Mar. 2 Wine Picks: California Trends

The next LCBO Vintages wine release will be in stores on Saturday, March 2. The main feature in this release is on the latest trends in California - which includes experimenting with new varietals, regions, and eco-friendly initiatives.

From this part of the release, we begin with the Bonterra Pinot Noir. It's difficult to find a Pinot under $20 from anywhere, nevermind a quality version from California that's made with certified organically grown grapes from Mendocino County, like this one from Bonterra Vineyards.

From Paso Robles - one of the fastest growing wine regions in California - we have an extra-dry (XD) white wine from Vina Robles that's blended with 4 varietals, only one (Sauvignon Blanc) of which is widely planted in California. It consists of 29% Viognier, 28% Verdelho, 27% Sauvignon Blanc, and 16% Vermentino.

The third and final pick from California is the Chalone Estate Chardonnay from the Chalone AVA in Central Coast. Chalone Vineyard is the only winery within this American Viticultural Area (AVA). It sits up high in the mountains within the Monterey County region and has a unique climate. You can read more about this unique area on the winery's website.

A minor feature in this release focuses on native grapes in Central and Southern Italy. The Selvanova Vigna Antica Aglianico from Campania (the "shin" of the Italy) is my lone pick and it's one to open right away. This varietal was originally brought to the region from Greece and thrived during Roman times. It was called Ellenico (the Italian word for "Greek") until the 15th century, when it acquired it's current name.

From the rest of the release, the Chilean Tabalí Reserva is a blend of 74% Syrah, 14% Merlot, and 12% Cabernet Sauvignon. The Marqués de Cáceres from Spain, at 9 years old and ready to drink now or could be cellared for at least another 5 years, is composed of 85% Tempranillo and 15% Graciano/Garnacha Tinta. From the fantastic 2009 Bordeaux vintage, we have the Château la Vieille Cure that consists of 74% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Enjoy my picks for this week! Cheers!


Red Wine:

• SELVANOVA VIGNA ANTICA AGLIANICO 2009 - IGP Terre del Volturno, Campania, Italy (#313494) (D) - $15.95
• NIETO SENETINER GRAN RESERVA MALBEC/PETIT VERDOT 2010 - Mendoza, Argentina (#295170) (XD) - $17.95
• BONTERRA PINOT NOIR 2010 - Mendocino County, California, USA (#317685) (XD) - $19.95
• ROLF BINDER MA I? HAVE THIS EVENING SHIRAZ/MATARO 2009 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#295899) (D) - $19.95
• TABALÍ RESERVA ESPECIAL 2009 - Limarí Valley, Chile (#107540) (XD) - $22.95
• MALIVOIRE STOUCK CABERNET MERLOT 2010 - VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Ontario, Canada (#321836) (D) - $29.95
• MARQUÉS DE CÁCERES GRAN RESERVA 2004 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#976670) (XD) - $29.95
• CHÂTEAU LA VIEILLE CURE 2009 - AC Fronsac, Bordeaux, France (#191452) (XD) - $36.85

White Wine:

• JEAN GEILER MÉDAILLÉ PINOT BLANC 2011 - AC Alsace, France (#315101) (XD) - $14.95
• VINA ROBLES WHITE 4 2010 - Paso Robles, California, USA (#313460) (XD) - $18.95
• TE AWA CHARDONNAY 2010 - Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand (#301135) (D) - $18.95
• SOUTHBROOK VINEYARDS TRIOMPHE CHARDONNAY 2011 - VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#172338) (D) - $21.95
• CHALONE ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2010 - Chalone AVA, Monterey County, Central Coast, California, USA (#080226) (XD) - $29.95

The rest of the wines from this release can be found here.

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Beringer California Collection Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 (USA) - Wine Review

Since I didn't have any Italian red wines that were quite ready to drink now, I decided to open this very fruit-forward Cabernet Sauvignon to pair with homemade Margherita Pizza last week. This red wine was received as a gift over the holidays. It's from the LCBO General List and is readily available.

