Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Saturday January 4, 2014 - 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 … Smart Buys (SB)
The Skinny … This is the annual LCBO Crap-a-Thon, the traditional dumping ground for wines that didn’t make it through the rest of the year – there are some good values to be had for decent prices, and not all of them are part of the focus; which makes me wonder: what constitutes a “Smart Buy”?

Argentina …
Valle Las Acequias Oak Malbec 2007 ($16.95 - #138412) – slight bit of everything here: spice, red and dark fruit, vanilla and some toasted notes. (*** ½+) – SB
Yauquen 2012 Bonarda ($14.95 - #360115) – soft and juicy, worth trying if you’ve never had Bonarda before. (*** ½+)

Australia …
Domaine Tournon Mathilda Shiraz 2011 ($19.95 - #327395) – Shiraz by way of the Rhone valley, more pepper and smoked meat than jammy ripe fruit.  (****) – SB
Magpie Estate 2009 The Call Bag ($21.95 - #203067) vanilla, spiced-plum and raspberry; quite tasty. (****)

Austria …
Rabl 2011 Kittmanberg Gruner Veltliner ($14.95 - #346007) – pea pod and sweet lemon citrus with a touch of something stony and even a little melon rind.  (*** ½+)

Canada (Ontario) click on wine name for full review
13th Street 2012 Merlot ($17.95 - #270504)
Flat Rock 2012 Riesling ($16.95 - #043281) - SB

Chile …
Casas del Bosque 2012 Reserva Sauvignon Blanc ($13.95 - #374717) – tropically tinged with plenty of grassy notes and a long finish. (*** ½+)
Estampa 2010 Assemblage Reserve Syrah/Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot ($14.95 - #350082) – hello mint, dark fruit and chocolate; hello Chile.  (****)

France (Bordeaux) …
Chateau Caronne Ste. Gemme 2009 ($25.85 - #191460) – nice coffee bean nose leads to a mocha, vanilla, spice and dark fruited palate; nice balance of acidity and tannins. (****)
Chateau Haut Beyzac Cuvee O’Peyrat 2009 ($22.95 - #362020) – pleasant vanilla and cinnamon mixes with mocha and dark fruit. (*** ½+)
France (Burgundy) …
Maison Roche de Bellene 2011 Cuvee Reserve Bourgogne Pinot Noir ($17.95 - #299859) – nice spice, earthy, sour cherry and strawberry; nice Pinot Noir especially for the price. (****+)
France (Loire) …
Domaine Bonnard 2012 Sancerre ($22.95 - #140525) – elements of grass, gooseberry and stony; very pleasant.  (*** ½+)
Domaine Jacky Marteau 2012 Sauvignon Touraine ($13.95 - #745349) – green pear, lime skin and citrus pith. (*** ½+)
France (Midi) …
Chateau La Bastide 2010 ($13.95 - #360487) – dark fruit and gentle spice mix. (*** ½+)
Domaine de l’Arjolle 2011 Z de L’Arjolle Zinfandel ($19.95 - #346072) – yes, a Zinfandel from France:  smoky, tar, vanilla, blackberry, well-balanced, smooth and supple, really interesting and quite complex definitely one for the curious. (****)
France (Rhone) …
Pierre Amadieu 2011 La Grangeliere Vacqueyras ($21.95 - #076398) – raspberry and cassis on the palate with a nice cherry presence and acid kick. (****) – SB

Germany …
Bischofliche Weinguter Trier Dom Riesling 2011 ($16.95 - #359596) – has the right mix of stony talc, apple and peach pits with nice acidity for balance. (****) - SB

Italy (Piedmont) …
La Pieve 2009 Barolo ($29.95 - #213132) – sweet strawberry nose, gentle herbs and sweet dried fruit, good acidity and hints of tannin. (****) - SB
Italy (Sicily) …
Cusumano 2010 Noa ($19.95 - #109512) – rich black fruit with touches of cocoa, chocolate-mocha on the palate, a little vanilla and leather; quite robust. (****) – SB
Italy (Tuscany) …
Geografico Montegiachi Chianti Classico Riserva 2009 ($24.95 - #962142) – rustic and smoky, earthy, herbal and good tannins backbone. (*** ½+)

