Providing a Unique & Affordable Selection of High Quality Red Wines and White Wines for Your Enjoyment. Also featured: Rosé, Port, Icewine, Champagne and Sparkling Wine for Special Occasions. Cheers!
wine is a lovely Syrah from Greece that's arriving in LCBO VINTAGES on (and may already be on shelves at your local store today).
Founded in 1997, Alpha Estate is a relatively young Greek winery located in a region that has a history of winemaking that goes back more than 4000 years. The winery is located in the Amyndeon region, in northwest Greece, and uses natural gravity flow throughout it's winemaking process to ensure minimum stress on the grapes and wine. The state-of-the-art facility uses highly inactive and neutral construction materials to create a neutral atmosphere for the grape, must and wine. Furthermore, the completely integrated building management system can be controlled in the winery or from anywhere around the globe. This is a facility I hope to visit one day!
The privately-owned vineyard is located at an altitude of 620-710 metres, with a northwest exposure on sandy-clay soils. The grapes for this Syrah come from a single vineyard called "Turtles" on the Amyndeon plateau in northwestern Macedonia, located 640-650 metres above sea level.
I had tasted the delicious 2012 Alpha Estate Red ($32, 91 pts, review here) earlier this year, as well as the 2012 Alpha Estate Axia Red Blend ($17.95, 89 pts, #392282) and the 2012 Alpha Estate Xinomavro (88+ pts). All are sure to please the palate. The Axia Red is available at the LCBO, while the other two wines can be ordered via the agent Eurovintage Wines & Spirits.
Having tasted several other delicious wines from this estate at the Taste of Greece Wine Tasting in the Spring, I was excited to see how this wine would fare in comparison to others from the same winery.
Tasting Note:
ALPHA ESTATE TURTLES VINEYARD SYRAH 2011 - IGP Florina, Greece (#115295) (D) - $21.95
Purple fruit and dark plum aromas from the cork. Pretty colour. Lovely balance between fruit and savoury aromas with a mineral component - blackberry, meaty-gamey, with hints of floral and black pepper. The palate is medium-full bodied with fine-grained tannins and dark fruit flavours of blackberry, black cherry, with black pepper nuances mid-palate. Acids are fresh and juicy. Well-balanced. Long, dark berry, earthy, woody finish. Drinking well now, but should be even better in a year's time. Recommended buy. Score: 89 pts
On , Mike Weir Winery will be hosting it's 3rd Annual Food Truck Fest. This event provides an excellent opportunity to celebrate summer in the vineyards at Mike Weir Winery, where the Food Truck Fest is held annually in their Merlot Block. Some of the winery's best wines will be poured by the glass, to go along with Live Music all day, and the best local eats you can get around town! As a bonus, all gourmet eats will be prepared using ingredients sourced from local farmers within the Lincoln area, ensuring freshness across the board.
The entire venue is licensed and guests may walk through our vineyards,
the Bruce Trail, and enjoy panoramic views from the property. The retail
and hospitality building will be in full function as well, offering
wines by the glass and tastings all day to the general public and Food
Truck Fest guests.
To keep the event fun and festive, the Groovy Food Band will be performing ALL DAY, rocking grooves from all decades and easy rock tunes! Furthermore, you can tune in to 105.7 FM as they will be playing live-to-air easy rock from the event.
The Vendors:
Avella’s Wood Fired Pizza – Handmade, Fresh to order
The Yellow Pear – Farm-to-Table cuisine, offering Gluten Free and Vegan Options*
The Wandering Gourmet – Authentic Californian Fresh Taco Cart, Farm-to-table
494 Kitchen – International comfort food with a modern twist*
The Panwich Company – Anything in a panini, and I mean anything!
Eh Jose – Authentic Mexican
Gourmet Guyz – Fresh and Seasonal Fare
The Go-Go Food Co. (Cucina a-go-go) – Authentic Italian Street style
Scratch Bakery – Niagara's first Pie-Hole Approved bakery!
Hometown Ice Cream Truck – Creative Flavours you wouldn’t have thought, but unbelievable! (all local ingredients)
The Cigar Experience – Selling top quality stogies from internationally around the world. Makes a GREAT gift!
