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 … Australia (OZ), Hidden Gems (HG) and Wines for Valentine’s Day (WVD); also look for the In-Store Discoveries, now part of the general Vintages tasting.
The Skinny … There is a dismal selection of white wines this time out and some of the “hidden Gems” should have remained hidden – I weed through to give you my take on what to buy this weekend. Plus 12 of the Ontario wines in this release were not available for tasting; more than any other region.
Argentina …
Alamos 2013 Chardonnay ($13.95 - #801571) – one of the better Chards in this release: apple and pineapple notes with hints of spiced vanilla; good value. (*** ½+)
Zuccardi 2011 Serie A Bonarda ($15.95 - #355560) – nice juicy cherry with peppery/spicy kick. (****) - HD
Australia …
Dandelion 2011 Lioness of McLaren Vale Shiraz ($19.95 - #357475) – rich black cherry, raspberry and cocoa. (*** ½+) – OZ
Devil’s Corner 2012 Pinot Noir ($23.95 - #317966) – nice kick of acidity among the cranberry-strawberry cocktail. (****) – OZ
Katnook Estate 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon ($29.95 - #590471) – eucalyptus, vanilla and cherry lead the charge here backed by spices and nice peppery goodness. (****) – OZ
Robert Oatley 2012 Signature Series Pinot Noir ($18.95 - #357491) – has elements of sweet fruit among the chalky tannins and acidity; but what really stands out is the nice cranberry. (****) - OZ
Schild Estate 2011 Old Bush Vine GMS Grenache/Mourvedre/Shiraz ($19.95 - #108183) – nice depth of pepper and herbal complexity, fruit is dark and dried; quite tasty. (*** ½+) - OZ
Canada (British Columbia) …
See Ya Later Ranch Brut ($22.95 - #271049) – yeasty with pear, peach pit and a mineral chalkiness that grows on you with each sip. (****)
Canada (Ontario) … click on wine name for full review
Featherstone 2012 Black Sheep Riesling ($16.95 - #080234)
Flat Rock 2012 Nadja’s Vineyard Riesling ($19.95 - #578625) - WVD
Henry of Pelham 2012 Cabernet Icewine ($39.95 / 200ml - #672402) – WVD
KEW Vineyards 2011 Soldier’s Grant ($18.95 - #367318) – HG
Oxley 2011 Cabernet Franc ($18.95 - #368837) - HG
Chile …
Quasar 2011 Limited Edition Pinot Noir ($17.95 - #366526) – spicy black cherry with herbal notes and a pseudo-prickly finish from the acidity. (*** ½+) - HG
France (Bordeaux) …
Chateau Tour Saint Bonnet 2009 ($29.95 - #349282) – nice spice and dark fruit blend with mocha leaning more on the coffee/licorice side on the finish. (****)
France (Champagne) …
Chateau de Bligny Grande Reserve Brut Rosé ($49.95 - #352161) – nice strawberry, raspberry and lemon peel all with balancing acidity. (****+) - WVD
France (Loire) …
Roland Tissier & Fils 2012 Sancerre ($21.95 - #108514) – nice grapefruit pith and rind; a real zesty wine. (*** ½+)
France (Rhone) …
Domaine Les Grands Bois 2011 Cuvee Maximilien Cotes du Rhone-Villages Cairanne ($22.95 - #286336) – blackberry and cassis with black cherry and gentle spice. (*** ½+)
France (Southwest) …
Syrousse 2011 ($16.95 - #357343) – nice mix of black cherry and white pepper. (*** ½+) - HG
Greece …
Thymiopoulos Vineyards 2010 YN Kai Oupavos Xinomavro ($19.95 - #360750) – roasted meat, black cherry and cassis. (*** ½+)
Italy (Piedmont) …
Luca Bosio 2009 Barolo ($33.95 - #365197) – nice acidity with mineral chalkiness along with dried cherry and strawberry. (*** ½+)
Italy (Tuscany) …
Nozzole La Forra 2009 Chianti Classico Riserva ($23.95 - #362731) – licorice and mocha are the biggest players here, and they know how to lure and keep you. (****)
Italy (Umbria) …
Villa Mora 2006 Montefalco Rosso Riserva ($19.95 - #357079) – black cherry with hints of chocolate. (*** ½+)
Italy (Veneto) …
Speri 2011 Pigaro Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore ($18.95 - #205286) – sweet cherry on the fore-palate but it’s the white pepper that keeps the juiciness from running away with this wine. (*** ½+)
Villa Girardi 2009 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico ($41.95 - #159913) – lush spiced cherry and chocolate finish that really worth getting to. (****)
New Zealand …
Akarua 2011 Pinot Noir ($37.95 - #079541) – pretty blackberry and cedar with spicy nuances. (*** ½+)
The Ned 2012 Pinot Noir ($19.95 - #361261) – this is a hybrid between California and Burgundy Pinot; juicy cranberry, rhubarb, cherry that’s nicely spiced with white pepper and plenty of acidity on the finish. (****)
Sophora Sparkling Rosé ($19.95 - #353664) – entry is almost sweet with raspberry but has a nice lemon curd backing. (*** ½+)
Portugal …
Bulas 2009 Vintage Port ($49.95 - #363119) – delivers on all accounts, and if you like Port you know what I mean. (****+)
Herdade do Arrepiado Velho Red 2012 ($19.95 - #295337) – smooth plum and blackberry. (*** ½+)
South Africa …
Glen Carlou 2009 Petit Verdot/Tannat ($21.95 - #363440) – nice hit of chocolate and black cherry, dark and brooding. (*** ½+)
United States (California) …
Alouette 2012 Pinot Noir ($29.95 - #353631) – juicy wiune with vanilla and laid back cherry. (*** ½+)
Duckhorn 2012 Decoy Chardonnay ($24.95 - #311555) – nice easy drinking Chardonnay with a lovely finish of considerable length. (****)
Freemark Abbey 2010 Merlot ($29.95 - #001602) – blackberry and cassis notes with spice, violets and blueberry skin. (****)
Powder Keg 2011 Demolition Red ($22.95 - #353649) – a pure patio pleaser that’s sure to please right now: black cherry, blackberry, cloves and smoky vanilla. (****)
Ravenswood 2010 Old Vine Zinfandel ($21.95 - #673798) – beautiful smoky vanilla, plum, spiced cola, red licorice and anise. (****+)
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In-Store Discoveries – these are wines that just appear on the shelves of your local Vintages outlet …
Tablas Creek 2010 Esprit de Beaucastel ($54.95 - #735654) - ****+ … ISD
If You Can Afford It – wines worth their high price …
Nickel & Nickel 2009 Kelham Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ($119.95 - #361725) - ****
What I’ll Be Lining Up For – February 1, 2014 …
Ravenswood 2010 Old Vine Zinfandel ($21.95 - #673798) – USA
The Ned 2012 Pinot Noir ($19.95 - #361261) – New Zealand
Happy Shopping
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