic winemaking.

The 2015 vintage is currently only available at the winery, or online through their website. Previous vintages of this wine have showed up on LCBO VINTAGES shelves. However, since only 800 cases were produced, it may or may not show up this time around.

Southbrook Organic Triomphe Chardonnay 2015 (88 pts)

Tasting Note:

SOUTHBROOK ORGANIC TRIOMPHE CHARDONNAY 2015 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#172338) (XD) - $22.95
Stelvin screw cap. Quite a change in style compared to the last vintage, this has subtle aromas of orchard fruits, earth and yeast. The palate is medium+ bodied with more orchard fruit flavours like apple and pear, with underlying earthy flavours, and ending with slightly honeyed notes. Some interesting salty notes mid-palate. Acids are prickly and juicy, providing freshness. Finish is earthy and dry, with very good length. I would put this away for another year to let it develop further. Serve with only a light chill. Score: 88 pts


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  • Date publishedTuesday, January 17, 2017

Southbrook Organic Triomphe Pinot Noir 2015 (Niagara) - Wine Review

wine is something we haven't seen in many, many years - a Triomphe Pinot Noir from Southbrook Vineyards.

Since moving to Niagara and starting their own organic production, only organically grown grapes are chosen for Southbrook's Triomphe line of wines. And since they didn't plant any Pinot Noir (or Riesling) at their site in Four Mile Creek (in Niagara-on-the-Lake), they did not produce a Pinot Noir for their Triomphe line - until now. The grapes for this wine are sourced from Heather Laundry's certified organic vineyard at their Lincoln Lakeshore site.

For this vintage, the grapes were hand-harvested and naturally fermented with 40% whole clusters. It was matured for 9 months in mostly neutral French oak.

This organic wine is only available from the winery and can be ordered for home delivery across the country. Only 250 cases produced, so visit the Southbrook Vineyards website to place your order today!

Southbrook Organic Triomphe Pinot Noir 2015 (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

SOUTHBROOK ORGANIC TRIOMPHE PINOT NOIR 2015 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $29.95
Subtle aromas of strawberry, cherry and subtle spice from the cork. Crafted by the talented Ann Sperling with grapes sourced from the Laundry Vineyard, this organic red wine has medium+ intensity aromatics offering cherry, strawberry, raspberry, sweet herbs and a whiff of earthiness in the glass. Some dried floral aromas emerge with air. It's light-bodied but gains texture in the mouth. Smooth, refined tannins on the palate with earthy, red currant strawberry, cherry and mushroom flavours. Acids are fresh and balanced. Some milk chocolate notes on the long finish. Fairly complex overall and should evolve nicely over the next 3-4 years. Score: 89 pts


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  • Date publishedTuesday, October 25, 2016

San Raffaele Monte Tabor Pinot Grigio 2015 (Veneto) - Wine Review

Opened up this organic white wine ahead of it's release onto LCBO VINTAGES shelves on .

The grapes for this organic Pinot Grigio come from vineyards in the area around Verona, west of Venice, and is managed by winegrowers who have been cultivating organically for more than 25 years.

This 2015 vintage is a step up in quality from the 2014 San Raffaele Monte Tabor Pinot Grigio that I tasted last year, and is sure to be liked by many.

San Raffaele Monte Tabor Pinot Grigio 2015 - IGT Veneto, Italy (87 pts)

Tasting Note:

SAN RAFFAELE MONTE TABOR PINOT GRIGIO 2015 - IGT Veneto, Italy (#204768) (XD) - $13.95
Organic wine. Light aromas of fresh lemon and tropical fruits from the cork. Perfumed aromas of melon, tropical fruit and lemon of medium intensity. The palate is ripe and juicy with good fruit concentration, showing peach, apricot and lemon flavours in a dry style (i.e. not sweet). Acids are fresh, while the finish length is good. Should appeal to many. Score: 87 pts


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  • Date publishedWednesday, September 28, 2016

Southbrook Organic Triomphe Cabernet Franc 2013 (Niagara) - Wine Review

wine returns to VINTAGES soon and will be on shelves at the LCBO as part of the upcoming VINTAGES Release on .

I tasted this organic wine produced by Southbrook Vineyards previously at the epic Ontario Cabernet Franc tasting in . It's now had more than a year in bottle to soften any hard edges and comes across as quite smooth today, as noted in my wine review below.

The organic grapes for this wine were sourced from Southbrook's own vineyards, as well as 3 other growers, and picked, de-stemmed and fermented separately in either a stainless steel tank or oak vat over an average total maceration time of 3 weeks. Gentle pressing, settling and racking to oak barrels occurred for nine months before careful blending, filtering and bottling, without fining.

