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 … British Columbia (BC) and Spain (SP)
The Skinny … There are some really good values in this release, specifically from France and Italy; plus the Mexican wine is good for those beginners just dipping there toe in the Vintages buying pool. As for the spotlight wines, the Spanish and British Columbia wines featured are far from the best I have tasted from either region.
Argentina …
Alfredo Roca 2012 Pinot Noir ($14.95 - #32979) – packs a punch with earthy, spicy and floral notes – quite peppery on the finish. (*** ½+)
La Luz Callejon del Crimen Gran Reserva Petit Verdot ($23.95 - #360412) – all kinds of cherry is unpacked in the mouth; pretty and pleasant. (*** ½+)
Passionate Wines 2010 Montesco Bonarda ($19.95 - #363127) – this is some seriously juicy Bonarda with great mocha, blackberry, black cherry and a touch of licorice candy backed by nice acidity and tannins. (****)
Urban Uco Tempranillo 2012 ($13.95 - #355636) – blackberry and cassis with a touch of black cherry on the finish. (*** ½+)
Australia …
Sister’s Run 2011 Bethlehem Black Cabernet Sauvignon ($16.95 - #360636) – black currant, smoky, spicy, and coffee liqueur; another winner from the Sister. (****)
Wynns Coonawarra Estate Shiraz 2012 ($22.95 - #433060) – nice vanilla-smoke, oaky-cassis and blackberry; this one delivers the goods. (****)
Canada (British Columbia) …
Dirty Laundry 2012 Not So Knotty Chardonnay ($26.95 - #353144) – nice element of pear and some floral tones on the nose with pleasant exotic notes on the palate. (*** ½+) - BC
Therapy Vineyards 2009 Freud’s Ego ($18.95 - #363473) – sweet black licorice, black cherry lead the charge of flavours here, all kissed with by the right amount of oak. (*** ½+) - BC
Canada (Ontario) … click on wine name for full review
Aure 2011 Gamay ($14.95 - #353037) - *** ½+
Rosewood 2011 Merlot ($22.00 - #211896) - *** ½+
Sue-Ann Staff 2012 Loved By Lu Riesling ($16.95 #322636) - *** ½
France (Bordeaux) …
Chateau Cap de Faugeres 2009 ($29.85 - #196576) – blueberry, blackberry, mocha/coffee; this one has a lot going for it. (****)
Chateau des Landes 2009 Cuvee Tradition ($19.695 - #363101) – smoky tobacco and black cherry with plenty of robust drying tannins. (*** ½+)
Chateau La Verriere 2010 ($15.95 - #349274) – talk about value, for under $16 you get licorice, black cherry, coffee and currants. (****+)
Chateau Lamothe-Vincent Heritage 2011 ($15.95 - #362996) - hints of tropical with peach and citrus zest. (*** ½+)
France (Burgundy) …
Pierre Andre 2011 Puligny Montrachet ($49.95 - #364158) – nutty and caramel aspects are a real plus here, but there’s also loads of woody and burnt butter sensations. (*** ½+)
France (Midi) …
Chateau Trillol 2008 Grenach/Syrah ($17.95 - #354126) – nice cherry from start to finish then it goes about adding juicy blackberry, blueberry and chocolate to the mix. (****)
France (Rhone) …
Cave les Coteaux du Rhone Panicaut Plan de Dieu Cotes du Rhone Villages 2012 ($15.95 - #354076) – another under sixteen gem from France: extremely juicy and fruity with lovely raspberry and cherry, touches of floral and above all incredible drinkability. (****+)
Le Gravilla 2011 Gigondas ($25.95 - #78808) – plenty of chocolate hits the palate like a runaway train, from there it’s dark fruited, but it’s the chocolate that’ll grab your tongue and keep it sipping. (****)
Germany …
Monchhof Robert Eymael Riesling 2011 ($16.95 - #349431) – the three zeds come to mind here: zippy, zingy and zesty with nice sweetness balanced by good acidity; a really good Riesling. (****)
Greece …
Boutari 2007 Grande Reserve ($16.95 - #140111) – well aged with dried red fruit, touches of cedar and sandalwood that carry to the finish; drink over the next few years. (*** ½+)
Italy (Puglia) …
Cantele Salice Salentino Riserva 2009 ($14.95 - #724328) – mocha-chocolate, black cherry, cassis and blackberry; quite nice and good value.
