Hillebrand 2009 Artist Series Muscat - $11.95

I'm giving you the rating and the wine - now, head over to the podcast and check out what I have to say about it.

Hillebrand 2009 Artist Series Muscat - $11.95
Price: $11.95 – Rating: ***½  

Click here to listen to this Podcast.

Check out the OntarioWineReview.com main website ...
catch up with the latest news and reviews from Ontario
sign-up for the free biweekly newsletter and much more.

Hillebrand 2008 Trius Cabernet Franc - $14.95

Considering the lousy summer we had I find it kinda funny we are having a fall that is giving us temperatures well above the normal (I think today we are 5 degrees above the average). Speaking about above average, this Hillebrand Trius Cabernet Franc certainly fits that description.

The Tasting Notes: The nose is loaded with tobacco and cherry, while on the palate the tobacco-cherry relationship lives on with a nice hint of chocolate for a real taste treat … there’s also good acidity and a real nice finish to this wine. Price: $14.95 – Rating: ****

Click here to listen to this Podcast.

I am thrilled to announce that as of February 24, 2009, each Podcast has its own unique player - so you can listen to whichever Podcast you want to. So without further ado I will leave you with this week's Podcast, or if you decide not to check out the new format you can read the tasting notes below ... I recommend the Podcast, of course.

Check out the OntarioWineReview.com main website ...
catch up with the latest news and reviews from Ontario
sign-up for the free biweekly newsletter and much more.

Hillebrand 2007 Limited Edition Gewurztraminer - $16.95

Today we're going to Hillebrand, where we are going to taste the Limited Edition Gewurztraminer - why all the whites lately you may be asking? Because I want to focus on the sunny and warm, not the bitter cold we going through. Have a listen to the Podcast to find out what bright and sunny tastes like, or, if you choose the more boring route, you can just read the tasting notes below (the Podcast is always more fun):

This Gewurzt starts off with a very Chardonnay-like nose of apples, it really takes some vigourous swirling to get the telltale Gewurzt-characteristics to come out. The palate is the same way, more subtle than in your face and it too needs a lot of coaxing. The taste comes in three stages: an apple beginning, a floral middle and a spicy finish ... quite nice indeed.

Check out the OntarioWineReview.com main website ...
catch up with the latest news and reviews from Ontario
sign-up for the free biweekly newsletter and much more.

Hillebrand 2007 Artist Series Sauvignon Blanc - $11.95; 2007 Artist Series Limited Edition Sauvignon Blanc - $15.95

Here are a couple of wines if you are looking for that last gasp of summer whites. Yes they’re both Sauvignon Blancs and the difference is a whopping $4, but I hear you saying: “there must be more than just the price difference … and to that I answer, “you’re dang straight.” Let’s start off with the $11.95 version. The Kiwis have pretty much dictated how Sauvignon Blanc should taste and smell, they’ve also done a very good job at selling it to us starting at about $17 a bottle. That’s why this Hillebrand Artist Series Sauv Blanc is such a deal at under $12 a bottle. It has the grassy, gooseberry and touch of grapefruit the Kiwis have installed in our collective brains when we see “Sauvignon Blanc” on the label, but this one is a third less the price, has touch of that biting acidity but still retains a pleasant citrus finish. The Limited Edition ($15.95) is sourced from 2 vineyards and only 500 cases were. It shows some real character differences from the first wine … could that also be due to the 30% oak component that was used during fermentation, or the 5 months of barrel age? You bet … this Savvy B. has a grassy minerality with some melon and lemon; smooth and easy on the palate with a good lengthy finish and a hint of peach at the end. It’s your choice, but you can’t go wrong with either wine.

Due to technical difficulties the Podcast will be available at a later date.

For more wine reviews and related articles go to www.ontariowinereview.com,
while there sign up for Michael's free bi-weekly newsletter.

Jackson-Triggs 2006 Delaine Vineyard Pinot Noir - $26.95

In 2005 there wasn’t enough of this single vineyard wine to go around, in fact the LCBO, being the greedy little Guses that they are took all 200 cases that were made; which meant there was not even a drop to drink for the winery. A year later we have a different story – a more ample vintage in 2006 gave the Delaine Vineyard a better crop, thus more wine – so the LCBO can take their share and you and I can sample it at the winery. Loaded with lots of strawberry, raspberry and earthy goodness, surrounded by layers of tannins, acidity and the goodness of red fruit. This one’s ready now or over the next 3-4 years.

