Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Authentic Oz - June 7, 2014 VINTAGES release

 

June 7, 2014 VINTAGES release


This VINTAGES release features:

There are so many choices in every Vintages release.  How do I choose?  First I narrow it down by tasting notes that intrigue me the most (indicated by bolded text).  Next, my picks usually sway towards something I haven't tried before.  Having said that, I'm a complete sucker for a good sipper so I might return to a past favourite.  An → signifies the bottles that it is most likely going in my shopping bag.  I also list my wishlist (if budget was not part of the equation) and my "long list" (if I won the lottery).  Please follow along as I go page by page.


those most likely to make it into my bag ... 

→ "smoking value & straight up delicious" ~ E. GUIGAL CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2012 VINTAGES 290296 | 750 mL bottle Price $ 18.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: Starting out the whites and a smoking value, the 2012 Cotes du Rhone Blanc is a blend of 65% Viognier, 15% Roussanne, 10% Marsanne, 5% Clairette, 3% Bourboulenc and 2% Grenache Blanc that's vinified and aged all in stainless steel. It offers beautiful white peach, flowers and hints of citrus in a clean, balanced and juicy style. Medium-bodied and straight up delicious, it sells for a song, and is a great intro into Rhone Valley whites. Score - 88. (Robert Parker Jr., erobertparker.com, Dec. 2013)

→ "elegant but serious intensity" ~ KÖNIGSCHAFFHAUSER VULKANFELSEN PINOT NOIR ROSÉ TROCKEN 2013 VINTAGES 168237 | 750 mL bottle Price $ 13.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: So elegant, but shows serious intensity and flavour too. Rosehips, red cherry and strawberry-rhubarb pie delight the senses. Lightly chill and sip with turkey sandwiches or salmon burgers. (VINTAGES panel, April 2014)

→ classic Chianti grapes ~ CARPINETO DOGAJOLO ROSATO 2013 VINTAGES 699934 | 750 mL bottle Price $ 15.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: Made with the classic Chianti grapes Sangiovese and Canaiolo, this dry-farmed Tuscan rosé is perfect for warm weather. Pretty aromas of raspberry, strawberry, savoury herbs and wild roses introduce a fresh, tangy wine with a brilliantly crisp finish. Match it to pasta salad with sun-dried tomatoes, a charcuterie platter or salmon burgers. (VINTAGES panel, April 2014)

→ "most amazing wine ... at this price" ~ BRECA OLD VINES GARNACHA 2010 VINTAGES 329086 | 750 mL bottle Price $ 19.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: The estate's oldest vines are utilized for the 2010 Breca, also 100% Garnacha from vines that were planted between 1925 and 1945 in decomposed slate and gravelly clay soils. Yields were less than one ton of fruit per acre, and the wine was aged in old large French oak foudres. This is an amazing terroir of steep hillsides and ancient head-pruned vines. Black raspberry, truffle, kirsch, lavender and liquid rock-like characteristics emerge from this astonishing wine. Frankly, I was at a loss for words when I tasted it. It may be the most amazing wine I have ever tasted at this price in over three decades. The wine world is changing, and Jorge Ordonez and his associates deserve a huge amount of credit for producing something this remarkable at this price point. Consumers should fill their trunks with these beauties. Score - 94. (Robert Parker Jr., erobertparker.com, Oct. 2012)

 


my wish list of top picks ...

  •  I love bourbon. period. ~ 1792 RIDGEMONT RESERVE BARREL SELECT KENTUCKY STRAIGHT BOURBON VINTAGES 208918 | 750 mL bottle Price $ 49.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: In the spirits department in this Vintages offering, I was most impressed with the 1792 Ridgemont Reserve Barrel Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon...with its tangerine peel, butterscotch, caramel, oak stave and vanilla extract nuances. It is big, mellow, rich and spicy. Score - 93/94. (Gordon Stimmell, The Toronto Star, July, 6, 2013)
  • camomile grappa is an absolute favourite of mine ~ MAROLO MILLA LIQUORE ALLA CAMOMILLA CON GRAPPA VINTAGES 211433 | 700 mL bottle Price $ 69.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: This liquor shows an intense straw yellow color and brilliant green nuances, limpid and crystalline. The nose reveals intense, clean and pleasing aromas of chamomile, pear, hazelnut, walnut and plum, with almost imperceptible alcohol pungency. In the mouth has intense flavors, a pleasing sweet attack and perceptible alcohol pungency which tends to dissolve rapidly, good smoothness, good correspondence to the nose. The finish is persistent with intense flavors of chamomile and a sweet hint. This liquor is produced with chamomile flowers infused for 11 months in grappa of Nebbiolo grape distilled in bainmarie discontinuous alembic still. Score - 4 Stars (out of 5). (diwinetaste.com, Oct. 2005)
  • loyalty to my deep Hungarian roots ~ DOMINIUM CUVÉE LATE HARVEST TOKAJI 2006 VINTAGES 371617 | 500 mL bottle Price $ 28.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: Here's a fine value, very nicely balanced late harvest wine from Tokaj, produced from botrytis affected grapes but without skin contact or barrel maturation as for more traditional style tokaji aszú. The nose is still relatively fresh, although I appreciate the developing quince and dried floral notes. Acids are lively and balanced, keeping this light on its toes, with fine and lingering finish. A fine way to spend the afternoon or wind up the evening with fruit-based desserts or soft cheeses. Score - 90. (John Szabo, M.S., winealign.com, Dec. 13, 2013)
  • "over-delivers" ~ QUINTA DO RONCÃO RESERVA 2011 VINTAGES 147942 | 750 mL bottle Price $ 15.95 - LCBO Tasting Note: This over-delivers now and will only improve in bottle over the next 2-7 years; you wouldn't go wrong in starting, or adding this to, a modest collection. Fashioned from premium Port grapes, this red blend sports alluring aromas and delicious flavours of sweet, ripe mulberry, dark, juicy cherry and tangy, black currant interwoven with good acidity and a solid tannin underpinning. A three-hour decant will soften the tannin, as will pouring with grilled, seasoned steak. Score - 4 1/2 Stars (out of 5 (Excellent)). (Vic Harradine, winecurrent.com, June 20, 2013)

 

others that made the "long list" ...


There you have my lists.  Only bringing 2 rosés home with me this time around.  Bottoms up!

remember to ... sit. sip. savour.
Éva Nagy - accredited sommelier & yummy food enthusiast.
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