Quercus Vino

The Tragically Hip’s Fully Completely Grand Reserve Red 2015

The Fully Completely Grand Reserve Red was originally created to commemorate the Hips announcement of the re-release of their legendary album Fully Completely and 2015 North American Tour. The wine was co-created by band members Gord Downie, Paul Langlois, Rob Baker, Gord Sinclair, and Johnny Fay in conjunction with Stoney Ridge Head Winemaker Jeff Hundertmark. The wine is an ultra-premium blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc from the acclaimed 2015 vintage. The bottle features an exact replication of the original artwork that first appeared on the Fully Completely album cover.

Matt’s review: The iconic Canadian band, The Tragically Hip, teamed up with Stoney Ridge head winemaker Jeff Hundertmark to produce a premium Ontario (Bordeaux-style) red blend worthy of carrying the bands name and legendary album artwork and title that millions of Canadians fell in love with back in the 1990s and to this day hold dear to their hearts. Fully Completely Grand Reserve Red is a blend of 48% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Franc and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon all from a single vineyard on the Niagara Peninsula. The nose shows dark cherry, plum, pepper, clove, cedar brush, and graphite. Great structure and acidity, with firm tannins that benefit from a two hour decant to soften. The palate shows great texture whilst retaining that refreshing characteristic of a food-friendly Ontario (Bordeaux) blend. This fine wine would be terrific when paired with grilled flat iron steak, beef rib eye roast, or venison tenderloin. Decant two hours and enjoy 2016-2025. Pre-order your bottles winery-direct and receive them in time for holiday gifting to all those Hip fans in your life. Tasted November 2016. 89+ points. Matt Steeves – http://www.quercusvino.ca

PS: Also available in 1.5L magnums…the ultimate collectors gift!

Order your Tragically Hip Fully Completely Red winery direct here for $25 or via LCBO

The Tragically Hip Ahead By a Century Chardonnay 2015

A delightful balance between fruit and oak. The nose is ripe with aromas of Macintosh apple, pear and lemon and orange zest with oaky notes of vanilla and allspice. The palate is medium bodied with a silky, buttery texture, balanced by crisp lemon acidity. Flavours include butterscotch, melon, peach and apples. The finish is awash in vanilla and clove notes with lingering minerality. Drinking well now, this wine can be aged a further 2 – 4 years for added complexity.

Winemaker Notes:

100% Chardonnay partially hand harvested from select vineyards in the Niagara Peninsula on October 12th at an average of 21.2˚ Brix. Grapes were crushed and fermented at cool temperatures in a combination of 95% barrel, and 5% stainless steel tank. The barrel component of the wine was aged in new French oak barrels for 10 and a half months on the lees. During this time, full malolactic fermentation was allowed to occur.

Matt’s review: The iconic Canadian band, The Tragically Hip, teamed up with Stoney Ridge head winemaker Jeff Hundertmark to produce a premium Ontario cool-climate Chardonnay worthy of carrying the bands name and legendary song title “Ahead by a Century”. Ahead by a Century Chardonnay is a pale gold with wild flower honey, pineapple, honeydew melon, sweet corn, almonds, and biscuit on the nose and palate. It’s medium bodied with great balance of creamy mouthfeel with refreshing acidity leading to a spicy orchard fruit finish. Enjoy this refreshing cool-climate Chardonnay with crab cakes, roasted poultry, or seared Mahi Mahi with zesty basil butter. Pre-order your bottles winery-direct and receive them in time for holiday gifting to all those Hip fans in your life. Tasted November 2016. 89+ points. Matt Steeves – http://www.quercusvino.ca

Order your Ahead by a Century wine  winery direct here for $19.95 or LCBO