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 … Australian (OZ) and Rosé (RO) Wines
The Skinny … A lackluster release with not a lot of oomph to the wines (bangs for the buck) must be a lull in purchasing at the LCBO because there’s usually one deal per release.
Argentina …
Catena 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.95 - #985002) – warm and spicy with chocolate and tobacco and deep cherry at its roots. (****+)
Australia …
Chateau Tanunda 2010 Grand Barossa Shiraz ($22.95 - #311365) – sweet and full of juicy blackberries, plum, dark cherry and white pepper. (****+) – OZ
Grant Burge 2010 The Holy Trinity Grenache/Shiraz/Mourvedre ($29.95 - #236257) – meaty and smoky with raspberries and other dark berries. (****) – OZ
Robert Oatley 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon ($17.95 - #323741) – juicy blackberry and raspberry. (*** ½) - OZ
Wonderwall 2011 Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon ($17.95 - #313213) – nicely citrus with some waxy notes along with pea pod. (*** ½) – OZ
Austria …
Zantho 2010 Sankt Laurent ($15.95 - #315556) – black cherry and cranberry notes along with well-balanced spice and wood character. (*** ½+)
Canada (British Columbia) …
Blue Mountain 2011 Chardonnay ($23.95 - #350108) – rich barrel notes with lime, peach and citrus mixed in. (*** ½+)
Canada (Ontario) … click wine for full review
Colchester Ridge 2008 Crew Cabernet Sauvignon ($25.00 - #328385) - ****+
Greenlane Estate 2011 Unoaked Chardonnay ($17.95 - #329409) – *** ½
Henry of Pelham 2010 Reserve Baco Noir ($24.95 - #461699) - ****
Muscedere Vineyards 2011 Cabernet Franc ($18.20 - #334144) - ****+
Pelee Island Winery 2010 Vinedressers Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.95 - #530576) - ****+
France (Beaujolais) …
Mommessin 2010 Domaine de Champ de Cour Moulin-a-Vent ($17.95 - #430876) – rich cherry, licorice with a juicy middle. (*** ½+)
France (Bordeaux) …
Chateau Saint- Nicolas 2009 ($17.95 - #138602) – wood driven with cherry and spice; big tannins on this one. (*** ½)
Chateau Viallet Nouhant 2009 ($21.95 - #321398) – fruit is dark with sweet cinnamon, vanilla and cocoa. (****)
Chateau Vieux Sarpe 2010 ($39.95 - #943662) – nice licorice and spice with smoky-chocolate notes. (****)
France (Burgundy) …
Domaine du Chardonnay 2011 Chablis ($19.95 - #183574) – creamed green apple with lemon zest and good minerality. (*** ½+)
France (Loire) …
Domaine D’Orfeuilles Brut Vouvray ($18.95 - #319954) – sweet yet zippy bubbly with nice acidity with a finish that’s drier then the mid-palate let’s on. (*** ½+)
Domaine Thomas & Fils 2011 Cuvee Grand Chaille Sancerre ($28.95 - #320242) – hints of sweetness amongst the grapefruit cocktail and hints of grassiness; delicate with good acidity. (****)
France (Midi) …
Gerard Bertrand 2010 Terroir Minervois Syrah/Carignan ($15.95 - #952804) – very nice easy drinking BBQ ready sipper; minty dark fruit with currants and pepper. (****)
France (Rhone) …
Domaine Les Grand Bois 2010 Cuvee Philippin Cotes du Rhone-Villages ($19.95 - #286344) – juicy of fruit, black licorice, chocolate and black cherries, there’s also a floral undertone. (****+)
Domaine Maby la Forcadiere 2012 Tavel Rosé ($16.95 - #701318) – sweet and fruity entry with bubblegum, strawberry and raspberry notes, but the finish turns dry and the combination is a real winner. (*** ½+) - RO
France (Southwest) …
Chateau Croze de Pys 2009 Prestige Malbec Cahors ($16.95 - #681668) – smoky black currant, dark raspberries, cedar and spice. (****)
Greece …
Kratistos 2008 ($18.95 - #061473) – nice bitter strawberry and mocha with anise and herbal mixed in; you’ll also pick up some wood spice. (*** ½+)
Italy (Abruzzo) …
