Saturday October 15, 2016 - Vintages Release Report
12 Oct 2016- Details
- Category: What I'm Tasting
Key to the 5-star rating system:
5 = Outstanding … 4.5 = Excellent … 4 = Very Good … 3.5 = Good
Wine colour indicators - Red, Whites, etc.
The Foci … Top California Vintages (TCV) and Nottable Nebbiolo (NN)
The Skinny … Okay, I admit, my “hate-on” for Chardonnay, but the ones released during this California themed focus are the epitome of what I don’t like: too flabby, to oaky, too buttery – to paraphrase Clara Peller from those infamous Wendy’s ads “Where’s the Fruit” … on the other hand there are some gorgeous Cali-Reds in this release (many carrying a hefty price tag) and some really good wines from other corners of the world, including France, Portugal and Italy. Cheers
Argentina …
Deumayen Trez 2009 Reserva Malbec ($25.95 - #284000) – juicy core with wood and blackberry, sandlewood and smoke. (*** ½)
Luigi Bosca 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.95 - #128629) – lots of mocha, chocolate, plum, black cherry and herbal finish. (*** ½+)
Australia …
De Bortoli 2013 Noble One Botrytis Semillon ($29.95 - #917252) – caramel, peach and apple with a touch of honey; it’s delicious but I’ve had better from the same producer. (***)
Penfolds 2013 Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz ($34.95 - #422782) – sweet mocha-cherry, chocolate with sweet black licorice and a spicy finish. (*** ½)
Yalumba 2013 Patchwork Shiraz ($19.95 - #98392) – mocha-pepper, herbal, dark fruit, black berry, cassis and spice. (****)
Canada (British Columbia) …
Quails’ Gate 2013 Merlot ($27.95 - #639633) – plummy and cherry, almost Cali-like but there’s a depth that sets it apart plus a little dusty on the finish. (****+)
Canada (Ontario) … click on wine name for full review
Creekside 2012 Laura’s Red ($19.95 - #117960) … **** ½
Fielding 2015 Estate Bottled Riesling ($19.95 - #251439) … ****
Flat Rock 2013 Gravity Pinot Noir ($30.25 - #001560) … ****
Southbrook 2013 Triomphe Cabernet Franc ($21.95 - #275958) … *** ½+
France (Bordeaux) …
Chateau Carpena 2009 ($16.95 - #466599) – mocha-cherry, vanilla and clove. (*** ½+)
Chateau la Verriere 2014 ($17.95 - #349274) – sweet black cherry, blackberry and cassis with nice depth; tannins should settle in about 2-3 years. (****)
France (Burgundy) …
Domaine Theulot-Juillot 2014 La Cailloute Mercurey 1er Cru ($39.95 - #473793) – nice tart cranberry, sour cherry, nice pepper and spice. (*** ½+)
Louis Bouillot Perle D’Aurore Brut Rosé Cremant de Bourgogne ($21.95 - #48793) – raspberry, strawberry and lime with good acidity. (*** ½+)
Louis Moreau 2015 Chablis ($25.95 - #124305) – zesty and mineral driven with apple and pear backing. (*** ½)
Maison Chanzy 2015 Bourgogne Chardonnay ($22.95 - #470468) – nice and clean with a woodsy middle with butterscotch and apple making an appearance and a long finish. (*** ½+)
France (Loire) …
Domaine Pre Baron 2015 Sauvignon Touraine ($16.95 - #107128) – floral and grassy, grapefruit pith with a little tropical on the finish. (*** ½+)
France (Midi) …
Bastide Miraflors 2014 Vieilles Vignes Syrah/Grenache ($19.95 - #320499) – delicious chocolate, cherry and floral tones. (****)
Domaine Galaman 2013 Fitou ($14.95 - #395467) – dark fruit and gentle anise. (*** ½)
M. Chapoutier 2014 Bila-Haut Occultum Lapidem ($25.95 - #643239) – more mocha-coffee than fruit-driven, and there are those who like that style. (*** ½+)
France (Rhone) …
JL Chave 2014 Selection Mon Coeur Cotes du Rhone ($21.95 - #995548) – fruit forward black cherry, licorice, smoky-mocha, cherry, floral and easy drinking. (*** ½+)
La Ferme du Mont 2014 Le Ponnant Cotes du Rhone-Villages ($19.95 - #171371) – I’d drink this one happily with all its up-front red fruit and kick of white pepper; delicious. (****+)
Germany …
Dr. Loosen 2015 Blue Slate Riesling Kabinett ($22.95 - #160846) – mineral, acidity driven and talcy-peach notes. (*** ½+)
Italy (Piedmont) …
Bersano 2010 Nirvasco Barolo ($34.95 - #713628) – subtle and supple with pretty floral, cherry, spiced-strawberry, balsamic and pepper. (*** ½+) – NN
Pelissero 2010 Nubiola Barbaresco ($45.95 - #138495) – floral, dried cherry, herbal, sweet tobacco, subtle yet flavourful. (****) – NN
Italy (Puglia) …
San Marzano 2013 Talo Primitivo di Manduria ($16.95 - #455220) – plum, black cherry, mocha, gentle spice and very fresh. (****)
Italy (Tuscany) …
Banfi 2013 Aska ($24.95 - #459644) – dark fruit, toasty oak, black cherry and blackberry with chocolate and smoky nuances. (****)
Bonacchi 2010 Brunello di Montalcino ($36.95 - #266965) – dried fruit and herbal note. (*** ½+)
