In this release, May 11, 2013, VINTAGES release features:
- Australia the great, powerful & diverse: Barossa, Victoria, New South Wales & Margaret River
- rosés on the menu
- local talent: EPIC (Essex Pelee Island Coast) win
Recently, I have noticed that the price point of new releases is
somewhat higher so I'm changing my focus for my selections. In the
past, I made a list of those most likely to make it into my bag
but
that leaves many intriguing choices out. As always, my picks usually
sway towards something I haven't tried before - I always like to expand
my sommelier horizons. Having said that I'm a sucker for a good wine
for sipping.
Bolded text continues to indicate what caught my eye. An → signifies that it is most likely going in my shopping bag. Please follow along as I go page by page.
My picks include ...
DOMAINE D'ORFEUILLES BRUT VOUVRAY VINTAGES 319954 | 750 mL bottle Price $18.95 - LCBO
Tasting Note: "
Beautifully flavourful and satisfying sparkling Vouvray with notions
of
lemon meringue pie, spring flowers, apricot, nectarine and freshly
baked biscuits. Zippy and fresh in the mouth, with bright acidity and
lively bubbles giving plenty of effervescence around a deeply fruity
core. Enjoy with seafood tempura or warm lemon scones. (VINTAGES panel,
March 2013)"
CAVE SPRING ESTATE CSV CHARDONNAY 2010 VINTAGES 256552 | 750 mL bottle Price $18.95 - LCBO
Tasting Note: "
Delicious and wonderfully priced!
Juicy chardonnay that
gives and
gives and gives.
Mouth-watering first peaches of the season. Food
matches: fresh Ontario corn hot off the barbecue and drizzled in butter.
Score - 91. (Natalie MacLean, nataliemaclean.com, Sept. 29, 2012)"
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VINELAND ESTATES CHENIN BLANC 2011 VINTAGES 227033 | 750 mL bottle Price $18.95 - LCBO
Description: "This is an extremely
rich and unctuous white with
layers of pleasurable fleshy
peach, dry apricot and pear. Love it.
Never
knew that Niagara could do Chenin like this. You
don't have to chill
this wine as much as you might other whites as it's
so aromatic (too
much cold will numb those). Food matches: grilled chicken, paella,
squash soup, pasta, Asian chicken salad, mild to medium curries. Drink:
2009-2016. Score: 92 (Natalie MacLean, nataliemaclean.com, Jan. 4, 2013)"
COLCHESTER RIDGE CREW CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2008 VINTAGES 328385 | 750 mL bottle Price $25.00 - LCBO
Tasting Note: "... It has a
dark ruby colour and on the nose the hallmark Lake Erie
North Shore ('LENS') rhubarb hovering about in the background in a bit
of a raw yet totally harmonious mix of
blueberries, black cherries and
cassis encased in a lusty smoky frame ...
Grab a case and let it age
until 2017 ... On the palate a thick marching phalanx of
sweet rhubarb,
dark chocolate, cherry cola with some tobacco and a hint of percolated
Colombian coffee. Despite the 24 months in oak the
finish is remarkably
clean and precise. The tannins and acids are relatively firm but not
overpowering. The finish and body are in the medium range ... Score -
91. (Robert K. Stephen, CSW, windsorsquare.ca, Oct. 25, 2011"
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TAWSE SKETCHES OF NIAGARA ROSÉ 2012 VINTAGES 172643 | 750 mL bottle Price $15.95 - LCBO
Tasting Note: "A
perennial favourite, this
Cabernet Franc-based rosé offers
appealing
citrus, plum, and strawberry-rhubarb pie aromas with a
backdrop of fresh spring meadow. The palate is
fruity and lively, fresh
and vibrant, with a surge of refreshing acidity. (VINTAGES panel, March
2013)"
IRONY MERLOT 2010 VINTAGES 183186 | 750 mL bottle Price $19.95 - LCBO
Tasting Note: "
Lush plum pudding and berry bread aromas with a silky fruity-yet-dry
medium-to-full body and a
tangy, spicy, boysenberry, nut, and mineral
finish with nice chewy tannins.
