Decanterberry Tales - A Willamette Valley Wine Blog - canada tag

Inniskillin, Cabernet Franc, Ice Wine, 2006

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 05:23:28 GMT

The Canadians have a very eclectic wine industry. They try a lot of things off the beaten path. And this is no exception.

It smells like an ice wine, but you wouldn't guess from the smell that it was a red. It definitely has that super honey aroma. But while it might smell like a Sauternes, the flavors were something completely different. The taste is a trio: rhubarb, strawberry, and watermelon. The body was a bit more syrupy than I would have liked, yet it wasn't ruined in this regard either. The finish returned to where we started: honey, and just a hint of mint.

Definitely an interesting find. It worked well. As I said, it was a tad more syrupy that I like, but overall, it was a nice desert wine. And yummy.

Cost: ($22 for a very small glass)

Rating: 8.0

Kettle Valley Winery, Chardonnay Ice Wine (Henschel Vineyards), 2004

Tue, 01 Jan 2008 05:30:00 GMT

Smell: Strong honey, apricot and subtle peach.

Taste: Predominantly honey. Also apricot. Unfortunately, there's nothing more than honey and apricot--nothing subtle or complicated.

Finish: Apricot. Fairly viscous. A bit too syrupy,

Cost:

Rating: 4.5

Black Hills, 'Nota Bene', Red Wine, 2001

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 03:00:00 GMT

Smell: Mossy, earthy, mushrooms and oak. Smells like a walk through a damp Oregon forest.

Taste: Prunes, mushrooms and vegetables with a hint of bell pepper. Like sitting on a old musky log with large mushrooms attached it its crumbling bark. Like misty rain on ferns and dirt.

Finish: Prune. Very smooth. Absolutely beautiful.

Cost:

Rating: 9.0

(Cabernet Sauvignon 46%, Merlot 35%, Cabernet Franc 19% ... Okanagan Valley, Canada)

Fairview Cellars, Meritage, 2001

Sun, 29 Jul 2007 03:00:00 GMT

Smell: Earthy.

Taste: Moldy cork.

Finish: A little thin.

Cost:

Rating: 4.0