I am using a 5-star rating system, which appears at the end of each review; here’s the key to the stars:
5 = Outstanding … 4.5 = Excellent … 4 = Very Good … 3.5 = Good … 3 = Average
Key: Wine colour indicators - Red are red wines, Yellow are whites, etc.
The Foci: Portugal (Port) and New Zealand (NZ)
The Skinny: Make sure you go to the Circus, or better yet make sure the Circus comes to you, plus there's a fantastic Chilean Chardonnay`
Argentina …
Dona Silvina 2009 Malbec ($19.95 - #303024) – cedar, tobacco, blackberry and spice. (*** ½+)
Australia …
Pirathon 2010 Shiraz ($28.95 - #130278) – blackberry, black cherry, cassis, white pepper and juicy plum. (****+)
Two Hands 2011 Angels’ Share Shiraz ($30.95 - #009480) – typically delicious wine from Two Hands. (****)
Canada (Ontario) …
Featherstone 2012 Rosé ($14.95 - #117861) - *** ½+
Fielding Estate 2011 Cabernet Franc ($21.95 - #36194) - ****+
Hinterland 2012 Whitecap ($22.00 - #332809) - *** ½+
Huff Estates 2008 South Bay Chardonnay ($29.95 - #88955) - **** ½
Norman Hardie 2011 County Unfiltered Pinot Noir ($35.00 - #125310) - **** ½
Reif 2011 The Magician Pinot Noir/Shiraz ($19.95 - #246413) - *** ½+
Rosehall Run 2010 Cuvee County Chardonnay ($21.95 - #132928) - *** ½+
Viewpointe Estate 2011 Auxerrois ($14.95 - #327239) - *** ½+
Chile …
Maycas del Limari 2009 Reserve Especial Chardonnay ($19.95 - #162040) – nice fruit on the palate: peach, pear and apple sauce, good minerality, hints of vanilla and spice all finishing with nice seam of acidity. (****+)
France (Alsace) …
Hugel 2011 Gentil ($14.95 - #367284) – flinty, minerally and dry with a touch of pineapple. (*** ½+)
France (Beaujolais) …
Domaine des Marrans 2011 Fleurie ($19.95 - #324897) – juicy cherry, very appealing and robust has a good finish and nice mouth presence. (****)
France (Bordeaux) …
Chateau du Seuil 2009 ($24.95 - #326785) – anise, leather, black cherry skin and followed up with earthy tannins. (****)
Chateau Villars 2009 ($27.95 - #191270) – robust and earthy with plenty of dark fruit. (****)
France (Burgundy) …
Bachelder 2010 Bourgogne Chardonnay ($29.95 - #272005) – mineral chalkiness, thick white fruit: apple/peach puree; touches of flint on both the palate and finish. (****)
France (Loire) …
Chateau Favray 2011 Pouilly-Fume ($21.95 - #323642) – pure Sauvignon Blanc here with a grassy palate and nose. (*** ½+)
Langlois-Chateau Brut Cremant de Loire ($18.95 - #996272) – crisp lemon-lime that`s zippy and zingy, dry with a green apple and lemon finish. (****+)
France (Midi) …
Le Cirque 2011 Carignan/Mourvedre/Syrah ($15.95 - #277079) – stunning value for this wonderfully robust, red licorice, raspberry, chocolate, plum and peppery wine; buy lots. (**** ½)
France (Rhone) …
Balma Venitia Terrasse Pavee Segruet Cotes du Rhone-Villages 2010 ($16.95 - #320192) – nice and juicy; this is simple bbq fare. (*** ½+)
Domaine de la Tete Noire Tradition Vacqueyras 2010 ($25.95 - #323667) – this one will take some sips to get used to but it’s well worth it. (****)
Germany …
Dr. Hermann 2007 Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Spatlese ($16.95 - #313528) – sweet yet balanced by the acidity; nice peach, hint of petrol; good value in an aged Riesling. (*** ½+)
Greece …
Alpha Estate 2008 Hedgehog Vineyard Xinomavro ($19.95 - #259762) – anise and caraway spice on the nose, dark berries, blueberry skin and black pepper on the palate. (*** ½+)
Italy (Marche) …
De Angelis 2009 Rosso Piceno Superiore ($14.95 - #324756) – earthy, leathery and herbal, but also with plum, blackberry that adds depth of flavour. (*** ½+)
Italy (Piedmont) …
Bera 2011 Moscato D’Asti ($16.95 - #317156) – it’s Mocato and that’s a good thing. (*** ½+)
Ferinando Principiano 2007 Serralunga Barolo ($42.95 - #210955) – elegance of spice, anise, herbs and dried red fruit. (****)
Principessa 2011 Gavia Gavi ($19.95 - #250696) – light and cheerful, green apple, floral and citrus. (*** ½)
