Monday, July 30, 2012

Saturday August 4, 2012 - Vintages Release Report



I am using a 5-star rating system, which appears at the end of each review; here’s the key to the stars:
5 = Outstanding … 4.5 = Excellent … 4 = Very Good … 3.5 = Good … 3 = Average

Key:  Wine colour indicators - Red are red wines, Yellow are whites, etc.

The foci (plural of focus): Germany (GER) and Customer Favourites (CF)
Highlights: 2 of the Best Buy wines come from Spain and a Chilean Malbec with real elegance and charm

Argentina ...
Pacual Toso Reserve Malbec 2009 ($19.95 - #183897) - spiced-cherry, vanilla and chocolate and sweet spice. (****)

Australia ...
Bleasdale 2011 Potts' Catch Verdelho ($15.95 - #280933) - light, refreshing lemon and lime notes with nice acidity. (*** 1/2+)
Coriole Vineyards Estate Grown Shiraz 2009 ($26.95 - #931600) - nice wine with gentle spice and white pepper, fruit is plum and black cherry with nice bite on the finish. (*** 1/2+)
Peter Lehmann 2010 Layers Shiraz/Tempranillo/Mourvedre/Grenache ($17.95 - #138883) - layers of interesting fruit and spice, pepper and smoky red fruit. (*** 1/2)
Pirramimma 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon ($24.95  - #730374) - rich, juicy, plummy, black cherry; a real full flavoured Cab. (****) - CS
Schild Estate 2010 Old Bush Vine GMS Grenache/Mourvedre/Shiraz ($21.95 - #108183) - starts off slow and builds to an interesting, smooth, supple finish. (*** 1/2+
Thorn-Clarke Pinot Noir/Chardonnay Brut Reserve Sparkling Wine ($19.95 - #280925) - slightly pinky-salmon colour with strawberry, lemon and biscotti finish; quite decent. (*** 1/2+)
Thorn-Clarke 2008 St. Kitts Vineyard Malbec ($29.95 - #280891) - full-fruited, lots of spiced chocolate and black fruit, vanilla, sweetly alcoholic with big 15.5%. (****)
Wits End 2010 Luna Chardonnay ($16.95 - #285882) - shows a deft hand with nice full fruit and touch of oak. (****)

Austria ...
Steininger 2010 Gruner Veltliner ($14.95 - #280842) - pea pod, asparagus and lemonade. (*** 1/2)

Canada - (British Columbia) ...
Sandhill 2008 Small Lots One ($36.95 - #186536) - rich fruit core with lots going on like black cherry and cafe mocha on the finish. (****+)
Canada - (Nova Scotia) ...
Benjamin Bridge 2011 Nova 2011 ($25.95 - #256289) - aromatic with good acidic bite and some exotic fruit and floral notes; asti-esque. (*** 1/2)
Canada - (Ontario) ...
Fielding Estate 2010 Cabernet Franc ($21.95 - #36194) - *** 1/2
Pillitteri 2010 Antagonist ($15.95 - #291948) - *** 1/2

Chile ...
Concha y Toro 2009 Serie Riberas Gran Reserva Carmenere ($16.95 - #274043) - lovely spiced black fruit, hint of leather, plum, black cherry, vanilla and mint. (****+)
Valdivieso 2009 Single Vineyard Old Vines Malbec ($19.95 - #273987) - minty, cedar with ballsy black fruit, coffee on the mid-palate with elegance and finesse on the finish. (**** 1/2)

France - (Burgundy) ...
Domaine des Malandes 2010 Chablis ($18.95 - #111658) - mineral, mac apple and floral with some weightiness on the palate, but not too much with a nice pear-mineral finish. (*** 1/2+)
France - (Rhone) ...
Domaine du Grapillon 2010 D'or Gigondas ($28.95 - #981787) - rich plum and dark cherries, lovely dark fruit with the right amount of spice and a delicious strawberry-cocoa finish. (****+) - CS