Excellent balanced and vibrant for
sipping or paired Asian beef dishes. Score - 90. (tastings.com, Sept.
20, 2012)"
LIBERTY SCHOOL ZINFANDEL 2010 VINTAGES 41095 | 750 mL bottle Price $18.95 - LCBO
Tasting Note: "This
robust red offers
glorious aromas of fleshy ripe purple plums
and blueberries. It's
succulent, smooth, lip-smacking delicious and
full-bodied. Lots of
juicy black raspberry on the finish will have you
coming back for another top up. The winery practises aggressive canopy
management, trimming back the leaves and vegetation on the vines so that
more nutrients go to the grapes, which in turn become
more concentrated
in flavour. Zinfandel is one of the flagship red wines of California,
even though it also has its roots in Europe. This is a terrific wine for
movie night, especially if you're having meat lovers' or pepperoni
pizza. Food matches: hamburgers, cheese, game, Mexican dishes, pizza.
Drink: 2012-2015. Score - 91. (Natalie MacLean, nataliemaclean.com, Jan
4, 2013)"
Z ZINFANDEL 2010 VINTAGES 148809 | 750 mL bottle Price $38.95 - LCBO
Tasting Note: "The
famous 'Z' Zinfandel is Jeff Runquist's flagship wine. The 2010
vintage, like all previous vintages, comes from the Massoni Ranch in the
southwestern end of the Shenandoah Valley in Amador County. Due to its
northern exposure and elevation the grapes ripen later in the season and
hang on to their
acidity and sugar builds up before they are harvested.
The result is more extract and tannins and bolder colors. The 2010 'Z'
Zinfandel has a
gorgeous deep purple color and aromas full of
raspberries and plum. This continues on to the flavors where you will
also pick up notes of
currant, vanilla, hazelnut, mocha and caramel.
(Steve Ferree, examiner.com, Dec. 10, 2012)"
LIBERTY SCHOOL ROSÉ 2012 VINTAGES 276667 | 750 mL bottle Price $16.95 - LCBO
Tasting Note: "This
orange-hued blend of
Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache is brimming
with notions of
raspberry tart, candied orange and smoked paprika. It's
sunny, light and lithe and would make a natural companion for paprika
chicken. (VINTAGES panel, March 2013)"
CATENA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010 VINTAGES 985002 | 750 mL bottle Price $19.95 - LCBO
Tasting Note: "The 2010 Catena Cabernet Sauvignon undergoes a five-day cold
maceration and is raised for 12 to 14 months in barrel: first, second
and third fill. It is a blend of four vineyards and is
blended with 3%
Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. It has a
Bordeaux-like bouquet of
blackberry, bilberry, graphite and dry tobacco that is
well-defined and
classic in style. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins. There
is a
palpable sense of tension to this Cabernet, which exhibits great
precision on the spicy, edgy finish.
Full of personality, this comes
highly recommended. Drink now-2017. Score - 92. (Neal Martin,
erobertparker.com, Oct. 2012)"
SIMONSVLEI JA-MOCHA PINOTAGE 2010 VINTAGES 317974 | 750 mL bottle Price $15.95 - LCBO
Tasting Note: "Moves here [New Generation range] from Hercules range. From pinotage,
not as expressively 'coffee' as expected; well-rounded, wild-berry '10
has
appeal without gimmicky flavouring. Score - 3 1/2 Stars (out of 5).
(Greg de Bruyn, Platter's South African Wine Guide, 2012)"
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MULDERBOSCH CABERNET SAUVIGNON ROSÉ 2012 VINTAGES 999821 | 750 mL bottle Price $12.95 - LCBO
Description: "
Bursting with Red Delicious apple, watermelon and strawberry, this
lip-smacking pink wine is Certified Sustainable and made from
Cabernet
Sauvignon.