Italy (Sicily) …
Cusumano Noa 2008 ($18.95 - #109512) – blackberry, cinnamon and a touch earthy. (*** ½+)
Italy (Tuscany) …
Castello di Monterinaldi 2007 Chianti Classico Riserva ($23.95 - #317370) – dark chocolate coated cherry and cranberry with peppery seasoning. (*** ½+)
Rocca delle Macie 2008 Ser Gioveto ($39.95 - #974964) – hint of oxidization adds to the enjoyment of the wine; dried cherry and freeze dried raspberry. (*** ½+)
Villa Cafaggio 2009 Chianti Classico ($20.95 - #176776) – juicy version of Chianti, mixing old world rusticity with new world drinkability. (*** ½+)
Italy (Veneto) …
Borin 2009 Vigna Costa Cabernet Sauvignon ($17.95 - #317610) – this wine is really very juicy, which is the best thing about it. (*** ½+)
Santi Vigneti di Monteforte Soave Classico 2011 ($14.95 - #316067) – lemon pith, grapefruit and a little pea pod. (*** ½)
New Zealand …
Cloudy Bay 2010 Pinot Noir ($37.95 - #598813) – pretty hefty red berries, especially black cherry and nicely seasoned. (****) - NZ
Cloudy Bay 2012 Sauvignon Blanc ($29.95 - #304469) – gentle and easy drinking if not a little straight forward for a New Zealand Savvy B. (*** ½) – NZ
Dog Point Vineyard 2011 Chardonnay ($39.95 - #238568) – a nice buttery-toastiness that has heavy wood notes and a good long finish. (*** ½) – NZ
Dog Point Vineyard 2012 Sauvignon Blanc ($23.95 - #677450) – toned down Sauv Blanc with soft grassy, gooseberry, flinty with grapefruit zest. (****) – NZ
Kim Crawford 2012 Sauvignon Blanc ($19.95 - #680983) – light citrus, apple pulp and lime pith. (*** ½) - NZ
Oyster Bay 2012 Sparkling Cuvee Rosé ($21.95 - #280172) – still delicate and delightful with hints of raspberry and strawberry on the nose; palate shows hints of raspberry-peach and good acidity. (****) - NZ
Portugal …
Delaforce 2009 Touriga Nacional ($18.95 - #324517) – black cherry, raspberry, chocolate with a touch of smoke and spice; there’s a nice juiciness and drinkability, good bbq wine. (****) – PORT
Monte Vilar 2011 Reserva ($14.95 - #276105) – full on cherry assault of the sense. (*** ½+) – PORT
Quinta de Ventozelo 2009 Reserva ($21.95 - #21329) – lusciously smooth and easy drinking. (*** ½+) - PORT
Vinhos Barbeito 5-Year-Old Boal Madeira ($15.95 - #325183) – caramel, toffee, lemon zest and vanilla cream; a lovely dessert wine. (****) – PORT
Spain …
Marques de Caceres 2005 Tinto Reserva ($24.95 - #702761) – plum, blackberry, chocolate and cinnamon. (*** ½+)
United States (California) …
Adelaida Cellars Estate 2009 Zinfandel ($33.95 - #312652) – rich, complex, a beauty of a bbq wine with nice pepper notes along with sweet raspberry and vanilla. (****+)
Beaulieu Vineyard 2010 BV Cabernet Sauvignon ($25.95 - #987420) – nice drinkable Cab with good dark and red fruit mix. (*** ½)
Brewer-Clifton 2009 Mount Carmel Pinot Noir ($64.95 - #311647) – succulent and juicy style of Pinot: berries, cherries and spice. (****+)
Estancia 2011 Pinot Noir ($20.95 - #421586) – lots and lots of red fruit, juicy and easy drinking. (****)
Kendal-Jackson 2010 Grand Reserve Chardonnay ($27.95 - #59576) – has an easy elegance, lovely peach and apple with enough balancing creaminess to make it exciting. (****)
Uvaggio 2009 Barbara ($22.95 - #317750) – another Italian migrates to California and becomes a juicy fruity wine with touches of spice. (****)
If You Can Afford It – wines worth their lofty price tag …
Chalk Hill 2010 Chardonnay ($57.95 - #706580) - ****
Merry Edwards 2009 Pinot Noir ($54.95 - #656850) - ****+
Opus One 2009 ($385.00 - #26310) - ****
What I’ll Be Lining Up For – Saturday April 13, 2013 …
Maycas del Limari 2009 Reserve Especial Chardonnay ($19.95 - #162040) – Chile
Norman Hardie 2011 County Unfiltered Pinot Noir ($35.00 - #125310) - Ontario
Domaine des Marrans 2011 Fleurie ($19.95 - #324897) – France
Le Cirque 2011 Carignan/Mourvedre/Syrah ($15.95 - #277079) – France
Happy Shopping
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