Germany ...
Konigschaffhausen 2011 Trocken Pinot Gris ($13.95 - #597500) - good if a little sweet with a lengthy pleasant finish. (*** 1/2) - GER
Reinhold Haart 2009 Piesporter Goldtropfchen Riesling Kabinett ($19.95 - #282335) - exotic with fleshy peach. (*** 1/2+) - GER
Darting 2011 Durkheimer Nonnengerten Gewurztraminer Kabinett ($16.95 - #944181) - real nice hint of spice right from the start and it continues tobe lovely through to the end. (****) - GER
Schloss Reinhartshausen 2009 Hattenheimer Wisselbrunnen Riesling Kabinett ($17.95 - #114801) - nice hit of acidity with tart lemon and hint of sweet peach and lemon candy. (****+) - GER

Greece ...
Lyrarakis 2009 Okto ($15.95 - #279737) - surprisingly delicious with tart blackberries and hints of spiced chocolate. (*** 1/2+)

Italy - (Piedmont) ...
Dezzani Morelli 2010 Moscato D'Asti ($14.95 - #187997) - fun and fruit, a perfect summer sipper at ony 5% alcohol: pear, peach, pineapple, floral; this one is full of yummy. (*** 1/2+)
Italy - (Puglia) ...
Cantele 2008 Riserva Salice Salentino ($13.95 - #724328) - lot of spiced-raspberry and oak notes; there's also some black pepper on the finish. (*** 1/2)
Italy - (Tuscany) ...
La Velona 2009 Rosso di Montalcino ($17.95 - #285429) - white pepper, strawberry which is carried on oak-spice. (*** 1/2)
Italy - (Veneto) ...
Bertani 2008 Villa Arvedi Amarone della Valpolicella ($38.95 - #13417) - an Amarone to drink now with lovely plum and cherry with a hint of chocolate. (*** 1/2+)
Carpene Malvolti Cuvee Brut Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore ($14.95 - #727438) - fresh, fruity and enjoyable at a good price. (*** 1/2)
Due Torri 2009 Ripasso Valpolicella Superiore ($17.95 - #159400) - stylish and supple with good fruit and chocolate notes and a cherry-chocolate finish. (*** 1/2+) - CS
Zenato 2011 Pinot Grigio (13.95 - #37648) - refreshingly crisp with a lemon pith finish. (*** 1/2)

New Zealand ...
Clos Marguerite 2010 Sauvignon Blanc ($18.95 - #281014) - really has the 3 G's of Sauv Blanc: grapefruit, grass and gooseberry, heavy on the grass and herbaceousness. (*** 1/2)
Little Beauty 2010 Limited Edition Pinot Noir ($27.95 - #290346) - nice earthy, cherry with hints of bacon, quite pleasant with a spicy herb to the finish. (*** 1/2+)
Spinyback 2010 Pinot Gris ($16.95 - #214569) - interesting full flavored wine with mineral intensity, more fruit skin than fresh fruit, mostly apple and pear. (*** 1/2+)

Portugal ...
Quinta de Ventozelo 2008 Touriga Nacional ($18.95 - #657452) - rich of fruit with lovely hints of sweet spice and vanilla undertones. (*** 1/2+) - CS

Spain ...
Escondido 2009 Tempranillo ($14.95 - #132597) - mineral and blackberry (*** 1/2)
Filon 2010 Garnacha ($14.95 - #280602) - label might look like bathroom wallpaper from the 70's but this is another amazing value from Spain: ripe cherry, plum and sweet spice; exceptional value. (**** 1/2)
Vina Aljibes 2009 Petit Verdot/Cabernet Sauvignon/Tempranillo ($13.95 - #276212) - rich in plum with violet notes, gentle spice and sweet fruit; lush and plush ... drink now. (****+)

USA - (California) ...
Beaulieu Vineyard 2008 Tapestry Reserve ($34.95 - #50393) - smooth, serious and intense with lovely fruit. (*** 1/2+)
DeLoach 2010 Pinot Noir ($28.95 - #119024) - fruit driven Cali-Pinot with strawberry and white pepper. (*** 1/2+)
Frank Family 2009 Zinfandel ($33.95 - #278283) - plum, chocolate, cherry and vanilla with sweet oak. (****)
Ironstone 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon ($17.95 - #537597) - all cherry and strawberry all the time. (*** 1/2) - CS
La Crema 2010 Chardonnay ($28.95 - #962886) - supple with bright lemon zest, tropical, pineapple and vanilla. (****) - CS
McManis Family Vineyards 2011 Viognier ($18.95 - #658112) - nice Chardonnay alternative that's citrus fruit driven with hints of floral. (*** 1/2) - CS
Pedroncelli 2009 Bushnell Vineyard Zinfandel ($22.95 - #463026) - no razzle-dazzle here just straight forward spiced red fruit and plum with a slight spiced-mocha note on the finish. (****)


