Prince Edward County Winery Tour - 17-Sep-2005

Huff Estates

Riesling 2004

Too sour. Blech. (PS)

Chardonnay 2004

I like this. The first 8 words used to describe it describe me too: "Sexy and satisfying; smells and tastes like buttered toast." Very buttery. (PS)

Rosé 2004

Sour - could be me, but there is little nose. Not a triumph but nowhere near a tragedy. (MM)

Cabernet Franc

Powerful bouquet and flavour - though flavour not great. (MM)

Too many tannins; very sandpapery wine. Great nose; blackberries and pepper. (PS)

Overall, a staff that was only interested in us when we left. A young, inexperienced winery makes for disappointment. (PS)

The wine was nothing to gab about and the staff was not particularly friendly but Huff Estates looks great and they are building what should turn out to be a very nice hotel. (MM)

JJ's Texas Grill

Waupoos Cider

A good, cold cider. (PS)

Ummm, ditto. I like dryness of cider. (MM)

McKinney's Triple Chin Irish Dark Ale

Nice and smooth. Some burnt notes and a sweet taste. (PS)

While not a winery, we knew that locally made cider and beer could be found here. For footie fans, the place also has a big screen t.v. and satellite for those hard to find games.

By Chadsey's Cairnes

Riesling 2002

The 2002 Riesling is much smoother than the 2003. It is creamy and smooth but a little lacking in distinctive flavour. (PS)

Riesling 2003

This is green; almost rancid. (PS)

Very raw. It needs something - like a spit bucket. (MM)

Pinot/Gamay

The Pinot/Gamay is a nice mix. More Gamay is in there. The best wine we have had so far. (PS)

Chambourcin

The Chabou Chaboucin [sic] has no body and no tannins. (PS)

I like the graveyard and the "enter at your own risk" sign. (PS)

Winery on the smallish side; the tasting house has a deck overlooking their grapes vines which is nice. Also, a private party was beginning and they were roasting a pig which added to the atmosphere. (MM)

Carmela Estates

Riesling 2003 Reserve

A bright, crisp Riesling. (PS) [Ed: There was more written but it was illegible. Something to do with "served cold...with that in mind...still the best, though" Paul's handwriting is bad at the best of times but in this case he had been drinking the lion's share of all the samples since I was driving.]

Kinda' sour. (MM)

Riesling 2002

Not a "0" rating. (though claims to be) Much sweeter with more sweet citrus flavour. Not as appealing nose as Reserve. (PS)

What I expected in a Riesling. Hea. (MM)

Hubbs Creek 2001

White with a "1" rating. A bright, explosive sweetness brought on by the Gewürztraminer grapes. No colour of which to speak. (PS)

Based on bouquet, I expected sweeter. Quite nice. Dry too. (MM)

Chardonnay 2004 - Unoaked

I don't care for this much or the other Chard; no character. Smell of old, bad 50. (PS)

Not a fan. Reminds me of why I don't really like white. Sour & dry. (MM)

Cuvée Once

A bit syrrah-ish, lighter-of-body red. Imminently drinkable. (PS)

Great bouquet. More body would make it even better. Apparently its name comes from the fact that this is the last batch made from this particular vine as it has been retired and ripped from the ground. (MM)

Cabernet Franc 2003

What the Cuvée Once has, the franc has even more of. Sandy a bit, but tannins in [illegible].

Similar nose to Cuvée Once. I enjoy, I enjoy. (MM)

Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

A more fruity, [illegible] than the Franc. Should be. Not as refined as other Cab Sauvs. Not worth the $25.

Seems an experiment in mediocrity. Drinkable - but then again, what isn't?

Tansett Louden - Beer

Light refreshing brew. Good session beer. Brewed according to a Waupoos recipe.

Carmela Estates was big and the main building overlooked the vast fields of grape vines. On average they had the best wines and the busy staff person still took the time to discuss the wines and ask our opinion. Their shop also sold locally made preserves. It was nice to see several wedding attendees slugging back cans of Bud Light in the parking lot.