Wine Reviews - August 16th Birthday Party

Here are wine reviews of some of the wines we enjoyed yesterday at my 1-year-old daughter's 1st birthday party. The big winners among guests were definitely the Minervois and the Crianza as I received lots of positive comments about both of those red wines.

Tasting Notes:
KÖNIGSCHAFFHAUSER VULKANFELSEN PINOT NOIR ROSÉ TROCKEN 2013 - Qualitätswein, Baden, Germany (#168237) (D) - $13.95
From the June 7 Vintages release and quite a few remain in stock depending on which LCBO is nearest to you. Fresh aromas of medium+ intensity with a nose of strawberry, rose, cherry and grapefruit. It's light-to-medium bodied and off-dry on the palate with more grapefruit, cherry and hints of honey flavours. Very fresh mouthfeel with zippy, refreshing acids. Good length on the finish. Score: 88 pts

ERRÁZURIZ MAX RESERVA SAUVIGNON BLANC 2013 - Aconcagua Costa, Chile (#273342) (XD) - $15.95
First tasted at the Errázuriz winemaker tasting last September. Highly aromatic gooseberry, cat pee, and herbal aromas from the glass. Light-to-medium bodied on the palate along with a slightly creamy texture. Balanced aroma replays, plus green pepper, lime peel notes on the palate. Has lively acidity and a lengthy finish. Classic Sauvignon Blanc. LCBO General List and on sale at select LCBO outlets. Score: 89 pts

VINELAND ESTATES SEMI-DRY RIESLING 2012 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#232033) (D) - $13.95
LCBO General List product. Medium-high aromas that show lemon, pear, tropical fruit and hint of petrol. Slight spritz on the off-dry palate with lively acids, lemon, mineral, and touch of honeyed fruit flavours. Finish is lengthy, with sweetness tapering off to a dry finish. Even though designated as "semi-dry", was not as sweet as I expected. Score: 88+ pts

CHÂTEAU DE GOURGAZAUD CUVÉE MATHILDE MINERVOIS 2011 - AC, Midi, France (#958629) (XD) - $14.95
From this weekend's Vintages release. Blend of Syrah and Mourvèdre. Medium+ aroma intensity with blackberry, blackcherry and hints of violet. On the palate, it's medium-full bodied with round tannins that are nicely integrated. Pleasing aroma replays, along with black pepper and red cherry notes. Acids are well-balanced. Finish is long and smooth. Score: 88 pts

ABAD DOM BUENO CRIANZA 2006 - DO Bierzo, Spain (#244699) (XD) - $14.95
From the July 19 Vintages release and virtually sold out. Made using the Mencía grape and highly fragrant with sinewy black fruits, violets, smoky oak and hint of barnyard from the glass. On the palate, it's full-bodied with very nice aroma replays, earthy and elegant oak spice. Big, smooth tannins are still full and integrating nicely. Very good acids and length. Ageing gracefully at 8 years old, will reward further 4-5 years in cellar. Expect some sediment. Reminds me of a Brunello. Amazing value. Score: 90 pts

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Aug. 16 LCBO Wine Picks: Southern Belles + Malbec

The next Vintages release will be in LCBO outlets across Ontario on Saturday, August 16th. The major theme of this release highlights wines from the South of France, a region frequently referred to as Midi or Languedoc, while the second theme focuses on Argentina's signature grape - Malbec.

I was surprised to see only 12 wines listed in the South of France feature as it's rather small compared to recent main Vintages themes. However, nearly half made my list of wine picks, and the lone white is a Viognier. Among the reds, 2 wines from Minervois appellation made the cut. From Gourgazaud is a blend of Syrah and Mourvèdre, while the version from Hecht & Bannier is mostly Syrah, some Grenache, and drops of Carignan. Also from Hecht & Bannier is their Saint-Chinian, which is mainly Syrah, with Grenache and Mourvèdre blended in support, all of which hails from the Saint-Chinian AOC. And lastly, from Gérard Bertrand is a blend of Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache and comes from the Pic Saint-Loup appellation.

The feature on Argentina's Malbec was a bit disappointing as there were some good wines, but represented poor value. Just one of the six wines made my list of recommendations below. The Malbec from Finca Decero hails from a single vineyard located 1,050 metres above sea level in Agrelo.

