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 … Our Finest (FINE) and Premium Spirits (not tasted)
The Skinny … Lots of expensive wines are part of the ‘Our Finest’ collection released this time out, bargain wines are few and far between this time of year. If you’re looking for a few bargains take a look at the What I’m Lining Up For section.
The Skinny … Lots of expensive wines are part of the ‘Our Finest’ collection released this time out, bargain wines are few and far between this time of year. If you’re looking for a few bargains take a look at the What I’m Lining Up For section.
Argentina …
Mendel 2010 Malbec ($24.95 - #108225) – soft and juicy with blackberry and a brambly consistency. (*** ½+)
Susana Balbo 2011 Signature Malbec ($19.95 - #79798) – milk chocolate and mint with hints of mineral and a nice smokiness; finish is black cherry with a strong mocha latte finish. (****)
Canada (Ontario) …
Bachelder 2011 Lowrey Vineyard Pinot Noir ($44.95 - #361816) - **** ½
Creekside 2010 Broken Press Reserve Syrah ($39.95 - #202127) - *** ½+ (FINE)
Daniel Lenko 2010 Old Vines Merlot ($34.95 - #75622) - ****
Featherstone 2012 Black Sheep Riesling ($16.95 - #80234) - **** ½
Mendel 2010 Malbec ($24.95 - #108225) – soft and juicy with blackberry and a brambly consistency. (*** ½+)
Susana Balbo 2011 Signature Malbec ($19.95 - #79798) – milk chocolate and mint with hints of mineral and a nice smokiness; finish is black cherry with a strong mocha latte finish. (****)
Canada (Ontario) …
Bachelder 2011 Lowrey Vineyard Pinot Noir ($44.95 - #361816) - **** ½
Creekside 2010 Broken Press Reserve Syrah ($39.95 - #202127) - *** ½+ (FINE)
Daniel Lenko 2010 Old Vines Merlot ($34.95 - #75622) - ****
Featherstone 2012 Black Sheep Riesling ($16.95 - #80234) - **** ½
Flat Rock 2011 Gravity Pinot Noir ($29.95 - #001560) - *** 1/2+
Hidden Bench 2011 Estate Pinot Noir ($32.95 - #274753) - *** ½+
Palatine Hills 2010 Neufeld Vineyard Meritage ($29.95 - #361378) - ****+
Rosewood 2011 Pinot Noir ($21.95 - #112177) - *** ½+
Stratus 2010 Red ($44.20 - #131037) - **** (FINE)
Stratus 2010 White ($44.20 - #660704) - *** ½ (FINE)
Union 2007 Fortified “Forte” ($16.95 - #361758) - **** ½
Chile …
Koyle 2010 Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon ($15.95 - #256073) – pure minty blackberry, cassis and sweet blueberry. (*** ½+)
Santa Carolina 2010 Gran Reserva Chardonnay ($14.95 - #928580) – nice spiciness with juicy grilled pineapple. (*** ½+)
France (Alsace) …
Hauller Muenchberg 2011 Riesling ($21.95 - #360370) – peach, mineral and citrus, hints of pear and floral nuances with pleasant linger on the finish. (****)
Ruhlmann 2011 Vieilles Vignes Gewurztraminer ($19.95 - #982082) – soft and mellow with rose petal and a juiciness rather than spiciness along, with a nice hit of orange blossom. (*** ½+)
France (Beaujolais) …
Chateau du Chatelard 2011 Cuvee Les Vieux Granits Fleurie ($20.95 - #207886) – black cherry and white pepper; this one has some edginess. (****)
France (Bordeaux) …
Chateau D’Escurac 2009 ($24.95 - #191197) – there’s a welcoming sweetness of dark fruit. (*** ½+)
Chateau Potensac 2009 ($41.85 - #197780) – blackberry, black currant, spice, cinnamon, smoky and dark cocoa; finesse with good ageability. (****+)
Chateau Puy Blanquet 2009 ($25.85 - #192989) – sour black cherry and spice. (*** ½+)
Domaine de Viaud 2001 ($28.95 - #282475) – great chance to buy a Bordeaux wine without waiting to drink it: in other words it is pre-aged. (*** ½+)
France (Burgundy) …
Domaine Deliance Ruban Vert Brut Cremant de Bourgogne ($19.95 - #355917) – crisp with nice minerality and acid bite, a touch of floral with nice citrus notes. (*** ½+)
