Saturday November 23, 2019 - Vintages Release Report

21 Nov 2019

 

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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 … Only the Best (OTB) and Local Sparkling (LS)

The Skinny …
Still missing a few wines in this release, I have been promised they will be available for tasting on the Friday before the release – if there are additions to this report I’ll put them in a section below in “Last Minute Additions”.

LAST MINUTE ADDITIONS :

Erath 2017 Resplendent Pinot Noir ($29.95 - #488635) - delicate yet full-on fruit from Oregon: cherry, hints of vanilla, great raspberry and all with an acid balance that makes this a thrill in the mouth, and for the nose.  (****+)

Fincas Las Moras 2017 Paz Malbec ($17.95 - #520486) - from Argentina comes this pleasant mocha, blackberry, cassis and black cherry laden Malbec. (*** ½)

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This is the first time a majority of the wines has been made available and there are some good wines to choose from including great values from Chile and France, an interesting Grenache from Australia (all can be found in my “Best Values” section at the bottom – and there is a wine from Jean-Luc Colombo for just over $20 that you might want to also put on your list. For those of you who love Super-Tuscans and have money to burn look up the Solaia – it’s pricey but damn is it good.

Argentina …
Trapiche 2015 Terroir Series Finca Orellana Single Vineyard Malbec ($42.95 - #178145) – nice cedar, smoky and oaky notes with black fruit at its core with subtle bitter undertones; needs time.  (*** ½+) … OTB

Australia …
De Bortoli 2016 Noble One Botrytis Semillon ($29.95 - #917252) – thick and luscious with vanilla, apple sauce and peaches n’ cream.  (*** ½)
Robert Oatley 2018 Signature Series G-18 Grenache ($19.95 - #010524) – beautiful raspberry and floral with hints of herbal; it’s a bright and lovely wine that has a “sweet fruit” nuance without being jammy, nice dry finish with some length.  (****+)
Rymill 2015 Coonawarra Classic Cabernet Sauvignon ($29.95 - #010541) – classic big/bold Cabernet smells and flavours with eucalyptus, blackberry, cassis, black raspberry, hints of olive and a spicy finish.  (****) … OTB

Canada (British Columbia) …
Sumac Ridge 2017 Black Sage Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ($28.95 - #143784) – a pleasant blend of bittersweet cocoa, blackberry and smoke.  (*** ½)
Canada (Ontario) … click on wine name for full review
Featherstone 2017 Joy Premium Cuvee Sparkling Rosé ($29.95 - #450700) … *** ½+ (LS)
Henry of Pelham 2018 Bin 106 Baco Noir ($29.95 - #013421) … ****+ (OTB)
Hidden Bench 2016 Terroir Cache ($44.95 - #505610) … *** ½+ (OTB)
Le Clos Jordanne 2017 Le Grand Clos Chardonnay ($44.95 - #184549) … *** ½+ (OTB)
Le Clos Jordanne 2017 Le Grand Clos Pinot Noir ($44.95 - #184564) … *** ½+ (OTB)
Queenston Mile 2015 Brut Blanc de Noirs ($50.00 - #010139) … ****+ (LS)
Stratus 2016 Red ($49.20 - #312058) … **** (OTB)
Thirty Bench 2016 Winemaker’s Blend Red ($24.95 - #320986) … ****

Chile …
Emiliana 2016 Coyam ($29.95 - #063891) – coffee/mocha, smoke, vanilla and really good length.  (*** ½+) … OTB
Vina Tarapaca 2017 Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon ($17.95 - #018721) – nice richness and concentration: raspberry, mocha, cherry and mint.  (****)

