Thursday, June 6, 2013

Pitch Perfect - May 25, 2013 VINTAGES release




In this release, May 25, 2013, VINTAGES release features:

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 ...

MARÉCHAL BRUT CRÉMANT DE LOIRE VINTAGES 141077 | 750 mL bottle Price $ 15.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Established in 1886, Maréchal is one of the oldest continuously operating wineries in the Loire Valley. Great fruit notes in support of the bread dough aromas and flavours so prized in traditional-method sparklers. Vibrant and aromatic with a nice mousse this sparkler, made from Chenin Blanc, will be a nice companion for steamed clams or lightly grilled herbed chicken. (VINTAGES panel, Sept. 2012)"

year after year, one of my faves ... MALIVOIRE MUSQUÉ SPRITZ 2012 VINTAGES 189670 | 750 mL bottle Price $ 19.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Pretty floral and peach aromas with a hint of lemon zest. Soft and approachable with tropical fruit notes added into mix - as though this one didn't already have enough great things going for it! Light frizzante character and a cleansing acidity make this a very pleasant summer patio wine. Chill and enjoy by the spoonful - er, glassful - with sorbet and fresh fruits or some spicy seafood, sushi or tempura. (VINTAGES panel, April 2013)"

intriguing for Cline to have single varietal Carignane & Mourvèdre ... CLINE ANCIENT VINES CARIGNANE 2011 VINTAGES 32177 | 750 mL bottle Price $ 20.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Carignane is one of the most widely used grapes in France, and is often used as a 'blending' grape. Not in this case though, Cline took this grape and made it into its own distinct wine. The result is quite good. It is very ruby dark in color and holds its own as a bold red with balance. You get dark berries, dried cherries and a bit of spice out of every sip - with not one flavor over powering the other ... Score - 90. (newtastetoday.com, Jan. 13, 2013)"

CLINE ANCIENT VINES MOURVÈDRE 2011 VINTAGES 66084 | 750 mL bottle Price $ 20.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "This is a big wine in every way. Blueberry, plum, meat, smoke and violet notes on the nose. The palate meets the intensity and depth of the nose head-on, with powerfully presented replays. The focused intensity of flavour is offset wonderfully by the easy-drinking and smoothly textured style of the wine. Soft, round and so tasty. This is s fun wine and perfect for grilled steak or sausages. (VINTAGES panel, Sept. 2012)"

MCMANIS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011 VINTAGES 212126 | 750 mL bottle Price $ 19.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Attractive aromas of spice, cassis, vanilla, and woodsmoke make for quite a charming nose. The palate is softly textured, with juicy, ripe, sun-kissed fruit ably balanced by the acidity and ripe tannins, as well as the smoke and vanilla notes. Nice structure on an approachable and fun wine. Grilled steaks, or gourmet burgers for this one. (VINTAGES panel, April 2013)"

CRISTOBAL 1492 OAK RESERVE SHIRAZ 2010 VINTAGES 236133 | 750 mL bottle Price $ 14.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Aromas of blueberry and vanilla with a nice spice complexity. The palate has wonderful fruit expression. An exceptional value wine, that really over delivers. Complex and structured, this is immensely satistying. Pair this with your favourite barbecued red meats, frilled lamb, or grilled chicken, and embark upon your own tasty voyage of discovery. (VINTAGES panel, April 2012)"

CLOS MALVERNE LE CAFÉ PINOTAGE 2011 VINTAGES 315960 | 750 mL bottle Price $ 13.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "A lovely and intriguing nose: lots of smoke, plum, coffee and smoked meat aromas here. Quite robust on the palate, but balanced and approachable. Flavourful and food-friendly, there is a great deal more going on than just coffee in this one. A light curtain of tannins makes its appearance on the finish. This one is an easy choice for smoked spareribs and other barbecue fare. (VINTAGES panel, April 2013)"

I have recently re-discovered Gewürztraminer & loving it! ... DOMAINE ZIND-HUMBRECHT CALCAIRE GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2009 VINTAGES 320481 | 750 mL bottle Price $ 29.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Remarkably, the totality of the estate's crops from Goldert and Heimbourg inform Zind-Humbrecht's 2009 Gewurztraminer Calcaire. Given how distinctive were the 2007 and 2008 wines from each of these sites, says Olivier Humbrecht, he felt that by comparison it would be better to blend together and in effect declassify their fruit from 2009, and he insists that with the hindsight of harvest 2010 - however small its volume, clearly justifying in his view two separate wines - he is reinforced in the belief that he did the right thing by 2009. Cinnamon, vanilla, coca powder, rose petal, decadent lily, and litchi in the nose announce a correspondingly liquidly floral, confectionary, drippingly rich, and creamy palate, with hints of chalk dust as well as the tactile impingement of spice adding counterpoint in a long, seductively soothing finish that for all of its sweetness manages to avoid seeming saccharine. Presumably it is the Goldert that lends structure and the Heimbourg the enveloping sense of ennobled richness to this ravishing performance. Score - 92. (David Schildknecht, erobertparker.com, May 2011)"

