Showing posts with label napa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label napa. Show all posts

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  • Date publishedMonday, August 7, 2023

Stags' Leap Winery Chardonnay 2020 (Napa Valley) - Wine Review



After enjoying the excellent 2018 Stags' Leap Winery Petite Sirah earlier this year, tonight's white wine review is an excellent Chardonnay from the same producer that arrived at the LCBO last month as part of the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on July 22nd, with plenty of bottles still available for purchase across Ontario.

It is produced by the historic and well-regarded Stags' Leap Winery, which is located in the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley, California. The wine estate was established in 1893 by Horace Blanchard Chase and his wife, Mary, when they planted their first vineyards on the unique terroir of the Stags Leap District which is known for its volcanic soils, warm days, and cool nights, characteristics that provide the ideal microclimate for growing premium wine grapes. As one of California's oldest wine estates, the name Stags Leap is attributed to the native Wappo legend of a stag leaping to escape hunters, and the mountains behind the property on the eastern side came to be known as the Stags Leap Palisades.

The estate went through a series of ownership changes in the early part of the 20th century and gained significant recognition during the 1970s because its wine won first place in the 1976 Judgment of Paris tasting. Today, Stags' Leap Winery is renowned for producing high quality wines throughout their portfolio. Their goal is to convey the essence of their world-class terroir from grape to glass, and to create handcrafted wines that tell an authentic story of the land on which they are grown.

Crafted with 100% Chardonnay, the grapes for this white wine were sourced from the cooler southern appellations within Napa Valley, where the fog from San Pablo Bay helps cool the vineyards throughout the growing season and preserves the ideal freshness and acidity in the grapes. The majority of the fruit is from the Carneros AVA, which provides citrus, mineral, and crisp apple notes, while a smaller percentage is from the Oak Knoll AVA, which provides more tropical and stone fruit characters. Both of these vineyards produce Chardonnay that is ideal for Stags' Leap's style of winemaking - to craft wines with fresh fruit flavours, and bright acidity with vibrancy.

To craft this Napa Valley Chardonnay, Stags' Leap Winery gently whole-cluster pressed the grapes in order to preserve the naturally fresh aromatics. Twenty-five percent of the wine was fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks, while the remainder was fermented and aged in French oak barrels, with 25% in new oak and 50% in seasoned French oak. By using this specific method of barrel treatment, this helps preserve the essential purity of the fruit, while adding subtle notes of oak complexity. As is the style of Stags' Leap, the wine did not undergo malolactic fermentation, which further helps maintain the fruit's natural acidity, terroir expression, and aromatic freshness. The yeast lees were put in suspension during 7 months of maturation with weekly batonnage, then the three batches of wines were blended and bottled.

The 2020 growing season will be remembered for factors beyond the typical harvest season. Winter was warm and dry, with rain and cooler weather not arriving until the end of March. The mild spring offered a great, early start, while summer brought very cool mornings and very warm days. Stags' Leap Winery was very fortunate in that none of their vineyards were in the areas of active fires and they were able to harvest their grapes as planned. White wine grapes showed excellent development in the cellar, reflecting the fine vintage. The resulting wines of 2020 are of very high quality with concentrated flavours and excellent acidity, especially for varieties like Chardonnay. Let's see how this 2020 Napa Valley Chardonnay is tasting tonight...

Stags' Leap Winery Chardonnay 2020 (92+ pts)

Tasting Note:

STAGS' LEAP WINERY CHARDONNAY 2020 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#655381) (XD) - $44.95
The medium-high to highly aromatic nose is rich with impressive depth, featuring lovely aromas of lemon citrus, stone fruit, green apple, pear, and white peach with touches of vanillin oak spice, butter, and a hint of mineral. It has a concentrated, medium-full bodied, dry and spicy palate with delicious, ripe lemon citrus, green apple, pear, white peach, and gentle oak spice flavours, plus hints of vanilla, butter, and flinty mineral. It's nicely textured with fresh and vibrant acidity, while flinty mineral and oak spice notes linger on the long, juicy finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 92+ pts

While the Cabernet Sauvignon and small amounts of the Petite Sirah are available at the LCBO, the whole range can be ordered through their Agent - Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedFriday, January 13, 2023

Stags' Leap Winery Petite Sirah 2018 (Napa Valley) - Wine Review

red wine review is an excellent Petite Sirah, a distinct variety not to be confused with Syrah, from Napa Valley that arrived at the LCBO last weekend as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Established in 1893, Stags' Leap Winery is one of California's oldest wine estates. Their 240-acre property is situated on the watershed of the Stags Leap Palisades, nine miles north of the city of Napa, and is planted to 90 acres of vineyards. Situated in an intimate valley within the greater Napa Valley, they have a unique terroir and ideal microclimate which supports a classical standard of viticulture, land use, and winemaking. Their goal is to convey the essence of their world-class terroir from grape to glass, and to create handcrafted wines that tell an authentic story of the land on which they are grown.

The Stags' Leap name originated in the late 1880s with the founding Chase family, and is attributed to a native Wappo legend of a stag leaping to escape hunters. The mountains behind the property on the eastern side came to be known as the Stags Leap Palisades.

The Stags Leap Palisades are a rock outcropping that forms the eastern boundary of the estate and sheds debris in the form of volcanic rhyolite and tuff, which is carried to the valley floor where it mingles with the deeper subsoil made up of Bale loam formed from ancient river sediment. Topographically, the slope of the palisades and its small valley are oriented to block early morning sun, retain afternoon heat, and funnel cooler marine air coming from the San Pablo Bay to the south. The sheer volume of rock has a direct impact on the local climate of the estate as the rock face of the palisades gives off stored warmth after sunset, radiating down over the entire ranch. Moreover, the high incidence of rock in the soil holds the heat of the sun into the early twilight hours, and then loses it rapidly, effectively slowing and prolonging the ripening process. With Napa Valley's long growing season combined with the accentuated warmth and cooling of the Stags Leap District, the result is an ideal balance of acid and sugar in the fruit that also gives the grapes more time to mature and develop.

