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 … Fresh and Fruity (FF) and California Wines for Summer (CWS)
The Skinny … There’s a lot of fresh and fruity wines in this release, and some of them really are fresh and fruity.
Argentina …
Don Aparo 2011 Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon ($14.95 - #325175) – sweet vanilla and rich black cherry, a grill ready red. (*** ½+)
Australia …
Two Hands 2010 Yesterday’s Hero Grenache ($29.95 - #009506) – lush, smooth and supple, really juicy wine that just sings in the glass, and the mouth. (****)
Austria …
Rabl 2011 Kaferberg Gruner Veltliner ($19.95 - #032532) – minerally, pea pod and grapefruit pith all with a nice finish. (*** ½+) - FF
Canada (Ontario) … click name of wine for full review
Chateau des Charmes 2010 Old Vines Cabernet/Merlot ($19.95 - #222372) - ****
Chateau des Charmes 2010 Gamay Noir Droit ($16.95 - #346742) - ****+
Featherstone 2012 Rosé ($14.95 - #117861) - ****
Hidden Bench 2011 Riesling ($23.95 - #183491) - **** (FF)
Sunnybrook 2011 Peach Blossom Wine ($18.95 - #331074) - *** ½
Tawse 2012 Sketches of Niagara Riesling ($17.95 - #089029) - *** ½
WildAss White 2009 ($19.95 - #085100) - *** ½
Chile …
William Cole 2010 Winemaker’s Special Reserve ($17.95 - #325431) – minty blackberries with rich, sweet dark fruit on the finish. (*** ½+)
France (Alsace) …
Domaines du Chateau de Riquewihr 2008 Les Murailles Riesling ($19.95 - #933069) – the fruit is what gets me here along with the lanolin, beeswax all on a bed of lemon zest. (*** ½+)
France (Bordeaux) …
Chateau le Peyrat 2010 ($15.95 - #171090) – this is a Bordeaux red worth putting your mitts on, it’s just downright tasty. (*** ½+)
France (Burgundy) …
Cave de Lugny 2010 Cuvee Millesime Brut Cremant de Bourgogne ($18.95 - #183764) – refreshingly fruity and bubbly with a focus of lime and apple. (****)
Domaine de la Motte 2011 Vieilles Vignes Chablis ($19.95 - #334490) – generosity of fruit with lemon and green apple; crisp light and pretty finish. (*** ½+) – FF
Domaine Michel Colbois 2010 Chitry Bourgogne ($18.95 - #332916) – this has a good mix of fruit and oak, just enough to keep it interesting. (*** ½+)
Vincent Sauvestre 2010 Volnay les Santenots 1er Cru ($48.95 - #330159) – plenty of reasons to like this one: tasty and mouthfilling with good dark fruit. (****)
France (Loire) …
Jean-Max Roger 2011 Cuvee les Caillottes Sancerre ($24.95 - #065573) – zesty, grassy, grapefruit along with some asparagus/pea pod notes, this also finishes like a citrus salad. (*** ½+)
France (Midi) …
Domaine la Croix 2011 Belle le Champ des Lys ($16.95 - #326637) – there’s a creaminess to the citrus that I find incredibly pleasant and interesting. (*** ½+)
France (Provence) …
Chateau la Rouviere Bandol 2006 ($25.95 - #332908) – nice structure with powerful fruit and smoke with bitter sweet cocoa. (****)
France (Rhone) …
E Guigal 2012 Cotes du Rhone Rosé ($16.95 - #225003) – keeps the fruit intact right to the finish; lovely outdoor patio wine. (****)
Germany …
Loosen Bros 2011 Dr L Riesling ($13.95 - #599274) – nice balanced wine with sweetness and acidity battling it out on the tongue with a nice medium length finish. (*** ½+) – FF
Italy (Abruzzo) …
Collefrisio Uno Montepulciano D’Abruzzo ($19.95 - #337857) – red berries, blackberries, a little spice with some vanilla on the finish. (*** ½+)