New Zealand …
Clifford Bay 2011 Pinot Noir ($19.95 - #309500) – lifted fruit with good acidity and an intense finish. (****)

Portugal …
Aguia Moura em Vinhas Velhas Reserva Tinto 2008 ($16.95 - #354738) – soft, supple and juicy with nice black cherry and plum. (****)
Calem Special Reserve Tawny Port ($17.95 - #349365) – spiced orange peel and hazelnuts: nutty, spicy with good acidity and orange-caramel on the finish. (****)

Spain …
Adaro 2009 ($29.95 - #345686) – chocolaty notes that make the wine quite appealing. (*** ½+)
Olivares Altos de la Hoya Monastrell 2011 ($13.95 - #163154) – raspberry and plum with intermingling of cherry; a real pleasant sipper. (*** ½+)

United States (California) …
Beaulieu Vineyard 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon ($34.95 - #203828) – plenty of chocolate and blackberry with black cherry and spice. (****)
Ca’Momi 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon ($21.95 - #315002) – mocha and chocolate, cassis and vanilla; interesting and atypical but tasty and worth it. (****) - SB
Cline 2012 Viognier ($17.95 - #128421) – melon and pineapple with hints of peach skin and some strong ginger notes. (*** ½+)
Kendall-Jackson 2010 Avant Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.95 - #353060) – big hit of cherry and ripe blackberry greet the nose and then follow on the palate. (****)
Ravenswood 2011 Vintners Blend Petite Sirah ($18.95 - #161554) – brambly and blackberry with black cherry and a nice touch of peppered-plums. (*** ½+)


What I’ll Be Lining Up For – January 4, 2014 …
Bischofliche Weinguter Trier Dom Riesling 2011 ($16.95 - #359596) – Germany
Ca’Momi 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon ($21.95 - #315002) – United States
Domaine de l’Arjolle 2011 Z de L’Arjolle Zinfandel ($19.95 - #346072) - France
Maison Roche de Bellene 2011 Cuvee Reserve Bourgogne Pinot Noir ($17.95 - #299859) - France

Happy Shopping



Monday, December 30, 2013

In-Store Discoveries Appearing on Shelves January 4 & 18, 2014

“ISD”s are In-Store Discoveries, these are wines that seem to just appear on the shelves of your local Vintages outlet.  Finally the LCBO has allowed the media the opportunity to taste and review these wines.

Between the two dates 15 wines are being released, here are scores for 10 of them.

Three-and-a-Half Plus Star Wines (*** ½+) …
Clos Floridene Blanc 2010 ($32.85 - #254862) … Bordeaux, France (01/04)
Chevalier de Lascombes 2010 ($49.85 - #257014) … Bordeaux, France (01/04)
J.L. Chave Selection Offerus Saint-Joseph ($33.95 - #359109) ... Rhone, France (01/04)
Massimo Rivetti Froi Reserva Barbaresco ($43.95 - #122713) ... Piedmont, Italy (01/18)

Four Star Wines (****) …
Domaine des Baumard 2010 Clos de Saint Yves Savennieres ($31.95 - #016717) ... Loire, France (01/04)
Chateau Poujeaux ($52.85 - #257758) … Bordeaux, France (01/04)
Domaine de Chevalier 2010 ($124.85 - #259374) … Bordeaux, France (01/04)
Clos Teddi Patrimonio Tradition 2011 ($23.95 - #365304) … Corsica, France (01/18)

Four-Plus Star Wines (****+) …
Chateau Raymond-Lafon 2009 ($34.85 - #195867) … Bordeaux, France (01/04)
Mirafiore Paiagallo Barolo 2008 ($49.95 - #348284) … Piedmont, Italy (01/18)


Thursday, December 5, 2013

Saturday December 7, 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 … Sparkling wine (FIZZ) and “Holiday Gathering” wine (HG)
The Skinny … Never understood these foci, I mean I get the sparkling but what are the criteria for Holiday Gathering wines, it seems so arbitrary.  Anyway, this is the last Vintages release of the year, there are some pretty good wines in the release, but there is also some surprising duds – you would think at this time of year the board would pull out all the stops.

