Update: 24.02.10
Its quiet at the Grange tasting bar today and there is a bottle of Merlot open… probably thanks to Jeff. But it reminds me that I have not had the opportunity to try our Merlot yet. And so, I do. And, to be perfectly honest, it surprises me… I like it… and I never like Merlots… but it is bold and smooth and full of nice ripe fruit, and lovely. Way to go Jeff.
A GPE Sparkling Story: By Maggie
The GPE Sparkling wine saved my holidays.
Being the procrastinator that I am I had yet to complete (or even start) my holiday shopping as of December 20th. And then, like so many people this time of the year, I got the flu. And sadly, this year you really feel like a leper when you sneeze or cough in public, and because of this I was home ridden for the duration of my shopping time. By the 23rd I was getting a little nervous… but then I realized… we had just released the best holiday gift ever. It’s pretty, it’s sparkly, it’s festive, celebratory, and frankly there is no one within my inner circle that wouldn’t be drinking a glass or two for new years. So now I’m wondering if any of these friends would turn up their noses at getting the same gift for their birthdays… I’m thinking not. Thanks Grange!
New Releases and Early Cellar Notes
New Releases and Early Cellar Notes
the first of the new releases will probably be our 2009 Trumpour’s Mill Rosé, which has been a long time coming for us; we’ve been sold out of the 2008 since the end of the summer. This new Rosé is incredibly unique in comparison to all of our previous ones. It is for one thing, sweeter than any Rosé we’ve produced. Not to the point where it is overly sweet, but it is certainly a two on the sugar scale. It is all sweet bright fruit on the nose and palate, with lots of citrus tones and lots of berries. But what gets you excited right away about this wine has got to be its color; it is a brightest, sharpest pink on a Rosé any of us has seen on the market.
The 2008 Riesling is also soon to be released. With notes of citrus like key lime, lemon zest and mandarin orange our 2008 Trumpour’s Mill Riesling is a perfectly light and refreshing wine. And because this Riesling is in a slightly off-dry style it is the perfect accompaniment to spicy fare. With its pale straw color, notes of flinty minerality, very subtle petrol and a bright shot of lemon on the finish, it is the kind of beautifully balanced wine that you can sip on its own, or have paired perfectly with a meal.
Lastly we have our 2008 Grange of Prince Edward line Victoria Block Chardonnay. Its Golden color is always a sight to behold. It suits the spicy pear, vanilla, custard notes that are found on the nose and palate. But as always, like all good County wines, has a lovely acid backbone that brings with it fresh apple and lemon notes on the palate, good overall balance and the potential for longevity and continual development (we’re saying until 2013).
Pre-Release Cellar Notes
2008 TM Estate Bottled Chardonnay
done in an unoaked style it is a perfect replacement for heavier style chardonnay come june. It has a very distinctive pear quality on the nose and more apple and citrus fruit on the palate, with just a little subtle spice and minerality to it.
2009 TM Estate Bottled Pinot Gris
Like the 2008, our 2009 Pinot Gris has a slightly pink hue to it (think mother of pearl), the result of 24 hours of skin contact when picked. The nose is of mostly ripe stonefruit, such as peach and apricot, and the flavors stay within the same family, but include some more spicy qualities.
More to come so keep checking in!