Italy (Sicily) …
Centuno 2010 Nero d’Avola ($18.95 - #357103)- deep, dark, rich berries with a nice bitter finish. (*** ½+)
Italy (Veneto) …
Antolini 2010 Valpolicella Classico Superiore ($16.95 - #362095) – cherry, licorice, blackberry; more Ripasso-esque than the light Valpolicella. (*** ½+)
Recchia 2010 Musua di Jago Amarone della Valpolicella Classico ($37.95 - #362921) – plum, chocolate and lots of dark fruit and touches of spice. (*** ½+)
Terre di San Venanzio Fortunato Extra Dry Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore 2012 ($16.95 - #359638) – crackles with acidity, green apple and lemon-lime; a real delight in a value priced Prosecco. (****+)
Mexico …
LA Cetto 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon ($11.95 - #114066) – juicy and easy drinking, a nice wine for beginners and a real bargain at that. (*** ½)
New Zealand …
Coopers Creek 2013 Sauvignon Blanc ($18.95 - #957407) – very grassy from start to finish. (*** ½+)
South Africa …
De Morgenzon 2012 DMZ Chardonnay ($14.95 - #349068) – here’s a good value Chardonnay with subtle pineapple and some spice on the nose; palate there’s peach with a touch of vanilla-spice, but nothing overwhelms. (*** 1/2+)
Spain …
Baron de Ley 2007 Gran Reserva ($31.95 - #642496) – blackberry, wood smoke, plum and cherry. (****) - SP
Cepa 21 Hito 2010 ($17.95 - #360503) – blackberry and smoke with blueberry and spice. (*** ½+) - SP
Clos Gebrat CG+ 2010 ($20.95 - #360511) – cherry with sweet vanilla nuances. (*** ½+) - SP
Don Jacobo 2004 Reserva ($18.95 - #313270) – spicy dried cherry. (*** ½+) – SP
Hacienda Lopez de Haro 2005 Reserva ($17.95 - #357335) – vanilla, oak/cedar, cherry and floral with lovely spice notes on the finish. (****) – SP
La Perla de Priorat 2006 Clos les Fites ($30.95 - #358705) – vanilla and sweet oak with sweet dried black fruit and floral nuances. (****) - SP
United States (California) …
J. Lohr 2011 South Ridge Syrah ($19.95 - #948240) – cherry and smoky notes with a little something meaty near the finish. (*** ½+)
Julia’s Vineyard 2010 Cambria Pinot Noir ($16.95 / 375ml - #355461) – juicy and plumy with a nice hint of spice; there’s cherry and a gentle peppery quality. (****)
Predator 2012 Old Vine Zinfandel ($21.95 - #219485) – when did Zin develop a smoked meat quality? Not sure, I just know I’m digging it. (****)
The Show 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon ($17.95 - #140715) – full fruit flavoured, easy drinking, pretty typical stuff for the Show. (*** ½)
Three Saints 2007 Sixty-Seven Red ($19.95 - #353235) – nice sweet blackberry, black cherry, and cassis along with hints of smoke and licorice, a la All-Sorts candy. (*** ½+)
If You Can Afford It – wines worth their high price …
Palazzo 2006 Brunello di Montalcino ($59.95 - #660746) – Italy … ****
Stonestreet 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon ($52.95 - #364687) – United States … ****+
What I’ll Be Lining Up For – January 18, 2014 …
Chateau La Verriere 2010 ($15.95 - #349274) – France
Cantele Salice Salentino Riserva 2009 ($14.95 - #724328) – Italy
Cave les Coteaux du Rhone Panicaut Plan de Dieu Cotes du Rhone Villages 2012 ($15.95 - #354076) – France
Monchhof Robert Eymael Riesling 2011 ($16.95 - #349431) – Germany
Predator 2012 Old Vine Zinfandel ($21.95 - #219485) - USA
Terre di San Venanzio Fortunato Extra Dry Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore 2012 ($16.95 - #359638) - Italy
Happy Shopping
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