Argentina …
Callejon del Crimen 2008 Gran Reserva Malbec ($22.95 - #357467) – black cherry and spiced cocoa, this one shows something interesting in a Malbec. (*** ½+)
Finca Flichman 2010 Paisaje de Barrancas ($17.95 - #17129) – nice price for something smooth and tasty with dark berries and slick peppery goodness. (*** ½+)
Pascual Toso Barrancas Vineyards 2010 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.95 - #83337) – red fruit dominate, a nice sipper. (*** ½+) - HG

Australia …
Ben Glaetzer 2012 Bishop Shiraz ($39.95 - #627869) – dark, sweet blackberry and black cherry with a hit of vanilla on the finish. (****)
Saltram 2010 Mamre Brook Shiraz ($26.95 - #32227) – intensity of blackberry and chocolate with a touch of vanilla-wood on the finish with hearty tannins. (*** ½+) – HG
Small Gully 2009 The Formula Robert’s Shiraz ($18.95 - #142935) – just what the doctor ordered with lots of that sweet Aussie fruit. (*** ½+)

Austria …
Brundlmayer 2012 Kamptaler Terrassen Gruner Veltliner ($21.95 - #979708) – pea pod and grapefruit all with racy acidity. (*** ½+)

Canada (British Columbia) …
Burrowing Owl 2010 Meritage ($59.95 - #343038) – this one shows some real finesse and elegance, there is nothing over-powering but nothing takes away either: fruit with well-balanced oak and good acidity this wine is dark, brooding and delicious. (**** ½)
Sperling Vineyards 2011 Old Vines Riesling ($34.95 - #361204) – apple and a touch of lemonade and peach pit with just the right amount of mineral and acidity on the finish. (****)
Canada (Ontario) … click on wine name for full review
Cave Spring 2009 Estate Bottled Pinot Noir ($34.95 - #246561) - *** ½+
Cave Spring 2008 Estate Cabernet Franc ($24.95 - #72751) - *** ½+
Flat Rock Cellars 2008 Riddled Sparkling Wine ($24.95 - #187377) – **** (FIZZ)
Henry of Pelham 2009 Estate Pinot Noir ($24.95 - #268391) - ****

Chile …
Vina Casablanca 2010 El Bosque Carmenere ($15.95 - #199836) – big minty nose with white pepper, blackberry, black cherry, and a nice toastiness; good value and long finish. (****) - HG

France (Alsace) …
Andre Blanck et ses Fils 2012 Clos Schwendi Pinot Gris ($18.95 - #686311) – pleasant sweet notes, very easy drinking with good acidity on finish to balance the sweetness. (*** ½+) – HG
Joseph Cattin 2011 Gewurztraminer ($17.95 - #224626) – spicy notes on a gentle palate with lots of floral and perfumed notes; doesn’t come off too sweet and there’s a touch of apricot on the mid-palate. (****)
France (Beaujolais) …
Laurent Gauthier 2011 Grand Cras Vieilles Morgon ($17.95 - #279059) – delicious and delightful, serious and complex, lots of wild cherry and white pepper with and intense nose and palate. (****+) - HG
France (Bordeaux) …
Chateau Clement Saint-Jean 2010 ($22.95 - #348771) – smooth with drying tannins, rich blackberry and cassis with cedary-cinnamon backing. (*** ½+) – HG
Chateau Le Conseiller 2009 ($23.85 - #191130) – smooth with blueberry skin and mocha. (****)
France (Burgundy) …
Charles Duret Brut Cremant de Bourgogne ($18.95 - #185694) – buttered toast complete with the crusts left on and all balanced with that nice acidity. (*** ½+) – FIZZ
Domaine Jean-Pierre Seve 2011 Terroir Pouilly-Fuisse ($26.95 - #681056) – nice lemon-lime notes along with hay and green apple. (*** ½+)
France (Midi) …
Domaine des Trois Orris Lhusanes 2009 ($19.95 - #353515) – lovely bit of red and black fruit; this one is all fruit all the time. (*** ½+)
France (Rhone) …
Domaine Beau Mistral 2010 Vieilles Vignes Rasteau Cotes du Rhone Villages ($22.95 - #343574) – dark fruited, intense cocoa and spice with tobacco on the finish. (*** ½+) – HG
Domaine Chante Cigale Tradition Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2010 ($41.95 - #194993) – supple and almost sweet fruited, a real pleasure. (****+)
Domaine Mucyn 2010 Saint Joseph ($28.95 - #358614) – smoky, black cherry and spice. (*** ½+)
La Ferme du Mont 2010 Cotes Jugunda Gigondas ($29.95 – #354118) – nice spiced blackberry, dark cherry, vanilla, currants and spice. (****)
Les Vignerons de Visan 2011 Visan Cotes du Rhone-Villages ($15.95 - #179234) – robust red fruit, a little chalky, but with lovely fruit; good value for everyday drinking. (****)

