Saturday May 13, 2017 - Vintages Release Report
11 May 2017- 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 … Buyers’ Best Finds (BBF); New Zealand (NZ) and Sake
The Skinny … Once again the LCBO drops the ball on its highlight wines, there have been better stuff from New Zealand that has come through the Board, and if this is the best the buyers’ can do, well … But the really good bargains here come from France (see What I’d Be Getting, bottom of page), so pay attention.
Argentina …
Piattelli 2014 Reserve Malbec/Tannat ($15.95 - #482752) – there’s a grit and harshness to this wine with spicy, cassis and coffee bean. (*** ½)
Australia …
Kilikanoon 2013 Blocks Road Cabernet Sauvignon ($24.95 - #926790) – rich dark fruit, plenty of spice with mocha and clove. (****)
Penny’s Hill 2014 Cracking Black Shiraz ($23.95 - #396473) – big wallop of black pepper with plum, cassis, and raspberry fruit plus the addition of licorice on the finish. (*** ½+)
Serafino 2013 Shiraz ($35.95 - #407718) – raspberry, licorice, chocolate and plum. (*** ½+)
Wakefield 2015 Merlot ($18.95 - #683201) – spicy chocolate and black cherry. (*** ½+)
Canada (Ontario) … click on wine name for full review
Fielding Estate 2016 Rosé ($15.95 - #53421) - *** ½+
Flat Rock Cellars 2010 Riddled Sparkling ($29.95 - #383315) - ****
Chile …
Errazuriz 2016 Estate Series Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé ($13.95 - #492934) – dry sour cherry, strawberry and quite zesty. (*** ½+)
Santa Carolina 2013 Gran Reserva Petit Verdot ($16.95 - #7484) – minty dark berries with plum and pepper. (*** ½+)
Ventisquero 2014 Grey Glacier Single Block Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.95 - #485474) – elegant dark fruit with black and blue berries, cherry, smoke, spice and interesting herbal backing; this is a full-flavoured, multi-layered wine. (****)
Vina Tarapaca 2013 Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon ($17.95 - #18721) – smoky black cherry, touch of white pepper and good tannins. (*** ½+)
France (Bordeaux) …
Chateau de Panigon 2013 ($18.95 - #230367) – approachable, simple with earthy, woodsy, blackberry and cassis. (*** ½+)
France (Loire) …
Andre Dezat 2015 Sancerre ($26.95 - #493320) – high acidity, fresh hay, and crunchy white peach. (*** ½+)
France (Midi) …
Domaine du Ministre 2013 Saint-Chinian ($18.95 - #481317) – sweet mocha, black cherry and smoked meat. (*** ½+) – BBF
Tessellae 2014 Old Vines Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre Cotes du Rousillon ($18.95 - #343517) – pleasant violet, wood smoke, smoked cherry, and vanilla with a spicy finish. (****)
France (Provence) …
Saint Aix 2016 Rosé ($45.95 / 1500ml - #490904) – elegant sipper for the patio and in a large format so there’s enough for everyone. (*** ½+)
France (Rhone) …
Domaine de la Colline St Jean 2014 Vacqueyras ($26.95 - #38661) – smoky with meaty, white pepper and spice notes. (*** ½+)
Domaine les Grands Bois 2015 Cuvee Philippine Cotes du Rhone-Villages ($18.95 - #286344) – sweet black raspberry entry with cassis and toastiness on the finish. (*** ½+)
Santa Duc 2012 Les Vieilles Vignes Cotes du Rhone ($15.95 - #101543) – lovely old vines Cotes du Rhone with plum, blackberry, black cherry and smoked meat; yum! (****)
Greece …
Kir-Yianni 2015 Akakies Xinomavro Sparkling Rosé ($18.95 - #482646) – strawberry-raspberry with good acidity; pleasant summer bubble. (*** ½)
Italy (Alto-Adige) …
Penon 2014 Pinot Bianco ($24.95 - #478065) – dry apple and pear skin with citrus pith on the finish. (*** ½)
