Pearl Morissette – Visit of the Niagara Wineries

While autumn is well underway, I had much to finish this summer ride in the Niagara visiting the different wineries. After our visit to Pearl Morissette, summarized today, that will be the end. And what a discovery it was. Great wines, great winemakers, and great surprises…

Pearl Morissette: Patience and time

So Pearl Morissette. It’s a little strange thing in this pool of vineyards that can be seen in the Niagara. It’s a very small vineyard, I could compare it to what we saw at Dillon’s in terms of facilities. But even if it is small, at least for the outside, they are incredible wines we find there. To tell you, the directions are more or less indicated. To find the place well, we are told to follow the black barn (that you can see above). It almost sounds like we are in a secret lab or something. What is not so far from the reality, as the necessary work of artisans is meticulous and time-consuming.

When we arrived a little earlier than expected, we are still very welcome. And we go straight to the heart of the beast. The facility is on a human scale, each bottle being labeled by hand. We are in a vineyard that produces in lot, so very small quantities. But the quality … ouff it is something. We see that the folks at Pearl Morissette, lead by the Quebecer François Morissette winemaker that we met very briefly, unfortunately, have really taken their time to create exceptional products.

Up to the tasting of the wines. 

We tasted several wonderful products at Pearl Morissette, it is rather strange wines, wines that as I said earlier, are actually taking their time because the partner of François, Mel Pearl, a real estate developer in Toronto , left him the freedom to make them his own way, to develop products that will be outstanding at the height of François talent and his approach. That’s the first thing you feel when you arrive on site. The barn being renovated at the time, the tastings are held in the cellar (at least it did for me). These wines are not available in SAQ and LCBO only got a few pieces. You can buy them online or find them in some excellent restaurants such as la Maison Publique in Montreal.

Let’s start with the whites from Pearl Morissette

Pearl Morisette – 2013 Riesling, Cuvée Black Ball

Here is a rare Riesling Black Ball to be offered for a few years and the only bearing the VQA designation. The wine is completely dry in style “atypical” classic Pearl Morissette. It was fermented and aged in 100% old Alsatian casks that are there to Jordan. This is a very well structured wine that has the richness and intensity of fruit in several layers palate. The spicy taste, salt and ripe fruit glide perfectly through the palace into a perfect set and end smoothly and purity. Here is a wine that resonates power and promises a long life ahead, featuring a different side of Niagara Riesling.

Pearl Morissette – 2012 Chardonnay, Cuvée d’une nuit 

A very interesting Chardonnay with its small side oxidized nice. We feel a smell of smoke in his face and pineapple on the palate with a soothing and pleasant acidity. Superb product that seems elapsed since he is no longer present on the site or otherwise in the Black Ball Wine Society.

Pearl Morissette – 2013 Chardonnay, Cuvée Dix-Neuvième 

The 2013 vintage of Pearl Morissette gave the classic character of wines with balanced proportions. La Cuvée Dix-Neuvième is a convincing example for these qualities. Its bouquet is meaty, but discreet. In the mouth it is rich in fruits but balanced. The flavors follow to enter into a compact and persistent final announces a wine that can age a long time.

The 2012 is very similar, by cons, we already noticed that aging gives it even more final round which announces that good for 2013.

Now, the reds of Pearl Morissette

Pearl Morissette – 2014 Cabernet Franc, Cuvée Métis

Here, with this wine an extraordinary blend of young vines. Aged in oak barrels used, Mr. Morissette hate new oak barrels, fermented and aged 9 months in concrete tanks (such as seen above). Fruity, spicy with fresh, juicy freshness.

Pearl Morissette – 2012 Cabernet Franc, Cuvée Madeleine

Everyone (who’s following a little the world of Canadian wine) knows that 2012 was exceptional. With its rich dark purple color, this wine is found in its structure, a classic Cabernet Franc. Nevertheless, it has all the concentration at which it is expected. Heat, 2012 unbridled intensity is however noted. The bouquet also talks about evoking an amalgam of flavors and Bordeaux Niagara. The palate is very well balanced, and fruits are dense, but refined tannins present in the mouth but brings balance to this wine. We find here a Cabernet Franc disguised as classic wine, but in this dress reveals her identity.

Few of their products are available at SAQ or LCBO, your best bet is online.

A big thank you to the team

for this welcome, especially the general manager Milton Mednick! Would definitely return!

Pearl Morissette

3953 Jordan Road
Jordan, ON
L0R 1S0
Canada

Visit the website here