Tag Archive for: dans mon verre @en

Vina Mongras Ninquen Colchagua Valley 2013

Vina Mongras Ninquen Colchagua Valley 2013

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Vina Mongras Ninquen Colchagua Valley 2013 

Dark color with purple hue. Nose of spices, earth, oak, bitter chocolate and black berries. Tasty and silky on the palate even if it shows its structure, this wine gives a lot of quality and depth. The flavors are similar to those from the nose, it is approachable from now even if some air wouldn’t not be too much or unnecessary. For those patient folks out there, lay down some bottles for 5 to 15 years and it will be even better. Very good+ (90)

Made of 50% Cabernet-Sauvignon and 50% de Syrah. Aged 21 months in 80% French oak and 20% American oak barrels, half being new the other part of one use. Alcohol level of 14,5%

Available at the SAQ for 29,00$ (Code SAQ : 00928853)

Ninquen’s website, a Vina Mongras brand: montgras.cl/ninquen

Ninquenis represented in Québec by la Société de Vins Fins : sdvf.ca

Château Bélair Saint-Émilion 1er Grand Cru Classé 2004

Château Bélair Saint-Émilion 1er Grand Cru Classé 2004

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Château Bélair Saint-Émilion 1er Grand Cru Classé 2004

Dark garnet color. Nose of light smoke, fruit, tobacco, some oak, but everything with this classy and noble Bordeaux feel. Quite open on the palate, this was so good! Beautiful flavors and silky mouth feel wrapping the remaining structure that will allow this wine to age many more years in the cellar. Saint-Emilion charm without its richness. Drank along with the 2006 vintage, I prefered this one for its classic Bordeaux feel… Excellent+ (92)

The property is planted with 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc. The Estate is named since 2008 Bélair-Monange, as it was bought by les Établissements Jean-Pierre Moueix. Alcohol level of 13,5% 

Jean-Pierre Mouiex’s website: moueix.com

Mark Anthony Wine and Spirits is the Québec’s agent for les Établissements Moueix: markanthonywineandspirits.ca

Anne et Jean-François Ganevat Le Jaja du Ben Vin de France 2014

Anne et Jean-François Ganevat Le Jaja du Ben Vin de France 2014

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Anne et Jean-François Ganevat Le Jaja du Ben Vin de France 2014

Foggy ruby color with purple hue. Nose of berries, earth and spices with that little “funky” natural wine typical twist. As it is often the case, it’s on the palate that I like natural wine the most on the palate, and that’s exactly what’s happening now! High drinkability with red berry flavors, earth, spices and a good acidity, clearly my type of wine. May be a little expensive, but so tasty. Very good (89)

Made of Gamay, Poulsard and old vines varieties from Jura. Aged 10 months. Alcohol level of 12,5% 

Available at SAQ stores for 30,25$ (Code SAQ : 12883998)

réZin Sélection is Ganevat’s importer in Québec: rezin.com

Anne et Jean-François Ganevat Le Jaja du Ben Vin de France 2014

Visite à PEC – Hinterland

PEC vineyard visit – Hinterland

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PEC vineyard visit – Hinterland

For our camping trip we did only plan two vineyard visits, because a a family trip can’t only be done to satisfy one’s passion. But a bottle of Whitecap, a Charmat (bubbly wine made the same way as Italian Prossecco) from the recent 2015 vintage coming directly from the vineyard and brought by a friend, bottle that we had the first night by the fire. That bottle went down so fast without being able to explain why, that a visit at Hinterland became a necessity… to buy more of that wine!

With my friend suggestions and recommandations in hands, we met Jonas Newman and his wife, both owners and founders of the winery and the Brewery located just aside, County Road Beer. Both were smiling, welcoming and clearly passionnate about what they do (one just have to listen to them or to see Vicky passing by, stopping when she sees what we were having, pouring herself a glass, then going back to where she was heading to…) to fully understand!

