Rosewood Estates
Winemaker: Natalie
SpytkowskyLocation:
Beamsville Bench
Directions: From Toronto follow the
QEW towards Niagara. Take exit 68 (Bartlett Avenue), turn left onto
Barlett. Turn left again at the lights onto King Street (Highway 8). Follow for 2
kms. to
Mountainview Road. Make a right onto
Mountainview Road. Rosewood Estates is located 1 km. on the right.
http://www.rosewoodwine.com/ 
Right off the bat I have three words to say to you and they are;
SNOOZE YOU LOSE!! Read on. You'll see why.
The day I arrived at Rosewood Estates it was my good fortune that the winemaker should be there pouring her wines. It is not usual for this to happen and as luck would have it mine was in good standing this day.
I looked at the photo in the Wineries of Ontario official guide book. I looked up. I looked at the photo again and that's when I realized it was Natalie
Spytkowsky the winemaker behind the wine bar counter. I couldn't believe it. Natalie was conducting a tasting and as you can imagine my excitement grew. I hastily introduced myself and expressed my delight that she should be there.
Having never tasted any of Rosewood's wines I was eager to sample the fare as they say. Upon my nosing of the first wine I was impressed. That said, tasting wine is really an inclusion of all of our senses not only our sense of smell. (That's what I love about blind tastings. You experience the wine from your initial visual, nosing/smell and then taste. These are all clues to determine what is in the glass.) One confirms the other confirms the other. I must admit to having nosed many wines and been impressed only to be extremely disappointed at the taste. You'd be amazed at the number of wines that don't follow through.
Natalie did not disappoint. Natalie is a winemaker of amazing talent. As she said to me in an email " They all come from my passion for making wine". Let me just say that her passion truly shows. Right from the start the
Pinot Gris (which is now sold out) through to the Merlot Reserve all shouted of place, time,
terroir! They were definitive. The
true test for me was when Natalie was showing her
semillon-
sauvignon wines. This would confirm her ability as a winemaker.
Semillon, like
Pinotage, has a distinct aroma/bouquet and flavour profile. Once you have discovered it you won't forget it.
Natalie's wines passed with flying colours!
What really stood out for me was Natalie's absolute confidence in her abilities. The true talent of a winemaker shows when you can make a good wine in a not so banner year. Natalie, as you will see below, did vertical tastings of some wines and I have to say they were amazing. Her confidence in speaking to the different vintage years and what she was able to do truly showed that she has a nose and a palate very finely attuned. The vertical tastings were perfect examples of how a vintage year tells a lot about the wine inside the bottle and tell tale signs of the talent of the winemaker.
Natalie is one extremely talented woman! Rosewood Estates is a small batch winery and truly a fine example of what Niagara wines have become and continue to impress as people like Natalie are on board!
You don't want to miss out.Jancis Robinson you need to know about Natalie
Spytkowsky!
They also make mead wine at Rosewood Estates. This metal bumble bee is outside.
Mmmm...I wonder if this was made at the welding place that I stumbled upon in my blog "The Accidental Tourist".
Rosewood Estates ships in 12 bottle cases which can be mixed and matched. Delivery to the Toronto area is approximately $15.00 and farther to
Belleville, Ottawa, as well as London for approximately $20.00 to $25.00 a case. The
LCBO is also carrying some of their wines.
The price point for these wines is well worth every penny. As I said at the top don't wait too long....SNOOZE YOU LOSE!! You don't want to be caught napping.2007 Gewurtztraminer $18.00
Medium gold in colour
Lychee, ripe mango nose with essences of roses and spice
Medium to full body
Long soft spicy finish
14% alcohol however I wouldn't have known if I didn't ask. It is nicely balanced so as not to be consumed with alcohol vapours. Excellent. Kudos to the winemaker for finding the balance.
2008 Gewurtztraminer $18.00 (Not yet available)
Clear pale medium yellow colour
Clean light spice light rose on the nose
Medium body
Medium finish
Little more delicate than 2007
Lovely introduction to
gewurtztraminer for the newcomer to the grape variety.
2008 Trois Femme Rose - Merlot- Pinot Noir $18.00
50-50 blend
Clear medium purple in colour
Cherry, light plum, raspberry nose
Medium body
Balanced acidity
Medium/long finish
I really enjoyed this 50-50 blend. The balance of this wine is spot on lovely.
2006 Semillion - Sauvignon $18.00 Clear medium gold in colour
Apricot melon waxy lanolin nose (
semillon nose definitely shows as the larger percentage component of this wine--)
Medium -full body
mouthfeelLovely rich quality with a balanced acidity showing off in the
sauvignon blancMelon, nutty mid palate
Long Finish
Great example of
semillon sauvignon blend at its best. Bordeaux France would be pleased or
maybe nervous! Well done!
2007 Semillion - Sauvignon $18.00
Clear medium straw in colour
Citrus nose, lemon, more
sauvignon than
semillion with a slight hint of nuttiness
Sauvingon Blanc characteristics are more forward on the palate with this wine
Medium Body
Medium soft acid
Medium Long finish
Shows the
winemaker's talent in taking the two vintages and the grape varieties into consideration and producing wines of great quality each time.
2007 Chardonnay Reserve (partial Malolactic fermentation ) $25.00
Clear medium gold colour
Buttery, baked apple, melon, pineapple nose
On the palate lovely rich ripe textures engaging your senses
Beautiful balance of acidity and fruit
Full body
Long lingering finish
Delicious! Shows what Niagara is capable of.
2007 Pinot Noir (Naturally fermented with wild yeasts) $40.00
Clear medium ruby colour
Strawberries, Cherries, Raspberries
Medium fruit body
Medium acidity with lovely integrated tannins
Long finish
Once again a great wine with the acidity to carry it for another few years yet. Can be enjoyed now but you should save some for later!
2006 Meritage - Merlot- Cabernet Franc $18.00
Clear medium ruby in colour
Leafy, Cherry, tobacco, slight cigar
Follows through on the palate
Medium-Full body
Long finish
I love this blend 60-40 and its approachability. If your having a party and want to find a red wine that is pleasing to all palates this is your wine.
2007 Merlot $18.00
Clear medium purple in colour
Aged cherry notes, plum, slight earthiness
Medium body with earthy qualities much in the essence of Bordeaux
Very nice balance
Long finish
Again pleasing for a mixed crowd.
2007 Merlot Reserve Natural Fermentation $40.00
Deep ruby in colour
Ripe Soft Fruits, black cherries, raspberries, blueberries mint,
Medium Acidity
Soft tannins
Medium/full body
Long lingering Finish
This wine totally speaks to
terroir. Merlot as it should be. There has only been 20 cases produced.....so....only 240 bottles..........
Natalie
Spytkowsky is definitely a winemaker to keep on your radar!
Enjoy!!
Here at Flat Rock Cellars this is evident from the moment you enter. From geo thermal heating and cooling within the winery (note to the pond out front) to natural lighting inside the tasting room (reducing energy that would be used by regular lighting systems, and by the way everyone looks lovely in this kind of light if I do say so), all has been well thought out.
