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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2008 Oscar's Estate Vineyard Shiraz, Barossa (Australia) - Review

Purchased this one back in April as part of the New Zealand + Easter Vintages Release.

OSCAR'S ESTATE VINEYARD SHIRAZ 2008 - Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia (#225631) - $15.95

Tasting Note:

Pepper, mint, herbal, blackberry, light oak/smoke aromas. On the palate, it opens with surprising gobs of sweet mulberry. Settles down with ripe blackberry fruits and cocoa. Easy drinking and fruit forward. It should pair nicely with the Chicken Lasagne we're having tonight!

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Southern Rhône + Refreshing Rosés - May 14 Vintages Release

This week's LCBO Vintages Release on Saturday, May 14 focuses on (mostly Grenache-based red) wines from the Southern Rhône region of France. As well, 3 styles of Rosés from various wine regions around the world - just in time for the Spring/Summer patio season.

The Ladybug from Malivoire is one of my favourite Rosés - and the 2010 looks to be a winner! My red wine picks for this week all look like they will reward if aged for 1-2 years. See for yourself and enjoy this week's selection!

Red Wine:

• LES VIGNERONS D'ESTÉZARGUES LA GRANACHA SIGNARGUES 2009 - AC Côtes du Rhône-Villages, Vieilles Vignes, Unfiltered, France (#082560) - $17.95
• DOMAINE MARTIN CAIRANNE 2009 - AC Côtes du Rhône-Villages, Unfiltered, France (#223461) - 16.95
• ELEMENTOS RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2008 - Mendoza, Argentina (#218974) - $12.95
• SANTA CAROLINA DRY FARMING CARIGNAN 2008 - Cauquenes Valley, Chile (#213520) - $16.95
• DOMAINE CROZE-GRANIER CUVÉE RÉSERVE CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2007 - AC, France (#736371) - $13.95
• TOR DEL COLLE RISERVA BRINDISI 2006 - DOC, Abruzzo, Italy (#211847) - $12.95
• VINELAND PINOT MEUNIER 2009 - VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#225508) - $17.95

White Wine:

• SOLS & SENS LAUDUN 2009 - AC Côtes du Rhône-Villages, France (#223438) - $13.95
• MICHEL DELHOMMEAU CUVÉE HARMONIE MUSCADET DE SÈVRE-ET-MAINE 2009 - AC, Sur Lie, Loire, France (#164624) - $12.95

Rosé Wine:

• MALIVOIRE LADYBUG ROSÉ 2010 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#559088) - $15.95
• STREWN CABERNET ROSÉ 2008 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#467753) - $13.95

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2009 Fontamara Pinot Grigio IGT (Italy) - Review

FONTAMARA PINOT GRIGIO TERRE DI CHIETI 2009 - IGT, Italy - $????

Tasting Note:
Received this one over Easter long weekend. Chilled the wine too much Friday evening, so had to wait for it to warm up. Once at a more optimal temperature, this wine showed aromas of apple, pear and light smokiness. Apple, pear, pale straw, gooseberry, nettle on the palate. Light oak evident. Dry and very straightforward. Having this tonight with spinach.

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2007 Wayne Gretzky No. 99 Estate Series Cabernet/Merlot - Review

Purchased this gem from fabulous Ontario Strikes Gold Release back in February.

WAYNE GRETZKY NO. 99 ESTATE SERIES CABERNET/MERLOT 2007 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#128652) - $19.95

Tasting Note:
VERY good offering from #99 himself. Lead/pencil/graphite, smoke aromas. All remain on the palate + cassis notes and blackberry. Medium-full bodied with a long finish. Chalky tannins that would have rewarded 2-3 years in the cellar, but definitely enjoyable now with a full flavoured dish - as I did last night.

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2002 Strewn Vidal Icewine - Review

Bought this one in 2007 and only realized during the Easter long weekend that I should have opened it sometime in 2009. Oops! Let's see how the extra ageing affected this Icewine.

STREWN VIDAL ICEWINE 2002 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#467746) - $24.95 (200 mL)

Tasting Note:
Honey, peach and toast aromas. On the palate it's Syrupy honey, peach, toast (butter). Creamy texture and sweet. Looks like the extra time in bottle did not hurt at all! I enjoyed this with a triple-berry cream cake from Longo's. Yum!

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