UPDATE: APRIL 30, 2010
Bloor West Winery is your source for advance-order, limited release wines since we offer the full range from not one, but four, top-quality suppliers.
These wines reflect the innovation and determination of the winemakers at each of our suppliers to deliver the most interesting, most innovative varietals and blends.
Produced in small quantities based on the number of advance pre-orders, these wines reward those who simply call (416-604-8463) and pre-order them.
The Fall2009/Winter 2010 program has concluded. We may be able to get additional quantities of the wines listed below. Please contact us at 416-604-8463 or by e-mail (judy@bloorwestwinery.com) and we will be pleased to inquire on your behalf.
Here are this years selections...
Petit Verdot/Cabernet Sauvignon
Riverland Region, Australia
A traditional blend of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon, two of the 5 Bordeaux red varietals.
Petit Verdot shows great potential in the longer growing season of Australia, where this thick-skinned grape easily ripens to full maturity, exhibits a rich deep colour, very concentrated flavours (black fruits), plenty of spice notes, a full body and great structure (tannin). The Cabernet Sauvignon also has thick skins and is rich in colour, and offers up firm tannins. This rich black currant fruit bouquet and flavours of the Cabernet Sauvignon, along with the spice of the Petit Verdot, are the perfect complement.
Pair with grilled steaks, wild game, rack of lamb, marinatd leg of lamb, rich winter stews, beef bourgignon, seared tuna with peppercorn-crust, grilled portobello mushrooms, beef brisket and 1- to 2-year old Canadian Cheddar.
Body: Full
Sugar Code: 0
Release Date: December 8, 2009
Supplier: Vineco
All-inclusive price*: $198 for 23L or 30 750mL bottles
*Please note that the "all inclusive price" referred to on this page does not include bottles. Bring your own or purchase a refillable set. All other costs, including the applicable taxes, are included in the stated price.
Riesling/Gewurztraminer
Columbia Valley, Washington State
A refreshing blend of Riesling and Gewurztraminer -- the classic fruity Rieslingbrings aromas and flavours of citrus, peach, apricot and floral notes, while the slightly more exotic Gewurztraminer offers up lycheenut, rose petal and tropical fruit aromas and flavours. Together, the refreshing acidity of the Riesling and the slight richness of the Gewurztraminer bring balance and harmony to the wine.
A slightly off-dry wine for casual sipping or lighter meals, best enjoyed while young or fresh.
Body: Light-Medium
Sugar Code: 1
Release Date: January 5, 2010
Supplier: Vineco
All-inclusive price: $188 for 23L or 30 750mL bottles
Shiraz
Stellenbosch, South Africa
South Africa's finest red wines thrive in the Cape's moderate climate and the Shiraz from this region is dense with jammy richness, intense fruit and complex spiciness. This wine has a dense, chewy blackberry earthiness and a robust character. This wine almost begs for early drinking, with spice and rich fruit, but the bold tannins and rich jamminess will allow it to improve with age for 2 years.
Pair with barbeque, grilled red meats and stews.
Body: Medium-Full
Sugar Code: 0
Release Date: January 12, 2010
Supplier: Winexpert
Al-inclusive price: $198 for 23L or 30 750mL bottles
Trio Blanca
Lake County, California
A unique blend of three grapes, Trio Blanca is an outstanding white wine that showcases bright fruit flavours, excellent structure and a long finish. Pinot Blanc contributes the delicate floral character and full body while Chenin Blanc gives a wonderful melony-honeyed aroma and hints of apple. The third grape, Sauvignon Blanc contributes zesty acidity and aromas of gooseberry and herbs.
This wine will evolve as it ages in the bottle, so be sure to keep a few bottles back. Otherwise, enjoy!
Enjoy Trio Blanca by iteself or serve with seafood, chicken or vegetarian dishes.
Body: Medium
Sugar Code: 0
Release Date: January 12, 2010
Supplier: Winexpert
All-inclusive price: $188 for 23L or 30 750mL bottles
Cabernet/Shiraz
Darlington Point, Riverina, Australia
Both the Cabernet and Shiraz in this blend comes from the Darlington Point Vineyard that supplied the fruit for CellarCraft's recently launched Australian Shiraz.
This blend features 64% Cabernet and 36% Shiraz and is fermented on equal parts of Cabernet and Shiraz virgin, crushed grapes from Darlington Point. Two-stage oaking bring vanilla and subtle toastiness to the finished wine.