This Petite Sirah is actually a blend that includes small amounts of Syrah, Grenache, and other Rhône varieties. The grapes that make up the backbone of this wine come from the estate's vineyards which have deep, rocky soils, while other carefully selected fruit also comes from Calistoga and St. Helena in the north, and Oakville, Oak Knoll and Coombsville in the south, as well as from their own Stags Leap District. Petite Sirah is a varietal that is enhanced by the deliberate diversity of their vineyard sites.

It was vinified by Winemaker Christophe Paubert using the same, time-honoured techniques - simple and traditional - that have made Petite Sirah one of the winery's staples, thereby showing the uniqueness of the Petite Sirah fruit. It underwent a relatively short maceration and fermentation, and was aged for approximately 15 months in mostly used American oak barrels.

The 2018 growing season in Napa Valley was stunning and near-perfect with good winter rains, mild spring weather, and steady temperatures throughout that allowed for even flowering and bud break. These ideal growing conditions were followed by a cool, even, and slow-paced harvest, which allowed Stags' Leap to vinify wines at a gentle pace. The result is that the wines of 2018 are of very high quality with lower alcohol, concentrated flavours, colour, and excellent acidity. Let's see how this 2018 Petite Sirah from Napa Valley is tasting tonight...

Stags' Leap Winery Petite Sirah 2018 (93 pts)

Tasting Note:

STAGS' LEAP WINERY PETITE SIRAH 2018 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#590356) (XD) - $60.95
Primarily Petite Sirah with a small amount of Syrah, Grenache, and other Rhône varieties completing the blend. Elegantly perfumed aromas of black and blue berry, dark plum, peppery spice, and cocoa, with some wood spice and reductive notes rise out of the glass. It's full-bodied and well-structured on the palate with juicy, ripe black and blue fruit, pepper, spices, and cocoa flavours with touches of smoky mineral and black raspberry adding further complexity. Acids are fresh, vibrant, and juicy, while the firm tannins are structured and grainy. Nicely balanced throughout with savoury, smoky mineral, and cocoa notes lingering on the very long finish. Enjoyable now, but will be better in a few years. Drink over the next 15 years. Highly recommended buy! Score: 93 pts

Other excellent wines by Stags' Leap Winery are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedSunday, October 24, 2021

California Sommelier Sessions: Cakebread Cellars + St. Francis + Sequoia Grove

California Sommelier Sessions: Cakebread Cellars + St. Francis + Sequoia Grove
I received this tasting kit recently containing samples of three delightful wines from California. These three wines were featured in the latest California Sommelier Sessions virtual tasting series with representatives from each winery joining the tasting .

Joining us for this virtual tasting were Stephanie Jacobsen of Cakebread Cellars, Kate Madigan of St. Francis, and Molly Hill of Sequoia Grove. All three women have been with their respective companies for many, many years, working their way up to become winemakers. Today, Stephanie, Kate, and Molly are some of California's top winemakers and represent the new generation of female winemakers making an impact in the Napa and Sonoma Valleys of California.

Moderating and leading the discussion during the one hour tasting was sommelier and wine writer Sara d'Amato. The tasting was quite fascinating and very informative as each woman talked about where their wine was grown and how each of the unique terroirs across Napa and Sonoma Valley influences the expression of these grape varietals and the resulting wines.

All three wines were delicious, with the Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon notably outstanding! Each wine is available through their Agent - Charton Hobbs, with the Chardonnay also coming to LCBO VINTAGES next weekend.

Tasting Notes:

CAKEBREAD CELLARS CHARDONNAY 2019 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#709717) (XD) - $69.95
Cakebread's first wine back in 1973 and fine-tuning ever since. This 100% Chardonnay from the Carneros appellation was barrel fermented and aged on yeast lees for 8 months in French oak barrels, 30% new. The fragrant nose has pretty aromas of lemon meringue and sweet vanillin oak spice, with a hint of bubblegum. The medium-full bodied palate is creamy with lovely ripe apple, pear, lemon citrus, and spicy flavours nuanced with butter and sweet oak vanillin, all in a very nicely balanced and elegant profile. It has fresh, balanced acidity, along with a taut texture on the mid-to-back palate. Leesy mineral notes linger on the long and clean aftertaste. Score: 92 pts

Cakebread Cellars Chardonnay 2019 (92 pts)

ST. FRANCIS OLD VINE ZINFANDEL 2018 - Sonoma County, California, USA (#539155) (XD) - $29.95
A blend of 87% Zinfandel and 13% Petite Sirah from vines 50 to more than 100 years old that was aged for 16 months in French oak (25% new) in mostly medium-toast levels. The medium-high intensity nose offers sweet, ripe red and black fruits and sweet baking spices. The full-bodied palate is slightly warming (15.2% abv) with woody notes surrounding a core of dark fruit, blackberry, dark cherry, oak spice flavours with a hint of cinnamon. Acids are fresh and bright, while the firm tannins seem a bit tight and grippy at the moment. Dry overall with very good length on the finish. Score: 89 pts

St. Francis Old Vine Zinfandel 2018 (89 pts)Sequoia Grove Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (93 pts)

SEQUOIA GROVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#60020) (XD) - $69.95
Known for their Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine is a blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 1% Syrah, 1% Malbec, and 1% Petit Verdot. The highly aromatic nose delivers very attractive aromas of sweet, ripe black cherry, red berry, blackberry, currant, and cassis liqueur accented with gentle oak spices. The full-bodied, structured palate is rich and ripe with lovely aroma replays of black cherry, blackberry, currant, cassis, and woody notes supported by fresh and juicy acidity. Youthful tannins are chalky, yet approachable. Woody, earthy, and cocoa notes linger on the finish, with excellent length. Highly pleasurable now, this should continue to evolve nicely until at least the end of the decade. Score: 93 pts


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  • Date publishedMonday, February 25, 2019

Wine Picks LCBO VINTAGES Release Mar. 2, 2019: Napa + Award-Winning Ontario

LCBO Wine Picks: March 2, 2019 VINTAGES Release
The upcoming LCBO VINTAGES Release on features wines from Napa Valley in its main theme, while the mini-theme looks at award-winning wines from Ontario. Both of these themes are on the small side. All of these wines, plus many others, will be on LCBO VINTAGES shelves across Ontario by this .

