2012 Niagara Icewine Festival (3 of 6)

Stop 3:  Angels Gate Winery

Today was our first visit to Angels Gate, although it has become our go-to at the LCBO for its consistent quality and remarkably low prices.  Their riesling is one of our defaults and sells for only $13.95; we've also tried their similarly priced Gewurtztraminer and were equally pleased.

The estate itself feels quite elegant on approach, with a winding stone walkway leading up to a tall oak doorway.  The overall look reminds me of a converted monastery somewhere in the Greek islands.  Its patio boasts a panoramic view of Lake Ontario and a unique menu of tasting platters.  We will definately be back for lunch once the seasonal terrace re-opens  in June.  Inside the building, the staff were friendly, knowledgable and helpful.  They also had some interesting stories about the former EastDell Estates; apparently several of EastDell's jilted brides ended up there in tears.  So did one of its chefs, presumably with fewer tears.

Using our festival passports, we tasted the 2008 "Snow Angel" riesling icewine, served with small blue cheese topped pizza squares.  We knew a riesling wouldn't be nearly as sweet as the vidals we tasted last weekend,  but were still surprised that it wasn't more syrupy.  We simultaneously remarked that it more resembled the late harvests we've tried than the icewines and I'm pretty sure I uttered the word 'tart' at least once.  Chris really liked this one though so we did buy a bottle and will likely put it down for 2-3 years before eventually serving it with a cheese course.  (Apparently the wine should always be sweeter than the dessert but I can't think of any desserts that would be less sweet than this.  Apparently riesling is also the icewine that ages the best.)


The server also offered us a taste of the 2008 "Snow Angel" cab franc icewine.  Compared to the only other cab franc icewine I can clearly remember tasting, the one served at our wedding, this was much lighter in colour: almost a burnt coral.  I know I described its flavour as tangy.  Unfortunately I can't tell you anything else because I enjoyed it so much that I forgot to take notes.  However, I did buy a bottle, so will research what to serve it with and review it more fully another time.

Finally, before we left we took a gamble and bought two bottles of their 2009 pinot noir without first tasting them.  My logic is that many of the 2009 Ontario pinots are getting rave reviews attributed to that year's growing conditions.  (Click here for the reviews).  Although Angels Gate isn't mentioned by the reviewer, I'm really starting to trust this brand.  I strongly suspect that while it sells $6-16 cheaper than the competition, there won't be a proportional difference in quality.  My plan is to try 1 bottle in about a year and a second maybe two years after that.