Southbrook Organic Triomphe Cabernet Franc 2013 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

SOUTHBROOK ORGANIC TRIOMPHE CABERNET FRANC 2013 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#275958) (D) - $21.95
Blend of 95% Cabernet Franc and 5% Merlot. Stelvin screw cap. Cocoa-dusted, forest floor and earthy aromas give way to lovely sweet herbs, clove, red floral, black cherry, blackberry notes. The tannins have integrated very nicely, offering a nice and smooth mouthfeel on the medium bodied frame. Nice, sweet-fruited aroma replays - clove, red currant, floral, and vanilla flavours open up nicely with air. Acids are juicy and finish length is very good. In a nice place right now, but will drink well over the next 2-3 years. Score: 89 pts


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  • Date publishedMonday, September 26, 2016

Southbrook Organic Triomphe Chardonnay 2014 (Niagara) - Wine Review

I opened up this nice organic Chardonnay to pair with rotisserie chicken - and it paired very well indeed!

This white wine is the latest vintage of Southbrook Vineyards' Triomphe Chardonnay and is included as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release on . Having tasted both the 2013 and 2012 vintages of this wine, this latest vintage comes across as quite reductive in style and may shock you if you've never tasted a style of wine like this.

The organic grapes for this wine come from both the Saunders and Sabourin vineyards and were handpicked, sorted and gently whole cluster pressed to extract the juice. Fermentation and lees aging occurred in 100% French cooperage over a period of 12 months prior to barrel selection, blending and bottling.

Southbrook Organic Triomphe Chardonnay 2014 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

SOUTHBROOK ORGANIC TRIOMPHE CHARDONNAY 2014 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#172338) (XD) - $22.95
Stelvin screw cap. Lifted aromatics that are reductive in style with matchstick most prominent followed by lemon, herbs, buttered popcorn and yellow pear aromas. It's medium-bodied on the palate with clean, refreshing lemony acids. Balanced flavours of lemon, buttered popcorn, herbal and smoky nuances linger on the long finish. This should improve in a year's time as the wine integrates. Paired really well with the smoky flavours from the rotisserie chicken off the BBQ. Score: 89 pts


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  • Date publishedWednesday, June 15, 2016

Southbrook Triomphe Organic Cabernet Franc Rosé 2015 (Niagara) - Wine Review

wine is a sneak preview of a dry rosé that will be available at the LCBO as part of the VINTAGES Release on .

This wine is 100% Cabernet Franc, from grapes grown organically at the Estate, as well as from the Saunders and Sabourin Vineyards.

Southbrook Triomphe Organic Cabernet Franc Rosé 2015 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (88 pts)

Tasting Note:

SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE ORGANIC CABERNET FRANC ROSÉ 2015 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#279117) (XD) - $19.95
Stelvin screw cap. Pretty salmon colour. Shy nose offers glimpses of red fruit, strawberry, floral, sweet herbs and hints of honey. The plush, medium-bodied palate has honeyed cran-cherry flavours with some pepper and herbally nuances. It's dry with gentle acids and good length on the finish. Best enjoyed with just a slight chill. Score: 88 pts


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  • Date publishedWednesday, April 20, 2016

Emiliana Novas Gran Reserva Carménère / Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 (Chile) - Wine Review

Emiliana Novas Gran Reserva Carménère/Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 - Colchagua Valley, Chile
, I was invited to the iYellow Wine Cave to attend iYellow's most recent #WinemakerRAW event with Emiliana Organic Vineyards from Chile.

Having tasted quite a few Emiliana wines over the past few years at the annual Chilean Wine Tasting, I had a good feeling about this tasting. This night was about getting an up close and personal look at the 2013 Emiliana Nova Gran Reserva Carménère/Cabernet Sauvignon that was just released a few weeks prior to this event at the LCBO as a general list product (and is widely available throughout the province).

In attendance representing the winery was the Winemaker Emilio Contreras, as well as the Export Director Fernando Pavon. Mr. Contreras joined Emiliana's team of winemakers in 2007 and is currently responsible for the reserve wines (including the wine below) and the two premium organic lines.

Emiliana Organic Vineyards is an organic and biodynamic winery that is focused on creating high quality wines while showing respect for the environment and their people. Emiliana firmly believes that using sustainable, organic, and biodynamic agricultural practices help produce better-balanced, healthier, and more productive vineyards, which in turn results in better grapes and unique, terroir-driven wines.

