Saturday September 16, 2017 - Vintages Release Report
14 Sep 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 … Local Wines (LW)
The Skinny … It’s the annual LCBO round-up of Ontario wines, they’ve been promoting them a little more this year because of Canada’s 150th, but this is the release where they really make the concerted effort to focus on Ontario wines. On other fronts, there aren’t many value wines, but there are some really good wines in this release.
Argentina …
Trapiche 2014 Finca Las Palmas Gran Reserva Malbec ($16.95 - #186668) – blueberry, white pepper, brambly and red berries. (*** ½)
Australia …
Pertaringa 2014 Over the Top Shiraz ($36.95 - #490052) – eucalyptus, blackberry, black raspberry, sweet spices; a really engaging Shiraz that’s deep and rich. (****+)
Wits End 2015 Luna Shiraz ($17.95 - #311258) – plum, black cherry, and chocolate, lots of chocolate; bright and tasty. (*** ½+)
Canada (Ontario) … click on wine name for full review
13th Street 2016 Red Palette ($15.95 – 249458) - *** ½+ … LW
2027 Cellars 2013 Queenston Road Vineyard Blanc de Blancs ($29.95 - #520619) - *** ½ … LW
Creekside 2015 Marianne Hill Riesling ($20.90 - #443572) - **** … LW
Flat Rock 2014 The Rusty Shed Chardonnay ($26.95 - #001552) - ****+ … LW
Leaning Post 2013 Pinot Noir ($30.20 - #523183) - **** … LW
Malivoire 2015 Courtney Gamay ($27.95 - #524231) - **** ½ … LW
Stratus 2016 Red Icewine ($39.95 / 200ml - #56689) - *** ½ … LW
Tawse 2016 Sketches of Niagara Rosé ($17.35 - #172643) - *** ½ … LW
Trius Brut Rose ($29.95 - #184309) - **** … LW
Chile …
San Pedro 2014 1865 Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.95 - #37911) – spiced-blackberry, cedar, plum and mocha on the finish. (*** ½+)
France (Bordeaux) …
Chateau Clarke 2010 ($42.95 - #503904) – smoky, mocha, blackberry, rich and intense yet well integrated; you can drink now or over next 10 years. (****+)
Chateau Pey La Tour 2012 Reserve du Chateau ($21.95 - #349308) – tobacco laced black fruit with a floral mid. (*** ½+)
France (Burgundy) …
Rene Bouvier 2014 Longeroies Marsannay ($46.95 - #496620) – smoky-spicy cherry, dusty, cocoa, nice tannins and good acidity. (****)
France (Rhone) …
Domaine Le Grand Retour 2015 Plan de Dieu Cotes du Rhone-Villages ($14.95 - #224592) – pleasant blackberry, white pepper, raspberry and smoke. (*** ½+)
Font du Vent 2015 Notre Passion Cotes du Rhone-Villages Signargues ($17.95 - #370221) – friendly and inviting, black cherry dominated. (*** ½)
Les Halos de Jupiter 2014 Gigondas ($38.95 - #274217) – plump red berries and plum, mocha-cherry, blackberry and tea leaves. (****)
Italy (Tuscany) …
Banfi 2014 ASKA ($24.95 - #459644) – layers of mocha and spice with tobacco and blackberry. (*** ½+)
Banfi 2015 Stilnovo Governo All’Uso ($18.95 - #515494) – floral and vanilla with black cherry and blackberry, mocha, easy drinking and good finish with acidity and spice. (****)
Castelli de Grevepesa 2013 Clemente VII Riserva Chianti Classico ($22.95 - #643205) – coffee, blackberry, cassis and mocha. (*** ½+)
Corbinelli 2012 Chianti Riserva ($15.95 - #516898) – sweet blackberry, mocha and cherry. (*** ½)
Tenuta di Burchino 2010 Il Burchino ($22.95 - #515460) – black cherry, chocolate, cola, violet, sweet middle, rich red fruit, very enticing. (****)
Villa Poggio Salvi 2011 Brunello di Montalcino ($49.95 - #363028) – menthol, plum and leather with spiced cherry and good acidic backbone. (****)
Italy (Umbria) …
