Reviews
2006 Vintage
2006 Merlot – VQA, St. Davids Bench, Niagara Peninsula – SOLD OUT
“It has a great black fruit, spice and herbal definition on both the nose and the palate. Medium + bodied and with approachable tannins. An elegant Merlot – very good…my kind of juice…!”
Zoltan Szabo, www.winecurrent.com
“Classy in profile, offering black cherry, dusty cedar, cocoa and hints of blueberry on a sexy frame meshing beautifully with ripe tannins. Well integrated already and drinking beautifully for the holidays.” Lynn Ogryzlo, Niagara This Week
“Luscious, with spicy plum notes on the finish.”
-87 points. John Schreiner on Wine
“Plum, anise and red currants complement this medium-bodied Merlot. Its moderate acidity and fine-grained tannins make it a perfect accompaniment to food. Plum and anise accompany a pleasing and long finish. Drink now or cellar to 2014.”
Linda Bramble, Wine Professor, Brock University
2006 Cabernet Franc – VQA, St. Davids Bench, Niagara Peninsula – SOLD OUT
“Elegant and delicate. Red and black fruit and floral aromatics, obvious oak notes and an uncompromising tannic skeleton, but both these elements will integrate soon. Could be really good with 6 months or so of bottle ageing!”
Zoltan Szabo, www.winecurrent.com
“Plush and spicy, this lush wine flows across the tongue with elegance and finesse. Flavours framed by black cherry, cedar, charcuterie and vanilla on a sophisticated body of balance and length.”
Lynn Ogryzlo, Niagara This Week
“…is at this stage a more accessible vintage, with flavours of cherry and chocolate. The wine’s vibrant flavours are ever so appealing.”
-88 points. John Schreiner on Wine
“This is a classic Franc — cocoa, pencil shavings, redcurrants with herbal franc-ness. Medium-bodied with a robust backbone of ripe tannins. Medium finish of barrel-spiced vanilla and cocoa will transform into melted chocolates as it matures. Drink now or cellar to 2016.”
Linda Bramble, Wine Professor, Brock University
2006 Riesling, VQA, St. Davids Bench, Niagara Peninsula – SOLD OUT
“Fairly aromatic with accents of apples, white blossoms and ginger, fresh herbs, verbena. Tasty, sweet (25 gr./liter sugar here) and juicy with pleasantly tart acidity. 10% alcohol only. A little botrytis adding some weight and a great mouth feel. An interesting Riesling for the novice wine drinker and the connoisseur alike.”
Zoltan Szabo, www.winecurrent.com
“Aromatic scents of sweet grapefruit and peach mingle with a touch of honeycomb. Off dry and medium bodied on the palate, it has a solid center focused minerality that prompts a clean, lingering finish. Drink now or cellar to 2014.”
Linda Bramble, Wine Professor, Brock University
2007 Vintage
2007 Reserve Red – VQA, St. Davids Bench, Niagara Peninsula
Dominated by 60% cabernet sauvignon with the balance in cab franc and merlot. This is one of the more dark and brooding Ravine reds, with lots of black fruit, dark spice, bitter chocolate, licorice, dried flower and forest floor. The palate is rich and full but not fat, retaining the house style of leanness and elegance – these are not intended to be seductive, forward wines, but will require some patience in the cellar to really hit their stride. -92 points. John Szabo, Master Sommelier
“Bordeaux blend. Not too heavy, with perfect weight, tannic and muscle-packed right now, but what a length…! I would call it “Gamble Reserve”…or rather “Do Not Gamble, But Reserve” some of this wine right now…! Take my word!” - Zoltan Szabo, www.winecurrent.com
“The winery’s tour de force. Blend of Bordeaux varietals. It is an intense, chewy wine, tasting of prunes, chocolate, tobacco and finishing with an intriguing earthy note.
-91 points. John Schreiner on Wine
2007 Reserve Merlot – VQA, St. Davids Bench, Niagara Peninsula
“130 cases of this red made. Ooh la la! What a grand texture here! The Petrus of Niagara…!? We’ll see…”
Zoltan Szabo, www.winecurrent.com
“an intense, concentrated wine with flavours of black cherry and cassis framed with good oak. This is a wine capable of aging 10 to 15 years.”
-93 points. John Schreiner on Wine
“If a wine can be considered huge and refined at the same time, this is it. It has huge concentrations of dense black fruits, spice, dark chocolates and mocha. Its refinement lies in the ripeness of its fruit, the restrained use of oak, its fine-grained tannins, its velvety texture and the moderate alcohol that frames it. Drinking well now but age worthy – 2022+.”
Linda Bramble, Wine Professor, Brock University
2007 Merlot – VQA, St. Davids Bench, Niagara Peninsula – SOLD OUT
“Gorgeous delicate fruit, softening and rounding nicely, with tannins well integrated but still firm. Palate is succulent and juicy, with above average length. Moderate alcohol. Nice to see a winery focusing on elegance and class. Try 2011-2015.”
