I made a quick trip to Toronto this morning to visit two restaurants. Then off to St. Catharines for coffee with an industry friend. Always good to compare notes.

  Mid afternoon things got about as fun as they can get. Despite pouring rain outside, the warmth of a winery inside was a welcome thing. Even better that some wines, still in tank, were calling out to me. I had to answer the call. Jean-Martin Bouchard, winemaker of Hidden Bench, was pleased to sneak a few preview sips my way. We tasted three wines that are yet to be released. They blew me away!  Here's the scoop ...

Hidden Bench Estate Pinot Noir 2007 (sampled from tank, release date: Fall 2009)
   Extra dark colour for a Pinot Noir, which is largely a product of the excellent growing conditions that year. It wears it well. The wine has very intriguing earthy aromas with dark berries. It continues to entice with flavours of earthiness, berries, and black cherry. Soft, modest impressions of vanilla and white chocolate. Very nice complexity and balance. A superb medium-bodied Pinot Noir.  14 months in 30% new French Oak Barrels. Never pumped, no fining, no filtration. Made with naturally-occurring yeast and bacteria. Yield from the vineyard was about 1.6 tons per acre. Estimated Retail $40 +.  Rating: 91 points (may be higher after bottling).

Hidden Bench Felseck Vineyard Pinot Noir 2007 (sampled from tank, release date: 2010)
   Dark red brick in colour. Aromas of dark berries, leather and spiced almond. Elegant flavours of red and black berries along with sour cherry, followed by hints of vanilla. Firm tannins.  A wine to decant and enjoy.  Excellent cellar aging potential. Practically perfect complexity and balance. A stellar medium-bodied Pinot Noir.  Aged 12 months in 25% new French Oak Barrels. Aged a further 4 months in stainless steel barrels.  Never pumped, no fining, no filtration. Made with naturally-occurring yeast and bacteria. Yield from the vineyard was about 1.4 tons per acre. Estimated Retail: TBD, will be a premium wine.  Rating: 92 points (finished product will rate even higher).

A note about the Felseck vineyard. It has plantings of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling. It was described by a leading viticulture consultant as having the best terroir he has seen in Niagara.  The vineyard boasts 5 types of soil. including a predominance of clay loam with active lime. It's a dream vineyard.

Hidden Bench Locust Lane Vineyard Pinot Noir 2007  (sampled from tank, release date: 2010)
   Dark red brick in colour. Nose of read and black berries, leather and spice. Follows through with elegant flavours of red and black berries together with cherry, followed by hints of vanilla. Slight spice and firm tannins.  Excellent cellar aging potential. A powerful and regal wine with near perfect complexity and balance. Aged 16 months in 30% new French Oak Barrels. Never pumped, no fining, no filtration. Made with naturally-occurring yeast and bacteria. Yield from the vineyard was about 1.1 tons per acre. Estimated Retail: TBD, will be a super premium wine.   Rating: 94 points (finished product may rate even higher).

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