Location and Time:
Mike Weir Winery
4041 Locust Lane, Beamsville (Lincoln), Ontario L0R 1B0
Saturday, July 16, 2016 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Costs:
Entry fee is $5.00 per person (payable online or on-site), and includes one souvenir Govino glass, don’t lose it!
Vendors will have different ranges of pricing according to their menu by items. (usually between $5.00-$20.00 per plate - and worth EVERY penny)
Wine by the glass will be offered through a ticket system. Wine Tickets will be sold for $5.00 and then redeemed at the wine booth for a 5 oz. glass of wine. Wine varieties will be confirmed closer to the date, but you can bet there will be fresh, summery wines such as a rosé, Riesling, and fun reds. Here are a couple of wines that should be available at the event.
MIKE WEIR CRASH ROSÉ 2011 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada - $11.95
100% Cabernet Franc. Light, honeyed red fruit aromas from the cork. Medium-intensity nose has cooked strawberry and red cherry aromas with hints of flowers. The palate is medium+ bodied with aromas more cooked strawberry and cherry coming through on the palate, followed by herbally sage notes that add complexity and continue through to the medium-length finish. Just a touch of honey mid-palate, but essentially dry overall with juicy acids. A food wine that will go great with many of the offerings at the Food Truck Fest. Available at winery only. Score: 86 pts
MIKE WEIR PINOT NOIR 2009 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#000075) (D)- $16.95
Ripe red berry, cherry aromas from the cork. Showing just a touch of brown on the rim. Lovely blend of spices followed by maturing red fruits, cherry and earth aromas. It's light-to-medium bodied with just a touch of tannic grip. Acids are fresh. Cherry-cranberry flavours with earthy and beetroot tones on the palate. Very good length on the finish. Enjoy by 2017. A wine that is widely available at the LCBO, but may not be the 2009 vintage. The 2009 is available at the winery. Score: 88 pts
This mid-May tasting titled "Savour Australia" featured wines from about 25 wineries and was held in a compact room at George Restaurant on Queen Street East. At times, the room felt very small due to the high number of people in attendance. Overall, there were many high quality wines at various price points. As is the case with most tastings, many of the wines are not available at the LCBO, but can be ordered through the winery's representing Agent here in Ontario. Many wines from Australia at this tasting were most definitely savoured and highly recommended. Here are some of my favourite Australian wines from this tasting.
Tasting Notes:
CIRILLO 1850 ANCESTOR SEMILLON 2011 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#250281) (XD) - $42.65
Vines from 1849 and produced by the 9th generation of this family-owned winery, this Semillon has a very appealing and highly aromatic nose of mineral, wet stone, white flowers and hints honey. On the palate, it is medium-bodied with a creamy mouthfeel and tart lime and mineral flavours. It is a dry wine with very good acids and excellent length on the finish. Excellent wine will age for at least 5 years. Superb! Contact Bokke Wines for availability. Now available online at LCBO.com and at the Eglinton & Laird LCBO. Score: 92 pts
HOLLICK RAVENSWOOD CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012 - Coonawarra, South Australia (XD) - $75
Highly aromatic with elegant notes of sweet spice, red and black fruits, currant, cassis, hints of pencil lead and slightly jammy fruit notes, all of which echo very nicely on the full-bodied palate. Acids are juicy and mouth-watering, while the finish is excellent. Tannins are firm and drying, but also provide very good structure. This should be better in 2-3 years and drink well for at least decade. Contact Lifford Wine & Spirits for availability. Score: 92 pts
ALPHA BOX & DICE APOSTLE SHIRAZ DURIF 2012 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (XD) - $50
This 85/15 blend of Shiraz and Durif (aka Petite Sirah) has a medium-to-high intensity nose of red, black and purple fruits intermingling with sweet spice, herbs, mint and violets. On the palate, it is full-bodied and offers complex aroma replays framed by very good acidity and integrated tannins. In my excitement, I guess I forgot to take a photo of this absolutely delicious wine! Score: 91+ pts
STONIER CHARDONNAY 2015 - Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia (#025353) (XD) - $35
Medium-high intensity nose that's fresh and clean with bright orchard fruits and pear aromas. The mouthfeel is full with a nice texture and pleasing aroma replays on the palate. It has very good acidity and finishes long. Very well-balanced. 30% barrel fermented. Contact Select Wines to order. Score: 90+ pts
KILIKANOON MORT'S BLOCK RIESLING 2015 - Clare Valley, South Australia (#428342) (XD) - $19.95
A medium-to-high intensity nose offers lovely petrol aromas with underlying mineral and wet rock along hints of stone fruit, all of which show up on the flavour profile. There's some sweetness on the palate, but is shaded by bright acids. Minerally finish is long and dry with hints of citrus. Should arrive in VINTAGES in the Fall. Contact Charton Hobbs for quicker availability. Score: 90+ pts
Tonight's delicious wine was purchased in the Spring of 2014 from the VINTAGES Release. This red wine has been a frequent arrival on LCBO VINTAGES - however, the 2012 vintage was last released in , so we should see the 2013 vintage arrive soon.
