Tag Archive for: PEC

Tournée de vins du millésime 2009 de Prince Edward County

2009 Prince Edward County Wine Tour

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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!

Norman Hardie County Gamay VQA Prince Edward County 2014

Norman Hardie County Gamay VQA Prince Edward County 2014 

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Norman Hardie County Gamay VQA Prince Edward County 2014 

Light ruby color. To me, this smells typicaly like a County wine with red berries, clay, spices with herbacious and salty notes. Flavors of sour berries with a lively acidity, strawberries, rhubarb, sweet spices and a tart finish that shows an amazing fresh and salty finish. This is a real treat to me. About the same quality of a 2016 Morgon from Marcel Lapierre we had at the same time, even if my heart goes to this wine. Excellent (91)

Made of Gamay. Aged 10 months in French oak barrels. Alcohol level of 10,5% 

Available at the winery for 29,00$

Norman Hardie Winery website: http://www.normanhardie.com

They are represented in Québec by Vin Dame Jeanne: vindamejeanne.com

Duo de gamay

Two Gamay wines – 2016 Marcel Lapierre Morgon and the featured 2014 Norman Hardie County Gamay

Grange of Prince Edward Estate Chardonnay VQA Prince Edward County 2013

Grange of Prince Edward Estate Chardonnay VQA Prince Edward County 2013

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Grange of Prince Edward Estate Chardonnay VQA Prince Edward County 2013  

Light golden color. Nose of pear, apples, lemon and wet rocks. Was quite shy on the palate, especially when too cold. But as it warmed up, it showed really beautifully! Bright, good acidity, apple, lemon and salty notes with a touch of honey on the finish bringing just a little roundness to the wine. It was really good! Very good (89)

Made of Chardonnay. And in tanks on leed. Alcohol level of 12,4%

Got this bottle through the “Wine Club” special release from Grange of Prince Edward.

Grange of Prince Edward’s website: grangeofprinceedward.com

Bambara Sélection is the agency for Québec: bambaraselection.com

Grange of Prince Edward Estate Chardonnay VQA Prince Edward County 2013

Grange of Prince Edward Estate Chardonnay VQA Prince Edward County 2013

Norman Hardie Cuvée des Amis VQA Prince Edward County 2014

Norman Hardie Cuvée des Amis VQA Prince Edward County 2014

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Norman Hardie Cuvée des Amis VQA Prince Edward County 2014

A Great Wine generally is the one that is drank at the right moment, with the good people, having long lasting talks holding a glass of that wine, remembering all the good times they had together. Wine is all about sharing, enjoyment, smiles. This particular wine did provided an enjoyment bolder than most wines, met all the item described and this wine have the best name a wine could ever get since “Cuvée des Amis” means “Wine for friends”…

Norman Hardie Cuvée des Amis Unfiltered VQA Prince Edward County 2014

Norman Hardie Cuvée des Amis Unfiltered VQA Prince Edward County 2014

My tasting note for this wine:

Beautiful light golden color. Nose of orchard fruits, lemon with a hint of toasty, oaky notes with a gentle saltiness. Round texture on the palate that doesn’t hide the acidity behind it. Then came the fruit flavors mixed with the oak from ageing, all balanced and leading to the mineral finish of wet stones, clay and saltiness again, all bringing in complexity. The wine had a longer finish that the time it took to empty our glasses, cause it was drinking so nicely and easily. This is a stunning wine, a Grand Cru from Prince Edward County, to be opened with great friends. Superb (93)

Made of  Chardonnay exclusively from Prince Edward County. Barrel fermented and aged and 500L French oak barrels were used. The wine spent an additionnal 4 months on its lees in tank prior to bottling. Alcohol level of 11,4%

Exclusively sold at the winery in magnum bottle size only (1500ml)