Italy (Abruzzo) …
Villa Medoro 2009 Rosso del Duca Montepulciano D’Abruzzo ($18.95 - #357160) – gentle of fruit yet dark in nature with spiced raspberry and peppered plums. (****) - HG
Italy (Alto Adige / Trentino) …
Ferrari Brut ($25.95 - #352153) – nice bit of fizz here drier than other Italian bubbles in this release with more focus on acidity and breadiness. (****) - FIZZ
Italy (Piedmont) …
Beni di Batasiolo 2010 Langhe Rosso ($16.95 - #981019) – wood, smoke and cherry fruit with hints of tobacco on the dry finish. (*** ½+)
Italy (Tuscany) …
La Vite Lucente 2011 ($34.95 - #747030) – coffee, blueberry and chocolate with a nice plummy mid-palate. (****+)
Le Difese 2011 ($27.95 - #147876) – plenty of spiced red and black fruit with currants and black cherry taking charge amongst the cinnamon and pepper. (****+) – HG
Lornado 2009 Le Bandite Chianti Classico Riserva ($19.95 - #230672) – rustic tannins with heft and cherry spiced plum. (*** ½+) - HG
Rocca delle Macie 2008 Chianti Classico Riserva ($21.95 - #930966) – mixes rustic charm with some juicy fruit and dry tannins. (*** ½+)
Italy (Veneto) …
Allegrini 2010 Palazzo Della Torre ($24.95 - #672931) – raspberry and cherry with chocolate with ripe plum; very full fruited. (****)
Luigi Righetti Campolieti Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2011 ($17.95 - #695890) – dark chocolate, cherry, plum and spice. (****) – HG
Perlage Canah 2012 Brut Prosecco Superiore Conegliano Valdobbiadene ($20.95 - #358390) – nice apple and lemon with mac apple sweetness. (*** ½) - FIZZ

New Zealand …
No. 1 Family Estate Cuvee No. 1 Blanc de Blancs ($34.95 - #56358) – lots of biting acidity and plenty of apple and toasty character with hints of almondine. (****+) - FIZZ

Portugal …
Churchill’s Estates 2009 Touriga Nacional ($30.95 - #351643) – nice rich dark fruit with a chocolate finish and linger. (****+)
Newman’s Celebrated Port ($15.95 - #134908) – sweet cherries abound with a pleasant, easy drinking finish.  (*** ½+)

South Africa …
KWV 2010 The Mentors Canvas ($24.95 - #348839) – nice mix of chocolate and vanilla with plum, lots of white pepper and a good finish. (****)
Pecan Stream 2012 Chenin Blanc ($14.95 - #34512) – lanolin and grapefruit rind with nice acidity for balance. (*** ½+)
Simonsig 2011 Kaapse Vonkel Brut Classique ($19.95 - #342758) – peach, apple and toasty with good acidity for balance. (*** ½+) - FIZZ

Spain …
Juan Gil 2012 White Label de Cepas Viejas Monastrell ($15.95 - #13656) – lots and lots of raspberry and cherry, plum, hints of vanilla and a touch of floral; good value. (*** ½+)
Valsacro Dioro 2005 ($32.95 - #345694) – blackberry, smoke, vanilla and plum with hints of chocolate/mocha. (****)

