News & Reviews

June 2008

Konrad Ejbich chose to feature the 2007 Calamus Pinot Gris as his wine pick of the month on his monthly show on CBC radio. Here are some excerpts from the show:

"Calamus has recently changed their label and 'the new label stunning is stunning!'"

"This wine was the highest scoring of all the Calamus wines tasted...it has full solid body, plump fruity taste, solid structure and mouth cleansing minerality on the back end... fully dry with a pink tinge."

Host Rita Celli - "That sounds like poetry coming out of the bottle"

"If this wine was imported it would be $20 to $25 and it's only $15... great value!!"

"Serve with almost anything pizza, cream sauces seafood, just a lovely sipper."

July 2008

"The delicate aromatic nose of pear, rose petal and soft mineral notes give way to a palette of tropical fruit salad with a touch of grapefruit pith bitterness. A hint of sweetness is balanced by refreshing acidity. Great for chillin' on the patio this summer!"

Summer 2008

"Good balance of honeyed fruit and racy acidity gives this vibrant Pinot Gris nice sweet and sour tension. The refreshing style make this a good summer sipper or al fresco summer option. Nicely done!
4 stars"

June 2008

"Pinot Gris is supposed to be light and fruity, this Calamus version is all that with a little bit extra. First you'll notice the colour - it seems to have a hint of an onion-skin colouration, which means there is some definite skin contact here. The nose has got plenty of fun fruit, namely peaches, apricots and a little apple. Then, when it gets into the mouth, whiz-bang, there's even more excitement: crisp acidity, that provides a little bite, with intense fruit flavours - sweet apricots, juicy peaches and mouth-watering apples."

July 2008

"Medium straw colour with a floral, white honey and grapefruit bouquet. Off-dry; nicely balanced; medium-dry grapefruit and honey flavours.
87 Points"

July 2008

"Shows depth and complex mix of cedar, mineral, black cherry, currant smoke and espresso. Restrained and focused, remarkably elegant all the way through the lengthy finish"

May 2008

"This is a luscious, fruity, just off-dry Riesling that speaks to the quality of the grapes in the 2007 vintage and to the standards Calamus is setting. The flavours are ripe and elegant, and they mesh seamlessly with a broad seam of crisp acidity. It's medium bodied and very enjoyable sipped on its own."

April 2008

"Description I tried this Riesling young - and in young I mean not long in bottle. It was showing typical apples and peaches, nothing fantastic, just a typical Ontario Riesling... but considering that the same winery and the same winemaker concocted a similar Riesling in 2005 that had the same initial nuances, and then went on to wine the Ontario Wine Awards Gold for best Riesling, I'd say it has got good pedigree and you should see this one open up over the next 6 months. This wine screams, "don't pre-judge me while I am so young, it's with some maturity that I will really shine." A subsequent tasting a month later has started to bring out more of its true character - adding a spiciness to the palate, raised acidity and a grapefruit finish... very pleasant and getting better, the sugar code sits at about a 1 and it has the earmarks of a great summertime sipper to come."

May 2008

"Lime, pineapple, yellow plum and wet limestone aromas. Light with green apple and green gage plum flavours; its natural sweetness balanced by brisk acidity. The finish is long and clean. Try with pork meat stuffed cabbage rolls with smoked paprika and sour cream.
3 1/2 + stars out of 5"

May 2008

"If vineyards are all about location, wine is all about balance. And that's the first thing that struck me when I tasted this: the poised equilibrium of rich fruit and crisp acidity. Everything is in order here, from the refreshing attack to the clean finish. It's well made and makes a delicious wine for sipping and dining."

March 2008

"This lifted, juicy Bordeaux blend combines 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc and 15% Merlot. Very lifted aromas of clove, raspberry, cola, and wood smoke are slightly confected. It's mid-weight, with tart acidity off-set by some sweetness. Tannin is moderate. Very long finish is slightly oaky. Let this rest a year or two."

March 2008

"Calamus is consistently producing excellent value wines, and the 2005 Cabernet is no exception The nose is open and fragrant, with ripe, fresh red and black fruit and a pleasant herbal-floral component that adds a little lift, and barely a whiff of wood. On the palate it is medium-bodied, with light but firm tannins, juicy acidity and a moderate finish. This would make a fine, highly drinkable house pour for any occasion that calls for a step above the average, with lots of versatility with food. Drink now - 2012."

March 2008

"Dear Larry and Calamus Estate Winery,

On behalf of Mainstream and the Board of Director's I'd like to thank you and Calamus Estate Winery for your time and their generous donation of wine for Mainstream's recent Cooking with Class fundraising series.

With you generous support we were able to raise $11,000. Your contribution makes it possible for us to enhance existing programs and create new learning opportunities for over 60 Mainstream participants.

Your commitment and support for Mainstream and your community is truly appreciated. We wish to thank you for helping make The Cooking with Class event such a huge success!

Sincerely,

Kristie Akilie
Community Development Coordinator"

January 2008

"Classis Cabernet notes of currants, cassis and cedar feature prominently in the well structured and balanced red wine. It is a serious and savoury red wine with interesting spice and cigar box complexity. This offers good value for the price - this is a good medium term cellar option (three to five years). Decant for best enjoyment."
- Chris Waters, Vines Magazine

"Deep purple in colour, this bold red is perfumed with ripe plum, cassis, mint and cedar. Robust fruit on the palate is backed by youthful tannins melding into a long finish. A bargain for a wine of this structure, one that will improve over the next five years"
- Mike Lowe, Wine Pick of the Week, Pulse Magazine

November 2007

"Just a lovely wine! Ripe, fruity and juicy with aromas and flavours of currants, blueberries, red plum, spice, cigar and floral. Well balanced with integrated tannins and a long finish. Drink now or hold short term. I tried it at Cafe Taste on Queen St. West yesterday with a piece of fine St. Damase cheese from Quebec, that had deep, earthy flavours, and I was very happy!"
4 + stars out of 5

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