Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Saturday May 25, 2013 - 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:  Germany (GER) and Pinot Noir (PN)
The Skinny:  I find the LCBO spotlight wines are poorly chosen in this release the German wines are no exception; there are some good Pinots to offset the lackluster Rieslings … there is also a little decent selection of value wines.

Argentina …
Chakana Estate 2011 Selection Malbec ($19.95 - #219261) – mocha and dark berry, soft and juicy, easy to drink with a vanilla-chocolate finish and some good bite from the acidity; this one’s dark and delicious. (****+)

Australia …
Jip Jip Rocks 2010 Shiraz ($16.95 - #673897) – decent value priced sipper. (*** ½)
Wakefield 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon ($17.95 - #744235) – another good value wine with generous black cherry; you’ll also find some chocolate and blueberry on this one. (****)

Canada (British Columbia) …
Cassini Cellars 2011 Merlot ($21.95) – here’s a well-balanced Merlot from Western Canada, a pretty lavender note with dark berries, herbal tones and spiced vanilla; well balanced. (*** ½+)
Canada (Ontario) … click on wine for full review
Lailey Vineyard 2011 Pinot Noir ($24.95 - #591404) - **** (PN)
Reif 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve ($24.95 - #336149) - ****+
Vineland Estates 2011 Pinot Grigio ($16.95 - #330944) - ****

Chile …
Emiliana Novas 2011 Gran Reserva Chardonnay ($17.95 - #004515) – fat and mouthfilling with melon, apple, vanilla and toast.  (*** ½+)

France (Bordeaux) …
Chateau Belair-Coubet 2010 ($16.95 - #321414) – approachable and drinkable now with a nice mocha mid-palate. (*** ½+)
Chateau de Bensse 2008 ($18.95 - #307348) – dark berries, cocoa and smoky toasty notes. (*** ½+)
Chateau la Grange de Bessan 2009 ($19.95 - #321331) – earthy, smoky, blue and black fruit with cinna-vanilla-smoky finish. (*** ½+)
Chateau Lyonnat 2006 ($19.95 - #243774) – nicely aged Bordeaux for under $20 the fruit is more dried than fresh. (*** ½)
Chateau Rozier 2010 ($28.95 - #024539) – darker more luxurious fruit with smooth, silky texture along with tobacco and dark berries. (****+)
France (Burgundy) …
Domaine Chofflet-Valdenaire 2009 Givry 1er Cru ($26.95 - #330183) – approachable with licorice allsorts, cassis and earthy notes. (****) – PN
Michel Picard 2010 Volnay ($41.95 - #330134) – lovely dark fruit nose that follows on the palate with spice and herb character. (*** ½+) - PN
France (Loire) …
Domaine des Aubuisieres 2011 Cuvee de Silex Vouvray ($17.95 - #0577042) – fresh, white fruit driven with a lovely mineral component; it’s also under screwcap to keep it fresh and a good finish. (****)
Domaine Lecomte Quincy 2011 ($18.95 - #172528) – nice toned down Sauvignon Blanc with lots of good acidity. (*** ½+)
Marechal Brut Cremant de Loire ($15.95 - #141077) – a nice little bubbly made from Chenin Blanc; crisp with good acidity, fresh and clean with nice fruit from apple to citrus. (****+)
France (Midi) …
Bastide Miraflors 2011 Vieilles Vignes Syrah/Grenache ($18.95 - #320499) – smooth and sexy, licorice, anise, chocolate and violets.  Good tannins. (****+)
France (Rhone) …
Cuvee du Vatican 2010 Chateauneuf-du-Pape ($38.95 - #719120) – good value for a legit Chateauneuf with lots of berry flavour and chocolate backing. (****+)
Jean-Marie Arnoux 2010 Vieux Clocher Vacqueyras ($23.95 - #172668) – sweet red berry fruit with juicy mid-palate. (****)
Le Gravillas 2010 Plan de Dieu Cotes du Rhone Villages ($14.95 - #264648) – steps away from Chateauneuf this Plan de Dieu offers amazing value: coffee liqueur, mocha, smoky and dark succulent berries. (****+)

Germany …
Dr. Hermann 2005 Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Auslese ($21.95 - #324285) – balancing sweetness with nice acidity there’s also a pleasant salty finish. (*** ½+) – GER
Studert-Prum 2011 Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett ($19.95 - #160853) – decent acidity while the fruit is pear, peach and apple; then mix it lots of mineral on the finish. (****) – GER

Greece …
Sigalas Santorini Assyrtiko 2011 ($21.95 - #074781) – interesting herbal floral thing going on with grapefruit pith. (*** ½+)

Italy (Basilicata) …
Pipoli 2010 Aglianico del Vulture ($14.95 - #320507) – nice bit of juicy red fruit here. (****)
Italy (Sicily) …
Miopasso 2011 Fiano ($14.95 - #326793) – plump and juicy with canned pineapple notes and a long lanolin finish. (****)
Italy (Tuscany) …
Banfi 2010 Rosso di Montalcino ($22.95 - #681262) – woody and very smoky with big tannins and dried raspberries. (*** ½+)
Poggio Verrano 2005 Chance ($34.95 - #239707) – smoky, earthy and mocha-esque. (*** ½)

New Zealand …
Elephant Hill 2011 Pinot Noir ($29.95 - #309583) – smoked cran-cherry, nicely spiced with good acid/fruit finish. (****) - PN
Matua Valley Estate 2012 Series Paretai Sauvignon Blanc ($24.95 - #144634) – lively and zippy very Sauvignon Blanc: goosy, grassy and grapefruit with a long finish. (****)