Fernando Pavon (left) and Winemaker Emilio ContrerasEmiliana Novas Gran Reserva Carménère/Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 - Colchagua Valley, Chile (88 pts)

Tasting Note:

EMILIANA NOVAS GRAN RESERVA CARMÉNÈRE/CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013 - Colchagua Valley, Chile (#434662) (XD) - $15.80
Blend of 85% Carménère and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Medium+ intensity nose of sweet oak, brett and earth with underlying sweet ripe black cherry and hints of purple fruit. It is medium-bodied on the palate with soft, rounded tannins. Black cherry, sweet vanilla and hints of cocoa on the medium-to-long finish. Organic wine made in an approachable style that should have wide appeal. Score: 88 pts


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  • Date publishedSunday, December 20, 2015

Southbrook Poetica Red 2012 (Niagara) - Wine Review

The final instalment of wines from Southbrook Vineyards is the Southbrook Poetica Red from their top-of-the-line "Poetica" collection. I wrote a brief introduction about this collection of wines during my review of their 2012 Poetica Chardonnay.

Featured on the label once again is an excerpt from a lovely poem by Chief Dan George. "Words to a Grandchild" speaks to the role that nature plays and that we must listen to it.

All Poetica wines are made in tiny, small batches, and only in excellent vintages. As such, only 85 cases of this red wine were produced. Like the Chardonnay, this benchmark red wine features limited edition numbering on the bottle - making an empty bottle a definite keepsake. The bottle I have is #307 of 1,019 and definitely one I'll be hanging on to once the juice inside is long gone.

You can purchase this wine through winery on its own or as part of the Poetica Holiday Gift Package. This 6-pack of wines includes the 2012 Poetica Red, the 2010 Poetica Red, and the 2007 Poetica Cabernet Merlot, as well as one bottle each of the 2007, 2011 and 2012 Poetica Chardonnay. This gift pack is offered with a complimentary wooden crate along with free shipping. You should also know that the 2010 Poetica Red is in extremely limited supply, so you'll need to hurry to reserve your gift package. Pricing and info about a smaller Poetica Gift Package are available on Southbrook's website.

Like nearly everything that Southbrook produces, this wine is both organic and biodynamic and is suitable for vegans and vegetarians.

Southbrook Poetica Red 2012 - VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (93 pts)

Tasting Note:

SOUTHBROOK POETICA RED 2012 - VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#355859) (XD) - $54.95
A Bordeaux-blend consisting of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Cabernet Franc, 26% Petit Verdot and 2% Merlot. Organic and biodynamic. Plum and wood aromas from the cork. Highly aromatic earthy, barnyard nose followed by sweet spice and dark berries. It's medium-to-full bodied with dark, brooding and refined tannins. Delicious aroma replays offer rich layers of baking spice, cassis, floral, blackberry, and sweet oak that persist through to the long, slightly warm finish that is supported by excellent fruit concentration and tannin. Acids are mouth-watering. Amazing right now, this will improve with cellar time and easily offer enjoyment over the next decade. This might just be the best Ontario red table wine I've ever tasted. Score: 93 pts

"Words to a Grandchild" - Southbrook Poetica Red 2012Bottle 0307 of 1,019 - Southbrook Poetica Red 2012


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  • Date publishedSaturday, December 19, 2015

Southbrook Poetica Chardonnay 2012 (Niagara) - Wine Review

The next instalment of wines from Southbrook Vineyards features a white wine from their top-of-the-line "Poetica" collection.

Poetica wines are made only in excellent vintages. The poetry on the labels is drawn from the work of a wide cross-section of talented Canadian poets and reflects, in some way, a love theme. The wine honours the poem on the label, and the poem honours the wine in the bottle.

These wines are made mostly from tiny batches and feature limited edition numbering on the bottles - making an empty bottle somewhat of a keepsake. Only 222 cases of the 2012 Poetica Chardonnay were produced. This Chardonnay is also organic and biodynamic and suitable for vegans and vegetarians.

The Poetica Gift Package is currently available for the holidays as a 6-pack that includes the Chardonnay reviewed below, as well as the 2007 and 2011 Poetica Chardonnays, the 2007 Poetica Cabernet Merlot, and 2010 and 2012 Poetica Red. This gift pack is offered with a complimentary wooden crate along with free shipping. Furthermore, the 2010 Poetica Red is in extremely limited supply, so you'll need to hurry to reserve your gift package. Pricing and info about a smaller Poetica Gift Package are available on Southbrook's website.

