Spanish wines - January 19 VINTAGES release

January 19, 2013 - VINTAGES

Instead of the usual photos, I am making a simple shopping list ... apparently, I still have gone over my limit with pics. In the meantime, I will provide a list of those most likely to make it into my bag ... the visual of my red sharpie & yellow highlighter has been replaced by bolded text (as to what caught my eye).  I must add that price plays a factor - I don't usually buy wine over $30 unless it is something spectacular.  Also, I need to make mention that my choices usually sway towards something I haven't tried before.  I like to challenge my nose & palate.

In this release, January 19, 2013, VINTAGES features:

• Spanish wines - span the spectrum of style
• Western accent - B.C. wines
• Great Scotch! It's Robbie Burns Day
• distilled treasures

My picks include ...

LOUIS BOUILLOT PERLE D'AURORE BRUT ROSÉ CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE VINTAGES 48793 | 750 mL bottle Price $18.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "... It is a delicate light pink in colour with loads of tiny bubbles. Mostly made from pinot noir, it has a delicate nose of strawberries and red cherry fruit with a hint of toast and mineral freshness. The palate is very smooth finely balanced with excellent length. Try with poached salmon or pastry based hors d'oeuvres. Score - 90. (Steve Thurlow, winealign.com, April 2011)"

THE GRINDER PINOTAGE 2011 VINTAGES 269076 | 750 mL bottle Price $13.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Capitalizing on the notable 'coffee' aromas and flavours associated with Pinotage, The Grinder hits it out of the ballpark with this fun, quirky label. It launches with cracked black peppercorns and roasted coffee then rolls into black plum, wild strawberries and plenty of spicy bittersweet chocolate underscored by savoury/leathery notes. The palate offers juicy fruit, smoked spice and you guessed it - espresso and peppery flavours. Approachable and quite substantial with balanced acidity and a savoury, smoky finish. Pair with grilled meats, smoked pork or hearty mole based chili. Score - 88. (Daenna Van Mulligen, winescores.ca, Aug. 29, 2012)"

MALLORY & BENJAMIN TALMARD MÂCON-UCHIZY 2010 VINTAGES 733956 | 750 mL bottle Price $14.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "I don't expect that anyone would have guessed that I would match this delicate, heavenly white Burgundy with the Bombay potatoes recipe - but it is a heroic combo. Talmard is a top estate in Mâcon [and with this wine] you can drink awesome, crystalline chardonnay from its spiritual home. (Matthew Jukes, matthewjukes.com, Sept. 15, 2012)"

FATTORIA IL PALAGIO VERNACCIA DI SAN GIMIGNANO 2011 VINTAGES 214544 | 750 mL bottle Price $13.95 - LCBO Description: "The historic white wine, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, rose to prominence during the Renaissance and remains one of Italy's most renown white wines. Given the first-ever DOC designation in 1966 and upgraded to DOCG in 1993, Vernaccia di San Gimignano is well-respected for creating fruity yet zippy white wines with a long, crisp finish. This one's a great palate-refresher and partner for grilled white fish."

ODOARDI SAVUTO 2006 VINTAGES 303057 | 750 mL bottle Price $13.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Odoardi's 2006 Savuto is beautiful in this vintage. A blend of 45% Gaglioppo, 15% Greco Nero, 15% Nerello Cappuccio, 15% Magliocco Canino and 10% Sangiovese, this plump, juicy red impresses for the integrity of its fruit. Tobacco, mint, truffles and smoke add further layers of complexity. This is a gorgeous effort from Odoardi. Even better, it is a steal for the money. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2014. Score - 89. (Antonio Galloni, erobertparker.com, June 2010)"

BOASSO MERIAME DOLCETTO D'ALBA 2011 VINTAGES 303461 | 750 mL bottle Price $15.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "With its soft, forward and attractive fruitiness, Dolcetto has long been the wine of choice for the bistro set in northern Italy. Get your own bistro going with this blackberry jam-, blueberry preserves-infused wine. Dry with a sweet fruit tone on the palate. Eminently quaffable with pasta dishes or a slice of homemade pizza. (VINTAGES panel, May 2012)"

MASSERIE PISARI PRIMITIVO 2010 VINTAGES 270306 | 750 mL bottle Price $14.95 - LCBO Description: "Primitivo is the Italian name for the Zinfandel. This wine has astounding complexity for the price". LCBO Tasting Note: "This shows all the classic character of modern primitivo from the Puglia region -- intense fruit, good complexity and acidity -- and then some. Look for surprising structure and complexity at this price. The tannins are supple and ripe, and this is ready to drink now and over the next three or four years. Score - 4 Stars (out of 5). (Rod Phillips, rodphillipsonwine.com, April 23, 2012)"

BOVIN VRANEC 2010 VINTAGES 144345 | 750 mL bottle Price $13.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Herbs spices red and black cherry all feature on the nose giving it lots of complexity. There is sweet fruit in the middle giving a softer richer quality and as the tannins feel ripe the back palate has suppleness. Spicy red fruits refresh the finish. Drink 2012-18. Score - 91. (Derek Smedley, MW, dereksmedleymw.co.uk, Feb. 2012)"

CHÂTEAU DE MONTMOLLIN CHASSELAS 2011 VINTAGES 302208 | 750 mL bottle Price $18.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Pretty Chasselas from one of Switzerland's finest appellations, Neuchâtel. Aromas suggest peach, mineral, lemon-lime and notions of spring flowers. Dry and very tangy with a superior refreshing quality. This would make an exceptional between-course palate refresher, or pair with seafood appetizers to kick off a fine meal. (VINTAGES panel, April 2012)"

There you have it.

sit. sip. savour.
Éva - accredited sommelier & yummy food enthusiast