France (Beaujolais) …
Chateau Fuisse 2016 Julienas ($26.95 - #011356) – sweet cherry, white pepper and even a hint of mocha.  (*** ½+) … OTB
France (Midi) …
Tessellae 2017 Old Vines Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre ($18.95 - #343517) – ripe blackberry, black cherry, cassis, anise and herbal; this is a multi-layered and tasty wine.  (****)
France (Rhone) …
Chateau de Nages 2016 Vieilles Vignes Costieres de Nimes ($19.95 - #040964) – it’s a touch bitter on the finish but there’s a good dark fruit concentrated mid with a hint of spice.  (*** ½)
Jean-Luc Colombo 2016 Le Pavillon des Courtisanes Cairanne ($21.95 - #120717) – black raspberry, black cherry, plum and even some tea leaf and  new leather notes; there’s a robustness, yet also shows nice restraint here.  (****)
Xavier 2015 Arcane XV Le Diable ($29.95 - #526301) – sweet cherry, mocha along with licorice, herbal and subtle pepper.  (*** ½+)
France (Roussillon) …
Gerard Bertrand 2017 Reserve Speciale Viognier ($14.95 - #147975) – see full review, click here (*** ½)

Italy (Emilia-Romagna) …
Umberto Cesari 2016 Liano Sangiovese Cabernet Sauvignon ($27.95 - #225086) – earl grey tea, mocha latte, and vanilla; quite impressive.  (*** ½+)
Italy (Tuscany) …
Marchese Antinori 2015 Tenuta Tignanello Riserva Chianti Classico ($49.95 - #512384) – big tannin grip, earthy, smoky, burnt coffee and fruit of black cherry and cassis.  (****) … OTB

New Zealand …
Cloudy Bay 2016 Pinot Noir ($48.95 - #598813) – hints of strawberry, raspberry, and spiced-cranberry; one of the best Cloudy Bay Pinots I’ve tasted to date.  (****) … OTB

Portugal …
Colinas de Anca 2014 Baga Reserva ($16.95 - #011195) – coffee bean, cherry and strawberry.  (*** ½+)
Coutada Velha 2017 Signature Red ($15.95 - #011152) – strawberry, violets and cherry, it’s a little on the sweet side in a juicy kinda way.  (*** ½)

South Africa …
The Chocolate Block 2017 ($39.95 - #129353) – see full review, click hereOTB

Spain …
Muriel 2014 Fincas de la Villa Reserva ($19.95 - #276030) – black fruit with hints of red cherry and raspberry.  (*** ½)

United States (California) …
Havens 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon ($27.95 - #013241) – rich and robust with good concentration of dark fruit plus some mocha and blackberry on the finish.  (*** ½+)
La Crema 2015 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir ($49.95 - #906404) – it’s a supple Pinot Noir with plenty of juiciness of red fruit, namely raspberry and also some notes of licorice.  (*** ½+)

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In-Store Discoveries:  wines that appear at selected Vintages outlets …
Giordano 2016 Albarossa Piemonte, Italy ($39.95 - #011589) - *** ½+

If You Can Afford It:  wines worth their high price …
Austin Hope 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, California ($69.95 - #578005) - *** ½+
Barossa Valley Estate 2016 E&E Black Pepper Shiraz, Australia ($99.95 - #731620) - ****+ … OTB
Caymus 2015 Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, California ($199.95 - #711663) - **** … OTB
Delaforce 2000 Vintage Port, Portugal ($62.95 - #344861) - *** ½+ … OTB
Domaine Charles Audoin Au Champ Salomon 2015 Marsannay, Burgunday ($60.95 - #429134) - *** ½+ … OTB
Domaine Drouhin 2016 Oregon Pinot Noir, Oregon ($51.95 - #961284) - *** ½+ … OTB
Oreno 2017, Italy ($86.95 - #735597) - ****+ … OTB
Orma 2017, Italy ($92.95 - #260984) - ****
Solaia 2016, Italy ($457.95 - #987586) - **** ½


Best Values in this Release - (November 23, 2019) …
Robert Oatley 2018 Signature Series G-18 Grenache ($19.95 - #010524) – Australia
Tessellae 2017 Old Vines Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre ($18.95 - #343517) – France
Vina Tarapaca 2017 Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon ($17.95 - #018721) – Chile

 

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© MichaelPinkusWineReview.com 2019. All rights reserved. You may use the content of this newsletter by including full credit to Michael Pinkus, Grape Guy and a link to www.michaelpinktuwinereview.com

 

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