La Chablisienne 2010 Montmains Chablis 1er Cru ($28.95 - #265090) – lime meringue character with elements of spice and baked apple. (*** ½+)
France (Rhone) …
Domaine Cros de Romet 2011 Cairanne Cotes du Rhone Villages ($23.95 - #42986) – fruit is forefront with raspberry, cherry and plum with hints of chocolate, white pepper and delicately spiced; this one is real pretty. (****+)
Italy (Marche) …
Costa Farnal Prosecco ($19.95 - #358382) – cute little bulbous bubbles that come off creamy with nice acidity and a pleasant apple and lemon note. (****)
Italy (Sardinia) …
Jerzu Chuerra Riserva Cannonau di Sardegna 2008 ($16.95 - #270272) – juicy red berries with an herbal quality; this one grows on you with raspberry and nice acidity and coffee-like finish, (****)
Italy (Tuscany) …
Ricasoli Brolio Chianti Classico 2010 ($23.95 - #003962) – juicy and easy drinking with sweet cherry and ripe strawberry. (****)
Rocca di Castagnoli 2009 Poggio A’Frati Chianti Classico Riserva ($29.95 - #023358) – raspberry and herbal quality with nice acidity. (*** ½+)
Tenuta San Guido 2011 Guidalberto ($49.95 - #72439) – dark fruit and chocolate with a clash of white pepper and nice blackberry intensity; long and lingering finish. (****)
Tenuta Sette Ponti 2010 Crognolo ($31.95 - #727636) – interestingly spicy with an intensity of dark fruit, cherry and full flavoured. (****)
Portugal …
Offley 10 Year Old Tawny Port ($25.95 - #297788) – love the complexity and layers in this tawny: orange zest, caramel and plenty of spice with good acidity on the finish. (****)
Ramos Pinto Collection 2009 ($29.95 - #341875) – comes off thin at first but has nice fruit and good acidity. (*** ½+)
Spain …
Domini de la Cartoixa Formiga de Galena 2009 ($25.95 - #344671) – never mind the ants on the label this one is far from pesky: big red berry fruit of cherry, strawberry and plum. (*** ½+)
Vega Sauco Adoremus Tinta de Toro ($19.95 - #26881) – smoky, vanilla spice and chocolate with lots of plum to drive it. (*** ½+)
United States (California) …
Belle Glos 2011 Las Alturas Vineyard Pinot Noir ($44.95 - #212076) – it’s a nice wine but it sure does not come across as Pinot with its plum, chocolate and black cherry. (****)
Beringer 2010 Merlot ($34.95 - #919647) – juicy, method and cherry with peppered-raspberry backing. (*** ½+)
J Lohr 2010 Hilltop Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ($39.95 - #686584) – juicy, almost sweet fruited with mocha, blackberry and black cherry; this has lots going for it. (****)
Peachy Canyon 2011 Westside Zinfandel ($26.95 - #930644) – plenty to be excited about here: vanilla, cherry, plum, Christmas spice on the nose, along with cherry, blackberry jam and mocha highlight the palate. (****+)
Roederer Estate Brut Rosé ($36.95 - #479758) – peach and raspberry palate with mineral, lemon and biscotti on the nose. (****)
If You Can Afford It – wines worth their high price …
Ambullneo Vineyards 2007 Fang Blanc ($62.95 - #357541) – California, USA (****) – FINE
Antinori 2010 Solaia ($251.95 - #987586) – Tuscany, Italy (****+) – FINE
Catena Zapata 2009 Nicolas Catena Zapata ($109.95 - #662072) – Argentina (****+) – FINE
Chateau de Beaucastel 2011 Chateauneuf-du-Pape ($89.95 - #711317) – Rhone, France (****+) – FINE
Dunn Vineyards 2009 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon ($109.95 - #193763) – California, USA (****) - FINE
Elderton 2009 Command Single Vineyard Shiraz ($89.95 - #716142) – Australia (****) – FINE
Krug Grande Cuvee Brut Champagne ($271.95 - #38562) – Champagne, France (****+) – FINE
Masi 2006 Campolongo di Torbe Amarone della Valpolicella Classico ($99.95 - #548677) – Veneto, Italy (****+) – FINE
Masi 2006 Mazzano Amarone della Valpolicella Classico ($99.95 - #215764) – Veneto, Italy (*** ½+) – FINE
