au canada...(jackson-triggs 2003)

canada, why are you such a quiet nation?
you may not do much, you may not say much,
but some of what you say and do...
canadians are funny.
they produce wonderful maple products that pair well with their fabulous bacon products.
they endure harsh winters producing some of the greatest grapes imaginable which they use brilliantly to make paradise in a bottle...

tonight we savoured a bottle of jackson-triggs proprietors reserve vidal icewine 2003.
this was an amazingly well balanced wine.
thick and smoothe, subtle and creamy.
bursting with mango, apricot, dried apricot, golden raisin and a hint of vanilla.
this wine stands well alone but i would love to have paired it with a yummy extra creamy, slightly warm creme brulee-not too sweet-heavy on the vanilla.
the cream, the texture and the vanilla would really set this off.

we picked it up at costco for $15.99, 187ml bottle, well worth it.

2003 Castle Vineyards Pinot Noir Los Carneros

Bought this wine on wine.woot.com and happy I did. Very nice Wine.
The color of this wine is dark ruby with a heavy fruit noise. Lots of strawberry jam, clear vanilla and oak and hints of rose. Soft tannens makes this wine feel lighter then I would have expected. I had this wine with a roasted chicken and it turned out to be a great paring. Had to go 88 because the finish was to short.
Marius' Rating: 88
Cost: 14$

well...first pinot i would willingly and gladly drink again-with food.
delicate subtle strawberry, definite hints of choco and coffee, vanilla and oak.
what i dont care for which is typical pinot is the high acidity and overwhelming pepper.
to me, pinots dont seem full bodied enough to carry these forces.
Shannons Rating: 87