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!
wine to end a busy Summer is this red wine blend from one of my favourite producers in the Languedoc - Hecht & Bannier. I had the pleasure of meeting one of the founders of this winery, Gregory Hecht, a few years ago and will likely meet him again this Fall.
This wine was purchased from a VINTAGES Release in . Newer vintages have periodically shown up in VINTAGES as well, with the most recent appearance of this wine showing up in . Since it is currently not available at the LCBO, you can contact Halpern Enterprises to order this wine by the case.
Tasting Note:
HECHT & BANNIER CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON-VILLAGES 2008 - AC, Midi, France (#142802) (XD) - $22.95
A blend of mostly Grenache with some Syrah, Mourvèdre and Carignan. Prune, dried fig and leathery aromas from the cork. In this glass, this has a fragrant, mature nose of garrigue, wet earth/forest floor, blackberry, along with subtle hints of dried floral, dried cherry and sweet oak spice. It's full-bodied and somewhat chalky textured on the palate with smooth tannins that are well-integrated and nearly fully resolved. Complex garrigue, dark fruit, blackberry, and hints of fig with flavours moving towards savoury on the mid-palate. Acids are juicy. The finish is long and savoury with touches of florality, dried cherry, bitterness, and mineral. Showing fine complexity and maturity and should drink well for another 2-3 years. Lovely! Score: 91 pts
On a fine evening in , I had the pleasure of tasting through the wines of Domaine Henri de Villamont with Pierre Jhean, Winemaker and Director at the winery. This small, intimate tasting was held in a private backroom at Cluny Bistro, in Distillery District, downtown Toronto with only a few wine writers in attendance. Following the tasting, we enjoyed a lovely meal and had the opportunity to try the wines with some food.
Domain Henri de Villamont is located within the commune of Savigny-lès-Beaune, in Côte de Beaune of Burgundy, in eastern France. It is one of the oldest producers in Savigny, with the domain's buildings built between 1880 and 1888 and still in use today! The winery owns 10 hectares in the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits, including several Premier (1er) Cru sites. The wines from these areas are all vinified in their 18th century vaulted cellars.
The wines we tasted on this night are just a fraction of the entire Henri de Villamont portfolio. Overall, I was quite impressed with the wines, including the top shelf Montrachet and Chambolle-Musigny which are both worthy additions to your fine wine cellar. Their wine from Rhône was also quite good and is available in small quantities at the LCBO.
Wine reviews of all of the wines tasted are provided below. Thank you to Eurovintage Fine Wines & Spirits and Pierre for hosting this tasting! If you wish to order any of these wines, please contact Eurovintage as most of these wines are not available at the LCBO.
Tasting Notes:
HENRI DE VILLAMONT BOURGOGNE CHARDONNAY PRESTIGE 2015 - AC, Burgundy, France (#416123) (XD) - $19.95
Medium-high intensity aromas with nice buttery, vanilla, pear and ripe fruited notes that continue on the medium+ bodied palate. Balanced acids are lightly volatile, while the finish length is very good. Contains 55% Meursault fruit. Score: 88+ pts
HENRI DE VILLAMONT MONTAGNY 1ER CRU 2014 - AC, Burgundy, France (XD) - $36.95
Medium-high intensity aromas that are elegant, with very nice nutty, butter, golden apple and pear on the nose. It's light-to-medium weighted with bright, crisp acids and nice stone fruit aroma replays. Nicely balanced overall, with a finish length that is very long with hints of minerality. Coming to VINTAGES October 2017. Score: 91 pts
HENRI DE VILLAMONT AUXEY-DURESSES LA CANÉE 2014 - AC, Burgundy, France (#445270) (XD) - $42.95
The fruit for this wine comes 200 metres away from Meursault and offers medium+ intensity aromatics that are mineral-driven, with pear, stone fruit, and nutty nuances. The palate is medium-full bodied with concentrated fruit, pear, mineral, stone and tropical fruit flavours. Fine mineral texture and fresh acids add interest. Finish length is very good, with hints of barrel smoke. Score: 91 pts
HENRI DE VILLAMONT CHASSAGNE MONTRACHET 1ER CRU LES EMBAZÉES 2011 - AC, Burgundy, France (XD) - $79.95
Elegant, highly aromatic and complex notes of candied pear, nutty, almonds, stone fruits, along with hints of banana and pineapple. It's medium-full bodied and refined, showing lovely aroma replays and nicely textured. Acids are mouth-watering and well-balanced. Finish is minerally with hints of oak, and the length goes on and on. Coming to VINTAGES October 2017. Score: 93 pts
HENRI DE VILLAMONT BOURGOGNE PINOT NOIR PRESTIGE 2014 - AC, Burgundy, France (#084616) (XD) - $19.95
