Saturday May 28, 2016 - Vintages Release Report

24 May 2016

 

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 … Veneto (VEN) and Judgement of Paris (JoP)
The Skinny … There are quite a few good Veneto wines in this release, and if you have never heard of the Judgement of Paris (not sure how you could have missed it, but …) there is a good encapsulation of the story in the Vintages magazine – but there is also some really good inexpensive wines in this release worth stocking up on for BBQ season: see the “What I’m Lining Up For” at the bottom - and as always happy shopping.   

Argentina …
BenMarco 2013 Malbec ($17.95 - #657601) – blackberry and mocha; simple but well made.  (*** ½)
Finca el Origen Estate 2015 Reserva Torrontes ($15.95 - #262089) – floral with an oily palate and lemon zest.  (***)
Kaiken 2013 Ultra Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.95 - #135202) – silky smooth with nice elegant mid-palate loaded with dark fruit and mocha.  (****)

Canada (British Columbia) …
Jackson-Triggs Okanagan 2014 Reserve Series Viognier ($15.95 - #445700) - the acids seem low here but there is some peach pit and lanolin notes that make it interesting.  (***)
Joie Farm 2014 A Noble Blend ($23.95 - #454793) - see the full review on the website - *** ½
Canada (Ontario) … click on wine name for full review
Cave Spring 2013 CSV Riesling ($29.95 - #566026) - ****
Fielding 2013 Red Conception ($18.95 - #189183) - *** ½+
Jackson-Triggs 2011 Entourage Grand Reserve Brut ($24.95 - #234161) - *** ½
Peninsula Ridge 2015 Beal Vineyard Cabernet Rosé ($13.95 - #177840) - ****
Tawse 2011 Growers Blend Pinot Noir ($24.95 - #130989) - *** ½
Thirty Bench 2013 Red ($24.20 - #320986) - *** ½+

Chile …
Familia Garces Silva 2013 Boya Pinot Noir ($14.95 - #444711) – juicy black raspberry with black cherry with smoke and nice tannins, there’s even a hint of floral; great value.  (****)
Montgras 2013 Antu Cabernet Sauvignon ($17.95 - #444703) – lots of mocha/chocolate, blackberry and cherry with a touch of vanilla on the finish; it has a real juiciness about it.  (****)

France (Beaujolais) …
Chateau des Gimarets 2011 Moulin a Vent ($15.95 - #442632) – lovely red fruit: raspberry with great drink now flavour and nicely balanced acidity.  (****)
France (Bordeaux) …
Chateau de la Grave 2012 Caractere ($19.95 - #224683) – gentle dark blueberry skin, cassis, black cherry, mocha and slightly woody.  (*** ½+)
Chateau Magnol 2012 ($24.95 - #384271) – cassis, black cherry, cocoa and herbal.  (*** ½+)
France (Burgundy) …
Maison Bertrand Ambroise 2012 Bourgogne Rouge ($22.95 - #445213) – mildly earthy with strawberry backing.  (*** ½)
France (Loire) …
Charles Bove 2014 Vouvray ($17.95 - #448563) – refreshing and delicious: apple, pear with sweet honey and floral notes.  (*** ½)
France (Midi) …
Domaine Lacroix-Vanel 2013 Fine Amor Pezenas ($21.95 - #343418) – rich plum, blackberry, raspberry and all with a leathery-cherry finish.  (*** ½+)
France (Rhone) …
Santa Duc 2009 Les Vieilles Vignes Cote du Rhone ($16.95 - #101543) – plum, spiced-cherry, raspberry, smoky edges, lovely rich finish with good acidity and tannin backbone.  (****)

Greece …
Domaine Costa Lazaridi 2012 Amethystos Red ($23.95 - #74831) – well-balanced, dark fruit, black cherry, mocha, and wood-smoke.  (*** ½+)

Italy (Puglia) …
Masserie Pisari 2013 Primitivo ($13.95 - #270306) – dark plum, cassis, black cherry, white smoke and a blackberry plum finish.  (****)
Italy (Tuscany) …
Carpineto 2010 Vino Nobule di Montepulciano Riserva ($29.95 - #368910) – mocha, leather, smoky, dried cherry and pepper.  (****)
Motupropio 2011 ($24.95 - #440818) – soft and silky with mocha, blackberry and cigar box with a big bite on the finish.  (*** ½+)
Viticcio 2012 Chianti Classico ($22.95 - #283580) – cassis, black cherry, earthy, smoky and burnt coffee.  (*** ½)
Italy (Veneto) …
Allegrini 2012 Palazzo della Torre ($24.95 - #672931) – quite sweet fruited with raspberry and blueberry, gentle tannins and notes of vanilla. (*** ½+) - VEN
Belcanto di Bellussi Prosecco di Valdobiadene Superiore ($19.95 - #053215) - has a little sweetness but that does not make it a pleasant bubbly with apple and lemon notes.  (*** ½) – VEN
Masi 2011 Serego Alighieri 650 Anniversario Valpolicella Classico Superiore ($21.95 - #661306) – café, cocoa, black cherry and white smoke.  (*** ½+) – VEN
Monte del Fra 2014 Bardolino ($14.95 - #134544) – this juicy number has a  core pretty cherry from start to finish. (*** ½) – VEN
Pieropan 2014 Soave Classico ($17.95 - #946848) – classic and crisp with lemon and lime zest and an interestingly unexpected creaminess.  (*** ½) – VEN
Provolo 2011 Campotorbian Ripasso Valpolicella Superiore ($19.95 - #974402) – subtle sweetness with generous fruit of cherry and plum plus good tannins on the finish.  (*** ½+) - VEN