Tasting Note:
DOMAINE LES YEUSES LES ÉPICES SYRAH 2011 - IGP Pays d’Oc, Midi, France (#177584) (XD) - $14.95
Synthetic rubber cork. Medium+ intensity nose featuring complex earthy, olive, black pepper, dark fruit and hints of smoke aromas. It's full-bodied with savoury aroma replays and some mocha and baking spice notes on the palate. Very good length on the finish. With balanced acidity and dusty tannins that are integrating quite nicely, this should continue to drink well over the next 2-3 years. Score: 88 pts
This fairly easy drinking red wine will be in VINTAGES on November 14th and is suitable for mid-week sipping.
The Château Hauchat property was re-acquired by the Saby family in 1973. In 1989, current owner Jean-Bernard Saby purchased the property from his uncle. The Saby family has been making wine in the region for an astounding 8 centuries now.
The property is located within the commune of Saint-Aignan, to the west of neighbouring Pomerol and Saint Émilion in Bordeaux, France. On the high plateau of Saint-Aignan, the Château is in one of the finest
growing areas of the Fronsac appellation. Well drained clay-limestone soil and
perfect south/southwest exposure to the sun are two of its most distinctive
features. Château
Hauchat also grows just a single grape variety on its property - Merlot.
Tasting Note:
CHÂTEAU HAUCHAT 2011 - AC Fronsac, Bordeaux, France (#123489) (XD) - $15.95
100% Merlot. Plummy and black cherry aromas from the cork. Medium intensity aromas from the glass showing plum, blackberry, sour cherry, black spices, soft cedar vanilla oak, mineral and hints of cocoa notes. It's medium-bodied on the palate with tart red berry and mineral/iodine flavours. Has good acids, fairly rounded but gritty tannins. Good length on the cocoa-tinged finish. Score: 86 pts
On a rainy , I had the opportunity to taste 47 different Cabernet Franc wines from Ontario. The tasting event was organized by André Proulx and took place at Archive 909. Among those in attendance was Krista Lamb to reunite our #BlendedCru wine tasting group.
The small venue was perfect for this tasting as we had the whole place to ourselves. The impressive display of wines were placed in a line and very nearly filled the full length of the expansive bar. Wines ranged in vintage from 2009 to 2013, while pricing fell between $12 and $78. It was great to see all three major Ontario wine regions represented - Niagara Peninsula and it's sub-appellations, Prince Edward County and Lake Erie North Shore. Quite a few of the wines are available at the LCBO, but most are available only at the winery.
Below you will find wine reviews of the wines I enjoyed the most - and there were quite a few! Looking back, I am disappointed to see that no wine under $20 is in my list, including my usual "go-to" Ontario Cabernet Franc from Featherstone ($18.95, #064618). Having said that, less than 1/3 of the wines we tasted were less than $20, while the majority were between $20-$35.
I spoke to André after the event and we both agreed it was pretty crazy
to taste so many wines in one sitting. However, it was a great
experience that we all enjoyed and is something I hope we can do again
with another grape that does well in Ontario. Varietals such as
Chardonnay, Riesling and Gamay are ideal candidates for the next tasting.