This has a perfumed, medium intensity nose of red cherry, earth, beet root, and oak spice. It has mid-level tannins and very good acidity on a medium-bodied frame with nicely balanced aroma replays, plus some exotic spice, currant, and raspberry flavours. Finish length is good to very good. Easy drinking Pinot. Score: 87 pts
HENRI DE VILLAMONT BOURGOGNE HAUTES CÔTES DE NUITS LES DAMOISEAUX 2014 - AC, Burgundy, France (XD) - $19.95
Medium-high intensity aromas of bing cherry, blackberry, sweet oak spice, and some floral. The palate is medium-bodied with a chalky texture and flavours of red and black fruits and spicy oak lifted by bright acids. Hints of cherry and strawberry on the medium-length finish. Score: 87 pts
HENRI DE VILLAMONT SAVIGNY LES BEAUNE LE VILLAGE 2015 - AC, Burgundy, France (XD) - $44.95
Gorgeous, highly aromatic nose that I could smell all day offers raspberry, floral, exotic spice, black cherry, and some earthy notes. It's medium-bodied on the palate with smooth, lithe tannins, and elegant flavours of cherry, beet root, and hints of tea leaf. Nicely balanced with juicy acids throughout, and a long, satisfying finish. Score: 91 pts
HENRI DE VILLAMONT CHAMBOLLE-MUSIGNY 1ER CRU LE CHÂTELOTS 2011 - AC, Burgundy, France (XD) - $62.95
Beautiful, highly aromatic nose is the most savoury of the bunch, and quite complex, with meaty notes, plus leather, red & black fruits, blackberry, earth, and sour cherry aromas. Full-bodied on the palate with lovely aroma replays, plus some candied red cherry, mineral, and dark fruited notes. Tannins medium-firm and supported by mouth-watering acids. Finish length is excellent. This is a serious Pinot. Score: 92 pts
CHATEAU D'AIGUEVILLE CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2015 - AC, Rhône, France (#479683) (XD) - $14.95
Blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 10% Carignan, and 10% other grape varietals. Ripe, medium+ intensity aromas of black pepper, blackberry, oak spice, and raspberry. The palate is full-bodied and dry with flavours of violets, blackberry, black pepper, and sweet oak spices. Acids are very good. Ripe tannins have some structure. Finish length is medium-long. Drink to 2023. Score: 88 pts
The upcoming release in LCBO VINTAGES on is titled "Reference Library" and features benchmark varietals in new world wine regions as its main theme. Meanwhile, the mini-theme compares Syrah and Shiraz. These new wines will be on shelves this coming .
We'll begin with the feature on new world benchmark varietals, which lists 11 wines across 7 varietals. The wines in this feature include Ontario Chardonnay, California Cabernet Sauvignon, Oregon Pinot Noir, Argentinean Malbec, Australian Shiraz, Chilean Carmenere, and New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Just two wines from this theme are included on my list of top wine picks - the lovely 2027 Chardonnay (which came through VINTAGES in ) and a Carmenère from Chile.
The mini-theme compares Syrah and Shiraz, two grapes that are identical but can yield very different styles of wines. Personally, I prefer the Syrah style of wine, which tends to be savoury, earthy, and meaty with black pepper nuances instead of the riper, jammy style of Shiraz found so often in Australia. In this thematic, there are eight wines listed and two made my list of wine recommendations - both are Syrah.
From the rest of the release among red wines, the Forca Real is an unoaked blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre, while the Family Tree Red is a blend of 33% Syrah, 29% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Baco Noir. The Schild GMS is a blend of 52% Grenache, 24% Mourvèdre, and 24% Shiraz. Also, the California Cab contains 9% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot. Single varietal wines include the Crianza that's made with Tempranillo, and the wine from Lazio that is made using a grape you've probable never heard of - Cesanese.
Among my white wine picks, the Creekside Iconoclast is a blend of 74% Semillon and 26% Sauvignon Blanc, while the Anselmi is an off-dry wine made with Garganega. The rest are all single varietals. For sweet wine lovers, you'll want to check out the Gewürztraminer or the Riesling from Ontario. For those who want just a hint of sweetness, look to the Riesling from Austria, or the Semillon from Australia.
Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release. Cheers!
Red Wine:
DOMAINE FORCA REAL CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON VILLAGES 2013 - AP, Roussillon, France (#494161) (XD) - $17.95
HENRY OF PELHAM FAMILY TREE RED 2014 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#247882) (XD) - $18.95
To taste the Winemaker's Selection at each winery, simply present your printed ticket or show it on your digital device at a participating winery and have the tasting bar staff scan it for you. All of the participating wineries are located in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Your tasting pass will let you taste one Winemaker's Selection at each winery, anytime of the year. Full terms and conditions of the Winemakers’ Selections Tasting Pass are found here.