Italy (Friuli) …
Ca’Bolani 2011 Traminer Aromatico ($17.95 - #320705) – nice hit of grapefruit rind here that leaves the mouth wanting more; long finish. (*** ½+)
Italy (Piedmont) …
Peter Zemmer Raut Lagrein 2011 ($17.95 - #326918) – dark in colour with blackberry, cassis and mocha; there’s also a burnt coffee bean note here. (*** ½+)
Italy (Tuscany) …
Mastrojanni 2007 Brunello di Montalcino ($49.95 - #942508) – fruit with lots of finesse: mocha, dried cherry and nice tannins; long spicy finish. (****)
Mazzei Ser Lapo 2008 Chianti Classico Riserva ($24.95 - #288530) – licorice and earthy with blackberry backing. (*** ½+)
Mocine 2011 ($19.95 - #332940) – herb infused blackberries with sweet spice. (*** ½)
Italy (Veneto) …
Latium Morini Campo Leon Amarone della Valpolicella 2008 ($46.95 - #334300) – rich vanilla, chocolate, coffee bean, black cherry and good spice with a long finish. (****)
New Zealand …
Oyster Bay 2012 Pinot Grigio ($18.95 - #326090) – this wine has enough citrus to throw it into the Grigio camp, so it’s well named. (*** ½) – FF
Redwood Pass 2011 Pinot Noir ($18.95 - #326041) – this is a simple Pinot that’s quaffable and chillable, so drink up. (*** ½+)
Seresin 2011 Sauvignon Blanc ($21.95 - #735043) – not typical and very welcome, mixes the grapefruit with some tropicality then adds in an herbal note … really very nice. (****+) – FF
Portugal …
Templarios Colheita Seleccionada Touriga Nacional/Cabernet Sauvignon ($15.95 - #332981) – plenty of fruit with a touch of tannin grit. (*** ½)
Spain …
Pinyolet 2011 Grenacha ($17.95 - #271791) – sweet strawberry-cherry with red licorice and a mineral component which helps to keep the fruit in check. (****+)
United States (California) …
Bonterra 2011 Viognier ($19.95 - #128900) – floral and peach puree with something smoky and herbal on the back end. (*** ½) – CWS
Brazin 2010 (B)old Vine Zin Zinfandel ($19.95 - #256750) – cherry-cola, vanilla, smoke with lots of bite; well-priced expression of Zin. (*** ½+)
Cline 2011 Pinot Noir ($19.95 - #329649) – plenty of black cherry fruit with charred cranberry, strawberry and hints of smoky-vanilla; nice linger on the peppery finish. (****) - CWS
Ghost Pines 2010 Winemaker’s Blend Merlot ($19.95 - #135384) – juicy California Merlot. (*** ½+) - CWS
La Crema 2011 Chardonnay ($24.95 - #158683) – nice balance of fruit and oak in that California style. (****) – CWS
Seghesio 2011 Zinfandel ($29.95 - #942151) – this is Zin with character that starts with berries and spice and moves on from there. (****)
United States (Oregon) …
Rainstorm 2010 Pinot Noir ($19.95 - #327924) – earthy and floral with some nice complexity in the glass. (****)
If You Can Afford It – wines worth their high price …
Ridge Vineyards 2011 Estate Chardonnay ($55.95 - #241646) - *** ½+ (CWS)
Seguin-Manuel 2010 Vieilles Vignes Chassagne Montrachet ($57.95 - #330209) - *** ½+
Silverado 2008 Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon ($59.95 - #111880) - **** (CWS)
Xavier 2009 Cuvee Anonyme Chateauneuf-du-Pape ($56.95 - #337659) - ****+
What I’ll Be Lining Up For – July 6, 2013 …
Featherstone 2012 Rose ($14.95 - #117861) – Ontario
Pinyolet 2011 Grenacha ($17.95 - #271791) – Spain
Seresin 2011 Sauvignon Blanc ($21.95 - #735043) – New Zealand
Happy Shopping
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