LCBO Tasting Note:
Shocking pink in colour, '12 is well balanced, with
juicy red fruit,
lively acidity. Serve with cold crayfish salad. Score - 3 Stars (out of
5). (Christian Eedes, Platter's South African Wine Guide, 2013)"
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ZANTHO SAINT LAURENT 2010 VINTAGES 315556 | 750 mL bottle Price $15.95 - LCBO
Tasting Note: "From
one of Austria's most renowned producers, this is a great
introduction to the
highly aromatic Saint Laurent grape. Such
lovely
floral aromas, it's like bottled spring, but hold on - that's just the
start, there's a
good whack of red fruit, cherry, and plum notes as
well. Made in an
easy-drinking and approachable style that pleases from
beginning to end. Try it with a spiced pork dish. (VINTAGES panel, Aug.
2012)"
DOMAINE DU CHARDONNAY CHABLIS 2011 VINTAGES 183574 | 750 mL bottle Price $19.95
- LCBO
Description: "Traditionally styled with the aromas and flavours of
green apples,
lime zest, lemons and that
lovely steely minerality so prized in the
wines of Chablis. The palate demonstrates
exquisite finesse.
Classic
Chablis. Perfect tonight with trout almandine, or angel hair pasta in
pesto sauce."
DOMAINE SERGE DAGUENEAU & FILLES TRADITION POUILLY-FUMÉ 2011 VINTAGES 323634 | 750 mL bottle Price $28.95 - LCBO
Tasting Note: "Fermentation - sometimes entirely indigenous, sometimes incorporating
cultured yeasts - is usually finished soon enough at Domaine Serge
Dagueneau that the first racking takes place just before Christmas, and
the material for what would become their 2011 Pouilly-Fume Tradition was
far enough along in its assemblage to assess and offer a composite note
on the anticipated final results, which will inform several slightly
different bottlings in the course of the year.
Sweetly floral perfume
suggesting
gentian and freesia; ripe apricot and mirabelle; along with a
hint of nutmeg make for an
exceedingly fetching aromatic display,
followed by a correspondingly
ripely fruited as well as silken palate
impression garlanded with inner-mouth florality and laced with
bright
lime and grapefruit, all of which lead to a satisfyingly long finish in
which hints of
spice, pungent green herbs, chalk, chewy citrus rind and
piquant fruit pit offer counterpoint to the wine's forward, pliable
richness. This will be a delight over the next couple of years. There
has been some discussion over the years with importer Peter Weygandt
about separating out a second single-vineyard bottling to accompany the
Les Pentes, and a tour of this estate's vineyards accompanied by the
tasting of - and extrapolation from - several different interim blends
in tank, leaves one in little doubt that the results would be memorably
delicious, indeed, no less so than those achieved with any of this
estate's existing ventures into alternative modes of harvest,
vinification, and elevage. Score - 90-91. (David Schildknecht,
erobertparker.com, June 2012)"
CHÂTEAU DE CHANTEGRIVE 2009 VINTAGES 321356 | 750 mL bottle Price $34.95
- LCBO
Tasting Note: "A
major sleeper of the vintage, this blend of
equal parts Cabernet
Sauvignon and Merlot is
another 'best ever' performance. Notes of
tobacco leaf, hot rocks, sweet kirsch and black currants are
impressively displayed in this medium to full-bodied, velvety textured,
very seductive style of wine. Drink it over the next decade. Drink:
2012-2022. Score - 90. (Robert Parker Jr., erobertparker.com, Feb. 2012)"
DOMAINE LES GRANDS BOIS CUVÉE PHILIPPINE CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2010 VINTAGES 286344 | 750 mL bottle Price $19.95 - LCBO
Tasting Note: "The 2010 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Cuvee Philippine is composed of
equal parts Syrah and Grenache blended with 15% Carignan from 12-80 year
old parcels. Bottled
unfiltered, it exhibits an
opaque purple color
along with a deep nose of
black currants, black cherries, licorice and
lavender. Complex, medium to full-bodied, rich and dense, it is a
heck-of-a-bargain that should drink nicely for 3-4 years. Score - 91.
