• LAILEY ALL IN ONE

    par | Fév 9, 2009

    By DEAN TUDOR

    The Time and Date: Thursday, November 27, 2008 3PM to 7 PM
    The Event: a 2007 Futures offering from Lailey Vineyard in Niagara on the Lake (below)

    Derek Barnett is the winemaker, Ed Haddon is the sommelier.
    The Venue: The Fine Wine Reserve Inc. 800 King St., West Suite 801. Toronto, tel.: 416 593 9463 (593 WINE)
    The Target Audience: private clients.
    The Availability/Catalogue: Three of the 2007 vintage wines are already in bottle (Counterpoint, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay), the remaining 7 are barrel samples. Pinot noir and Chardonnay are to be out in February, the balance in April. Futures orders were taken on site.
    The Quote: Derek has had a long association with Lailey, buying fruit from them when he was a winemaker at Southbrook. In the fall of 2001, he moved to NOTL and joined Lailey as a winemaker and business partner.
    The Wines: it was hard to taste the reds since they were barrel samples. The Pinot was the most advanced. (suite…)

  • FRENCH WINE CONNECTION

    par | Fév 9, 2009

    By DEAN TUDOR

    The Event: The French wine connection… Wines from France.
    The Venue: Artcore Gallery, Distillery District, 55 Mill St., Toronto, tel. 416 920 3820.
    The Time and Date: Monday, November 24, 2008 1:30 PM to 5 PM
    The Target Audience: Wine trade.
    The Availability/Catalogue: ostensibly, all of the principals were seeking agents. Somehow, except for one, they already had signed on.
    The Quote/Background: “Good food to go with the wines.”
    The Wines:
    **** Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
    — Louise Brison, Champagne Brut 2003 (Eurovintage)
    — Domaine de la Saveuse Cuvée Carolle Rouge 2007, Côtes de Provence (Rouge et Blanc)
    — Domaine de la Saveuse Cuvée Philippine Rouge 2006, Côtes de Provence (Rouge et Blanc)
    — Domaines Piron, Morgon 2006 (Wine Guy)
    — Relais de Durfort-Vivens 2005 Margaux – La Passion des Terroirs ($55, Connoisseur)
    — Schoenheitz Gewurztraminer Linsenberg 2007 ($31.50, Lamprecht)

    (suite…)