In this release, July 6, 2013, VINTAGES release features:
- golden state of mind: summery Cali wines
- perfectly pure whites: Riesling, Torrontés, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Grüner Veltliner, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc & Albariño
- local talent - visit Niagara-on-the-Lake
- more Ontario to love: a collection of special, limited-release Ontario wines
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 ...
1792 RIDGEMONT RESERVE BARREL SELECT KENTUCKY STRAIGHT BOURBON VINTAGES 208918 | 750 mL bottle Price $49.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Glorious, with a high rye component for peppery spice, it shows great depth of flavour, hinting at apple pie and licorice. I love the velvety texture. Splendid. Score - 95. (Beppi Crosariol, The Globe and Mail, Feb. 15, 2011)"
SUNNYBROOK PEACH BLOSSOM WINE 2011 VINTAGES 331074 | 750 mL bottle Price $18.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Wonderfully aromatic with plenty of intense peach nectar, though it's also quite nuanced with notions of apricot jam, super-ripe cantaloupe, candied orange and white flowers. Mouthfilling, flavourful and nectar-like with lovely acidity that brings a cleansing finish. Chill and sip on its own, or pair with poached salmon. (VINTAGES panel, May 2013)"
ST-NICOLAS ROSÉ CRACKLING CIDER VINTAGES 275362 | 750 mL bottle Price $19.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Made 80% from apples and 20% from strawberries, this is a crisp, refreshing cider that makes a delicious alternative to sparkling wine. There's a little sweetness, and the strawberries shine through the apple. With only 7% alcohol, it's a great idea for summer sipping, and it pairs well with many not-too-sweet, fruit-based dishes. Score - 4 Stars (out of 5). (Rod Phillips, rodphillipsonwine.com, April 11, 2013)"
CAVE DE LUGNY CUVÉE MILLÉSIME BRUT CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE 2010 VINTAGES 183764 | 750 mL bottle Price $18.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Aromas of freshly baked biscuits, lemon, grapefruit, binned apple and hayloft. Lithe, elegant and quite complex. Crisp and refreshing with focused bubbles. Refreshing and clean finish. Ideal for seafood tempura, calamari or lightly grilled lake fish. (VINTAGES panel, May 2013)"
TAWSE SKETCHES OF NIAGARA RIESLING 2012 VINTAGES 89029 | 750 mL bottle Price $17.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "This is textbook Niagara Riesling in the Mosel style, if you allow that textbooks can be utterly delicious. A kiss of sweetness counterpoints waves of fresh-squeezed lime and stony minerality. This exceptional value will pair nicely with grilled lake fish, sushi, or chicken burgers with chimichurri sauce. (VINTAGES panel, May 2013)"
CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES ST. DAVID'S BENCH VINEYARD GAMAY NOIR DROIT 2010 VINTAGES 346742 | 750 mL bottle Price $16.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Never tried Gamay from Niagara? Don't wait any longer. This intriguing wine is gushing with blackberry and black plum backed by bramble and woodsmoke accents. Juicy, balanced and tasty with lots of ripe dark fruit, and enough tannic presence to last 5+ years. Frankly an astonishing value. Enjoy with char-grilled burgers or steak. (VINTAGES panel, May 2013)"
I'm not a fan of Sauvignon Blanc but I love this one ... ROBERT MONDAVI FUMÉ BLANC 2010 VINTAGES 221887 | 750 mL bottle Price $22.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Fumé Blanc is just another name for Sauvignon Blanc, and this is a delicious one. Dry and racy in acidity, it has deep citrus, tropical fruit and gooseberry flavors. At this price, it's one of the best Sauvignon Blancs on the market. Score - 90. (Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast, Oct. 2012)"
KUNG FU GIRL EVERGREEN RIESLING 2011 VINTAGES 273953 | 750 mL bottle Price $19.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Delectable scents of basswood (Germans would say 'linden flower') mingle with honeydew melon, white peach, and lime that go on to render the palate sorbet-like in its combination of succulent richness and sheer cooling refreshment. The balance of acidity and sweetness (from 18 grams of residual sugar) is perfectly judged to support the aforementioned impression and - with the help of a lick of salt, mineral dust, and citrus zests - advances an invigorating, ultra-luscious and lip-smackingly lingering finish. Whether you need to drink this up over the next 12-18 months I can't say from experience but I very much doubt it. (Not that cellaring will be on many purchasers' minds.) ... If you are interested in the future of Riesling; Washington State wine; wine value; or wine for the masses, this represents a huge glass of Hope you can drain with a grin to Charles Smith's health. Score - 90. (David Schildknecht, erobertparker.com, Dec. 2012)"
CHARLES & CHARLES ROSÉ 2012 VINTAGES 340521 | 750 mL bottle Price $15.95 - LCBO Description: "This blend of 81% Syrah, 16% Mourvedre, 2% Cinsault and 1% Grenache offers aromas and flavours of strawberry, cherry and a stony minerality. Charles and Charles would like you to know that (and we quote), 'Yes you can drink rosé and still be a bad#ss'. All joking aside, these unconventional dudes know their stuff: the 2011 scored 90 points and was rated #42 on the Wine Spectator Top 100 Values of 2011. This is perfect for grilled salmon."
