Report from - The Tawse Tasting in Downtown T.O. ... May 3, 2010
19 May 2010- Details
- Category: On the Road with the Grape Guy
The spot chosen was probably not the best place to hold a tasting, the Queen and Beaver pub in downtown Toronto was a little cramped for so many, people congregated at the bar without moving on and the kitchen smells wafted through the small space getting up your nose and skewing the wine smells in the process (were they cooking bacon or is it in the wine?). Not sure the choice of this downtown bar was the best place to showcase these high-end Ontario wines (ranging in price from a $14.95 Rosé to a $58 Meritage). With 15 wines on display I’ve picked out the top 3, with one that I think is bubbling under for a top spot.
The Top Three of the Tasting …
Tawse 2007 Van Bers Cabernet Franc ($47.95) – see full review here … my top wine of the evening is one you have to try. (*****)
Tawse 2007 Meritage ($57.95) – see full review here … a little bit of bottle inconsistency, but when the good bottle came out it was hard to deny this one a spot on this list. (****½)
Tawse 2009 Sketches of Niagara Riesling ($17.95) – see full review here … this one has whopping, mouth bracing acidity, great for summer sipping. (****½)
Make it Four …
Tawse 2008 Laidlaw Vineyard Pinot Noir ($39.95) – many in attendance talked about the drink-ability of the “Lauritzen” Pinot Noir, but I liked the Laidlaw version because of its ageability and future potential. Cherry and other good red fruits, there was even some black cherry that showed up, mineral notes and good tannins with cellaring potential of 5+ years and very good mouth feel. If I’m gonna pay 40+ dollars for a wine I wanna know I can pick my time to drink it, not the other way around. (****)
