vintage |
Cabernet-Merlot
vinification / notes at bottling |
reviews |
aging notes |
| 2001 | grapes were hand-harvested
in good condition throughout October the composition of the blend is: 45% cabernet sauvignon, 40% cabernet franc and 15% merlot all the grapes for this blend were cold soaked for 4-6 days at 4 C prior to fermentation / during fermentation, the caps were punched down 3-4 times daily the wine was pressed in late November and put into barrel where malolactic was introduced / all varietals were fermented and aged separately blended just prior to bottling / malolactic was introduced in barrel / the wine was aged in oak for 10 months tasting notes at bottling dark ruby colour with intense dark fruits on the nose - plum, blackberry and ripe cherry with tobacco, cedar and some pretty floral notes / the palate has ripe juicy berry flavours with creamy vanilla richness, along with spice, cedar and soft supple tannins that are well-integrated total production: 500 cases |
4 out of 5 stars One of the first truly great 2001 Niagara reds to hit the shelves, Lailey Vineyard's is a classic Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc with 15% Merlot. Extremely age worthy at a fabulous price, this is a rich red wine with loads of sweet and savoury Cabernet notes and currant and plum fruit flavours, lined with polished tannins. For best effect, open after Christmas 2005 or open and decant at lunchtime if you're planning to serve it with dinner. Chris Waters, The St. Catharines Standard. Feb. 15, 2003 …may be the year's best buy in rich red. A complex wine with so many great features including a sturdy backbone. Billy Munnelly, Billy's Best Bottles. Early Summer 2003 Lailey is a recent addition to Niagara, and in a short time has garnered quite a reputation. With aromas of spicy oak, cardamom, red currants, and fruit leather, this classic blend delivers flavourful dark berries, cool acidity and little tannin. Medium-full bodied with good length, it's still a babe in arms with many years ahead of it, but is solid and perfectly drinkable now. A good partner for roast beef or lamb. Richard Best, The Frugal Oenophile. Oct. 2003. Lailey Vineyard's Cabernet-Merlot is like Valdés Fantasia Cabaña, a variation on a classical theme, namely classic red Bordeaux. A rich red wine with loads of sweet and savoury cabernet notes and currant and plum fruit flavours, it matches the intensity and poetic grip of Valdés haunting melodies. This is extremely age worthy at a fabulous price. Chris Waters, Vines. March/April 2003 Lavender-perfumed nose with a vegetal note in the background. Velvety mouthfeel and long lingering taste. Just beginning to open up. Drink 2006-2015. Konrad Ejbich, A Pocket Guide to Ontario Wines, Wineries, Vineyards and Vines. McCellland and Stewart. 2005 BRONZE: Canadian Wine Awards 2003 |
| 2002 |
grapes were hand-harvested in good condition between October
14th and 25th the composition of the blend is: 40% cabernet sauvignon, 30% cabernet franc, 30% merlot all grapes were cold soaked for 4-6 days at 4C prior to fermentation / fermentation took place in small batches, with the cap being punched down 3-4 times a day / grapes were pressed just as the fermentation was finishing and wine was pumped into barrels / malolactic fermentation was introduced in barrel / the wine was aged in barrel for 10 months and then lightly filtered before bottling in early fall 2003 tasting notes at bottling dark ruby colour with intense multi-layered dark fruit with hints of fresh herbs, spice, tobacco, chocolate and vanilla / the tannins are well rounded and the finish is long, with good acidity to carry the flavours total production: 935 cases |
This upstart winery
led by grape-grower-turned-winery-owner Donna Lailey and former Southbrook
Winery winemaker Derek Barnett has released some exceptional wines from
the '02 vintage. This beauty opens up with anise, blueberry, and mint notes.
It has got a firm body, but it's still approachable with enticing flavours
of dark berry, toast and vanilla. Tickle the tastebuds with this blend. VINES Buyer's Guide to Canadian Wine. Third Edition. 2004 ...softer than expected, more black fruit, even some mintiness, a best buy at this price level. Dean Tudor. June 4, 2004. Colour: dense purple Nose: cedar, vanilla, redcurrants Taste: nicely balanced fruit and oak; dry, red berry flavour, mellow tannins. Drinkability: Hold (Short Term) Tony Aspler, Winery to Home. July, 2004 A wine with aromas of plum, blackberry, ripe dark cherry with tastes of spice and vanilla. Ideal for a roast beef dinner. Debbie Trenholm, Fifty-Five Plus Magazine. September 2004 There's a lot of neat complexity in this blend of both Cabernets and Merlot, including deep herbal and tobacco notes that add intrigue to the mix of dark fruit found on the nose and palate. Very good length and rounded texture. VINES Buyer's Guide to Canadian Wine. Fourth Edition. 2005 3 out of 5 stars Deep garnet with pale pink edges. Dusty nose of earth and paper filter pads. Lacks the depth of the single varietals but is balanced and has soft, red fruit flavours. Drink 2008-2018. Konrad Ejbich, A Pocket Guide to Ontario Wines, Wineries, Vineyards and Vines. McCellland and Stewart. 2005 |
This
wine has lots of life left. It is just beginning to become nicely integrated
and to share its prettier, less earthy parts.
Tonya Lailey June 2005 |