Saturday August 30, 2014 - Vintages Release Report

26 Aug 2014

To print this report click here for the PDF version.

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 … Ninety Plus Point Wines (9T), Wines of the Northwest US (NWU) and High End Champagne in honour of the Toronto Film Festival (CH)
The Skinny … The LCBO cheaped out on letting us try the Champagne’s, so you will not see many of them reviewed here; but there are some real winners especially from Spain and an interesting Petite Sirah from California worth your $20.

Argentina …
Domaine Jean Bousquet 2012 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($14.95 - #678813) – sweet fruit both red and black with vanilla, mocha notes.  (****) – 9T

Australia …
Forest Hill Estate 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon ($32.95 - #380840) – juicy and quite decadent.  (****) – 9T
Innocent Bystander 2012 Pinot Noir ($21.95 - #178897) – I wouldn’t exactly call this Pinot per-say but it’s a nice drinking wine with nice earthy-strawberry.  (*** ½+)
Longview 2010 Yakka Shiraz ($22.95 - #378539) – eucalyptus, blackberry, black cherry and plum; very interesting.  (*** ½+) – 9T
Penfolds 2012 Bin 128 Shiraz ($34.95 - #509919) – great depth of character, the pepper roars out of the glass and seems to add itself to everything … very well:  spice, clove, plum and black cherry.  (**** ½) – 9T
Sister’s Run 2011 Cow’s Corner Grenache/Shiraz/Mataro ($15.95 - #346510) – drink now selection for its brambly notes with cassis and dried cherry.  (*** ½+) – 9T

Canada (British Columbia) …
Sperling Vineyards 2012 Pinot Noir ($27.95 - #382283) – nice dark cherry-strawberry blend; fruit is the core to this wine, delicate tannins add to the enjoyment without overpowering.  (****)
Canada (Ontario) … click on wine name for full review
Chateau des Charmes 2010 Estate Bottled Old Vines Pinot Noir ($18.95 - #256834) - *** ½+
Creekside 2013 Backyard Block Sauvignon Blanc ($17.95 - #341792) - *** ½+
Featherstone 2013 Black Sheep Riesling ($16.95 - #80234) - **** ½
Henry of Pelham 2013 Estate Chardonnay ($19.95 - #268342) - *** ½+
Rosewood 2012 Select Series Pinot Noir ($21.95 - #112177) - ****
The Foreign Affair 2013 Amarosé ($18.95 - #388702) - *** ½+

Chile …
Chilensis 2011 Lazuli ($17.95 - #348128) – pleasant, easy drinking with good chocolate, blackberry and hints of vanilla.  (*** ½+)

France (Beaujolais) …
Louis Jadot 2011 Chateau des Jacques Morgon ($24.95 - #653584) – red fruited yet with spiced-cherry undercurrents.  (*** ½+)
France (Bordeaux) …
Chateau de Ricaud 2010 Reserve des Coteaux ($18.95 - #365643) – smoky dark fruit, plum and dark cherry with a big spiced finish.  (*** ½+)
France (Burgundy) …
Domaine le Verger 2012 Chablis ($22.95 - #181289) – delicate with apple blossom and a slightly spiced finish.  (****)
France (Champagne) …
Heidsieck & Co Monopole Blue Top Brut Champagne ($49.95 - #68288) – nice bready, biscuity  notes with added hints of sour apple.  (CH)
France (Loire) …
Domaine de Vaugondy 2012 Dry Vouvray ($16.95 - #189142) – lots of pure apple flavour here.  (*** ½)
Henri Bourgeois 2013 Petit Bourgeois ($15.95 - #672345) – herbal zestiness with grassy backbone and mineral tones, this is Sauvignon Blanc elevated.  (****)
France (Southwest) …
Chateau du Port 2010 Cuvee Prestige Malbec ($16.95 - #380683) – this is an old style Malbec from Cahors and it needs time to mellow; really good cellar candidate.  (*** ½+) – 9T

Germany …
Schloss Reinhartshausen 2012 Hattenheimer Wisselbrunner Riesling Kabinett ($20.95 – #114801) – mineral mixed with sweetness; apple and peach fruit, great balance.  (*** ½+)

Italy (Piedmont) …
Bricco Riella 2012 Moscato D’Asti ($13.95 - #378380) – sunny, fresh and lively with pineapple, peach and all with a nice spritz. (*** ½+)
Cantina del Dolcetto di Dogliani 2011 Dolcetto di Dogliani Superiore ($19.95 - #378547) – decent Dolchetto that shows lovely herbal and cherry notes.  (*** ½) – 9T
Italy (Puglia) …
San Marzano Falo 2012 Negroamaro ($14.95 - #380212) – inky coloured with dark fruit and chocolate tones with black cherry and mocha; good value.  (****+)
Italy (Tuscany) …
Morellino di Scansano 2012 Scantianum ($14.95 - #383851) – smoky, new leather and plum.  (*** ½)
Italy (Veneto) …
Serego Alighieri 2009 650 Anniversario Valpolicella Classico Superiore ($23.95 - #661306) – dark cherry, nice elevated Valpolicella with spice and a touch woodsy on the finish with good acidity.  (****)
Zenato 2011 Valpolicella Superiore ($17.95 - #995704) – smooth, easy drinking, a real party wine full of dark cherry and plum.  (*** ½+)

