Providing a Unique & Affordable Selection of High Quality Red Wines and White Wines for Your Enjoyment. Also featured: Rosé, Port, Icewine, Champagne and Sparkling Wine for Special Occasions. Cheers!
This gorgeous white wine was purchased from this Saturday's Vintages release (yup!) and hails from a vineyard named after one of the owners of 13th Street Winery. The vines for this wine were planted in 1999 and continue to produce excellent Riesling, as evidenced by this wine. However, there wasn't much produced - only 550 cases - so get your hands on it this weekend while it's still available.
13TH STREET JUNE’S VINEYARD RIESLING 2011 - VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#147512) (D) - $19.95
Tasting Note:
Screw cap. Lovely lemon/lime, petrol, mineral, and citrus aromas from the glass. Medium-bodied with apricot, citrus, orchard fruit and stony minerality palate. It's off-dry with lively acidity. Finely balanced with stony and slightly tart finish that lingers. Highly recommended. Score: 90 pts
The next Vintages release will be on shelves across Ontario on . Appassimento wines are the main focus of this release, while wines for are highlighted in the small secondary feature.
In case you didn't know, Appassimento is a winemaking technique that involves drying grapes and tends to produce naturally sweeter wines. There are 3 major styles of Appassimento wines - Recioto, Amarone and Ripasso - all of which are represented in this release. Of the 16 wines featured, quite a few would be worthy additions to your cellar, and 3 of my wine picks below are excellent buys.
The Bertani Ripasso is a blend of Rondinella and Corvina Veronese and during the 2nd fermentation (i.e. ripasso) was refermented on pomaces of Recioto and Amarone. The Tenuta Sant'Antonio is a dry Amarone (i.e. not sweet) and consists of 70% Corvina, 20% Rondinella, 5% Croatina and 5% Oseleta; it will age gracefully and can be enjoyed over the next 10 years. And finally, the Brigaldara Amarone is an off-dry version (i.e. slightly sweet) made with 50% Corvinone, 20% Corvina, 20% Rondinella and 10% other grapes and can be enjoyed over the next 13 years. With both of these Amarones, you'll want to wait at least a year before opening as their both still a bit young.
Easter is the second feature of the release and highlights just 5 wines to help make your festive day more festive. Three of these wines made my list of wine picks - Featherstone's Rosé, Lailey's Chardonnay, and Reif's Vidal Icewine are all recommended, even if you don't celebrate Easter.
For Chardonnay fans, all of the Chardonnays mentioned below are oaked, except for the Chablis (50 yr old vines). For Riesling lovers, the German Riesling is the sweetest of the three I recommend and will have exotic notes typical of Piesporter wines. The Godelia Red is 100% Mencía with grapes coming from three zones with differing soils.
Enjoy my wine recommendations for this week. Cheers!
Red Wine:
GRANT BURGE 5TH GENERATION SHIRAZ 2012 - Barossa, South Australia (#361295) (XD) - $18.95
The next LCBO Vintages release will be in stores across Ontario on . In this edition, they list "30 reasons to love Vintages" and accompany the list with 20 wines that they suppose show why Vintages should be loved. In all my years of following Vintages, I'm not sure I've ever seen a theme such as this - perhaps they are running out of ideas and/or want to try something new. Good on them for trying something different - and I am pleased that some of the 20 wines featured did make my list of wine picks.
We begin with the Guintrandy Cairanne that is made using 75% Grenache and 25% Syrah, from vines that are more than 50 years old; the family has been maintaining this estate since 1850. Also from France is the Château Fleur de Jean Gué from the fabulous 2010 Bordeaux vintage that is 80% Merlot and 20% Cab Franc. Shiraz lovers will want to check out The Black Chook Shiraz/Viognier that includes 5% Viognier to add some interesting floral aromatics. Those who prefer lighter and less tannic wines will be interested in the Gray Monk Pinot Noir, which represents (again!) the single wine from B.C. that is available in the entire release.
From the rest of the release, the blend from Casarena consists of 70% Malbec, 20% Cab Sauvignon, 7% Cab Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, while the Beronia blend is mostly Tempranillo and small amounts of Mazuelo and Graciano.
Among my white wine recommendations, all are dry (i.e. not sweet) except for the Sauternes. The Fumé Blanc from California, and the version from Loire are both made with Sauvignon Blanc and are worth comparing side-by-side. The Joseph Phelps Chardonnay is exquisite for lovers of oaked Chardonnay.
