1. Mission Hill Family Estate Winery sent me some 2009 samples, and
their cover letter suggested that the wines would be appropriate for a
Holiday Dinner over Christmas. So I tried them that way. First up was
Mission Hill Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2009 Okanagan ($19.95 Vintages),
with its traditional MVC style for a subdued grassy Savvy. On the
palate, there was a certain creaminess or unctuousness cause by barrel
fermentation of a small parcel of the wine. It went well with our
appetizers and salads. The main course was turkey, and Mission Hill
Chardonnay Reserve 2009 Okanagan ($19.95 Vintages Essential) went
first, followed by the Mission Hill Pinot Noir Five Vineyards 2009
Okanagan ($16.45 LCBO General List). The white was coolish climate
style, and despite partial BF and BA (on lees for seven months), it was
smooth and well-balanced without oaky spices. Just a little vanilla to
temper the citrus acidity. Don't over-chill this wine; in fact, serve
it at the same cool temperature as the Pinot Noir, which showed red
fruit, finishing tannins, and some underbrush. It was all fermented in
French oak barrels for 7.5 months. Dinner concluded with the opulent
Mission Hill Riesling Icewine 2009 Okanagan (about $60, not yet
available in Ontario), 8.5% ABV, succulent orange and peach flavours
that may perhaps need some more aging time to resolve the sweetness.
Fatty cheeses were provided for the long, over-the-top finish.
2. From the Kolonaki Group (sales@kolonakigroup.com):
-Sula Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Nashik Estate +660209, $11.95
Vintages: a neighbour raved about this wine. She had some of it in
India (the country of origin), and retried it at my place. It's lightly
herby with bracing acidity. It went well with our pesto pizza. 13.5%
ABV, twist top.
-Eradus Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Marlborough Awatere Valley +225557, $17.95
Vintages April 30/11: stony terraces gave this herbaceous-fruity wine
an oomph on the finish with concentrated minerality. 13% ABV, twist
top.
The agency is principally known for Greek wines such as –
-Boutari Grand Reserve 2004 Naoussa +140111, $16.95 Vintages April
30/11: from the xinomavro grape variety, 13% ABV. Somewhat gamey with
underbrush and earthy components, but well-concentrated fruit flavours
for food. Oak aged, approachable in the mid-palate.
-Boutari Santorini 2009 +47985, $15.95 Vintages April 16/11: full-
bodied, affordable version of wine from the white assyrtiko grape
variety. Expect citrus and minerals, some bracing acidity, much like a
Chablis. 13.5% ABV. Best with seafood.
their cover letter suggested that the wines would be appropriate for a
Holiday Dinner over Christmas. So I tried them that way. First up was
Mission Hill Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2009 Okanagan ($19.95 Vintages),
with its traditional MVC style for a subdued grassy Savvy. On the
palate, there was a certain creaminess or unctuousness cause by barrel
fermentation of a small parcel of the wine. It went well with our
appetizers and salads. The main course was turkey, and Mission Hill
Chardonnay Reserve 2009 Okanagan ($19.95 Vintages Essential) went
first, followed by the Mission Hill Pinot Noir Five Vineyards 2009
Okanagan ($16.45 LCBO General List). The white was coolish climate
style, and despite partial BF and BA (on lees for seven months), it was
smooth and well-balanced without oaky spices. Just a little vanilla to
temper the citrus acidity. Don't over-chill this wine; in fact, serve
it at the same cool temperature as the Pinot Noir, which showed red
fruit, finishing tannins, and some underbrush. It was all fermented in
French oak barrels for 7.5 months. Dinner concluded with the opulent
Mission Hill Riesling Icewine 2009 Okanagan (about $60, not yet
available in Ontario), 8.5% ABV, succulent orange and peach flavours
that may perhaps need some more aging time to resolve the sweetness.
Fatty cheeses were provided for the long, over-the-top finish.
2. From the Kolonaki Group (sales@kolonakigroup.com):
-Sula Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Nashik Estate +660209, $11.95
Vintages: a neighbour raved about this wine. She had some of it in
India (the country of origin), and retried it at my place. It's lightly
herby with bracing acidity. It went well with our pesto pizza. 13.5%
ABV, twist top.
-Eradus Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Marlborough Awatere Valley +225557, $17.95
Vintages April 30/11: stony terraces gave this herbaceous-fruity wine
an oomph on the finish with concentrated minerality. 13% ABV, twist
top.
The agency is principally known for Greek wines such as –
-Boutari Grand Reserve 2004 Naoussa +140111, $16.95 Vintages April
30/11: from the xinomavro grape variety, 13% ABV. Somewhat gamey with
underbrush and earthy components, but well-concentrated fruit flavours
for food. Oak aged, approachable in the mid-palate.
-Boutari Santorini 2009 +47985, $15.95 Vintages April 16/11: full-
bodied, affordable version of wine from the white assyrtiko grape
variety. Expect citrus and minerals, some bracing acidity, much like a
Chablis. 13.5% ABV. Best with seafood.
3. ST. DONATUS IRSAI OLIVÉR BALATONLELLEI Garamvári Vineyard
2009 Hungary, VINTAGES +12070, $12.95: 12.5% ABV. Irsai Olivér is a
cross between the Pozsony and Pearl of Csaba grapes. Floral, Muscat-y
and mint-scented. Useful on its own, or with Asiatic dishes. Perhaps
best in the summer, so buy now.
2009 Hungary, VINTAGES +12070, $12.95: 12.5% ABV. Irsai Olivér is a
cross between the Pozsony and Pearl of Csaba grapes. Floral, Muscat-y
and mint-scented. Useful on its own, or with Asiatic dishes. Perhaps
best in the summer, so buy now.
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