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 … Smart Buys (SB)
The Skinny … This is the annual LCBO Crap-a-Thon, the traditional dumping ground for wines that didn’t make it through the rest of the year – there are some good values to be had for decent prices, and not all of them are part of the focus; which makes me wonder: what constitutes a “Smart Buy”?
Argentina …
Valle Las Acequias Oak Malbec 2007 ($16.95 - #138412) – slight bit of everything here: spice, red and dark fruit, vanilla and some toasted notes. (*** ½+) – SB
Yauquen 2012 Bonarda ($14.95 - #360115) – soft and juicy, worth trying if you’ve never had Bonarda before. (*** ½+)
Australia …
Domaine Tournon Mathilda Shiraz 2011 ($19.95 - #327395) – Shiraz by way of the Rhone valley, more pepper and smoked meat than jammy ripe fruit. (****) – SB
Magpie Estate 2009 The Call Bag ($21.95 - #203067) vanilla, spiced-plum and raspberry; quite tasty. (****)
Austria …
Rabl 2011 Kittmanberg Gruner Veltliner ($14.95 - #346007) – pea pod and sweet lemon citrus with a touch of something stony and even a little melon rind. (*** ½+)
Canada (Ontario) … click on wine name for full review
13th Street 2012 Merlot ($17.95 - #270504)
Flat Rock 2012 Riesling ($16.95 - #043281) - SB
Chile …
Casas del Bosque 2012 Reserva Sauvignon Blanc ($13.95 - #374717) – tropically tinged with plenty of grassy notes and a long finish. (*** ½+)
Estampa 2010 Assemblage Reserve Syrah/Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot ($14.95 - #350082) – hello mint, dark fruit and chocolate; hello Chile. (****)
France (Bordeaux) …
Chateau Caronne Ste. Gemme 2009 ($25.85 - #191460) – nice coffee bean nose leads to a mocha, vanilla, spice and dark fruited palate; nice balance of acidity and tannins. (****)
Chateau Haut Beyzac Cuvee O’Peyrat 2009 ($22.95 - #362020) – pleasant vanilla and cinnamon mixes with mocha and dark fruit. (*** ½+)
France (Burgundy) …
Maison Roche de Bellene 2011 Cuvee Reserve Bourgogne Pinot Noir ($17.95 - #299859) – nice spice, earthy, sour cherry and strawberry; nice Pinot Noir especially for the price. (****+)
France (Loire) …
Domaine Bonnard 2012 Sancerre ($22.95 - #140525) – elements of grass, gooseberry and stony; very pleasant. (*** ½+)
Domaine Jacky Marteau 2012 Sauvignon Touraine ($13.95 - #745349) – green pear, lime skin and citrus pith. (*** ½+)
France (Midi) …
Chateau La Bastide 2010 ($13.95 - #360487) – dark fruit and gentle spice mix. (*** ½+)
Domaine de l’Arjolle 2011 Z de L’Arjolle Zinfandel ($19.95 - #346072) – yes, a Zinfandel from France: smoky, tar, vanilla, blackberry, well-balanced, smooth and supple, really interesting and quite complex definitely one for the curious. (****)
France (Rhone) …
Pierre Amadieu 2011 La Grangeliere Vacqueyras ($21.95 - #076398) – raspberry and cassis on the palate with a nice cherry presence and acid kick. (****) – SB
Germany …
Bischofliche Weinguter Trier Dom Riesling 2011 ($16.95 - #359596) – has the right mix of stony talc, apple and peach pits with nice acidity for balance. (****) - SB
Italy (Piedmont) …
La Pieve 2009 Barolo ($29.95 - #213132) – sweet strawberry nose, gentle herbs and sweet dried fruit, good acidity and hints of tannin. (****) - SB
Italy (Sicily) …
Cusumano 2010 Noa ($19.95 - #109512) – rich black fruit with touches of cocoa, chocolate-mocha on the palate, a little vanilla and leather; quite robust. (****) – SB
Italy (Tuscany) …
Geografico Montegiachi Chianti Classico Riserva 2009 ($24.95 - #962142) – rustic and smoky, earthy, herbal and good tannins backbone. (*** ½+)
New Zealand …
Clifford Bay 2011 Pinot Noir ($19.95 - #309500) – lifted fruit with good acidity and an intense finish. (****)
Portugal …
Aguia Moura em Vinhas Velhas Reserva Tinto 2008 ($16.95 - #354738) – soft, supple and juicy with nice black cherry and plum. (****)
Calem Special Reserve Tawny Port ($17.95 - #349365) – spiced orange peel and hazelnuts: nutty, spicy with good acidity and orange-caramel on the finish. (****)
Spain …
Adaro 2009 ($29.95 - #345686) – chocolaty notes that make the wine quite appealing. (*** ½+)
Olivares Altos de la Hoya Monastrell 2011 ($13.95 - #163154) – raspberry and plum with intermingling of cherry; a real pleasant sipper. (*** ½+)
United States (California) …
Beaulieu Vineyard 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon ($34.95 - #203828) – plenty of chocolate and blackberry with black cherry and spice. (****)
Ca’Momi 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon ($21.95 - #315002) – mocha and chocolate, cassis and vanilla; interesting and atypical but tasty and worth it. (****) - SB
Cline 2012 Viognier ($17.95 - #128421) – melon and pineapple with hints of peach skin and some strong ginger notes. (*** ½+)
Kendall-Jackson 2010 Avant Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.95 - #353060) – big hit of cherry and ripe blackberry greet the nose and then follow on the palate. (****)
Ravenswood 2011 Vintners Blend Petite Sirah ($18.95 - #161554) – brambly and blackberry with black cherry and a nice touch of peppered-plums. (*** ½+)
What I’ll Be Lining Up For – January 4, 2014 …
Bischofliche Weinguter Trier Dom Riesling 2011 ($16.95 - #359596) – Germany
Ca’Momi 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon ($21.95 - #315002) – United States
Domaine de l’Arjolle 2011 Z de L’Arjolle Zinfandel ($19.95 - #346072) - France
Maison Roche de Bellene 2011 Cuvee Reserve Bourgogne Pinot Noir ($17.95 - #299859) - France
Happy Shopping
