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Twilight Wines

~ Making Your Wine Experience Even More Enjoyable

Twilight Wines

Category Archives: Winery Review Series

Upon visits to wineries, I will review their wines that they submit to me as well as the winery.

13th STREET WINERY PINOT NOIR 2015, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

17 Sunday Feb 2019

Posted by Twilight Wines in 13th Street Winery, Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An expressive Pinot full of flavour with a touch of spice

Positives: Cherry, raspberry, mulberry, cinnamon, cloves, leather, vanilla and violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Slightly chill the wine

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with smoked oysters.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: February 17, 2019

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KACABA RESERVE SYRAH 2015, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

09 Saturday Feb 2019

Posted by Twilight Wines in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $44.95
Grape: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Vineyards & Winery
Alcohol: 13.6% Alcohol/Vol.

A high end Canadian Syrah featuring a beautiful nose & an amazing great taste

Positives: A full, rich body wine featuring plum, dark cherry, strawberry, blackberry, crack black peppers, white pepper, anise, Allspice, dark chocolate and violets & smoked ambers on the nose.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 10 years on its own or pair it with lamb chops with rosemary and garlic.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: February 9, 2019

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13th STREET WINERY MERITAGE 2016, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

18 Friday Jan 2019

Posted by Twilight Wines in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: 53% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A quality, complex & expressive Canadian Meritage that’s rare to see considering it’s less than 3 yrs old and under $35

Positives: Full body wine with dry tannin features dark cherry, plum, blackberry, black currants, turmeric, pencil shavings, leather, rosemary, sage, anise, tobacco leaves, arugula, cinnamon and cloves.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with medium rare rib-eye steak.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: January 18, 2019

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KACABA FOUNDERS SELECT CABERNET FRANC 2015, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

28 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by Twilight Wines in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $44.95
Grape: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

What a pleasure, smooth, rich in black fruit & really easy to drink

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium nose. This wine features blueberry, blackcurrants, blackberry, raspberry, dark cherry, white & black peppers, thyme, cinnamon and vanilla. Medium+ body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: This Cab Franc is only available to Founder Club members. A reason to join the Club. Very & pleasantly surprised that such a young Cab Franc is so smooth.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with Venison Steak with Shallot and Red Wine Sauce.

Tasted: 25 Aug 2017

Top Pick

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

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ESSENCE PINOT NOIR 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

21 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by Twilight Wines in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

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Ess11PinoNoir

Cost: $44.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

An elegant Pinot

Positives: A beautiful aromatic Pinot, light garnet colour that features dry red cherry, cranberry, pomegranate and raspberry.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Essence label is winemaker Jean-Paul Colas private label made at 13th Street Winery.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 of years. Drink on its own or pair it with smoked oysters.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: December 21, 2018

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13th STREET WINERY REVISITED 2018

09 Sunday Dec 2018

Posted by Twilight Wines in 13th Street Winery, Winery Review Series

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It was October 2011, when I did my review of 13th Street Winery, and back then I was impressed with the organization. Lots have changed when I visited the winery in September of this year. They tore down the red barn that housed their gift shop and green house, and built a new building that is several times more spacious for guest to come and taste their wines than before. The old tasting area is now the gift shop and bakery. Thankfully, the Gallery Room that houses artwork and a beautiful, very long wooden table from Indonesia is still in place. The winery has now introduced two wine clubs, to which I belong to the Cellar Door. Managing all this is their new Sommelier; Corinne Maund, who did an excellent job pairing wines with chef Josh Berry when I attended the winery’s Wine Experience Dinner on November 22, 2018. More on that later.

Jean Pierre Colas with me at the Gallery Room for our 5 course Wine Dinner Experience

Winemaker Jean Pierre Colas (JP) has made a name for himself in the wine business in 1998, when Wine Spectator Magazine awarded his Domaine Laroche Grand Cru Les Clois 1996 as White Wine of the Year. Furthermore, that same year, Wine Enthusiast awarded 99 pts for his Grand Cru Chablis Blanchots “Reserve de L’obedience” 1996. He has continued his success at 13th Street Winery with his 2012 Premier Cuvée, which garnered 95 pts from Decanter, Ontario Wine Awards for 2018 White Wine of the Year and 2018 Sparkling Wine of the Year, and the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Ontario Wine. I reviewed it here on my web site, and I gave it a Top Pick and highly recommended.

I had the opportunity to talk with JP on November 21 at a wine and food seminar at the winery as we sat across each other at their special 5 course wine pairing dinner the next night, which is their monthly Wine Experience Dinner. JP left his home of Chablis and traveling the world working at different wineries, but in 2000 he decided that he wanted to settle down in all places Niagara Region. He worked at Peninsula Ridge before coming to 13th Street Winery in August of 2009. He is very proud of his wines, which he should be, but he’s especially proud of his 2012 Premier Cuvée made 50/50 with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, and the 2016 Blanc de Blanc, which is 100% Chardonnay. He made the Blanc de Blanc in his minimalist way; simple but exciting with no dosage, so it’s bone dry. To him, this is Chardonnay. The 2016 vintage was tough, and he stated: “If you have bad grapes, the oak barrels will not save it.” Very true JP. Someone at the dinner asked him what his favourite wine was? He answered: “The one being bottled.”

