Dave Isaacs, winecurrent webmaster, tasted the following wines at the recent Ontario Wine Fair in Ottawa.
Cattail Creek ‘Off Dry’ Riesling 2007
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $15.00
Cattail Creek grows many different clones of Riesling. The clone used in this wine is known as the Alsatian, and the wine lives up to that name. The wine has a nose of mineral, pear and citrus, with a touch of waxiness to give it some added complexity. It has enough acidity to balance it's off dry character and give it a predominantly green apple finish. Sip this wine by itself or with spicy Thai food. Order online from Cattail Creek. (DI)
Cattail Creek ‘Barrel Fermented’ Chardonnay 2007
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $19.00
Eighty-two percent of this wine was fermented in French oak barrels, with the remaining eighteen percent fermented in stainless steel. This blend gives the wine a fresh clean nose with an interesting mix of oak, mineral, and citrus fruit. It is medium bodied with fruit and caramel flavours and a long mouthwatering finish. Enjoy with fettucine alfredo or white fish with a cream sauce. Order online from Cattail Creek. (DI)
Cattail Creek Gamay Noir 2007
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $15.00
A well-executed Gamay—half aged in French oak barrels and the other half in stainless steel. It has a lively cherry vanilla nose and juicy sour cherry taste. It’s medium bodied with barely noticeable tannin. Serve it slightly chilled and it will be a fine companion for your summertime backyard BBQs. Order online from Cattail Creek. (DI)
Cattail Creek Merlot 2007
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $18.00
This wine has been aged in a mix of French and American oak. It has a strawberry nose with overtones of earth, leaves and oak. Quite jammy and fruity on the palate, with a medium body and a lively fruit finish. The medium-to-low tannins make this very pleasant to drink now, but able to lie in the cellar for a year or two. Try this with slow-cooked BBQ ribs. Order online from Cattail Creek. (DI)
Lailey Vineyard ‘Niagara Vineyard’ Chardonnay 2007
VQA Niagara River $25.00
The aromas from the estate-grown fruit offer an exquisite touch of oak with hints of pear and citrus. The oak is much more pronounced on the palate, and is complemented with layers of pear and delicious spiced apple. It’s medium bodied with a balanced acidity that delivers a long and lingering pear finish. Order by the case for daily home or office delivery directly from Lailey Vineyard. (DI)
Lailey Vineyard ‘Niagara River’ Pinot Noir 2007
VQA Niagara River $25.00
One of winemaker Derek Barnett’s favourite varietals, it was vinified in small batches in search of perfect balance. It’s pale red to the eye and pleasantly earthy to the nose, with notes of chalk and dried leaves. It’s medium bodied and delivers big fruit dominated by tart cherry. There are enough tannins to lay it down for a year or two, but it’s drinking nicely right now. Order by the case for daily home or office delivery directly from Lailey Vineyard. (DI)
Lailey Vineyard ‘Niagara River’ Syrah 2007
VQA Niagara River $25.00
This wine delights from beginning to end. It’s a striking dark plum colour with a big spicy nose that has layers of stewed fruit and musty barn. The fruit continues on the palate, along with a full body, very approachable tannins and a finish that keeps going and going. Winemaker Derek Barnett fashions his wines with the dinner table in mind; enjoy this with a medium-rare pepper steak with mushroom sauce. Order by the case for daily home or office delivery directly from Lailey Vineyard. (DI)
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