Norman Hardie Winery’s website: normanhardie.com

They are represented in Québec by Vin Dame Jeanne: vindamejeanne.com

Norman Hardie County Cabernet Franc VQA Prince Edward County 2014

Norman Hardie County Cabernet Franc VQA Prince Edward County 2014

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Norman Hardie County Cabernet Franc VQA Prince Edward County 2014

Dark ruby color. Nose where small red and black berries are blended with just a touch of red bell pepper, spicy and earthy clay soil notes. Really fresh on the palate with a good acidity level, the fruit is chewy and the spices brings in some seriouness, but nothing to fade the enjoyability of this wine! Still young even if really tasty, a year of cellaring should help it to show itself even more enjoyable. Very good+ (90)

Made of cabernet franc. Aged 10 months in French oak barrels. Alcohol level of 10,9%

Available at the winery and at some Ontario LCBO stores for about 29,00$

Norman Hardie Winery’s website: normanhardie.com

Norman Hardie’s wines are represented in Québec by Les Vins Dame Jeanne: vindamejeanne.com

Norman Hardie Winery Gamay VQA Prince Edward County 2012

Norman Hardie Winery Gamay VQA Prince Edward County 2012

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Norman Hardie Winery Gamay VQA Prince Edward County 2012

Light ruby color. Aromas of red berries, spices, earth, some green notes and feels really fresh. On the palate the acidity seize a little at first, but then the fruit sine with mineral, spicy and earthy notes. It’s good and tru to what I wan when I drink a gamay, a wine from the County and one from that winemaker. Drank from a magnum size bottle, the ideal size for this wine (in my opinion)! Very good (89)

Made of gamay. Alcohol level of 11,4% 

Bought this bottle at the winery

Norman Hardie Winery’s website: normanhardie.com

Represented in Québec by Vins Dame-Jeanne: vindamejeanne.com

Norman Hardie Winery Gamay VQA Prince Edward County 2012

Norman Hardie County Pinot Noir Prince Edward County 2014

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Norman Hardie County Pinot Noir Prince Edward County 2014

Few years have past already since the first time I had a sip of Norman Hardie’s wines. Then came something special that is there everytime I open one of his wine, either from one grape variety of a blend, a red or a white, with a preference for the ones coming from the County over those from Niagara. Since then I follow their activities and I’ve visited the winery a few times already (and ate many of the wood fire oven pizzas they do, the best one I had!). But behind the wines, there are people, a shared passion and that man, Norman Hardie.

Then came that specific County Pinot Noir wine from the 2014 vintage…

Ligh ruby color. Aromas and flavors of red berries where cherries lead the way, spices notes, but that freshness, it’s so pure with a long ineral finish that amaze me. Perfect balance and so tasty. The best Pinot Noir I had from that producer. And the 10,9% is just a bonus, I like that! Excellent (91)

Made of Pinot Noir. Aged 10 months in French oak barrels. Alcohol level of 10,9% 

Available at the winery or at the LCBO for 45,00$

Norman Hardie’s website: normanhardie.com

Norman Hardie’s wines are represented in Québec by Vin Dame Jeanne: vindamejeanne.com

Norman Hardie County Pinot Noir Prince Edward County 2014

Grange of Prince Edward Estate Gamay VQA Prince Edward County 2013

Grange of Prince Edward Estate Gamay VQA Prince Edward County 2013

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Grange of Prince Edward Estate Gamay VQA Prince Edward County 2013 

Young and bright ruby color. Nose of red fruits, earth, spices all in a reserved way. It was the opposite on the palate with explosive notes of berries! Highly drinkable, so tasty paired with a good acidity level that gives brightness and freshness to the wine. Flavors of berries, some oak notes, minerality and spices, especially on the finish. One of my favorite Gamay coming from a Canadian winery. Very good (89)

Made of Gamay. Aged 18 months in neutral oak barrels. Alcohol level of 12%

Here is a link to my post about ma recent visit at the winery.

Grange of Prince Edward’s website : grangeofprinceedward.com

The Facebook page of Bambara Selection, the agency that represents Grange in Québec : Bambara Selection

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

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