AMAZING - Il Molino di Grace 2021 Il Margone - Gran Selezione (Italy)

 

In two weeks I'll be tasting more beauties like this, at the Anteprima Toscana; 

so let's take a look at one of last year's best that I tasted : 

Il Molino di Grace 2021 Il Margone Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

A MORE-ISH Bottle of Lighthall 2019 Chardonnay

I'm talking Chardonnay from the County; and it's another good one from 

Lighthall Vineyards and their 2019 Chardonnay

 

 

The Written Review ... Lighthall pulled way back on oak usage for the 2019. 60% of the wine sees steel, while the other 40% sees the inside of 500L barrels; that helps elevate the crisp, clean and freshness factor in this wine. There's still a vanilla – butteriness, but it's backed by peach, apricot and nectarine notes and loaded with acidity to help balance out the fruit ... In a nutshell: the fruit shines, the acidity balances and the oak provides backdrops... Nice balancing act here.  (****+)

PALATE PLEASING - Konzelmann 2016 Family Reserve Cabernet-Merlot

This might just be one of the best wines to come out of the Konzelmann cellar - 

and that is saying something : 

Konzelmann 2016 Family Reserve Cabernet-Merlot

 

Already 6 years from vintage date (at time of writing) and this wine is drinking in accordance with how a 6-year-old red blends from a hot vintage should. Smokey-black cherry, vanilla oak, cassis, blackberry and even a cedarish finish that adds black fruit tannins into the mix. It's a straight-forward bottle of deliciousness with another four years, easily, ahead of it, maybe more.  Rating: ****+

WOW WINE - Pillitteri 2016 Exclamation Cabernet Franc (Ontario Wine)

Another in a string of great Cabernet Franc to come out of this winery

Pillitteri 2016 Exclamation Cabernet Franc

 

 

The Exclamation Series of wines is only made in those exceptional years, of which 2016 truly fits. This mouthful of goodness doles out tobacco, black cherry and smoky notes with a pretty floral element that help brings the wine together.  (****+)

Adamo 2017 Merlot Reserve - Edgerock Vineyard (Ontario Wine Review #414)

Back to Adamo and this time it's an amazing red, part of their Grower's Series : 

 

Adamo Estate 2017 Merlot Reserve - Edgerock Vineyard 

 

($45.00 each - available at the winery and online)

 

Rockway 2017 Small Lot Syrah - Alter Ego (Ontario Wine Review #410)

This wine by the former winemaker was his swan song, and his "drop the mic" moment : 

 

Rockway Vineyards 2017 Small Lot Syrah - Alter Ego 

($28.00 each - available at the winery and online)