{"id":6787,"date":"2024-10-16T10:58:00","date_gmt":"2024-10-16T10:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/2024\/10\/16\/what-i-ve-been-tasting-september-2024\/"},"modified":"2024-10-16T10:58:00","modified_gmt":"2024-10-16T10:58:00","slug":"what-i-ve-been-tasting-september-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/2024\/10\/16\/what-i-ve-been-tasting-september-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"What I’ve Been Tasting – September 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

Scoring is out of 5 stars<\/strong>
– wine is not an essay folks –<\/em>
here is what those stars mean<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

3 = average \/ 3.5 = good
4 = very good \/ 4.5 = excellent
5 = outstanding<\/p>\n

The “+” sign represents a wine that has something extra about it,
but not enough to send it to the next level<\/p>\n

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CANADIAN WINES<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bella Terra 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon<\/strong><\/span> (Ontario) … $44.95 – winery \"Bella<\/em>
Juicy and succulent dark fruit, namely cherry, currants and raspberry … In slips coffee and smoky notes to the finish. This is one of those 2020 wines you were expecting and the winery delivers on in spades: acidity, tannins and structure is right on point. (4.5)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bordertown Vineyard 2023 Viognier<\/strong><\/span> (British Columbia) … $21.90 – winery<\/em>
Good Canadian Viognier is super hard to find, but when one does you need to shout it from the rooftops: “I found one” – and I did; blind at the All Canadian Wine Championships. Breezy and easy full of tropical fruit, peach, pear and a mineral finish. I could drink this a lot.  (4+)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Featherstone 2021 Cabernet Franc<\/strong><\/span> (Ontario) … $21.95 – #64618<\/em>
2021 was a difficult vintage in Ontario – and that’s putting it nicely. Subtle notes of green pepper are intertwined with tobacco and spice. There are also hints of strawberry and peppered raspberry. This has lots of flavour and is a miraculous version of Franc that seems almost textbook, in spite of the vintage. (4+)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fielding 2022 Rock Pile Chardonnay<\/strong><\/span> (Ontario) … $39.95 – Winery<\/em>
Took me a few more sips than usual to determine where this wine sits: creamy mid-palate, good acidity with a dry finish. Notes of lemon play around with vanilla and butterscotch.  (3.5+)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"FourthFourth Wall Wines 2022 Meta Gamay Noir<\/strong><\/span> (Ontario) … $29.80 – winery<\/em>
Conceived and used long before FaceBook changed its name, this wine will be finding a new name shortly. But while it is what it is I can safely tell you it is a delight for Gamay-lovers. Made at Malivoire, so it has the pedigree; this Gamay Noir boasts lots of juiciness of fruit and a sippability that most Gamays in Ontario should be looking for. Served chilled it is even nicer.  (4+)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Watchful Eye Winery 2021 Cabernet Franc Reserve<\/strong><\/span> (Ontario) … $41.95 – winery<\/em>
Smooth and easy with plenty of fruit: raspberry, cherry and tobacco for a nice balance of flavours.  (3.5+)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Wending Home 2021 Gamay<\/strong><\/span> (Ontario) … $29.95 – winery<\/em>
For those that don’t want to leave the summer behind, not yet anyway… This one’s for you. You can throw this one in the fridge for 30 minutes before drinking to let the cherry and strawberry shine: light, fruity and fresh with great acidity to balance it all out. (4)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Wending Home 2021 Viognier Smith Vineyards<\/strong><\/span> (Ontario) … $27.95 – winery \"Wending<\/em>
Don’t remember Ron G being any great shake at Viognier when he was with Henry of Pelham? Here he is on another property making a deliciously juicy version that shows lime, peach, mineral and even a dollop of acacia.  (4)<\/strong><\/p>\n

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INTERNATIONAL WINES<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"ArboledaArboleda 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon<\/strong><\/span> (Chile) … $19.95 – #606764<\/em>
A plum example of good Cabernet coming out of Chile, it has all the makings of something you’ll want to have in the cellar for a few years: smoky coffee leads to black raspberry and even a hint of refreshing mint.  (4)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Aveleda 2021 Vinho Verde – Loureiro & Alvarinho<\/strong><\/span> (Portugal) … $14.95 – #646067<\/em>
Spells out the varieties right on the front label … this peach \/ lime combo is fresh, somewhat juicy, but with wonderful balancing acidity. Only 11.5% alcohol, so relax, spend the afternoon.  (3.5+)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Baileyana 2020 Firepeak Pinot Noir<\/strong><\/span> (California) … $35.95 – #31647<\/em>
In typical California style this wine has big fruit in the form of ripe cherry and raspberry notes – there’s also a hint of tobacco; nice drinkability.  (3.5+)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chateau Clou du Pin 2021 Premium, Bordeaux Superior<\/strong><\/span> (France) … $18.95 – #28727<\/em>
This starts out rough and rugged, but sidles into its smooth and juicy side within an hour. Meaty and dusty on the nose from the get-go – rescued by black raspberry, black cherry, cassis and a smokiness that seems to wrap around the dark fruit. Give it time in glass and let it show itself slowly over the course of an evening.  (4+)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Deep Woods 2021 Hillside Cabernet Sauvignon<\/span><\/strong> (Australia) … $24.95 – #33418 \"Deep<\/em>
This Margaret River Cabernet might come as a surprise to those who think Aussie reds are nothing but fruit bombs. Dark and leathery with dusty notes of cherry, herbal and licorice… Pleasant with a good mouth-feel and tannin structure. Acidity is also lovely here, helping to balance out that nice fruity character. A little leaner than some might expect in an Aussie Cabernet.  (4+)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Radio Boca 2023 Tempranillo<\/strong><\/span> (Spain) … $13.95 – #376145<\/em>
This easy drinking Tempranillo has notes of cherry and pencil shavings that run through the wine … The longer it’s open, the more the pencils drop out and the fruit “pops” in.  (3.5)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lungarotti 2019 Rubesco Sangiovese<\/strong><\/span> (Italy) … $21.95 – #368548<\/em>
Cherry, raspberry and a little bit of smoke; should be fully ready in about 2-3 years.  (3.5+)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"UggianoUggiano 2020 Roccialta Chianti Riserva<\/strong><\/span> (Italy) … $17.95 – #10605<\/em>
This Chianti is loaded with fruit flavour and is begging to be brought to the BBQ. There are also some notes of strawberry and balsamic on the finish. Buy a bunch and enjoy through the winter.  (4)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Umberto Cesari 2022 Liano – Pinot Grigio<\/span><\/strong> (Italy) … $17.95 – #35951<\/em>
This is a real summer pleasure with its citrus kick and biting acidity – as comfortable with a hot day as it is in front of the fireplace on a cool one.  (3.5+)<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Wakefield 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon<\/strong><\/span> (Australia) … $19.95 – #744235<\/em>
The Cab for the budget conscientious who are trepidatious to jump to the Jaraman. This is good value with its hint of mint and blackberry, super juicy and nicely spiced. With a medium length finish that delivers on spiced-raspberry freshness.  (4)<\/strong><\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Scoring is out of 5 stars– wine is not an essay folks –here is what those stars mean 3 = average \/ 3.5 = good4 = very good \/ 4.5 = excellent5 = outstanding The “+” sign represents a wine that has something extra about it,but not enough to send it to the next level […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6787","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-vintages-releases"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6787","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6787"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6787\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6787"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6787"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6787"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}