Looking back, I notice there is something for virtually everyone as a fairly wide variety of grapes are represented. Having said that, besides the Sauternes, sweet wine lovers may want to skip this release. Enjoy my wine picks and we'll see you again in 2 weeks time!
Red Wine:
VIÑA TARAPACÁ GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011 - Maipo Valley, Chile (#018721) (XD) - $17.95
THE BLACK CHOOK SHIRAZ/VIOGNIER 2012 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#66738) (XD) - $17.95
, I opened a few samples from Union Wines that arrived on my door step earlier in the week. Union Wines is a joint partnership between winemaking legend Dr. Allan Jackson and sommelier, Andrew von Teichman that began in September of 2010.
Dr. Jackson and Mr. von Teichman's vision and passion for Union is to union multiple grape varieties to create consistent, reliable, and award-winning wines. Being a virtual winery - no vineyards, no winery, no equipment - Union avoids overhead costs that can cripple wineries. Thus, Union is able to provide quality wines at reduced price points. As you will see from my wine reviews below, it is really no surprise that in less than 4 years, Union has become one of the top selling VQA wines at the LCBO.
Of the 4 wines we tasted yesterday, the favourite among my guests was the Union White - not surprising as they all prefer sweeter wines. My personal favourite was the Union Red. All four are readily available at the LCBO, two of which are currently on promotion until the end of the month. Enjoy!
Tasting Notes: UNION GOLD 2011 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#351049) (XD) - $14.95
Screw cap. Blend of mostly Pinot Gris and Chardonnay, and small amounts of Sauvignon Blanc, and Gewürztraminer. Low-medium nose with apple/pear/orchard fruits, grass and hints of floral aromas. Medium-bodied with vibrant acids. Flavour profile is dry and consists of orchard fruits, citrus and spice. Oak influence is present, but not overshadowing. Finish is slightly tart and medium in length. This white wine paired well with chicken nachos in tortilla scoops topped with queso. Score: 85 pts
UNION WHITE 2012 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#197145) (D) - $13.95
Screw cap. Blend of Riesling, Chardonnay (un-oaked), Gewürztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc (and Viognier according to the label). Medium intensity aromas of floral and white berries, along with hints of peach. Medium-bodied and off-dry (slightly sweet) with notes of floral, lime, citrus and spice. Viognier and Gewürztraminer varietals make an appearance as it warms up in the glass. Good acids and a lasting finish. Easy drinking and ideal for spicy foods - it paired well with homemade Jerk Chicken Wings. Serve lightly chilled to allow the complex aromas to shine through. Score: 87 pts
Screw cap. Blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay Noir. Medium intensity aromas of sour cherry, cranberry, cedar oak, and hints of earth. It's lightweighted with good acids and pleasant, savoury aroma replays. Taut tannins. Interesting finish that is long and smooth, warm, and has a kiss of sweetness. Serve lightly chilled. Paired well with the nacho scoops. Score: 87 pts
If you're an Air Miles collector, until the end of March you can get Bonus 5 Air Miles with purchase of this red wine.
UNION RED 2010 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#197152) (D) - $13.95
Screw cap. Blend of Merlot, Cabernet, Gamay Noir, and Pinot Noir grapes from the excellent 2010 vintage. Medium-high intensity aromas of ripe black fruits, blackberry, oak, and hints of elderberry. Dry, medium-full bodied with ripe tannins. Nice aroma replays plus dark currant currant, spice and hints of mocha. Balanced acids and long finish. Chill slightly. Yummy. Score: 88 pts
This is currently on sale until the end of March for $12.95. Highly recommended at this price!
Last night's red wine was purchased from last August's Vintages release that highlighted Italian wines off the beaten path. Puglia is most likely not one of the first names to roll off your tongue when thinking of Italian wines, nor are the grapes in this red blend - Negromaro and Malvasia Nera. If you live in Bracebridge, Kenora, or Sault Ste. Marie, you will likely be able to get your hands on it, as it's virtually sold out everywhere else.
