Ten top Canadian wines tasted
Today I tasted some Canadian wines seeking representation in the UK, at an event organized by the Government of Canada/UK High Commission. These were some of the stand-outs.
Domaine Queylus Réserve du Domaine Chardonnay 2017 Niagara, Canada
Rich with pear, toast and spice notes, as well as rich apple fruit. Bold and mealy with nice depth. A rich style: lovely stuff. 91/100
Domaine Queylus Réserve du Domaine Cabernet Franc 2017 Niagara, Canada
Lovely vivid fruit here: fresh black cherries and blackberries with some raspberry brightness. Nice density and just enough structure. So appealing. 93/100
Domaine Queylus La Grande Réserve Pinot Noir 2017 Niagara, Canada
A dense Pinot with good structure, that’s firm but refined, sitting under sleek cherry and berry fruits. There’s a touch of mint and nice freshness. 93/100
Flat Rock Cellars Nadja’s Vineyard Riesling 2008 Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara, Canada
This is showing nice development at 11 years of age. Nutty with some oily hints and nice pear and citrus fruit. Really attractive in an off-dry style. 90/100 (current release is 2017)
Flat Rock Cellars Rusty Shed Chardonnay 2013 Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara, Canada
Another back vintage: nuts, pear and peach. Rounded and developing nicely with some grainy structure. A broad wine of real appeal. 92/100
Hidden Bench Estate Chardonnay 2017 Beamsville Bench, Niagara, Canada
This is the entry level wine from Hidden Bench, but it’s pretty good. Lovely nuts and spice with a meal edge to the rich pear fruit. Very appealing with nice depth but also good focus. 91/100
Le Clos Jordanne Le Grand Clos Chardonnay 2017 Niagara, Canada
A famous wine revived! Thomas Bachelder started here, and is now involved again with this site-specific project from big company Arterra. A broad but balanced Chardonnay with some nuts and pear, a touch of spice and some richness to the fruit. 92/100
Le Clos Jordanne Le Grand Clos Pinot Noir 2017 Niagara, Canada
Fresh, elegant and supple with nice brightness to the red cherry fruit. Shows spice and some herbs with a juicy quality. A serious effort. 92/100
Martins Lane Fritzi’s Vineyard Riesling 2015 Okanagan, Canada
Lovely lime, lemon and pear fruit with a hint of mint. Concentrated citrus fruit the theme, showing some depth. Very stylish. 92/100
Martins Lane Simes Vineyard Riesling 2015 Okanagan, Canada
Clean, pure and linear with lovely citrus fruit. Nice intensity, combined with some elegance. Fabulous stuff. 93/100
Find these wines with wine-searcher.com