From the rest of the release, the Basa Blanco is a crisp, dry white wine that is a blend consisting of 85% Verdejo, 12% Viura, and 3% Sauvignon Blanc. Sweet wine lovers will want to consider any of the 4 Rieslings I've recommended below - there are two each from Ontario and Germany. The Tavel Rosé is a blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and Mourvèdre. In red wines, the Crianza is mostly Tempranillo, with Garnacha tinta (Grenache) and Graciano also blended in. And finally, the Châteauneuf-du-Pape is 70% Grenache, with Mourvèdre, Syrah, Cinsault and other grape varieties making up the final 30% of the blend.

Enjoy my Vintages wine recommendations for this week. Cheers!


Red Wine:

• CHÂTEAU DE GOURGAZAUD CUVÉE MATHILDE MINERVOIS 2011 - AC, Midi, France (#958629) (XD) - $14.95
• LÓPEZ DE HARO CRIANZA 2008 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#377481) (XD) - $15.95
• CASA SILVA LOS LINGUES GRAN RESERVA CARMENÈRE 2012 - Colchagua Valley, Chile (#059477) (XD) - $15.95
• GÉRARD BERTRAND GRAND TERROIR PIC SAINT LOUP 2011 - AP Coteaux du Languedoc, Midi, France (#376491) (XD) - $19.95
• HECHT & BANNIER MINERVOIS 2011 - AC, Midi, France (#017764) (XD) - $20.95
• DECERO REMOLINOS VINEYARD MALBEC 2011 - Agrelo, Central Region, Mendoza, Argentina (#247304) (XD) - $22.95
• HECHT & BANNIER SAINT-CHINIAN 2011 - AC, Midi, France (#184184) (XD) - $25.95  reviewed here
• VILLA ANNABERTA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA 2010 - DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#338921) (D) - $39.95
• DOMAINE MONPERTUIS CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2010 - AC, Rhone, France (#358663) (XD) - $42.95
• RAYMOND DISTRICT COLLECTION CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2009 - St. Helena, Napa Valley, California, USA (#054734) (XD) - $74.95

White Wine:

• GUILLAUME AURÈLE VIOGNIER 2013 - IGP Pays d’Oc, Midi, France (#380741) (XD) - $13.95
• POIRON DABIN VIEILLES VIGNES MUSCADET SÈVRE & MAINE SUR LIE 2012 - AC, Loire, France (#380006) (XD) - $14.95
• BASA BLANCO 2013 - DO Rueda, Spain (#381558) (XD) - $17.95
• REDSTONE LIMESTONE VINEYARD SOUTH RIESLING 2012 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#381251) (M) - $18.95  reviewed here
• VINELAND ESTATES ELEVATION ST. URBAN VINEYARD RIESLING 2012 - VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#038117) (M) - $19.95
• REICHSGRAF VON KESSELSTATT KASELER NIES'CHEN RIESLING KABINETT 2006 - Pradikätswein, Mosel, Germany (#940809) (MD) - $19.95  reviewed here
• DR. HERMANN ERDENER TREPPCHEN RIESLING AUSLESE 2005 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#376368) (M) - $23.95
• NORMAN HARDIE NIAGARA UNFILTERED CHARDONNAY 2012 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#184432) (XD) - $39.20
• DOMAINE BILLAUD-SIMON LES VAILLONS CHABLIS 1 ER CRU 2011 - AC, Burgundy, France (#330175) (XD) - $39.95

Rosé Wine:

• DOMAINE LA ROCALIÈRE TAVEL ROSÉ 2013 - AC, Rhône, France (#375618) (XD) - $19.95

Fortifieds:

• VALDESPINO INOCENTE SINGLE VINEYARD FINO DRY SHERRY - DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry, Spain (#378919) (XD) - $22.95

The rest of the wines from this release can be found here.

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Emiliana Novas Gran Reserva Petit Verdot 2011 (Chile) - Wine Review

Tonight's organic red wine is a lovely Petit Verdot that I heard was specially crafted for the LCBO and was purchased from the September 14, 2013 Vintages release. As it's completely sold out, I wouldn't be surprised to see it show up in Vintages again later this year. If you have this bottle, you may want to open it soon.