Costantini 2012 Trebbiano D’Abruzzo ($17.95 - #323865) – pineapple, melon and a touch of tangerine. (*** ½+)
Valle Reale 2008 Montepulciano D’Abruzzo ($18.95 - #216408) – sweet and smoky with dark fruit, cassis and spice. (****)
Italy (Piedmont) …
Pelassa San Vito Roero Arneis 2011 ($19.95 - #317172) – decent mouthfilling wine with pear and peach mixed with baking spice and good acidity. (*** ½)
Italy (Puglia) …
Baroque 2011 Primitivo ($15.95 - #101410) – there’s a weird plummy element here with black cherry notes – weird but quite tasty once you give it a chance. (*** ½+)
Italy (Tuscany) …
Badia a Coltibuono 2009 Chianti Classico ($23.95 - #295964) – sweet fruit, a juicy modern style of Chianti. (*** ½+)
Canonica a Cerreto 2006 Sandiavolo ($24.95 - #270256) – blackberry and licorice with seet herbal notes along with mid-palate spice and a dark finish. (****)
New Zealand …
Alexia 2010 Pinot Noir ($22.95 - #312884) – juicy yet toasty with nice strawberry and herbal notes along with hints of earth and leather. (*** ½+)
Forrest Estate 2011 The Doctors’ Sauvignon Blanc ($19.95 - #317842) – more tropical than citrus along with sweet grass and peach notes; very different than what you’re use to but in a delicious style. (*** ½)
South Africa …
Mulderbosch 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé ($12.95 - #999821) – fresh and pink with lovely strawberry and apple notes. (*** ½) – RO
Simonsvlei 2010 Ja-Mocha Pinotage ($15.95 - #317974) – definitely takes after its name with almond and fudge to boot. (****)
Spain …
Balbas 2001 Reserva ($20.95 - #085183) – chocolate raspberries with touches of spiced cedar. (****)
Bodegas Langa 2008 PI 3.1415 Concejon ($17.95 - #313841) – black cherry and raspberry with bits of chocolate and sweet vanilla thru the mid-palate; very fruity and friendly, this one is hard to pass up, despite the PI-gimmick label. (****+)
Muga 2012 Rosé ($12.95 - #603795) – strawberry-tangerine with an interesting dry finish. (*** ½) - RO
United States (California) …
Guenoc 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.95 - #104240) – pretty hefty and juicy for an under $20 Cali-Cab; the fruit and all is just right where you want it to be for right now enjoyment. (****+)
Kunde 2011 Chardonnay ($21.95 - #745406) – hints of tropicality with melon and good acidity with a sweet white fruit finish. (*** ½)
Saintsbury 2009 Stanly Ranch Pinot Noir ($49.95 - #261594) – sweet blackberry and black cherry with hints of licorice. (****)
Seven Sinners 2010 The Ransom Old Vines Petite Sirah ($24.95 - #319152) – deep, dark and quite delicious; an impressive wine from this minor grape. (****+)
Simi 2009 Landslide Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ($39.95 - #067744) – nice balance of dark fruit, smoky notes along with cocoa and vanilla. (*** ½+)
Z 2010 Zinfandel ($38.95 - #148809) – nice complexity, good fruit and nice extras, you have to drink it to find out what I mean. (****)
United States (Washington) …
Columbia Crest 2008 Grand Estates Merlot ($15.95 - #263418) – not as rich as some that have come from here but juicy and tasty none the less with coffee, mocha and cherry. (*** ½+)
If You Can Afford It – wines worth their high price …
Antinori 2007 Pian Delle Vigne ($59.95 - #651141) – Tuscany (****+)
Groth 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon ($74.95 - #606517) – California (****)
Manzone 2007 Gramolere Barolo ($51.95 - #318105) – Piedmont (*** ½)
What I’ll Be Lining Up For – Saturday May 11, 2013 …
Bodegas Langa 2008 PI 3.1415 Concejon ($17.95 - #313841) – Spain
Guenoc 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.95 - #104240) – United States
Happy Shopping
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