We'll begin with the main theme that focuses on wines from the 2015 vintage in Napa Valley. The year was marked by very dry growing conditions and low yields. However, it produced many quality wines, albeit in lower quantities. Of the ten wines featured in this theme, only one is included among my wine picks - a Chardonnay from Robert Mondavi.

Of six wines featured in the mini-theme on Award-Winning wines from Ontario, there are two beauties among my wine recommendations. The first is an excellent 50/50 Pinot Noir and Chardonnay sparkling wine from Niagara's 13th Street Winery. The second wine is a Marsanne, one of the few (perhaps only?) plantings of the grape in Ontario.

13th Street Premier Cuvée 2012 (91 pts)Piazzano Colorino 2015 (91 pts)

From my red wine picks, the Kékfrankos, as they call the grape varietal in Hungary, is also known as Blaufränkisch or Lemberger in other parts of the world. It is rare to see 100% Colorino, as we find in the Piazzano Colorino from Tuscany. Also from Italy, the Rubesco is a blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Colorino, while the Riserva Chianti Classico is a blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot. The Chianti Classico from Isole e Olena is a blend of 80% Sangiovese, 15% Canaiolo, and 5% Syrah. Lastly, the lovely Amarone is a blend of 50% Corvina, 30% Corvinone, 15% Rondinella, and 5% Oseleta.

Mazzei Ser Lapo Riserva Chianti Classico 2015 (90 pts)Lungarotti Rubesco Sangiovese/Colorino 2015 (89 pts)

Among my white wine picks from the rest of the Release, the above $20 category features only Chardonnay - two from Burgundy, one from Ontario, and one from Russian River Valley. Under $20, there is a nicely dry Alsatian white that consists of 41% Sylvaner/Pinot Blanc, 19% Pinot Gris, 18% Gewurztraminer, 17% Riesling, and 5% Muscat, while Rioja white is a blend of 70% Viura, 10% Malvasía, 10% Tempranillo Blanco, and 10% Garnacha Blanca that spent 3 months in new French oak barrels. If you like some sweetness in your wine, there is a Gewurztraminer; for more sweetness look to the Niagara Riesling.

Southbrook Wild Ferment Chardonnay 2017 (91 pts)Hugel Gentil 2016 (89 pts)

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this Release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

  • CAMPOS DE ENANZO BASIANO TEMPRANILLO 2017 - DO Navarra, Spain (#644484) (XD) - $11.95
  • NEDERBURG MANOR HOUSE SHIRAZ 2015 - WO Western Cape, South Africa (#068775) (XD) - $16.95
  • TÚZKO KÉKFRANKOS 2015 - Hungary (#588806) (XD) - $18.95
  • LUNGAROTTI RUBESCO SANGIOVESE/COLORINO 2015 - DOC Rosso di Torgiano, Umbria, Italy (#368548) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
  • VIÑA LEYDA SINGLE VINEYARD LAS BRISAS PINOT NOIR 2016 - DO Leyda Valley, Chile (#632919) (XD) - $19.95
  • SIDEWOOD SHIRAZ 2015 - Adelaide Hills, South Australia (#446146) (XD) - $19.95

  • MAZZEI SER LAPO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2015 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#288530) (XD) - $23.95  90 pts  wine review
  • SOUTHBROOK LAUNDRY VINEYARD GAMAY NOIR 2017 - VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#646323) (XD) - $24.95  90 pts  wine review
  • UNDURRAGA TERROIR HUNTER CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2015 - Cauquenes, Maule Valley, Chile (#630350) (XD) - $24.95
  • ISOLE E OLENA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2015 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#704346) (XD) - $34.95
  • PIAZZANO COLORINO 2015 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#455675) (XD) - $35.95  91 pts  wine review
  • SARTORI CORTE BRÀ AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2011 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#225540) (D) - $53.95
Southbrook Laundry Vineyard Gamay Noir 2017 (90 pts)

White Wine:

  • PALATINE HILLS RIESLING 2016 - VQA Niagara Lakeshore, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#520395) (M) - $15.95  89 pts  wine review
  • HUGEL GENTIL 2016 - AC Alsace, France (#367284) (XD) - $18.95  89 pts  wine review
  • KEW MARSANNE 2016 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#485334) (D) - $19.95
  • IZADI BLANCO 2017 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#586396) (XD) - $19.95
  • BARON DE HOEN RÉSERVE GEWURZTRAMINER 2017 - AC Alsace, France (#377721) (D) - $19.95
  • MÂCON-LUGNY LES CHARMES 2017 - AC, Burgundy, France (#983098) (XD) - $21.95
  • ROBERT MONDAVI NAPA VALLEY CHARDONNAY 2015 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#310409) (XD) - $29.95
  • DOMAINE DU CHALET POUILLY POUILLY-FUISSÉ 2016 - AP, Burgundy, France (#295717) (XD) - $33.95
  • SOUTHBROOK ESTATE GROWN SMALL LOT WILD FERMENT CHARDONNAY 2017 - VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#644625) (XD) - $35.00  91 pts  wine review
  • GIRARD RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY CHARDONNAY 2015 - Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA (#276675) (D) - $39.95
Palatine Hills Riesling 2016 (89 pts)

Sparkling Wine:

  • 13TH STREET PREMIER CUVÉE 2012 - Traditional method, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#142679) (XD) - $34.95  91 pts  wine review

Fortified:

  • DOW’S QUINTA DO BOMFIM VINTAGE PORT 2005 - Bottled in 2007, DOC, Portugal (#515544) (S) (375 mL) - $28.95  FE


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  • Date publishedMonday, November 20, 2017

VINTAGES Release Nov. 25, 2017: California Wines for Holiday Wish Lists

LCBO Wine Picks from November 25, 2017 VINTAGES Release
The next release into LCBO VINTAGES on is a mono-thematic release featuring top California wines for holiday wish lists. All of these wines will be on LCBO VINTAGES shelves across Ontario this coming . This is the second to last release of 2017, and it's a thick one, so you'll want to begin stocking up for the holidays from this release and the past few releases in October and November.

