Saturday January 10, 2014 - Vintages Release Report
04 Jan 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 … Smart Buys (SB)
The Skinny … It’s the first release of the year and that means “Smart Buys”; now in truth it’s more like the stuff the LCBO can’t sell during the rest of the year, but there are some decent wines to be had in this release. Also note that not all wines were available for tasting.
Argentina …
Graffigna 2011 Grand Reserve Malbec ($17.00 - #162149) – smoky, blueberry, cassis, black raspberry with nice tannins on finish. (*** ½+) – SB
La Posta 2013 Armando Vineyard Bonarda ($14.95 - #261586) – juicy with hints of earth and spice, black cherry, blackberry and a little graphite. (*** ½+)
Trivento 2012 Amado Sur Malbec/Bonarda/Syrah ($16.95 - #37036) – juicy cherry and blackberry, plum, vanilla-smoke and quite quaffable. (*** ½+)
Australia …
Devil’s Corner 2013 Pinot Noir ($23.95 - #317966) – really juicy core surrounded by cherry, raspberry, spice with a touch of floral on the finish, sprinkled with white pepper. (****)
Driftwood 2012 The Collection Cabernet Merlot ($19.95 - #399857) – chocolate and dark berries, spiced-cocoa, lovely finish with good structure. (****+)
Austria …
Rabl 2013 Kittmansberg Veltliner ($14.95 - #346007) – pea pod, unripe pear and floral. (*** ½)
Canada (British Columbia) …
Oak Bay 2012 Gamay Noir ($17.95 - #392431) – spiced black and sour cherry; chill and enjoy. (*** ½)
See Ya Later Ranch 2012 Chardonnay ($17.95 - #126912) – light and fruity, touch of mineral while it hands out a bit of toasty/smoky notes on the finish. (*** ½+)
Canada (Ontario) … click on wine name for full review
Featherstone 2012 Red Tail Merlot ($19.95 - #131540) - ****+ (SB)
Chile …
Concha y Toro 2012 Serie Riberas Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon ($17.95 - #256693) – minty, juicy, plummy with chocolate, black raspberry, delicate spice; really flavourful. (****) – SB
France (Bordeaux) …
Chateau Beausejour Hostens 2010 ($22.95 - #388298) – grippy tannins, massively dark and brooding, this one needs some time, but it’s heading in the right direction. (*** ½+)
France (Midi) …
Puig-Parahi 2011 Cuvee Georges ($16.95 - #171025) – floral, blueberry and black tea. (*** ½+) – SB
France (Southwest) …
Laplace 2011 Madiran ($16.95 - #103705) – raspberry-cherry and spice with an oak leaning finish. (*** ½+) – SB
Lafage 2012 Cote Sud ($14.95 - #395236) – smooth with cassis, blackberry, plum and black cherry. (****) – SB
Italy (Piedmont) …
Bersano 2013 Gavi di Gavi ($14.95 - #999979) – dry, mineral, floral and pleasant. (*** ½+)
Italy (Puglia) …
12 E Mezzo 2012 Primitivo del Salento ($13.95 - #395053) – cherry-vanilla, hint of smoke with a pretty raspberry finish. (****)
Italy (Tuscany) …
Piazzano 2012 Chianti ($14.95 - #393199) – fruit forward, herbal with a decent tannins backbone. (*** ½+) – SB
Italy (Umbria) …
Villa Mora 2008 Montefalco Rosso Riserva ($16.95 - #357079) – full and chewy with heavy tannins, black fruit, smoke, licorice; needs time but should come around. (*** ½+)
Italy (Veneto) …
Sartori Sella 2013 Soave Classico ($15.95 - #395061) – lovely citrus, peach and pear. (*** ½+)
New Zealand …
Momo 2012 Pinot Noir ($17.00 - #163972) – nice density of fruit and spice especially on the finish. (*** ½+) – SB
Portugal …
Messias 2009 Late Bottled Vintage Port ($18.95 - #140863) – lovely plum, chocolate, cherry, silky smooth, nice spice and good acidity on the finish. (****+)
Quinta de Bons-Ventos 2012 ($13.95 - #385864) – sweet vanilla-cherry with a nice easy smoothness. (*** ½)
Quinta de Santa Eufemia 10-Year-Old Tawny Port ($27.95 - #87528) – cherry-hazelnut-caramel, orange zest and good acid to counteract the sweetness. (****)
South Africa …
Man Vintners 2013 Shiraz ($13.95 - #71332) – one of the better buys with smoky, meaty and a bit tarry; altogether a nicely balanced fruit/wine mix in this wine. (****) – SB
Mulderbosch 2012 Chenin Blanc ($14.95 - #675421) – pineapple, mango, beeswax; tangy and pleasant. (*** ½+)
Rupert & Rothschild 2011 Classique ($22.95 - #717991) – there’s real structure and pleasantry in the bottle that’s worth a taste. (*** ½+)
Spain …
Monasterio de Las Vinas 2006 Reserva ($14.95 - #166579) – a sweet middle with vanilla, cherry, blackberry and plum with spice and floral tones. (*** ½+) – SB
Ontanon 2010 Crianza ($16.95 - #976910) – drinks well, chocolate, smoky-vanilla, blackberry and plum. (****)
Rio Madre 2013 ($14.95 - #354753) – dried cherry, smoky-sweet oak and cassis. (*** ½+) – SB
Vina Real Plata 2010 Crianza ($18.95 - #657411) – a little bit of grit but with nice pleasant fruit. (*** ½) – SB
United States (California) …
Clos du Bois 2012 Merlot ($16.95 - #124883) – a very Californian juicy Merlot with raspberry, blueberry and vanilla. (*** ½+) – SB
Grove Street 2012 Pinot Noir ($19.95 - #231613) – juicy cherry and a touch of anise. (*** ½)
Incognito Red 2013 ($19.95 - #394890) – sweet cherry, plum, vanilla, blackberry; pleasant and very enjoyable. (****)
J. Lohr 2011 Carol’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ($49.95 - #246918) – lovely dark fruit, deep chocolate, blackberry, plum; complex and yummy. (****+)
Line Shack 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon ($21.95 - #105965) - Lots of coffee bean and baked/spiced plum, touch of burnt cherry. (****)
Rodney Strong 2012 Reserve Chardonnay ($44.95 - #210039) – buttery vanilla, smoky pineapple, baked apple; it’s definitely a Chardonnay for Chardonnay lovers. (****)
United States (Washington) …
Columbia Crest 2012 H3 Horse Heaven Hills Merlot ($19.95 - #209874) – Nice blueberry and blueberry skin, cherry, cocoa and spice; this wine is finally back to what I enjoyed about it the first time I tried it. (****)
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What I’ll Be Lining Up For – January 10, 2015 …
12 E Mezzo 2012 Primitivo del Salento ($13.95 - #395053) – Italy
Driftwood 2012 The Collection Cabernet Merlot ($19.95 - #399857) – Australia
Columbia Crest 2012 H3 Horse Heaven Hills Merlot ($19.95 - #209874) – Washington
Incognito Red 2013 ($19.95 - #394890) – California
Messias 2009 Late Bottled Vintage Port ($18.95 - #140863) – Portugal
Happy Shopping
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