EMILIANA NOVAS GRAN RESERVA PETIT VERDOT 2011 - Colchagua Valley, Chile (#325662) (XD) - $15.95

Tasting Note:
Blackcurrant, cola and oak aromas from the cork. Medium+ intensity aromas from the glass that show blackberry, black cherry, cola and new oak notes. Full-bodied and very dense on the palate. Flavour profile consists of blackberry, earth, vanillan oak, and ash. Mouth-watering acids. Tannins with firm, drying, and nicely integrated. Long, smooth finish that is definitely bitter. Fruit is starting to fade - drink over the next year. Enjoyed with homemade chicken curry. Score: 89 pts

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Ice House Slushies Cabernet Sauvignon (Ontario) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is this delicious dessert wine made by The Ice House Winery, located in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

I picked up this bottle last January during the Icewine Festival. It's worth noting even though it is a sweet, dessert wine, it is not VQA, nor is it labelled as Icewine. Regardless, those who prefer sweet wines will enjoy this one.

ICE HOUSE SLUSHIES CABERNET SAUVIGNON - Ontario, Canada (#) (S) (375 mL) - $45

Tasting Note:
Citrus, orange marmalade and date aromas from the cork. Medium-high aromatics from the glass featuring orange peel, dried cherry, and poached currants. It's medium-bodied and sweet on the palate with cherry, orange, tea flavours and some bitter currants on the medium-long finish. Acids are crisp and balance the sweetness well. Requires only a light chill. Score: 88 pts

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Hauller Muenchberg Riesling 2011 (Alsace) - Wine Review

Purchased this delicious Grand Cru from a Vintages release last November and opened it last night to celebrate my daughter's 1st birthday. Amazingly, there are still a few bottles kicking around GTA LCBO outlets - get it if you enjoy sweeter wine.

HAULLER MUENCHBERG RIESLING 2011 - AC Alsace Grand Cru, France (#360370) (D) - $19.95

Tasting Note:
Apple, mineral and melon aromas from the cork. Mineral, petrol, lime, citrus and wet rock aromas from the glass giveway to distinct lemon drop notes as it warms up in the glass. It's medium bodied and off-dry on the palate with delicious lemon peel, citrus, wet rocks, and honey flavours. Complex and exquisitely balanced overall with fresh acids and a long, mineral-lemony finish. Highly recommended. Score: 90 pts

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Aug. 2 LCBO Wine Picks: California + Alsace + Loire

The next LCBO Vintages release will be on shelves across Ontario this Saturday, August 2nd. The major theme of this release is on top wines from California, with an emphasis on Cabs, Zins and Chards. There are two minor themes - one which focuses on white wines from Loire and Alsace, while the second focuses on mostly disappointing Greek wines.

Just one of the 18 wines from the California feature made my list of wine picks. This is due to the fact that even though California continues to produce good wine, many of them arrive on our shores with prices beyond the reach of most folks, while failing to deliver on the quality that one would expect in that price range. Also, at the lower-end of the scale, many California wines - especially the reds - tend have a sweet, sugary character that I personally do not enjoy. Thus, my lone wine pick from California is from Cameron Hughes. This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon comes from a single block of vines from the Rutherford district and can be enjoyed between now and 2022.

Far more interesting are the white wines from Loire and Alsace. Five of the seven wines made my list of wine recommendations, including all three from Alsace. One interesting thing to note about labels is that Loire wines use regional labelling, while Alsace puts the name of the grape on the label. Thus, in order to know what's inside the bottle of wine from Loire, you will have to know the region. The dry wines from Pouilly-Fumé and Sancerre are both made using Sauvignon Blanc. Alsace wines tend to be between off-dry and medium in sweetness. The Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris wines from Alsace listed below all fit within this range and will be enjoyed by anyone who prefers sweeter wines.

From the rest of the release, the Whispering Angel Rosé is a dry (i.e. not sweet) blend consisting of Grenache, Rolle (Vermentino), Cinsault, Syrah and Tibouren. In whites, there is an interesting white wine from Lebanon that is a blend of 50% Sauvignon Blanc, 30% Semillon and 20% Chardonnay. Also, if you missed the 2004 Loan Semillon that came to Vintages last year, check out the 2005 version - it's just as delicious!

In red wines, the Perrin from Rhône is a fruit-forward blend of 80% tank-aged Grenache and 20% barrel-aged Syrah. The Falcoaria comes from vines that are more than 80 years old and is blend of Castelão, Trincadeira, Cabernet Sauvignon, Touriga Nacional and Alicante Bouschet. From Italy, the Piccini is a blend of 60% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet, and 20% Merlot.