DANDELION VINEYARDS LIONHEART OF THE BAROSSA SHIRAZ 2011 VINTAGES 167189 | 750 mL bottle Price $20.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "From vines over or approaching 100 years old, open-fermented with wild yeast, then spent 18 months in some new, mainly old, French oak barriques. Neither fined nor filtered. Even more deeply coloured than Dandelion's Lioness of McLaren Vale, with a full array of black fruits on the medium-bodied palate. Some sophisticated handling in the winery has produced a remarkable result. Drink [until] 2025. Score - 94. (James Halliday, winecompanion.com.au, Feb. 14, 2013)"
DOMAINES DU CHÂTEAU DE RIQUEWIHR LES MURAILLES RIESLING 2008 VINTAGES 933069 | 750 mL bottle Price $19.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "A finely tuned Riesling, with flavors of white peach, anise, apple blossom, stone and candied lemon zest all bolstered by integrated acidity. A vibrant, elegant wine, with a mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2023. Score - 91. (Alison Napjus, winespectator.com, Oct. 15, 2011)"
JOSEPH CATTIN MUSCAT 2011 VINTAGES 224634 | 750 mL bottle Price $15.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "What a lovely nose! Botanical oils, honeysuckle, sweet white grapefruit and the classic Muscat perfume. Simple pleasures are the best. The palate has good presence and weight with a crisp acidity and quite intense flavours. This is a tasty off-dry Muscat by a top Alsatian producer. Be sure to take a moment to enjoy the nutty note on the dry and refreshing finish. Grilled fish, pork, sushi or spicy noodles. (VINTAGES panel, May 2013)"
CAVES DES VIGNERONS DE BUXY MONTAGNY LES CHANIOTS 1ER CRU 2010 VINTAGES 159020 | 750 mL bottle Price $22.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Montagny, in the Côte Chalonnaise, is without question one of Burgundy's best sources for quality wines. This is a particularly attractive example, offering up nuanced aromas of stone fruit, apple, mineral and vanilla with a nice leesy pastry complexity. Very well made, balanced and structured, with excellent length. This will reward 2-3 years in the cellar, but could delight tonight alongside veal or salmon dishes. (VINTAGES panel, Dec. 2012)"
→ DOMAINE JEAN-CHARLES GIRARD-MADOUX CHIGNIN 2011 VINTAGES 323576 | 750 mL bottle Price $14.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "A crystalline white, offering firm, focused flavors of green pear and crunchy apple, with a bite of pineapple. There's an enticing chalkiness as well, which lingers with smoke and spice. Jacquère. Drink now through 2017. Score - 89. (Kim Marcus, winespectator.com, Sept. 30, 2012)"
CHÂTEAU DE JAU 2011 VINTAGES 955070 | 750 mL bottle Price $14.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "A blend of Syrah and Mourvèdre with plentiful red berry and sweet fruit notes on the nose and palate. Soft and integrated tannins offer just the right support for this easy-drinking wine. A stunning effort, at a very exciting price, this closes with a lightly toasted and fruity finish. Give your backyard the full South of France treatment, and pair this with French breads, and a variety of cheeses and sausages. (VINTAGES panel, Nov. 2012)"
XAVIER CUVÉE ANONYME CHÂTEAUNEUF DU PAPE 2009 VINTAGES 337659 | 750 mL bottle Price $56.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "There are approximately 10,000 bottles of the sensational 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Anonyme, which is fashioned from an unusual blend of 25% Grenache, 25% Mourvedre, 25% Syrah and the remaining 25% Counoise, Vaccarese and other authorized varietals. Its opaque purple color is followed by a wine of extraordinary intensity. Copious notes of licorice, garrigue, underbrush, blackberries, black currants and graphite are present in this full-bodied, modern-styled, fragrant, distinctive Chateauneuf. This terrific, voluptuous 2009 should drink well young and last for 15-20 years. Score - 96. (Robert Parker Jr., erobertparker.com, Oct. 2011)"
DOMAINE DE LA GARENNE BANDOL ROSÉ 2012 VINTAGES 323550 | 750 mL bottle Price $19.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Magnificently delineated aromas of nectarine, apricot, thyme, lavender -- heck there's so many spring flower notes it's like someone put a florist in a bottle. The palate is superbly balanced, with elegance and finesse meeting focus and intensity. This is an absolutely beautiful, serious, and seriously delicious rosé. Savour with grilled salmon or chicken skewers, or simply sip and enjoy. (VINTAGES panel, May 2013)"
