Taste it Again / Lost & Found

Creekside 2017 Laura's Red

Details

Category: Lost & Found / Taste it Again

Upon opening: Cracked the cap and the wine was still young and vibrant - too young to see change in colour.

NOSE: Young and fruit driven, yet with notes of cigar box and subtle cedar.

TASTE: Lots of raspberry and black cherry, a little smoky and still has a little tannin grit - the background showed a layer of oak.

2:30 hrs later ...
There's a smoothness to the wine as the gritty tannins have mellowed, but there is an oak dominance that seems to be sneaking in on the finish and it lingers there - it has been gaining momentum over the past hour or so, but I've tried to ignore it. Now it seems it wants to be fully recognized. Fruit seems to be absent, maybe a little cassis and blackberry with a smoky-toastiness if I struggle hard to look for it.

3:15 hrs later ...
Dry and dusty. I stopped drinking it. The oak has become the show.

Bottom Line ...
This wine is good for about an hour, maybe two, which should be good enough for most people; if you decided to let it sit open a little longer I think you are bound to be disappointed. Drink Up.

Taste it Again : Henry of Pelham 2010 Cabernet Merlot Estate

Details

Category: Lost & Found / Taste it Again

(February 26, 2021) ... Time to dive into the cellar, find an Ontario wine and see where it is at. So many people claim Ontario doesn't age, but I think there are so many more factors than where it is from: the producer, the region, the grapes, the vintage ...

This Pelham starts off earthy and forest floor, you can even feel those crispy leaves and the dried fruit, but the wine also maintains some good acidity. As it opens, there is a leanness to it, which was a surprise based on the vintage (2010 was primo). A little longer open and it is showing more character, though it still keeps those foresty notes, but cassis shows up and the tannins begin to emerge and round out, but the oak is also showing through.

Finally, after many sips and many hours I have a decision: Drink Now ...
This one is ready - but you have to like them noticeably older, the nose leans a little oaky - with not much fruit (but what there is sits on the dark side), but it's seasoned with oak, not the other way.

See the original review here