Southbrook Poetica Chardonnay 2012 - VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (92 pts)

Tasting Note:

SOUTHBROOK POETICA CHARDONNAY 2012 - VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#366500) (XD) - $49.95
The poem on the front is a verse from "Keep a Few Embers From the Fire" by Canadian poet Chief Dan George. Bottle 348 of 2,664, this has a reductive nose of yellow pear, toasted nuts and some subtle baking spice notes. On the palate it has vibrant acidity on a honeyed flavoured profile with hints of pineapple, Golden apple, butter and vanilla. Medium-bodied with a slight oily and creamy texture. It's mouth-watering throughout, while the finish length is excellent. A special wine that should mature well over the next 5-6 years. Score: 92 pts

"Keep a Few Embers From the Fire" - Southbrook Poetica Chardonnay 2012Bottle 0348 of 2,664 of Southbrook Poetica Chardonnay 2012


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  • Date publishedMonday, December 14, 2015

Southbrook Vidal Icewine 2014 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's end-of-dinner treat is an organic Icewine that will be released in January. If you're heading to the Icewine Festival next month, make sure to stop by Southbrook Vineyards and taste this delicious nectar.

Although there is no special Holiday Gift Package for Icewine, the beverage in and of itself would make a very special gift indeed. Having said that, you can easily bundle up the 2013 Cabernet Franc Icewine and the fully mature 2006 Vidal Icewine that was just released from the library as a lovely duo of wines for that Icewine lover in your life. Both of these Icewines are only available through the winery. Visit their website for details.

Southbrook Vidal Icewine 2014 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (90 pts)

Tasting Note:

SOUTHBROOK VIDAL ICEWINE 2014 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (S) (200 mL) - $34.95
Inviting nose of peach, honey and orange from the cork. Very appealing and highly aromatic nose of apricot preserve, peach, honey with hints of lemon and ginger. It's very sweet on the fullish palate with a somewhat syrupy mouthfeel and pleasing aroma replays. The acids provide vibrancy mid-palate, while the finish length is very good. Drink over the next 7-8 years. Score: 90 pts


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  • Date publishedSaturday, December 12, 2015

Southbrook Estate Grown Small Lot Wild Ferment Chardonnay 2013 (Niagara) - Wine Review

The next post in my series of Southbrook wines is a very unique Chardonnay whose primary fermentation and malolactic conversion were indigenous - also known as "Wild Fermentation". To put it another way, the yeast used to ferment this wine was naturally occurring in the vineyard and at the winery - instead of adding inoculated yeast.

Only 6 barrels (180 cases) of this wine were produced, all from estate fruit. It spent 20 months in French oak barrels (50% new). Once again, this wine is certified organic and biodynamic and is suitable for vegans and vegetarians.

This wine is only available at the winery and is currently available as part of a lovely Holiday Gifting Estate Package. For fans of Chardonnay, this package also includes the 2013 Vosges, and the unreleased Moon Barrel, Allier and Jupilles wines. There is also a similarly packaged set of wines for Cabernet Franc aficionados. These wines are specially crafted by winemaker Ann Sperling to show the subtle differences in barrel wood. The names of these wines refer to either the forest from which the barrel wood came from, or the unique method of cooperage. Visit the Southbrook Vineyards website for more details and to place your order.

Southbrook Estate Grown Small Lot Wild Ferment Chardonnay 2013 - VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (90 pts)

Tasting Note:

SOUTHBROOK ESTATE GROWN SMALL LOT WILD FERMENT CHARDONNAY 2013 - VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $34.95
Ripe pear, green apple and hints of butter aromas from the cork. Elegant bouquet of coconut, pear, Golden apple, with hints of honeycomb and white flower. The palate is medium-bodied and dry with vibrant acidity and honey-tinged aromas replays. A saline note comes through mid-palate. Finishes long with mineral, honey, apple, floral and vanilla aftertaste. Some intriguing coffee notes emerge as it warms up in the glass. Lots going on in this yummy Chardonnay. Eminently drinkable now and should be better in a couple of years. Score: 90 pts


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  • Date publishedTuesday, December 8, 2015

Southbrook Triomphe Cabernet Merlot 2014 (Niagara) - Wine Review

red wine is the second in a series of wines from Southbrook Vineyards.

The grapes for this wine come from the Saunders Vineyard in Niagara. Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks and ageing occurred in neutral oak barrels. This wine is certified organic and suitable for vegans and vegetarians.

Currently available as part of the Triomphe Gift Package that also includes two other Southbrook Triomphe wines, a bottle of Southbrook Preserve Chardonnay Vinegar, and a copy of the Ontario Table Cookbook that features 109 recipes using local ingredients.