What I'll Be Lining Up For - August 4, 2012 ...
Concha y Toro 2009 Serie Riberas Gran Reserva Carmenere ($16.95 - #274043) - Chile
Valdivieso 2009 Single Vineyard Old Vines Malbec ($19.95 - #273987) - Chile
Filon 2010 Garnacha ($14.95 - #280602) - Spain


Happy Shopping


Vintages Shop Online July 26, 2012 Release

Here are scores for all 8 wines tried for the July 26th Vintages Shop Online release ...

Three-and-a-Half-Plus Star Wines (*** ½+) …
Chateau Carbonnieux 2008 Blanc ($59.00 - #581033) ... Bordeaux, France
Chateau Ferriere 2008 ($44.00 - #229567) ... Bordeaux, France

Four Star Wines (****) …
Best's Bin No. 0 Shiraz 2008 ($56.95 - #278002) ... Australia
Chateau Phelan Segur 2008 ($55.00 - #580928) ... Bordeaux, France

Four-Plus Star Wines (****+) …
Cade 2011 Sauvignon Blanc ($39.95 - #296517) ... California, USA
Cade 2008 Napa Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon ($84.95 - #296509) ... California, USA
Plumpjack 2009 Merlot ($72.95 - #296491) ... California, USA
Z"Ivo 2006 Pinot Noir ($46.95 - #287177) ... Oregon, USA


Vintages Shop Online July 12, 2012 Release

Here are scores for 4 of the 6 wines being release on the 12th, the other two were not available for tasting ... no notes are given, just the star rating; although the top rated wine will have a note:

Three-and-a-Half Star Wines (*** ½) …
Alkoomi 2005 Wando Semillon ($32.95 - #282608) ... Australia

Three-and-a-Half-Plus Star Wines (*** ½+) …
Chateau Langoa Barton 2008 ($64.00 - #133074) ... Bordeaux, France

Four Star Wines (****) …
Chateau  Sigalas-Rabaud 2008 ($44.00 / 375ml - #236828) ... Bordeaux - Sauternes, France

Four-Plus Star Wines (****+) …
Chateau Coutet 2008 ($54.00 - #236786) ... Bordeaux - Sauternes, France - sexy and supple sweetness with apricot, dried orange peel and nice acidity on the finish to keep it clean.

Friday, July 20, 2012

Saturday July 21, 2012 - Vintages Release Report


I am using a 5-star rating system, which appears at the end of each review; here’s the key to the stars:
5 = Outstanding … 4.5 = Excellent … 4 = Very Good … 3.5 = Good … 3 = Average

Key:  Wine colour indicators - Red are red wines, Yellow are whites, etc.

On the agenda this release is Australia (OZ) and the Loire Valley (LV), but I think the best wines come from Spain and another part of France - let's take a look:

Argentina ...
Altocedro 2009 Reserva Malbec ($24.95 - #187880) - very vanilla-smoke and quite spicy with brambly black fruit (*** 1/2)
Clos de los Siete 2009 ($21.95 - #622571) - best in a few years, cedar smoke and black fruit very appealing (****+)

Australia ...
Buller Victoria Tawny ($18.95 - #271403) - nice version of a Tawny, there's more chocolate and caramel than fruit, but there's also really good spice (****+) - OZ
Caledonia 2008 Astralis Reserve Chardonnay ($39.95 - #284935) - best of the Aussies chards on offer, but know right now you gotta love oak (*** 1/2) - OZ
De Bortoli 2008 Melba Lucia ($28.95 - #238022) - odd combination for Australia, Cab and Sangiovese, usually an Italian blend, but this works in the heat with spiced earthy blackberries. (*** 1/2) - OZ
Domaine Portet Fontaine Shiraz/Cabernet/Merlot ($19.95 - #281410) - nice blend, good balance; sour cherry and spice with a little sandlewood and an elegance (*** 1/2+) -OZ
Pyrenees Ridge 2009 Shiraz ($20.95 - #661918) - black pepper, chocolate, rich plum, toasted cinnamon, licorice, mineral and spice (****+) - OZ
Rutherglen Estates 2008 Petite Sirah ($20.95 - #179127) - spicy first and foremost, the fruit comes in much later (*** 1/2) - OZ
Tahbilk 2008 Shiraz ($20.95 - #214742) - nice white pepper, plum, chocolate and spice ... good lingering finish (****) - OZ

