Monday, January 20, 2014

Saturday February 1, 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 … Australia (OZ), Hidden Gems (HG) and Wines for Valentine’s Day (WVD); also look for the In-Store Discoveries, now part of the general Vintages tasting.
The Skinny … There is a dismal selection of white wines this time out and some of the “hidden Gems” should have remained hidden – I weed through to give you my take on what to buy this weekend.  Plus 12 of the Ontario wines in this release were not available for tasting; more than any other region.

Argentina …
Alamos 2013 Chardonnay ($13.95 - #801571) – one of the better Chards in this release: apple and pineapple notes with hints of spiced vanilla; good value. (*** ½+)
Zuccardi 2011 Serie A Bonarda ($15.95 - #355560) – nice juicy cherry with peppery/spicy kick. (****) - HD

Australia …
Dandelion 2011 Lioness of McLaren Vale Shiraz ($19.95 - #357475) – rich black cherry, raspberry and cocoa. (*** ½+) – OZ
Devil’s Corner 2012 Pinot Noir ($23.95 - #317966) – nice kick of acidity among the cranberry-strawberry cocktail. (****) – OZ
Katnook Estate 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon ($29.95 - #590471) – eucalyptus, vanilla and cherry lead the charge here backed by spices and nice peppery goodness. (****) – OZ
Robert Oatley 2012 Signature Series Pinot Noir ($18.95 - #357491) – has elements of sweet fruit among the chalky tannins and acidity; but what really stands out is the nice cranberry. (****) - OZ
Schild Estate 2011 Old Bush Vine GMS Grenache/Mourvedre/Shiraz ($19.95 - #108183) – nice depth of pepper and herbal complexity, fruit is dark and dried; quite tasty. (*** ½+) - OZ

Canada (British Columbia) …
See Ya Later Ranch Brut ($22.95 - #271049) – yeasty with pear, peach pit and a mineral chalkiness that grows on you with each sip. (****)
Canada (Ontario) … click on wine name for full review
Henry of Pelham 2012 Cabernet Icewine ($39.95 / 200ml - #672402) – WVD
KEW Vineyards 2011 Soldier’s Grant ($18.95 - #367318) – HG
Oxley 2011 Cabernet Franc ($18.95 - #368837) - HG

Chile …
Quasar 2011 Limited Edition Pinot Noir ($17.95 - #366526) – spicy black cherry with herbal notes and a pseudo-prickly finish from the acidity. (*** ½+) - HG

France (Bordeaux) …
Chateau Tour Saint Bonnet 2009 ($29.95 - #349282) – nice spice and dark fruit blend with mocha leaning more on the coffee/licorice side on the finish. (****)
France (Champagne) …
Chateau de Bligny Grande Reserve Brut Rosé ($49.95 - #352161) – nice strawberry, raspberry and lemon peel all with balancing acidity. (****+) - WVD
France (Loire) …
Roland Tissier & Fils 2012 Sancerre ($21.95 - #108514) – nice grapefruit pith and rind; a real zesty wine. (*** ½+)
France (Rhone) …
Domaine Les Grands Bois 2011 Cuvee Maximilien Cotes du Rhone-Villages Cairanne ($22.95 - #286336) – blackberry and cassis with black cherry and gentle spice. (*** ½+)
France (Southwest) …
Syrousse 2011 ($16.95 - #357343) – nice mix of black cherry and white pepper. (*** ½+) - HG

Greece …
Thymiopoulos Vineyards 2010 YN Kai Oupavos Xinomavro ($19.95 - #360750) – roasted meat, black cherry and cassis. (*** ½+)

Italy (Piedmont) …
Luca Bosio 2009 Barolo ($33.95 - #365197) – nice acidity with mineral chalkiness along with dried cherry and strawberry. (*** ½+)
Italy (Tuscany) …
Nozzole La Forra 2009 Chianti Classico Riserva ($23.95 - #362731) – licorice and mocha are the biggest players here, and they know how to lure and keep you. (****)
Italy (Umbria) …
Villa Mora 2006 Montefalco Rosso Riserva ($19.95 - #357079) – black cherry with hints of chocolate. (*** ½+)
Italy (Veneto) …
Speri 2011 Pigaro Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore ($18.95 - #205286) – sweet cherry on the fore-palate but it’s the white pepper that keeps the juiciness from running away with this wine. (*** ½+)
Villa Girardi 2009 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico ($41.95 - #159913) – lush spiced cherry and chocolate finish that really worth getting to. (****)

New Zealand …
Akarua 2011 Pinot Noir ($37.95 - #079541) – pretty blackberry and cedar with spicy nuances. (*** ½+)
The Ned 2012 Pinot Noir ($19.95 - #361261) – this is a hybrid between California and Burgundy Pinot; juicy cranberry, rhubarb, cherry that’s nicely spiced with white pepper and plenty of acidity on the finish. (****)
Sophora Sparkling Rosé ($19.95 - #353664) – entry is almost sweet with raspberry but has a nice lemon curd backing. (*** ½+)