Mollydooker 2010 Carnival of Love ($99.95 - #242743) – Australia (****) – FINE
Ornellaia 2010 ($189.95 - #722470) – Tuscany, Italy (****+) – FINE
Pahlmeyer 2009 Proprietary Red ($159.95 - #329375) – California, USA (**** ½) – FINE
Paul Hobbs 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon ($89.95 - #119065) – California, USA (****) – FINE
Quinta do Portal 2003 Vintage Port ($58.95 - #345041) – Portugal (****+) - FINE
Rodney Strong 2009 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($59.95 - #382325) – California, USA (*** ½+) – FINE
Silver Oak 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon ($134.95 - #936039) – California, USA (*** ½+) – FINE
What I’ll Be Lining Up For – November 23, 2013 …
Domaine Cros de Romet 2011 Cairanne Cotes du Rhone Villages ($23.95 - #42986) – France
Susana Balbo 2011 Signature Malbec ($19.95 - #79798) – Argentina
Hidden Bench 2011 Estate Pinot Noir ($32.95 - #274753) - *** ½+
Palatine Hills 2010 Neufeld Vineyard Meritage ($29.95 - #361378) - ****+
Rosewood 2011 Pinot Noir ($21.95 - #112177) - *** ½+
Stratus 2010 Red ($44.20 - #131037) - **** (FINE)
Stratus 2010 White ($44.20 - #660704) - *** ½ (FINE)
Union 2007 Fortified “Forte” ($16.95 - #361758) - **** ½
Chile …
Koyle 2010 Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon ($15.95 - #256073) – pure minty blackberry, cassis and sweet blueberry. (*** ½+)
Santa Carolina 2010 Gran Reserva Chardonnay ($14.95 - #928580) – nice spiciness with juicy grilled pineapple. (*** ½+)
France (Alsace) …
Hauller Muenchberg 2011 Riesling ($21.95 - #360370) – peach, mineral and citrus, hints of pear and floral nuances with pleasant linger on the finish. (****)
Ruhlmann 2011 Vieilles Vignes Gewurztraminer ($19.95 - #982082) – soft and mellow with rose petal and a juiciness rather than spiciness along, with a nice hit of orange blossom. (*** ½+)
France (Beaujolais) …
Chateau du Chatelard 2011 Cuvee Les Vieux Granits Fleurie ($20.95 - #207886) – black cherry and white pepper; this one has some edginess. (****)
France (Bordeaux) …
Chateau D’Escurac 2009 ($24.95 - #191197) – there’s a welcoming sweetness of dark fruit. (*** ½+)
Chateau Potensac 2009 ($41.85 - #197780) – blackberry, black currant, spice, cinnamon, smoky and dark cocoa; finesse with good ageability. (****+)
Chateau Puy Blanquet 2009 ($25.85 - #192989) – sour black cherry and spice. (*** ½+)
Domaine de Viaud 2001 ($28.95 - #282475) – great chance to buy a Bordeaux wine without waiting to drink it: in other words it is pre-aged. (*** ½+)
France (Burgundy) …
Domaine Deliance Ruban Vert Brut Cremant de Bourgogne ($19.95 - #355917) – crisp with nice minerality and acid bite, a touch of floral with nice citrus notes. (*** ½+)
La Chablisienne 2010 Montmains Chablis 1er Cru ($28.95 - #265090) – lime meringue character with elements of spice and baked apple. (*** ½+)
France (Rhone) …
Domaine Cros de Romet 2011 Cairanne Cotes du Rhone Villages ($23.95 - #42986) – fruit is forefront with raspberry, cherry and plum with hints of chocolate, white pepper and delicately spiced; this one is real pretty. (****+)
Italy (Marche) …
Costa Farnal Prosecco ($19.95 - #358382) – cute little bulbous bubbles that come off creamy with nice acidity and a pleasant apple and lemon note. (****)
Italy (Sardinia) …
Jerzu Chuerra Riserva Cannonau di Sardegna 2008 ($16.95 - #270272) – juicy red berries with an herbal quality; this one grows on you with raspberry and nice acidity and coffee-like finish, (****)
Italy (Tuscany) …
Ricasoli Brolio Chianti Classico 2010 ($23.95 - #003962) – juicy and easy drinking with sweet cherry and ripe strawberry. (****)
Rocca di Castagnoli 2009 Poggio A’Frati Chianti Classico Riserva ($29.95 - #023358) – raspberry and herbal quality with nice acidity. (*** ½+)