-90 points. John Szabo, Master Sommelier, www.winealign.com
“300 cases produced only! A sexy beast in the making here! All elements in place, needing time to bond and amalgamate. Hard to judge at this stage, but I’d bet my red Porsche that this will be among the finest Niagara Merlots!”
Zoltan Szabo, www.winecurrent.com
“Merlot picked by winery consultant Peter Gamble as being the star. It’s easy to see how he came to that conclusion. Ravine’s 2007 Merlot, one of the opening inventory of wines from 2006 and 2007, has a plush texture and impeccable purity of fruit. It’s a delight to drink.”
4 stars. Christopher Waters, Vines Magazine
“Rich and plush in texture, with long ripe tannins and with intriguing blueberry aromas and currant flavours.”
-90 points. John Schreiner on Wine
“A full-bodied Merlot with characteristic plum, dark cherry and spice, it’s a true expression of its varietal nature, including its key feature admired by Merlot lovers — a mouth pleasing plush texture of chamois and suede. Lingering notes of spiced red fruits complements its finish. Drink now or cellar to 2016.”
Linda Bramble, Wine Professor, Brock University
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon – VQA, St. Davids Bench, Niagara Peninsula
“Shows how well this late-ripening variety did in that superb vintage. This fine-textured, concentrated wine is packed with ripe red berry flavours.
-91 points. John Schreiner on Wine
2007 Cabernet Franc -VQA, St. Davids Bench, Niagara Peninsula – SOLD OUT
Clean, open, fragrant, classic cool climate style cabernet franc, like traditional Loire Valley Chinon, including the stony/graphite notes red and black cherry, dark chocolate. The palate is firm and silky, like raw silk in fact, taught and well balanced. This should come together beautifully in 2-3 years, and offer pleasure into the latter half of the next decade. -91 points. John Szabo, Master Sommelier
“Much sweeter and riper nose here, fatter palate compared to the 2006 vintage. It is also more complex and tight right now with natural and oak tannins poking out a bit. Won’t be released for another year + and by then it will round out nicely. I am excited to see and re-taste again next year. The potential is already here to make superb Cabernet Franc!”
Zoltan Szabo, www.winecurrent.com
“Firm, concentrated and brooding.”
-88 points with potential to achieve 92 with cellaring. John Schreiner on Wine
“The original Cabernet (parent to Cabernet Sauvignon) becomes evident in this version, which is full-bodied and ripe with a thrilling round, mouth warming texture. It is perfumed by classic raspberry, cocoa and spice notes that persist through a sustained harmonious finish. Drink now or cellar to 2016.”
Linda Bramble, Wine Professor, Brock University
2007 Meritage – VQA, St. Davids Bench, Niagara Peninsula – SOLD OUT
“A blend led by Cabernet Franc. It is fuller and firmer with generous notes of plum and black currant. It is structured to benefit from cellaring.”
-88 points. John Schreiner on Wine
“This is a beautifully ripe blend of classic varieties with characteristic flavours of raspberry, plum and cassis complemented by a soft, round texture. Its structure is supported by fine-grained preserving tannins that will carry it for the next decade of its unfolding. Medium to long finish of spiced plums. Drink now or cellar to 2018.”
Linda Bramble, Wine Professor, Brock University
2007 Redcoat -VQA, St. Davids Bench, Niagara Peninsula – SOLD OUT
“Merlot has been pitched as the future star at newcomer Ravine Vineyard, but early efforts show a remarkable consistency across the entire portfolio. Take its humble minded blend, Redcoat, which at $19 a bottle retails for roughly half of the price of Ravine’s reserve wines without tasting like half the wine!”
4 stars. Christopher Waters, Vines Magazine
“Bouquet of currants, plum, spice and herbal notes. Medium bodied and juicy with soft tannins, adding complexity. Good value and great choice for restos for a by-the-glass pour.”
Zoltan Szabo, www.winecurrent.com
“A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Winemaker Peter Gamble made it specifically as a soft, early-drinking red for Olson Foods bistro and for anywhere else that wine and food are paired.
-87 points. John Schreiner on Wine
“A classic with garnet core and flavours of plum, red current and cassis seasoned with just an appropriate amount of barrel spice. It is soft, round, medium-bodied and ripe on the palate complemented by a clean, lasting red fruit finish. Drink now or cellar to 2014.”
Linda Bramble, Wine Professor, Brock University
2007 Chardonnay Reserve – VQA, Rowan Vineyard – SOLD OUT
“Lots of minerality and intensity shows through here, with a high percentage of new wood (only 3 barrels made -100% barrel fermented). Solid, delicate. Long finish. With another year or so in bottle this should blossom into a real beauty, With great minerality and class.”
-92 points. John Szabo, Master Sommelier, www.winealign.com
“A lot more depth here compared to the generic 2007 Chardonnay. Very long, persistent finish. Well done! …And I love it!”
Zoltan Szabo, www.winecurrent.com
“Classically Burgundian, with aromas of toast, hazelnut and marmalade, leading to rich, buttery, citrus flavours.”