Portugal …
Bulas 2009 Vintage Port ($49.95 - #363119) – delivers on all accounts, and if you like Port you know what I mean. (****+)
Herdade do Arrepiado Velho Red 2012 ($19.95 - #295337) – smooth plum and blackberry. (*** ½+)

South Africa …
Glen Carlou 2009 Petit Verdot/Tannat ($21.95 - #363440) – nice hit of chocolate and black cherry, dark and brooding. (*** ½+)

United States (California) …
Alouette 2012 Pinot Noir ($29.95 - #353631) – juicy wiune with vanilla and laid back cherry. (*** ½+)
Duckhorn 2012 Decoy Chardonnay ($24.95 - #311555) – nice easy drinking Chardonnay with a lovely finish of considerable length. (****)
Freemark Abbey 2010 Merlot ($29.95 - #001602) – blackberry and cassis notes with spice, violets and blueberry skin. (****)
Powder Keg 2011 Demolition Red ($22.95 - #353649) – a pure patio pleaser that’s sure to please right now: black cherry, blackberry, cloves and smoky vanilla. (****)
Ravenswood 2010 Old Vine Zinfandel ($21.95 - #673798) – beautiful smoky vanilla, plum, spiced cola, red licorice and anise. (****+)
_______________________________________

In-Store Discoveries – these are wines that just appear on the shelves of your local Vintages outlet  …
Tablas Creek 2010 Esprit de Beaucastel ($54.95 - #735654) - ****+ … ISD


If You Can Afford It – wines worth their high price …
Nickel & Nickel 2009 Kelham Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ($119.95 - #361725) - ****


What I’ll Be Lining Up For – February 1, 2014 …
Ravenswood 2010 Old Vine Zinfandel ($21.95 - #673798) – USA
The Ned 2012 Pinot Noir ($19.95 - #361261) – New Zealand

Happy Shopping


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Thursday, January 16, 2014

Saturday January 18, 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 … British Columbia (BC) and Spain (SP)
The Skinny … There are some really good values in this release, specifically from France and Italy; plus the Mexican wine is good for those beginners just dipping there toe in the Vintages buying pool.  As for the spotlight wines, the Spanish and British Columbia wines featured are far from the best I have tasted from either region.

Argentina …
Alfredo Roca 2012 Pinot Noir ($14.95 - #32979) – packs a punch with earthy, spicy and floral notes – quite peppery on the finish. (*** ½+)
La Luz Callejon del Crimen Gran Reserva Petit Verdot ($23.95 - #360412) – all kinds of cherry is unpacked in the mouth; pretty and pleasant. (*** ½+)
Passionate Wines 2010 Montesco Bonarda ($19.95 - #363127) – this is some seriously juicy Bonarda with great mocha, blackberry, black cherry and a touch of licorice candy backed by nice acidity and tannins. (****)
Urban Uco Tempranillo 2012 ($13.95 - #355636) – blackberry and cassis with a touch of black cherry on the finish. (*** ½+)

Australia …
Sister’s Run 2011 Bethlehem Black Cabernet Sauvignon ($16.95 - #360636) – black currant, smoky, spicy, and coffee liqueur; another winner from the Sister. (****)
Wynns Coonawarra Estate Shiraz 2012 ($22.95 - #433060) – nice vanilla-smoke, oaky-cassis and blackberry; this one delivers the goods. (****)

Canada (British Columbia) …
Dirty Laundry 2012 Not So Knotty Chardonnay ($26.95 - #353144) – nice element of pear and some floral tones on the nose with pleasant exotic notes on the palate. (*** ½+) - BC
Therapy Vineyards 2009 Freud’s Ego ($18.95 - #363473) – sweet black licorice, black cherry lead the charge of flavours here, all kissed with by the right amount of oak. (*** ½+) - BC
Canada (Ontario) … click on wine name for full review
Aure 2011 Gamay ($14.95 - #353037) - *** ½+
Rosewood 2011 Merlot ($22.00 - #211896) - *** ½+
Sue-Ann Staff 2012 Loved By Lu Riesling ($16.95  #322636) - *** ½

France (Bordeaux) …
Chateau Cap de Faugeres 2009 ($29.85 - #196576) – blueberry, blackberry, mocha/coffee; this one has a lot going for it. (****)
Chateau des Landes 2009 Cuvee Tradition ($19.695 - #363101) – smoky tobacco and black cherry with plenty of robust drying tannins. (*** ½+)
Chateau La Verriere 2010 ($15.95 - #349274) – talk about value, for under $16 you get licorice, black cherry, coffee and currants. (****+)
Chateau Lamothe-Vincent Heritage 2011 ($15.95 - #362996) - hints of tropical with peach and citrus zest. (*** ½+)
France (Burgundy) …
Pierre Andre 2011 Puligny Montrachet ($49.95 - #364158) – nutty and caramel aspects are a real plus here, but there’s also loads of woody and burnt butter sensations. (*** ½+)
France (Midi) …
Chateau Trillol 2008 Grenach/Syrah ($17.95 - #354126) – nice cherry from start to finish then it goes about adding juicy blackberry, blueberry and chocolate to the mix. (****)
France (Rhone) …
Cave les Coteaux du Rhone Panicaut Plan de Dieu Cotes du Rhone Villages 2012 ($15.95 - #354076) – another under sixteen gem from France: extremely juicy and fruity with lovely raspberry and cherry, touches of floral and above all incredible drinkability. (****+)
Le Gravilla 2011 Gigondas ($25.95 - #78808) – plenty of chocolate hits the palate like a runaway train, from there it’s dark fruited, but it’s the chocolate that’ll grab your tongue and keep it sipping. (****)

