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 … Unique Grape Varieties (UGV), Europe vs New World (EVN), and Canada Day (CD)
The Skinny … My “oh wow” moment was a Pinotage from South Africa that doesn’t taste like Pinotage, and that’s a good thing – the other is that there is an Italian version of Zin (Primitivo) that truly shines; plus there’s the rest of the stuff, as you will see.
Argentina …
Agostino 2011 Inicio Malbec ($14.95 - #330670) – deep colour and rich extract with mocha, spice, blueberry, vanilla and spice. (****) – EVN
La Posta 2011 Angel Paulucci Vineyard Malbec ($15.95 - #075515) – black cherry, black berry, chocolate and spiced vanilla. (*** ½)
Vinecol 2013 Organic Bonarda ($15.95- #375493) – juice blueberry with cherry pie notes, this one also has a kick of something spicy. (*** ½) - UGV
Australia …
Magpie Estate 2010 The Sack Shiraz ($21.95 - #094078) – lots of deliciousness in the form of cassis, vanilla, smoke, spiced anise and bacon. (****)
Austria …
Laurenz V 2012 Friendly Gruner Veltliner ($19.95 - #066225) – friendly is a good name for this with it’s lovely acidity, pea pod and lime zest this one “shakes hands” with your tongue. (****) – UGV
Canada (British Columbia) …
Mission Hill 2013 Five Vineyards Rosé ($14.95 – 229716) – Cherry and raspberry with a touch of strawberry; pleasant, affordable and tasty. (*** ½+) – CD
Canada (Ontario) … click on wine name for full review
Bachelder 2011 Saunders Vineyard Chardonnay ($44.95 - #324103) - **** ½ (EVN)
Norman Hardie 2012 Riesling ($21.00 - #131169) - ****+ (EVN)
Pondview 2011 Cabernet-Merlot ($18.95 - #307561) - *** ½+
Pondview 2013 Cabernet Franc Rosé ($14.95 - #241802) - ****
Union 2012 Squared Red ($17.95 - #292359) - *** ½+ (CD)
Chile …
Tamaya 2011 Gran Reserva Syrah ($21.95 - #374306) – smoky, minty, meaty with dark fruited white pepper; dark, brooding and deliciously smoky. (****)
France (Alsace) …
Joseph Cattin 2013 Pinot Noir Rosé ($15.95 - |#374926) – hint of sweetness on the nose but there is none on the palate, instead it’s tangy and refreshing. (*** ½+)
France (Beaujolais) …
Jean-Paul Brun 2012 Terres Dorees Morgon ($23.95 - #264465) – lots of juicy cherry, well-balanced, tasty with just enough acidity and tannins to give it just the right amount of lift. (****)
France (Bordeaux) …
Chateau Boutisse 2010 ($39.95 - #368175) – silky smooth, easy drinking, a certain elegance with nice tannins. (*** ½+)
Chateau Canteloup 2010 ($16.95 - #243923) – nice backbone of spice and herbal character with dark fruit and coffee notes on the finish. (*** ½+)
France (Burgundy) …
Chateau de Mercey 2010 Mercurey1er Cru ($25.95 - #264531) – love a Mercurey; this one has rich fruit: plum, black cherry, spice and lots of strawberry with a long spiced-plum finish. (****)
Domaine de L’Hermitage de Nantoux 2011 Beaunes les Blanches Fleurs 1er Cru ($49.95 - #366872) – pretty floral, sour yet ripe cherry, touch of vanilla all add up to an interesting wine. (****) - EVN
France (Loire) …
La Grille 2012 Pouilly-Fume ($24.95 - #374470) – lemon and grapefruit zest with herbaceous notes; it’s pretty and pleasant and grows on you with each sip. (****) – EVN
France (Rhone) …
Chateau La Nerthe 2011 Chateauneuf-du-Pape ($49.95 - #735407) – full flavoured and good complexity, there is plenty going on here and it’s so worthy trying. (****+)
Clos du Caillou 2011 Bouquet des Garrigues Cotes du Rhone ($25.95 - #370213) – sweet cheery and other red fruits, touch of smokiness and lots of vanilla with a balanced finish. (****+)
Domaine Maby 2013 La Forcadiere Tavel Rose ($18.95 - #701318) – dry raspberry and strawberry pith with nice cherry backing and a seemingly creamy centre, but there is good acidity and a nice lingering finish. (*** ½+)
La Ferme du Mont 2011 Le Ponnant Cotes du Rhone Villages ($19.95 - #171371) – licorice and raspberry with some floral notes. (*** ½+)
Signature 2009 Vin Doux Naturel Rasteau ($24.95 - #371740) - plenty of chocolate that surrounds strawberry, cherry and a hint of plum. (****)
France (Southwest) …
Chateau du Gaudou 2010 Grand Lignee Malbec/Merlot ($18.95 - #370239) – interesting mix of cocoa bean and blackberry. (*** ½+) – EVN
Germany …
Schloss Schonborn 2008 Marcobrunn Riesling Kabinett ($21.95 - #928861) – dry and delicious, shows off plenty of mineral and bosc pear. (****+) – EVN
Greece …
Alpha Estate 2012 Axia Malagouzia ($17.95 - #371666) – touches of beeswax, grapefruit and white flowers. (*** ½)
