Top Marks New 90+ Wines and Sparklers: July 9 Vintages Wine Release

The upcoming Vintages Release on Saturday, July 9 looked promising when I first gazed at the cover. However, I found the bulk of the 90+ wines were well over $20, and tasting notes that seemed a little dated based on the ageability of the wine.

On the other hand, the feature on Sparkling Wines, including Champagne is outstanding. Lots of variety with great value! On page 18, you will also find a table on various different methods used to make Sparkling wines.

If you're looking for something to cellar away for a couple of years, the Bordeaux red (#231886) from the great 2009 vintage, the 2007 Lirac (#213082) from Rhône, or the 2005 Lan Reserva (#042929) from Spain are good candidates.

Red Wine:

• LAN RESERVA 2005 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#042929) (XD) - $19.95
• CHÂTEAU AUGUSTE 2009 - AC, Cuvée du Moulin, Bordeaux, France (#231886) (D) - $16.95
• LOMOND SYRAH 2008 - WO Cape Agulhas, South Africa (#146464) (XD) - $19.95
• BAGLIO DI PIANETTO SHYMER SYRAH/MERLOT 2008 - IGT Sicilia, Italy (#219501) (D) - $15.95
• DOMAINE DUSEIGNEUR ANTARÈS LIRAC 2007 - AC, Rhône, France (#213082) (D) - $19.95

White Wine:

• LEONE DE CASTRIS MESSAPIA VERDECA 2009 - IGT Salento, Puglia, Italy (#221879) (D) - $14.95
• GURRUTXAGA TXAKOLI 2009 - DO Bizkaiko Txakolina, Spain (#240333) (XD) - $18.95
• MOLTÈS RÉSERVE RIESLING 2009 - AC Alsace, France (#223925) (D) - $17.95
• DR. PAULY-BERGWEILER RIESLING 2009 - QbA Mosel, Germany (#596601) (MD) - $12.95

Sparkling Wine:

• FERRÉ I CATASÚS BRUT RESERVA CAVA - Spain (#224717) (D) - $16.95
• LOUIS BOUILLOT PERLE D’AURORE BRUT ROSÉ CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE - AC, Burgundy, France (#048793) (XD) - $18.95
• CERRINO BRÎCH MENU MOSCATO D’ASTI 2010 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#159822) (MS) - $13.95

Read More

2009 Granacha Signargues (Rhône, France) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine was purchased in May, from the May 14 Vintages Wine Release, featuring wines from Southern Rhône.

Tasting Note:
Lovely cherry, brandy, raspberry, earth, pepper aromas. Strong herbal characteristics, some plum and tobacco on the palate; short finishing. Definitely ready to drink now, but lip-smacking tannins would reward cellaring 1-2 years. Will be having this with fish in curry sauce.

Read More

2010 Malivoire LadyBug Rosé (Ontario) - Wine Review

To celebrate Canada Day, I was determined to choose something made locally. Fortunately, I had one Canadian-made wine ready to drink now (the rest are being aged). This wine was purchased from the May 14th Vintages Release, which had a tremendous focus on refreshing rosés.

2010 MALIVOIRE LADYBUG ROSÉ - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#559088) - $15.95

Tasting Note:
I have purchased this wine in previous vintages and enjoyed it each and every time. It has become a personal favourite. The 2010 features citrus, spring flowers, and strawberry aromas. Watermelon, red berries on the palate. Medium-bodied and feels heavy (not typical of a rosé.) Slightly off-dry. It's well made and definitely recommended. Happy Canada Day to all!

Read More

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.

Read More

Argentina + Canada Day Toast: June 25 Vintages Wine Release

Alright...here we go again. "The Heat Is On" Argentina as the primary focus of this Saturday's LCBO Vintages Release. With Canada Day celebrations around the corner, a few wines throughout the country (including Quebec) were highlighted - but none made my cut.

Many great value white wines in this Release. If you're looking for a dry offering, seek the Chardonnay (USA), Vinho Verde (Port.), Vernaccia di San Gimignano (Italy) or the Torrontés (Arg.). The other white wines are all off-dry - something sweeter for your taste buds.

A couple of rosés once again made my list - and I will likely pick up one of these on Saturday. Enjoy this week`s selection!

Red Wine:

• ZUCCARDI Q TEMPRANILLO 2008 - Santa Rosa Vineyards, Mendoza, Argentina (#973503) - $19.95
• PERRIN LES CORNUDS VINSOBRES 2009 - AC, Rhône, France (#241604) - $15.00
• ZUCCARDI Q CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007 - La Consulta/Tupungato Vineyards, Mendoza, Argentina (#140855) - $19.95
• CARLA CHIARO RESERVE MALBEC 2007 - Mendoza, Argentina (#235085) - $14.95

White Wine:

• CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE CHARDONNAY 2009 - Columbia Valley, Washington, USA (#232439) - $17.95
• SALTERIO ALBARIÑO 2010 - DO Rías Baixas, Spain (#002774) - $17.95
• BERTON VINEYARDS THE WHITE VIOGNIER 2010 - South Eastern Australia, Australia (#093435) - $14.95
• SOLAR DAS BOUÇAS LOUREIRO VINHO VERDE 2010 - DOC, Portugal (#221036) - $13.95
• PEDRO ESCUDERO FUENTE ELVIRA VERDEJO 2009 - DO Rueda, Spain (#218313) - $13.95
• TENUTE NICCOLAI SANTA CHIARA VERNACCIA DI SAN GIMIGNANO 2009 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#231852) - $16.95
• FAMILIA ZUCCARDI ORGANICA TORRONTÉS 2010 - Mendoza, Argentina (#232694) - $ 13.95

Rosé Wine:

• TRUMPOUR’S MILL ROSÉ 2010 - VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada (#055046) - $14.95
• FOLIE À DEUX MÉNAGE À TROIS ROSÉ 2009 - California, USA (#120220) - $17.95

Read More

2008 Château la Verriere (Bordeaux) - Wine Review

CHÂTEAU LA VERRIÈRE 2008 - AC Bordeaux Supérieur, France (#199000) - $14.95

Tasting Note:

Cork was a bit dried out, even though it was purchased only in April 2011. Nevertheless, it did taste/smell like very delicious dark chocolate. Gold medal winner in 2010. Aromas of cherries, herbs, smoked wood aromas. On the palate - lots of lilac/violet flavours, plus some toasty smoked oak. Medium-full bodied with lovely, rich tannins. Long finishing fruit. Could have been held for another year, but definitely ready to drink now. Having this with cheese strings right now. ;)

Read More

2010 Bieler Père et Fils Sabine Rosé (France) - Review

Purchased this dry Rosé earlier this week from the latest Vintages Release and chilled it for about 90 minutes in the refrigerator (a bit too much I think). But it warmed up quickly thanks to this great weather we're having!

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

Tasting Note:
Very light, pretty, peachy hue. Aromas: citrus, nectarine, peach, grass. Dry style with flavours of herbs and grass - reminds me of a Sauvignon Blanc, but stronger in flavour. Some bubbles, slightly acidic. Long finishing, especially for a rosé. Will be having this home-made chicken souvlaki with Greek salad on the side. Yum!

Read More