DOMAINE DES AUBUISIÈRES CUVÉE DE SILEX VOUVRAY 2011 VINTAGES 57042 | 750 mL bottle Price $ 17.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Hurray for (this) Vouvray! It is so nice to taste a wine that hits all of the marks so well. You will be as delighted as we were with the citrus, apple, mineral, mushroom, and lanolin aromas here. The palate is fresh and vibrant with excellent fruit replays. Classic Vouvray at a very good price. Enjoy with vindaloo chicken or with a lightly spiced seafood dish. (VINTAGES panel, Nov. 2012)"

HENRI POIRON FIEF GIRAUD MUSCADET SÈVRE & MAINE SUR LIE 2011 VINTAGES 327726 | 750 mL bottle Price $ 14.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "The Sur-Lie complexities are very nicely present here, and are expressed as caramel and toast notes on the nose. They join the mix of apple, lemon, grapefruit, and stone fruit aromas to make a thoroughly pleasing aroma profile. The palate is quite well framed with lovely replays and a generous acidity. Enjoy this with a seafood platter. (VINTAGES panel, Nov. 2012)"

CHÂTEAU ROZIER 2010 VINTAGES 24539 | 750 mL bottle Price $ 28.95 - Tasting Note: "It is important not to gush when tasting wine, but sometimes gushing is all you can do. Our panel was unanimous in its praise here. This blend of 80% Merlot with the rest Cab Franc is just gorgeous. Incredible depth and complexity on the nose with suggestions of licorice, new leather, and vanilla riding a wave of violets, cherry and rosemary. The palate is mouthfilling with generous helpings of black fruit. Structured and elegant from beginning to end. (VINTAGES panel, April 2013)"

BASTIDE MIRAFLORS VIEILLES VIGNES SYRAH/GRENACHE 2011 VINTAGES 320499 | 750 mL bottle Price $ 18.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "There are 3,000 cases of the naked, virginal, unoaked 2011 Bastide Miraflors Vieilles Vignes made from 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache aged in concrete. The difficult economic situation in the Languedoc-Roussillon corridor is being exploited to the maximum by importer Eric Solomon. The fact that wines such as this can be purchased is unbelievable. Largely an artisanal wine, it is brilliantly pure with a stunning nose of spring flowers, blackberries, cassis and earth. It is almost incomprehensible that something of this quality, complexity and richness can be purchased for $25 to $50, much less $10 to $12. The 3,000 cases should be gobbled up as quickly as they hit retailers' shelves. I am honored to share my excitement about this amazing wine with readers. Score - 93. (Robert Parker Jr., erobertparker.com, June 2012)"

LE GRAVILLAS PLAN DE DIEU CÔTES DU RHÔNE VILLAGES 2010 VINTAGES 264648 | 750 mL bottle Price $ 14.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Characterful tobacco, coffee and forest bouquet, meaty and quite smoky. Gamey, muscular palate of attractive blackberries, blueberries and dark cherries with liquorice, dried flowers and herbs. Score - 5 Stars (out of 5). (Decanter World Wine Awards, 2012)"

and, of course, rosé ... CARTE NOIRE ROSÉ 2012 VINTAGES 319384 | 750 mL bottle Price $ 15.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Quite delicate, in a pleasing way. Aromas of strawberry jam, red apple, and garrigue buoyed by a touch of mandarin orange. Zippy acidity brings a raspberry tang and orange zest note. The finish is crisp and fresh. This will add great flair to barbecued chicken or pork skewers. (VINTAGES panel, March 2013)"

DELAS FRÈRES SAINT-ESPRIT CÔTES-DU-RHÔNE ROSÉ 2012 VINTAGES 224964 | 750 mL bottle Price $ 13.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Big, boisterous and packed with sunny flavour, this pink wine serves up maraschino cherry, strawberry-rhubarb and field flowers. The fruit is ripe and it's got some oomph on the way to a tasty, tangy finish. Chill and sip, or pair with cold-cut sandwiches and stuffed tomatoes. (VINTAGES panel, March 2013)"

DOMAINE DES CARTERESSES TAVEL ROSÉ 2012 VINTAGES 739474 | 750 mL bottle Price $ 16.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Deeply coloured rosé sporting ripe watermelon, candy apple, red grapefruit and garrigue. It's a serious pink wine with impressive intensity and tons of flavour, and just a slight suggestion of tannin. Pair with lox and capers, or grilled salmon steaks. (VINTAGES panel, March 2013)"

There you have my picks from this release.  Enjoy!

sit. sip. savour.
Éva Nagy - accredited sommelier & yummy food enthusiast
Posted by Unknown at 11:25 PM

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