EastDell Estates Black Label Cabernet Merlot 2013 (Ontario) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is the 2nd in my recent series on wines from EastDell Estates (the first wine being the 2014 EastDell Estates Black Label Viognier that I tasted last week).

The 2013 vintage season was an interesting year in Niagara with some significant weather variations throughout the growing season. Temperatures were close to normal, while precipitation ranged from normal to a bit wet. Spring was cool and wet with some isolated late frosts, but then moved quickly into hot weather. Towards the end of the growing season in September and October, temperatures were higher than normal and helped produce a relatively large crop, allowing harvest season to stretch well into November.

Already available for purchase online and at the winery, Diamond Estates, this quaffable wine will also be at the LCBO next month as part of the May 14, 2016 VINTAGES Release.

Tasting Note:

EastDell Estates Black Label Cabernet Merlot 2013 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#443630) (XD) - $19.95
Relatively equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon (38%), Merlot (33%) and Cabernet Franc (29%). Medium intensity nose of blackberry, chocolate, leather and peppery aromas in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with supple, dusty tannins and ripe fruited flavours that echo the aroma profile. It has juicy acids ideal for pairing with meals. Good length on the cocoa-dusted finish. Enjoy over the next 3-4 years. Score: 87 pts

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EastDell Estates Black Label Viognier 2014 (Ontario) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is a delicious Ontario Viognier that is already available at the winery, but will also be released into VINTAGES on April 2nd.

EastDell Estates was founded in 1999 and sold to current owner, Diamond Estates, in 2005. The EastDell logo depicts a blue heron, which has a natural migration path across their vineyards. I'm generally not one to comment on labels, but really do like the foil blue heron on this label - it's quite intricately designed and definitely catches the eye when hitting the light. Including tonight's Viognier, the wines of EastDell are typically made in an easy-drinking style that pair well with meals.

The grapes for this wine were sourced from high quality Ontario vineyards and then gently pressed in pneumatic bladder style presses. It was then cool-fermented in stainless steel before being aged in stainless steel tanks.

Tasting Note:

EASTDELL ESTATES BLACK LABEL VIOGNIER 2014 - VQA Ontario, Canada (#443622) (D) - $17.95
Screw cap. Inviting nose of orange blossom, white flower and peach aromas. The palate is full-ish with vibrant, refreshing acids. It is just off-dry (i.e. slightly sweet) with juicy floral, orange peel and white peach flavours. Finishes dry with orange peel and peach notes. Quite well-balanced overall. A fine Viognier with substance that can be enjoyed on the patio, or better yet, with chicken or a mildly spiced dish. Score: 88 pts

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Lakeview Cellars Syrah 2012 (Niagara) - Wine Review

I first tasted this wine last September when I visited Diamond Estates Winery during the Niagara Wine Festival. Lakeview Cellars was founded in 1991 by Eddy Gurinskas and is now the oldest brand at Diamond Estates.

The 2012 vintage was exceptional for red wine grapes in Niagara, pushing quality levels up throughout the region. The grapes for Lakeview Cellars wines are sourced from Diamond Estates' best vineyards in the Niagara Region. These vineyards are kissed by Lake Ontario's offshore breeze and create a more temperate climate; this can produce superior fruit with more intense flavours and complexity.

Tasting Note:

LAKEVIEW CELLARS SYRAH 2012 - VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $24.95
Screw cap. Medium intensity aromas of barnyard and earth with subtle hints of dark berries, black pepper and dried herbs. The palate is medium+ bodied and rounded with pleasing aroma replays. Acids are lively, with supple tannins and lengthy finish. Available only at the winery. Score: 87 pts

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Lakeview Cellars Cabernet Franc Icewine 2013 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's treat for the holidays is a delicious Icewine from Lakeview Cellars, a brand of Diamond Estates.

Coming from a vintage that can be best described as average and slightly wet, approximately 6,600 tonnes of Icewine and Late Harvest grapes were netted for the 2013 season. It was a large crop that equalled the record tonnage of 2007.

For the holidays, not only would this Icewine be a nice gift for someone that enjoys sweet wine, but it would also be a nice accompaniment with dessert after a nice family dinner. The 200 mL is nearly sold out in LCBO VINTAGES, while the 375 mL is available online and at the winery.