E. GUIGAL CÔTES DU RHÔNE ROSÉ 2012 VINTAGES 225003 | 750 mL bottle Price $16.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Based around Grenache and Cinsaut with Syrah and Mourvèdre in support, it offers red cherry, watermelon and garrigue aromas. The palate is packed with red fruit and is unapologetically voluptuous without ever being over the top. The crisp, dry finish brings some apple peel and cherry stone to the flavour replays. A versatile food wine: pair with anything from chicken burgers to grilled veggie sandwiches. (VINTAGES panel, May 2013)"
LES GRANDES SERRES LA ROSE D'AIMÉE TAVEL 2012 VINTAGES 684951 | 750 mL bottle Price $18.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "If it is true that love is a red, red rose - then this must be bottled love. The prominent red rose aromas are joined ripe red cherry, and apple orchard. Love, at its best, is big, bold and all encompassing, so it is no surprise that this is such a hefty rosé with great flavour intensity. There is even a bit of tannin evident. You can share your love for this wine for 3+ years easily. Pair with grilled lamb or sausages. (VINTAGES panel, May 2013)"
BOLLIG-LEHNERT DHRONER HOFBERGER RIESLING AUSLESE*** 2009 VINTAGES 313536 | 750 mL bottle Price $21.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: 'The nose offers wonderfully intense aromas of lime cordial, lemon custard, white peach, pear, mineral and an attractive kerosene note. Very pretty and lithe, this has a very delicate feel and a balanced sweetness in the mouth. Great interplay of lime, pear and kerosene. This beauty has a long life ahead; drink until 2020. A classic with spicy Asian cuisine or salads with fresh sliced fruit, it'll also be a lovely sipper after a fine meal. (VINTAGES panel, May 2013)"
→ COLLEFRISIO UNO MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2008 VINTAGES 337857 | 750 mL bottle Price $19.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Fair to say, one thing many Italian wines do not lack is character. Or soul, for want of a much better word. Dark fruit, pepper, violet, dried herb - all those dark and rustic Italianate things that make such wines so appealing, it has. It's medium to full bodied, chewy and earthy, full of fruit - volume without sweetness - with a balanced core of acidity. Love the long gravelly finish. Savoury, rustic, charismatic and, finances permitting, affordable. Fair to say I'm a big fan of this. Drink: 2012-2018. Score - 92. (Gary Walsh, winefront.com.au, Feb. 13, 2012)"
MASTROJANNI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2007 VINTAGES 942508 | 750 mL bottle Price $49.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "The 2007 Brunello di Montalcino is a big wine loaded with personality. Sweet dark cherries, licorice, smoke and leather burst from the glass in this explosive, rich Brunello. Layers of flavor develop with air, filling out the wine's broad-shouldered frame very nicely. Firm tannins support the generous finish. This is a fabulous showing from Mastrojanni. The Brunello was fermented in cement and aged cask for 36 months. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2027. Score - 93. (Antonio Galloni, erobertparker.com, April 2012)"
MAZZEI SER LAPO CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2008 VINTAGES 288530 | 750 mL bottle Price $24.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Very floral, with licorice, aniseed and blackberries. Full body, with silky tannins and lots of chocolate, coffee and berries on the finish. Balanced, yet very rich. A top Chianti Classico. Best in 2014. Score - 93. (James Suckling, jamessuckling.com, Dec. 19, 2011)"
→ PINYOLET GARNACHA 2011 VINTAGES 271791 | 750 mL bottle Price $17.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "The 2011 Pinyolet Garnacha (100% Grenache from a vineyard planted in 1962 on pure limestone soils) was aged completely in stainless steel on its lees. Basically a baby Priorato, it reveals rich strawberry and raspberry fruit intermixed with notes of licorice, crushed rock and earth, all offered in a medium to full-bodied, heady style. The price is a steal and the quality of the wine is impressive. Enjoy it over the next 4-6 years or longer. Score - 92. (Robert Parker Jr., erobertparker.com, Aug. 2012)"
There you have it. My picks from July 6, 2013 release. Enjoy!
sit. sip. savour.
Éva Nagy - accredited sommelier & yummy food enthusiast
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