March 16, 2013 VINTAGES release

In this release, March 16, 2013, VINTAGES features:

• a lasting legacy - California icons & innovators
• taste test - classic Euro whites: Pinot Gris, Riesling & Gewürztraminer
• Irish whiskies - for St. Patrick's Day: Jameson, Locke's & Inishowen
• local find: Rockway Vineyards
• distilled treasures: Sortilège Prestige

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 the visual of my red sharpie & yellow highlighter has been replaced by bolded text (as to what caught my eye).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.


My picks include ...

(warning: it's a long list this week)

While taking Algonquin College's Whisky Course, I went beyond my love of bourbon & tequila.  It turns out that I quite like Irish Whiskey so I'd like to give this one a try ... INISHOWEN PEATED BLEND IRISH WHISKEY VINTAGES 656017 | 700 mL bottle Price $34.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Blended from peated and unpeated malts and grain whisky, this has the essence of a good Scottish single malt, but it's sweeter, fruitier and dances more lightly and smoothly on the tongue. Score - 90. (Beppi Crosariol, The Globe and Mail, March 10, 2011)"

I always pick up a bottle or two each time this is released ... WILLIAMS & HUMBERT WALNUT BROWN RARE OLD BROWN OLOROSO VINTAGES 437467 | 750 mL bottle Price $13.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "What a treat - what a bargain. Dark amber with tinges of green on the edges; the aromas are divine with dark raisin, caramel and fig predominant. Warm and sweet on the palate, look for the aromas to follow through to flavours plus some lovely spice and nutty notes. The long sweet finish of this dessert wine cries out for spiced nut cake or ginger snaps. Score - 4 Stars (out of 5). (Vic Harradine, winecurrent.com, April 2, 2011)"

sounds like dessert in a glass ... SORTILÈGE PRESTIGE VINTAGES 317206 | 750 mL bottle Price $49.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Exceptional taste! This Liqueur ... uses superior Canadian whisky that is aged for 7 years in white pine barrels. The mixture is flavored with first run Quebec maple syrup. (Genevieve P.M. Roy, borderlessnorth.org, Nov. 11, 2012)"

MARENCO BRACHETTO D'ACQUI VINTAGES 320002 | 750 mL bottle Price $16.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "If you have never tasted Brachetto d'Acqui, you could hardly do better than to start here. Text book aromas of strawberry and spring flowers - think rose petals - abound, supported by touches of cherry, and a hit of pepper. More strawberry, flowers and red fruit on the palate, with an approachable sweetness that is very nicely balanced by the acidity. Enjoy this with your favourite fresh fruit desserts. (VINTAGES panel, Sept. 2012)"

I really enjoy Malivoire's Chardonnay Musqué so I am curious about this one but it doesn't make mention of the slight spritz that Malivoire has ... CAVE SPRING ESTATE BOTTLED CHARDONNAY MUSQUÉ 2010 VINTAGES 246579 | 750 mL bottle Price $15.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Another nice example of Chardonnay's aromatic cousin, this one shows pronounced fragrances of orchid, wildflowers, spring meadow, camomile tea and lemon custard. Lovely accents of white pepper and ginger spice add flourish to the mid-palate. Pair with seafood sushi or a milder shrimp pad Thai. (VINTAGES panel, Jan. 2013)"

MALIVOIRE RIESLING 2011 VINTAGES 277483 | 750 mL bottle Price $15.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Simply stunning Riesling with attractive notions of lime, pear, orchard blossoms, river stones and lemon meringe pie. It's got a kiss of sweetness counterpointed by a wave of fresh, mouth-watering acidity, all the while displaying lovely balance and expression. Lime and mineral echo on the crisp finish. This is Riesling lovers' Riesling. A real beauty. Pair with sushi, lake fish, or grilled pork with rosemary. (VINTAGES panel, Jan. 2013)"

