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 … Welcome to Vintages (WtV)
The Skinny … The highlight is “30 reasons to love Vintages” – a self-congratulatory nod to the “world’s best purveyor of liquor” … while I disagree with that last statement the release is not a bad one and there are six must gets aside from the usual good stuff to try.
Argentina …
Casarena Sinergy Reserva Red 2011 ($18.95 - #366104) – sweet red fruit with a coffee middle. (*** ½+)
Colonia Las Liebres 2012 Bonarda ($14.95 - #219303) – Bonarda is Argentina’s answer to a juicy Cali-Merlot and this one delivers. (*** ½+)
Las Moras 2010 Black Label Cabernet/Cabernet ($15.95 - #357921) – blackberry, tobacco and tea leaf. (*** ½+) - WtF
Australia …
D’Arenberg 2012 The Hermit Crab Viogner / Marsanne ($19.95 - #662775) – Bosc pear, lemongrass and pineapple core. (*** ½+)
Evans & Tate 2010 Metricup Road Shiraz ($22.95 - #606905) – nice flavour with a raspberry-plum core. (****)
The Black Chook 2012 Shiraz/Viognier ($17.95 - #66738) – best Chook I’ve tried since the very first one I’ve tried; nice balance of dark fruit, touches of floral and a nice whack of spice on the finish. (****) – WtV
Yalumba 2011 The Strapper GSM ($19.95 - #295873) – nice blend with fruit that stays and plays with nice herbal and spice notes instead of going out on its own to overpower the wine with a nice finish. (****+)
Canada (British Columbia) …
Gray Monk 2011 Pinot Noir ($19.95 - #251835) – definitely earthy, smoky with smoked cherry and violets. (*** ½+) - WtV
Canada (Ontario) … click on wine name for full review
Coyote’s Run 2012 Red Paw Vineyard Chardonnay ($21.95 - #336115) – **** ½ (WtV)
Featherstone 2011 Four Feathers ($14.95 - #341586) - *** ½+
Featherstone 2011 Red Tail Merlot ($19.95 - #131540) - *** ½+
Fielding Estate 2013 Rosé ($15.95 - #53421) - *** ½+ (WtV)
Rockway Vineyards 2011 Small Lot Reserve Red Assemblage ($16.95 - #321893) - *** ½+
Tawse 2012 Gamay Noir ($18.95 - #322545) - ****
Chile …
Vina Tarapaca 2011 Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon ($17.95 - #018721) – there’s the mint I’m looking for mixed with black fruit and spice; here’s a typical, good Chilean Cab. (*** ½+)
France (Alsace) …
Joseph Cattin 2011 Hatschbourg Pinot Gris ($20.95 - #260240) – while not a fan of Alsatian Riesling their Pinot Gris and Gewurtraminers do float my boat; this shows a thickness and sweetness that only Alsace can do, and do it with balance. (*** ½+)
France (Bordeaux) …
Chateau Fleur de Jean Gue 2010 ($24.95 - #729137) – spiced-cocoa and anise with black cherry, blackberry and oak. (*** ½+) – WtV
Clos Lunelles 2010 ($49.85 - #258053) – heavy smoke and coffee notes with anise and pumped up tannins. (*** ½+)
France (Burgundy) …
Louis Michel & Fils 2012 Chablis ($25.95 - #356758) – pretty with apple, citrus and mineral, not as expressive on the palate, but plenty pleasing. (*** ½+)
Maison Roche de Bellene 2011 Vieilles Vignes Chassagne-Montrachet ($49.95 - #241158) – has lots of character, good intensity and nice weight. (*** ½+)
France (Loire) …
Cave du Haut-Poitou 2012 Vallee Loire Sauvignon Blanc ($16.95 - #357293) – New Zealand like nose but with restraint shown on the palate with grapefruit pith and grassy notes and a long finish. (****)
France (Rhone) …
Domaine la Guintrandy 2009 Vieilles Vignes Cairanne ($19.95 - #362624) – savoury and juicy with raspberry, black cherry and some fine herbal and spice notes. (****+) - WtV
Italy (Marche) …
Casal di Serra 2011 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore ($17.95 - #268169) – fresh and lively with grapefruit pith and zest, a touch of floral, and there’s a pseudo thickness here that’s pleasantly welcome. (****)
Italy (Piedmont) …
Gemma Giblin 2006 Riserva Barolo ($40.95 - #185025) – has an unexpected sweetness especially for a Barolo, there’s cran-raspberry elements with a beauty of a spice character. (****)
Italy (Tuscany) …
Assolati Montecucco Sangiovese 2008 ($26.95 - #369405) – sweet red fruit core backed by a nice spice and touch of floral. (****)
