Thursday, August 15, 2013

Saturday August 17, 2013 - Vintages Release Report


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 … Aussie Whites (AW) and The Other Italy (OI)
The Skinny … A rather sparse and under-whelming Aussie White focus and a so-so Italy look makes this a prime candidate for the summertime blues … but there are three Chardonnays that save the day (Ontario / Burgundy / Oregon) and a Zin worthy of a backyard BBQ (California).

Argentina …
Dieter Meier Puro Corte 2010 ($16.95 - #305094) – chocolate, white pepper and black cherry. (*** ½+)
Fabre Montmayou 2010 Gran Reserva Malbec ($19.95 - #279802) – juicy raspberry, plum and spice. (*** ½+)
Sottano 2009 Reserva de Familia Cabernet Sauvingon ($24.95 - #324707) – nice herbal, chocolate, vanilla, plum with a nice spice-tannin finish. (****)

Australia …
Bird in the Hand 2011 Sparkling Pinot Noir ($19.95 - #327429) – just of touch of colour to this bubbly with a funny little melon note along with nice acidity and strawberry. (*** ½)
Bird in the Hand Two in the Bush 2011 Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.95 - #327759) – cocoa-cherry with grippy tannins. (*** ½+)
D’Arenberg 2011 The Hermit Crab Viognier/Marsanne ($18.95 - #662775) – pear skin, peach pit and spiced pineapple. (*** ½+) - AW
Paxton 2011 MV Shiraz ($17.95 - #327403) – peppery, blackberry, cassis with real presence on the palate. (****)

Canada (British Columbia) …
Quails’ Gate 2011 Pinot Noir ($26.95 - #585760) – lots of raspberry, mocha with spiced cranberry on the finish. (****)
Canada (Ontario) … click on wine name for full review
Coffin Ridge 2012 Bone Dry Riesling ($17.00 - #232744) - ****
Daniel Lenko 2010 Old Vines Chardonnay ($22.95 - #352328) - ****
Fielding 2012 Unoaked Chardonnay ($14.95 - #164491) - *** ½+
Good Earth 2012 Betty’s Blend ($17.95 - #327791) - ****
Henry of Pelham 2010 Family Tree Red ($18.95 - #247882) - ****
Palatine Hills 2012 Neufeld Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc ($18.00 - #352344) - *** ½+
Sunnybrook 2011 Cherry Blossom Wine ($18.95 - #331082) - ****

France (Beaujolais) …
Domaine des Houdieres 2011 Fleurie ($16.95 - #342725) – spiced cherry with a meaty middle. (*** ½+)
France (Bordeaux) …
Chateau Haut Colombier 2009 ($17.95 - #336891) – mocha and spice with cassis and some chalky notes. (*** ½+)
Chateau la Fleur Grands Landes Fleur Carrere 2010 ($17.95 - #336909) – smoky, meaty, leathery and mocha; quite interesting. (*** ½+)
Chateau Prieure Canteloup 2009 ($18.85 - #194415) – dark berries, coffee and spice; drinks well right now. (*** ½+)
Cheval Quancard 2011 Reserve Sauvignon/Semillon ($14.95 - #336842)- dry white with some smoky notes, grilled tropical fruit like guava and papaya with a chalky finish. (*** ½+)
France (Burgundy) …
Domaine de la Croix Senaillet Saint-Veran ($22.95 - #337832) – pleasant palate with lemon-lime, and nice minerality also look for hints of melon on the finish; very fresh tasting. (****+)
France (Champagne) …
Jacquart Mosaique Brut Champagne ($44.95 - #664672) – biscuity, honeycomb, beeswax and lanolin with bits of lemon curd. (****)
France (Rhone) …
Domaine Grand Veneur 2010 Clos de Sixte Lirac ($23.95 - #076349) – lots of dark fruit with elements of spice and pepper to even it out. (****)
Domaine Lafond 2012 Roc-Epine Tavel Rose ($17.95 - #950709) – pretty in pink with raspberry and strawberry, hints of watermelon and mineral, nice dry finish with peppered notes. (*** ½+)
Domaine Marie Blanche Cotes du Rhone Villages Signargues 2010 ($16.95 - #328179) – lots of juicy red and black berries. (****)

Germany …
Schmitges Erdener Treppchen Riesling Spatlese 2011 ($25.95 - #336180) – great mineral, citrus, and talc; dried apple and some spice also make an appearance, very pretty.  This will catch you off guard; it’s a Spatlese with a nice drying ability. (****)

