One of my all-time favourite Ontario Fochs, now sold exclusively through Colio's retail boutiques.
This Foch, crafted by master winemaker Carlo Negri, hails from the Lake Erie North Shore appellation. 12.5% alc./vol. Opened two days earlier and given time to integrate, the Foch shows excellent cohesion and harmony. Deep garnet core with a weathered-sumac hue. Classic Foch funk on the nose framed by pleasant pencil-shavings oak from 4 months of barrel ageing. Gamey and earthy with secondary blackberry fruit on the nose. Healthy acidity on the entry; tart yet completely balanced with a dry, warming mid-palate but no heat per se - just a gentle warmth that leads to a pleasant replay of earthy funk and more pencil-shavings-type oak, which is quite prominent on the finish. Very clean and crisp, it's a medium-bodied red that's as fit as it ever was for the table.
This wine, now bottled as "Colio Estate" Marechal Foch, used to be bottled years ago under the "Harrow Estates" moniker; my many notes on previous vintages can be found on the old WLDG. Always a great deal, this wine is one of my all-time favourite pizza 'n ribs reds, and is an excellent entry-level introduction to the Marechal Foch variety. $7.90 CDN.
For Foch Fans, here is the winery's data sheet on the 2004 vintage.