Saturday June 13, 2015 - Vintages Release Report
09 Jun 2015- Details
- Category: Vintages Releases
To print this report click here for the PDF version
Key to the 5-star rating system:
5 = Outstanding … 4.5 = Excellent … 4 = Very Good … 3.5 = Good
Wine colour indicators - Red, Whites, etc.
The Foci … Sparklers (SPK), Italian Whites (ItW) and Father’s Day (FD)
The Skinny … There are some tasty sparklers in this release, none offers great value than the Chilean traditional method, you should pick up a minimum half dozen; there is also an Italian rosé that you’ll want to serve on the patio in the hot weather, and of course your after dinner drink of choice should be the Dow 10-Year-Old. As for the other wines in this release check out my picks below:
Argentina …
Vicentin 2011 Blend of Malbecs ($19.95 - #299735) – cedar, wild blackberry, vanilla-smoke, cinnamon all soaked in cassis. (****)
Australia …
Claymore Wines 2014 Whole Lotta Love Rosé ($18.95 - #408468) – mixed feelings on this one, but I like the cherry-strawberry notes that this one brings to the table with what seems like sweetness but could be fruitiness. (*** ½+)
Oscar’s Estate Vineyard 2013 Shiraz/Viognier ($18.95 - #287961) – delicate with floral, white pepper and cassis. (*** ½+)
Canada (Ontario) … click on wine name for full review
Fielding Estate 2014 Rosé ($15.95 - #53421) _ *** ½
Flat Rock 2012 Chardonnay ($18.95 - #286278) - ****
Megalomaniac 2013 Grounded Cabernet Franc Icewine ($34.95 / 200ml - #415976) - ****
Rockway Vineyards 2013 Small Lot, Block 150-183 Riesling ($19.95 - #424176) - *** ½
Tawse 2014 Sketches of Niagara Rosé ($15.95 - #172643) - *** ½+
Tawse 2013 Spark Limestone Ridge Riesling Sparkling ($19.95 - #370361) - **** - SPK
Stratus 2012 Wildass Red ($19.95 - #86363) - *** ½+ - FD
Chile …
Leyda 2014 Garuma Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc ($19.95 - #99309) – hint of tropical and grassy; quite pleasant. (*** ½+)
Ninquen 2013 Antu Chilean Mountain Vineyard Syrah ($17.95 - #675371) – smoky and peppery with a little blackberry and black raspberry. (*** ½+)
Santa Alicia 2013 Tierra Sur Brut Sparkling ($17.95 - #404103) – there’s a grapefruit pith note that sticks around all the way to the finish and there’s so much more; great value on a lovely bubble. (****+) – SPK
Vina Tarapaca 2012 Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon ($17.95 - #18721) – minty blackberry and black cherry with cassis, chocolate and rich fruit all nicely balanced. (****)
France (Alsace) …
Pierre Sparr Brut Rosé Cremant D’Alsace ($18.95 - #39016) – pretty floral strawberry and raspberry with nice lime pith on the finish; refreshing and lively with good acidity on the finish. (****) - SPK
France (Beaujolais) …
Chateau des Jacques 2011 Moulin-a-Vent ($29.95 - #700187) – cherry with a little peppercorn and mocha. (*** ½+)
France (Loire) …
Clos de L’Epinay 2012 Cuvee Marcus Vouvray ($20.95 - #408252) – slight sweetness along with floral and peachy notes; quaffably refreshing. (*** ½)
France (Midi) …
Bastide Miraflors 2013 Vieilles Vignes Syrah/Grenache ($19.95 - $#320499) – mocha-cherry-plum touched by pepper and floral notes. (*** ½+)
Laurent Miquel 2013 Nord Sud Viognier ($14.95 - #673236) – lovely, creamy tropicality with peach, pineapple, floral, and mango; complex, refreshing and tasty with a touch of spice and good acidity. (****+)
France (Rhone) …
Coudoulet de Beaucastel 2012 Cotes-du-Rhone ($29.95 - #48884) – fruit forward, mostly red with elements of plum, black cherry, vanilla, smoke and blueberry with a silky mouthfeel. (****+)
Xavier 2012 Ventoux ($15.95 - #413211) – juicy red and black fruit with delicate spice and a nice price. (****)
France (Southwest) …
Chateau Eugenie 2011 Cuvee Reservee de L’Aieul Cahors ($20.95 - #295949) – inky colour, smoky, cinnamon, dark fruit; leans more on the drink now side than the hold, and great with a steak. (****)
Germany …
St. Urbans-Hof 2013 Riesling ($19.95 - #995746) – sweet but with the mineral and acidity to back it up, there’s some real flavour and refreshment here. (*** ½+)
Italy (Marche) …
Il Brecciarolo 2012 Rosso Piceno Superiore ($13.95 - #732560) – white pepper, roasted plum and fig; a real good BBQ ready red at a good price. (****)
Italy (Piedmont) …
Masera 2013 Gavi ($18.95 - #412676) – fresh and vibrant with mineral, lemon, grapefruit and dried mango. (*** ½+) - ItW
Italy (Puglia) …