Dievole 2010 La Vendemmia Chianti Classico ($19.95 - #283101) – nice hit of strawberry-plum jam at its core. (*** ½+) – WtV
Giordano 2010 Chianti Riserva ($17.95 - #366971) – shows some elegance of cassis, plum and black raspberry. (*** ½+)
New Zealand …
Cloudy Bay 2012 Pinot Noir ($39.95 - #598813) – big flavour and juicy core, earthy, cranberry, hint of spiced plum and black cherry. (*** ½+)
Coopers Creek 2012 Select Vineyards Dillons Point Sauvignon Blanc ($19.95 - #066092) – typically tinged with the usual Sauv Blanc character plus grapefruit blossom; this is a lively one and pretty at that. (*** ½+) – WtV
Invivo 2012 Pinot Gris ($18.95 - #367771) – shows some interesting Gewurztraminer character which is unexpected in Pinot Gris; pretty floral and spiced orange, weird yet wonderful. (****)
Kim Crawford 2013 Pansy! Rosé ($17.95 - #650325) – lots of strawberry and cherry with some bubblegummy notes to the nose, but finishes dried than expected. (*** ½+)
Omaka Springs 2010 Falveys Vineyard Pinot Noir ($24.95 - #367714) – much more toned down and elegant, shows depth with spice, gentile fruit and good acidity. (****)
Portugal …
Dalva 1997 Colheita Port ($30.95 - #169045) – hazelnut, fig, dried cherry and spice; all make for a tasty treat. (****)
Lua Nova Em Vinhas Velhas 2010 ($15.95 - #266882) – silky smooth with lots of plum; easy to drink. (*** ½+)
South Africa …
Bayten 2012 Chardonnay ($17.95 - #269084) – plump white fruit with apple, pear and peach adding vanilla and hints of butterscotch for good measure all with a spicy finish; nice weight without the weighted price, this is good value Chard. (****)
Spain …
Aljibes 2007 Red ($20.95 - #359976) – pleasant and silky smooth. (*** ½+)
Barahonda 2011 Sin Madera Monastrell ($15.95 - #366823) – juicy, choco-blackberry, black cherry, blueberry and sweet tobacco; this one has great value in the bottle. (****) - WtV
United States (California) …
Carol Shelton 2010 Monga Zin Old Vine Zinfandel ($25.95 - #282525) – surprisingly delicious: cola-spice-vanilla, oddly approachable. (****+)
Chateau St. Jean 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon ($29.95 - #977173) – nice balance of fruit and spice along with vanilla, black cherry and spice. (*** ½+)
Rutherford Ranch 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon ($21.95 - #73817) – black and blue fruit with a chocolate core. (*** ½+) - WtV
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In-Store Discoveries – wines that just appear on the shelves of your local Vintages outlet …
Blindfold 2012 ($39.95 - #374207) – California, USA - ****+
Bonaccorsi 2010 Sebastiano Vineyard Pinot Noir ($51.95 - #368225) – California, USA - ****+
Chateau Calon-Segur 2010 ($149.85 - #259010) – Bordeaux, France - ****
Chateau Giscours 2010 ($124.85 - #259093) – Bordeaux, France - *** ½+
Chateau Lafon-Rochet 2010 ($84.85 - #257295) – Bordeaux, France - *** ½+
Le Clos Jordanne 2011 LCJ Vineyard Pinot Noir ($45.00 - #33902) – Ontario, Canada - ****+
Les Hauts de Pontet-Canet 2010 ($62.85 - #258491) – Bordeaux, France (****+)
Tawse 2010 Robyn’s Block Chardonnay ($45.95 - #662841) – Ontario, Canada - ****+
If You Can Afford It – wines worth their high price …
Andretta 2007 Brunello di Montalcino ($53.95 - #367367) – Tuscany, Italy ****
Chateau Batailley 2010 ($68.95 - #259218) – Bordeaux, France ****
Rodney Strong 2010 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($59.95 - #382325) – California, USA ****+
What I’ll Be Lining Up For – March 29, 2014 …
Barahonda 2011 Sin Madera Monastrell ($15.95 - #366823) – Spain
Bayten 2012 Chardonnay ($17.95 - #269084) – South Africa
Carol Shelton 2010 Monga Zin Old Vine Zinfandel ($25.95 - #282525) – California
Domaine la Guintrandy 2009 Vieilles Vignes Cairanne ($19.95 - #362624) – France
The Black Chook 2012 Shiraz/Viognier ($17.95 - #66738) – Australia
Yalumba 2011 The Strapper GSM ($19.95 - #295873) – Australia
Happy Shopping
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