(Robert Parker Jr., erobertparker.com, Aug. 2011)"
CHÂTEAU LA TOUR DE L'ÉVÊQUE ROSÉ 2012 VINTAGES 319392 | 750 mL bottle Price $18.95 - LCBO
Tasting Note: "A blend of primarily
Cinsault, Syrah, Mourvédre with some Grenache
and Cabernet. This starts off with a delicate
raspberry and red cherry
profile on the nose, nicely accented by
red and white roses. Quite zesty
with a
savoury herbal character that supports the red fruit through to
the finish. Elegant, lithe and refreshing. Sip or enjoy with mild
chickpea curries. (VINTAGES panel, March 2013)"
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MAS DES BRESSADES CUVÉE TRADITION ROSÉ 2012 VINTAGES 950576 | 750 mL bottle Price $14.95 - LCBO
Tasting Note: "The nose offers good depth of
red apple, red and dark cherry, and a
pretty garrigue note. The palate delivers a certain gravity and vitality
with quite
big and bold red-fruit flavours and a substantial juiciness.
The finish is dry and crisp with some
herbal tones and a lip-smacking
tanginess. (VINTAGES panel, March 2013)"
CHÂTEAU BELLEVUE LA FORÊT ROSÉ 2012 VINTAGES 219840 | 750 mL bottle Price $13.95 - LCBO
Tasting Note: "This is a blend of
Negrette, Syrah and Gamay. Aromas of
wild
strawberries, watermelon and some red bell pepper make for a very
pleasing nose. The palate is
simply awash in red fruit, but the acidity
works to keep everything balanced and within the frame. This is
sunshiny-lightness and goodness in a bottle. (VINTAGES panel, March
2013)"
DR. PAULY-BERGWEILER BERNKASTELER BADSTUBE RIESLING AUSLESE 2010 VINTAGES 678011 | 750 mL bottle Price $29.95 - LCBO
Tasting Note: "Quite a
complex nose of mineral oil, lime cordial, paraffin wax, with
a touch of poached pear.
Delicately sweet with grapefruit, lime, and
pear followed by a surge of refreshing acidity. The finish is long and
smooth with a
pleasant minerality. If you are looking to pair a wine
with sushi or spicy Vietnamese cuisine then this is the one for you.
(VINTAGES panel, March 2013)"
PELASSA SAN VITO ROERO ARNEIS 2011 VINTAGES 317172 | 750 mL bottle Price $19.95 - LCBO
Tasting Note: "
Arneis is a white indigenous grape of Piedmonte. Due to complexity
and its [prestigious] neighbourhood, it's
also known as Barolo Bianco.
Tropical fruit, floral notes and citrus zest on the nose, it delivers a
stunning wash of beautifully balanced flavour -
succulent white peach,
ripe pear and green apple interlaced with minerality and racy,
lip-smacking lemon tang. It's mid weight with generous mouth feel and
mouth-watering finish. Score - 4 1/2 Stars (out of 5). (Vic Harradine,
winecurrent.com, May 26, 2012)"
I smashed a bottle of this at work yesterday ... I can assure you that the aromas are heavenly!