Tasting Note:

SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE CABERNET MERLOT 2014 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $22.95
Capped with a Stelvin closure, this relatively unique blend of 69% Cabernet Franc and 31% Merlot is an organic red wine with medium+ intensity aromas of raspberry, black cherry, licorice, and sweet tobacco. Some earthy and stewed fruit notes arrive later. Essentially dry aroma replays on the medium+ bodied palate with sandalwood and chocolate notes arriving mid-palate add complexity. Acids are fresh, while tannins are light and gritty. Finishes long and earthy. Enjoy over the next 3-4 years. This will go great with lamb and buffalo mozzarella pizza (recipe provided below). Score: 88 pts

Recipe: Lamb Meatballs, Red Wine Braised Shallots and Buffalo Mozzarella Pizza

Pizza Crust:
  • K2
  • Red Fife 60%
  • 3 Star Canadian Flour 40% (This flour is comparable to the Tippo ‘00’)
  • Salt 3%
  • Bioflavia 3% (dry yeast if used instead will also be 3%)
  • Cool water 63%
  • 250 mL of Southbrook Wine
Technique:
  1. Mix all of the ingredients except for the wine by hand for about 4 to 5 minutes or in a mixer on a lower speed for about two minutes. You do not want to over develop the gluten or each pizza will always shrink on you. After mixing the dough, drink the wine as your reward. You just made pizza dough from scratch!
  2. Let the dough stand overnight, preferably in the pre-weighed balls. The typical individual pizza is about 140 g. The easiest ratio is to work with 1000 g of flour and do the percentages back from that. You will get about 10 individual pizzas.
  3. Pull dough out 1 hour before rolling. If you don’t have a pizza oven, put your stove to 450°F and fill a small pot or pan with water and place on the bottom of the oven. Keep the dough nice and thin with a little corn meal on the bottom so it does not stick to the tray.

Pizza Sauce Pomodoro:
  • 1 large 3.5 L can of quality whole tomatoes
  • 5 mL of sea salt per litre of canned tomatoes
  • 1/2 bunch of basil (optional)
Technique:
  1. Pass the whole tomatoes through a food mill and bring to a slow simmer for about 2 hours.
  2. When finished throw in salt a few leaves of basil.

Red Wine Braised Shallots:
  • 2 lbs shallots
  • 250 mL Southbrook Triomph Cabernet Franc
  • 250 mL dark chicken stock
  • 3 tbsp sugar
  • 1/2 tsp fennel
  • 1/4 tsp chilli
  • Pinch of salt and pepper
Technique:
  1. Peel shallots and cover half way with red wine and dark chicken stock.
  2. Add a pinch of salt and pepper, some sugar, dried chili and fennel.
  3. Cover with tin foil and cook at 250°F for about two hours and remove the foil.
  4. Keep cooking until they take on a nice caramel colour.
  5. Make a lot at a time and just place them in the fridge.
  6. Take two of the shallots and slice for the pizza

Lamb Meatballs:
  1. Add chopped thyme, rosemary and parsley with a splash of 10% cream to ground lamb.
  2. Roll meat balls at a size of about 40 g.
  3. Cook for approximately 25 minutes at 325°F.

To Assemble Pizza:
To build the pizza, roll out the dough to create a thin layer and place on a tray with corn meal sprinkled on it to avoid sticking. Ladle on a thin layer of pomodoro sauce, add three sliced meatballs, two shallots, and 60 g of torn buffalo mozzarella cheese, and then sprinkle charred garlic scapes.


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  • Date publishedSaturday, December 5, 2015

Southbrook Connect Organic White 2014 (Ontario) - Wine Review

white wine is a blend of 4 varietals and is certified organic. It is also suitable for vegans and vegetarians.

Produced by Southbrook Vineyards, this organic white wine is currently available in a gift package directly from the winery that includes the 2014 Connect Red and a jar each of the Southbrook Preserves Raspberry Jam with Framboise and the Southbrook Chardonnay Mustard. Details and other holiday gifting ideas from Southbrook are available on their website.

Tasting Note:

SOUTHBROOK CONNECT ORGANIC WHITE 2014 - VQA Ontario, Canada (#249078) (D) - $15.95
Interesting blend of 58% Vidal, 21% Chardonnay, 12% Riesling, and 9% Sauvignon Blanc capped with a Stelvin closure. Perfumed nose of melon, peach, and clementine. The palate is soft and round with honeydew and citrus flavours that are slightly sweet. Fleshy in style with balanced acidity and some honeyed sweetness flavours that linger through to the medium-length finish. Crafted in an easy drinking, crowd pleasing style, this will be fine to sip on its own or pair with poultry or seafood dishes. Available at the LCBO. Score: 86 pts


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  • Date publishedSaturday, September 19, 2015

San Raffaele Monte Tabor Pinot Grigio 2014 (Veneto) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is an organic wine that will be in stores as part of the October 17th LCBO VINTAGES release.

