Just up the road to Quinta Ferreira Estate Winery, another one I was pretty familiar with from other tastings of previous vintages. They boast to make Canadian wine with a Portuguese twist.
Been a BIG fan of their Rosé in the past (particularly the 2009 vintage), but although there was no rosé to taste today, there was no shortage of options: FIFTEEN wines were tasted (including three from their entry-level SQUEEZED line), with no tasting fee. Another winery that delivered top-notch customer service.
2011 Mistura Branca ($19.90)
50% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Muscat Ottonel and 30% Gewürztraminer. Perfume and roses on the nose, with tropical fruit, apple, and vanilla on the palate. 86.
2011 Sauvignon Blanc ($19.90)
Tropical fruit and peaches dominate the nose, giving way to apple and some melon on the palate. Crisp on the finish. 84.
2011 Unoaked Chardonnay ($19.90)
Clean and crisp, with strong apple notes on the nose and palate, where it's joined by melon and a hint of lemon and pear. 84.
2011 Oaked Chardonnay ($19.90)
This multiple award winner was barrel fermented and aged in French and American oak. Notes of apple, pear and peach mingle with the butterscotch that the oak brings. Coconut and caramel on the palate as well. Delightful. 86.
2011 Viognier ($19.90)
Tropical fruits, peach, coconut and a touch of vanilla on the nose and the palate. Pineapple all over the palate as well. Delicately balanced with a finish that is both smooth and spicy. Brilliant. 90.
2011 Squeezed White ($17.90)
Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Viognier. Tropical fruits and apple on the nose, joined by a touch of melon and pear on the finish. A nice reasonably priced white blend to pair with chicken or fish. 84.
2011 Squeezed Pink ($17.90)
Strawberries and blackberries on the nose, with some raspberry and rhubarb thrown in for good measure. Nice, but a far cry from QF's excellent rosés of the past. 84.
2010 Squeezed Red ($19.90)
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc. Fruit forward and approachable, with black cherry, raspberry jam and a touch of vanilla. 83.
2009 Merlot ($24.90)
Rich in colour and aroma. Vanilla and black cherry dominate, with just a touch of cinnamon lurking in the background. Plums and blackberries take over on the palate. Nice now and would only improve with a few years of cellar love. 89.
2009 Merlot Cabernet ($24.90)
Vanilla, black cherry and just a bit of clove on the nose, following through on the palate and being joined by just a touch of chocolate. Another one that will only get better. 86.
2008 Obra-Prime ($34.90)
Hello, Mr. Bordeaux blend, where have you been all my life? Black cherries, pepper, mocha and cherry all mingle on the nose and palate. Vanilla on the long, spicy finish. Ready now but a few more years will truly make it a winner. 91.
(they also feature a RESEVE version of this, and several of their other wines, for $50. Although we didn't get to taste it, we bought one and I will report on it once we drink it).
2009 Alagria ($29.90)
The five Bordeaux blends again, with some Zinfandel thrown in for good measure. The Zin adds what you might expect Zin to add; a touch of sweetness and some jammy notes. Black cherry and raspberry on the nose and palate, with some dark fruit and black pepper on the long, luscious finish. 90.
2010 Syrah ($29.90)
Some violets intertwine with the black pepper and black cherry on the nose. Spicy and toasty notes with some coffee and hazelnut on the palate. Drinkable now but I would suggest giving this one some more bottle time to let it fully develop. 85.
2010 Cabernet Franc ($29.90)
Black cherry and blackberries on the nose, with some chocolate and vanilla entering the picture on the palate. Just the tiniest hint of cedar. Long, beautiful finish. A top notch Cab Franc. 88.
2009 Porta D'Ouro ($25.00)
This port-style dessert wine features black cherries and cinnamon up front, with some blackberry and cherries on the palate. 82.
Another terrific tasting experience, not a bad wine in the bunch and excellent service. Highly recommended!!
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