We'll begin with the main theme that features top wines from California. Most of the seventeen wines listed in this thematic will provide enjoyment, but I have limited my selection to four top wines. This includes the mountain vineyard blend from The Hess Collection which contains 61% Malbec, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 6% Petit Verdot/Syrah, while the flagship wine from Stags' Leap is made with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. In white wines from California, the Grgich Chardonnay is always delicious every year, while the Kistler Chardonnay comes from their mountain vineyards that range in elevation from 800 to 1700 feet above sea level.

Grgich Hills Estate Chardonnay 2013 (92 pts)

From my red wine picks from the rest of this release, the Crianza is made with 100% Tempranillo, while the Faithful Hound from South Africa is faithfully made with 32% Cabernet Franc, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 16% Malbec, and 7% Petit Verdot. The Chianti Classico is also a blend and consists of 80% Sangiovese, 10% Colorino, and 10% Pugnitello. From France there are a pair of GSM-blends - the La Ferme du Mont wine is composed of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre, while the Tessellae Old Vines is made with 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre. Also from France, the Crozes-Hermitage is 100% Syrah, while the "Vin de France" Xavier wine from Rhône consists of almost 100% Mourvèdre. On the local front, the Stratus Red is predominantly Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, with Syrah, Sangiovese, Malbec, and Tannat added to complete the final blend.

San Felice Chianti Classico 2015 (88+ pts)La Ferme Du Mont Première Côte Côtes du Rhône 2015 (88+ pts)

Among my white wine picks, the Antinori white from Umbria and the Montagny from Burgundy are both made with Chardonnay. For sweet wine lovers, you should pick up any of the Rieslings from either Ontario or Germany.

Henri de Villamont Montagny 1er Cru 2014 (91 pts)Fritz Willi Friedrich-Wilhelm-Gymnasium Riesling Feinherb 2015 (89 pts)

The sparkling wines found among my wine recommendations are all on the dry side. The Desiderius Pongrácz Sparkling Wine and the Drappier Champagne are both blends of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, while the Moët & Chandon Rosé Champagne is a blend of 46% Pinot Noir (of which 20% is red wine), 32% Chardonnay, and 22% Pinot Meunier. Meanwhile, the Cuvée Catharine Blanc de Blanc is made with 100% Chardonnay.

Henry of Pelham Cuvée Catharine Carte Blanche Estate Blanc de Blanc 2012 (91 pts)

Enjoy my top wine picks from this Release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

  • VIÑA OLABARRI CRIANZA 2013 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#461277) (XD) - $14.95
  • LA FERME DU MONT PREMIÈRE CÔTE CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2015 - Unfiltered, AP, France (#251645) (XD) - $17.95  88+ pts  reviewed here
  • TESSELLAE OLD VINES GRENACHE/SYRAH/MOURVÈDRE CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON 2015 - AC, Midi, France (#343517) (XD) - $18.95
  • SAN FELICE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2015 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#282996) (XD) - $19.95  88+ pts  reviewed here
  • ZUCCARDI Q CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013 - Gualtallary & La Consulta, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#140855) (XD) - $19.95
  • MULDERBOSCH FAITHFUL HOUND 2014 - WO Western Cape, South Africa (#922443) (XD) - $20.95
  • CAVE DE TAIN GRAND CLASSIQUE CROZES-HERMITAGE 2015 - AC, Rhône, France (#572230) (D) - $23.95

  • XAVIER ARCANE XV LE DIABLE 2015 - Vin de France, Rhône, France (#526301) (XD) - $29.95
  • STRATUS RED 2013 - VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#131037) (XD) - $48.20
  • DOMAINE DROUHIN OREGON PINOT NOIR 2014 - Dundee Hills, Oregon, USA (#961284) (XD) - $49.95  91 pts  reviewed here
  • THE HESS COLLECTION 19 BLOCK MOUNTAIN CUVÉE 2013 - Mount Veeder, Napa Valley, California, USA (#018879) (D) - $54.95
  • CA’ ROMÉ ROMANO MARENGO CERRETTA BAROLO 2011 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#000455) (XD) - $71.95
  • FUMANELLI AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2011 - DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#475053) (XD) - $72.95  92 pts  reviewed here
  • STAGS’ LEAP ESTATE THE LEAP CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013 - Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California, USA (#142844) (XD) - $99.95
Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir 2014 (91 pts)

White Wine:

  • FAZIO AEGADES GRILLO 2015 - DOC Erice, Sicily, Italy (#388637) (XD) - $17.95
  • TAWSE SKETCHES OF NIAGARA RIESLING 2015 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#089029) (M) - $18.95
  • LAURENZ V. FRIENDLY GRÜNER VELTLINER 2015 - DAC Kamptal, Austria (#066225) (XD) - $19.95
  • CONCHA Y TORO MARQUÉS DE CASA CONCHA CHARDONNAY 2015 - Limarí Valley, Chile (#342857) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  reviewed here
  • FRITZ WILLI FRIEDRICH-WILHELM-GYMNASIUM RIESLING FEINHERB 2015 - Qualitätswein, Mosel, Germany (#523894) (M) - $20.95  89 pts  reviewed here
  • STONELEIGH LATITUDE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2017 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#324228) (XD) - $21.95  89+ pts  reviewed here
Concha y Toro Marqués de Casa Concha Chardonnay 2015 (89 pts)Stoneleigh Latitude Sauvignon Blanc 2017 (89+ pts)