A big thank you to André for organizing this huge, epic tasting, as well as all the wineries who provided the samples for us to taste!
Tasting Notes:
BACK 10 CELLARS THE BIG LEAP CABERNET FRANC 2013 - VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $28.95
Screw cap. Fragrant nose featuring raspberry, bramble, green pepper, and herbaceous aromas of medium+ intensity. Light tannins and light-to-medium bodied with nice aroma replays. It has bright acids and a medium-to-long finish. Score: 89 pts
BENCH TRIAL SUBPOENA CABERNET FRANC 2010 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $40.00
Nose appeared somewhat closed but featured notes of plum, raspberry, oak spice, dark cherry and chocolate. On the palate, it's full-bodied with good fruit extraction and complex aroma replays. It has mouth-watering acids and a very long finish. Decant for an hour and serve to allow the aromas to fully bloom. Score: 90 pts
BENCH TRIAL TESTIMONY CABERNET FRANC 2011 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $35.00
Perfumed medium-to-high intensity aromas of spice, black cherry, herbs, and exotic flowers. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy taut tannins and very nice aroma replays accented by vanillan oak spice. It has very good acids and finishes very long. Score: 91 pts
CAVE SPRING CABERNET FRANC ESTATE BOTTLED CAVE SPRING VINEYARD 2012 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (D) - $29.95
Medium+ intensity aromas of sweet ripe fruit, spices, sage, and herbally notes. The palate is medium+ bodied and fleshy with spice and aroma replays. It has very good acidity and finishes long. Taut tannins will reward with 1-2 years in cellar. Drink up to 2019. Score: 88+ pts
COOPER'S HAWK RESERVE CABERNET FRANC 2012 - VQA Lake Erie North Shore, Ontario, Canada (#335729) (XD) - $34.95
Medium-to-high aromatics showing grilled pepper, white pepper and herbaceous aromas. It's medium-to-full bodied with black cherry, black plum, and vanillan oak flavours. Very good acidity, medium-to-firm tannins and an oak-spiced finish. Drinkable now, will reward 2 years ageing. Score: 90 pts
COYOTE'S RUN RARE VINTAGE CABERNET FRANC 2012 - VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $32.95
Aromas of medium-to-high intensity featuring savoury earthy and black cherry notes. On the palate, it's medium-to-full bodied with white pepper and sour cherry flavours. It has mouth-watering acids, good structure, firm tannins and a excellent length on the finish. Drinking well now, but will reward with 2 years in cellar. Score: 89-90 pts
FIELDING CABERNET FRANC 2012 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#036194) (XD) - $21.95
Medium+ intensity aromas featuring complex black cherry, oak spice, currant and cedar notes. The palate is medium+ bodied with savoury aroma replays. It has very good acids, taut tannins amd finishes long and smooth. Drinkable now, but should be better in 2 years. Score: 89 pts
KACABA CABERNET FRANC RESERVE 2010 - VQA Niagara Escarpment, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $44.95
Inviting aromas of forest floor, cherry, dark red fruit and grilled pepper of medium+ intensity. The flavour profile consists of oak spice, chocolate and aroma replays on a medium+ bodied frame. It has very good acids, slightly chalky tannins and a long, smooth finish. Score: 88 pts
MEGALOMANIAC GROUNDED CABERNET FRANC 2010 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $44.95
Medium-to-high aromatics with a nose featuring savoury, earthy, forest floor and green pepper notes. The palate is medium+ bodied with ripe fruited flavours black cherry, oak spice, and plum. It has very good acids and finishes long. Score: 89 pts
NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY DEAN'S LIST CABERNET FRANC 2012 - Donald Ziraldo Vineyard, VQA St. David's Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $28.15
Perfumed medium+ intensity nose featuring lovely floral, black cherry, raspberry and sweet spice aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with bright acids and nice aroma replays while finishing long. Medium-to-firm tannins could use 1-2 years to soften, but quite drinkable now. Score: 89 pts
PILLITTERI RISERVA FAMIGLIA CABERNET FRANC 2010 - VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (D) - $78.20