Then we discussed about wine in general and wines coming from Hinterland, of where our interest for their products came from. Jonas explain that he passed few years learning, studying and working perfecting ways to make sparkling wines. No way he would have ended up making sparkling wines without cleary be into it! After all, as Jonas said, being an engineer or an architect doesn’t make you a winemaker…

When we talked about the Ontario VQA system, he said that in a way he’s lucky since sparkling wines are more into standards and easier to be approved by the board. Not always the same results for other types of wines or products, as his sparkling cider is and the chances are quite low for this one to be certified…

Here is quick notes on what we did taste:

First, the 2015 Borealis, a pink Charmat, then the Ancestral, a traditionnal method wine, pink also, both having red berry notes, very fresh. I liked the last one just a touch more than the other. Then Les Étoiles 2009 (so lucky am I to have some in the cellar!) and the 2012, blends of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, aged up to 26 months before being disgorged, deep and complex, creamy mouth feel, the 2009 being even better due to the additionnal age of the wine, adding more complex notes and finesse.

From the products to be release, we tasted the 2011 Sacrement, clearly the best wine we had there, close to a Champagne. So complex, round, charming and was drinking very well. The minute it’s released, I’ll jump on it.

Then the sparkling cider with an unbelievable nose and perfeclty refreshing, a Gamay from bought grapes from Niagara (there is a whole story about this one…) and a fuly concentrated but typical Syrah wine.

Hinterland

Since I already have some of their wines at home and that our visit goal was to purchase more of the Whitecap, that’s what we did! Especially since it’s not going to be sold at LCBO’c stores for that vintage. We were satisfied with that tasting, but it was not going to stop there…

County Road Beer

When we asked if we could also buy beers from County Road Beer, we ended up with a “no” ! We had to taste first!

We did then take to time to taste the range they are offering to make better chioces based on our taste. We ended up buying 3 differents beers!

County Road Beer

Our kids liked the plae as we did, for the open spaces behind the winery buildings where they were able to run and play, with chicken all around! Our tasting was then just more smooth and pleasant. A new beer garden is also opening pretty soon for the complimentary lunch!

We will be back for sure!

Visite à PEC – Hinterland

Hinterland Wine Company

Artadi Artazuri Garnacha Navarre 2014

Artadi Artazuri Garnacha Navarre 2014

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Artadi Artazuri Garnacha Navarre 2014

Purple translucid color. Nose of small berry jam, pepper and earth and sand blend. Gorgeous on the palate and chewy, loaded of small berries with a nice acidity that bring up the finish. Top juice for the price! Good+ (88)

Made of Garnacha (Grenache). Organic farming. Aged 4-6 months in old and large oak barrels. Alcohol level of 14,5%

Available at the SAQ for 16,90$ (Code SAQ : 10902841)

Producer’s website, Bodegas Artadi: artadi.com

Sample proposed by Réserve et Sélection: reserve-selection.com

Château Cambon Beaujolais Rosé 2015

Château Cambon Beaujolais Rosé 2015

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Château Cambon Beaujolais Rosé 2015

Semi-dark pink color. Fresh nose of tart red fruit like cranberries and wild strawberries, then blood orange and wet rocks. Wide on the palate with a good acidity level, it’s tasty, fresh and satisfying. Perfect to enjoy a beautiful and sunny summer day! Good+ (88)

Made of Gamay. Alcohol level of 12%

Available at the SAQ for 23,25$ (Code SAQ : 12798611)

Domaine Lapierre’s website, owner of Château Cambon: marcel-lapierre.com

RéZin imports Domaine Lapierre and Château Cambon wines in Québec: rezin.com

Jean-François Ganevat Le Montceau Côtes du Jura 2014

Jean-François Ganevat Le Montceau Côtes du Jura 2014

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Jean-François Ganevat Le Montceau Côtes du Jura 2014

Foggy and intense gold color. The nose is intriguing, hard to describe and is like nothing I had before. I would picture it as a blend of aromas of apples, rhubarb and orange spreaded over a slate rock, plus some smoke and pie crust dough. Even more dense on the palate with apple and tangerine flavors, quite round at first then it straighten up with mineral chalk and rocks with a salty touch. Wide on the palate while being straight forward, long, genuine and tasty. One special thing I liked about that wine is that impression of control and balance. Excellent (91)91)