Monte Tabor has been cultivating vines organically since 1970. In 2006, Monte Tabor began managing another 50 hectares of Soave vineyards in Illasi. Today, viticulturalists and oenologists collaborate on the production of organic wines from these vineyards with the Fasoli family - a family that has been organic producers in the area for over 25 years.


SAN RAFFAELE MONTE TABOR PINOT GRIGIO 2014 - IGT Veronese, Veneto, Italy (#204768) (XD) - $13.95

San Raffaele Monte Tabor Pinot Grigio 2014 - IGT Veronese, Veneto, Italy (86 pts)

Tasting Note:

Organic Pinot Grigio. Lemon peel and citrus scents from the cork. Subtle nose of lemon, citrus, white grapefruit with a slightly oxidized character. The palate is medium-bodied and dry with lime peel and grapefruit flavours. It has crisp, balanced acidity and some bitterness on the lingering finish. Score: 86 pts


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  • Date publishedFriday, July 3, 2015

Lunch at Farmers' Table @Southbrook

Southbrook Vineyards
On my latest visit to Niagara last month, I had the pleasure of having lunch at Farmers' Table @Southbrook, a brand new restaurant by Southbrook Vineyards located on their property and attached to the winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Having driven by Southbrook many times, this was actually my very first visit to the winery - a modern building with clean lines, and an open, transparent feeling throughout. On my next visit to Southbrook, which I hope will be sooner rather than later, I think a tour of the facilities will be in order.

As we entered the winery, we turned left and walked through the tasting room and headed to the outdoor patio. Chef Shawn Murphy quickly recognized me as I stepped onto the patio and we had a quick intro while he prepared meals for the other guests. The patio was mostly sheltered from the beaming hot sun on this day. However, the outdoor kitchen where Chef Shawn prepares his meals is not - and he was feeling the heat on this day. Guests have the option of sitting under the roof or on the charming umbrella-covered wooden park benches.

Outdoor patio at Farmers' Table @SouthbrookOutdoor patio at Farmers' Table @Southbrook

Southbrook was Canada's first certified organic and biodynamic winery. This philosophy continues at Farmers' Table, where nearly all the ingredients used to prepare dishes are locally sourced from sustainable practices. Chef Shawn mentioned that just about everything was grown/produced no more than 5 kilometres from the property. Quite an achievement, I must say!

While we waited for our first course, Chef Shawn brought us some grilled organic whole wheat bread topped with Handeck cheese shavings, alongside pickled organic green tomatoes drizzled with olive oil, black pepper and salt. All of it was prepared fresh and tasted very good.

Braised lamb pizzaThe sheep at the back of the property

The second course was the Feature Pizza of the Day - a delicious braised lamb pizza with wild garlic scapes, asparagus, goat cheese, and garlic oil made fresh in their outdoor pizza oven. The dough is made in-house using Red Fife flour and Bioflavia grape skin powder, while the lamb is raised by Southbrook and likely from the same herd I saw out back. I've never had lamb on a pizza before, but had no doubt it would be delicious - and I was right! I would love to see this pizza on their daily menu. Because the pizza had good balance between all the different elements - meat, cheese, vegetables - it is quite versatile for pairing with wine. I enjoyed it with their 2014 Southbrook Triomphe Cabernet Franc Rosé (#279117, $19.95, 88 pts).


Strawberry salad
To waken up the palate before the main course, we were served up a very interesting salad made with... strawberries! These local strawberries were served with 12-month aged Handeck cow's milk cheese and fresh baby Arugula in a Petit Verdot Vinaigrette and topped with sea salt. What was really interesting was that the Arugula was grown in the raised garden bed located right beside our table. Awesome! Overall, it was quite the sensory explosion on the palate with sweet, salty and sour all making a delightful appearance, and the creamy cheese holding it all together.

Prior to arriving at Southbrook on this fine day, we had already visited Reif Winery and Pillitteri Estates Winery for a cheese platter, pizza, and grilled cheese and, unsurprisingly, our stomachs we were now starting to get full. However, there was at least one more course to go.