BABICH GIMBLETT GRAVELS GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2011 VINTAGES 309617 | 750 mL bottle Price $16.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Fruit from the 'Gimblett Gravels' vineyard fully barrel-fermented in seasoned oak to 14.0% alc. and 5.5 g/L rs. Bright, even straw-yellow colour with light golden hues, pale on rim. This has an elegantly proportioned, intense and finely presented bouquet of musk, ginger and rose petals along with nuances of smoke and flint adding layers of interest. Dry, tightly concentrated and densely packed with flavours of musk, root ginger and Turkish Delight, this is softly textured and carries a subtle richness, with discreet acidity providing good tension. The palate possesses an underlying power and a little alcoholic generosity, driving the fruit, leading to a long, nuanced finish. This is a concentrated and refined Gewurztraminer to serve with Middle Eastern cuisine over the next 3-4+ years. Score - 5 Stars (out of 5). (Raymond Chan, raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, Jan. 26, 2012)"

DOMAINE DES AMADIEU CUVÉE DES GARRIGUES CAIRANNE 2010 VINTAGES 310060 | 750 mL bottle Price $17.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "A blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 20% Mourvedre, the 2010 Cuvée des Garrigues is beautifully done and displays a fresh, pure bouquet of black raspberry, sappy garrigue, licorice, and flowers. This medium-bodied Cairanne is silky and polished on the palate, with an elegant, streamlined texture, good acidity, and fine tannin. It will drink nicely for 4-6 years. Score - 90. (Jeb Dunnuck, therhonereport.com, Sept. 2012)"

RUPPERTSBERGER LINSENBUSCH GEWÜRZTRAMINER SPÄTLESE 2011 VINTAGES 320473 | 750 mL bottle Price $14.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Charmingly perfumed and spicy with aromas of white roses, white pepper, ginger root, orange peel and lychee. Very flavourful with scrumptious sweetness and good echoes of the nose, particularly the lychee and spice, along with some candied grapefruit character. Layered, balanced, lingering finish. A good fit for pad Thai. (VINTAGES panel, Jan. 2013)"

of course I'm going to have a Hungarian wine on my list ... DISZNÓKÓ TOKAJI DRY FURMINT 2011 VINTAGES 681544 | 750 mL bottle Price $14.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Furmint is perhaps best known for creating Tokaji's classic sweet wines, but this versatile grape can also produce dry, food-friendly wines such as this one. Aromas and flavours of mushroom, pear, camomile and lemon abound in this round and fruity wine. Medium-bodied, nicely balanced and with a lingering, lively and crisp finish. Enjoy with chicken in a mushroom cream sauce. (VINTAGES panel, Aug. 2012)"

CANTINE RIONDO VINEA GARGANEGA 2011 VINTAGES 230656 | 750 mL bottle Price $13.95 - LCBO Description: "The unique-to-Veneto Garganega grape can, in the right hands (like those at Cantine Riondo), create highly sought after, superbly balanced, steely and characterful wines. Expect floral, peach and citrus aromas and flavours, with refreshing acidity, considerable weight on the palate and a fruity round finish."

MONTE DEL FRÁ BARDOLINO 2011 VINTAGES 134544 | 750 mL bottle Price $13.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Fresh, ripe cherries and chocolate persistent nose. Leafy, rhubarb style fruit on the palate, tobacco. Pleasantly juicy, fruity and easy drinking. Score - 4 Stars (out of 5). (Decanter World Wine Awards, 2012)"

CAVE CIDIS TRADITION MORGES VIEILLES VIGNES LA CÔTE 2011 VINTAGES 315051 | 750 mL bottle Price $17.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Made from the Chasselas grape, this shows aromas of pine nut, lemon and white flowers on the nose. Classic character on the palate: quite floral, with a steely minerality and a tantalizing hint of lime. The crisp acidity here makes this wine a natural to set against a rich cheese fondue or raclette. (VINTAGES panel, Aug. 2012)"

So I have some whittling down to do before I make my purchases at work tomorrow.  As it stands now, me thinks I will be bringing home Irish whiskey, Walnut Brown x 2, Malivoire Riesling & Babich Gewürz.  Tomorrow, my mind may change just as my taste changes. For example, for years I stayed away from over-the-top seemingly artificially-perfumed Gewürz but Riverview changed all that.  Now I can't get enough of a good Gewürz.  Ah, the trials & tribulations of a wino.

Bottoms up!

Éva Nagy - accredited sommelier & yummy food enthusiast