The annual California Wine Fair, held at the Royal York in Toronto, featured some 113 wineries and considering that each winery brings 4-5 wines with them you get a lot of California fermented grape juice in one room. There is no way to taste them all so you pick and chose based on your interests or any assignment you have coming up.
Let's take a look at what caught my palate's attention this year, and as always there are plenty of Zinfandels that make my list, as Zin continues to be of my favourite Cali-varietals so I pay careful attention to those.
Let's take a look at what caught my palate's attention this year, and as always there are plenty of Zinfandels that make my list, as Zin continues to be of my favourite Cali-varietals so I pay careful attention to those.
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| The California Wine Fair - a room loaded with people and wines |
The Wines That Impressed ...
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| Chandon Brut Classic and Rose (Sparkling) fresh, lively and fruity, while the Rose adds elements of raspberry (**** each) |
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| Peju 2013 Sauvignon Blanc melon and orange pith with some lemon zest on the finish (****) |
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| Schug 2011 Pinot Noir - Carneros earthy, raspberry and strawberry with nice acidity and cranberry mixed in (*** 1/2+) |
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| Marimar Estate 2010 Pinot Noir - Dona Margarita Vineyard strawberry and red licorice with smoke and a touch of spice; there's also anise and red berries on the tongue. Great complexity with a long finish. (****+) |
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| Hahn Estate 2011 Pinot Noir - Santa Lucia Highlands black cherry and spiced plum on the nose which follows on the palate with some sweet red fruit notes on the well-spiced finish (****) |
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| Fog Crest Vineyard 2011 Pinot Noir - Russian River Valley rich in earthiness and sour cherry aromas while the palate adds spiced-plum and cherry along with Christmas cake and wonderful acidty (****) |
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| Renwood 2011 Premier Old Vine Zinfandel - Amador County palate starts off sweet but with nice spice and complexity to pull it all off (****) |
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| Boneshaker 2012 Zinfandel Limited Production - Lodi licorice, smoked meat, cocoa and spice galore; serious and beautifully crafted (****+) |
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| Stonestreet 2010 Monument Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon gritty tannins hide a lot of cark brooding fruit (****) |
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| Smith & Hook 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon meaty with blackberry and vanilla smoke (****) |
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| Ca'Momi 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon - Napa Valley smoke and snise with stewed blackberry and spice, there's also an appealing meaty note (****+) |
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| Chateau St. Jean 2009 Cinq Cepages lovely richness of fruit along with cassis and cocoa there's also some white smoke and good length to the finish (****+) |
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| Clos du Bois 2010 Marlstone - Alexander Valley something about the spiced-cocoa finish that makes this an elegant sip from start to finish: great dark fruit middle palate and silky tannins on the finish (****+) |
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| Hahn 2012 GSM this one is pure raspberry on both the nose and taste and a great buy at under $20 (****) |
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| Justin 2011 Justification tobacco and cherry with blackberry and raspberry - sure there's a lot of fruit here, yet there is also good balance and structure (****) |
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| Seghesio 2011 Old Vine Zinfandel vines are an average of 80 years old (some as old as 120) fruit driven yet with structure cocoa, plum and black cherry (****+) |
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| Seghesio 2012 Sonoma Zinfandel 30 year old vines that have flavours of plum, vanilla and cherry plus a nice spice that inhabits the finish (****) |
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| Ridge 2012 Three Valleys - Sonoma County This Zin blend has pretty raspberry and cherry with a delicious silky finish (****+) |
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| Ravenswood 2010 Old Vine Zinfandel - Sonoma County silky red fruit: chewy with strawberry and hints of plum and vanilla (****) |
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| C.G. di Arie Vineyard 2007 Old Vine Zinfandel - Shenandoah Valley 140 year old vines which shows lots of plum, vanilla, cherry, herbal, cola, black cherry with a linger of mineral and spice (****+) |
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| Birichino 2012 Besson Vineyard Old Vines Grenache Grenache planted in 1910 with light aromas, full of floral notes; while the palate is silky with red fruit and touches of pepper on the finish (****+) |
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| Ca'Momi 2011 Rosso di Napa a blend of Cabernet, Zinfandel, Merlot and Petite Sirah: good red fruit with an interesting spiced finish (*** 1/2+) |
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| Peachy Canyon 2011 Zinfandel, Westside vanilla, cherry and plum; quite silky on the palate (****) |
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| Ca'Momi 2012 Chardonnay - Napa Valley only 4 months in a mix of French and American oak; lovely fruit with pineapple and peach being the most dominant (****) |
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| Huneeus Wines 2012 Saldo Zinfandel lush plum and black cherry with smoky vanilla (****) |
1 comment:
Wine fair at Toronto, that’s sounds great! Few days ago I have visited Boston venues for wine fair and there I have seen several wine brands. That was an amazing experience for me! Keep sharing this kind of posts on fest or fairs!
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