Roasted free-range chicken

Chef Shawn had roasted a whole free-range chicken on the outdoor the grill and seasoned it with black pepper and salt. It was then topped with a raisin salad dressing and the aforementioned fresh Arugula. The meat was tender and delicious - a very nice creation indeed. It also paired quite nicely with their 2013 Southbrook Triomphe Chardonnay (#172338, $22.95, 89 pts). Since we were already quite full, we didn't get to eat too much of the chicken and ended up taking it home and ate it for lunch on Monday. It made for a very nice lunch to be sure!

We also had to take a pass on a delicious looking dessert - it appeared to be a strawberry rhubarb parfait - that nearly everyone else was enjoying.

I came to this dining experience with little expectations and left wishing that more restaurants do it the way Southbrook does. It was very enlightening speaking to Shawn and learning about the many practices that he and Southbrook have employed. It's not often one finds a restaurant where the produce is only a few hours old. Shawn also shared some of his other wonderful ideas that I hope come to fruition in the coming weeks and months.

Fresh herbs grown right beside our tableChef Shawn Murphy in his kitchen

Shawn Murphy’s passion for local food dates back to his childhood, having spent time growing up on his grandparents farm and eating the vegetables harvested from their garden. Shawn is a graduate from Niagara College’s Culinary Management Program, and is no stranger to the wine community after spending time in the kitchens at Hillebrand Winery and working as a sous-chef at Ravine Vineyards.

This was a very refreshing experience at Farmers' Table @Southbrook and one that I would encourage everyone to experience for yourself. Farmers' Table @Southbrook is open from June 4 to Thanksgiving weekend (October 12), Thursday through to Monday from 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Follow @SouthbrookWine for more details, updates and daily specials.


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  • Date publishedTuesday, June 16, 2015

Avondale Wine Tasting (South Africa)

Avondale Terra Est Vita
, I had the pleasure of tasting the wines of Avondale with proprietor Johnathan Grieve.

Avondale is located on a 160-hectare, picturesque farm in the Paarl valley in the southwestern part of South Africa, only 35 minutes from Cape Town, and has been cultivated for more than 300 years. Early records also indicate that this piece of land was one first in Paarl valley to be allocated specifically for the production of grapes.

Johnathan Grieve
Although the farm was established as early as 1693, current owners John and Ginny Grieve (Johnathan's parents) only began producing wine on the site in 1999, two years after purchasing the land. Today, it continues to be family-owned and operated with Johnathan taking up the challenge to transform the land into a balanced vineyard ecosystem using organic and biodynamic viticultural practices that he developed, along with modern science, and now terms BioLOGIC.

One of the ways Avondale promotes a balanced ecosystem is through the use of natural predators. Beginning more than 15 years ago, Avondale began unleashing White Pekin Ducks to feast on snails that were proliferating throughout the vineyards and eating the vines. Johnathan showed us a fascinating video of the ducks in action that you can view here:


Other natural predators include predatory wasps (to combat mealy bugs), Spotted Eagle Owls, Rock Kestrels, Yellow-billed and Black-shouldered Kites.

Continuing on the theme of "natural" is the waste water system that mimics the way Nature cleans water. The system is comprised of three dams interlinked by spiralling channels of cleansing reeds that replicates the natural river system. This closed-nutrient cycle yields quality water that is then used for their irrigation needs.

Avondale Wine
Avondale has 13 different soil types on their land, and vines are planted within pockets of soil types. Furthermore, when Avondale built their cellar, it was designed such that each block of fruit from these different soil types could be vinified independently of each other, allowing for terroir expression. The soil is often re-balanced using the soil balancing system pioneered by Dr. William Albrecht, followed by re-mineralization of the soil. To further help balance the soil and ecosystem, legumes and other cover crops are used to create a vibrant and diverse plant community.

All of the wines at Avondale go through natural fermentation - a process which is much slower than commercial fermentation. Some wines are also warm-fermented at this estate, producing wines that can be aged for longer periods when compared with wines that are cool-fermented.

One thing Johnathan talked about that really intrigued me was the Luna Tasting Calendar. This calendar is based on the Biodynamic Planting Calendar that was developed in the 1950's by Maria Thun and centres around the 12 Zodiac constellations and the lunar cycle. Within the calendar there are four cycles: Fruit, Root, Flower and Leaf. The Luna Tasting Calendar conjectures that any given wine will taste different based on the current cycle. The Flower cycle is regarded as the best day for tasting wine. I personally have not tried tasting wine based on this, but it's on my list of things to do this year.

