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Twilight Wines

Category Archives: 13th Street Winery

1776 Fourth Ave, St. St. Catharines, ON
905-984-8463

13th STEET WINERY BLANC DE BLANC 2017, Traditional Method, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

01 Sunday Dec 2019

Posted by Twilight Wines in 13th Street Winery, Canadian Wines, Recommended, Sparkling Wine, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex but high quality of this well balanced, crisp & refreshing Blanc de Blanc

Positives: Light straw in colour with a fine mousse this wine features green apples, lemon, lemon zest and limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: From winemaker’s notes: “Second Blanc de Blanc made from our neighbor Lado Viscek’s meticulously farmed vineyard, the fruit was hand-harvested in the second week of September 2017. The grapes were transferred gently into the press and the free run juice was captured separately to preserve the elegant profile. Primary fermentation was kept cool and in 100% stainless steel. Malolactic fermentation was suppressed to keep the fresh fruit character in the wine. The secondary fermentation took place in bottle and the wine was aged sur lattes for a minimum of 12 months. After the lees was removed, winemaker Jean-Pierre Colas felt an addition of two grams per litre of sweetness was the perfect balance to the bracing acidity in the wine. The wine was disgorged in August 2019.”

Ageability: Drink now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with smoked oysters on Ritz crackers.

My Opinion: Recommended

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13th STREET WINERY GAMAY BLANC DE NOIR 2017, Méthode Traditionnelle, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara, Ontario, Canada

24 Tuesday Sep 2019

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: Gamay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Clean, finesse & elegance, a true delight

Positives: Light gold in colour with a fine mousse. This wine features lemon/lime, strawberry, Rainier cherries, light dough, almonds and honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 13th Street has become the quintessential winery in Canada for making the highest quality of sparkling wines thanks to winery maker Jean Pierre Colas.

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: September 22, 2019

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13th STREET WINERY GRAND CUVÉE BLANC DE NOIR 2013, Méthode Tradionnelle, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara, Ontario, Canada

03 Tuesday Sep 2019

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: $59.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Finesse, complexity, richness and freshness. It’s simply delicious, maybe Canada’s best Blanc de Noir

Positives: Gold with pink tinge in colour with a fine mousse. The wine features light brioche & toast, lemon, apples, pear, white cranberry, white cherry and limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Another winner by winemaker Jean Pierre.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with grilled cheese.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: September 1, 2019 (Pre-release date to public)

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13th STREET WINERY SANDSTONE VINEYARD GAMAY NOIR 2016, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

01 Wednesday May 2019

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

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Gamay Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Probably one of the worldwide best Gamays & the best Canadian Gamay that I ever tasted.

Positives: It starts with a beautiful smoky nose followed on the taste by dark cherry, raspberry, mulberry, Champagne mushrooms, nutmeg and fried bacon.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Use balloon style glass and slightly chill it.

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: April 30, 2019

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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: $34.95
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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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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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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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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