That's all for this week. Enjoy my wine recommendations. Cheers!


Red Wine:

• CLOS TROTELIGOTTE K-OR MALBEC 2011 - AC Cahors, Southwest, France (#299982) (XD) - $16.95
• PERRIN PEYRE BLANCHE CAIRANNE CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2012 - AC, Rhône, France (#650960) (XD) - $17.95
• PICCINI SASSO AL POGGIO 2008 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#134809) (D) - $19.95
• DANDELION VINEYARDS LIONHEART OF THE BAROSSA SHIRAZ 2012 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#167189) (D) - $19.95
• FALCOARIA CLÁSSICO 2011 - DOC do Tejo, Portugal (#379214) (XD) - $19.95
• LONGVIEW DEVIL’S ELBOW CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010 - Adelaide Hills, South Australia (#660050) (XD) - $22.95
• MATETIC CORRALILLO SYRAH 2011 - San Antonio Valley, Chile (#146407) (XD) - $23.95
• LE CLOS JORDANNE VILLAGE RESERVE PINOT NOIR 2011 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#033894) (D) - $30.00  reviewed here
• CAMERON HUGHES LOT 345 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010 - Rutherford, Napa Valley, California, USA (#372383) (XD) - $31.95
• FEUDI SAN PIO NERO DI LUPO AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA 2010 - DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#375527) (XD) - $36.95

White Wine:

• CHÂTEAU KSARA BLANC DE BLANCS 2012 - Békaa Valley, Lebanon (#744805) (XD) - $16.95
• LOAN WINES SPECIAL RESERVE SEMILLON 2005 - Unoaked, Barossa Valley, South Australia (#301127) (XD) - $16.95
• PIERRE SPARR GRANIT RIESLING 2010 - AC Alsace, France (#378356) (M) - $16.95
• BARON DE HOEN RÉSERVE GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2012 - AC Alsace, France (#377721) (D) - $17.95
• KUHLMANN PLATZ PINOT GRIS 2012 - AC Alsace, France (#224204) (D) - $17.95
• SPINYBACK SAUVIGNON BLANC 2013 - Nelson, South Island, New Zealand (#694737) (XD) - $19.95
• HIDDEN BENCH ESTATE RIESLING 2013 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#183491) (D) - $23.95  reviewed here
• FOURNIER PÈRE & FILS LES DEUX CAILLOUX POUILLY-FUMÉ 2012 - AC, Loire, France (#379750) (XD) - $26.95
• JEAN-MAX ROGER CUVÉE C.M. SANCERRE BLANC 2012 - AC, Loire, France (#196667) (XD) - $27.95
• HUFF ESTATES SOUTH BAY CHARDONNAY 2010 - VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada (#088955) (XD) - $29.95  reviewed here

Rosé Wine:

• CAVES D’ESCLANS WHISPERING ANGEL ROSÉ 2013 - AC Côtes de Provence, France (#325076) (XD) - $23.95

Sparkling Wine:

• PREVEDELLO ASOLO SUPERIORE EXTRA DRY PROSECCO 2013 - DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#262881) (D) - $17.95

The rest of the wines from this release can be found here.

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Gallo Family Laguna Vineyard Chardonnay 2009 (Sonoma) - Wine Review

Purchased this gorgeous cool-climate Chardonnay from an LCBO Vintages release last August that highlighted a bunch of wines that were scored 90 pts or higher by some of the more famous wine critics.

It was opened last night due to a closing drinking window. For those that prefer very oakey Chardonnays, this is one not to be missed, as you will see from my wine review below. However, it's unlikely you will be able to find this vintage in Vintages at this point in time, but I could see the 2010 coming into stock in the near future. This white wine paired great with crab curry and will go really well with other rich, seafood dishes.


GALLO FAMILY LAGUNA VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2009 - Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA (#544981) (XD) - $19.95

Tasting Note:
Mango, melon and peach aromas from the cork. Heavily oaked with smoky aromas lead the way, followed by butter, and hints of apple. On the palate, it's medium-full bodied, dry, and concentrated with buttery oak, honeysuckle, spice and nutty flavours. Acids are still fresh. Slightly creamy texture, with a finish that is excellent in length and smooth. Enjoyed with Dungeness crab curry. Highly recommended. Score: 90 pts

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