Tasting Note:
Blend of 80% Negromaro and 20% Malvasia Nera. Plum, cherry and slight prune aromas from the cork. Medium nose with cherry, black fruits, graphite and pronounced horse/barnyard as it warmed up in the glass. Medium+ bodied with smooth palate and red cherry, earth and spice notes. Has fresh acidity along with jucy, crunchy and firm tannins. Smooth, medium-long finish with hints of cocoa. Could be aged another 1-2 years, but drinking great now. Delicious. Score: 89+ pts
The next LCBO Vintages release will be on . The major theme of this release is titled "Cali Classics" and highlights some iconic wines from some of the biggest and best names in California, while the secondary theme is titled "Labour of Love" and focuses on artisanal wines from around the globe.
We'll begin with the Cali Classics section, where nearly all of the 12 wines featured are very good and I would be happy to add many of them to my cellar. However, I've selected three in particular that I would cherish the most.
First up is the 2010 Dominus that is composed of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot. It's not too often we see a Parker-rated 100-point wine on LCBO shelves, and while I doubt many other critics would also score this red wine 100 points, I am certain it's very, very good. It's a big wine that can be decanted and enjoyed now, or cellared for at least 20 years. At $170.95, you may want to go in with one or two close friends and open it on a very special occasion.
Also from Napa is the CADE Cabernet Sauvignon - a relatively new winery at 9 years old and making its debut in Ontario this month. The 2010 is 90% Cab and 10% Merlot from the Howell Mountain AVA (which is a sub-AVA of Napa Valley) and aged in 100% French Oak (80% new).
The Ridge Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is probably the best value of the bunch. The 2010 edition is a blend of 80% Cab Sauv, 17% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Franc and can also be decanted and enjoyed now or cellared for up to 10 years. And yes, even though it says Cabernet Sauvignon in big letters on the label, they are allowed to blend a certain percentage (at most 25% according to U.S. federal law) of other grapes and still be allowed call it by it's primary grape. It's great they included the full blend in smaller letters right on the label!
From the second feature of this release on handcrafted wines, we have the Castello di Ama Chianti (80% Sangiovese, 20% Malvasia Nera and Merlot), Thomas Bachelder's Pinot Noir from Burgundy. And finally, from Loire is a wine on the sweeter side - a Vouvray (Chenin Blanc) from Domaine Bourillon-Dorléans. The winemakers at all three wineries were involved at every stage of making these wines - from picking and pruning the grapes, all the way to the final stages of blending and marketing. Also, both Thomas Bachelder and Frédéric Bourillon focus on terroir-driven wines, with as little intervention as possible.
From the rest of the release, returning to Vintages (and $2 higher) is the 2009 Mas d'Auzierès les Éclats 2009 which I purchased and reviewed 2 years ago, while the Cahors is a blend of Malbec and Merlot. From Spain, the Odipus Old Vines Grenache amazingly comes from 100+-year-old vines, while the Lacrimus Crianza is a blend of 85% Tempranillo and 15% Garnacha (Grenache). Also from Spain is the Señorío de los Baldíos that is 100% Tempranillo. There's also an interesting Piedmont blend from Tenuta Stefano Farina that consists of 40% Barbera, 40% Nebbiolo and 20% Merlot.
Once again, it was slim pickings among white wines. The Henry of Pelham Chardonnay was barrel fermented, while the Quails' Gate version was 50% barrel fermented and 50% tank fermented. The Saint-Roch is a blend of 80% Grenache Blanc and 20% Marsanne from 50-year-old vines.
Enjoy my wine recommendations for this week. Cheers!
Red Wine:
ODIPUS OLD VINES GRENACHE 2008 - Unfiltered, DO Navarra, Spain (#366401) (XD) - $15.95
This white wine was purchased from last October's LCBO Vintages release with the intention of opening it sooner rather than later. For dry white wine lovers, I hope you bought this when I recommended it because it's very good, as you will see from my wine review below and there is virtually nothing left at the LCBO.
DOMAINE LAFAGE CUVÉE CENTENAIRE 2011 - AC Côtes du Roussillon, Midi, France (#343491) (XD) - $17.95
Tasting Note:
Blend of 80% Grenache Blanc and Grenache Gris, and 20% Roussanne. Lemon, mineral and floral aromas from the cork. Quite aromatic with nice florals, wet rock, pleasing barnyard and hints of peach notes. Light weight, with fresh, crisp acids on the palate. Complex flavour profile featuring white peach, acacia flowers, elegant spice, and herbs. Dry with good structure and a long, mouth-watering finish. Highly recommended. Score: 90+ pts
Friday, April 11, 2014
Tasting Note:
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