Saturday October 25, 2014 - Vintages Release Report
23 Oct 2014- Details
- Category: Vintages Releases
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 … Tuscan Trophies (TT), Chile (CH) and Whisky
The Skinny … I had to taste these wines at a later date and time than I usually do due to some family obligations. The wines I tasted were opened a minimum of 3 hours before I got to taste them, so this may skew my view of the wines a little. You'll also notice a proliferation of expensive wines on the list this week - that truly denotes that the holidays are getting closer. Finally, I don’t do Whisky so if you are looking for reviews on that I would have to send you elsewhere.
Argentina …
Alamos 2012 Seleccion Malbec ($16.95 - #322800) – blueberry and spice galore; this is a really good value wine. (****)
Finca Flichman 2012 Paisaje de Tupungato Chardonnay ($17.95 - #379081) – floral, vanilla, peach, pear, rich mouthfeel and quite pleasant. (****)
Mendoza Vineyards 2010 Gran Reserva Malbec ($23.95 - #379123) – lots of plum, spice and blueberry. (*** ½+)
Australia …
Alpha Crucius 2010 Titan Shiraz ($24.95 - #377069) – shows more savoury than sweet, which is quite a nice change from the usual heavy, jammy Aussie Shiraz. (****)
Chapel Hill 2012 Shiraz ($26.95 - #743989) – silky with anise, mocha and coffee aromas plus dark plum and vanilla. (****)
Pirramimma 2012 Katunga GTS ($19.95 - #203174) – herbal character on the mid-palate, but there’s also cocoa, smoke, vanilla and cherry; nice complexity for under $20. (****+)
Canada (British Columbia) …
Burrowing Owl 2011 Merlot ($40.95 - #585737) – blueberry skin tannins with spicy mid-palate with a cassis mocha finish. (*** ½+)
Quail’s Gate 2013 Gewurztraminer ($16.95 - #391797) – nice dryness here with a hint of spice that cozies up to the rose petal without going overboard and that’s a refreshing change. (*** ½+)
Canada (Ontario) … click on wine name for full review
Domaine Queylus 2011 Reserve Pinot Noir ($44.95 - #392886) - ****+
Henry of Pelham 2012 Cabernet-Merlot ($24.95 - #395855) - ****+
Le Clos Jordanne 2011 Claystone Terrace Chardonnay ($40.00 - #056929) - *** ½+
Le Clos Jordanne 2011 Claystone Terrace Pinot Noir ($45.00 - #033951) - *** ½+
Peninsula Ridge 2012 McNally Vineyard’s Proprietor’s Reserve Pinot Noir ($45.00 - #033951) - *** ½+
The Organized Crime 2012 Break-In Pinot Noir ($21.00 - #396267) - *** ½+
WildAss 2011 Red ($19.95 - #086363) - ****+
Chile …
Emiliana 2011 Coyam ($29.95 - #063891) – minty, black cherry with vanilla, spice and a big finish. (****) – CH
Miguel Torres 2010 Cordillera de Los Andes Syrah ($19.95 - #389700) – blackberry, black cherry and cool tannins; its smooth and shows a nice spice and meatiness. (****+) – CH
Montes 2013 Outer Limits Sauvignon Blanc ($19.95 - #389643) – lovely grapefruit core with zest and pulp and a long lingering finish. (****) - CH
Morande 2011 Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon ($17.00 - #389254) – big on mint, plum and cherry; well priced. (****) - CH
France (Beaujolais) …
Vignes & Vignerons Cave de Bel-Air 2013 Ete Indien Brouilly ($17.95 - #356964) – light fruit with sour and spiced cherry, very pleasant. (*** ½+)
France (Bordeaux) …
Chateau Fontenil 2010 ($44.85 - #257584) – wood smoke, cassis, blackberry with a chalkiness of mineral and tannins. (****)
Chateau Hauts de LaGarde 2013 Blanc ($15.95 - #387787) – has an interesting character that should draw you in with hay and grass alongside hints of grapefruit zest. (*** ½+)
Chateau Magnol 2010 ($25.95 - #384271) – smoky blackberry and cinnamon, vanilla and really good length. (****)
France (Burgundy) …
Trenel 2012 Bourgogne Blanc ($16.95 - #391094) – your basic Chardonnay with a label to match. (*** ½)
France (Loire) …
Domaine la Haute Fevre 2013 Sevre & Maine Sur Lie Muscadet ($13.95 - #390625) – apple and mineral mix in this refreshing wine that shows delicacy and elegance. (*** ½+)
France (Midi) …
Chateau de Ciffre 2011 Terroirs D’Altitude Saint-Chinian ($17.95 - #380642) – sweet black cherry and blackberry with smoky-vanilla oak and anise tones. (****)
France (Rhone) …
