{"id":7283,"date":"2026-01-14T06:58:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-14T06:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/14\/what-i-ve-been-tasting-ontario-jan-2025-part-2\/"},"modified":"2026-01-14T06:58:00","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T06:58:00","slug":"what-i-ve-been-tasting-ontario-jan-2025-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/14\/what-i-ve-been-tasting-ontario-jan-2025-part-2\/","title":{"rendered":"What I&#8217;ve Been Tasting &#8211; Ontario Jan 2026 &#8211; part 2"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-full wp-image-6637\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/What_Ive_Been_-_400x200.png\" alt=\"\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" width=\"400\" height=\"199\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/What_Ive_Been_-_400x200.png 400w, https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/What_Ive_Been_-_400x200-300x149.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Scoring is out of 5 stars<\/strong><br \/><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">The &#8220;+&#8221; sign represents a wine that has something extra about it,<\/span><br \/><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">but not enough to send it to the next level<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>______________________________________________________<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Here are some wines I found on my database from 2025; all wines can be purchased at the venue as indicated, some wines are unfortunately sold out but I included them anyway, in case you can find, or can put your hands on, a bottle somewhere. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">All wines below are from Ontario.<\/span><\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><em><strong>Bella Terra 2018 Blanc de Blanc<\/strong><\/em><\/span> (sold out)<br \/>Decently bready and biscuity, though slightly sweet &#8211; lacks a wow factor. But it&#8217;s tasty in a pinch.&nbsp; <strong>(***+)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><em><strong>Bella Terra 2023 Sauvignon Blanc<\/strong><\/em><\/span> (sold out)<br \/>Nice citrus pith on the palate with some grassy notes and a lemony finish &#8230; has nice Savvy B character and freshness.&nbsp; <strong>(*** &frac12;)<\/strong><br \/>&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br \/><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><em><strong>Bella Terra 2019 Chardonnay<\/strong><\/em><\/span> (sold out)<br \/>Notes of apple, pear and peach for fruit and then the gentle vanilla slips in.&nbsp; <strong>(*** &frac12;+)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><em><strong>Bella Terra 2020 Merlot<\/strong><\/em><\/span> (sold out)<br \/>It starts off with notes of blackberry and cassis, then a subtle smoky note comes in along with the tannins and Ontario-acidity. As with most Ontario Merlots this will take some time settle down, give it 2-3 years. Best 2025-2028.&nbsp;<strong> (*** &frac12;+)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><em><strong>Bella Terra 2020 Cabernet Franc<\/strong><\/em><\/span> ($44.00 &ndash; winery)<br \/>Textbook Cabernet Franc here, I have no notes. Alright maybe a few: tobacco and earthy mix with black cherry and raspberry; there&#8217;s a little smokiness that acts as a foil to the tannins and it drinks beautifully now and will for the next 5 year.&nbsp; <strong>(****+)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><em><strong>Featherstone 2023 Fizzics &#8211; Cabernet Franc \/ Merlot<\/strong><\/em><\/span> ($19.95 &ndash; winery)<br \/>This Charmat Ros&eacute; is light and fresh as a summer day, which makes it perfect for a summer&#8217;s day: strawberry-watermelon, lime and even a hint of floral. Easy, refreshing and pretty.&nbsp; <strong>(*** &frac12;+)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><em><strong>Featherstone 2023 Pinot Grigio<\/strong><\/em><\/span> (sold out)<br \/>Lovely to see a Gris\/Grigio not afraid to show its colour off (slightly pink). Good acidity, peach and floral with subtle hints of something bitter on the finish, which acts as a balance. Pleasant and easy.&nbsp; (*** &frac12;)<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><em><strong>Featherstone 2023 Sauvignon Blanc<\/strong><\/em><\/span> ($17.95 &ndash; sold out)<br \/>Featherstone was once the gold standard of Savvy B in the province. They still make a delightful version, but here they are putting the wine through some barrel treatment to give it weight and texture &#8211; no more than 30%. Retains some natural acidity with plenty of tropical, grassy and fresh herbs.&nbsp; <strong>(*** &frac12;+)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"><em><strong>Featherstone 2023 Rose<\/strong> <\/em><\/span>($16.95 &#8211; sold out)<br \/>The candy apple and tutti-fruity nature of this wine comes from the Gewurztraminer (no doubt?); but that&#8217;s just the nose, the palate is dry and refreshing making this ultimately delicious.&nbsp; <strong>(*** &frac12;+)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><em><strong>Featherstone 2022 Black Sheep Riesling<\/strong><\/em><\/span>&nbsp;($19.95 &ndash; sold out)<br \/>This is a 500-case production of the winery&#8217;s staple Riesling, and it is their best in years. The nose leads off with lemon drop, peach and then the palate grabs hold with it&#8217;s acidity and green apple finish. Riesling right where it should be: juicy with an acid punch.