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 Crisp Whites (FCW) and Rhone Roundup (RR)
The Skinny … The Rhone makes some beautiful wines and there are some in this release; there’s a couple from South America worth picking up and a new Henry of Pelham red that will knock your socks off at an unbelievable price.
Argentina …
Chakana 2011 Maipe Reserva Bonarda ($18.95 - #361212) – dark chocolate, black cherry with a nice juicy core. (*** ½+)
Crios de Susana Balbo 2013 Torrontes ($13.95 - #001834) – fresh, lively and fruity with orange blossom and melon rind. (*** ½+) – FCW
Fabre Montmayou 2012 Reserva Malbec ($15.95 - #261867) – rich and concentrated with violet and black cherry. (*** ½+)
Leo 2011 Premium Malbec ($19.95 - #375121) – roasted coffee, blueberry, plum, cinnamon, black and red cherry, cassis; obviously quite complex and tasty. (****+)
Raza Dolce 2013 Torrontes Sparkling Wine ($15.95 - #363481) – fake moscato, sweet and fizzy; perfect for those unpretentious days on the patio. (*** ½)
Australia …
De Bortoli 2012 Gulf Station Pinot Noir ($19.95 - #015511) – for Aussie Pinot Noir this is good stuff, the earthy-strawberry sings and the acidity is balanced. (****)
Canada (British Columbia) …
Mission Hill 2012 Family Reserve Pinot Gris ($17.95 - #537076) – a touch of peach mixed with plenty of acidity. (*** ½+)
Canada (Ontario) … click on wine name for full review
Henry of Pelham 2012 Family Tree Red ($18.95 - #247882) - **** ½
Inniskillin 2013 Pinot Noir Rose ($14.95 - #336461) - *** ½
Mike Weir 2012 Limited Edition Barrel Fermented Chardonnay ($24.95 - #367813) - ****+
Riverview 2011 Fontana Dolce ($14.95 - #365825) - *** ½
Sunnybrook Estate 2012 Pear Blossom Wine ($18.95 - #372359) - ****
Chile …
Claro Magnolo 2011 Reserve Malbec ($13.95 - #365932) – hints of pepper with dark fruit, violets and cassis; smooth and silky. (*** ½+)
Montes 2010 Alpha Syrah ($19.95 - #000612) – smoky, white pepper, blueberry, hints of vanilla and a meaty quality; the complexity is lovely. (****+)
France (Bordeaux) …
Chateau Camp de la Hire ($16.95 - #365866) – earthy-licorice notes with dark fruit and nice tannins grip. (*** ½+)
Chateau Saransot-Dupre 2010 ($28.95 - #065870) – rich concentrated fruit, dark with cocoa, coffee and spice. (****)
France (Burgundy) …
Bailly- Lapierre Brut Chardonnay Cremant de Bourgogne ($24.95 - #369066) – nice and frothy with lemon-lime and breadines with good acidity. (****)
France (Midi) …
Beauvignac 2013 Picpoul de Pinet ($13.95 - #350124) – grassy, peach pit and green apple skin; crisp, light and refreshing. (*** ½+) - FCW
France (Rhone) …
Chateau Grand Dignitaire 2012 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Gadagne ($18.95 - #376475) – such juicy fruit all red and all enjoyable. (*** ½+) – RR
Clos Bellane 2010 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Valreas ($19.95 - #374991) – juicy and drinkable, quite pleasant, nice cherry and pretty strawberry. (****) – RR
Domaine la Guintrandy 2012 Cotes du Rhone ($15.95 - #374975) – good cherry, plum and raspberry, white pepper, touches of mocha and good balancing acidity. (****) – RR
Domaine Lafond Roc-Epine 2011 Lirac ($18.95 - #128660) – meaty, cola, dark fruit, anise and chocolate. (****+) – RR
Domaine Martin 2011 Plan de Dieu Cotes du Rhone-Villages ($19.95 - #370197) – nice fruit, leather and mocha, good spice and a long finish. (****) – RR
Domaine Saint-Pierre 2011 Vacqueyras ($25.95 - #130013) – nicely spiced, rich plum and dark fruit. (*** ½+) – RR
La Font du Vent 2010 Notre Passion Cotes du Rhone-Villages Signargues ($16.95 - #370221) – silky smooth and easy drinking but the acidity balances it. (*** ½+) – RR
France (Southwest) …