Aromas of plum, spice, herbs and chocolate from the Cabernet dominate with berry and more spice coming from the Shiraz.
Pairs well with a wide range of foods, from casual pizza and pasta with tomato-based sauces to more formal menus.
Body: Medium-Full
Sugar Code: 0
Release Date: January 19, 2010
Supplier: CellarCraft
All-inclusive price: $228 for 23L or 30 750mL bottles
Torrontes
Calchaquies Valley, Argentina
The signature fragrant white grape of Argentina, Torrontes (related to Muscat) is one of the äromatic varietals", distinctive and exclusive to this South American region. It produces a wine with a bouquet rich in tropical fruits, honey and sweet floral notes. The flavour is unexpected -- crisp and refreshing with a vibrant acidity, citrus notes and a hint of spice with an enduring finish.
Pair this unoaked white wine with seafood, spicy ethnic foods or the classic Argentinian hand held snack -- Empanadas.*
Body: Medium
Sugar Code: 0
Release Date: January 26, 2010
Supplier: RJ Spagnols
All-inclusive price: $188 for 23L or 30 750mL bottles
*Thanks to Sandy Y. for proofreading!
Monastrell
Valencia, Spain
Monastrell (known as Mourvedre in France) is a deep coloured, medium to full-bodied red wine with silky tannins and good structure. While it is often blended with other varieties where it provides weight, alcohol, structure and colour to the final assemblage. On its own, Monastrell shines with an abundance of rich blueberry, blackberry and blue plum fruit. Notes of violet and spice will also come forward along with soft notes of oak.
Serve withe medium-rare roast beef, lamb chops, paella with sausage, grilled steaks, pheasant, rabbit and bean stew, meat pies and San Pietro cheese from Italy.
Body: Medium-Full
Sugar Code: 0
Release Date: February 2, 2010
Supplier: Vineco
All inclusive price: $198 for 23L or 30 750mL bottles
Petit Verdot
South East Australia
Best described as a "Super Cabernet", Petit Verdot makes a dark, rich wine with wonderfully concentrated flavours of spice, blackberry and blackcurrant. With smooth, gripping tannins and an elegant structure, this is a wine for long term ageing and special occasions.
Pair with steak, prime rib, lamb, intense cheeses and game.
Body: Full
Sugar Code: 0
Release Date: February 9, 2010
Supplier: Winexpert
All inclusive price: $198 for 23L or 30 750mL bottles
Tannat
Canelones Region, Uruguay, South America
Yes, Virginia, there is a wine industry in Uruguay! (And there has been for 250 years.)
The signature red wine of Uruguay is a big red wine called Tannat. Like Carmenere and Malbec, Tannat originated in France but today have limited plantings there. The Tannat grapes in this offered were selected and custom processed for CellarCraft by Bodega Bouza, an ultra-modern boutique winery located just outside the capital city, Montevideo.
A fine red wine that may be enjoyed relatively early (although it will mature nicely), this Tannat matches the commercial offerings of Bodega Bouza.
This Tannat is truly a "discovery" wine and you can be among the first in the world to enjoy one "made on premise".
Body: Full
Sugar Code: 0
Release Date: February 16, 2010
Supplier: CellarCraft
All inclusive price: $228 for 23L or 30 750mL bottles
Trio do Vihno Tinto
Alentejo, Portugal
This dark red wine is an intensely flavourful blend of Aragones (known as Tempranillo in Spain), Cabernet Sauvignon and Trincadeira. The bouquet is rich with red berries, ainse and black pepper. The palate is well balanced with many layers of complexity -- initially, there is fruitiness, followed by notes of mushroom and earth. Rich tannins from the American Heavy Toasted Oak spiral and Cabernet Merlot GenuWine Winery Dried Grape Skins help give this wine a long finish.
Pairs well with red meats, Chorizo or other cured sausage, or a strong cheese.
Body: Full
Sugar Code: 0
Release Date: February 23, 2010
Supplier: RJ Spagnols
All inclusive price: $198 for 23L or 30 750mL bottles
Primitivo/Syrah
Siciliy, Italy
This wine is a terrific blend of Primitivo and Syrah. The Primitivo (known as Zinfandel in California or Crljenak Kastelanski in its country of origin, Croatia) is a fruit-driven, full-bodied wine providing flavours of Damson plum, blackberry and cherry. The Syrah provides structure and great mouth-feel with flavours of red and black berries along with spice and cocoa notes. The final blend will provide plenty of juicy, rich fruit flavours complemented by the perfect touch of spice and oak. The moderate tannins showing in its youth will softly quickly as the fruit flavours begin to dominate with only 3-4 months of cellaring.
