By DEAN TUDOR

The Time and Date: Thursday, November 27, 2008 3PM to 7 PM
The Event: a 2007 Futures offering from Lailey Vineyard in Niagara on the Lake (below)

Derek Barnett is the winemaker, Ed Haddon is the sommelier.
The Venue: The Fine Wine Reserve Inc. 800 King St., West Suite 801. Toronto, tel.: 416 593 9463 (593 WINE)
The Target Audience: private clients.
The Availability/Catalogue: Three of the 2007 vintage wines are already in bottle (Counterpoint, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay), the remaining 7 are barrel samples. Pinot noir and Chardonnay are to be out in February, the balance in April. Futures orders were taken on site.
The Quote: Derek has had a long association with Lailey, buying fruit from them when he was a winemaker at Southbrook. In the fall of 2001, he moved to NOTL and joined Lailey as a winemaker and business partner.
The Wines: it was hard to taste the reds since they were barrel samples. The Pinot was the most advanced.

**** Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
— Lailey Sauvignon Blanc 2007 $20 (under priced) Some oak treatment – 140 cases.
— Lailey Chardonnay Old Vines $35 – 1200 bottles Best wine here, 35 year old vines.
— Lailey Pinot Noir Old Vines $40 – 100 cases, extended toasted oak.

***1/2 Three and a Half Stars (88-90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
— Lailey Counterpoint 2007 $25 (white blend, 58% gewürztraminer, sauvignon blanc, riesling, chardonnay in equal proportions of 14% each) – 140 cases.
— Lailey Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 $25 – 200 cases
— Lailey Meritage Canadian Oak 2007 $35 – Nice integration already.

*** Three Stars (85-87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
— Lailey Chardonnay 2007 Niagara River $25 – 1 year oak
— Lailey Syrah Canadian Oak 2007 $35 – Like a young St. Joseph
— Lailey Cabernet Franc 2007 $35
— Lailey Impromptu 2007 $40 – 200 cases, blend of 60% syrah, 20% cabernet sauvignon, 10% malbec, 10% petit verdot. Should be approachable 3-5 years. Second vintage for this wine.

The Food: charcuterie and cheeses.
The Downside: it was at the end of a long tasting day.
The Upside: good wines and company.
The Contact : www.laileyvineyard.com
The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 89.

Chimo!

Dean Tudor
www.deantudor.com