Wine Experience Dinner, November 22, 2018:

As I noted before, Corinne did a marvellous job with her wine pairings to Josh’s food preparations. Josh is an amazing chef, and you can get some of his food preparations at the winery’s bakery shop. Here’s a tantalizing look at the wine and food pairings that night.

Corinne Maud, JP and myself in the gift shop & bakery

1st Course:

Charred heritage carrot salad, carrot top pesto, goat dill ranch and candied pecans, paired with 2015 13th Street Vineyard Riesling.

2nd Course:

Pan-seared scallops, double smoked bacon, charred leeks and potato celeriac puree, paired with 2016 Blanc de Blanc.

3rd Course:

Bucatini Pasta, truffle cream, shaved black truffle, local mushrooms, Celtic Blue and Grana Padano, paired with 2017 June’s Vineyard Chardonnay & 2016 L. Viscek Vineyard Chardonnay.

Viscek-Chard-2016-web

4th Course:

Local beef tenderloin, red wine rosemary jus, fingerling potatoes and rainbow Swiss chard, paired with 2016 Cabernet Franc.

5th Course:

Celtic Blue cheese cake, 13 Below Zero & caramelized onion jelly, bee pollen & caramelized honey, paired with 2015 13 Below Zero Riesling & Blanc de Blanc, which made this experience as eating two different deserts. Give credit to JP for doing the Blanc de Blanc pairing.

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13th STREET WINERY WINE CLUB VIOGNIER 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

03 Monday Dec 2018

Posted by Twilight Wines in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $27.95
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Wood aged Viognier adds a complexity & uniqueness to this wine

Positives: Although wood aged and fermented, it’s dry featuring apricots, lime, kiwi, green apples and white peach.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: All sold out at the winery

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 of years.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: November 29, 2018

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13th STREET WINERY PREMIER CUVÉE BRUT NATURE 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

25 Sunday Nov 2018

Posted by Twilight Wines in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: 50% Pinot Noir, 50% Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An impressive and delicious Champagne style sparkling at half the price.

Positives: Full body, bone dry with lively acidity, a fine mousse and a long finish. Featuring brioche, green and yellow apples, Anjou pear, toasted pineapple, lemon-lime, limestone and gently oxidative. Pair this with shucked oysters.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: No dosage, 2nd fermentation in the bottle and aged sur lattes (en tirage) for a minimum 48 months.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 of years.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: November 25, 2018

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KACABA TERRACED VINEYARD 2013, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

21 Thursday Sep 2017

Posted by Twilight Wines in Canadian Wines, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

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120_2013_terraced-vineyard-syrah_syrah_du_monde

Cost: $30.15
Grape: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: Kacaba Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Winery
Alcohol: 12.6% Alcohol/Vol.

Juicy, complex & delicious

Description: Medium to dark ruby to in colour with an intense nose. This wine features pine, sandalwood, kumquats, raspberry, blackberry, sour cherry, mulberry, white pepper, cloves, dried sage, forest floor & smoky dried peat moss on the nose. Medium+ body and tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting point: Kacaba’s Syrah elevates Canada’s red wine reputation.

Drink now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Lamb Chops with Cherry Balsamic Reduction.

Tasted: 9 January 2017

Score: 9/10, Value: /10 Total: /20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

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KACABA PROPRIETORS BLOCK SYRAH 2013, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

21 Thursday Sep 2017

Posted by Twilight Wines in Canadian Wines, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $30.35
Grape: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Winery
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

For those that think Ontario can’t make good red wines, try this one

Description: Medium+ ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, raspberry, cherry, tamarind, grilled red pepper, white pepper and red roses on the nose. Medium body with mild tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Such a beautiful nose.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with Braised Lamb Chops with Red Wine and Figs.

Tasted: 15 Aug 2017

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

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Edward Rasiulis, Sommelier, Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers

What is Twilight Wines?

Twilight is sometimes defined as when something is approaching its end, especially in a gentle or peaceful way. It is universally known as that optimum moment between day and night, light and darkness. Twilight is that point when we have learned the lessons we are apt to learn and have spun our last breath, and told our last tale: our twilight years. It is that moment when everything and everyone is at its finest, when the earth and all its occupants pause for just a fraction of time in anticipation of what comes next. That is the moment at which all wine should be drank and with a little insight and a lot of luck, fate will allow us the moment in which this will occur. The luck my friend’s is totally of your own creation. Here in my domain, Twilight wines. I will endeavour to impart that insight.

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