Made in the appassimento style, this Cab Franc has medium-to-high aromas of sweet red cherries, caramel and orange. It's medium-to-full bodied with off-dry flavours of sweet oak spice, vanilla, milk chocolate and cherry. It has very good acids and excellent length on the finish. Memorable and different. Score: 90+ pts
RAVINE VINEYARD CABERNET FRANC 2013 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $35.00
Medium-to-high aromas featuring earthy, bretty, savoury and dark red fruit notes. The palate is medium-bodied with taut tannins and flavours of black cherry, mocha, earth and vanilla. It has mouth-watering acids and a medium+ length finish. 88+ pts
RAVINE VINEYARD RESERVE CABERNET FRANC 2012 - VQA St. David's Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $45.00
Aromas of black cherry and oak of medium intensity. This is full-bodied with big, brooding tannins, oak spice, black cherry, herbaceous, and green pepper flavours. It has mouth-watering acids and excellent length on the finish. Better in 2-3 years and beyond. Score: 90 pts
ROSEHALL RUN CUVÉE COUNTY CABERNET FRANC 2011 - VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $29.95
Medium intensity aromas of green pepper, black cherry and sour cherry which replay on the palate. It's medium-bodied and ripe with a medium level of tannins, good acids and a long, sour finish. Ageing nicely. Score: 88+ pts
ROSEHALL RUN CUVÉE COUNTY CABERNET FRANC 2012 - VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $29.95
Medium+ intensity, focused nose featuring green herbally notes, blackberry, black cherry and a hint of smoke. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy tannins, aroma replays along with olive flavours. Good, balanced acidity and excellent length on the finish. Score: 88 pts
ROSEWOOD ORIGIN CABERNET FRANC 2013 - VQA Niagara Escarpment, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#427534) (XD) - $25.95
Complex medium-to-high aromatics featuring oak spice, sage, white pepper, pomegranate and bramble which follow through on the complex palate. It's medium-to-full bodied and shows excellent balance with mouth-watering acids and medium-level of tannin. The finish is very long and smooth. Could cellar 3-4 years but drinking great now! Vegan-friendly. Score: 90+ pts
SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE CABERNET FRANC 2013 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#275958) (XD) - $21.95
Medium+ intensity aromas featuring white pepper, green pepper, herbaceous with underlying black cherry aromas that replay nicely on the palate. It has good structure and acids, fine tannins, while finishing long. Score: 89 pts
SOUTHBROOK WHIMSY! CABERNET FRANC 2012 - VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $34.95
Medium-to-high aromatics with a pleasing bouquet of herbs, black pepper, herbaceous, raspberry and black cherry notes. On the palate, it's medium-to-full bodied with nice aroma replays and hints of ripe fruit, all surrounded by smooth, rounded tannins and balanced acids. Excellent length on the finish. Score: 90 pts
TAWSE GROWER'S BLEND CABERNET FRANC 2011 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#284570) (XD) - $26.95
Medium intensity nose of sour cherry, white pepper, and hints of green pepper. The palate has nice aroma replays plus cassis flavours on a medium-to-full bodied frame that has good structure. The long finish has hints of coffee. Firm tannins could use 2-3 years to integrate. Score: 90 pts
VINELAND RESERVE CABERNET FRANC 2010 - VQA Niagara Escarpment, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (XD) - $40
Medium+ intensity nose featuring black pepper, spice, cherry and herbaceous aromas. Medium-bodied on the palate with nice aroma replays, balanced acids, resolved tannins and a long finish. Very good balance between fruit and savoury oak flavours. Score: 90+ pts
red wine is from Cantina Le Cimate, a fairly new winery in Montefalco that was started up by Francesca Bartoloni in 2011 to continue his family's tradition in agriculture that dates back to the 1800's.
The name of the family-owned winery "Le Cimate" was inspired from the hilly area where the winery is located, and is only 1 km southwest from Perticaia - a beautiful wine I tasted in August. Le Cimate is located at the peak of a hill, where one can get a very nice view of the Martani mountains and the town of Montefalco.
