Somewhat flat aromatically – a bit California in style – underfruited and overoaked. - Bree

2000 Jackson-Triggs Niagara Peninsula Grand Reserve Chardonnay VQA, $16.95 Can.: Pale gold, with a big hit of sweet toasty oak on the nose; oak and pear on the palate, with plenty of acidity and just a hint of sour and bitter on the finish. Saw 100% French oak. - geo

Whack of oak in the nose – nice fruit flavors – good acid structure – too much oak. - Bree

2000 Jackson-Triggs Niagara Peninsula Proprietor’s Reserve Pinot Noir VQA, $12.45 Can.: Ruby garnet, with subtle smoke over black cherry flavors and aromas accented with a hint of rhubarb. About the intensity you’d expect from this region at this point (which is to say, a bit lacking…), but pleasant enough for the price. Needs some time to tame some tannins. - geo

Strawberry bramble in nose – medium weight with a creamy texture – needs time. - Bree

2000 Jackson-Triggs Niagara Peninsula Meritage VQA, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, $11.45 Can.: Ruby garnet, with briary black cherry flavors and aromas that show a hint of rhubarb; rather substantial on the palate with stemmy tannins. - geo

Stemmy bright berry aromas – Franc flavors dominate. - Bree

1999 Jackson-Triggs Niagara Peninsula Cabernet Franc - Cabernet Sauvignon VQA, $10.95 Can.: Dark garnet, with dark fruit that shows a sulfuric quality; good intensity for the region; not too complex, but good for the price. - geo

Dense Meritage fruit aromas – lovely flavors in the mouth – moderately tannic now – should even out with time. Incredible QPR. - Bree

2000 Jackson-Triggs Niagara Peninsula Grand Reserve Meritage Tank Sample: Dark garnet, with deep dark fruit flavors and aromas; not as big or as complex as the following selection, but still a decent glass of wine. - geo

A bit shy in the nose – nice amalgam of flavors – brisk tannins. - Bree

2000 Jackson-Triggs Niagara Peninsula Grand Reserve Merlot Tank Sample: Dark garnet, with big toasty oak over black cherry and red currant character; a big step up from any of the other reds here, with plenty of substance and again, hints of rhubarb. Stemmy tannins clamp down on the finish, but what an eye opener! - geo

Lovely Merlot perfume – very successful in the mouth with pretty, sweet ripe cherry fruit flavors – long and clean finish. - Bree

2000 Jackson-Triggs Okanagan (British Columbia) Meritage, $20.95 Can.: Ruby dark garnet, with big bright sweet oak raspberry and black cherry flavors and aromas showing notes of spice and mint. Good tannins and acidity, and better quality than most of the Niagara reds we have tried. - geo

2000 Jackson-Triggs Niagara Peninsula Gewurztraminer Ice Wine VQA, 375 ml, $62.95 Can., 11.3% alc., 20% Residual Sugar: Pale gold, with big sweet peach and apricot flavors and aromas, along with impressions of confectioner’s sugar on the palate and a long lingering aftertaste. Wow! - geo

Huge peach and apricot nose – very nice in the mouth – lacks acid for cellaring, but very nice now. - Bree

2000 Jackson-Triggs Niagara Peninsula Late Harvest Riesling VQA, 375 ml, $62.95 Can., 9.3% alc., 27% Residual Sugar: Pale gold, with peach and apricot character again, and what C.Z. described as "massive petrol." Not as syrup-y as the Gewurz; good acidity and a long, long finish. - geo

Not quite as effusive aromatically, but nice notes of petrol and ripe peach – big flavors, but a bit too much sugar for me – nice acid balance. - Bree

We were very impressed not only with the outstanding QPR of most of these (excluding the rather price-y desert wines), but also with Nick’s very professional presentation. Bree called it "…a delightfully strong showing for this winery. Excellent values – especially with the Bordeaux varieties." This was easily the high point of the Niagara tour!

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Back to Niagara - Day 2