Italy (Emilia-Romagna) …
Umberto Cesari 2010 Riserva Sangiovese di Romagna ($19.95 - #033399) – odd mix of meaty and chocolaty that becomes appealing on the third and fourth sip, so give it a chance. (*** ½+)
Italy (Puglia) …
Papale 2010 Linea Oro Primitivo di Manduria ($19.95 - #261784) – cherry and chocolate mix with cola and vanilla for a near Zin experience – break out the BBQ ribs. (**** ½) – EVN
Italy (Tuscany) …
Capanna 2008 Brunello di Montalcino ($48.95 - #378513) – silky, smoky with layers of dried fruit and good acidity for balance. (****)
Poggio Al Tufo 2010 Alicante ($19.95 - #070797) – almost sweet mixing with some smoky for a unique taste experience; oddly enjoyable. (*** ½)
Italy (Umbria) …
Scacciadiavoli 2009 Montefalco Rosso ($21.95 - #372458) – lifted dried cherry, licorice, , dried plum, nice spice and well balanced acidity. (*** ½+)
Italy (Veneto) …
Tommasi 2012 Adorato Parziale Appassimento Bianco ($15.95 - #320721) – oddly creamy with interesting baked white fruit component; melon and apple complete with the grill marks. (*** ½)
New Zealand …
Dog Point 2011 Pinot Noir ($49.95 - #329672) – juicy and fruit driven with just enough earthy and sour cherry to make it identifiably Pinot. (****) - EVN
Nobilo 2013 Icon Sauvignon Blanc ($25.95 - #912337) – very herbaceous and herbal along with grapefruity-ness and touches of gooseberry. (*** ½+) – EVN
Oyster Bay 2013 Pinot Grigio ($18.95 - #326090) – a little lime zest goes a long way on this one. (*** ½)
South Africa …
Cape Point Vineyards 2012 Sauvignon Blanc ($15.95 - #285221) – pretty bottle stores an elegant Sauv Blanc with melon, white peach and hints of lemon pith. (*** ½+)
Ken Forrester 2012 Reserve Chenin Blanc ($17.95 - #231282) – grilled pineapple and apricot with hints of poached pear; I was hoping for more here but it’s good. (*** /2+) – EVN
Man Family Wines 2012 Bosstok Pinotage ($13.95 - #366286) – mid-weight, juicy with coffee and cocoa; someone finally has it right, this is great value and doesn’t taste like Pinotage, and that’s a good thing. (*** ½+) – UGV
Spain …
Borsao 2009 Berola ($18.95 - #371518) – juicy cherry and raspberry with sweet vanilla and a succulent / spicy finish. (****+)
Ercavio 2011 Tempranillo Roble ($16.95 - #067504) – nice and juicy with lots of plum and cherry; well-priced even for Ontario. (*** ½+)
Vina Herminia 2009 Excelsus ($21.95 - #050567) – coffee, raspberry, mocha, tobacco and dried cherry with a long, pleasant linger. (****)
United States (California) …
Hartley-Ostini 2012 Hitching Post Hometown Pinot Noir ($28.95 - #256644) – this is a silky version of Pinot Noir with red berries abound, there’s also a hint of smoke; pleasant. (*** ½+)
Liberty School 2011 Syrah ($18.95 - #942383) – white pepper, raspberry, cocoa with hints of licorice and smoke. (*** ½+)
Plume 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon ($31.95 - #287367) – chocolate, black cherry and vanilla. (*** ½+)
Rodney Strong 2012 Chardonnay ($19.95 - #226936) – there’s peach and apple with smoked/grilled pineapple with a nice creamy texture and a spiced lemon drop finish with hints of grilled peach. (****)
United States (Washington) …
Milbrandt 2012 Traditions Cabernet Sauvignon ($18.95 - #237784) – surprisingly juicy with blueberry, raspberry and a little bit of smoked meat poking through all with a mocha / chocolate finish. (*** ½+)
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In-Store Discoveries – wines that just appear on the shelves of your local Vintages outlet …
Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé Champagne ($56.95/375ml - #924670) Champagne, France (****)
Jim Barry 2009 The McRae Wood Shiraz ($59.95 - #737817) Australia (****)
Muga 2009 Seleccion 2009 Especial Riserva ($39.95 - #921536) – Spain (*** ½+)
If You Can Afford It – wines worth their high price …
St. Supery 2010 Rutherford Merlot ($58.95 – 376939) – California, USA (****)
Pascal Marchand 2010 Gevrey-Chambertin ($67.95 - #286450) Burgundy, France (****)
Venturini 2009 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico ($54.95 - #379263) – Veneto, Italy (****+)
What I’ll Be Lining Up For – June 21, 2014 …
Borsao 2009 Berola ($18.95 - #371518) – Spain
Man Family Wines 2012 Bosstok Pinotage ($13.95 - #366286) – South Africa
Papale 2010 Linea Oro Primitivo di Manduria ($19.95 - #261784) – Italy
Happy Shopping