Italy (Abruzzo) …
Talamonti 2008 Tre Saggi Montepulciano D’Abruzzo ($15.95 - #204016) – vanilla, cherry and spice. (*** ½+) – OI
Italy (Alto Adige / Trentino) …
Mezzacorona 2009 Teroldego Rotaliano Riserva ($15.95 - #732222) – lots of fruit, red and black, with licorice and clove notes. (****) – OI
Italy (Calabria) …
Ippolito 1845 Calabrise Rosso 2011 ($19.95 - #338970) – nice spiced cherry with dark cocoa. (*** ½+) - OI
Italy (Campania) …
Terredora Loggia della Serra Greco di Tufo 2011 ($17.95 - #983197) – has a real mouth presence with smoky vanilla and grilled pineapple. (****) - OI
Italy (Lazio) …
Cantine Volpetti 2011 Le Piantate ($15.95 - #344242) – think of liquid good and plentys with cherry syrup. (*** ½+) - OI
Italy (Sardinia) …
Argiolas Perdera 2010 ($17.95 - #297556) – sweet cherry with hints of licorice. (****) - OI
Italy (Tuscany) …
Caparzo 2010 Rosso di Montalcino ($19.95 - #333575) – nice red fruit based easy drinking red with a little spiced plum and some herbal notes on the finish. (*** ½+)
Volpaia 2010 Chianti Classico ($24.95 - #953828) – juicy beginning leads to some herbs and spice on the finish. (****)
Italy (Umbria) …
Villa Mora 2008 Montefalco Sagrantino ($19.95 - #342394) – dark fruit, anise and herbs. (*** ½+) – OI
Italy (Veneto) …
Pasqua 2010 Black Label Ripasso Valpolicella Superiore ($18.95 - #203968) – smooth, easy drinking, blackberry, plum and black cherry with hints of spiced mocha on finish. (*** ½+)

New Zealand …
HaHa 2011 Pinot Noir ($21.95 - #331116) – juicy blackberry and cassis with vanilla and spice. (*** ½+)
Spinyback 2012 Sauvignon Blanc ($18.95 - #694737) – the nose is grassy but the palate is grapefruit/passionfruit cocktail. (****)

Portugal …
Burro Velho Aragones/Syrah 2010 ($14.95 - #342774) – cherry and chocolate by the truck load. (****)

Spain …
Finca Nueva 2008 Crianza ($16.95 - #292763) – plenty of vanilla and spiced cherry. (*** ½+)
Jose Pariente Verdejo 2012 ($16.95 - #345058) – crisp with grapefruit pith, floral and mineral with a little smokiness. (*** ½)
Torres 2010 Celeste Crianza ($22.95 - #210872) – fruit forward with spice backing a nicely balanced finish. (****)
Totus Tuus Reserva Cava ($15.95 - #226282) – nice lemon and apple crispness. (*** ½+)

United States (California) …
Cline 2011 Ancient Vines Zinfandel ($19.95 - #719211) – it’s the usual vanilla, cola, cherry, and raspberry; in this case usual is a good thing. (****+)
First Press 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon ($21.95 - #188110) – nice blackberry and black cherry with lots of juicy fruit and a little spice; ready to drink. (*** ½+)
J. Lohr 2011 October Night Chardonnay ($26.95 - #225375) – vanilla cream seems to be the saving grace of this Chard. (*** ½+)
Truchard 2011 Chardonnay ($34.95 - #060459) – sweet fruited and tropical with pear and vanilla notes; there’s also a nice bite back on the lingering finish. (****)
United States (Oregon) …
Carabella 2009 Dijon 76 Clone Chardonnay ($26.95 - #180133) – big and creamy with nice tropical notes, plenty of vanilla and creamy peach. (****+)
Elk Cove 2011 Pinot Noir ($37.95 - #234534) – plenty of sweet, juicy cherry with herbs and spice … also available in 375ml size. (*** ½+)
United States (Washington) …
Chateau Ste. Michelle 2009 Canoe Ridge Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ($35.95 - #955617) – smooth with chocolate, pepper and cherry. (****)
Columbia Crest 2010 H3 Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.95 - #210047) – juicy with plum, vanilla and cherry cola. (*** ½+)


What I’ll Be Lining Up For – August 17, 2013 …
Carabella 2009 Dijon 76 Clone Chardonnay ($26.95 - #180133) – Oregon, USA
Cline 2011 Ancient Vines Zinfandel ($19.95 - #719211) – California, USA
Daniel Lenko 2010 Old Vines Chardonnay ($22.95 - #352328) – Ontario, Canada
Domaine de la Croix Senaillet Saint-Veran ($22.95 - #337832) – Burgundy, France


Happy Shopping



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