Niagara On The Lake

Obsidian Ridge

Obsidian Ridge Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Enjoying this, though it’s lower tannin than you might find a cab from other CA regions. Blackberry and leather on the nose that moves toward dark chocolate as it opens up. A bit earthy but some dark fruit too. Smooth and velvety, probably not going to age better from here. — 3 months ago

Jillian Varner
with Jillian

Château des Charmes

Niagara-on-the-Lake Icewine Vidal 2018

Deep gold color.
Aromas of brown sugar, dried apricot, candied mango, honey, orange pekoe tea.
Sweet. Flavors of candied apricot, honey, brown sugar, mango syrup, hint of tea.

Intensity: 5/5
Complexity: 5/5
Balance: 4/5
Finish: 5/5
— 5 months ago

Hawk and Horse Vineyards

Red Hills Lake County Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

It's time for my #FridayCabernetfix. Here is a nice one from Red Hills.

Dark purple in color with a purplish rim.

Fruity nose of blackberries, raspberries, black plums, oak, light vanilla, licorice, herbs, tobacco leaf, earth, spices, chocolates, dark coffee and black pepper.

Full bodied and smooth with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with plums, cherries, black currants, oak, tobacco, licorice, peppercorn, coffee, cinnamon, earth, spices, light vegetables and herbs.

Medium plus on the finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a very tasty Cabernet Sauvignon from Lake County in California. Fruit forward with lots of coffee and chocolates notes.

Needs a few hours of airtime to open up, but drinkable right out of the bottle too. Big tannins come out after a couple of hours of air.

Showing nice complexity with a nice mouthfeel, but still very young, and needs five years in the bottle to mature properly. Would be nice to revisit it in 3 years. Will age nicely in the next 10 years.

I had the 2017 vintage a year ago and it is very consistent.

Easy drinking and good by itself or with food. Will pair nicely with BBQ Meats.

14.3% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$75.
— 2 years ago

Tom, Jay and 11 others liked this

Rippon Vineyard

Lake Wanaka Central Otago Osteiner

Oddball geeky wine for sure - cross of Riesling and Sylvaner from the remote Central Otago region.

Agree with the comments - certainly more Riesling on the nose (shower curtain, tropical fruit), with Sylvaner coming in more on the palate (green fruit, white pepper, herbaceous ness). A light, insanely drinkable wine with surprisingly layers of complexity (is that schisty minerality there? Indeed it is! Some green papaya and makrut lime? That too. Citrus and orchard fruit? Uh huh. And, dare I go there, kiwi? Yup!

There’s definitely some RS in there, but acidity is high enough that it holds it well.. Not much of a finish, but none needed.

I really enjoyed this wine; my dinner companion was more meh.
— 3 months ago

Ira, Matt and 8 others liked this
Joshua Fisher

Joshua Fisher Influencer Badge

Nothing worse than a meh companion

Château des Charmes

Estate Bottled Brut Sparkling Wine

Pale lemon color.
Aromas of lemon, brioche.
Dry. Flavors of fresh lemon, lemon zest, mineral. Delicious! Could pass for Champagne!

Intensity: 4/5
Complexity: 2/5
Balance: 5/5
Finish: 5/5
— 5 months ago

Yabby Lake Vineyard

Single Vineyard Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir 2015

Mid Ruby in colour. Red fruits of cherry and strawberry with a bit of whole bunch influence on the nose. The palate showing savoury red fruits but also a little sweetness. Certainly a good future in front of it - I should try the next one in 1 to 2 years time. Tom Carson has probably never made a bad wine in his life and he has a great terroir to work with when he is not in demand for judging at Royal Shows. Tasted another bottle 65 weeks later on 24th July 2022. Quite red cherry on the nose and palate. Sooty notes from whole bunch in the ferment. The perfect balance between sweet and savoury. — 3 years ago

Eric, "Odedi" and 21 others liked this

Stratus

Niagara-on-the-Lake White Blend 2012

Really interesting 11 years of age. Honey, butterscotch, apricot, some flowers but a secondary flavor type of wine. Chard is balanced by semillion. Tasting good. — 4 months ago

Ira, Tom and 1 other liked this

Hermann J. Wiemer

Finger Lakes Cabernet Franc 2020

2020 vintage. Wow. Medium ruby color. Red fruit aroma. Flavors of raspberry and strawberry jam, herbal note (lovage?), some bell pepper with moderate acid, little tannin depending on the temperature. Give it a moment, it will open up after 10 minutes in your glass. — 5 months ago

Severn liked this

Clay Shannon

CS Napa County Lake County Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

cab that is on the lighter side which is always nice. a little bit of a fruity finish but nothing overpowering — 8 months ago

Peter O’Connell
with Peter