Austria ...
Hiedler 2010 Gruner Veltliner Trocken Langenlois Thal 1er Cru ($23.95 - #285056) - herbal and floral notes in the mouth, sweet pea and mineral sensation; this wine requires additional sips (*** 1/2+)

Canada ... (Ontario) - click on wine name for full review
Featherstone 2011 Sauvignon Blanc ($19.95 - #89011) - ****+
Fielding 2010 Viognier ($25.95 - #142323) - *** 1/2
Malivoire 2010 Gewurztraminer ($24.95 - #542522) - ****

Chile ...
Arboleda 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon ($18.95 - #606764) - minty blueberry and blackberry; supple and sweet (*** 1/2+)

France ... (Bordeaux)
Domaine de Viaud 2001 ($26.95 - #282475) - get an aged Bordeaux without having to lie it down yourself (*** 1/2)
France ... (Loire)
Bernard Reverdy & Fils 2010 Sancerre ($22.95 - #200055) - nice grassyness with hints of grapefruit (*** 1/2) - LV
Vincent Raimbault 2010 Les Terrages Demi Sec Vouvray ($17.95 - #271973) - pleasant and easy to drink with lime rickey and floral notes (*** 1/2) - LV
France ... (Midi)
Gerard Bertrand 2008 Grand Terroir Tautavel Grenache/Syrah/Carignan ($17.95 - #272575) - smooth, juicy yet spicy, a lovely blend and will priced (****)
Le Cirque 2010 Carignan/Mourvedre/Syrah ($14.95 - #277079) - the circus is in town and its as far and enjoyable as you think it can be: vanilla, smoky, blackberry, black cherry and cocoa (****+)
France ... (Rhone)
Clos des Cazaux Cuvee St. Roch Vacqueyras ($18.95 - #279513) - lots of lovely red fruit with sweet spiced meat, Montreal style (****)
Delas Haute Pierre Chateauneuf du Pape 2009 ($37.95 - #74195) - well-balanced oak spice, vanilla, blackberry, tobacco and plum (****+)

Italy ... (Tuscany)
Carpineto 2010 Chianti Classico ($18.95 - #356048) - red cherries, cinnamon, interesting wood spice mixed with good fruit (*** 1/2+)
Rocca Delle Macie 2006 Chianti Classico Riserva ($21.95 - #930966) - wood smoke, vanilla, blue and black berries, and oak spice with great persistence on the palate (****+)
Italy ... (Veneto)
Monte Vicario 2010 Soave Classico ($13.95 - #282087) - dry entry with a sweet melon core; refreshing and tasty (*** 1/2+)
Tenuta S. Anna Prosecco Superiore de Valdobbiadene ($18.95 - 281386) - pretty floral notes with sweet pear, pineapple along for the ride; a really good summer bubbly (*** 1/2)

Portugal ...
Casa de Santa 2011 Vitoria Rose ($12.95 - #273797) - lots of raspberry (*** 1/2)
Fado 2009 ($13.95 - #283135) - not a fan of the music but the wine is tasty with sweet supple fruit (*** 1/2+)
Morgadio da Torre 2011 Alvarinho Vinho Verde ($17.95 - 960955) - mineral and lime pith (*** 1/2)
Newman's Celebrated Port ($14.95 - #134908) - there's a fun playfulness about this Port amongst the sweet cherry and chocolate notes, there's even an interesting Canadian spin (****+)
Quinta do Cachao 2009 Reserva Tinto ($18.95 - #280396) - black cherry with a seam of chocolate and hint of cafe mocha on the finish (****)

New Zealand ...
Clos Henri Bel Echo Terroir Greywacke Pinot Noir 2010 ($18.95 - #159137) - fig, black cherry, spice, sour cherry and a hint of spiced plum (*** 1/2+)
Sileni 2010 The Lodge Chardonnay ($18.95 - #278549) - has both fruit and barrel notes, creamy with good acidity, very well balanced (*** 1/2+)
Two Tracks 2010 Pinot Noir ($19.95 - #269274) - earthy-raspberry and spice with hints of beet root (*** 1/2)
Whitehaven 2011 Sauvignon Blanc ($19.95 - #278556) - very grassy with gooseberry notes, there's a bit of creaminess along with decent acidity on the tongue (*** 1/2+)

