Saturday January 7, 2017 - Vintages Release Report
03 Jan 2017- Details
- Category: Vintages Releases
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 … Smart Buys (SB)
The Skinny … It’s the annual low end wines release, these are the wines that did not make release in the last quarter of the year, they are also the wines of lower price and not necessarily of great quality (hey, I just being honest here); but the good news is there are some values to be had, if you know where to look – this is a short list but it’s the best of what’s coming:
Argentina …
Trivento 2014 Amado Sur Malbec/Bonarda/Syrah ($16.95 - #37036) – rich and supple with dark fruit and a touch of spice. (*** ½)
Australia …
Jip Jip Rocks 2014 Shiraz ($16.95 - #673897) – spiced plum, black cherry, blackberry and spice. (*** ½+)
Canada (Ontario) … click on wine name for full review
Reif Estate 2013 Pinot Noir ($16.95 - #282889) - *** ½ … SB
France …
Cuvee Jean Philippe Blanquette de Limoux 2014 ($14.95 - #467217) – looking for after New Year’s bubbles this is a good place to start the year: apple, lime and a little creaminess while retaining good acidity. (*** ½+)
Saveur Verte by Jeff Carrel 2014 ($19.95 - #462481) – fresh and light with orange and lime zest with some savoury notes. (*** ½+)
France (Beaujolais) …
Chateau du Chatelard 2014 Les Chalandieres Beaujolais ($14.95 - #468702) – deep cherry flavour with black raspberry and gentle spice. (*** ½+) – SB
France (Bordeaux) …
Chateau LaGrange 2012 ($19.95 - #230391) – smooth with cassis, blackberry, mocha and licorice. (*** ½)
France (Burgundy) …
Alain Geoffrey 2015 Petit Chablis ($19.95 - #470393) – lime and apple, nice mineral and good acidity. (*** ½)
Gerald Talmard 2015 Macon-Uchizy ($15.95 - #470427) – vanilla, pineapple and melon; this is simple but still quite tasty. (*** ½)
Roche de Bellene 2014 Cuvee Reserve Pinot Noir Bourgogne ($21.95 - #299859) – beet root, earthy and black cherry. (****)
France (Loire) …
Heritiers Dubois 2015 Vouvray ($15.95 - #390708) – ginger ale with a hint of herbal sweetness. (***)
France (Rhone) …
Gabriel Meffre 2014 Saint-Barthelemy Vacqueyras ($25.95 - #479691) – raspberry, licorice, mocha-cherry with hints of spice on the finish. (*** ½+)
Italy (Abruzzo) …
Umani Ronchi 2013 Jorio Montepulciano d’Abruzzo ($16.95 - #134577) – smooth and silky with blueberry and black cherry; very approachable. (*** ½+) – SB
Italy (Piedmont) …
Patrizi 2014 Passo del Bricco Piemonte Rosso ($13.95 - #475491) – sweet black cherry, mocha and vanilla. (***)
Italy (Tuscany) …
Leonardo 2012 Chianti Riserva ($20.95 - #164707) – licorice, herbal, hint of smoke, blackberry and baker’s cocoa. (*** ½+)
San Vincenti 2012 Chianti Classico ($17.95 - #399907) – dried strawberry with cedary notes. (***+) – SB
Italy (Veneto) …
Dal Cero 2015 Pinot Grigio ($15.95 - #161661) – tropical, grapefruit and with a soft citrus finish. (***)
I Balzi 2013 Rosso ($15.95 - #477075) – black cherry, blueberry, mocha-cocoa, vanilla and a touch of floral; one of the best wines of the release, especially for the price. (****)
Portugal …
Odisseia 2012 Reserva ($19.95 - #470351) – plum, cherry, mocha and meaty. (*** ½+)
South Africa …
Man 2015 Free-Run Steen Chenin Blanc ($13.95 - #126847) – lanolin, pineapple and melon rind with good balancing acidity. (*** ½)
The Goatfather 2014 ($14.95 - #11072) – clean, dark fruit with a hint of red, plus a touch of coffee on the finish. (*** ½+) – SB
Spain …
Lacrimus 2012 Crianza ($16.95 - #359968) – black fruited with plum dominant plus vanilla and cola notes. (*** ½)
Sein 2011 ($17.00 - #391896) – starts with lots of mocha-chocolate and vanilla with sweet black cherry and firm finish. (****)
United States (California) …
Noble Vines 337 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon ($17.00 - #483321) – toasty, chocolate, spice, herbal and blackberry. (*** ½)
Vina Robles 2013 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ($28.95 - #693838) - Sweet plum, black cherry, rich of fruit, fine of tannin, slightly chalky on finish with hint of oak; 5+ years aging potential, dark and flavourful. (****+)
United States (Washington) …
Sagelands 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon ($18.95 - #420810) – mocha, raspberry, cherry, and vanilla; supple yet spicy. (*** ½+)
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In-Store Discoveries: wines that appear on the shelves of your local Vintages outlet …
Bouchard Pere & Fils 2014 Chassagne-Montrachet – France ($66.95 - #479824) … ****
Franciscan Estate 2013 Magnificat – California ($58.00 - #363788) … *** ½+
Havens 2013 Merlot ($37.00 - #470732) … *** ½+
If You Can Afford It: wines worth their high price …
Xavier 2012 Cuvee Anonyme Chateauneuf du Pape – France ($62.95 - #471714) … ****+
What I’ll Be Lining Up For (January 7, 2017) …
I Balzi 2013 Rosso ($15.95 - #477075) – Italy
Sein 2011 ($17.00 - #391896) – Spain
Happy Shopping
