1. Stoney Ridge 2009 Excellence Chardonnay VQA Niagara, $26 at winery:
a line of wines made only in better years by winemaker Gordon Robert,
the Excellence series concentrates on reasonable affordability, mostly
just over $20. Here, the juice has been barrel fermented in French oak,
and put into 400 litre French oak barrels for 13 months (sur lie for 9
months). Results: an excellent classic Burgundian style of hazelnuts,
balance, limes and lemons, and refreshing fruit on the finish. 13.6%
ABV,
a line of wines made only in better years by winemaker Gordon Robert,
the Excellence series concentrates on reasonable affordability, mostly
just over $20. Here, the juice has been barrel fermented in French oak,
and put into 400 litre French oak barrels for 13 months (sur lie for 9
months). Results: an excellent classic Burgundian style of hazelnuts,
balance, limes and lemons, and refreshing fruit on the finish. 13.6%
ABV,
2. Stoney Ridge 2009 Excellence Pinot Noir VQA Niagara, $29 at winery:
black fruit, extractive, Burgundian style of beetroot, cherries, and
even some cranberries. A keeper. Aged 11 months in French oak. 13.3%
ABV.
black fruit, extractive, Burgundian style of beetroot, cherries, and
even some cranberries. A keeper. Aged 11 months in French oak. 13.3%
ABV.
3. Stoney Ridge 2009 Warren Classic Pinot Noir VQA Niagara, $14.95
LCBO: "Classic" is the second tier wine series. Another Burgundian
styled pinot, but a bit lighter with more cranberries, pepper, and
light mocha. Good value. Aged in French and American oak for 9 months.
12.8% ABV.
LCBO: "Classic" is the second tier wine series. Another Burgundian
styled pinot, but a bit lighter with more cranberries, pepper, and
light mocha. Good value. Aged in French and American oak for 9 months.
12.8% ABV.
4. Stoney Ridge 2009 Warren Classic Chardonnay VQA Niagara, $15 winery:
formerly known as Bench Chardonnay at Stoney Ridge. I drank tons of the
2004 vintage. This one is almost as good, but does need a year more to
balance. Malic apples, citrus, tropical zest, pineapples, some toasty
wood on the finish. Longer finish. 13% ABV.
formerly known as Bench Chardonnay at Stoney Ridge. I drank tons of the
2004 vintage. This one is almost as good, but does need a year more to
balance. Malic apples, citrus, tropical zest, pineapples, some toasty
wood on the finish. Longer finish. 13% ABV.
5. Stoney Ridge Cabernet Merlot VQA Niagara, $17 at winery: fruit
forward, friendly red wine now ready, have with food or just sip.
Cabernet Franc 50%, Cab Sauvignon 24%, and Merlot 26%. Mocha flavours
with the black fruit. French and US oak for 11 months. 12.5% ABV.
forward, friendly red wine now ready, have with food or just sip.
Cabernet Franc 50%, Cab Sauvignon 24%, and Merlot 26%. Mocha flavours
with the black fruit. French and US oak for 11 months. 12.5% ABV.
6. Stoney Ridge 2009 Unoaked Charlotte's Chardonnay FSC VQA Twenty Mile
Bench, $14.95 LCBO: a juicy winner, about 80% chardonnay musque and the
rest chardonnay. Extremely aromatic and peachy, excellent for summer or
as an aperitif. Charlotte is Jim Warren's wife; she doesn't like oak in
her chardonnay. 12.5% ABV. Gold Medal at All Canadian Competition 2010.
Bench, $14.95 LCBO: a juicy winner, about 80% chardonnay musque and the
rest chardonnay. Extremely aromatic and peachy, excellent for summer or
as an aperitif. Charlotte is Jim Warren's wife; she doesn't like oak in
her chardonnay. 12.5% ABV. Gold Medal at All Canadian Competition 2010.
7. Stoney Ridge 2009 Warren Classic Cabernet Franc VQA Niagara, $17 at
winery. Berryish (both red and black), finishes with herbs. Definite
food wine. Can be aged to bring out the vanilla-cedar finish. 13% ABV.
From three Niagara vineyards, French and US oak barrels for 10 months.
winery. Berryish (both red and black), finishes with herbs. Definite
food wine. Can be aged to bring out the vanilla-cedar finish. 13% ABV.
From three Niagara vineyards, French and US oak barrels for 10 months.
8. Stoney Ridge Forte 2009 VQA Ontario, $20 at winery: among the 7,021
different wines that Jim Warren has made over an illustrious career,
there is Forte – his version of port, with notes of figs, raisins,
mocha, plums, toffee, molasses, and all those dark syrups. Comprised of
Baco Noir, Late Harvest Vidal, and Cabernet Sauvignon. 19.5% ABV
(distilled spirits added). Oak aged.
different wines that Jim Warren has made over an illustrious career,
there is Forte – his version of port, with notes of figs, raisins,
mocha, plums, toffee, molasses, and all those dark syrups. Comprised of
Baco Noir, Late Harvest Vidal, and Cabernet Sauvignon. 19.5% ABV
(distilled spirits added). Oak aged.
9. Stoney Ridge Passion NV VQA Ontario, $25 at winery: and an
innovation on top of Forte – an equal blend of Forte and Cabernet Franc
icewine. Only the Forte has been fortified, so the resulting wine is
about 15.5% ABV, and full of Forte dark flavours tempered by fresh
strawberries. Think chocolate and strawbs (chocolate-coated strawbs?).
An engaging wine, and affordable. Made with Baco Noir, Late Harvest
Vidal, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc.
innovation on top of Forte – an equal blend of Forte and Cabernet Franc
icewine. Only the Forte has been fortified, so the resulting wine is
about 15.5% ABV, and full of Forte dark flavours tempered by fresh
strawberries. Think chocolate and strawbs (chocolate-coated strawbs?).
An engaging wine, and affordable. Made with Baco Noir, Late Harvest
Vidal, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc.
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