Chateau Bellevue 2013 La Foret Rosé ($14.95 - #219840) – nice, dry, subtle lemon and strawberry pith. (*** ½+)
Chateau Vincens 2011 Prestige ($17.95 - #272427) – melds the Argentine fruit to the smoky, tannic version of Cahors: nice plum, vanilla and black cherry. (****)
Italy (Tuscany) …
Coltibuono 2011 RS Chianti Classico ($21.95 - #532002) – starts with a touch of sweet fruit with silky tannins and a floral characteristic also has cinnamon and a nice dry finish. (*** ½+)
Luxembourg …
Bernard-Massard Cuvee de L’Ecusson Brut Rosé ($21.95 - #369074) – nice elevated acidity with lime zest and pith with hints of tart raspberry; pretty and playful. (****)
New Zealand …
Stoneleigh 2012 Latitude Sauvignon Blanc ($21.95 - #324228) – melon, grassy, and grapefruit cocktail, pretty tempting for Sauvignon Blanc fans. (****) - FCW
Portugal …
Dow’s 2008 Late Bottled Vintage Port ($17.95 - #613927) – silky, sweet and smooth: layers of plum, black cherry and chocolate with good acidity. (*** ½+)
Meandro do Vale Meao 2011 ($24.95 - #244731) – complex and juicy with black cherry, blueberry, plum, smoked chocolate, nice acidity and minerality with a chalky substantive finish; this wine is almost chewy. (****+)
Spain …
Cosme Palacio 2007 Reserva ($23.95 - #014662) – dried cherry and strawberry with good acidity. (*** ½+)
Monte Pinadillo 2010 Crianza ($19.95 - #360768) – juicy blackberry and mocha and a nice spice on the finish. (****+)
United States (California) …
Stonehedge 2012 Reserve Chardonnay ($19.95 - #311548) – sweet fruit like peaches and apricots along with vanilla and pineapple. (*** ½+)
Summers 2010 Calistoga Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ($34.95 - #279380) – shows nice complexity with blackberry, cassis, mocha and good spice. (****)
United States (Oregon) …
Alexana 2012 Red Label Pinot Noir ($29.95 - #372367) – balances some California sweet fruitedness with Oregon earthiness: rich yet refined; nice spice with good acid backbone (*** ½+)
Yamhill Valley Vineyards 2011 Pinot Gris ($17.95 - #366294) – mellow grapefruit pith with mac apple and lemon zest. (*** ½+) - FCW
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In-Store Discoveries – wines that just appear on the shelves of your local Vintages outlet …
JC Cellars 2008 Eagle Point Ranch Petite Sirah ($55.00 - #327551) – California, USA (*** ½+)
KEW Vineyards 2011 Blanc de Noir ($29.95 - #380030) – Ontario, Canada (****)
Raymond 2010 Generations Cabernet Sauvignon ($130 - #941492) – California, USA (****+)
Raymond 2010 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon ($75.00 - #369280) – California, USA (****)
Torres 2010 Perpetual ($49.95 - #265710) – Spain (****)
If You Can Afford It – wines worth their high price …
Albert Morot 2011 Beaune Les Teurons 1er Cru ($59.95 - #902833) – Burgundy, France (****+)
Bosquet des Papes 2011 Cuvee Tradition Chateauneuf-du-Pape ($50.95 - #726687) – Rhone, France (****+) – RR
Chalk Hill 2009 Estate Red ($79.95 - #330225) – California, USA (*** ½+)
E. Guigal 2007 Chateauneuf-du-Pape ($59.95 - #727503) – Rhone, France (****) – RR
Lamiable Brut Grand Cru Champagne ($53.95 - #374298) – Champagne, France (****+)
Mica 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon ($121.95 - #210658) – California, USA (*** ½+)
What I’ll Be Lining Up For – May 24, 2014 …
Chateau Vincens 2011 Prestige ($17.95 - #272427) – France
Domaine Lafond Roc-Epine 2011 Lirac ($18.95 - #128660) – France
Henry of Pelham 2012 Family Tree Red ($18.95 - #247882) – Canada
Leo 2011 Premium Malbec ($19.95 - #375121) – Argentina
Montes 2010 Alpha Syrah ($19.95 - #000612) – Chile
Happy Shopping
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