&nbsp; <strong>(****+)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><em><strong>Featherstone 2022 Canadian Oak<\/strong><\/em><\/span> ($24.95 &ndash; sold out)<br \/>One of the only wineries consistently playing with Canadian Oak, and good for them. Here it&#8217;s all estate fruit that&#8217;s wild and barrel fermented. It has a spicy character, good acidity with baked peaches, apple cobbler and butterscotch notes.&nbsp; <strong>(****)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><em><strong>Featherstone 2023 Phoenix &ndash; Gewurztraminer<\/strong><\/em><\/span> ($18.95 &ndash; winery)<br \/>This is a pure, yet simple, version of Gew. Floral and lychee notes with an oily texture &#8211; nice expression of the grape, true to form.&nbsp; <strong>(*** &frac12;+)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><em><strong>Le Clos Jordanne 2021 Jordan Village Chardonnay<\/strong><\/em><\/span> ($29.95 &ndash; sold out)&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br \/>Fruit forward with good acidity and good length: canned peach, vanilla, and lovely fruit &#8211; so approachable.&nbsp; <strong>(****+)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><em><strong>Le Clos Jordanne 2021 Claystone Terrace &#8211; Pinot Noir<\/strong><\/em><\/span> ($29.95 &ndash; sold out)&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br \/>Ripe red fruit raises the bar here with all its cranberry and sour cherry, plus salty minerality and good acidity: elegant and complex.&nbsp; <strong>(****+)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><em><strong>Leaning Post 2021 Sauvignon Blanc<\/strong><\/em><\/span> (sold out)<br \/>Bottom line: More grapefruity with nice acidity and a long finish. Think guava and grassy with hints of passionfruit mid-palate. Nice length with a lemon zest on the finish &#8230; This wine was also aged in neutral oak to soften the acidity, which is impressive considering the acidity shines here.&nbsp; <strong>(*** &frac12;+)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><em><strong>Leaning Post 2019 Grimsby Hillside Chardonnay<\/strong><\/em><\/span> ($40.00 &ndash; sold out)&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br \/>These vines were planted in 2004 but it is only now they are taking center-stage on a variety of wine bottles, with impressive pedigree: tropical fruit and peach with notes of pineapple puree and minerality all with a mid-length finish.&nbsp; <strong>(****+)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><em><strong>Leaning Post 2020 Clone 96 Chardonnay<\/strong><\/em><\/span> (sold out)&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br \/>Love the tropical nature of the fruit; the lovely balance of acidity and the gulpability. This wine is gorgeous, though there are some who wrongly like that Clone 548&nbsp; better. We need to talk.&nbsp; <strong>(**** &frac12;)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><em><strong>Lighthall Vineyards 2023 Pinot Gris<\/strong><\/em><\/span> ($24.75 &ndash; sold out)<br \/>A very consumer friendly Gris full of white fruit and loads of fun across the tongue.&nbsp; <strong>(*** &frac12;)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><em><strong>Malivoire 2021 Small Lot &#8211; Gamay Noir<\/strong><\/em><\/span> ($24.95 &ndash; sold out)<br \/>Lots of cherry and white pepper, subtle tannins &#8211; with a bright and fresh finish. <strong>(*** &frac12;)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><em><strong>Malivoire 2020 Forgotten Row Chardonnay<\/strong><\/em><\/span>&nbsp;($34.95 &ndash; winery)<br \/>Big and buttery, but balanced with smoky-peach, apple cobbler and a creamy mouthfeel with a touch of cinnamon on the mid-palate. This wine leans more California than Ontario, but with that Ontario acidity. For those that wonder, this is no longer a &#8220;forgotten row&#8221; it is more &#8220;deliberately neglected&#8221;.&nbsp; <strong>(****+)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><em><strong>Malivoire 2022 Farmstead Gamay Noir<\/strong><\/em><\/span> (sold out)<br \/>Fruity: raspberry, sour cherry, cranberry and all with a juicy mid-palate.&nbsp; <strong>(*** &frac12;)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><em><strong>Malivoire 2022 Small Lot &#8211; Pinot Noir<\/strong><\/em><\/span> ($32.00 &ndash; sold out)&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br \/>A pleasant, easy-drinking version with earthy, sour cherry and strawberry flavours.&nbsp; <strong>(*** &frac12;)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">&nbsp;__________________________________<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Scoring is out of 5 starsThe &#8220;+&#8221; sign represents a wine that has something extra about it,but not enough to send it to the next level ______________________________________________________ Here are some wines I found on my database from 2025; all wines can be purchased at the venue as indicated, some wines are unfortunately sold out but [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7283","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\/7283","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=7283"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7283\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7283"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7283"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7283"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}