February 16, 2013 VINTAGES release
In this release, February 16, 2013, VINTAGES features:
- Tuscan triumphs: Brunello, Chianti, Vino Nobile & more
- Passover prerequisites - fine Kosher wines
- local find: FIELDING CABERNET/SYRAH 2010 VINTAGES 258657 | 750 mL bottle Price $24.95
- distilled treasures - Southern charm: W. L. WELLER 12-YEAR-OLD KENTUCKY STRAIGHT BOURBON VINTAGES 288886 | 750 mL bottle Price $44.95
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 the visual of my red sharpie & yellow highlighter has been replaced by bolded text (as to what caught my eye).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 ...
W. L. WELLER 12-YEAR-OLD KENTUCKY STRAIGHT BOURBON VINTAGES 288886 | 750 mL bottle Price $44.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Nose: There always appears to be fruit on the nose of this guy and here it is again: green, crunchy toffee apple, apricot and young melon. A little Swiss milk chocolate yodels its presence while the spices tease and prickle. All rather yummy...; Taste: Silk with attitude: Corn oil, honey and a few tongue-withering peppers; Finish: Dries, allowing a full look at the 12 years of oak...and that milk chocolate is back; Balance: Sheer quality. And an enormous leap in complexity and grace from the 7-year-old. Score - 93. (Jim Murray, Whisky Bible, 2012)"
COTNARI VIN ALB DULCE TÃMÂIOASÃ ROMÂNEASCÃ 2010 VINTAGES 651653 | 750 mL bottle Price $12.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Known elsewhere as Muscat Blanc à Petit Grains, Tãmâioasã Româneascã is one of the oldest wine grapes in the world. This excellent example is tremendously floral and aromatic, with expressive apricots, citrus and peach quite prevalent on the nose and palate. Medium-sweet with nice depth and a crisp acidity, it will be a wonderful companion for sweeter desserts. (VINTAGES panel, April 2012)"
FIELDING ESTATE RIESLING 2011 VINTAGES 251439 | 750 mL bottle Price $18.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Brimming with alluring aromas, balance and lip-smacking flavour, this was tough to spit. Aromas of nectarine, apple and pear interweave with mineral notes on the nose then rocket across the palate with a gusher of spice-infused Granny Smith apple, pear and bracing lemon-lime. It's mid weight and nicely textured finishing in a blaze of mouth-watering, just-off-dry, sweet and tang. Great value. Score - 4 1/2 Stars (out of 5). (Vic Harradine, winecurrent.com, Aug. 1, 2012)"
RIVERVIEW CELLARS GEWURZTRAMINER 2011 VINTAGES 319830 | 750 mL bottle Price $18.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Hibiscus, rose petals, wet stones, candied ginger and dried grapefruit peel make for a dazzling aromatic display here. The wine is softly textured and exotic, with an excitingly gingery finish. Pair with spiced pork sausages or a shrimp salad. (VINTAGES panel, Dec. 2012)"
THE HOGUE CELLARS GENESIS RIESLING 2010 VINTAGES 309666 | 750 mL bottle Price $18.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Irresistible from the get-go, this fragrant wine offers up inviting aromas of citrus, stone and exotic tropical fruits. Flavors of ripe peaches, brightened with vivid acidity, keep it in perfect balance. The 1.4% residual sugar is barely noticeable; the finish lingers gracefully and refreshes the palate, inviting the next sip. Score - 92. (Paul Gregutt, Wine Enthusiast, July 2012)"
TURKEY FLAT BUTCHERS BLOCK SHIRAZ/GRENACHE/MOURVÈDRE 2010 VINTAGES 90241 | 750 mL bottle Price $19.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Part of the grapes come from the home vineyard that has some of the oldest vines in the Barossa, planted by Peter Schulz's great-grandfather Ernest Schulz. The wine has the drive, focus and intensity often missing from this Barossa blend; that said, there are both black and distinctly red fruit components, and the tannins are firm. Give it 10 years, then line it up with a top Rhone Valley example. Outrageous value. Drink [until] 2025. Score - 94. (James Halliday, winecompanion.com.au, July 17, 2012)"
DELAS FRÈRES LES LAUNES CROZES-HERMITAGE 2010 VINTAGES 701359 | 750 mL bottle Price $20.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Opaque purple. Powerful, textbook syrah aromas of blackberry, violet and licorice, plus a smoky mineral note. Sweet and lush on entry, then spicy and firm in the middle palate, offering black and blue fruits and floral and spice qualities. Ripe and fresh, with a juicy, impressively long finish featuring notes of candied flowers and minerals. Score - 90-92. (Josh Raynolds, International Wine Cellar, March/April 2012)"
ANSELMANN GEWÜRZTRAMINER KABINETT 2011 VINTAGES 909697 | 750 mL bottle Price $14.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: "Simply beautiful semi-sweet Gewürztraminer. Candied grapefruit, botanical oils, white roses, lychee and honeyed almonds all make an appearance. In the mouth it's soft, delicate and pretty - what Mosel is to Riesling, this is to Gewürz. Gently spicy ginger and rosewater notions interplay on the finish. A rare Gewürz that you could cellar (3-5 years), this offers frankly astonishing value. Pair with spicy pork stir-fry, or roasted almonds and strong cheeses at the end of a meal. Serve chilled. (VINTAGES panel, Dec. 2012)
There you have my picks from February 16, 2012 VINTAGES release. Bottoms up!
sit. sip. savour.
Éva Nagy - accredited sommelier & yummy food enthusiast