Villa Trasqua 2010 Nerento Gran Selezione Chianti Classico ($39.95 - #459685) – fruit forward Chianti offering balsamic-cherries, nice woodsy notes with tannins, good acidity and a smoky finish. (****)
Italy (Umbria) …
Villa Mora 2009 Montefalco Sagrantino ($24.95 - #342394) – tannins are hard as nails but there is an underlying dark fruit that should rise in time. (****)
Italy (Veneto) …
Tedeschi 2014 Capitel San Rocco Ripasso Valpolicella Superiore ($21.95 - #719294) – there’s a coffee element with rich black cherry and wood smoke. (***)
New Zealand …
Rapaura Springs 2015 Sauvignon Blanc ($17.95 - #465880) – soft and supple with mild acidity plus grapefruit cocktail and green apple flavours. (*** ½)
Stoneleigh 2012 Latitude Pinot Noir ($25.95 - #325654) – gentle and subtle with good red fruit and oak plus tart cranberry and hints of herbal. (****)
Portugal …
Lua Cheia 2014 Old Vines Red ($13.95 - #266882) – great value with rich plum, minerality and mocha, and dark fruit; best value in this release; buy by the case. (****)
South Africa …
Ernie Els 2014 Big Easy ($19.95 - #220038) – “easy” is right with the smoky tobacco, spicy-raspberry and nice toastiness. (*** ½)
The Bean Coffee 2015 Pinotage ($15.95 - #251165) – sweet mocha latte. (***)
Spain …
Borsoa 2014 Tres Picos Garnacha ($19.95 - #273748) – blackberry, plum, black cherry, vanilla, gentle smoky-mocha and mid-length finish. (****)
Creta Roble 2013 ($18.95 - #461343) – sweet up front fruit, black and inky with vanilla black cherry. (*** ½+)
Depadre 2012 ($22.95 - #379917) – subtle yet juicy and fruity; mainly red berries but with an element of licorice and mocha. (****)
Torres 2013 Altos Ibericos Crianza ($16.965 - #381046) – simple yet there’s something intriguing with cherry and spice. (*** ½)
United States (California) …
Girard 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon ($44.95 - #231712) – good dark blackberry, herbal, chocolate with nice tannin bite and lengthy finish. (*** ½+) – TCV
J. Lohr 2013 Hilltop Cabernet Sauvignon ($44.95 - #686584) – silky Cab with a chocolate core plus floral, currants and black cherry. (*** ½+) – TCV
Manifesto 2013 Zinfandel ($23.95 - #472472) – nice fresh red fruit with a hint of mocha, cola, cherry and subtle spice. (*** ½+) – TCV
Paso Creek 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.95 - #161141) – chocolate and black cherry. (*** ½) – TCV
Seghesio 2014 Sonoma Zinfandel ($29.95 - #942151) – fruit driven with vanilla-cola, spiced-tobacco and raspberry syrup. (****) – TCV
United States (Oregon) …
Solena 2012 Hyland Pinot Noir ($35.95 - #462986) – floral, blackberry, raspberry, great spice with a touch of mocha on the mid-palate. (****+)
Uruguay …
Robles de Sur 2013 Tannat ($11.95 - #437830) – interesting South African-like character with herbaceous and tobacco driven with a touch of dark fruit. (***)
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In-Store Discoveries: wines that appear on the shelves of your local Vintages outlet …
Brandlin 2012 Henry’s Keep Proprietary Red ($99.95 - #460717) – California … *** ½
Hine Cigar Reserve Extra Old Cognac ($149.95 - #961136) – France … ****
Quinta dos Aciprestes 2013 Reserva ($22.95 - #167627) – Portugal … *** ½+
Sperling 2014 Chardonnay ($29.95 - #378570) – British Columbia … ***
Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin 2008 Vintage Brut Rosé Champagne ($105.95 - #588475) – Champagne … ****+
If You Can Afford It: wines worth their high price …
Antinori 2013 Guado Al Tasso ($104.95 - #986380) – Tuscany … ****+
Anthonij Rupert 2012 Optima ($24.95 - #455915) – South Africa … *** ½+
Belle Glos 2014 Dairyman Vineyard Pinot Noir ($69.95 - #366013) – California … *** ½+ (TCV)
Castello di Neive 2012 Santo Stefano Albesani Barbaresco ($64.95 - #702944) – Piedmont … *** ½+ (NN)
Caymus 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon ($103.95 - #222877) – California … ****
Chateau de Beaucastel 2014 Chateauneuf-du-Pape ($89.95 - #711317) – Rhone … ****+
Duckhorn 2013 Merlot ($62.95 - #992529) – California … ****
Gianni Gagliardo 2011 Barolo ($54.95 - #713602) – Piedmont … **** (NN)
Masi 2011 Serego Alighieri Vaio Armaron Amarone della Valpolicella Classico ($84.95 - #462812) - *** ½+
Paul Dangin & Fils Brut Cuvee Carte Blanche Champagne ($51.95 - #450460) – Champagne … ****+
Ridge 2014 Geyserville ($63.95 - #723072) – California … ****+ (TCV)
Segla 2010 ($64.95 - #359810) – Bordeaux … ****+
What I’ll Be Lining Up For (October 15, 2016) …
La Ferme du Mont 2014 Le Ponnant Cotes du Rhone-Villages ($19.95 - #171371) – Rhone
Lua Cheia 2014 Old Vines Red ($13.95 - #266882) – Portugal
San Marzano 2013 Talo Primitivo di Manduria ($16.95 - #455220) – Puglia
Happy Shopping