The dowsing experiment using rods that Johnathan performed on one of the attendees was also very interesting. I have a pair of dowsing rods that I haven't used in quite a few years, so it was refreshing to see somebody else perform dowsing, and do it well!

Avondale Wines Lineup

Overall, I was quite pleased with the tasting. It was an eye-opener in terms of the many organic and biodynamic practices that are followed. The labels are also very pretty - with a unique story behind each of them. However, it's what's inside the bottle that counts - and the wines are delicious.

Thank you Rare Earth Wines for the invitation and the opportunity to taste these fabulous wines that also happen to be organic & biodynamic. Since most of these wines are not (yet) available at the LCBO, you can order these wines directly with Rare Earth Wines.

Tasting Notes:

AVONDALE ARMILLA BLANC DE BLANC 2009 - WO Paarl, South Africa (#) (XD) - $28
100% Chardonnay. Medium-high aromatics with toast, bread, poached pear and citrus notes. The palate has vibrant mousse and show hints of sweetness that are cut very quickly by the vibrant acids. Medium-long finish. Score: 88 pts

Avondale Armilla Blanc de Blanc 2009 - WO Paarl, South Africa (88 pts)Avondale Jonty's Ducks Pekin White 2013 - WO Paarl, South Africa (87 pts)

AVONDALE JONTY'S DUCKS PEKIN WHITE 2013 - WO Paarl, South Africa (#) (XD) - $14.95
Primarily Chenin Blanc (85%) with Roussanne, Muscat de Frontignan, Viognier and Semillon rounding out the blend. Aromas of medium-to-high intensity consisting of sweet ripe peach, citrus and lemon notes. On the palate, it's medium-bodied and fleshy with flavours of lemon/lime, citrus, tangy peach and hints of honey. Some chalky minerality mid-palate. Balanced acids and medium-length finish. Score: 87 pts

AVONDALE ANIMA 2013 - WO Paarl, South Africa (#) (D) - $22.95
100% Chenin Blanc. Elegant, medium+ intensity aromas of honeyed fruit, white peach and tropical fruit. Palate is medium-bodied with very nice aroma replays showing nice complexity. It's off-dry with good tension between fruit and vibrant, yet balanced, acidity. Long finishing. Score: 89 pts

Avondale Anima Chenin Blanc 2013 - WO Paarl, South Africa (89 pts)Avondale Cyclus 2012 - WO Paarl, South Africa (90+ pts)

AVONDALE CYCLUS 2012 - WO Paarl, South Africa (#295220) (XD) - $26.95
White wine blend consisting of equal parts Viognier, Chardonnay, Roussanne & Chenin Blanc, and a small amount of Semillon. Medium-high aromatics that are elegant with notions of apples, orchard fruit, floral and fennel. The palate is medium-bodied, dry, and slightly oily with a chalky mineral texture and fresh, vibrant acids. Layered flavours of herb, lemon and floral continue through to the very long finish. Score: 90+ pts

AVONDALE JONTY'S DUCKS PEKIN RED 2011 - WO Paarl, South Africa (#383547) (XD) - $14.95
Blend of 37% Shiraz, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot and 4% Malbec. Medium+ aromatic intensity with complex herbal, wild dark/red berry fruit, currant, cassis and elegant oak aromas. On the palate, it is medium-bodied with ripe, supple tannins and flavours of red/black fruits, black cherry, black currant, vanilla and chocolate. Good, balanced acids and a medium-long finish. Currently in VINTAGES. Score: 88+ pts

Avondale Jonty's Ducks Pekin Red 2011 - WO Paarl, South Africa (88+ pts)Avondale Samsara Syrah 2009 - WO Paarl, South Africa (90 pts)

AVONDALE SAMSARA 2009 - WO Paarl, South Africa (#295550) (XD) - $32.95
100% Syrah. Medium+ intensity aromas of red cherry, berry, white pepper, dark plum, and soft vanillan oak. Flavours of spiced oak, plum, white pepper and currants on the medium+ bodied palate. It has brilliant acidity and firm, chalky tannins. Hints of chocolate on the spiced finish. Will age gracefully for 5-8 years. Score: 90 pts

AVONDALE LA LUNA 2009 - WO Paarl, South Africa (#) (XD) - $34.95
A Bordeaux-blend consisting of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec, this red wine has medium+ intensity aromas with suggestions of elegant plum, red & dark fruits, floral, cedar oak and some purple fruits. It's full-bodied with refined tannins and very nice aroma replays. It also has very good acids and a long, smooth finish. Score: 91 pts

Avondale La Luna 2009 - WO Paarl, South Africa (91 pts)


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