Scacciadiavoli 2012 Montefalco Rosso ($20.95 - #372458) – robust black fruit, coffee bean, smoke and big tannins. (*** ½+)
Italy (Veneto) …
Belcanto di Bellussi Extra Dry Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Superiore ($19.95 - #53215) – crisp lemon and green apple. (*** ½+)
Zenato 2016 San Benedetto Lugana ($17.95 - #707158) – crisp lemon-lime, green apple with a hint of mineral. (****)
New Zealand …
Sugar Loaf 2016 Sauvignon Blanc ($19.95 - #410001) – passionfruit, nectarine, lime and grapefruit pith. (*** ½+)
Two Tails 2015 Pinot Noir ($19.95 - #496133) – cherry-cola, smoky and earthy. (*** ½+)
Villa Maria 2015 Private Bin Chardonnay ($17.95 - #651737) – crisp yet balanced with a mix of grapefruit and mac apple. (*** ½)
South Africa …
Graham Beck Brut Pinot Noir/Chardonnay Sparkling ($19.95 - #593483) – toasty biscuits and lemon curd. (*** ½)
Rustenberg 2013 John X Merriman ($24.95 - #707323) – blackberry, cassis, pepper, spice, black cherry, cedar, dark cocoa and vanilla middle; grabs the tongue and won’t let go. (****)
Spain …
Alceno 2014 Premium 50 Barricas Syrah ($14.95 - #398933) – silky blackberry, vanilla, plum that’s supple and easy drinking; good value too. (*** ½+)
Tobia 2013 Seleccion Crianza ($21.95 - #364828) – modern Rioja with plum and black cherry, vanilla and spiced-chocolate; chewy and charmingly delicious; nice bite on the finish. (****)
Torres Floralis Moscatel Oro ($16.95 - #642173) – orange and honey with clove notes; it’s a lovely dessert wine though not as good as in past years. (*** ½)
United States (California) …
Joel Gott 2014 Merlot ($24.95 - #479121) – juicy blueberry and raspberry with hints of vanilla. (*** ½)
La Crema 2015 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir ($29.95 - #719435) – sweet cherry and mocha that’s round and silky. (*** ½)
Peachy Canyon 2014 Westside Zinfandel ($36.95 - #930644) – sweet plum, cherry-mocha and vanilla; simple yet tasty. (*** ½)
Ravenswood 2014 Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel ($21.95 - #942599) – deep and delicious, vanilla, black cherry, cola, mocha and strawberry; layered and lovely. (****+)
William Hill 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon ($22.95 - #453647) – red and black cherry with vanilla and plum. (*** ½+)
United States (Oregon) …
A to Z Wineworks 2015 Chardonnay ($22.95 - #269258) – pretty with floral, apple and apricot. (*** ½+)
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In-Store Discoveries: wines that appear on the shelves of your local Vintages outlet …
Benefizio 2015 Castello di Pomino Riserva, Tuscany ($36.95 - #332247) - ****
Chateau Haut Monplaisir 2012 Pur Plaisir Malbec, France ($51.95 - #499194) - ****
Peppertreee 2013 Calcare Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Australia ($39.95 - #493601) - *** ½+
Thorle Estate 2015 Dry Riesling, Germany ($18.95 - #455817) - *** ½+
If You Can Afford It: wines worth their high price …
Duval Leroy 2006 Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut Champagne, France ($59.95 - #482828) - *** ½+
Hall 2014 Merlot, California ($50.95 - #342782) - ****+
Other Stuff That’s Fine, But It’s Not Wine …
Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers Sweet Vermouth, Ontario ($19.95 - #477356) - ****
What I’ll Be Lining Up For (September 16, 2017) …
Alceno 2014 Premium 50 Barricas Syrah ($14.95 - #398933) – Spain
Wits End 2015 Luna Shiraz ($17.95 - #311258) – Australia
Happy Shopping
