Veneto Italy + Father's Day Gifts - June 11 Vintages Wine Release

This week's Vintages Release on Saturday, June 11 features Veneto in all its glory, along with some new & notable wines from Ontario. Some expensive selections for Father's Day are also highlighted.

Among my picks, a Rosé made the list again, as well as a couple of refreshing whites for those sunny days on the patio. Among the several reds on my list, none stood out from the rest, but all appear enticing and ready to drink now! Enjoy!


Red Wine:

• CAT AMONGST THE PIGEONS FAT CAT 2008 - Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia (#222042) - $17.95
• ROSE HILL PRIVATE RESERVE CABERNET/MERLOT 2007 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#233841) - $18.95
• CHÂTEAU DU LUC LES MURETS CORBIÈRES 2008 - AC, Midi, France (#219410) - $16.95
• TENUTA SANT'ANTONIO MONTI GARBI RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA SUPERIORE 2008 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#029850) - $17.95
• ZENI COSTALAGO 2008 - IGT Rosso Veronese, Veneto, Italy (#220848) - $14.95
• PENINSULA RIDGE BEAL VINEYARDS RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2005 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#226001) - $18.95
• COLONIA LAS LIEBRES BONARDA 2009 - Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina (#219303) - $11.95
• FALERNIA RESERVA SYRAH 2007 - Elquí Valley, Chile (#208371) - $15.95

White Wine:

• JARDIN BARREL FERMENTED CHARDONNAY 2009 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#663336) - $17.95
• GIUSEPPE CAMPAGNOLA LE BINE MONTE FOSCARINO SOAVE CLASSICO 2009 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#134551) - $13.95

Rosé Wine:

• BIELER PÈRE ET FILS SABINE ROSÉ 2010 - AC Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence (#071423) - $12.95

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Kruger-Rumpf Riesling Spätlese 2006 (Germany) - Review

Purchased this beaut back in January.

KRUGER-RUMPF RIESLING SPÄTLESE 2006 - QmP, Münsterer Dautenpflänzer, Nahe, Germany (MD) (#189662) - $16.95

Tasting Note:
Petrol, slate, mineral aromas. Delicious melon, peach, citrus flavours. Smooth and refreshing. Off-dry. If you like off-dry Reislings, this is definitely one to try today or in 10 years. Not sure what I'll be having this with...

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2006 Nativa Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile - Review

I'm a big fan of Chilean wines, so tonight's wine is an Organic version from Nativa. Purchased only last month as part of the April 30th Vintages Release.

NATIVA SINGLE VINEYARD GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2006 - Organically Grown, Maipo Valley, Chile (#975359) - $19.95

Tasting Note:
Gorgeous herbs (eucalyptus), pepper/spice, earth aromas. Raspberry, blackberry, herbal, cocoa/coffee flavours. Prevalent tannins would reward some years in cellar. Oak lays in (far) background. Dry. Medium-full bodied. Very nicely made for an organic wine. Recommended. Will be having this with Cajun Chicken Sliders and Fries.

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Cali Confidential + Alsace Alliance - May 28 Vintages Release

This week's LCBO Vintages Release on Saturday, May 28, 2011 focuses on wines from California. Now, because I'm not a big fan of Cali wines (because I find many of them grossly overpriced), I was left wondering if there would be anything in this release that I might purchase. Sure enough, I did find a couple of wines that appear to be good quality, and within budget!

There is also a minor focus on Alsatians wines from France - the Pinot Noir stood out for me. For the 2nd consecutive release, a couple more Rosés from Ontario were selected. (Check out the May 14 Vintages Release for 2 more quality Rosés.)


Red Wine:

• PREDATOR OLD VINE ZINFANDEL 2008 - Lodi, California, USA (#219485) - $17.95
• RENZO MASI CHIANTI RISERVA 2007 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#969469) - $14.95
• JOSEPH CATTIN PINOT NOIR 2009 - AC Alsace, France (#224618) - $14.95
• VIÑA HONDA CRIANZA 2006 - DO Jumilla, Spain (#208108) - $17.95
• SANTA JULIA MAGNA 2008 - Mendoza, Argentina (#093799) - $14.95
• BOMMARITO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#213918) - $19.95

White Wine:

• DOMAINE ROUX PÈRE & FILS MONTAGNY 1er CRU 2009 - AC, Burgundy, France (#208017) - $18.95
• TRES OLMOS LIAS VERDEJO 2009 - DO Rueda, Spain, (#218354) - $13.95

Rosé Wine:

• CATTAIL CREEK SERENDIPITY ROSÉ 2009 - VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#118059) - $14.95
• KACABA SUMMERTIME SERIES REBECCA ROSÉ 2010 - VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#227025) - $14.95

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2007 Flagstone The Music Room Cabernet Sauvignon - Review

Not sure how I missed posting this when I opened the bottle, but here it is. Purchased this one back in January as part of the Smart Buys Release.

FLAGSTONE THE MUSIC ROOM CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007 - South Africa (#205245) - $17.95

Tasting Note:
Cedar oak, cassis, smoky aromas. Cassis, cherry, espresso on the palate. Spicy mid-length, finishing smooth. Medium-full bodied. Ripe tannins and lip-smacking finish. Could be aged another 1-2 years, but definitely enjoyable now. Had this with spinach & chicken, with rice.

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2009 Jules Taylor Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand - Review

Purchased this one back in April as part of the New Zealand / Easter release.

JULES TAYLOR SAUVIGNON BLANC 2009 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#224428) - $18.95

Tasting Note:
Classic gooseberry, nettle, some grass, and tinge of orange blossom aromas. Palate: Citrus with touch of honey. Flavourful. Dry. Long finish. Quite nice on this fine spring evening. Having this with vegetable lasagne.

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Audi A7 Launch Party

Earlier this week I attended the Audi A7 Launch party hosted by Pfaff Audi at Miele. This was my 2nd such event (the first was back in 2009 for the Q5 launch). This time, they had several serving stations featuring Asian cuisine, as well as some roving appetizers (yummy bbq shrimp!). Also on tap were the Erdinger wheat ale and a grapefruit-flavoured beer (I forget the name). Both were impressive! Now, because this is a wine blog, on to the wines...

Both wines were from Vineland Estates Winery from the Niagara Peninsula (Ontario). I started off with the Pinot Grigio. Normally, I'm not a big fan of this grape - but this wine is delicious. More of an apertif, off-dry style with peach, lemon, melon aromas and flavours. Crisp and refreshing!

After that, I had a glass of the Elevation Cabernet. This wine I did not enjoy at all. Aromas of dark fruit, and cocoa. On the palate - pungent fruit, tobacco/leather, petroleum flavours. Maybe it was just a bad bottle, I don't know.

Otherwise, I enjoyed the evening and thank Pfaff for the invitation. Until the next launch...

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