New Zealand & Easter - April 16th Vintages Release

Starting with this Release and going forward, I will also be posting my Wine Picks a few days prior to the Release date so you have some time review, prior to heading to your local LCBO outlet on Saturday. I hope you are enjoying my bi-weekly selections and reviews.

The upcoming Vintages Release on Saturday, April 16th spotlights New Zealand and the upcoming Easter festivities.

My 2 Sauv Blanc picks from NZ are not your typical gooseberry/nettle/grassy/lemon/lime-style - they are different and definitely worth a look. There are also numerous reds that provide great value and will go well at get-togethers during Easter long weekend (and on many occasions this summer). Cheers!

Red Wine:

• OSCAR'S ESTATE VINEYARD SHIRAZ 2008 - Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia (#225631) - $15.95
• BARONIA DEL MONTSANT FLOR D'ENGLORA ROURE 2009 - DO Montsant, Spain (#210989) - $15.95
• VILLA MATILDE ROCCA DEI LEONI AGLIANICO 2007 - IGT Campania, Italy (#165035) - $19.95
• CASAS DEL BOSQUE RESERVA CARMENÈRE 2009 - Rapel Valley, Chile (#205872) - $13.95
• APOLLONIO VALLE CUPA 2004 - IGT Salento Rosso, Puglia, Italy (#084046) - $17.95
• LONE KAURI RESERVE PINOT NOIR 2009 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#214858) - $16.95
• CAVE DES VIGNERONS DE BEL AIR BEAUJOLAIS-VILLAGES 2009 - AC, Beaujolais, France (#208058) - $13.95
• GROVE STREET CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2006 - Sonoma County, California, USA (#161190) - $15.00

White Wine:

• JULES TAYLOR SAUVIGNON BLANC 2009 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#224428) - $18.95
• FEATHERSTONE BLACK SHEEP RIESLING 2009 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#080234) - $16.95
• GIESEN SAUVIGNON BLANC 2009 - The Brothers Land, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#223180) - 14.95

Rosé Wine:

• CHÂTEAU VAL JOANIS TRADITION SYRAH ROSÉ 2009 - AC Luberon, Rhône, France (#707281) - $14.95

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2008 Kacaba Escarpment Cabernet/Syrah - Review

Received this from a friend last week who was at Kacaba Vineyards hosting an event that I was, unfortunately, unable to attend due to short notice. But, she graciously brought back this red wine for me.

Tasting Note:
Aromas of plum and raisin when opening. Crushed red berries, earth, barnyard, oak aromas in the glass. Currant, smoky, and light, new oak on the palate. Chalky tannins. Medium-bodied. Ripe and ready-to-drink. Overall, this red makes a nice impression, but something seems to be lacking that would make it an "exceptional" wine.

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Burgundy & South Africa - April 2nd Vintages Release

Today's Vintages Release focuses on wines from Burgundy (France) and South Africa. There are some quality wines in this release, but for the most part, I found it a little weak among Reds. For white wine lovers, there are quite a few nice backyard on-the-patio sippers. Enjoy!


Red Wine:

• CHÂTEAU LA VERRIÈRE 2008 - AC Bordeaux Supérieur, France (#199000) - $14.95
• HENRY OF PELHAM GAMAY 2009 - VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#291112) - $14.95
• PISANO RÍO DE LOS PÁJAROS RESERVE TANNAT 2008 - AO Progreso, Uruguay (#222141) - $16.95
• ROUX PÈRE & FILS CÔTE DE BEAUNE-VILLAGES 2009 - AC, Burgundy, France (#208520) - $17.95
• THE OAK VALLEY BLEND 2005 - WO Elgin, South Africa (#214361) - $16.95
• OLIVARES ALTOS DE LA HOYA MONASTRELL 2008 - Do Jumilla, Spain (#163154) - $13.95

White Wine:

• DOMAINE SAINT-SATURNIN DE VERGY BOURGOGNE HAUTES CÔTES DE NUITS BLANC 2009 - AC, Burgundy, France (#128686) - $18.95
• CATTAIL CREEK CHARDONNAY MUSQUÉ 2009 - VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#222257) - $17.20
• CHÂTEAU LA GRAVE D'ARZAC BLANC 2009 - AC Graves, Bordeaux, France (#206714) - $14.95
• SAN FELICE PEROLLA VERMENTINO 2009 - IGT Maremma Toscana, Italy (#222802) - $15.95

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2008 Chateau d'Argan AC Medoc: Review

Opened this Bronze Medal winner on Saturday evening:

CHÂTEAU D'ARGAN 2008 - AC Medoc, Bordeaux, France (#199018) - $16.95

Tasting Note:

Cassis, blackberry and black cherry notes. Some fine tannins remain, could have been aged for 1-2 years, but definitely enjoyable now. Dry, medium-bodied. Very good!

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Scheid Vineyards Odd Lot White 2008: Review

Tonight's wine is a 2008 white from Scheid Vineyards. Not really sure how this landed in my cellar, but here goes:

SCHEID VINEYARDS ODD LOT WHITE 2008 - Monterey, California, USA

Review:
Butter, mineral/slate aromas definitely do not forewarn of the sweet flavours to follow. Off-dry style with creamy peach, lime notes. Quite nice, pleasant to drink if you like white wines on the sweeter side. Needed a bit more time to chill prior to opening (look for an update later in an hour or so). Will be having it with masala-fried whiting fish.

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Spain & Portugal - Rivers of Gold. March 19 Release

This week's Vintages Release has a special feature on wines from Portugal and Spain. As such, I've chosen a few Spanish and Portuguese wines. A few wines from other parts of the world also stood out. Without further ado, here are my top Vintages Wine Picks from this latest release. Enjoy!

Red Wine:

• ETERNUM VITI 2008 - DO Toro, Spain (#210963) - $18.95
• FINCA SOBREÑO CRIANZA 2007 - DO Toro, Spain (#040360) - $17.95
• COLUMBIA CREST GRAND ESTATES MERLOT 2006 - Columbia Valley, Washington, USA (#263418) - $15.95
• THE WATCHER 2008 - Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia (#219196) - $19.95
• SERRADAYRES RESERVA 2008 - DOC Ribatejo, Portugal (#214023) - $14.95
• ROSSO DEL PIGARO PIGARO 2007 - IGT Rosso Veronese, Veneto, Italy (#203992) - $14.95

White Wine:

• ADEGA VILA REAL RESERVA BRANCO 2009 - DOC Duoro, Portugal (#218289) - $14.95
• SIETEFINCAS CHARDONNAY 2010 - Selected Vineyards, Mendoza, Argentina (#222752) - $13.95

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Argentina, Chile, Northern Italy - March 5th Vintages Release

Here are my picks for the Vintages Release on Saturday, March 5th. If you will be trying any of these, let me know. I'd love to hear your review! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• TERRE DI RUBINORO VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO 2006 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#206862) - $17.95
• BODEGAS CALLIA MAGNA SHIRAZ 2008 - Tulum Valley, San Juan, Argentina (#218818) - $15.95
• PISONI TEROLDEGO 2008 - IGT Vigneti Delle Dolomiti, Alta Adige/Trentino, Italy (#209353) - $14.95
• ELDERTON FRIENDS VINEYARD SERIES CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2009 - Barossa, South Australia, Australia (#595389) - $17.95
• CHÂTEAU HYOT 2006 - AC Côtes de Castillon, Bordeaux, France (#063537) - $14.95
• DOMAINE DE MATABRUNE BOURGUEIL 2009 - AC, Loire, France (#196865) - $14.95
• SANTA CAROLINA RESERVA DE FAMILIA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2008 - Maipo Valley, Chile (#684597) - $15.00

White Wine:

• AMARAL COOL CLIMATE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2010 - Leyda Valley, Chile (#048025) - $14.95
• BÉRES TOKAJI SÁRGAMUSKOTÁLY 2008 - Hungary (#200147) - $12.95 (MD)
• TERENZUOLA VERMENTINO 2009 - DOC Colli di Luni, Liguria, Italy (#205823) - $17.95

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