Tasting Note:

LAKEVIEW CELLARS CABERNET FRANC ICEWINE 2013 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#053397) (S) (200 mL / 375 mL) - $29.95 / $65
Yummy strawberry jelly aromas from the cork. The nose is highly aromatic with strawberry jam, wild berry, cranberry and cherry aromas. The sweet, rounded palate is medium-bodied with rich aroma replays, delicately balanced acidity and a lengthy finish. Score: 89 pts

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Diamond Estates - Lakeview, Daredevil, Dan Aykroyd and De Sousa Tasting

I held a small wine tasting last month and invited a few friends over to indulge in some of the wines that arrived on my doorstep.

Of the four wines we tasted, the favourite was by far Dan Aykroyd's Cab/Shiraz. This red wine offered a bit of everything - aromas, flavours, acids, tannin, balance and finish. It had good crowd appeal, so I wasn't surprised that this was the favourite wine of the night. My personal favourite was a toss up between this one and the De Sousa Meritage.

Diamond Estates is a fairly large wine and spirits production, marketing and distribution company based in Toronto and Niagara, Canada. They market both Canadian and International wines. The 4 wines we tasted on this night were all from Ontario, and fruit for a couple of these were sourced only from Niagara.

Fruit for Lakeview Cellars wines are sourced from Diamond Estates' best vineyards in Niagara. Lakeview Cellars is known to be a premium Niagara wine producer, yet is able to keep prices relatively affordable. After tasting their 2012 Syrah Rosé, and previously, their 2008 "GMR" Sparkling Reserve, I am eagerly looking forward to tasting more from them.

LAKEVIEW CELLARS SYRAH ROSÉ 2012 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario (#) (XD) - $16.95
Also contains 8.5% Moscato and 1.5% Auxerrois, two grapes that are not widely planted in Niagara. Slightly sweet with low-to-medium intensity perfumy floral aromas. Good acidity and slightly chalky tannins which come from the Syrah. Palate is fruity and very slightly off-dry, with blueberry and raspberry notes showing through on the medium-length finish. This rosé wine is only available at the winery. Score: 86 pts

DAREDEVIL CABERNET 2011 - VQA Ontario (#) (XD) - $14.95
This is the first wine with their new label and is made using traditional Bordeaux grapes with a blend consisting of 48% Cab Sauv, 47% Cab Franc, and 5% Merlot. Medium intensity aromas with oak dominating the nose, with some underlying dark fruits. Interesting pepper notes developed in the glass. Palate is light-to-medium bodied with dark and red fruits, with a spiciness that shows up mid-palate and continues through to the medium-length finish. Tannins are harsh and very chalky. This was the least favourite among the group. Available only at the winery. Score: 85 pts

Dan Aykroyd Wines are one of the few, and growing, "celebrity wines" in Ontario. Dan's affinity for travel took him around the globe and he eventually developed a taste for fine wines. He worked closely with Diamond Estates' head winemaker Tom Green for nearly 2 years and launched his first wine in 2007.

DAN AYKROYD DISCOVERY SERIES CABERNET/SHIRAZ 2011 - VQA Ontario (#074062) (XD) - $14.95
Red wine blend of 38% Cab Franc, 37% Cab Sauv, and 25% Shiraz. Medium intensity aromas of black fruits, currant, and cassis. Medium-bodied with smooth, round tannins and nice aroma replays on the palate, with hints of blueberry on the smooth, lengthy finish. Quite fruit forward and has good acidity. Crowd pleaser and the favourite among my guests. Readily available at the LCBO. Score: 87 pts

Originally from Portugal, the De Sousa family purchased some vineyards in the Beamsville Bench area in 1979. In 1990, the family was able to get a winery licence that enabled them to open a full-fledged winery. 20 years later, we have the Meritage Reserve below. In between, Diamond Estates purchased the winery and some of their vineyards. John De Sousa Jr. continues three generations of winemaking and remains on board as Operations Manager and Winemaker.

