The Event: Ontario Wine Review's Pinot Noir Reserve Challenge, Feb 23, 2009

The Time and Date: Monday, February 23, 2009  7PM to 10PM

The Event: the last night of the Ontario Wine Review's Pinot Noir Challenge. Tonight was dedicated to 2007 "reserve" levels.

The Venue: Campbell House

The Target Audience: subscribers to OWR, wine media, plus anyone interested in Pinot Noir (as advertised on web sites).

The Availability/Catalogue: all wines should be available at the winery.

The Quote/Background: Each year Michael Pinkus, editor-owner of Ontario Wine Review, engages in a wine competition. Subscribers vote on which variety to feature. In 2007, it was Baco Noir, 2008 was Cabernet Franc, and this year it was Pinot Noir.

The Wines: 14 wines were tasted BLIND. Below are my rankings of the wines based on this blind tasting.

 

**** Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Long Dog Winery Pinot Noir 2007 Reserve PEC, about $50 – I was the only one who nailed the price on this wine. There was a prize of glassware from Schott Zwiesel for guessing correctly. Of course, since I did NOT pay for this function (other than assisting in cleaning up), I declined the prize.

-Angel's Gate Winery Pinot Noir 2007 Mountainview Niagara, $25 – the best wine of the lot in closest approximation of Burgundian style, and best value.

 

***1/2 Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Niagara College Teaching Winery (NCTW) Pinot Noir 2007 Dean's List, $32.95.

-Konzelmann Estate Winery Pinot Noir 2007 Barrel Aged Niagara, $30

-Rosehall Run Vineyards Pinot Noir 2007 Estate Reserve PEC, $36.

-Pillitteri Estates Winery Pinot Noir 2007 Equifera Niagara, $18.95 – good value.

-Malivoire Pinot Noir 2007 Mottiar Vineyard Niagara, $33.80.

-Harwood Estates Pinot Noir PEC, $19.80.

 

*** Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Inniskillin Pinot Noir Reserve Series Niagara, $17.95.

-Lailey Vineyard Pinot Noir 2007 Canadian Oak Niagara, $35.

-Pelee Island Winery Pinot Noir 2007 Reserve Lake Erie North Shore, $14.95 -- this was chosen ss BEST wine of the evening.

-Grange of Prince Edward County Pinot Noir 2007 Diane's Block PEC, $34.80.

-Norman Hardie Pinot Noir 2007 PEC, $39.

-Ridgepoint Wines Pinot Noir 2007 Reserve Niagara, $30.

 

The Food: we started with a cheese platter and fresh veggies, with a glass of Trius Brut and Peller Pinot Grigio.  We ended with coffee and cookies.

The Contact Person: michael@ontariowinereview.com

The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): not a trade event, but in terms of quality, maybe 88.

 

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com