Miali Mater 2010 Primitivo ($18.95 - #413674) – plum, black cherry with white pepper, mocha and a touch of smoky-vanilla on the finish. (****)
Italy (Veneto) …
Carpene Malvolti 1868 Brut Conegliano Valdobiadene Prosecco Superiore ($16.95 - #727438) – fruit and fresh with light lemon and crisp apple. (*** ½+) – SPK
Monte Zovo 2014 Bardolino Chiaretto ($13.95 - #409763) – interesting with peach notes yet with something extra on the finish, like white pepper; well-balanced acidity. (*** ½+)
Pieropan 2011 La Rocca Soave Classico ($39.95 - #92437) – gentle and easy but with nice floral, citrus zest and mineral. (*** ½+) – ItW
Sergio Zenato 2012 Riserva Lugana ($30.95 - #928218) – creamy vanilla, peach, pineapple, pear, floral; very pretty and Chardonnay like; this is one for fooling your friends. (*** ½+) – ItW
Portugal …
Dow’s 10 Year Old Tawny Port ($34.95 - #246967) – vanilla, cherry, orange peel with good acidity and wood spice; but it’s that great bright cherry mixed with all that acidity and orange peel on the finish that makes this something special. (****+) – FD
Maritavora 2010 Tinto ($21.95 - #293449) – violets, black cherry, cassis, mocha and chocolate; this is a tasty little treat. (****+)
South Africa …
Essay 2014 Chenin Blanc/Viognier ($13.95 - #414144) – orange and lemon zest, a little lanolin, floral with a nice finish; well-priced for a summer sipper. (*** ½+)
Spain …
Cara Nord 2013 ($19.95 - #418186) – coffee, plum, blackberry, violets, blueberry skin and cocoa; there’s good acidity and smoke on the finish with burnt chocolate and dried plum. (****)
Juan Gil 2012 Monastrell ($23.95 - #1677) – red and black fruit with supple plum, black cherry and a juicy core of yummy flavours and hints of licorice. (****+)
Montebuena 2012 Cuvee KPF ($15.95 - #211029) – cinnamon, cherry, cedar and a little smoke. (*** ½+)
United States (California) …
J. Lohr 2012 Hilltop Cabernet Sauvignon ($44.95 - #686584) – blue and black fruit with vanilla, cocoa and spiced mocha. (****)
Santa Barbara Winery 2013 Chardonnay ($24.95 - #989152) – fresh white fruit of pear, apple and light lemon. (*** ½+)
United States (Washington) …
Dusted Valley 2012 Boomtown Cabernet Sauvignon ($23.95 - #220376) – juicy blackberry, blueberry and black cherry with touches of cedar and vanilla caressing the back palate. (****)
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In-Store Discoveries – wines that appear on the shelves of your local Vintages outlet …
Bachey-LeGros et Fils 2011 Les Grands Charrons Meursault ($51.95 - #410647) – Burgundy … ****
Chateau Larcis-Ducasse 2011 ($85.85 - #302901) – Bordeaux … *** ½+
Domaine Zind-Humbrecht 2011 Calcaire Gewurztraminer ($39.95 - #320481) – Alsace … ****+
Doubleback 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon ($149.95 - #414235) – Washington … ****+
Graham Beck 2012 The Ridge Syrah ($24.95 - #607812) – South Africa … *** ½+
Misha’s Vineyard 2009 The High Note Pinot Noir ($34.95 - #414078) – New Zealand … ****
Nine Hats 2012 Red ($39.95 - #412221) – Washington … *** ½+
Tawse 2011 Laundry Vineyard Cabernet Franc ($31.95 - #130997) – Ontario … ****
Trinchero 2010 Haystack Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ($79.95 - #218487) – California … *** ½+
Wynns 2010 John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon ($99.95 - #466748) – Australia … ****
If You Can Afford It – wines worth their high price …
Bollinger Special Cuvee Brut Champagne ($73.95 - #384529) – Champagne … **** ½ (see video here) – SPK
Masi 2009 Costasera Riserva Amarone della Valpolicella Classico ($69.95 - #324137) - **** - FD
Opus One 2011 ($444.95 - #402909) – California … ****
Paul Hobbs 2012 Crossbarn Cabernet Sauvignon ($62.95 - #118695) – California … **** - FD
Rion 2011 Les Terres Blanches Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru ($66.95 - #416149) – Burgundy … *** ½+
Tenuta Sette Ponti 2011 Oreno ($76.95 - #735597) – Tuscany … ****
Two Hands 2012 Bella’s Garden Shiraz ($63.95 - #636407) – Australia … ****
What I’ll Be Lining Up For – June 13, 2015 …
Il Brecciarolo 2012 Rosso Piceno Superiore ($13.95 - #732560) – Italy
Laurent Miquel 2013 Nord Sud Viognier ($14.95 - #673236) – France
Monte Zovo 2014 Bardolino Chiaretto ($13.95 - #409763) – Italy
Santa Alicia 2013 Tierra Sur Brut Sparkling ($17.95 - #404103) – Chile
Happy Shopping
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