  • BACHELDER OREGON CHARDONNAY 2014 - Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA (#273334) (XD) - $24.95  90+ pts  reviewed here
  • CHARLES BAKER PICONE VINEYARD RIESLING 2014 - VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#241182) (M) - $35.20
  • HENRI DE VILLAMONT MONTAGNY 1ER CRU 2014 - AC, Burgundy, France (#522151) (XD) - $40.95  91 pts  reviewed here
  • ANTINORI CASTELLO DELLA SALA CERVARO DELLA SALA 2015 - IGT Umbria, Italy (#512376) (XD) - $59.95
  • GRGICH HILLS ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2013 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#346304) (XD) - $67.95  92 pts  reviewed here
  • KISTLER SONOMA MOUNTAIN CHARDONNAY 2015 - Sonoma Mountain, Sonoma County, California, USA (#183921) (XD) - $107.95

Sparkling Wine:

  • DESIDERIUS PONGRÁCZ BRUT CAP CLASSIQUE SPARKLING CHARDONNAY/PINOT NOIR - Traditional method, WO Western Cape, South Africa (#404111) (XD) - $16.95
  • HENRY OF PELHAM CUVÉE CATHARINE CARTE BLANCHE ESTATE BLANC DE BLANC 2012 - Traditional method, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#315200) (XD) - $44.95  91pts  reviewed here
  • DRAPPIER MILLÉSIME EXCEPTION CHAMPAGNE 2012 - AC, France (#513895) (XD) - $74.95
  • MOËT & CHANDON GRAND VINTAGE BRUT ROSÉ CHAMPAGNE 2008 - AC, France (#069831) (XD) - $98.95


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  • Date publishedMonday, November 13, 2017

Buena Vista Winery Open House at Char Bar

Buena Vista Winery wine tasting at Char Bar
In , I was invited to a wine tasting at the Char No. 5 Whisky Bar located inside the Delta Hotel on Lower Simcoe Street in downtown Toronto to taste the wines from California's Buena Vista Winery. I was one of the first to arrive and had plenty of space to cozy up to the bar at the back where "The Count" was pouring the wines. After the venue was nicely filled up with patrons, The Count came out from behind the bar and began to tell us the interesting story about himself and the winery.

The story begins with Agoston Haraszthy de Mokesam, the self-proclaimed "The Count of Buena Vista", a grape-grower in his homeland of Hungary who was born into a wealthy, land-owning family and grew up amidst famed orchards and vineyards that had been in his family for centuries. In 1840, he set sail for America and settled with his family in Wisconsin, founding the town of "Szepataj" - now known as Sauk City. He was also the first to plant hops in Wisconsin, spurring the American beer industry. However, the harsh winters in Wisconsin were problematic for grape-growing, so he moved west to California and eventually settled in Sonoma in 1856 where he knew he could grow superb grapes on great terroir.

Buena Vista Winery was founded by The Count in 1857 on a converted ranch and produced 6,500 gallons in the first vintage and continued to grow and expand over the next few years. The Count inspired many others, including friend Charles Krug who borrowed a press from Buena Vista for crushing grapes in Napa Valley and helped pioneer winegrowing in that equally famous valley.

In 1861, The Count built California's first gravity-flow winery and visited Europe to study and report on methods used in the old world in order to improve Californian viniculture. Following this extensive journey with his son, he brought back thousands of vines and samples representing over 487 varieties, many of which were planted throughout the vineyards at Buena Vista Winery. Capitalizing on the knowledge gained, he authored a book which went on to become an essential handbook for California vintners.

The Count of Buena Vista
Later that decade, The Count left his prized winery and set out for Nicaragua to explore sugar growing and rum production. Unfortunately, his life ended abruptly in 1869 as he fell from a tree branch into an alligator-infested stream and was never to be heard from again. Back in Sonoma, without their visionary and widespread phylloxera setting in, Buena Vista Winery ceased production.

The winery was revived in the 1940's after the property was purchased by Frank and Antonia Bartholomew. In 2007, Agoston Haraszthy de Mokesa (1812-1869), the eccentric Count of Buena Vista and California's foremost grape protagonist, was inducted into the Culinary Institute of America's Vintners Hall of Fame, where he joined the ranks of many other world-class vintners. In 2011, Buena Vista became part of Boisset Family Estates, a renowned and charismatic family with a collection of historic wineries and roots in Burgundy, France. Led in the U.S. by Jean-Charles Boisset, the family is committed to its partnership and continue the vision and legacy that The Count first created 150 years ago.

The performance was informative and a nice touch to the tasting. If you visit the winery in Sonoma,  you can enjoy the full unique experience with The Count and a light, sound and visual show. Given the compelling story of this winery, I just might make a point to visit Buena Vista on my next visit to Sonoma.

Thank you to Family Wine Merchants (FWM Canada) for the invite. Wine reviews of my favourite wines from this tasting are provided below. The Chardonnay is available in LCBO VINTAGES right now, while the two red wines will be coming through LCBO VINTAGES early next year. Please contact FWM Canada for more immediate needs or if you require large quantities.