United States (California) …
Belle Glos 2012 Meiomi Pinot Noir ($24.95 - #130138) – rich cherry fruit, silky smooth and easy drinking, there’s also a nice chalkiness to the finish; but seriously, it’s hard to believe this is Pinot. (****) – HG
Bonny Doon 2008 Le Cigare Volant ($48.95 - #975847) – smoky with white pepper, plum, blackberry and floral; really supple tannins. (****+)
Cannonball 2011 Merlot ($22.95 - #342824) – juicy with sweet blueberry and chocolate. (*** ½+)
Chandon Rosé ($32.95 - #56341) – pretty and delicate with hits of raspberry and citrus and a nice biscuity finish; there’s also strawberry jam and apple nuances but this one is not sweet the acid kicks in at the right time. (****) – FIZZ
Decoy 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon ($31.95 - #186171) – touched with cedar and vanilla along with intense cherry and blackberry. (*** ½+) – HG
Frei Brothers 2011 Reserve Zinfandel ($24.95 - #281758) – plum and vanilla are smeared all over this with nice cherry and chocolate; comes off a little sweet. (*** ½+)
Mer Soleil 2010 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay ($34.95 - #958975) – butterscotch, toffee and vanilla; big oak, sweet fruit. (*** ½+) - HG


If You Can Afford It – wines worth their high price …
Chateau Barde-Haut 2009 ($57.95 - #197244) – Bordeaux - ****+
Chateau La Confession 2009 ($57.85 - #198564) – Bordeaux - ****+
Citation 2003 Pinot Noir ($59.95 - #677146) – Oregon - *** ½+
Henriot Souverain Brut Champagne ($59.95 - #959643) – Champagne - ****+ (FIZZ)
Le Vieux Donjon 2011 Chateauneuf-du-Pape ($57.95 - #700922) – Rhone - ****
Michele Castellani 2008 Cinque Stelle Amarone della Valpolicella Classico ($53.95 - #75127) – Veneto - **** (HG)
Shafer 2011 Merlot ($67.95 - #346262) – California - ****
Stag’s Leap Winery 2010 Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon ($59.95 - #708982) – California - **** (HG)
Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin 2004 Vintage Ros̩ ($97.99 - #588475) РChampagne - **** (FIZZ)


What I’ll Be Lining Up For – December 7, 2013 …
Laurent Gauthier 2011 Grand Cras Vieilles Morgon ($17.95 - #279059) – Beaujolais, France
Les Vignerons de Visan 2011 Visan Cotes du Rhone-Villages ($15.95 - #179234) – Rhone, France

Happy Shopping



Tuesday, December 3, 2013

In-Store Discoveries Appearing on Shelves December 7, 2013

“ISD”s are In-Store Discoveries, these are wines that seem to just appear on the shelves of your local Vintages outlet.  Finally the LCBO has allowed the media the opportunity to taste and review these wines.

22 wines are being released, here are scores for 13 of them.

Three-and-a-Half Plus Star Wines (*** ½+) …
Chassagne-Montrachet Vide Bourse 1er Cru 2010 ($101.95 - #344887) ... Burgundy, France
Domaine D’Ardhuy 2010 Clos du Roi Grand Cru Corton ($91.95 - #343723) ... Burgundy, France
Gunther Steinmetz 2010 Veldenzer Grafschafter Sonnenberg Riesling Spatlese ($22.95 - #359604) ... Germany
Justino’s 10 Years Old Malvasia Madeira ($42.95 - #349373) … Portugal
Sperling Vineyards 2008 Brut Sparkling ($39.95 - #361436) … British Columbia, Canada
St. Hallett 2004 Blackwell Shiraz ($39.95 - #535104) ... Australia


Four Star Wines (****) …

Cakebread 2009 Benchland Select Cabernet Sauvignon ($138.95 - #924175) … California, USA
Emilio Moro 2009 Malleolus ($45.95 - #236141) … Spain
Heitz Cellar 2007 Trailside Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ($119.95 - #992438) … California, USA

Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne ($98.95 - #62984) ... Champagne, France

Four-Plus Star Wines (****+) …
13th Street 2006 Grande Cuvee Blanc de Noirs ($59.95 - #364299) … Ontario, Canada
Wolf Blass 2008 Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz/Malbec ($99.95 - #960468) … Shiraz

Four- and-a-Half Star Wines (****+) …
Tawse 2010 David’s Block Merlot ($49.95 - #111971) … Ontario, Canada