Made of Chardonnay planted on marnes du Lias type of soil. Organic farming, natural winemaking, no sulfur added. Alcohol level of 12%

Very small quantities available at the SAQ for 40,25$ (Code SAQ : 12884392)

More on Ganevat wines:

vosselections.com/ganevat

kermitlynch.com/ganevat

réZin Sélection is the agency that imports Ganevat’s wines in Québec: rezin.com

Jean-François Ganevat Le Montceau Côtes du Jura 2014

Parker Coonawarra Estate Terra Rossa First Growth Coonawarra 2001

Parker Coonawarra Estate Terra Rossa First Growth Coonawarra 2001

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Parker Coonawarra Estate Terra Rossa First Growth Coonawarra 2001

The wine is still dark with just a little bricking on the rim. Complex nose of black berries, spices, smoke, cedar wood, very expressive but balanced. Mouth coating on the palate, it’s silky and velvety. Long and savoury finish with a refreshing acidity.  The wine feels ready even if it could have last at least an another 5 years in the cellar as there is lot’s of life and power left in it. It was a really beautiful wine! Excellent+ (92)

Made of 86% Cabernet-Sauvignon and 14% Merlot. Aged 20 months in new French oak barrels. Alcohol level of 14%

I bought this bottle many years ago at the LCBO, the alcohol monopoly from Ontario. Does not seems that this wine is still available around there nor in Québec

Producter’s website: parkercoonawarraestate.com

Parker Coonawarra Estate Terra Rossa First Growth Coonawarra 2001_300

Visite à PEC mai 2016 - Grange of Prince Edward Vineyards and Estate Winery

PEC vineyard visit may 2016 – Grange of Prince Edward

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PEC vineyard visit may 2016 – Grange of Prince Edward Vineyards and Estate Winery

We are finallly back in this beautiful place in the County. It’s beautiful outside, the sun slowly taking away the cool spring feel to a warmer and appreciated weather. Nature is blooming with the leafs opening up on the vines, the cherry tree showing its flowers and the place is looking exactly the same as last year at our first visit here.

Since a little more than a year now, I’ve been enjoying wine from this Estate located in the beautiful region of Prince Edward County in Ontario. I also had the opportunity to meet Maggie, the winemaker, a few time at local events and to talk about the wine she’s making and the vision behind them, giving these wines their style.

Now entering the main building, a 200 years old barn, all made from wood and still supported by its original rock foundation. Did I say that I like this place? We then head to the tasting bar to tour their recent wine release available here or at the LCBO and for some of them through private import here in Québec. The kind and friendly Duarte will drive our tasting with punctual precisions brought by Maggie.

Visite à PEC mai 2016 - Grange of Prince Edward Vineyards and Estate Winery

The fireplace in the main room

The wines:

Visite à PEC - Grange of Prince Edward Vineyards and Winery

Unoaked Chardonnay 2012, VQA Prince Edward County
Light yeast note on the nose, then it’s pure fruit that shows up, with minerality and a round mouthfeel so inviting that a sip calls for an other one to quench our thirst.

Visite à PEC - Grange of Prince Edward Vineyards and Winery

Riesling Estate 2013, VQA Prince Edward County
Typical Riesling aromas on the nose. Flavors of spicy fruits, lime, litchi,a touch of citrus fruit with a bitting and slightly bitter acidity on the finish, quite long for this level of wine – I like that!

Riesling Select 2014, VQA Prince Edward County (pulled out of the tank for this tasting)

Tart fruit flavors, more round, the minerality of the wine really shows more and I can’t get out of my head the likeness with the Sweetarts candy (tart and acidic hard candy)

Visite à PEC - Grange of Prince Edward Vineyards and Winery

Gamay Select 2011, VQA Prince Edward County
I especially like the Gamay from this Estate and this one is on par with that appreciation! Nose and palate of red berries, earth, a mineral and rocky feel with a good acidity level. We had a bottle there at lunch, ouside infront of the vineyard, plus with brought some home with us!