South Africa …
Clos Malverne 2011 Le Café Pinotage ($13.95 - #315960) – coffee notes but here’s it’s more café-mocha then espresso. (*** ½+)

Spain …
Duron 2009 Crianza ($16.95 - #323824) – sweet dark berries, plum and vanilla; quite juicy. (****)

United States (California) …
Belle Glos 2011 Meiomi Pinot Noir ($24.95 - #130138) – still one of my favourite Pinots: silky red berries, mocha, red licorice with a nice little backbone of tannin and acidity on the finish. (****+) – PN
Bonaccorsi 2009 La Encantada Pinot Noir ($49.95 - #316034) – nice, juicy and delicious; vanilla, red and dark fruit with hints of white pepper. (****)
Cannonball 2010 Chardonnay ($20.95 - #311563) – nice, smooth, silky, supple, full flavoured without over oaking. (*** ½+)
Cline 2011 Ancient Vines Carignane ($20.95 - #032177) – smooth, silky and succulent palate with lots of dark smoky berries and vanilla extract. (****)
Cline 2011 Ancient Vines Mourvedre ($20.95 - #066084) – leans red berry and red licorice with vanilla; simple yet tasty. (*** ½+)
McManis 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.95 - #212126) – juicy and totally accessible, drink now and enjoy the rich sweet fruit. (*** ½+)
Ravenswood 2010 Old Vine Zinfandel ($19.95 - #942599) – good value for an old vines Lodi Zin: spiced-plum character, blackberry, vanilla, cherry; doesn’t’ whack you over the head with alcohol or sweetness, nicely balanced. (****+)
Scott Family 2010 Pinot Noir ($29.95 - #317784) – juicy dark cherry and strawberry jam, very approachable with good complexity but that’s to be expected from these Dijon clone Pinots. (****+) - PN


If You Can Afford It – wines worth their high price…
Chimney Rock 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon ($74.95 - #731810) - ****+
Mastrojanni 2007 Vigna Loreto Brunello di Montalcino ($63.95 - #320010) - ****
Merry Edwards 2010 Pinot Noir ($65.95 - #656868) - **** (PN)
Zaca Mesa Z Three Syrah/Mourvedre/Grenache 2007 ($53.95- #318501) - ****


What I’ll Be Lining Up For – Saturday May 25, 2013 …
Bastide Miraflors 2011 Vieilles Vignes Syrah/Grenache ($18.95 - #320499) – France
Belle Glos 2011 Meiomi Pinot Noir ($24.95 - #130138) – United States
Le Gravillas 2010 Plan de Dieu Cotes du Rhone Villages ($14.95 - #264648) – France
Marechal Brut Cremant de Loire ($15.95 - #141077) – France

Happy Shopping




Monday, May 20, 2013

In-Store Discoveries Appearing on Shelves May 25, 2013

“ISD”s are In-Store Discoveries, these are wines that seem to just appear on the shelves of your local Vintages outlet.  Finally the LCBO has allowed the media the opportunity to taste and review these wines.

7 wines are being released, here are the reviews for 5 of them.

Three-and-a-Half-Plus Star Wines (*** ½+) …
Saltram 2011 Winemaker’s Selection Fiano ($32.95 - #305581) ... Australia
Tscharke 2010 Gnadenfrei Marananga Shiraz ($37.85 - #303370) ... Australia
Cave de Tain 2007 Hermitage ($49.95 - #317594) ... Rhone, France

Four Star Wines (****) …
Scacciadiavoli 2007 Montefalco Sagrantino ($36.95 - #142414) ... Umbria, Italy

Four-Plus Star Wines (****+) …
Markus Molitor 2011 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett ($29.95 - #115634) ... Germany


Vintages Shop Online May 16, 2013 Release

Here are scores for 6 of the 7 wines being release on the 16th; one was not available for tasting ... no notes are given, just the star rating.

Three-and-a-Half Star Wines (*** ½+) …
Rockway Vineyards 2010 The Outcast Small Lot Reserve ($18.95 - #331017) ... Ontario, Canada
De Loach 2009 Durell Vineyard Pinot Noir ($55.00 - #327353) … California, USA

Four-Plus Star Wines (****+) …
Domaine des Martinelles 2009 Hermitage Blanc ($53.00 - #320135) ... Rhone, France
Volpaia Coltassala 2008 Chianti Classico Riserva ($57.00 - #932285) ... Tuscany, Italy

Four-and-a-Half Star Wines (****+) …
Mauro Molino Gallinotto Barolo 2007 ($47.00 - #321737) ... Piedmont, Italy
Patz & Hall 2010 Pinot Noir ($60.00 - #038091) … California, USA

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Saturday May 11, 2013 - 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 … 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
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) - ****+

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



Vintages Shop Online May 2, 2013 Release

Here are scores for all 4 wines being release on May 2nd ... no notes are given, just the star rating.

Three-and-a-Half Star Wines (*** ½) …
Chateau des Erles Fitou 2004 ($N/A - #654590) ... Midi, France
Baigorri Reserva 2005 ($N/A - #319814) ... Spain

Four-Plus Star Wines (****+) …
Burning Kiln Winery 2010 Kiln Hanger ($N/A - #323923) ... Ontario, Canada
Alain Voge 2010 Les Chailles Cornas ($N/A - #320127) ... Rhone, France