BERINGER CALIFORNIA COLLECTION CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011 - California, USA (#113001) (D) - $9.95

Tasting Note:
Plum, blackberry jam, cassis, cedar and hints of sweet fruit aromas. Medium-bodied with sweet, ripe fruit on the palate. Very fruit-forward with red and dark fruit flavours, with oak undertones. Tannins are a bit chalky, but otherwise well-integrated. Off-dry with a short finish. Not your typical, big, dry Cali Cab. Easy drinker. Good acidity allowed it to pair well with the pizza.

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Fantasia Rosé 2011 (California) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is a sweet sparkling rosé from Castello di Amorosa that is ideally suited for prior to dinner or with dessert. I believe this is also the first time I've ever had a "Sparkling Rosé" at home.

FANTASIA ROSÉ 2011 - Napa Valley, California, USA (M) - $28

Tasting Note:
Normally, I don't comment on colour, but this one has a gorgeous raspberry colour to it. Fresh & sweet aromas of red cherry and ripe strawberry. Smooth flavours of strawberry on the palate, joined by peach & apricot mid-palate. Round, short finish with hints of honeycomb. Medium in sweetness. Light-bodied. Easy-drinking, low-alcohol (7%) wine with light carbonation. Serve with strawberry shortcake.

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Beringer Stone Cellars Merlot (California) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine was received back in February, courtesy of Sandals St. Lucia. I am not expecting much, but, as always, keeping an open mind and was quite pleasantly surprised. I suspect this is the same wine that can be purchased from the LCBO for $13.95.

BERINGER STONE CELLARS MERLOT - California, USA (#462473) (D) - $13.95

Tasting Note:

Slippery cork was pulled out rather easily. Cork aromas of crushed red berries and some prune. In the glass, aromas of ripe red berries, raspberry, plum, licorice, and some earthy elements. Lots of blackberry notes on the palate, mulberry, some spice, and hints of milk chocolate. Sweet core, medium-bodied with chewy ripe tannins. Finishes somewhat hot - alcohol seems higher than the 13.5% on the label. Easy drinking.

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2009 Chalone Monterey County Chardonnay (California) - Wine Review

This wine is a good reminder me of why you should always smell the cork when you open a bottle of wine. Do you smell the cork when you open a bottle of wine? If not, then definitely start taking a whiff.

This wine was purchased from latest Vintages Release on August 20.

CHALONE MONTEREY COUNTY CHARDONNAY 2009 - Monterey County, California, USA (#080226) (XD) - $16.95

Tasting Note:
Cork: Very nice citrus, orange, banana aromas. Lovely butter, toast, banana aromas in the glass. Interesting crisp green apple, plus butter and pear on the palate. Crisp and refreshing. Slightly acidic on the long finish. Very well-made and could have been aged another 1-2 years, but definitely enjoyable now. Will be having this with bhel puri.

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2008 Predator Old Vine Zinfandel (California) - Wine Review

PREDATOR OLD VINE ZINFANDEL 2008 - Lodi, California, USA (#219485) - $17.95

Tasting Note:
Red fruits, milk chocolate, earthy, and light oak aromas. Dried cherry, fruit-forward, and some cocoa on the palate. Light to medium-bodied. Lacking a little oak for my palate, but otherwise good structure and well made. Having this tonight with curried chicken made over charcoal.

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Scheid Vineyards Odd Lot White 2008: Review

Tonight's wine is a 2008 white from Scheid Vineyards. Not really sure how this landed in my cellar, but here goes:

SCHEID VINEYARDS ODD LOT WHITE 2008 - Monterey, California, USA

Review:
Butter, mineral/slate aromas definitely do not forewarn of the sweet flavours to follow. Off-dry style with creamy peach, lime notes. Quite nice, pleasant to drink if you like white wines on the sweeter side. Needed a bit more time to chill prior to opening (look for an update later in an hour or so). Will be having it with masala-fried whiting fish.

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