-92 points. John Schreiner on Wine
“Its first impression is a tantalizing, mouth filling lushness, and then its packed flavours start to unfold — baked apples, cardamom, citrus and cedar. Harmony is its keynote, integration its signature. Its finish is complex and sustained. Drinking beautifully now yet has the markings
of a serious wine that will age with grace. Drink now or cellar to 2018+.”
Linda Bramble, Wine Professor, Brock University
2007 Chardonnay – VQA, Rowan Vineyard, Niagara Peninsula – SOLD OUT
“Made from Four Mile Creek fruit, it has the area’s signature “tropicality”. Medium + bodied with a lovely, creamy texture and plenty of sweet, ripe tropical and white summer fruit flavours and neat mineral notes on its finish. It went through partial batonage in 1,2 and 3 year old burgundian oak barrels. A great Chardonnay!”
Zoltan Szabo, www.winecurrent.com
“Fine density and concentration mark this polished Chardonnay with pear and mineral notes and just a hint of pineapple. The flavours persist through the resonant finish with a kiss of roasted almonds. Well done.”
Lynn Ogryzlo, Niagara This Week
“Fleshy texture and citrus flavours with spice on the finish.”
-88 points. John Schreiner on Wine
“This straw coloured Chardonnay is marked by its creamy, lush texture and complemented by rich notes of baked apple and toffee. Its refinement unfolds in lingering flavours of hazelnut and spice in a long, persistent finish. Drink now or cellar to 2014.”
Linda Bramble, Wine Professor, Brock University
2007 Riesling – SOLD OUT
VQA, St. Davids Bench, Niagara Peninsula
“From the lower section of the vineyard near the Four Mile Creek, where botrytis is a regular occurrence. A small percentage of botrytis-affected fruit gives this a really pleasant, peach/apricot sweetness, alongside some candied citrus. Slightly fennel, pine resin. The alcohol is a very light 7.3%, acidity is fresh, finish is moderate. A connoisseur’s wine that needs some context to really shine.
-91 points. John Szabo, Master Sommelier, www.winealign.com
“By coincidence, the Riesling in this vineyard was planted near a small creek. Winemaker Peter Gamble was delighted to discover that the creek creates the conditions here for botrytis. As a result, he makes luscious, honeyed off-dry Rieslings with moderate alcohol. The 2007 Ravine Riesling is an exceptional wine, showing a core of honey and fruit.”
-94 points. John Schreiner on Wine
“The newly opened Ravine Vineyard is bound to make the biggest splash with its red wine portfolio, but there’s a certain consumer who is going to fall hard for this sumptuous, captivating off-dry Riesling. A ringer for a top Regina Kabinett, this honeyed, earthy Riesling is simply delightful. Its low alcohol volume (7.3 percent) makes it truly distinctive on the palate. Fans should also check out the 2006 Riesling, which has an enticing and all-encompassing apple crumble character. 110 cases.
-4 stars. Christopher Waters, Vines Magazine
“Similar aromas and flavours as the 2006, but with intriguing tea, honey and slate-mineral notes in addition. There’s just enough acidity here and only 7.3 % alcohol. It’s the botrytis effect kicking up things a notch here and making this Riesling somewhat unique.”
Zoltan Szabo, www.winecurrent.com
“Spectacular off dry, floral Riesling with complex flavours of honeysuckle, lychee, ripe pear, honey and a fine dusting of gun powder beautifully integrated. Classy and sophisticated and an appealingly drier finish.”
Lynn Ogryzlo, Niagara This Week
“Lime, honeydew melon and ripe pear shape this stunning off-dry Riesling. It is balanced by a clean seam of acidity that highlights a very long stone fruit finish. Drinking very well now with all the earmarks of a long life — 2017- longer?”
Linda Bramble, Wine Professor, Brock University
2007 Gewurtraminer – SOLD OUT
VQA, St. Davids Bench, Niagara Peninsula
“Not typical but very tasty. The nose is golden delicious apple based with a very subtle rosy-floral note; the palate has an easy sweetness (1) of pear and peach with a delicate yet long floral finish. What a treat. (Chef) Michael (Stadtlander) liked the wine so much he designed the label for it – check it out.” Rating: ****½
Michael Pinkus, www.OntarioWineReview.com
2008 Vintage
2008 Sauvignon Blanc – VQA, Niagara Peninsula – SOLD OUT
Ravine’s 2008 sauvignon is a really bright, fragrant, grapefruit-scented version with green tropical fruit notes, wet stone, confit of lemon and fresh tarragon. The palate is lean and vibrant, with uncompromising acidity and dryness and moderate length. Ready to enjoy now. -88 points. John Szabo, Master Sommelier
2008 Chardonnay Reserve – VQA, Rowan Vineyard, Niagara Peninsula – SOLD OUT
This is a rather reserved style of reserve chardonnay with notable but integrated wood and its derivative spices, light caramel, stony-minerality and fresh pear/lemon. The palate is mid weight and wonderfully balanced with tight, bright acidity, and more than sufficient alcohol to offer a countering richness. This needs another year to come fully together and should last for a good 5-6 beyond that. Really classy. -90 points. John Szabo, Master Sommelier