DE SOUSA SEASONS MERITAGE RESERVE 2010 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario (#315911) (XD) - $14.95
Another Bordeaux blend consisting of 72% Merlot, 25% Cab Sauv, and 3% Cab Franc. Strong oak aromas from glass give way to black currant and blackberry aromas. This red wine is full bodied with chalky tannins that are integrating nicely. Sour cherry, blackberry jam, wood and hints of mocha on the palate. Has mouth-watering acidity and a long finish. Could be cellared 1-2 years. Vintages product and should re-appear in the Vintages section at the LCBO soon. Score: 87 pts

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Diamond Estates + 7 Deadly Zins Wine Tasting

Earlier this week I hosted a small wine tasting. Invited were a few of our neighbours to taste some media samples of local Ontario wines from Diamond Estates Winery, and a red Lodi Zinfandel from Michael David Winery out in California.

Paired with these wines were some blueberries, watermelon, the L'Extra Brie, and the Avonlea Clothbound Cheddar. This cheddar from PEI has become one of my favourite cheeses - our guests enjoyed it too!

LAKEVIEW "GMR" SPARKLING RESERVE 2008 - Traditional Method, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#) (XD) - $24.95
The letters "GMR" come from the winemaking team of Thomas Green, Scott McGregor & Jason Roller. This sparkling wine was hand-harvested and made from 50.4% Chardonnay and 49.6% Pinot Noir. Medium intensity aromas of apple, pear and yeastiness. Extra dry with apple and pear on the palate, plus some lemon and toast. Mouthfeel is slightly chalky. Fine stream of bubbles and a finish that is medium-long. Pairs well with mild-flavoured cheeses. Only available through the winery. Score: 88 pts

20 BEES PINOT GRIGIO 2011 - VQA Ontario, Canada (#060707) (D) - $11.95
Screw cap. Honeysuckle, orange and tropical aromas from this white wine. Light-bodied with lots of floral and tropical fruits on palate, and hints of honey. Low acidity and finish is medium-length. Refreshing palate cleanser, good as an apertif. Even though classified as extra dry, this is an off-dry P.G. Score: 86 pts

EASTDELL GAMAY NOIR 2010 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#214890) (XD) - $12.95
Screw cap. Red berry and cherry, oak and pungent smoke aromas from the glass. Light-bodied and fruit-forward with red fruits, cherry, raspberry, and red currant flavours on the palate. Medium levels of acidity. Tannins are integrating nicely, will reward in 1-2 years. Score: 86 pts

7 DEADLY ZINS OLD VINE ZINFANDEL 2010 - Lodi, California, USA (#059311) (D) - $24.95
The 2010 was just released in Vintages and is part of the Essentials collection. Mostly Zinfandel and blended with Petite Sirah and Petite Verdot. Medium-intensity crushed black fruit and sweet red fruit aromas with cedar undertones. Medium-bodied and very fruit-forward with red fruits, red berries and black cherry on the palate. Medium acidity and integrated tannins. Crowd-pleaser and a good introduction to new red wine drinkers. This was favourite of the evening. Score: 88 pts

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Hat Trick Red 2010 (Ontario) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is the red version of Diamond Estates' "Hat Trick" series, the white version was reviewed last week. This red wine is a blend of 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Cabernet Franc, and 24% Shiraz and is available from the LCBO General List.

HAT TRICK RED 2010 - VQA Ontario, Canada (#273854) (D) - $12.95

Tasting Note:
Screw cap. Mulberry, dark fruit and cedar aromas. Balanced flavour profile with plush cassis, red fruits, black cherry and hints of vanilla. Medium-bodied, easy drinking wine. Tannins are well-integrated. Paired nicely with shish kebobs and homemade piri-piri chicken burgers.

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Hat Trick White 2011 (Ontario) - Wine Review

This is a new wine that just launched recently from Diamond Estates and is part of the LCBO General List. Blended with 50% Gewürztraminer, 35% Riesling, and 15% Chardonnay, this white wine received a Bronze medal at Cuvée 2012. Here is my wine review...

HAT TRICK WHITE 2011 - VQA Ontario, Canada (#273862) (D) - $12.95

Tasting Note:
Screw cap. Mostly tropical fruits, citrus aromas, with some melon. Manuka honey with more tropical fruits on the palate. Finishes dry with a crisp seam of acidity, almost lip-smacking. Well-balanced. Medium-bodied. Quite nice for $12.95.

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