Vines for this wine were planted in 2001 and sit on a silt-clay soil that is moderately calcareous, fresh and deep and faces southeast. The wine is fermented in steel tanks and macerated for 15 days. Ageing occurs for 24 months, 12 of which are in Slovenian oak barrels, and 6 months in bottle.
In Ontario, this red wine is available via private order from Cottonwood Agency.
Tasting Note:
LE CIMATE MONTEFALCO ROSSO 2011 - DOC, Umbria, Italy (XD) - $30.50
Blend of 60% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino, 15% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Raspberry and blackberry aromas from the cork. Perfumed nose of black plum, cherry, and hints of apple wood from the glass. The palate is medium-to-full bodied with black licorice, herbal, blackberry and mild cedar oak notes. Some minty flavours mid-palate. Bright acids. Finish is long with earthy and woody notes. Sweet tannins still a bit tight, but has good structure to improve over the next 2 years. Drink over the next 6-7 years. Will be enjoyed with homemade Chicken Lasagne by Chez Megz and could pair with red meats. Score: 89 pts
Last , I had the pleasure of tasting the wines of Senhora Do Convento with Donald Ziraldo and his Victoria. Included in this tasting were 3 red table wines, followed by a Ruby Port and Tawny Port (both of which are readily available at the LCBO). We ended the casual walk-around tasting with a pair of aged Tawny Ports, followed by a pair of Vintage Ports.
Fine Port wines have been produced at the Senhora Do Convento property in Tavora, Portugal, within the heart of the Douro Valley, for the past 9 centuries and continues to this day. The impressive 12th Century Monastery still stands on the 150 hectare property that overlooks a 27 hectare vineyard where the grapes for fine wine were originally grown by Cistercian monks.
Besides growing grapes, the large property also has numerous almond, quince, cherry, peach, orange and fig trees along with the woods of chestnut, cork, wild cherry, oak and pine trees, many of which were planted by the Cistercian monks ages ago.
In 2006, a state-of-the-art gravity flow winery was built adjacent to the monastery to produce fine Port and table wines.
If you're new to port wine, you should find out your Port Personality on SDC's website where you can learn more about their entry-level Ruby and Tawny Ports. You will also find interesting cocktail recipes using these two port wines.
One of the most interesting things that Victoria spoke to me about was the romantic legend of Ardinia at the monastery. The love story begins with Ardinia attempting to flee to the monastery to be with her love and also convert to Christianity. Unfortunately for Ardinia, her dream was not realized as her father followed her to the monastery one day and in his rage beheaded his daughter. There have been rumours of a lady dressed in white lace known to make an appearance to the men who arrive on site. Strange sounds and objects being shifted have also been reported over the years.
The next time I visit Portugal, I am definitely making a point to visit Senhora Do Convento, and if courage allows, spend a night on the property.
Thank you to Eurovintage, Donald and Victoria for the opportunity to taste these wines. Full wine reviews of all the wines tasted are provided below. A couple of these wines are available at the LCBO, while the remainder can be purchased through Eurovintage.