Tenuta San Guido 2011 Guidalberto ($49.95 - #72439) – dark fruit and chocolate with a clash of white pepper and nice blackberry intensity; long and lingering finish. (****)
Tenuta Sette Ponti 2010 Crognolo ($31.95 - #727636) – interestingly spicy with an intensity of dark fruit, cherry and full flavoured. (****)
Portugal …
Offley 10 Year Old Tawny Port ($25.95 - #297788) – love the complexity and layers in this tawny: orange zest, caramel and plenty of spice with good acidity on the finish. (****)
Ramos Pinto Collection 2009 ($29.95 - #341875) – comes off thin at first but has nice fruit and good acidity. (*** ½+)
Spain …
Domini de la Cartoixa Formiga de Galena 2009 ($25.95 - #344671) – never mind the ants on the label this one is far from pesky: big red berry fruit of cherry, strawberry and plum. (*** ½+)
Vega Sauco Adoremus Tinta de Toro ($19.95 - #26881) – smoky, vanilla spice and chocolate with lots of plum to drive it. (*** ½+)
United States (California) …
Belle Glos 2011 Las Alturas Vineyard Pinot Noir ($44.95 - #212076) – it’s a nice wine but it sure does not come across as Pinot with its plum, chocolate and black cherry. (****)
Beringer 2010 Merlot ($34.95 - #919647) – juicy, method and cherry with peppered-raspberry backing. (*** ½+)
J Lohr 2010 Hilltop Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ($39.95 - #686584) – juicy, almost sweet fruited with mocha, blackberry and black cherry; this has lots going for it. (****)
Peachy Canyon 2011 Westside Zinfandel ($26.95 - #930644) – plenty to be excited about here: vanilla, cherry, plum, Christmas spice on the nose, along with cherry, blackberry jam and mocha highlight the palate. (****+)
Roederer Estate Brut Rosé ($36.95 - #479758) – peach and raspberry palate with mineral, lemon and biscotti on the nose. (****)
If You Can Afford It – wines worth their high price …
Ambullneo Vineyards 2007 Fang Blanc ($62.95 - #357541) – California, USA (****) – FINE
Antinori 2010 Solaia ($251.95 - #987586) – Tuscany, Italy (****+) – FINE
Catena Zapata 2009 Nicolas Catena Zapata ($109.95 - #662072) – Argentina (****+) – FINE
Chateau de Beaucastel 2011 Chateauneuf-du-Pape ($89.95 - #711317) – Rhone, France (****+) – FINE
Dunn Vineyards 2009 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon ($109.95 - #193763) – California, USA (****) - FINE
Elderton 2009 Command Single Vineyard Shiraz ($89.95 - #716142) – Australia (****) – FINE
Krug Grande Cuvee Brut Champagne ($271.95 - #38562) – Champagne, France (****+) – FINE
Masi 2006 Campolongo di Torbe Amarone della Valpolicella Classico ($99.95 - #548677) – Veneto, Italy (****+) – FINE
Masi 2006 Mazzano Amarone della Valpolicella Classico ($99.95 - #215764) – Veneto, Italy (*** ½+) – FINE
Mollydooker 2010 Carnival of Love ($99.95 - #242743) – Australia (****) – FINE
Ornellaia 2010 ($189.95 - #722470) – Tuscany, Italy (****+) – FINE
Pahlmeyer 2009 Proprietary Red ($159.95 - #329375) – California, USA (**** ½) – FINE
Paul Hobbs 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon ($89.95 - #119065) – California, USA (****) – FINE
Quinta do Portal 2003 Vintage Port ($58.95 - #345041) – Portugal (****+) - FINE
Rodney Strong 2009 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($59.95 - #382325) – California, USA (*** ½+) – FINE
Silver Oak 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon ($134.95 - #936039) – California, USA (*** ½+) – FINE
What I’ll Be Lining Up For – November 23, 2013 …
Domaine Cros de Romet 2011 Cairanne Cotes du Rhone Villages ($23.95 - #42986) – France
Susana Balbo 2011 Signature Malbec ($19.95 - #79798) – Argentina
Happy Shopping
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