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