New Zealand …
Waipara Hills 2012 Pinot Noir ($24.95 - #312876) – full on fruit with cherry and strawberry pith that is very juicy indeed; California comes to New Zealand.  (*** ½+)

Portugal …
La Rosa 2010 Tinto ($19.95 - #933101) – really liked the dominating dark fruit, gentle spice and hints of anise.  (****)
Offley 2009 Late Bottled Vintage Port ($19.95 - #70086) – seemingly creamy on the palate with plummy, mineral, acidity, spicy and raisiny notes; it’s all good.  (****+)
Toucas 2012 Alvarinho ($19.95 - #380790) – pleasant with a touch of sweetness: yellow plum and delicious apple core.  (*** ½)

South Africa …
Doolhof 2011 Dark Lady of the Labyrinth Dark Delight Pinotage ($19.95 - #376889) – slow roasted coffee with ground coffee beans, a coffee lovers paradise; but too much so, you decide.  (*** ½+) – 9T

Spain …
Barahonda 2011 Barrica Monastrell/Syrah ($17.95 - #378869) – blueberry, blackberry and cherry fruit backed by cinnamon; well balanced and well-priced.  (****+)
Bodegas San Prudencio 2009 Depadre ($22.95 - #379917) – plum, blackberry, cassis, cedar, sandalwood and the list goes on; very pretty with nice spice and great finish.  (****+) – 9T
Castano Solanera 2012 Vinas Viejas ($17.00 - #276162) – plum and cocoa mix here that combines power and pleasure to the palate.  (****) – 9T
Sabor Real 2007 Vinas Centenarias Tempranillo ($15.95 - #244772) – mocha, dark fruit and well-aged for drink now, though can go into the cellar for a couple more year.  (****)

United States (California) …
St. Francis 2012 Chardonnay ($20.95 - #317131) – peachy and apple-y with some pineapple juiciness plus a little punch on the finish.  (****)
Stags’ Leap Winery 2013 Viognier ($34.95 - #597369) – zippy tropicality with spiced-pineapple and a gentle floralnesss; quite a lengthy finish.  (****)
United States (Oregon) …
Elk Cove 2013 Pinot Gris ($24.95 - #955906) – nice dose of mineral goes into this one with nice apple and pear notes.  (*** ½+) – NWU
La Crema 2012 Pinot Noir ($34.95 - #385757) – Le Crema know-how with that Oregon soil; red fruit meets spice and acidity.  (****) - NWU
United States (Washington) …
Chateau Ste. Michelle 2012 Sauvignon Blanc ($15.95 - #385740) – definitely more of a herbaceous Savvy B with drippings of citrus.  (*** ½) – NWU
Jekel 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.95 - #967893) – vanilla, plum and blackberry, easy drinking.  (*** ½)
Montes 2008 Napa Angel ($37.95 - #255802) – shows depth and big flavour; dark just this side of brooding along with good spice and acidity.  (****+) – 9T
Seven Sinners 2012 The Ransom Old Vine Petite Sirah ($20.95 - #319152) – plum, chocolate, nicely spiced strawberry; worth your time now and in your cellar for about 5 years.  (****+)
________________________________________

In-Store Discoveries – wines that appear on the shelves of your local Vintages outlet …
Chateau LaGrange 2009 ($98.85 - #199372) – France - ****+
Dominique Cornin les Chevrieres Pouilly-Fuisse ($43.95 - #384206) – France - **** ½
Schiopetto 2011 Blanc des Rosis ($34.95 - #131532) – Italy - *** ½+


If You Can Afford It – wines worth their high price …
Gaston Chiquet Brut Rosé Champagne ($54.95 - #362574) – France – **** - 9T
Schubert 2011 Block B Pinot Noir ($55.95 - #66985) – New Zealand - **** - 9T
Silverado 2009 Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon ($61.95 - #111880) - ****


What I’ll Be Lining Up For – August 30, 2014 …
Barahonda 2011 Barrica Monastrell/Syrah ($17.95 - #378869) – Spain
Sabor Real 2007 Vinas Centenarias Tempranillo ($15.95 - #244772) – Spain
San Marzano Falo 2012 Negroamaro ($14.95 - #380212) – Italy
Seven Sinners 2012 The Ransom Old Vine Petite Sirah ($20.95 - #319152) – United States

Happy Shopping

To print this article click here for the PDF version.

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