November 24, 2012 VINTAGES
So instead of the usual photos, I am making a simple shopping list ... apparently, I have gone over my limit. I'll be damned if I'm going to pay blogger for yacking about wine & yummy food. Please bear with my until I figure this out. In the meantime, I will provide a list of those most likely to make it into my bag ... without the visual of my red sharpie & yellow highlighter.
In this release, November 24, 2012, VINTAGES features:
- our finest wines for giving & entertaining
- top quality spirits for the holidays
- local talent - versatile Ontario icewines
My picks include ...
DUFOULEUR PÈRE & FILS BRUT CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE 2008 VINTAGES 207993, Price $17.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Once again proving that Crémant is a buzzword for amazing value in traditionally made bubbly, this wine over-delivers big time. Pale in the glass with a lively mousse, it's brimming with fresh apple, mineral and toasty notes. The palate is dry and reflects the nose beautifully, finishing with crispness and poise. A fine sipper, it will also pair nicely with tempura appetizers, breaded sole, or a turkey dinner with herbed stuffing. (VINTAGES panel, April 2012)"
KAIKEN ULTRA MALBEC 2010 VINTAGES 50849, Price $19.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "This dark, jammy red displays rich plum, dark cherry and grilled fig notes, fortified with mocha, salted licorice and underbrush flavors, which expand with some air. Drink now. Score - 89. (Nathan Wesley, winespectator.com, Oct. 31, 2012)"
C.H. BERRES ÜRZIGER WÜRZGARTEN RIESLING KABINETT 2009 VINTAGES 207274, Price $19.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "This shows good definition, balance and concentration to the snappy apple, peach and pear flavors. The lilting finish offers spice and hints of smoke, with lots of mineral accents. Drink now through 2016. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. Score - 90. (Kim Marcus, winespectator.com, Web Only, 2011)"
DR. FISCHER OCKFEN BOCKSTEIN RIESLING SPÄTLESE 2010 VINTAGES 301341, Price $24.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Cask sample. A light flowery fragrance is supported by gentle notions of citrus fruit and spice. Very fresh flavour takes in a range of fruit from crisp apple to zesty orange, acidity and light measure of residual sugar are well balanced. A subtle sprinkling of spice (nutmeg?) and a mere dab of minerality promise complexity in the longer term. Distinguished. Drink 2011-2015. Score - 16 (out of 20). (Michael Schmidt, jancisrobinson.com, Sept. 16, 2011)"
CENNATOIO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2010 VINTAGES 232561, Price $15.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: Simply superb value in Chianti Classico here. Deep ruby in the glass, the wine offers up pure cherry and field berry aromas accented by clove, licorice and cinnamon toast. Dry and consummately elegant, with a subtly tangy edge to the fruit and a balanced, spice-tinged finish. A great food wine - give it a whirl with pasta in a tomato sauce with red wine and garlic, or a veal parmigiana. (VINTAGES panel, May 2012)
My list would be much longer if not for the prices of some of the wines listed. For example, I would love to try SASSICAIA 2009 VINTAGES 480533, Price $179.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "The 2009 Sassicaia is unusually big, rich and opulent. Layers of fruit saturate the palate as the 2009 explodes from the glass with a heady melange of dark berries, plums, menthol, licorice and new leather. This is an especially racy Sassicaia. Readers who enjoy the classicism of Sassicaia are likely to find the 2009 too rich, especially at this early stage. The wine needs at least a few years in bottle to drop some of its baby fat. Despite its huge fruit, the 2009 is also pretty closed down and not anywhere close to being ready to show off its pedigree. Sassicaia is arguably Italy's most famous wine, so it's always great when it lives up to its reputation. Anticipated maturity: 2019-2039. Score - 94. (Antonio Galloni, erobertparker.com, June 2012)" ... but this is most definitely out of my budget!
There you have it. My picks from November 24th release. What's in your bag?
sit. sip. savour.
Éva Nagy - accredited sommelier & yummy food enthusiast
