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 … Canada Day (CD), Southern Rhone (SR), South Africa (SAF)
The Skinny … For a multi-focus release like this one it’s funny that the wines that offer the best value are from Spain and Portugal.
Argentina …
Famiglia Bianchi 2012 Chardonnay ($14.95 - #001461) … nice creamed vanilla and toffee apple. (*** ½+)
Finca El Origen 2010 Gran Reserva Malbec ($21.95 - #065425) … chocolate, mocha and toasty with plum and black cherry fruit. (****)
Australia …
3 Rings 2008 Shiraz ($19.95 - #015495) … it’s all raspberry and cherry, succulent and juicy on both the palate and the nose. (*** ½+)
The Hedonist 2009 Shiraz ($23.95 - #090191) … big fruit with chocolaty and chalky notes with smoky vanilla and deep rich red berries. (****)
Wakefield 2012 Merlot ($17.95 - #683201) … soft, supple blackberry and blueberry with hits of mocha – drink or hold for up to 5 years. (*** ½+)
Canada (British Columbia) …
Calliope 2010 Figure Eight Red ($22.95 - #324582) … mocha, white pepper and blueberry; interesting and tasty bevvy. (*** ½) - CD
Canada (Nova Scotia) …
Benjamin Bridge 2012 Nova 7 ($25.95 - #256289) … a nice bit of spritz here with some orange and floral notes – a fun little drink. (*** ½) – CD
Canada (Ontario) … click wine name for full review
Featherstone 2012 Sauvignon Blanc ($19.95 - #089011) - *** ½+
Reif 2011 Vidal Icewine ($24.95 / 200ml - #544791) - **** ½ (CD)
Rockway Vineyards 2010 Small Lot Reserve Cabernet Franc ($23.95 - #346239) - ****+
Rockway Vineyards 2010 Small Lot Reserve Syrah ($21.95 - #346221) - *** ½+
Rockway Vineyards 2011 Small Lot Reserve Chardonnay ($18.95 - #346155) - *** ½+
Rosewood 2011 Semillon ($17.95 – 177758) - *** ½+
Sue-Ann Staff 2011 Sparkling & Sassy Sparkling Riesling ($27.95 - #344622) - *** ½+
Tollgate 2010 Merlot ($24.95 - #344101) - *** ½ (CD)
Vineland 2011 Pinot Meunier ($17.95 - #225508) - *** ½+
Chile …
Concha y Toro 2009 Marques de Casa Concha Syrah ($19.95 - #019042) … smoky, cassis and vanilla tones; also look for anise and violets; pretty wine, good price. (****)
France (Alsace) …
Domaines Schlumberger Kessler 2008 Pinot Gris ($25.95 - #249623) … a little sweetness and good minerality withpretty floral tones and good finish. (****+)
France (Bordeaux) …
Chateau La Commanderie 2009 ($29.95 - #035774) … oak, spice with intense dark fruit. (*** ½+)
Chateau Saint Christoly 2009 ($19.95 - #321265) … mocha and meaty with black currant and vanilla. (*** ½+)
France (Burgundy) …
Mallory & Benjamin Talmard 2011 Macon-Uchizy ($14.95 - #733956) … nice apple, lemon combo, supple, sexy and smooth with hints of mineral, good finish; a great value Chardonnay. (****+)
France (Loire) …
Bougrier Touraine 2011 Sauvignon Blanc ($16.95 - #322644) … nice Sauv Blanc character with grassy and grapefruit pith; not hit you in the face, well-balanced. (*** ½+)
Domaine Seguin 2011Pouilly Fume ($23.95 - #081414) … grapefruit zest and pith with hints of lanolin. (*** ½)
France (Midi) …
Domaine la Borie Blanche Terroirs D’Altitude 2008 ($18.95 - #328542) … smoky dark chocolate and vanilla with some dusty and herbal notes. (*** ½+)
France (Provence) …
Caves D’Esclans 2012 Whispering Angel Rosé ($19.95 - #325076) … seriously good rosé, dry and fruity without going over the top – this one shows some real elegance. (****)
France (Rhone) …
Chateau la Nerthe 2010 Chateauneuf-du-Pape ($43.95 - #735407) … blueberry, raspberry with some minerality. (****) – SR
Chateau Mont Redon 2009 Chateauneuf-du-Pape ($39.95 - #959627) … nice roasted fruit with big floral and woody component. (*** ½) – SR
Chateau Signac 2009 Cuvee Terra Amata ($22.95 - #140079) … chocolate and red licorice abound, there’s also some white pepper that appears on the finish, nice juicy mouthfeel. (****) – SR
Domaine de la Charbonniere 2010 Chateauneuf-du-Pape ($39.95 - #062711) … big, rich fruit driven red with smoky undertones. (****+) – SR
Famille Perrin 2012 Tavel Rosé ($19.95 - #680801) … lots of berries in the bottle that ends very dry. (*** ½+)
La Ferme du Mont 2011 Le Ponnant Cotes du Rhone-Villages ($17.00 - #171371) … lots of rich red fruit along with cassis, red licorice and blueberry. (*** ½+) – SR
