MASSENA 2017 FRUIT SALAD BLOCK

BAROSSA VALLEY, AUSTRALIA

The Fruit Salad Block is a “field blend”, meaning that several grape varietals are planted together in one block and then cared for and harvested together. This particular block was planted all the way back in 1855 for brandy production, and consists of as many as 20 different varieties including Riesling, Muscat, Verdelho, Grenache and Mataro (aka Monastrell aka Mourvèdre).

The grapes are crushed by foot and then kept in contact with their skins for about 24 hours prior to fermentation with wild yeast, in stainless steel tanks.

The resulting wine is incredibly complex and, as it says right on the label, truly vibrant and electric.

It’s got bracing acidity, a beautiful texture with a bit of weight and layers and layers of aroma and flavour. Every time I put my nose in the glass, I get a different note.

From chalky candy to ripe, juicy peaches, green apples, pineapple, lime, ginger, honeysuckle, the list goes on and on. Clearly “Fruit Salad Block” is a fitting name for this wine!

ROSEWOOD 2018 FOLLOW THE WHITE RABBIT

BEAMSVILLE, ONTARIO

As Niagara’s original meadery, Rosewood is owned & operated by the Roman’s, a multi-generational beekeeping family. It was in 1982 though, when Eugene & Renata Roman were on their honeymoon in Niagara-on-the-Lake, that they fell in love with the region, the people and most importantly, the wines! So, Eugene promised his new wife that he would build a winery with her and the rest, as they say, is history!

The 2018 Follow the White Rabbit is a luscious blend of 91% Chardonnay & 9% Pinot Gris, 70% of which was fermented in neutral oak barrels. The wine is 100% wild fermented and is bottled unfined, giving it a slightly cloudy appearance and a wild edge. Considering there is only 9% Pinot Gris here, it really shines through, so much so that we thought it was mostly Pinot Gris when we first tasted it.

Notes of Asian pears, white peaches, and lemon curd are complimented with flavours of Nilla wafers.

“We’re all made here” – Lewis Carroll

WEINGUT THÖRLE 2018 ROSÉ

RHEINHESSEN, GERMANY

By now most of you are probably familiar with the wines of Weingut Thörle, they’re exclusive to us here at Bricks Wine Co., and vintage after vintage they continue to make brilliant wines that excite us.

They’re located in Saulheim, a small village in Germany’s Rheinhessen region, and the land has been in the Thörle family since the 17th century. Since 2006 though, the winery and vineyards have been run by young brothers Christoph and Johannes.

The vineyards have been farmed organically for quite some time, but the brothers are now in the process of moving to biodynamic agriculture.

This vintage the rosé is a blend of approximately 40% Spätburgunder, 30% Portugieser, 20% Dornfelder, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon & 3% Merlot. It’s super juicy and fruit forward, but still dry, making it the perfect wine for spring! Notes of red fruit are abundant - cherries, raspberries, strawberries, cranberries and plums along with hints of blood orange and peach.

FAMILLE HUGEL 2015 CLASSIC PINOT NOIR

ALSACE, FRANCE

Famille Hugel, founded in 1639 in the picturesque village Riquewihr, Alsace, is still 100% family owned & operated by the 12th consecutive generation of the family. The wines express the pure varietal character, all of which have no “make-up” from excessive oaking or sweetening.

The Hugel cellars, contain large oak barrels which are more than a century old, including the famous “S. Caterine” cask (dated 1715), which holds the Guinness Book of Records title of “world’s oldest working cask”!

Pinot Noir now represents 8% of the total production of all wines in Alsace. 2015 is regarded as an exceptional vintage all across France and especially in Alsace.

This expression of Pinot is fresh and precise with notes of morello cherries, red currents and roses on both the nose and the palate. The palate also has a bit more structure and “oomph” than you might expect!

DE FORVILLE 2017 NEBBIOLO D’ALBA

PIEDMONT, ITALY

Here’s another history lesson in a bottle for you, although it’s not nearly as historic as the Hugel!

The De Forville family settled in the commune of Barbaresco, Piedmont since 1860 and started working with and advocating Nebbiolo right away.

The grapes for this cuvée come from vineyards that are located right at the borders of both the Barolo and Barbaresco districts. After initial fermentation, the wine is aged for approximately one year in old Slavonian oak casks.

Nebbiolo is typically known for being both graceful and powerful at the same time, this example definitely leans more towards the graceful side of things though, and even has a hint of juiciness. Aromas of violets, cloves and super ripe raspberries jump from the glass. These notes are echoed on the palate and are complimented with flavours of juicy plums, a touch of vanilla and a bit of anise on the finish.

BLACK MARKET 2017 SYRAH

OKANAGAN VALLEY, B.C.

Small batch "Garagiste" winemakers (and Calgarians) Michelle Shewchuk and Rob Hammersley, hand-craft their award-winning wines in Okanagan Falls, B.C.

Michelle and Rob source their grapes from Okanagan vineyards that are responsibly and sustainably farmed by growers who care as much about quality as they do.

The Black Market Syrah is styled after the wines of France’s Northern Rhône, where Syrah is allowed to have up to 20% Viognier co-fermented with it. Co-fermentation means the grapes are mixed before fermentation takes place, rather than the final wines being blended together. This is done to lift the aromatics and add acidity. This particular vintage is co-fermented with 6% Viognier. The wine then spent 15 months in a combination of French and American oak barrels.

Aromas of violets and raspberry are followed on the palate by notes of black cherry, savoury black olive, vanilla and cinnamon. The finish is long and lingering with a hint of white pepper and smoke.

-Erin Loader