The Count of Buena Vista

Tasting Notes:

BUENA VISTA LA VICTOIRE BRUT CHAMPAGNE - AC, France (XD)
Blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay. this has fragrant yeasty, leesy, bready and pastry aromas with a clean hint of lemon waft from the glass. It's medium-bodied and quite light on its feet with balanced acids and fine mousse. The long lasting finish has a fine lemony aftertaste. Classy. Score: 90 pts

Buena Vista La Victoire Brut Champagne (90 pts)Buena Vista North Coast Chardonnay 2015 (88 pts)

BUENA VISTA NORTH COAST CHARDONNAY 2015 - California, USA (#396440) (XD) - $20.75
Very Californian on the nose with medium+ aromatics of ripe pineapple, golden apple, butter and a whiff of minerality. The palate is medium+ bodied and creamy textured with ripe fruited pear and apple flavours, plus leesy and vanillin oak accents. It has bright acids and finishes long with some bitterness. Score: 88 pts

BUENA VISTA CARNEROS PINOT NOIR 2013 - California, USA (#304105) (XD) - $28.95
Open, medium-high intensity aromas of raspberry, sweet oak spices, dark cherry and some forest floor, earth, tea leaf, white pepper are quite complex. It's medium bodied on the palate with suave tannins that are well-integrated and lovely aroma replays followed by some herbally notes. Acids are very good and balanced. Excellent finish length. Coming to VINTAGES . Score: 90 pts

Buena Vista Carneros Pinot Noir 2013 (90 pts)Buena Vista Chateau Buena Vista Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 (91 pts)

BUENA VISTA CHATEAU BUENA VISTA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2014 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#539106) (XD) - $59.95
The highly aromatic nose offers a complex bouquet of currant, cassis, mint, red & black fruits, and forest floor aromas. It's full-bodied with polished tannins and very nice aroma replays on the structured palate to go along with mouth-watering acids. Some warmth on the mid-palate, but is supported well by the fleshy fruit. Excellent finish length. A big, powerful Napa Cab to enjoy now or over next 15+ years. Coming to VINTAGES . Score: 91 pts


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  • Date publishedThursday, October 12, 2017

LCBO VINTAGES October 14, 2017: Napa + Pinot Noir

LCBO Wine Picks from October 14, 2017 VINTAGES Release
The main focus of the upcoming release into LCBO VINTAGES on is on wines from Napa, while the mini-thematic focuses on the grape varietal Pinot Noir. New wines will be on LCBO shelves across Ontario this coming .

We'll begin with the feature on Napa. The timing of this release couldn't be worse, as we hear about the sad news of the wildfires ravaging Napa and nearby counties of Sonoma and Mendocino. Nevertheless, this release features a few bright wines from Napa, as three of the fifteen wines listed are included among my top wine picks. The single vineyard Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon is at the top of this list and is made with 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petite Verdot. Also in this release is a Petite Sirah (aka Durif) which is an offspring of the Syrah varietal. The last wine is a complex Chardonnay from the Carneros AVA within Napa Valley.

Clos Pegase Mitsuko’s Vineyard Chardonnay 2014 (91 pts)Stags’ Leap Winery Petite Sirah 2014 (90+ pts)

The "Pinot Gallery" was a bit disappointing as only one of the nine Pinots from the mini-theme are included among my wine picks. However, the one Pinot Noir that did make it is a great wine from one of South Africa's top producers - Hamilton Russell.

In red wines from the rest of the release, the Rasteau from Rhône is a blend of 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah, while the Crianza is a blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Garnacha / Graciano / Mazuela. From Italy, the Chianti Classico is a blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo, while the Amarone is a blend of 70% Corvina and Corvinone, and 30% Rondinella.

Lavau Rasteau 2014 (89 pts)Losi Querciavalle Chianti Classico 2011 (89 pts)

Among my white wine picks, the Vinho Verde is a blend of Loureiro and Alvarinho, while the rest are all single varietals. If you prefer your wines on the sweeter side, you'll want to check out the Riesling or Gewürztraminer wines, with the Gewürztraminer Kabinett the sweetest of the lot.

Fielding Estate Bottled Riesling 2016 (89 pts)

For those who prefer very sweet wines, or if you're looking for a nice after dinner dessert wine, any of the Pedro Ximenez, Vintage Port and Vin Santo will satisfy your sweet tooth.

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

  • LOSI QUERCIAVALLE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2011 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#515478) (XD) - $16.95  reviewed here
  • CVNE VIÑA REAL CRIANZA 2014 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#657411) (XD) - $18.95
  • SUSANA BALBO SIGNATURE MALBEC 2014 - Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#79798) (XD) - $19.95  reviewed here
  • LAVAU RASTEAU 2014 - AC, Rhone, France (#394650) (XD) - $19.95  reviewed here
  • TABALÍ VETAS BLANCAS RESERVA ESPECIAL CABERNET FRANC 2014 - Limarí Valley, Chile (#514117) (XD) - $19.95
  • TABALÍ TALUD CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2014 - Maipo Valley, Chile (#513960) (XD) - $23.95
  • STAGS’ LEAP WINERY PETITE SIRAH 2014 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#590356) (XD) - $49.95  reviewed here
  • SANTA SOFIA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2011 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#713669) (XD) - $52.95
  • HAMILTON RUSSELL PINOT NOIR 2016 - WO Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Walker Bay, South Africa (#999516) (XD) - $57.95
  • TWO HANDS LILY’S GARDEN SHIRAZ 2015 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#683086) (XD) - $59.95
  • ROBERT MONDAVI RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013 - To Kalon Vineyard, Oakville, Napa Valley, California, USA (#670463) (XD) - $149.95
Susana Balbo Signature Malbec 2014 (88+ pts)

White Wine:

  • MARIA PAPOILA VINHO VERDE 2015 - DOC, Portugal (#408146) (D) - $15.95
  • BARON DE HOEN RÉSERVE GEWURZTRAMINER 2015 - AC Alsace, France (#377721) (D) - $18.95
  • BELLVALE ATHENA’S VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2014 - Gippsland, Victoria, Australia (#521245) (XD) - $19.95
  • DARTING DÜRKHEIMER NONNENGARTEN GEWÜRZTRAMINER KABINETT 2015 - Prädikatswein, Pfalz, Germany (#944181) (S) - $19.95
  • FIELDING ESTATE BOTTLED RIESLING 2016 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#251439) (D) - $19.95  reviewed here
  • SAINT CLAIR WAIRAU RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2016 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#415653) (XD) - $34.95
  • CLOS PEGASE MITSUKO’S VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2014 - Estate grown, Carneros, Napa Valley, California, USA (#986737) (XD) - $34.95  reviewed here
  • BACHELDER SAUNDERS VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2013 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#324103) (XD) - $44.95

Dessert Wine:

  • MARCHESI DE’ FRESCOBALDI CASTELLO DI POMINO VIN SANTO 2008 - DOC, Tuscany, Italy (#661249) (M) (500 mL) - $42.95

Fortified:

  • ALVEAR PEDRO XIMENEZ DE AÑADA 2014 - DOP Montilla-Moriles, Spain (#499152) (S) (375 mL) - $24.95
  • DOW’S QUINTA DO BOMFIM VINTAGE PORT 2005 - Bottled in 2007, DOP, Portugal (#515544) (S) (375 mL) - $31.95


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  • Date publishedTuesday, May 24, 2016

May 28 VINTAGES Release: Veneto + Judgment of Paris

LCBO Wine Picks: May 28, 2016 VINTAGES Release
The VINTAGES Release will be on shelves this coming Saturday and features the wines from Veneto as its main theme, while the mini-theme features the players from the 1976 Judgment of Paris tasting.

We'll begin with the secondary theme that honours the 40th anniversary of the famous Judgment of Paris tasting that pitted the relatively unknown Cabernet Sauvignons and Chardonnays from California against the top red wines from Bordeaux and top Chardonnays from Burgundy. California fared quite well in the tasting and ended up taking top prize in both red and white wine categories. The rest, as they say, is history. This mini-theme is anything but mini, with four excellent wines from the seven included among my wine picks.

Three California Chardonnays from Judgment of Paris players made my list of wine picks, including wines from Chateau Montelena, Heitz Cellar, and an organic wine from Grgich Hills. The only red wine chosen from this mini-theme is the Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon which contains 8% Petit Verdot, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Merlot, and needs some time before it can be enjoyed over the ensuing three decades. Not included as part of the Judgment of Paris theme but also available in this release as part of the Flagship Store Exclusive (FSE) program is another Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon that's blended with 14% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Franc.

From the major theme of the release, the wines from Veneto were mostly lacklustre except for a Masi Amarone that came through VINTAGES last November in a magnum bottle, but now returns in the more popular 750 mL format. The other Venetian wine is the Pieropan Soave Classico crisp, dry white wine that is a blend of 85% Garganega and 15% Trebbiano di Soave.

Masi Costasera Riserva Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2009 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (92 pts)Avondale Jonty’s Ducks Pekin Red 2011 - WO Paarl, South Africa (88+ pts)

South Africa is well-represented among my wine picks with a Chenin Blanc and an oaked Chardonnay, but there's also a lovely little South African organic red wine that is a blend of 37% Shiraz, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot and 4% Malbec. Other red wines in this release include a Portuguese wine blend consisting of Alicante Bouschet, Touriga Franca and Touriga Nacional, while the Rhône blend consists of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault.

The latest vintage of the dry rosé wine returns to VINTAGES shelves, consisting of Syrah and Grenache, while the sparkling wine is a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this release. Cheers!

Red Wine:

  • AVONDALE JONTY’S DUCKS PEKIN RED 2011 - WO Paarl, South Africa (#383547) (D) - $14.95  reviewed here
  • HERDADE DA PIMENTA ALENTEJANO 2013 - DO Alentejo, Portugal (#445114) (XD) - $16.95
  • MONTGRAS ANTU CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013 - Maipo Valley, Chile (#444703) (XD) - $17.95
  • D’ARENBERG THE FOOTBOLT SHIRAZ 2013 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#984021) (D) - $19.95
  • CHÂTEAU PEGAU CUVÉE MACLURA CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2013 - AC, Rhône, France (#452250) (XD) - $19.95
  • VITICCIO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2012 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#283580) (XD) - $22.95
  • JOHN GLAETZER JOHN’S BLEND NO. 38 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012 - Langhorne Creek, South Australia (#927640) (D) - $39.95
  • BACHELDER LA PETITE CHARMOTTE NUITS SAINT GEORGES 2013 - AC, Burgundy, France (#357228) (XD) - $58.95  FSE
  • MASI COSTASERA RISERVA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2009 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#324137) (D) - $69.95  reviewed here
  • RIDGE VINEYARDS ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012 - Monte Bello Vineyard, Santa Cruz Mountains, California, USA (#89284) (XD) - $74.95  FSE
  • RIDGE MONTE BELLO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013 - Santa Cruz Mountains, California, USA (#405332) (XD) - $191.95

White Wine:

  • FLAT ROCK UNPLUGGED CHARDONNAY 2014 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#68015) (XD) - $16.95
  • PIEROPAN SOAVE CLASSICO 2014 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#946848) (D) - $17.95
  • 13TH STREET JUNE’S VINEYARD RIESLING 2013 - VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#147512) (D) - $19.95  reviewed here
  • FORREST THE DOCTORS’ SAUVIGNON BLANC 2014 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#317842) (D) - $19.95
  • RUSTENBERG CHARDONNAY 2014 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#598631) (XD) - $19.95
  • OLDENBURG VINEYARDS CHENIN BLANC 2014 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#443358) (XD) - $20.95  FSE
  • CAVE SPRING CSV RIESLING 2013 - Estate bottled, Cave Spring Vineyard, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#566026) (D) - $29.95  reviewed here
  • HEITZ CELLAR CHARDONNAY 2014 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#205500) (XD) - $49.95
  • GRGICH HILLS ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2013 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#346304) (XD) - $67.95
  • CHATEAU MONTELENA CHARDONNAY 2014 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#701748) (D) - $75.95
Cave Spring CSV Riesling 2013 - Estate Bottled, Cave Spring Vineyard, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (91 pts)13th Street June’s Vineyard Riesling 2013 - VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (89 pts)