Le Gravilla 2011 Sablet Cotes du Rhone-Villages ($15.95 - #078790) … juicy style of wine that’s nicely balanced and easy drinking. (***½+) – SR
Ortas L’Estellan Gigondas 2011 ($19.95 - #328435) … smoked cedar, vanilla and blackberry. (*** ½+) - SR
Italy (Alto Adige) …
Tramin 2011 Pinot Grigio ($16.95 - #627059) … fresh and crisp with more white fruit than citrus, say a 70-30 mix. (*** ½+)
Italy (Campania) …
Neromora 2009 ($18.95 - #320739) … sweet black fruit with tobacco and plum along with hints of chocolate-cherry; rich, juicy and succulent. (****)
Italy (Tuscany) …
Castello di Meleto 2009 Chianti Classico ($20.95 - #332114) … a fruit driven Chianti with smoke and sour cherry notes. (*** ½)
Poggio Il Castellare 2010 Rosso di Montalcino ($20.95 - #330662) … big red and black cherry with firm tannins but with a lively juiciness to it. (****)
New Zealand …
Pegasus Bay 2009 Pinot Noir ($48.95 - #031294) … rich black fruit with coffee and red cherry but also shows a nice seam of earthiness. (****)
Stoneleigh 2011 Latitude Pinot Noir ($24.95 - #325654) … nice mix of earth, cranberry and raspberry with seasoning spice. (*** ½+)
Stoneleigh 2012 Latitude Sauvignon Blanc ($21.95 - #324228) … round and clean, well-balanced and flavourful. (****)
Portugal …
Calem 2006 Late Bottled Vintage Port ($19.95 - #912550) … smooth yet spicy with chocolate, raspberry and cherry with a good acid balance. (****+)
Quinta do Roncao 2011 Reserva ($14.95 - #147942) … supple red and black fruit with the most noticeable being plum and raspberry. (****)
South Africa …
Avondale 2010 Cyclus ($29.95 - #295220) … has nice structure, some real intensity and good mouthfeel. (*** ½) - SAF
Spain …
Burgans 2011 Albarino ($18.95 - #945063) … a little baked fruit mixed with mac apple and lemon pith. (*** ½)
Marques de Murrieta 2006 Finca Ygay Reserva ($24.95 - #209148) … dusty with a sweet fruit middle and nice berry finish. (*** ½+)
Torres Floralis Moscatel Oro ($16.95 - #642173) … the depth of caramelized spiced orange peel is incredible; it’s the cat’s ass of yumminess. (**** ½)
Vina Eguia 2007 Reserva ($17.95 - #325845) … lots of black fruit mixed with vanilla; comes across sweet but it ends nice and dry – nicely aged. (****+)
United States (California) …
Bonterra 2010 Zinfandel ($19.95 - #530139) … seems they’re getting their act together with Zin as it has what I like in one. (*** ½+)
Decoy 2011 Pinot Noir ($29.95 - #191833) … juicy raspberry, some strawberry, good acidity with a long, lingering finish. (****)
Kunde 2008 Zinfandel ($21.95 - #965921) … a BBQ ready Zin; smooth and sexy with cola, vanilla, red raspberry, nice acidity and sweetness of fruit. (****)
McManis Family Vineyards 2011 Zinfandel ($17.00 - #256735) … a simple, easy to drink Zin for those not up-to-date with the grape. (*** ½)
Napa Cellars 2011 Chardonnay ($23.95 - #225342) … buttery, rich oak, the fruit is so-so but if you like and think Cali-Chard this is what you’re looking for. (*** ½+)
Rock Wall 2011 Obsidian ($24.95 - #287144) … very nice and flavourful with licorice, cola and raspberry there’s also a nice bit of tannins that bite back. (****)
Vina Robles 2009 Red 4 ($19.95 - #261628) … sweet, juicy fruit with some elegance and nice dark fruit at its base. (****)
United States (Washington) …
Columbia Crest 2010 Grand Estates Chardonnay ($16.95 - #366542) … pretty peach pit, floral with a touch of apple, nice acidic balance and delicious flavour, pleasant linger. (****)
If You Can Afford It – wines worthy of their high price …
Caymus 2010 Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon ($139.95) - ****
What I’ll Be Lining Up For – June 22, 2013 …
Caves D’Esclans 2012 Whispering Angel Rosé ($19.95 - #325076) … Provence
Columbia Crest 2010 Grand Estates Chardonnay ($16.95 - #366542) … Washington
Mallory & Benjamin Talmard 2011 Macon-Uchizy ($14.95 - #733956) … Burgundy
Quinta do Roncao 2011 Reserva ($14.95 - #147942) … Portugal
Torres Floralis Moscatel Oro ($16.95 - #642173) …Spain
Vina Eguia 2007 Reserva ($17.95 - #325845) … Spain
Happy Shopping
No comments:
Post a Comment