Tournée de vins du millésime 2009 de Prince Edward County

2009 Prince Edward County Wine Tour

2009 Prince Edward County Wine Tour

There is no secret here if I say that I like Prince Edward County and its wines and it has been that way for a few years already. With time I did gathered a bunch of these bottles and I was ready to open a few of them in an horizontal tasting, or all wines coming from a single vintage. This would be a great way to virtually do a tour of this region I like so much!

My choice? All wines were to be from the 2009 vintages. All I needed was good friends to open all these bottles. My intent was to do that “tasting” on December 31, but the cold and sick kids made me push away this evening from a few days. Since we were more thirsty than ever, I had to add some extra bubbles to the lineup to help us wait to get to these 2009 wines.

Starting with the extra bubbles:

Grange of Prince Edward Brut Rosé 2012 Wine Club Edition

Grange of Prince Edward Brut Rosé 2012 Wine Club Edition

Grange of Prince Edward Brut Rosé 2012 Wine Club Edition

Light pink to orange color. Fines and subtle bubbles. Nose and palate are on the finesse side with fresh red fruit notes (mostly strawberries), some bread and salty notes. Also have the “standard” release of that wine and I am quite curious to try it to see if there’s any difference. Anyway, like it and it was a great way to begin the evening! Very good (90)

This is the Wine Club label edition of that wine, release Fall 2016. Made of Pinot Noir, Traditional Method and was aged on lees for 40 months (for the standard release)

Grange of Prince Edward wines are represented in Québec by Bambara Sélection

The sparkling wine I’ve been waiting so long for :

Hinterland Les Étoiles Brut VQA Prince Edward County 2009

Hinterland Les Étoiles Brut VQA Prince Edward County 2009

Hinterland Les Étoiles Brut VQA Prince Edward County 2009

Light gold color. Aromas of freshly baked bread, spices, some yeast notes, salty water. This is pure refinement and we can only be amazed by that perfume. Fine bubbles that takes more amplitude on the palate to end up in a salty and crushed rocks like finish. Taste like blood orange, some red berries, lemon, rocks, bread and butter. Long, very long finish. Superb+ (94)

Traditional Method. Made of  60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir, aged on lees for 5 years, no dosage. The 750ml bottles of this are not available anymore, but you can get some magnums on Hinterland’s website! Got mine, of course!

Hinterland wines are now being represented in Québec by Agence Trinque

The “Grand Vin” from Norman Hardie:

Norman Hardie Pinot Noir Cuvée L VQA Ontario 2009

Norman Hardie Pinot Noir Cuvée L VQA Ontario 2009

Norman Hardie Pinot Noir Cuvée L VQA Ontario 2009

Light garnet color. Nose of spicy red berries with some oak and smoke bringing in some elegance. Just perfect mouthfeel with loads of crushed red berries, spices, earth and salty rocks. This wine feels so alive! Very long and lively finish that makes the moment last longer. Superb (93)

This is a blend of 60% Niagara fruit and 40% County fruit. The wine was initially aged for 12 months in French oak barrels. It was then blended and put back to oak for 6 months. Only made when all the right conditions are united (this was the first time of the 3 made for now – 2009, 2012, 2014)

Norman Hardie’s are represented in Québec by Vin Dame Jeanne.

A Gamay from the winery that opened my eyes on this grape based wines from PEC:

Grange of Prince Edward Select Gamay Noir VQA Prince Edward County 2009

Grange of Prince Edward Select Gamay Noir VQA Prince Edward County 2009

Grange of Prince Edward Select Gamay Noir VQA Prince Edward County 2009

Still quite dark ruby color. Nose of earth, mushrooms, but also of homemade red berry jam with a touch of green and flower notes. More vibrant on the palate with this tart and sour finish (reminds me of sweet tarts). Flavors of sweet red berries, of spices, automn leaves and old wood that leads to a finish of good lenght. The evolution notes are there, but this wine is still offering satisfaction and drinkability. Still have one in the cellar that I’ll open soon. Excellent (91)

Made of estate grown Gamay. Aged 24 months in French oak barrels.

Grange of Prince Edward wines are represented in Québec by Bambara Sélection

 

Jump on the occasion to by and cellar these wines from this amazing area!

Clos des Fous Pour Ma Gueule Valle del Itata 2016

Clos des Fous Pour Ma Gueule Valle del Itata 2016

Clos des Fous Pour Ma Gueule Valle del Itata 2016

Medium bright ruby color. Nose of berries, sppices, earth and a touch of lovely and green Pepper like greeness. On the palate the acidity level is good, the wine is fresh with a long lasting finish. The flavors are all about red and dark berries, spices and earth. This wine is very generous for its price point. Good+ (88)

Made of Malbec, Syrah, Cinsault, Pais and Carmenère. Alcohol level of 15$

Available in SAQ stores for 20,45$ (Code SAQ : 12797686)

Clos des Fous website: closdesfous.com

Clos des Fous is represented in Québec by Trialto : trialto.com

Domaine du Nival Matière à Discussion 2016

Domaine du Nival Matière à Discussion 2016

Domaine du Nival Matière à Discussion 2016

Light gold color, but shiny and youthful. Nose of candied lemon, salty and light oak notes with just a touch of caramel, all in a subtle and elegant way. Bright tension on the palate due to its good acidity level without being razor sharp, this wine last a good moment in a round finish where the well integrated oak plays the support role. The flavors are the same as seen on the nose. This wine feels young, but it’s so tasty now. What is even more great is the fact that this wine is produced only 45 minutes away from my place, and it’s just amazing. Great future for that Estate! Excellent (91)

Made of Vidal grapes. Aged 9 months on its lees in old neutral oak barrels. Alcohol level of 10,6%

Was sold at the winery, in private import and in few selected location, but it’s all gone. Was 23,00$

Domaine du Nival website: nival.ca

They are represented by Agence Boires: agenceboires.com

 

Souper au Quartier Général fin janvier 2018

We brougth this wine with us at Le Quartier Général, a BYOB restaurant in Montréal

Joseph Faiveley Volnay 1er Cru Santenots 2010

Joseph Faiveley Volnay 1er Cru Santenots 2010

Joseph Faiveley Volnay 1er Cru Santenots 2010

Even garnet color through the glass. Elegant nose with load of fruit flavors, spices, earth, dried flowers and something that reminds me of crushed rocks. Good mouthfeel with just enough strenght to feel the tannins, but civilized enough to be enjoyed. The fruit is expressive with a meaty twist, earth and spices flavors. This Pinot was really good and it did delivered up to my expectations. Excellent+ (92)

Made of Pinot Noir. Aged in oak barrels for 16 to 18 months, 2/3 of them being new. Alcohol level of 13%

 

Was sold at the SAQ Signature for 79,00$ (Code SAQ : 12029249)

Domaine Joseph Faiveley’s website: domaine-faiveley.com

Trialto represents Faiveley in Québec: trialto.com

For more informatio. and critic notes on this wine: klwines.com

Souper au Quartier Général fin janvier 2018

We had this wine in a BYOB restaurant in Montréal