South Africa ...
Cathedral Cellar 2011 Sauvignon Blanc ($14.95 - 662718) - pleasant, easy drinking, full of grapefruit cocktail (*** 1/2)

Spain ...
Castano 2009 Solanera Vinas Viejas ($15.95 - #276162) - sweet black fruit with a vanilla seam, well priced for a drink now wine for the BBQ (****+)
Martin Codax 2010 Albarino ($16.95 - #984906) - lemon and peach pit, a little fuller than the Portuguese version but equally tasty (*** 1/2)

United States ... (California)
De Loach 2009 OFS Chardonnay ($37.95 - #729343) - soft on smell, big on taste (****)
Fog Head 2010 Highland Series Reserve Pinot Noir ($19.95 - #212944) - fruit driven with enough acidity, good earthy-spicy not to make it interesting (****)
Quivira 2009 Zinfandel ($29.95 - #249250) - ripe, rich raspberry with cola, plum and chocolate with a hint of spice (*** 1/2+)
Rodney Strong 2009 Knotty Vines Zinfandel ($22.95 - #363358) - plum, white pepper and cherry (*** 1/2)
Sonoma-Cutrer 2008 Grower-Vintner Pinot Noir ($29.95 - #140723) - fruit driven, very red oriented: cherry, licorice with vanilla and smoke (*** 1/2+)
The Show 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon ($17.95 - #140715) - juicy wine that should be received at your next get together  this summer ($17.95 - #140715)
United States ... (Oregon)
Longplay 2009 Lia's Vineyard Pinot Noir ($27.95 - #267344) - smooth, clean, sour raspberry, cherry and sweet cranberry (*** 1/2)
United States ... (Washington)
Kung Fu Girl 2010 Riesling ($18.95 - #273953) - nice lime zing with a whisp of minerality and hint of sweetness; it really comes together on the finish (*** 1/2)

Uruguay ...
Pisano 2008 Rio de los Pajaros Reserve Merlot/Tannat ($15.95 - #269506) - highly coffee-d but with balancing black fruit; this shows real promise for Uruguay (*** 1/2)


If You Can Afford It ... wines that deliver even for their high price
Hewitt Vineyards 2008 Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon ($69.95) - ****


What I'll Be Lining Up For - July 21, 2012 ...
Castano 2009 Solanera Vinas Viejas ($15.95 - #276162) - Spain
Le Cirque 2010 Carignan/Mourvedre/Syrah ($14.95 - #277079) - France


Happy Shopping


Thursday, July 5, 2012

Vintages Shop Online June 28, 2012 Release

Scores for 7 of 7 wines tried, first time all wines have been good enough to review... no notes are given, just the star rating; although the top rated wine will have a note:

Three-and-a-Half Star Wines (*** 1/2) ...
Chateau Clerc Milon 2008 ($64.00 - #185165) ... Bordeaux, France
Les Pagodes de Cos 2008 ($65.00 - #136499) ... Bordeaux, France

Three-and-a-Half-Plus Star Wines (*** 1/2 +) ...
Highland Estates 2006 Napa Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon ($80.00 - #275917) ... California, USA

Four Star Wines (****) ...
Chateau Rieussec 2008 ($54.00 / 375ml - #134304) ... Bordeaux - Sauternes, France
Alter Ego 2008 ($69.00 - #133496) ... Bordeaux, France

Four-Plus Star Wines (**** +) ...
Chateau la Confession 2008 ($54.00 - #136440) ... Bordeaux, France

Four-and-a-Half Star Wines (**** 1/2) ...
Greywacke 2010 Pinot Gris ($28.00 - #282780) ... loving the Gris' coming out of New Zealand, this one is unbelievably balanced even with it being barrel influenced it has big succulent fruit.  Juicy and luscious with a lovely tart finish.  This is New Zealand's next great grape.


Vintages Release for July 7 - My Apologies

I must apologize that I was unable to attend the Vintages pre-tasting for the July 7, 2012 release because I was out of the country ... my release reports will return for the July 21, 2012 Vintages release.  Sorry for any inconvenience.