Rosé Wine:

  • CHÂTEAU VAL JOANIS TRADITION ROSÉ 2015 - AP Luberon, Rhône, France (#707281) (XD) - $15.95

Sparkling Wine:

  • JACKSON-TRIGGS ENTOURAGE GRAND RESERVE BRUT 2011 - Méthode Traditionnelle, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#234161) (D) - $24.95


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  • Date publishedMonday, October 12, 2015

Wine Picks - October 17, 2015 VINTAGES Release: Napa + Barolo

LCBO Wine Picks from October 17, 2015 VINTAGES Release
The VINTAGES Release will be in LCBO outlets this coming Saturday and features wines that are especially known for its high-quality and are usually out-of-budget for the majority of wine drinkers. The major feature of this release is on wines from Napa Valley, while the mini-feature is about Barolo from the great 2010 vintage.

Unfortunately, none of the Barolo wines made my list of wine picks, while only one of the sixteen Napa wines are among my wine recommendations below. From Napa is the 2010 Heitz Cellar Cab, a special wine that is 100% Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. There are also a pair of Napa wines worth consideration that are found at the back of the VINTAGES magazine as part of that Flagship Store Exclusives (FSE) collection. The first is the Howell Mountain vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from Dunn Vineyads, while the second wine is a (surprising!) Sauvignon Blanc from Joseph Phelps.

The quality of Riesling in this release intrigued me the most, with styles ranging from bone-dry all the way to nearly Icewine-sweet levels. In order from dry (i.e. not sweet) to most sweet are Riesling wines from Kilikanoon, Hiestand, Tawse, Bischöfliche and Wegeler. If you enjoy sweet wines, you should also check out the Vouvray (Chenin Blanc). Chardonnay fans should check out the pair of wines from Burgundy.

Among my red wine picks, you'll be hard pressed to find a nice, mature red from 2006 for $15, as is the Monasterio de las Viñas blend (Garnacha, Tempranillo and Cariñena) from Spain. Also a blend is the wine from CVNE that is 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo, while the single vineyard wine from Argentina is actually a blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot. And lastly, the 2009 Bordeaux wine is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc.

Enjoy my wine recommendations for this week. Cheers!

Red Wine:

  • MONASTERIO DE LAS VIÑAS RESERVA 2006 - DO Cariñena, Spain (#166579) (XD) - $14.95
  • CATHEDRAL CELLAR PETIT VERDOT 2013 - WO Western Cape, South Africa (#427559) (XD) - $15.95
  • 3 RINGS SHIRAZ 2013 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#015495) (XD) - $18.95
  • SUSANA BALBO SIGNATURE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013 - Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#260919) (XD) - $19.95
  • ALTA VISTA ATEMPORAL 2011 - Single Vineyard, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#144352) (XD) - $19.95
  • CHÂTEAU RENARD MONDESIR 2009 - AC Fronsac, Bordeaux, France (#420299) (XD) - $26.95  reviewed here
  • DOMINIO DE TARES CEPAS VIEJAS MENCIA 2011 - DO Bierzo, Spain (#379891) (XD) - $29.95  reviewed here
  • CVNE IMPERIAL RESERVA 2009 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#424390) (XD) - $38.95
  • CASTELLO DI AMA SAN LORENZO CHIANTI CLASSICO GRAN SELEZIONE 2010 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#418897) (XD) - $45.95  reviewed here
  • HEITZ CELLAR CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#642124) (XD) - $89.95  reviewed here
  • DUNN VINEYARDS HOWELL MOUNTAIN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#193763) (D) - $149.95  FSE
Dominio De Tares Cepas Viejas Mencia 2011 - DO Bierzo, Spain (90 pts)Château Renard Mondesir 2009 - AC Fronsac, Bordeaux, France (89 pts)

White Wine:

  • ALKOOMI WHITE LABEL SEMILLON/SAUVIGNON BLANC 2014 - Frankland River, Western Australia (#428383) (XD) - $16.95
  • TRÉSORS DE LOIRE VOUVRAY 2014 - AC, Loire, France (#427427) (M) - $17.95
  • TAWSE SKETCHES OF NIAGARA RIESLING 2014 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#089029) (M) - $17.95
  • HIESTAND RIESLING TROCKEN 2013 - Qualitätswein, Rheinhessen, Germany (#424515) (D) - $19.95
  • KILIKANOON MORT’S BLOCK RIESLING 2014 - Clare Valley, South Australia (#428342) (XD) - $19.95
  • BISCHÖFLICHE WEINGÜTER TRIER SCHARZHOFBERGER RIESLING KABINETT 2012 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#670752) (MS) - $22.95
  • LOUIS MOREAU VAULIGNOT CHABLIS 1 ER CRU 2013 - AC, Burgundy, France (#525386) (XD) - $34.95
  • WEGELER WEHLENER SONNENUHR RIESLING AUSLESE 2010 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#391128) (S) (375 mL) - $36.00
  • JOSEPH PHELPS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2013 - St. Helena, Napa Valley, California, USA (#965277) (XD) - $59.95  FSE
  • PATRICK JAVILLIER LES TILLETS MEURSAULT 2013 - AC, Burgundy, France (#714899) (XD) - $75.95  FSE

Sparkling Wine:

  • JANÉ VENTURA RESERVA DE LA MUSICA BRUT NATURE 2010 - DO Cava, Spain (#420364) (XD) - $17.95
  • DUVAL-LEROY RESERVE BRUT CHAMPAGNE - AC, France (#661264) (XD) - $55.95


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