A box of Marynissen wines at tasting, ready for shipping or gifting

Marynissen Estates Winery | 2020

Niagara, Ontario

Marynissen Estates has its roots deeply embedded in the soil of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Located in the Four Mile Creek sub appellation, the estate is home to the oldest commercial planting of Cabernet Sauvignon in Canada. The property, an old pig barn, was purchased in 1953 by viticulture pioneer John Marynissen and his wife Adrianna. John and Adrianna began growing their own grapes in 1976, planting the classic European vinifera grape varietals Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Merlot and Gamay Noir.

At Marynissen Estates, we focus on small-lot winemaking showcasing our wines in a rustic yet modern style. We focus on gentle handling at each stage of the winemaking process to ensure wine of the highest quality and value. We want to pay respect to our deep history while continuing to learn, grow and move our winemaking forward.

Wines included this month

July 2020

PLATINUM SERIES CHARDONNAY, 2015
PLATINUM SERIES PINOT NOIR, 2015
HERITAGE COLLECTION RIESLING, 2018
PLATINUM SERIES CABERNET FRANC, 2017
HERITAGE COLLECTION WHITE, 2016
HERITAGE COLLECTION NANNY'S BLEND, 2017

PLATINUM SERIES CHARDONNAY, 2015

Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vineyard: Various Niagara Peninsula vineyards
Alcohol: 13%
Residual Sugar: 2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 300

Appearance: Straw colour.
Nose: Toasty, slightly smoky, apple nose with a note of underbrush.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, richly extracted, orange and pineapple flavours carried on fresh, lemony acidity. Well-integrated oak. A beautifully crafted wine.
Quality: Outstanding. Drink now and through 2021.
Critic Rating: 92 points - Tony Aspler

Food Pairing: Macadamia nut-crusted cod, creamy pesto gnocchi with ricotta and spinach, scallops and chorizo paella, grilled tarragon chicken with mashed potatoes, and parmesan truffle risotto.

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PLATINUM SERIES PINOT NOIR, 2015

Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vineyard: Various Niagara Peninsula vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 250

Appearance: Garnet colour with a tawny rim.
Nose: Lifted, nose of violets and raspberries with oak spice.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, elegant, raspberry flavour carried on racy acidity. Beautifully balanced and lively on the palate.
Quality: Outstanding. Drink now and through 2021.
Critic Rating: 90 points - Tony Aspler

Food Pairing: Beet root and leek soup, beef wellington with spinach and goat cheese, pork carnitas tacos with lime crema, pan seared duck with strawberry-balsamic reduction, and mozzarella-stuffed meatballs.

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HERITAGE COLLECTION RIESLING, 2018

Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietal: Riesling
Vineyard: Various Niagara Peninsula vineyards
Alcohol: 9.5%
Residual Sugar: 40 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 150

Appearance: Pale straw colour.
Nose: Spicy, minerally, Meyer lemon and apple bouquet.
Palate: Medium-bodied, just off-dry with grapefruit and apple flavours with a touch of honey. Good length.
Quality: Very Good+. Drinking well now, but will hold for at least five years.
Critic Rating: 89 points - Tony Aspler

Food Pairing: Grilled tilapia with mango salsa, crab legs with garlic butter, pork pita wraps with tzatziki, vegetable chow mein, and barbequed lemon and turmeric chicken.

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PLATINUM SERIES CABERNET FRANC, 2017

Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietal: Cabernet Franc
Vineyard: Various Niagara-on-the-Lake vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 100

Appearance: Deep purple colour.
Nose: Lightly floral, plum bouquet with oak spice.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, cedary, red plum flavour with zesty acidity and a firm tannic finish.
Quality: Very Good+. Hold 1 – 2 years.
Critic Rating: 89 points - Tony Aspler

Food Pairing: Jalapeño poppers with black bean purée, lamb gyro dumplings, sausage and apple-stuffed acorn squash, skirt steak with mustard sauce, and veal piccata with artichokes and sundried tomatoes.

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HERITAGE COLLECTION WHITE, 2016

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietals: Gewurztraminer (57%), Viognier (24%), Pinot Gris (11%), Muscat (8%)
Vineyard: Various Niagara Peninsula vineyards
Alcohol: 13%
Residual Sugar: 3 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 250

Appearance: Clear, bright. Hay coloured core, lighter rim.
Nose: Rose, lychee, white flowers, orange and lime citrus, a touch of honey.
Palate: Medium acid, medium body. Toasty oak spice, baking spice.
Quality: Very Good+. 88 points. Drink now.

Food Pairing: Lemon-ginger shrimp with carrot purée, lobster cobb salad, shrimp tikka masala, chicken salad sandwich with cranberries and fresh herbs, and steamed mussels with coconut milk and Thai chilies.

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HERITAGE COLLECTION NANNY'S BLEND, 2017

Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Cabernet Franc (25%), Merlot (25%)
Vineyard: Various Niagara-on-the-Lake vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 100

Appearance: Deep purple-ruby in colour.
Nose: Cedary, spicy, blackcurrant nose.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, earthy, plum and redcurrant flavours with an engaging floral top note; lively acidity and ripe tannins.
Quality: Very Good+. Drink 2021 – 2023.
Critic Rating: 89 points - Tony Aspler

Food Pairing: Pasta primavera, spinach and mushroom-stuffed chicken, roasted red pepper soup, turkey meatballs with black beans, and seared steak with blackberry sauce.

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PLATINUM SERIES CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2017

Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vineyard: Marynissen Estate & Lowry vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 100

Appearance: Deep purple in colour.
Nose: A nose of tobacco, black plum, and vanilla notes.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, lightly floral, red currant and plum flavours. Well-balanced and harmonious with ripe tannins.
Quality: Outstanding. Hold 1 – 2 years.
Critic Rating: 90 points - Tony Aspler

Food Pairing: Beef brisket with kohlrabi and cabbage slaw, pepper-crusted ahi tuna with tahini, chicken-fried venison and waffles, veggie burgers with sautéed mushrooms and onions, and lamb souvlaki with yogurt dipping sauce.

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