To listen to the Podcast of this review click here.

For more wine reviews and related articles go to www.ontariowinereview.com,
while there sign up for Michael's free bi-weekly newsletter.

Hillebrand Winery 2006 Artist Series Pinot Gris, Limited Edition - $16.95

Here’s a complex summer sipper that also has a softer more simple side to it. It’s a wine that’ll make you long for a patio, pool, or lake … a wine that makes you think of summertime the moment you put it to your lips; but first let’s take a sniff, a lively nose of green apple and citrus. Then there’s the mouth watering, thirst quenching taste that follows from the nose with the added bonus of a dry finish and a seemingly butter-toffee aftertaste that shows up and lingers long after you swallow. A touch of sweetness shows up mid-palate and you’ll notice a deeper golden hue, which suggests a little bit of extended skin contact. That’s why I say, it’s a simple sipper that can be something more complex … but only if you want it to be, otherwise it’s a pleasant, thirst quenching white made for the heat of summer.

To listen to the Podcast of this review click here.

For more wine reviews and related articles go to www.ontariowinereview.com,
while there sign up for Michael's free bi-weekly newsletter.

Hillebrand Winery 2006 Cabernet Franc Icewine - $78

There seems to be a trend afoot to scale back on the sweetness of icewine. There was a time when 22 was the norm, then it skyrocketed up to a cloyingly sweet 28 … now it’s not uncommon to see icewine in the 19-20 range, which is a perfect amount of sweetness but still well-balanced with its acidity to make them pair well with, or have as, a dessert. This Cab Franc’s nose leaves little doubt as to what you are smelling: full-on strawberries. As icewine is apt to do the taste follows sweet with strawberry jam like flavours – you’d swear you could spread this on toast. As for the sugar code, this one’s only nineteen (old enough to drink itself here in Ontario). Someone remarked, “it tastes too sweet to drink on its own.” So try it with dark chocolate or some blue veined cheese … or better yet, pour it over fresh strawberries or cherries – but don’t forget to drink the resulting concoction left at the bottom.

For more wine reviews and related articles go to www.ontariowinereview.com,
while there sign up for Michael's free bi-weekly newsletter. (italic)


To listen to the Podcast of this review click here.

Hillebrand Estates 2000 Showcase Cabernet Franc - $50

Digging into the cellar we find a bottle that might not be in the best of shape … Sommelier Dieter Unruh of Hillebrand asked for my thoughts on this and I was more than happy to give them. This J.L. Groux made bottle of wine had it’s grapes sourced from the Glenlake Vineyard and was made in limited quantity. Many consider 2000 not a great vintage year in Ontario, that’s putting it mildly, in fact, experts give it a 6 out of ten on the ranking scale. But this is what happens when menial fruit is given to a master winemaker … you get greatness. As they say, anyone can make wine in a good year, it’s the bad years that separate the men from the boys (with apologies to our female winemakers out there – but the “hair on your chest” comment didn’t seem to work either). The nose shows no sign of fading with green pepper, white pepper, black cherry and blackberry. While in the mouth it’s smooth with a hint of tannin: black fruit dominate with cassis, black raspberry, blackberries and blueberries. This is a wine you can safely hold for another two years, or drink now, it’s up to you; either way it’s held up pretty nicely.

For more wine reviews and related articles go to www.ontariowinereview.com,
while there sign up for Michael's free bi-weekly newsletter.

Listen to the Podcast of this review - www.ontariowinereview.libsyn.com

Hillebrand Winery 2004 Late Harvest Vidal - $18.95

Many years ago I tried my very first late harvest vidal, it happened to be a ’98 Hillebrand Late Harvest Vidal, and at one point it was my favourite wine - not an every day sipper to be sure, but my favourite special occasion wine. To this day I still remember it’s luscious flavours and tropical nose - it became the benchmark for all the Late Harvests to follow. Now, the 2004 version tops what my memory recollects. Apples, pears, mangos, golden plums, honey, apricot and cantaloupe are all flavours that can be picked up by the nose – while the mouth simplifies matters a bit with honeyed-pear and nectarine flavours. And, of course, there is the balancing of elements the proper amount of sweetness with just the right level of acidity, making this wine pleasant and extra special to drink. In three words: luscious, thick and delicious. Don’t miss out on something this wonderful – perfect as a dessert on its own. Available at the winery.

For more wine reviews and related articles go to www.ontariowinereview.com,
while there sign up for Michael's free bi-weekly newsletter.