TRAVAGLINI GATTINARA 2007 VINTAGES 713354 | 750 mL bottle Price $29.95 - LCBO
Tasting Note: "Beginning to show some maturity, the nose here has touches of
saddle
leather, dried cranberry and cherry pie layered on
sour cherry,
pomegranate and cinnamon notes. The
tannins are quite sinewy and are
softening nicely around a
core of plentiful red fruit. Try this with a
charcuterie platter or a rabbit stew. (VINTAGES panel, March 2013)"
ZENATO BARDOLINO CHIARETTO ROSÉ 2012 VINTAGES 45203 | 750 mL bottle Price $12.95 - LCBO
Tasting Note: "Fans of
Valpolicella will be pleased to know that some old friends,
namely,
Corvina and Rondinella, are two of the grapes used to make this
rosé. This wine was allowed
only a few hours' rest on the grape skins.
It's got a
very light spritz when first poured. Subtle notes of
maraschino cherry, candy apple, raspberry, and strawberry on the nose.
There is a
gentle kiss of sweetness on the soft, juicy palate and more
dynamic flavour than the nose suggests. (VINTAGES panel, March 2013)"
LA MARQUESA VALSERRANO RESERVA 2007 VINTAGES 314963 | 750 mL bottle Price $25.95 - LCBO
Tasting Note: "The 2006 Valserrano Reserva was a small production and is already
sold out. The 2007 Valserrano Reserva is
Tempranillo from older vines
blended with some Graciano raised for around 20 months in American and
French oak. The nose is well-defined with notes of
dark chocolate, dark
berry fruits, a touch of mint and singed leather. The palate is
medium-bodied with
lively red berries intermixed with orange peel and
white pepper on the entry. It is well-balanced with good volume, fanning
out nicely with some
cloves and sage towards the finish that is crisp
and does not outstay its welcome. Drink 2013-2018. Score - 91. (Neal
Martin, erobertparker.com, Aug. 2012)"
SAN JOSÉ DE AGUARÓN MONASTERIO DE LAS VIÑAS RESERVA 2006 VINTAGES 166579 | 750 mL bottle Price $14.95 - LCBO
Tasting Note: "The 2006 Reserva is a blend of
70% Garnacha, 20% Tempranillo, and 10%
Carinena aged in barrel for 12 months.
Spice box, pepper, violets,
mineral, black cherry, and plum aromas are followed by a
ripe, plush,
pleasure-bent red that has enough structure to evolve for 1-2 years.
Drink this
outstanding value over the next 6-7 years. Score - 90. (Jay
Miller, erobertparker.com, June 2011)"
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VINOS SIN LEY PUERTA BONITA GARNACHA 2009 VINTAGES 132266 | 750 mL bottle Price $18.95 - LCBO
Tasting Note: "The 2009 Puerta Bonita (G5) is made from
120-year-old Garnacha vines.
Dark ruby, on the nose it displays
baking spices, wild berries, and
cherry blossoms. This leads to an
intensely flavored, concentrated
offering displaying the
essence of the Garnacha fruit from which it was
made. It contains a bit of structure and might actually deliver a bit
more complexity with a year of bottle aging. However, there is really no
reason to hesitate. This is a
superb value. Score - 91. (Jay Miller,
erobertparker.com, April 2010)"
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MUGA ROSÉ 2012 VINTAGES 603795 | 750 mL bottle Price $12.95 - LCBO
Tasting Note: "A
rich blend of Garnacha (Grenache), Tempranillo, and Viura that
offers up
lively red berry, rosewater, citrus, and peach notes. The
fruit on the palate presents a
sweet-and-tangy complexity backed by
bright acidity. A very nice, crisp finish that conjures up some
apple
towards the end. A fine,
versatile rosé that will definitely make some
friends at the dinner table. (VINTAGES panel, March 2013)"
So there you have my very long list from May 11th VINTAGES release. You may notice that the bulk of what is going in my shopping bag is rosé ... I simply adore rosé!
sit. sip. savour.
Éva Nagy - accredited sommelier & yummy food enthusiast
Mix
& mingle with many of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s award winning
winemakers & winery owners as they showcase their outstanding wines
that are not available at the LCBO or Vintages. This
event offers you the unique opportunity to taste, discover & order
your new favorite wines that will be delivered to your home or office – within a week!