Tasting Notes:
SENHORA DO CONVENTO DOURO RED 2012 - Douro, Portugal (XD) - $18.95
Medium+ intensity aromas of oak spice, red fruits, spices, herbs and a hint of lavender. Soft, integrated tannins on the medium+ bodied palate with nice aroma replays. Good acids. Bitter on the medium-to-long finish. Blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, and Tinta Roriz. Score: 88 pts
SENHORA DO CONVENTO AGUIAS 2012 - Douro, Portugal (XD) - $39.95
All estate fruit. Nose somewhat closed but showed black cherry, blackberry and vanillan oak aromas which echoed on the soft, rounded palate. It has balanced acids and a lengthy finish. Score: 87 pts
QUINTA DO CONVENTO 2009 - DOC Douro, Portugal (XD) - $24.95
A blend of 25-year-old Touriga Nacional and 22-year-old Tinta Roriz, both from schist soils, and Touriga Franca from granitic soils. Pleasing, elegant nose showing good savoury/fruit balance with notes of tilled earth, forest floor, dark berry, cherry and spice aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with nice aroma replays and a mineral component. It is well-balanced with tannins nicely integrated, good structure and balanced acidity. The smooth finish is very long. Score: 90+ pts
SDC RUBY PORT - Portugal (#398230) (S) - $16.95
Pleasing aromas of ripe berries, blackberry jam, and some herbal complexity that follow through on the sweet palate. Soft mouthfeel, smooth with some alcohol heat on the long finish. Score: 87 pts
SDC TAWNY PORT - Portugal (#398248) (S) - $16.95
Highly aromatic and perfumed nose with dried fig, raisin, caramel, brown sugar, vanilla and cherry notes with nice, sweet flavour replays. The medium-bodied palate become a touch hot mid-palate. The finish length is very good with spice and hazelnut flavours. Score: 86 pts
SENHORA DO CONVENTO 10 YEAR TAWNY PORT - Douro, Portugal (#298554) (MS) - $19.95
Golden amber colour. Medium-to-high aromatics of butter caramel, dried cherry, brown sugar, fig and woody notes. On the palate, it's medium-bodied and quite sweet with wood, mineral, butter caramel and vanilla flavours. It has good acidity and a very good length on the finish. Score: 88 pts
SENHORA DO CONVENTO 20 YEAR TAWNY PORT - Douro, Portugal (S) - $29.95
Golden amber colour. Highly aromatic nose featuring burnt caramel, brown sugar, and vanilla. The palate is medium+ bodied with hints of Meyer lemon and spice to go along with echoes from the aroma profile. Good, crisp finish. Score: 89 pts
SENHORA DO CONVENTO VINTAGE PORT 2009 - Douro, Portugal (S) - $28.95
Deep, dark red, almost black colour. Medium+ intensity aromas of cherry, red berry compote, subtle oak spice and some tartness on the nose. It's full-bodied with lovely cherry liquer and black cherry flavours. Smooth with balanced acids and a finish that goes on and on. Score: 91 pts
SENHORA DO CONVENTO VINTAGE PORT 2011 - Douro, Portugal (S) - $89.95
Dark red colour. Medium+ intensity nose of blackberry liquer, dark cherry and some white pepper spice. On the palate, it's full-bodied with very nice, balanced aroma replays and subtle oak spice. Excellent alcohol, fruit, oak, acid and tannin balance. Smooth, lingering finish. Very good structure will allow this port to age for 20 years. Score: 92 pts
wine is a sneak preview of a wine that will be in the LCBO in a couple of weeks as part of the October 17 VINTAGES Release.
Dominio de Tares is located in El Bierzo, within the province of León in the northwestern part of Spain, just north of Portugal. The estate is surrounded by top quality vineyards with plantings of indigenous varietals, the majority being Mencia and Godello. The goal of this winery is to produce to produce wines that express the true terroir of the DO Bierzo and its long tradition of winemaking.
This red wine is made from the Mencía grape, from bush-vines that are 60+ years old on lime and calcareous slate soils with high ferric content. It was hand harvested bunch-by-bunch and fermented using natural yeasts over 12 days, followed by malolactic fermentation, and aged for 9 months in French and American oak, plus another 6 months in bottle.
Tasting Note:
DOMINIO DE TARES CEPAS VIEJAS MENCÍA 2011 - DO Bierzo, Spain (#379891) (XD) - $29.95
Curranty red fruit, flower and woody aromas from the cork. Medium+ intensity nose that goes back and forth between savoury and fruity with freshly tilled earth, blackberry, dark currant with hints of herb and spice. The palate is medium+ bodied with appealing eucalypt, black licorice, dark currant, earth flavours. Quite complex. It's well-balanced with mouth-watering acids, and in a good place right now. Hints of violet on the long finish. Dusty tannins with good structure will drink well for the next 5-7 years. The braille on the label is an interesting touch that reads "Cepas Viejas" and translates to "Old Vines". Perfect for pairing with lamb. Score: 90 pts
On a fine day in , I had the pleasure of tasting the wines of La Ferme Du Mont with the talented Stéphane Vedeau. This was my second tasting with Mr. Vedeau, as I had previously tasted his wines at a similar event in 2013. I was curious to learn about and taste his latest wines and see how they differed (if at all) compared to the wines tasted a couple of years ago.
