Saturday April 18, 2015 - Vintages Release Report
14 Apr 2015- Details
- Category: What I'm Tasting
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 … Primum Familiae Vini (PFV) and Wagner Family (WF)
The Skinny … The “All in the Family” release does not mean Carroll O’Connor comes to an LCBO near you to call you a “Meathead” for buying a bottle of Yellow Tail – no, instead two family organizations have their wines featured at the Board. For you bargain seekers you find a few deals from France and the Dr. L Riesling is a beauty for those who like acid in their white.
Argentina …
Tapiz 2011 Alta Collection Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.95 - #403345) – silky smooth, vanilla, cherry, and blackberry with a kiss of oak. (*** ½+)
Australia …
Sister’s Run 2012 Epiphany Shiraz ($15.95 - #269464) – thick almost creamy opening sip, with cassis, black cherry and blackberry, nice peppery note and gently spiced; good price, BBQ ready with a touch of coffee on the finish. (****)
Thorn-Clarke 2012 Shotfire Quartage ($21.95 - #24091) – another winner from one of my favourite Aussie wineries, it’s the pepper that really shines through with a plethora of dark fruit. (****+)
Canada (British Columbia) …
Quails’ Gate 2013 Pinot Noir ($26.95 - #585760) – lots going on here with some spices and peppery notes: earthy, black cherry and hints of violets on the finish. (*** ½+)
Canada (Ontario) … click on wine name for full review
13th Street 2013 Merlot ($17.95 - #270504) - *** ½+
Burning Kiln 2011 Cureman’s Chard Chardonnay ($21.95 - #310243) - *** ½+
Cave Spring 2012 CSV Riesling ($29.95 - #566026) - *** ½+
Featherstone 2013 Gewurztraminer ($19.95 - #64592) - *** ½+
Flat Rock Cellars 2014 Pink Twisted Rosé ($16.95 - #39974) - ****
Reif 2013 Vidal Icewine ($24.95 / 200ml - #544791) – ****
Chile …
Falernia 2010 Reserva Syrah ($18.95 - #208371) – very smoky with hints of meat and coffee. (*** ½+)
La Joya 2014 Gran Reserva Viognier ($15.95 - #168542) – tropical fruit on the nose with a more subdued palate but still plenty tasty. (*** ½+)
Primus 2012 The Blend ($19.95 - #712463) – lots going on here including dark and red fruit with licorice and vanilla. (*** ½+)
France (Alsace) …
Cave de Hoen Mausberg Blanc de Blancs Brut Cremant D’Alsace ($17.95 - #171785) – nice bite of acidity on the palate, fresh, biscuit, floral, apple all at a good price. (****)
France (Burgundy) …
Joseph Drouhin 2012 Cotes de Nuits-Villages ($34.95 - #411835) – nice black pepper with black cherry, spiced cranberry and a long finish. (****) – PFV
Vignerons de Buxy Buissonnier Montagny 2011 ($19.95 - #382879) – nice fruit, hint of stoniness and quite sippable all on its own. (*** ½+)
France (Midi) …
Le Cirque 2013 Grenache Noir/Carignan/Syrah ($16.95 - #277079) – circus is in town and its worth going to see, buy and drink. (*** ½+)
France (Rhone) …
Domaine Le Grand Retour 2012 Plan de Dieu Cotes du Rhone-Villages ($14.95 - #224592) – still offers great value with plum, white pepper and lots of black fruit. (****)
Famille Perrin 2012 La Gille Gigondas ($29.95 - #906073) – smooth, supple on the palate, fruit is pleasantly plum and cherry. (****) – PFV
Germany …
Loosen Bros. 2013 Dr. L Riesling ($13.95 - #599274) – the acidity is on the tense side here, there is a touch of sweetness in the background but this one’s for acid junkies (so to speak). (****)
Italy (Emilia-Romagna) …
Umberto Cesari 2011 Liano Sangiovese/Cabernet Sauvignon ($27.95 - #225086) – plum, mocha, vanilla, black cherry and spice. (*** ½+)
Italy (Friuli) …
Gradis’Ciutta 2013 Pinot Grigio ($19.95 - #404376) – lively lemon and grapefruit pith with a little welcome bitterness. (*** ½)
Italy (Tuscany) …
Antinori 2009 Badia a Passignano Gran Selezione Chianti Classico ($44.95 - #384552) – subtle spice, floral, herbal but also raspberry and hints of smoke. (****) – PFV
Carpineto 2012 Chianti Classico ($19.95 - #356048) – subtle spice, raspberry and spiced-cranberry. (*** ½)