Pair with grilled sausage on a crusty bun, BBQ sauces on steaks, ribs and roasts, rabbit stews, braised meats and more.
Body: Full
Sugar Code: 0
Release Date: March 2, 2010
Supplier: Vineco
All inclusive price: $198 for 23L or 30 750mL bottles
Pacific Quartet,
B.C., California, Washington, Australia
This wine was a runaway success when it was included in the 2007 Selection Limited Editions program. Showcasing bright fruit, excellent structure and a long finish, Pacific Quartet blends Vidal from British Columbia (spiciness and stone fruit), Chenin Blanc from California (melony-honeyed aroma with hints of apple), Gewurztraminer from Washington (lychee, rose petals and floral notes) and Muscat from Australia (wonderful grapey notes with dried fruits and hints of orange peel).
Pairs well with a wide range of foods, particiularly spicy and savory dishes including Thai cuisine, grilled fish,herbed roasted chicken or BBQ salmon.
Although delicious on bottling day, save some bottles in your cellar for later when the blend really comes to life!
Body: Medium
Sugar Code: 1
Release Date: March 9, 2010
Supplier: Winexpert
All inclusive price: $188 for 23L or 30 750mL bottles
Two Hemispheres Riesling
NSW, Australia and Yakima Valley, WA
The art of blending is that of creating a wine where the wine exceeds the quality of the single components. This is a great example -- where the Washington Riesling brings notes of apple, pear, peach, melon (and more) that creates a solid foundation. The Australian Riesling brings out lime, grapefruit, tropical notes and additional spicy floral qualities. All-in-all, a most interesting wine.
Riesling is probably the most versatile white wine when it comes to food pairings. Or, simply enjoy a glass or two on a pleasant summer evening!
Body: Medium
Sugar Code: Final sweetness level still being evaluated (But, most Rieslings are a 1 on a 0-5 scale)
Release Date: March 16, 2010
Supplier: CellarCraft
All inclusive price: $228 for 23L or 30 750mL bottles
Cabernet Franc/Merlot
Stellenbosch, South Africa
This wine is rich in every way -- deeply coloured, aromatic and very flavourful. The nose has green and black pepper and a hint of spice. It is full bodied with a fruit component - cassis, followed by a layer of darker flavours -- cigar box and leather. Hearty, chewy tannins are present.
Pair with flavourful foods such as goat cheese, game birds, babaganousch or curries.
Body: Full
Sugar Code: 0
Release Date: March 30, 2010
Supplier: RJ Spagnols
All inclusive price: $198 for 23L or 30 750mL bottles
Brunello
Italy
Brunello is a large-berried variety of the Sangiovese grape, most famous in Brunello di Montalcino. The flavour profile of Sangoivese is fruity, with strong natural acidity, a firm and elegant assertiveness and a robust finish. The aroma is generally subtle, with cherry, strawberry, blueberry and violet notes. Medium bodied but boldly tannic and intense, this wine will begin to open up after 6 months.
Pair with asserively flavoured foods. Hard cheeses such as Asiago and Parmigiano Reggiano are also splendid accompagniments.
Body: Medium
Sugar Code: 0
Release Date: April 6, 2010
Supplier: Winexpert
All inclusive price: $198 for 23L or 30 750mL bottles
Trio Tinto
Spain and California
A fusion of classic Spanish grape varieties -- Tempranillo, Garnacha and Carinena. These 3 native Spanish red wine grapes are usually deemed to be the manstay of quality wines in most of Spain.
Tempraillo is most associated with the wines of Rioja. Garnacha has been responsible for making the Priorat region esteemed and Carinena (aka Carignan) gets its best reviews in Priorat and Montsant. It is common that at least 2 of these varieties are blended together to achieve the most profound and complex wines that each region can exhibit.
This limited release is made up of 50% Tempranillo (from Spain and California), 27% Garnacha (Spain) and 23% Carinena (as Carignan from California). This blend is fermented on virgin crushed grapes.
A "big" red to enjoy with hearty foods.
Body: Full
Sugar Code: 0
Release Date: April 20, 2010
Supplier: CellarCraft
All inclusive price: $228 for 23L or 30 750mL bottles
E&OE