Many of the wines available at this tasting were newer vintages of the same wines tasted in 2013. However, there were also some new, previously-untasted wines such the Rosé and a pair of surprise wines from his other estate - Clos Bellane, one of which was excellent!
Stéphane has an endless passion for Grenache grapes, as evidenced by the 50 hectares of old vines that are cultivated on the estate in a completely natural environment, using only organic fertilisers. He continues the traditions passed down from his mother's side of the family as a 3rd generation winemaker to create beautiful handcrafted wines.
Some of these wines are available in the VINTAGES section at the LCBO, while others can be ordered privately via the agent Eurovintage Wines & Spirits.
Tasting Notes:
LA FERME DU MONT ROSÉ 2014 - AC Côtes du Rhône, France (XD) - $16.95
100% Grenache using intentionally under-ripe grapes. Low-to-medium intensity nose of white peach, strawberry and grapefruit. The palate is medium-bodied with dry flavours of strawberry, floral and is herbaceous. It has fresh acidity and a crisp, lengthy finish with some chalky minerality. Score: 87-88 pts
LA FERME DU MONT LA TRUFFIÈRE 2014 - AC Côtes du Rhône, France (#234716) (XD) - $16.95
Blend of 50% Grenache white, 40% Viognier (3% of which is botrytis-affected), 10% Clairette and a small amount of Marsanne (yes, that is more than 100%). Medium+ intensity nose with herbaceous, floral and some saline aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp, fresh acidity and floral. herbal, and mineral flavours. It's nicely balanced with hints of tropical fruit on the long finish. Score: 88+ pts
CLOS BELLANE LES ECHALAS 2012 - AC Côtes du Rhône Villages Valréas, France (XD) - $35
This white wine is made from 3 clones of Roussanne, 1 of which is harvested in November. Elegant, fragrant aromas of beeswax, flowers, lime and citrus. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp, balanced acids with a kiss of sweetness and white truffle notes. It has a very nice texture and a long, clean finish. Very nice! One of my favourites of this tasting. Score: 91 pts
LA FERME DU MONT PREMIÈRE CÔTE 2012 - AC Côtes du Rhône, France (#251645) (XD) - $14.95
Blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre. Medium+ intensity aromas of plum, bretty, ripe black cherry herbs and a hint of mushroom. It's medium-bodied on the palate with sweet vanillan oak, spice, black cherry, and hints of strawberry. It has fresh acids, light tannins and finishes long. Score: 88 pts
LA FERME DU MONT LE PONNANT CÔTES DU RHÔNE VILLAGES 2012 - Unfiltered, AC, Rhône, France (#171371) (XD) - $18.95
60% Grenache and 40% Syrah. Complex aromas of crème de cassis, licorice, blueberry, oak spice, blackberry, and acacia flowers of medium intensity which replay very nicely on the peppery palate. It's medium-bodied with bright acids and a spicy mid-palate. Medium level tannins. The finish length is medium-to-long with oak, dark berry, and spice notes. Score: 89 pts
LA FERME DU MONT GIGONDAS CÔTES JUGUNDA 2013 - AC, Rhône, France (#354118) (XD) - $29.95
This red wine is a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, showing medium+ intensity aromas of purple fruit, pepper, plum and hint of meatiness. On the palate, it's medium-to-full bodied with balanced acids and pepper, spice and licorice notes. It has medium-to-firm chalky tannins that would benefit from 2-3 years bottle ageing, but drinking well now. Good structure. Finishes long with violet notes. Score: 90 pts
LA FERME DU MONT CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE CÔTES CAPELAN 2011 - AC, Rhône, France (#078857) (XD) - $80.00
80% Grenache, 10% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre. Aromas of medium-to-high intensity featuring meaty, smoky, black cherry, raspberry and hints of graphite. The palate is medium+ bodied with very nice aroma replays and spicebox notes. It's well-balanced with mouth-watering acids and tannins that are somewhat chalky, and integrating very nicely. Excellent length on the finish. Will age gracefully up to 2026. Score: 92 pts
Friday, August 5, 2016