Bunny Label Blend 2012, VQA Prince Edward County
This wine feels like a warm strawberry field under the sun, it’s good, juicy and lightly spiced. Only available in magnums bottles, only two barrels were produced and the blend is equal part of Gamay and Pinot Noir. The 2014 will see 10 barrels be bottled and the wine will be offered in magnums as long as regular bottle size. Will Maggie be drawing a bunny on each bottle as she is doing now? Will see!

Grange of Prince Edward Diana Block Pinot Noir

Diana Block Pinot Noir 2010, VQA Prince Edward County
The vineyard for this wine is just behind the barn and are 15 years old. Aromas and flavors of small and smoked berries with still some oak showing from the ageing, but less present than a year ago, have a good acidity level with a long and spicy finish. This wine is slowly taking place, but will take 2-3 more years to come around to be ready.

Visite à PEC - Grange of Prince Edward Vineyards and Winery

Cabernet Franc Select 2011, VQA Prince Edward County
Explosive fruit flavors paired with light oak notes, stays fresh and so yummy in a more classic Cab Franc style.

Grange of Prince Edward Northfield Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Franc Northfield 2010, VQA Prince Edward County
Dark berry nose with spices and some oak. I like that nose. Very long on the palate with similar flavors of what was on the nose with this light green twist well integrated and typical of this grape variety, which I like. A serious wine.

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Traditional Method Brut Lot 4 2010 (not sold yet), VQA Prince Edward County
Made of 65% Pinot Noir and 35% Chardonnay, aged on lees for 30 months. Light gold color with sweet flavos of lemon,peach, cream and brioche bread, with a mineral finish and a soft and velvety mouthfeel. Really beautiful bubbly!

Following the tasting, we went to the barrel room. As pretty as everything fromhere, this place is gorgeous! It’s cool and I really liked the view of all those barrels…About having a lunch now?

Visite à PEC mai 2016 - Grange of Prince Edward Vineyards and Estate Winery

The barrel room

Grange of Prince Edward offers lunch baskets with local produce to eat outsaid of the barn and enjoy the view. The perfect place to have a lunch! Armed with cheese, meat, bread and a bottle of Gamay bought only few minutes before, we did had a great time there between friends while looking at the kids having fun too!

Visite à PEC mai 2016 - Grange of Prince Edward Vineyards and Estate Winery

Lunch infront of the vineyard

We always feels some regrets to leave a place like this and the people as sweet as the ones there. Can’t wait to meet again Maggie and Duarte at an event here in Montréal or who knows, maybe sooner than later at the winery! We’re planning to go back there every spring as a futur “classic” family trip, and of course, Grange of Prince Edward will have a special place in that trip!

Visite à PEC mai 2016 - Grange of Prince Edward Vineyards and Estate Winery

Diana Block Pinot Noir vine, 15 y/0

Let’s open a bottle of wine from Grange of Prince Edward to remember these good times!

Visite à PEC mai 2016 - Grange of Prince Edward Vineyards and Estate Winery

Le Gamay, qu’il est bon ici!

Grange’s website: grangeofprinceedward.com

Bambara Sélection is representing them in Québec: bambaraselection.com

Daumen Vaucluse Principauté d'Orange 2014

Daumen Vaucluse Principauté d’Orange 2014

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Daumen Vaucluse Principauté d’Orange 2014

Dark ruby color. Spicy nose with balck berries and earth, but stays fresh and inviting. Chewy, sappy, fand fresh on the palate with flavors of fruits (blackberries, plum and cherries), earth and spices. One glass is not enough! Long with just a little warmth, it just adds more sunlight in a day of with the meal! Very good (89)

Mado of 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15% Merlot, 5% Cinsault, Mourvédre, and Carrignan. Aged one year, half in concrete tanks and the other half in 50hl oak barrels. Alcohol level of 13,5%

Available at the SAQ for 18,60$ (Code SAQ : 12244547)

Jean-Pierre Daumen’s website: daumen.com

Daumen is represented in Québec by Oenopole: oenopole.ca