Castello di Querceto 2012 Chianti Classico ($24.95 - #680496) – mocha, black cherry with nice acidic balance. (*** ½+)
Poliziano 2011 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano ($29.95 - #988055) – red cherry and black cherry, raspberry-spice, firm tannins and good acidity. (****)
Italy (Veneto) …
Brigaldara 2013 Valpolicella ($14.95 - #917864) – this is a drink now Valpolicella with delicious red berries, good acidity, well-balanced; it’s been awhile since a good straight Valpolicella has been in Vintages, and this is one. (*** ½+)
New Zealand …
Rapaura Springs 2013 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc ($21.95 - #388421) – subtle nose, intense palate with herbal and grapefruit with lots of zing. (****)
Portugal …
Graham’s Six Grapes Reserve Port ($22.95 - #208405) – a nice introduction to Port with its rich cherry, plum and chocolate balanced off by nice acidity and spice. (****) – PFV
Warre’s 2000 Colheita Tawny Port ($39.95 - #411702) – stunningly lush Colheita with a mix of dried cherry and orange peel dominating, superb spice, intense yet delicious with a great finish. (**** ½) – PFV
Spain …
Abad Dom Bueno Crianza 2006 ($15.95 - #244699) – black fruit and smooth with vanilla, cocoa, just this side of mocha; a really fragrant aroma. (*** ½+)
Torres 2011 Celeste Crianza ($20.95 - #210872) – well spiced with blueberry, black cherry and a touch of pencil lead. (*** ½+) – PFV
United States (California) …
Kenwood 2013 Chardonnay ($18.95 - #158790) – nicely balanced between oak, creamy vanilla and apple puree; plus pear, peach and a lovely spiced finish. (*** ½+)
McManis Family Vineyards 2012 Syrah ($19.95 - #658104) – juicy, plumy, raspberry with soft white pepper nuances. (*** ½+)
Mer Soleil 2013 Reserve Chardonnay ($34.95 - #958975) – creamy and buttery with lots of vanilla along with peaches and cream, there is also some acidity and spice on the finish. (****) – WF
Treana 2011 Red ($39.95 - #11221) – plum, white pepper and a touch meaty and creamy on the mid-palate with nice vanilla oak notes; well-structured with spicy finish. (****+)
United States (Oregon) …
Jolete 2012 Pinot Noir ($44.95 - #408344) – vanilla, smoke with spiced raspberry and violet encrusted strawberry. (*** ½+)
United States (Washington) …
Airfield Estates 2012 Runway Cabernet Sauvignon ($24.95 - #408351) – full of mocha aromas and a taste that matches adding blueberry and cassis. (*** ½+)
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In-Store Discoveries – wines that appear on the shelves of your local Vintages outlet …
Breggo 2012 Pinot Noir ($49.95 - #309476) – USA - *** ½+
Chateau Dassault 2011 ($49.85 - #299149) – France - ****
Greywacke 2011 Pinot Noir ($49.95 - #402651) – New Zealand - ****+
Grgich 2013 Fume Blanc Dry Sauvignon Blanc ($39.95 - #346296) – USA – *** ½
Louis Jadot 2009 Beaune Boucherottes 1er Cru ($59.95 - #121319) – France - *** ½+
Pedroncelli 2011 Bushnell Vineyard Zinfandel ($24.00 - #463026) – USA - ****
Ramey 2011 Richie Vineyard Chardonnay ($90.00 - #394528) – USA - ****
Wooing Tree 2012 Beetle Juice Pinot Noir ($39.95 - #402636) – New Zealand - *** ½+
If You Can Afford It – wines worth their high price …
Antinori 2011 Solaia ($251.95 - #987586) - **** (PFV)
Caymus 2012 40th Anniversary Cabernet Sauvignon ($68.95 - #222877) - ****+ (WF)
Chateau de Beaucastel 2012 Chateauneuf-du-Pape ($89.95 - #711317) – France - *** ½+ (PFV)
Pol Roger 2004 Vintage Extra Cuvee de Reserve Brut Champagne ($94.95 - #411793) - **** (PFV)
Pol Roger 2006 Vintage Extra Cuvee de Reserve Brut Rosé Champagne ($105.95 - #411819) - **** (PFV)
Vega Sicilia 2011 Alion ($89.95 - #199331) - **** (PFV)
Vega Sicilia 2008 Pintia ($67.95 - #199349) - *** ½+ (PFV)
What I’ll Be Lining Up For – April 18, 2015 …
Cave de Hoen Mausberg Blanc de Blancs Brut Cremant D’Alsace ($17.95 - #171785) – France
Domaine Le Grand Retour 2012 Plan de Dieu Cotes du Rhone-Villages ($14.95 - #224592) – France
Loosen Bros. 2013 Dr. L Riesling ($13.95 - #599274) – Germany
Happy Shopping
To print this article click here for the PDF version
