Review: Magnotta Oak Aged Cabernet Sauvignon, Ontario, Canada

Tonight's wine is from Magnotta (Ontario, Canada) - the Oak Aged Cabernet Sauvignon. There was no vintage on the label, so I'm not sure how old it is.

Tasting Note:

Strong raisin and plum aromas follow through on the palate. Very lightly oaked, slightly tannic. Light- to Medium-bodied. Normally, I enjoy wines from Magnotta, but this one I did not really enjoy. This is a light and fruity wine lacking oak depth. The label describing this wine was WAY off the actual flavour profile - perhaps it was aged too long.

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Review: Château la Chèze 2005, Bordeaux, France

Choice for tonight was a 2005 Bordeaux.

CHÂTEAU LA CHÈZE 2005 - AC Premières Côtes de Bordeaux, France (#191007) - $18.95

Tasting Note:
Blackberry, currant, earth aromas and flavours. Spicy palate at mid-length. Medium-long finish. Still tannic and very chalky. Probably could have used another year or two in bottle for tannins to settle. It paired nicely with chicken and lamb meatballs.

Bordeaux

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Ontario Wines Strike Gold - February 19th Release

This Vintages Release features many Cabernet Sauvignon's from around the world, as well as the Ontario Wines which "struck gold" at recent Canadian Wine Awards. Here are my top choices:

Red Wine:

• WAYNE GRETZKY NO. 99 ESTATE SERIES CABERNET/MERLOT 2007 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#128652) - $19.95
• 13TH STREET GAMAY NOIR 2008 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#177824) - $17.95
• NASHWAUK SHIRAZ 2007 - McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia (#221788) - $19.95
• WAKEFIELD ESTATE SHIRAZ 2008 - Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia (#943787) - $17.95
• ABBONA PAPÀ CELSO 2008 - DOCG Dogliani, Piedmont, Italy (#193730) - $19.95
• CHÂTEAU AU VIGNOBLE 2006 - AC Bordeaux Supérieur, France (#140004) - $15.95
• COLUMBIA CREST H3 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007 - Horse Heaven Hills, Washington, USA (#210047) - $19.95
• ANNE BOECKLIN RÉSERVE PINOT NOIR 2008 - AC Alsace, France (#196949) - $17.95
• LA CHAMIZA POLO PROFESIONAL CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2009 - Mendoza, Argentina (#128595) - $12.95

White Wine:

• DOMAINES SCHLUMBERGER LES PRINCES ABBÉS RIESLING 2007 - AC Alsace, France (#981662) - $18.95

Icewine:

• FEATHERSTONE SELECT LATE HARVEST CABERNET FRANC 2008 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#210757) - $19.95 (375 mL) - If you've never tried a Late Harvest Cabernet Franc and you like sweet wines, then you should try this one.
• CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES LATE HARVEST RIESLING 2007 - VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#432930) - $21.95 (375 mL)

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Review: Cat Amongst the Pigeons Alley Cat Shiraz/Grenache 2008

Wasn't feeling too well the last few days, so I was staying away from the wine and drinking warm Brandy with honey. Yummy. Feeling much better today, so here's what I am drinking tonight:

CAT AMONGST THE PIGEONS ALLEY CAT SHIRAZ/GRENACHE 2008 - Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia  (#127621) - $15.95

Tasting Note:
Minty blackberry, raspberry, basil aromas. All follow through on the palate. Finishes with earth notes. Chewy, ripe fruit. Smooth tannins. Not a big wine. Smooth and easy drinking with a medium-long finish.

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Review: Ontañon Crianza 2003 - DOC, Rioja, Spain

Ontañon Crianza 2003 - DOC, Rioja, Spain (#976910) - $14.95

Purchased this one back in 2007 and let it age in the basement. (It's not available at the LCBO anymore.)

Tasting Note:
Smoky blackberry, plum and black licorice aromas which follow through on the palate. Also notes of crushed red berries and leather. Spicy finish. Light- to medium-bodied and ripe. Definitely ready to drink now.

I'm not much a North American football fan, but I am enjoying this one on Super Bowl Sunday with some vegetable spring rolls, shrimp spring roll and jerk-style wings. Yummy.

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February & Valentine's Day Release - Vintages Wine Picks

Here are my top picks from the today's Vintages Release. The release has a sub-theme on Tuscany, Valentine's Day, and has a spotlight on Washington State - I have chosen at least one from each.

Red Wine:

• COLUMBIA CREST H3 MERLOT 2007 - Horse Heaven Hills, Washington, USA (#209874) - $19.95
• LORNANO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2007 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#211599) - $15.95
• LE CINCIOLE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2007 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#207795) - $19.95
• RINGBOLT CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2008 - Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia (#606624) - $19.95
• LANGA CENTENARIA GARNACHA 2006 - DO Calatayud, Spain (#194795) - $13.95
• CHÂTEAU LE GRAND MOULIN 2008 - Cuvée Grande Réserve, AC Premières Côtes de Blaye, Bordeaux, France (#198994) - $15.95
• GEORGE WYNDHAM FOUNDER'S RESERVE SHIRAZ 2007 - Langhorne Creek, South Australia, Australia (#107904) - $19.95
• L.A. CETTO PETITE SIRAH 2008 - Guadalupe Valley, Baja California, Mexico (#983742) - $11.95

Previous vintages of the Ringbolt from Australia and L.A. Cetto from Mexico are a couple of my favourites. I recall the Mexican wine used to cost $9.95 - and was a steal!

White Wine:

• JOSEPH CATTIN PINOT GRIS 2008 - AC Alsace, France (#196956) - $18.95
• YEALANDS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2009 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#199935) - $17.95

Rose Wine:

• DOMAINE DE CHEVALIER ROSÉ DE CHEVALIER 2009 - AC Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France (#209734) - $18.95

Icewine:

• FLOURISH VIDAL ICEWINE 2007 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#222356) - $18.95 (200 mL)
• RED LEAF VIDAL ICEWINE 2006 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#179705) - $17.95 (200 mL)
• FLAT ROCK CELLARS SWEET REVENGE VIDAL ICEWINE 2007 - VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#047803) - $34.95 (375 mL)

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Review: CASTELLARI BERGAGLIO SALLUVII GAVI 2009 - Piedmont, Italy

Tonight's wine is a lovely white from the Piedmont region of Italy.

CASTELLARI BERGAGLIO SALLUVII GAVI 2009 - Piedmont, Italy (#185033) - $13.95

Tasting Note:
This Gavi has fresh lime/citrus, apple, pear aromas. All the aromas follow through on the palate. Crisp. Some oak ageing evident. Dry style that is very similar to a Chardonnay. First time trying a Gavi and I wouldn't hesitate to try another in the future.

Stay tuned for my next Vintage Wine Picks which will be published this Saturday.

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