Tip: The pass doesn't expire at the end of 2017, so you can still use this pass next year.
Obviously, the 2008 is no longer available at the LCBO, but this wine is always solid year after year, and the latest vintage should will show up in VINTAGES in . Keep an eye out on this blog as I'm sure it will be a recommended buy.
Tasting Note:
CONCHA Y TORO MARQUES DE CASA CONCHA CARMENÈRE 2008 - Peumo Vineyard, Rapel Valley, Chile (#169862) (XD) - $19.95
Black plum with hints of red flowers and earth from the cork. Complex nose is showing fine maturity with lovely dried flowers and wet earth aromas which give way to lush blackberry, wild herbs, cassis, black licorice, and vanilla with very good intensity. The palate is full-bodied with dark currant, blackberry, cassis, mint, and herbs surrounded by mouth watering acidity. It's slightly chalky on the palate with refined, dusty tannins that are smooth and integrated very nicely. The long finish is earthy with hints of chocolate and dried flowers. Beautiful wine to enjoy now or over the next 2-3 years. Enjoyed with chicken fajitas. Score: 90+ pts
New wines from the upcoming LCBO VINTAGES Release on will be on shelves across the province this and features two wine regions known for producing quality wines at very good prices. The main thematic features the wines from the South of France, while the mini-theme features wines from South Africa.
We'll begin with the South of France feature that's titled "Southern Charm". There are 11 wines listed as part of this theme and 4 are included among my top wine picks. The lone white wine is a blend of 55% Vermentino and 45% Viognier that's been partially aged in oak and comes for a region bordering Spain. The Minervois is a blend of 37% Mourvèdre, 28% Grenache, and 25% Syrah and is showing fine maturity, while the La Clape is a blend of rougly 40% Syrah, 30% Carignan, and 30% Mourvèdre. Lastly, the Saint-Chinian is a blend 65% Grenache and 35% Syrah.
South Africa is the mini-theme and features many fine wines on offer as 7 of the 8 wines listed are included on my list of wine recommendations. Among the red wines, there is a Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and an honest Pinotage that doesn't taste like coffee. Among the South African white wines, there is a Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and an unoaked Chardonnay. And last but not least, there is a Vintage Brut Rosé that is a blend of 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay.
Among red wines from the rest of the release, the 2008 La Granja is made with Tempranillo, as is the much younger and more modern Crianza. Both the Beni di Batasiolo and the Barolo are made Nebbiolo, while the Brunello is made with Sangiovese.
Among white wines, there's an Albariño and Falanghina, as well as a 100% Turbiana (a.k.a. Trebbiano) di Lugana from Lombardy. The Hermit Crab from Australia is a blend of 72%Viognier and 28% Marsanne. The oaked La Crema Chardonnay is actually one of the Wines of the Month and will be widely available across the province. For sweet wine lovers, your best bet is the Riesling from Ontario.
Enjoy my wine picks from this release! Cheers!
Red Wine:
LE SECRET DES CAPITELLES SAINT-CHINIAN 2014 - AP, Languedoc-Roussillon, France (#156299) (XD) - $15.95 reviewed here
It is produced by Les Vignerons de Saint Chinian, a cooperative founded in 1937 and now includes 186 winegrowers over 850 hectares of vines across Languedoc-Roussillon. Their vineyards range in altitude from 120 to 300 metres above sea level, and are mostly on schist and calcareous-clay soils, which are naturally poor (but good for wine!)
Les Vignerons de Saint Chinian is constantly looking to produce high quality wines, which means a constant effort is applied to improve the skills of grape growers and the selective cultivation of vineyards. As part of these efforts, this coop achieved ISO certification in 2001.
The Languedoc-Roussillon wine region in the South of France is known for producing quality wines at very approachable prices, and this is no exception. You can pick up your bottle from the LCBO next weekend.
Tasting Note:
LE SECRET DES CAPITELLES SAINT-CHINIAN 2014 - AP, Languedoc-Roussillon, France (#156299) (XD) - $15.95
This blend of 65% Grenache and 35% Syrah was aged for 12 months in oak. Light aromas of plum and red berry from the cork. Medium+ intensity nose is very savoury earthy in nature, followed by garrigue, wild herbs, black pepper, and blackberry with hints of florality. It's medium-bodied with nice peppery and garrigue aroma replays that are lifted by fresh acidity. Supple tannins are well-integrated and the finish is long and earthy. Nicely composed red wine to enjoy with herbed poultry over the next 2-3 years. Score: 88 pts
Monday, September 4, 2017
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