New Zealand …
Coopers Creek 2015 Sauvignon Blanc ($18.95 - #957407) – a little sweaty with peachy grapefruit zest and herbal notes.  (*** ½)
Saint Clair Family Estate 2015 Premium Pinot Gris Rosé ($16.95 - #451740) – fresh raspberry, strawberry and lime.  (*** ½+)

Portugal …
Ferreira 2010 Late Bottled Vintage Port ($19.95 - #675751) – lots of spice, dark berries and acidity, well-balanced, long finish – believe it or not you’ll want to age this one a few years.  (****)
Quinta de Curvos 2013 Prova Cega ($13.95 - #446054) – blackberry, black cherry, vanilla and gentle spice with a mocha-spice finish.  (*** ½+)

South Africa …
Avondale 2011 Jonty’s Ducks Pekin Red ($14.95 - #383547) – SEE MY VIDEO REVIEW HERE (****)
Rustenberg 2014 Chardonnay ($19.95 - #598631) – subtle apple, butterscotch, pear, vanilla and good acidity with a spicy finish.  (****)

Spain …
Baron de Magana 2010 ($19.95 - #280552) – smoky vanilla, blackberry, cherry with gentle cedar and earthy notes.  (*** ½+)
Borsao 2014 Tres Picos Garnacha ($19.95 - #273748) – sweet generous fruit of blackberry, boysenberry really juicy flavours make this a guilty pleasure.  (****)
Ego Bodegas Goru 2013 ($13.95 - #443945) – robust black cherry, vanilla, cinnamon, another guilty pleasure for those night around the BBQ at a real bargain price.  (****+)
Tobia 2010 Seleccion Crianza ($21.95 - #364828) – smoky black currant, vanilla and cedar.  (*** ½)

United States (California) …
La Crema 2014 Chardonnay ($39.95 - #067231) – soft and subtle with lime and apple intermingling with vanilla and poached pear.  (*** ½)
William Hill 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon ($21.95 - #453647) – vibrant Cabernet with lots of dark fruit, vanilla, cinnamon and herbal notes; decent value in this bottle.  (****+)
United States (Washington) …
Chateau Ste. Michelle 2013 Chardonnay ($20.95 - #232439) – butterscotch, vanilla, apple, peach with balanced acidity.  (*** ½)

________________________________________

In-Store Discoveries:  wines that appear on the shelves of your local Vintages outlet …
Belle Glos 2015 Oeil de Perdrix Pinot Noir Blanc Rosé ($29.95 - #343020) – California (*** ½)
Ridge Vineyards Estate 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon ($74.95 - #89284) – California (****+)
Shaw & Smith 2012 Shiraz ($39.95 - #686659) – Australia (****)

If You Can Afford It:  wines worth their high price …
Banfi 2010 Brunello di Montalcino ($54.95 - #378257) - ****
Brezza 2011 Barolo ($52.95 - #711788) - *** ½+
Freemark Abbey 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon ($54.95 - #904532) - **** (JoP)
Grgich Hills Estate 2013 Chardonnay ($67.95 - #346304) - ****+ (JoP)
Masi 2009 Costasera Riserva Amarone della Valpolicella Classico ($69.95 - #324137) - ****+ (VEN)
Ridge 2013 Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon ($191.95 - #405332) - **** (JoP)

Other Stuff That’s Fine, But It’s Not Wine …
Bepi Tosolini Limone Amaro ($44.95 - #455295)
Mio Sparkling Sake ($12.95 / 300ml - #388553)

What I’ll Be Lining Up For:  May 28, 2016 …
Borsao 2014 Tres Picos Garnacha ($19.95 - #273748) – Spain
Chateau des Gimarets 2011 Moulin a Vent ($15.95 - #442632) – France
Ego Bodegas Goru 2013 ($13.95 - #443945) – Spain
Familia Garces Silva 2013 Boya Pinot Noir ($14.95 - #444711) – Chile
Masserie Pisari 2013 Primitivo ($13.95 - #270306) – Italy
Rustenberg 2014 Chardonnay ($19.95 - #598631) – South Africa
Santa Duc 2009 Les Vieilles Vignes Cote du Rhone ($16.95 - #101543) – France

Happy Shopping

 

 

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