Italy (Piedmont) …
Canti Estate 2011 Barbera D’Asti Superiore ($12.95 - #478941) – juicy little palate pleaser loaded with cherry and a little spice; very well-priced. (*** ½+) – BBF
Italy (Veneto) …
Masi 2012 Brolo Campofiorin Oro ($26.95 - #976092) – gritty yet seductive with dark fruit and the need for time to smooth. (****)
New Zealand …
Greywacke 2015 Sauvignon Blanc ($24.95 - #164228) – subtle grassy notes, lemon zest, citrus flair and long finish. (****) – NZ
Marisco 2016 The King’s Thorn Pinot Gris ($19.95 - #490300) – SEE FULL REVIEW. (****) – NZ
Old Coach Road 2015 Sauvignon Blanc ($19.95 - #483495) – notes of tropical fruit with lemon grass and citrus finish. (****) – NZ
Pencarrow 2015 Pinot Noir ($24.95 - #692301) – juicy, sweet black fruit with mocha, black cherry and plum. (*** ½+) – NZ
Summerhouse 2014 Pinot Noir ($29.95 - #492728) – cherry, violet and smoke. (*** ½+) – BBF
South Africa …
Jardin 2013 Black Magic Merlot ($19.95 - #485508) – coffee/mocha, blackberry and oak. (*** ½) – BBF
Jardin 2015 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay ($21.95 - #663336) – lots of toasty-smoky butterscotch, almond praline and hazelnut, there’s fruit here but it’s subtle. (****)
Spain …
Palacios Remondo 2016 La Vendimia ($16.95 - #674564) – lots of red and black fruit: cherry, boysenberry and vanilla oak. (*** ½)
United States (California) …
Cline 2015 Pinot Noir ($27.95 - #329649) – nice spicy character with a juicy middle. (*** ½+)
Edmeades 2013 Zinfandel ($23.95 - #105924) – fruit driven Zin with big alcohol (15%) along with some mocha and herbal notes. (*** ½+)
J Lohr 2014 Hilltop Cabernet Sauvignon ($47.95 - #686584) – nice richness of fruit and tannins, intense dark fruit: black cherry, touch of chocolate on the back end; this one is really lovely. (****+)
Michael David 2014 Petite Petit ($26.95 - #213017) – smoky mocha, blackberry and vanilla. (*** ½+)
Rodney Strong 2014 Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($39.95 - #456723) – warm dark fruit, black cherry in particular with a hit of spice, white pepper and mocha. (*** ½+)
Tom Gore 2014 Chardonnay ($19.95 - #458810) – gentle spice, butter, lemon, apple and good acidity. (****)
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In-Store Discoveries: wines that appear on the shelves of your local Vintages outlet …
Lo Sparviere Franciacorta Brut Cuvee No. 7, Italy ($29.95 - #484584) … *** ½+
Marchand Tawse 2014 Meursault, France ($65.95 - #285866) … *** ½+
Monte da Cal Saturnino 2011 Grande Reserva, Italy ($28.95 - #489104) … ****+
Quinta da Rede 2013 Grande Reserva, Portugal ($27.95 - #491993) … ****
Ridge Vineyards 2013 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, California ($86.95 - #89284) … ****
If You Can Afford It: wines worth their high price …
Chateau de Beaucastel 2014 Chateauneuf-du-Pape, France ($89.95 - #711317) … **** ½
Corte Pavone 2010 Brunello di Montalcino, Italy ($55.95 - #237263) … ****+
Duval-Leroy Prestige Premier Cru Brut Rosé Champagne, France ($70.95 - #483107) … *** ½
Solaia 2013, Italy ($254.95 - #987586) - ****+
What I’d Be Getting, If I Were You (May 13, 2017) …
Santa Duc 2012 Les Vieilles Vignes Cotes du Rhone ($15.95 - #101543) – France
Tessellae 2014 Old Vines Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre Cotes du Rousillon ($18.95 - #343517) – France
Tom Gore 2014 Chardonnay ($19.95 - #458810) – California
Ventisquero 2014 Grey Glacier Single Block Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.95 - #485474) – Chile
Happy Shopping
