Top 20 Niagara Whites: Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery 2004 Sauvignon Blanc
Winemaker Jean-Pierre Colas has developed a well-earned following for his lip-smacking Sauvignon Blanc's, which have helped cement the reputation for the aromatic white wine in Ontario. The new vintage is an appealingly balanced and refreshingly crisp dry white wine. There's a nice floral element to this wine, which offers an exciting blast of zesty citrus flavours and a classic, crisp finish.
Christopher Waters, Vines Magazine, May/June 05, Top 20 Niagara Whites
2003 Vintners Private Reserve Chardonnay
Rich gold colour with a bouquet of vanilla, freshly, brewed coffee, roasted hazelnuts and smouldering campfire. Taste is so ripe it seems sweet. Cleansing acidity refreshes the palate. Try with grilled halibut or roasted veal with an herb sauce. Drink now - 2009.
Konrad Ejbich, City Bites, December 2005
"Peninsula Ridge has so quickly established itself as one of Niagara 's premium wineries. The Chardonnays are very impressive. The unoaked INOX 2003 is amazing. The Merlot 2002 is terrific."
Rod Philips, The Ottawa Citizen, September 1, 2004
"Peninsula Ridge 2004 Viognier.wonderful ripe Anjou pear nose with gooseberry and rhubarb notes is worth a detour. On the palate it is dry, crisp and medium-light-bodied, with lively, lingering, melon, rhubarb and pear puree flavours.
Michael Vaughan, The National Post, 2005
Zoltan's Picks: Peninsula Ridge Estates, 2004 Sauvignon Blanc
Winemaker Jean-Pierre Colas has it bang on here! Citrus zest, green apple, white flower and loads of minerals on the nose. Similar palate with a great acid structure. Long finish with some riper fruit and minerals. Heavenly with arugula salad with tangerine, herbed goat's cheese sprinkle, asparagus tips and a light balsamic dressing.
Zoltan Szabo, City Bites, December 2005
"One stop I would recommend is Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery (www.peninsularidge.com). one of the most talked about wineries. To taste his (winemaker Jean-Pierre Colas) wines is to predict a future of greatness for this winery."
Beppi Crosariol, Wine Writer, The Globe and Mail
"I am on the Wine Route , and, in Beamsville I slow to look through a young vineyard at one of the prettiest of all winery sites in Ontario , probably in all Canada - Peninsula Ridge."
Kenneth Bagnell, Travel Writer, The Toronto Sun
"Colas is pushing the wine envelope and deserves praise for trying to make great things with such young wines. Cola's mission is true: "I want power, complexity with an elegant long finish. I want to have grapes in the bottle, so we have little filtering and lots of finesse."
Gordon Stimmell, wine writer, Toronto Star
"This is the winery to watch on Beamsville Bench under the aegis of French vigneron Jean-Pierre Colas, who made a name for himself at Domaine Laroche. There, one of his creations was named Wine of the Year by the Wine Spectator."
Margaret Swaine, Wine Writer, Toronto Life
"Jean-Pierre Colas has blended viognier, sauvignon blanc and barrel fermented chardonnay {Equinox 2002} to create one of the most exciting, exotic whites of the very good 2002 vintage in Niagara."
Wine Access Magazine, September 2004
Top 20 Niagara Whites: Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery 2003 Chardonnay Reserve
The new vintage of Peninsula Ridge's Reserve Chardonnay features a surprisingly oaky nose at this early stage. The palate shows good oak integration, with a floral spice character and warm lingering finish. The wine's richness and texture is cut with a naturally high, refreshing acidity that keeps the mouth filling flavours nicely focused. This builds anticipation for the release of Peninsula Ridge's top-tier 2003 Vintner's Private Reserve Chardonnay.
Christopher Waters, Vines Magazine, May/June 05, Top 20 Niagara Wines
Peninsula Ridge Estates, 2003 INOX Chardonnay
Pale-straw gold with, once again, a bouquet reminiscent of Chablis, with a sweet face-powder overtone and a hint of lime beneath. Clean, ripe, implicitly sweet with a terrific balance and structure.
A Pocket Guide to Ontario Wines, Konrad Ejbich, 2005
Peninsula Ridge Estates, 2002 Reserve Merlot
Winemaker Jean-Pierre Colas worked his magic with Merlot again. This structured Merlot Reserve features lush notes of blueberry, blackcurrant and black cherry. The fruit flavours carry over to the palate, which also features high acidity, firm tannins and a lengthy finish. With a hint of sweet oak, it's a well-packaged Merlot that deserves its reserve designation.
Vines Buyer's Guide to Canadian Wine, 4th edition, 2005
"Peninsula Ridge 2003 Sauvignon Blanc, one of the best ever produced in Ontario."
Michael Vaughan, The National Post
Peninsula Ridge Estates, 2003 Chardonnay Reserve
"Jean-Pierre Colas makes Niagara 's best whites. This one offers complex, inviting aromas of pineapple, tobacco, almond, apple butter and fresh-cut wood. Mid-weight, lively, with excellent length and poise."
Toronto Life Magazine, June 2005
Peninsula Ridge 2004 Sauvignon Blanc
"...a Niagara sauvignon leader. Grapefruit, gooseberry and green pepper nose. Very lively, crisp and juicy on the palate with minerality on the finish mindful of Pouilly Fume. Very good length. Delicious."
Wine Access Magazine, September 2005 |
