Saturday January 9, 2016 - Vintages Release Report
04 Jan 2016- Details
- Category: Vintages Releases
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 … Smart Buys (SB)
The Skinny … Someone once called this “a dead in the water release” and usually it is, this is the dumping ground of wines that can’t make the cut the rest of the year; but there are also some real gems to be gleaned amongst the wreckage, here’s what I found.
Argentina …
Santa Julia 2013 Magna ($14.95 - #93799) – dark berry fruit forward touched by violets. (*** ½+)
Trapiche 2011 Gran Medalle Cabernet Sauvignon ($24.95 - #415257) – dark chocolate, cassis, blackberry, spiced-vanilla and a nice elegant finish. (****)
Vina Cobos 2014 Felino Malbec ($19.95 - #118067) – fresh crusted blueberry, blackberry and gentle spice. (*** ½+) … SB
Australia …
Don’t Hesitate Shiraz 2013 ($17.00 - #434159) – eucalyptus, dark berries, gentle spice, vanilla, silky with no bite (so why the label?); this one is tasty though. (*** ½+) … SB
Canada (Ontario) … click on wine name for full review
Featherstone 2013 Cabernet Franc ($18.95 - #64618) - ****
Featherstone 2014 Black Sheep Riesling ($16.95 - #80234) - ****+ … SB
Chile …
Santa Rita 2011 Medalla Real Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon ($17.95 - #275594) – gorgeously fruity with red and black berries mixing in vanilla and gentle tannins. (****)
France (Beaujolais) …
Domaine Dupre 2012 Vignes de 1935 Morgon ($19.95 - #440297) – black cherry, cranberry, smoky and spicy. (*** ½+)
France (Midi) …
Michel Gassier 2012 Nostre Pais ($22.95 - #295410) – silky raspberry and cherry with mocha, vanilla and licorice. (****)
Thunevin-Calvet 2012 Cuvee Constance ($18.95 - #168690) – lots of juicy black cherry, plum, strawberry-balsamic, smooth and sultry yet with enough acidity and grit on the mocha-cherry finish. (****)
France (Rhone) …
Domaine le Grand Retour 2013 Plan de Dieu Cotes du Rhone-Villages ($14.95 - #224592) – plum, leather, vanilla, black cherry and white pepper, good chalky finish. (****) … SB
Germany …
Studert-Prum 2011 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese ($24.95 - #912659) – good sweetness to acidity ratio with talc/mineral on the long finish. (*** ½+)
Greece …
Idaia 2010 Kotsifali / Mandilari ($17.95 - #431635) – blue and black berry with smoky character, wood char and new leather. (*** ½+)
Italy (Piedmont) …
La Pieve 2011 Barolo ($34.95 - #213132) – real chalky-spicy number with sour dried cherry fruit and herbal complexity. (****) … SB
Italy (Tuscany) …
Bibi Graetz Casamatta Sangiovese ($14.95 - #330712) – peppered-red cherry with hints of tannin and chalky finish. (*** ½+) … SB
Caiarossa 2008 Pergolaia ($34.95 - #424333) – some herbs, some cherry, spiced-plum and a nice dry finish. (*** ½+)
Italy (Veneto) …
Valpantena 2013 Valpolicella Ripasso ($15.95 - #429928) – good vanilla, black cherry and mocha. (*** ½+) … SB
New Zealand …
Middle-Earth 2014 Sauvignon Blanc ($17.95 - #391987) – nice hit of grapefruit peel, pea pod and grassy notes. (*** ½) … SB
Te Kairanga 2013 Pinot Noir ($26.95 - #744946) – pure delight of pepper and spice with black cherry and plum notes. (****)
Spain …
Honoro Vera 2013 Garnacha ($15.95 - #432997) – talk about smart buy this should be on the list: juicy plum and black cherry with an herbal component and chocolate nuances. (****)
Terra D’Uro 2011 Finca La Rana Toro ($17.00 - #424135) – nice flavours of black and blue fruit with a good spice note. (*** ½+) … SB
United States (California) …
First Press 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon ($22.95 - #188110) – chocolate, vanilla, blackberry and spice. (*** ½+) … SB
Lander-Jenkins 2013 Chardonnay ($19.95 - #162651) – creamy yet spicy with toffee and peach cobbler notes. (*** ½+)
Pennywise 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon ($18.95 - #441402) – sweet fruit entry with vanilla, floral and a juicy hint of mint; very tasty. (*** ½+) … SB
Stonehedge 2013 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($29.95 - #25122) – smooth and silky with sweet cedar, chocolate and vanilla. (*** ½+)
Wente 2013 Riva Ranch Chardonnay ($24.95 - #979344) – butter and vanilla cream in a bath of apple puree. (*** ½+)
United States (Oregon) …
Foris 2012 Pinot Noir ($24.95 - #937128) – fruity and earthy, hints of tobacco and wood smoke with a peppery finish. (*** ½+)
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In-Store Discoveries: wines that appear on the shelves of your local Vintages outlet …
Jackson Estate 2012 Outland Ridge Pinot Noir ($43.95 - #437095) – California … *** ½+
Joh. Jos. Prum 2011 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett ($39.95 - #440131) – Germany … ****
Rockburn 2012 Pinot Noir ($47.95 - #437855) – New Zealand … ****+ (watch video review)
What I’ll Be Lining Up For: January 9, 2016 …
Domaine le Grand Retour 2013 Plan de Dieu Cotes du Rhone-Villages ($14.95 - #224592) – France
Honoro Vera 2013 Garnacha ($15.95 - #432997) – Spain
Pennywise 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon ($18.95 - #441402) – California
Santa Rita 2011 Medalla Real Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon ($17.95 - #275594) – Chile
Thunevin-Calvet 2012 Cuvee Constance ($18.95 - #168690) – France
Happy Shopping