Germany …
Monchhof Robert Eymael Riesling 2011 ($16.95 - #349431) – the three zeds come to mind here: zippy, zingy and zesty with nice sweetness balanced by good acidity; a really good Riesling. (****)

Greece …
Boutari 2007 Grande Reserve ($16.95 - #140111) – well aged with dried red fruit, touches of cedar and sandalwood that carry to the finish; drink over the next few years. (*** ½+)

Italy (Puglia) …
Cantele Salice Salentino Riserva 2009 ($14.95 - #724328) – mocha-chocolate, black cherry, cassis and blackberry; quite nice and good value.
Italy (Sicily) …
Centuno 2010 Nero d’Avola ($18.95 - #357103)- deep, dark, rich berries with a nice bitter finish. (*** ½+) 
Italy (Veneto) …
Antolini 2010 Valpolicella Classico Superiore ($16.95 - #362095) – cherry, licorice, blackberry; more Ripasso-esque than the light Valpolicella. (*** ½+)
Recchia 2010 Musua di Jago Amarone della Valpolicella Classico ($37.95 - #362921) – plum, chocolate and lots of dark fruit and touches of spice. (*** ½+)
Terre di San Venanzio Fortunato Extra Dry Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore 2012 ($16.95 - #359638) – crackles with acidity, green apple and lemon-lime; a real delight in a value priced Prosecco. (****+)

Mexico …
LA Cetto 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon ($11.95 - #114066) – juicy and easy drinking, a nice wine for beginners and a real bargain at that. (*** ½)

New Zealand …
Coopers Creek 2013 Sauvignon Blanc ($18.95 - #957407) – very grassy from start to finish. (*** ½+)

South Africa …
De Morgenzon 2012 DMZ Chardonnay ($14.95 - #349068) – here’s a good value Chardonnay with subtle pineapple and some spice on the nose; palate there’s peach with a touch of vanilla-spice, but nothing overwhelms. (*** 1/2+)

Spain …
Baron de Ley 2007 Gran Reserva ($31.95 - #642496) – blackberry, wood smoke, plum and cherry. (****) - SP
Cepa 21 Hito 2010 ($17.95 - #360503) – blackberry and smoke with blueberry and spice. (*** ½+) - SP
Clos Gebrat CG+ 2010 ($20.95 - #360511) – cherry with sweet vanilla nuances. (*** ½+) - SP
Don Jacobo 2004 Reserva ($18.95 - #313270) – spicy dried cherry. (*** ½+) – SP
Hacienda Lopez de Haro 2005 Reserva ($17.95 - #357335) – vanilla, oak/cedar, cherry and floral with lovely spice notes on the finish. (****) – SP
La Perla de Priorat 2006 Clos les Fites ($30.95 - #358705) – vanilla and sweet oak with sweet dried black fruit and floral nuances. (****) - SP

United States (California) …
J. Lohr 2011 South Ridge Syrah ($19.95 - #948240) – cherry and smoky notes with a little something meaty near the finish. (*** ½+)
Julia’s Vineyard 2010 Cambria Pinot Noir ($16.95 / 375ml - #355461) – juicy and plumy with a nice hint of spice; there’s cherry and a gentle peppery quality. (****)
Predator 2012 Old Vine Zinfandel ($21.95 - #219485) – when did Zin develop a smoked meat quality?  Not sure, I just know I’m digging it. (****)
The Show 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon ($17.95 - #140715) – full fruit flavoured, easy drinking, pretty typical stuff for the Show. (*** ½)
Three Saints 2007 Sixty-Seven Red ($19.95 - #353235) – nice sweet blackberry, black cherry, and cassis along with hints of smoke and licorice, a la All-Sorts candy. (*** ½+)


If You Can Afford It – wines worth their high price …
Palazzo 2006 Brunello di Montalcino ($59.95 - #660746) – Italy … ****
Stonestreet 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon ($52.95 - #364687) – United States … ****+


What I’ll Be Lining Up For – January 18, 2014 …
Chateau La Verriere 2010 ($15.95 - #349274) – France
Cantele Salice Salentino Riserva 2009 ($14.95 - #724328) – Italy
Cave les Coteaux du Rhone Panicaut Plan de Dieu Cotes du Rhone Villages 2012 ($15.95 - #354076) – France
Monchhof Robert Eymael Riesling 2011 ($16.95 - #349431) – Germany
Predator 2012 Old Vine Zinfandel ($21.95 - #219485) - USA
Terre di San Venanzio Fortunato Extra Dry Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore 2012 ($16.95 - #359638) - Italy

Happy Shopping



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