Saturday January 19, 2019 - Vintages Release Report
15 Jan 2019- 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 … South Africa (SA) & European Country Cooking (ECC)
The Skinny … In the second release of the year don’t expect too much that’s exciting or interesting, but the good news is there is some: a rarely seen Cab from Spain hits a real high note and a Rhone Valley blend also raises some eyebrows (and taste buds), Bordeaux fans have something to pick up and if you searching for something really good from BC Mission Hill delivers there. Check out all my picks below:
Argentina …
Cicchitti 2012 Gran Reserva Malbec ($27.95 - #155713) – mocha core with frim grip of tannins on the tongue plus hints of licorice and cassis. (*** ½+)
Australia …
Kilikanoon 2016 Killerman’s Run Grenache/Shiraz/Mataro ($19.95 - #412189) – garrigue, smoked-bacon and cherry. (*** ½+)
Mojo 2017 Shiraz ($19.95 - #327767) – juicy and appealing with mint, mocha, black cherry with a spiced-up finish; a really fun to drink wine. (*** ½+)
Austria …
Esterhazy 2016 Estoras Gruner Veltliner ($17.95 - #568543) – pea pods and green beans meet citrus zest. (*** ½) … ECC
Canada (British Columbia) …
Mission Hill Family Estate 2016 Reserve Meritage ($29.95 - #633628) – a mocha core that surrounds black cherry, blackberry, and smoky vanilla; this will relinquish more in the coming years but it’s also good right now. (****+)
Canada (Ontario) … click on wine name for full review
Henry of Pelham 2016 Speck Family Reserve Baco Noir ($21.95 - #461699) – ****+
Viewpoint 2010 Cabernet Franc ($16.95 - #359299) - *** ½
France (Bordeaux) …
Chateau Corbin 2015 ($26.95 - #630020) – wow … nice leather and spice kicks things off while dark fruit like blackberry and black cherry swings in while cedar and floral also make an appearance. (****+)
France (Burgundy) …
Cuvee Joseph Talmard 2017 Macon Chardonnay ($16.695 - #392712) – hints of peach and pear marry with subtle spice, good acidity and a medium-length finish. (*** ½+)
Domaine Seguinot-Bordet 2017 Chablis ($25.95 - #289371) – stony and slightly buttery, this is a fresh wine worthy of summer sipping. (*** ½+)
La Vigne Blanche 2017 Chablis ($26.95 - #474932) – mineral freshness with bitter melon and pear. (*** ½+)
France (Rhone) …
Xavier Vignon 2016 Lirac ($22.95 - #636183) – so much fruit like blueberry, raspberry and cherry kick things off then comes the chocolate, the leather and the licorice; it’s a simple yet complex wine that you need to put your hands on. (****+)
Italy (Abruzzo) …
Umani Ronchi 2016 Montipagano Montepulciano D’Abruzzo ($15.95 - #134585) – blackberry, black cherry with a little woodsy mocha. (*** ½+)
Italy (Friuli) …
Duca 2017 Catemario Collezione Private Pinot Grigio ($14.95 - #120782) – surprisingly refreshing and yet has something more than just the “ah-factor”: mineral with citrus vibe. (*** ½)
Italy (Sicily) …
Messer del Fauno 2017 Nero D’Avola ($14.95 - #538132) – pleasant and easy drinking: blue and black fruit with a touch of mocha. (*** ½+)
Italy (Tuscany) …
Borgo Scopeto 2015 Borgonero ($18.95 - #421396) – red and black pepper with chewy tannins and cassis. (*** ½+) … ECC
Borgo Scopeto 2015 Chianti Classico ($16.95 - #23325) – rich and spicy with plenty of pepper and dark berry fruit. (*** ½+)
New Zealand …
Amisfield 2015 Pinot Noir ($39.95 - #179754) – floral and mocha latte notes plus rhubarb, earth and blur fruit with some subtle plum. (****)
Blind River 2017 Sauvignon Blanc ($21.95 - #141499) – A mix of sweaty-grassy and citrus with some melon and a firmer finish than you’d expect from New Zealand, mainly due to the 10% barrel portion. (****)
Portugal …
Lua Cheia 2015 Em Vinhas Reserva Especial Tinto ($21.95 - #610287) – richness of dark fruit, chocolate and plum with a touch of spice finishing it off. (****)
South Africa …
De Wetshof 2017 Bon Vallon Unwooded Chardonnay ($22.95 - #403675) – pricy for unoaked but still worth a taste; it’s fresh and white fruit forward, primary melon and yellow plum. (*** ½+) … SA
Leeuwenkuil 2016 Grenache Noir ($19.95 - #630871) – juicy core with blackberry, black cherry and white pepper. (*** ½) … SA
Meerlust 2015 Rubicon ($46.95 - #64329) – earthy, smoky and coffee bean with spiced-black cherry and a long finish. (*** ½+) ... SA
Mullineux 2017 Old Vines White ($37.95 - #556597) – a very pretty wine with floral, lanolin, melon, pear, peach, the list goes on, let’s just say it has a plethora of fruit and flavour; plus there might even be some white pepper in here, but that depends on how much you want to concentrate on the wine. (****) … SA
Spain …
Gabarda 2015 Seleccion ($19.95 - #629139) – super juicy black cherry, vanilla-strawberry and well-integrated oak. (****)
Sinergia 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon ($14.95 - #629519) – interesting and unique variety for this part of the world, to see on its own, ripe and juicy with black fruit, oak, and chocolate; I think this would fool Cali-Cab friends. (****)
United States (California) …
Artesa 2015 Chardonnnay ($29.95 - #657585) – richly America with lots of vanilla and butter but also some nice pear and hints of lemon to keep it in check. (*** ½)
Bogle 2015 Essential Red ($22.95 - #394452) – sweet, smooth and supple, an easy drinking wine with not thought required, just enjoy. (***+)
Seaglass 2016 Pinot Noir ($21.95 - #539163) – juicy Pinot Noir that’s red fruit forward and instantly enjoyable. (*** ½+)
United States (Washington) …
Chateau Ste. Michelle 2015 Indian Wells Cabernet Sauvignon ($24.95 - #55764) – blackberry, cassis with subtle plum and mocha and a smoked meat finish. (*** ½+)
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In-Store Discoveries: wines that appear at selected Vintages outlets …
Klinker Brick 2015 Marisa Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel, California ($49.95 - #694356) **** ½
Valtuille 2015 Finca el Valao, Spain ($24.95 - #629204) *** ½+
If You Can Afford It: wines worth their high price …
Col D’Orcia 2013 Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany ($51.95 - #306852) *** ½
Other Stuff That’s Fine, But It’s Not Wine …
Haselnuss-Likor Hazelnut Liqueur, Austria ($24.95 – 577189) ****
Robert Burns Arran Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Scotland ($52.95 - #981084) *** ½+
Best Values in this Release - (January 19, 2019) …
Gabarda 2015 Seleccion ($19.95 - #629139) – Spain
Sinergia 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon ($14.95 - #629519) – Spain
Xavier Vignon 2016 Lirac ($22.95 - #636183) – France
Happy Shopping