Domaine Pierre Usseglio et Fils 2010 Chateauneuf-du-Pape ($45.95 - #381079) – lots of dark berry fruit, smoke, mocha, plum and acid; it’s all there. (****)
Famille Perrin 2012 Les Christins Vacqueyras ($24.95 - #973453) – plum, cherry, vanilla, spice, white pepper, and anise; even at that price it’s a good value wine. (****+)
Gabriel Meffre Laurus 2011 Cotes du Rhone-Villages ($17.95 - #381053) – juicy with raspberry, strawberry and cherry, lots of plum really seals the deal on the palate. (****)
Italy (Tuscany) …
Avignonesi 2011 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano ($35.95 - #943670) – rich cocoa, black cherry with cassis and blackberry; very pretty. (****) - TT
Castello D’Albola 2008 Riserva Chianti Classico ($22.95 - #315150) – savoury and subtle with a lovely fruity character. (****) – TT
Leonardo 2010 Chianti Riserva ($19.95 - #164707) – nice softness with an underlay of rustic fruit. (*** ½+) – TT
Poggio Verrano 2006 Chance ($37.95 - #239707) – take a chance on this one with its herbal notes wrapped around plum and blueberry and a spicy finish. (****) – TT
Poggiotondo 2009 Brunello di Montalcino ($36.95 - #276576) – lots of black and blue fruit with just the right amount of spice. (****) – TT
Italy (Veneto) …
I Castei 2009 Campo Casalin Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico ($49.95 - #946558) – sweet plum, chocolate, cherry, hints of smoke; quite full. (****)
New Zealand …
Thatched Hut 2013 Pinot Noir ($23.95 - #242933) – sweet red fruit yet with smoke and vanilla on the mid; good acidity with a big spicy finish. (*** ½+)
Wither Hills 2013 Sauvignon Blanc ($17.95 - #919514) – tropical flavours and aromas with grapefruit and grassy backing it all up. (****)
Portugal …
Andreza 2011 Reserva ($16.95 - #385849) – nice blackberry, black cherry juiciness to the wine with a chalky finish. (*** ½+)
Delaforce 1997 Quinta da Corte Vintage Port ($40.95 - #199695) – great spice with all the black fruit to match. (****+)
South Africa …
Fairview 2011 Shiraz ($16.95 - #626358) – smoky, meaty, plummy with cassis and black cherry, plus lots of pepper on the finish. (*** ½+)
Peacock Ridge 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon ($15.95 - #382226) – juicy and fruity, this one has a lot going for it. (*** ½+)
Spain …
Palacios Remondo 2012 La Vendimia ($16.95 - #674564) – loads of cherry on the nose and palate adding strawberry and anise with good acid, great value, a real food wine. (****)
William & Humbert Walnut Brown Oloroso Sherry ($13.95 - #437467) – nutty with great acidity; perfect for a nut-driven night. (****)
United States (California) …
Andrew Murray 2012 RGB Camp 4 Vineyard ($31.95 - #383471) – firm white that boasts tropical notes along with peach and pear, then there is a little spice and good acidity on the finish. (*** ½+)
Fess Parker 2010 Pinot Noir ($33.95 - #660597) – gentle and easy with good red fruit with black fruit backing, a touch smoky and spicy on the finish. (*** ½+)
Quady 2013 Elysium Black Muscat ($14.95 - #276840) – pretty floral with sweet strawberry and black cherry. (****)
Rodney Strong 2012 Chalk Hill Chardonnay ($24.95 - #275552) – pretty floral with hints of mineral and vanilla-spicy. (*** ½+)
United States (Washington) …
Columbia Crest 2012 Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon ($17.95 - #240093) – smooth and easy, supple with spiced plum, mocha-cherry and a velvet mouthfeel. (****)
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In-Store Discoveries – wines that appear on the shelves of your local Vintages outlet …
Chateau La Lagune 2010 ($108.85 - #259606) Bordeaux, France - ****+
Coyote’s Run 2010 Rare Vintage Syrah ($32.95 - #144774) Ontario, Canada - ****
Donnachiarra 2008 Riserva Taurasi ($63.95 - #387589) Campania, Italy - *** ½+
Fattoria Le Pupille 2010 Saffredi ($95.95 - #074435) Tuscany, France - ****
Les Pagodes de Cos 2010 ($99.85 - #259994) Bordeaux, France - ****
Soffocone di Vincigliata 2011 ($34.95 - #387605) Tuscany, Italy - ****
If You Can Afford It – wines worth their high price …
Banfi 2009 Brunello di Montalcino ($59.95 - #378257) Tuscany, Italy (****) – TT
Domaine du Vieux Telegraphie 2011 Le Crau Chateauneuf-du-Pape ($96.95 - #951475) Rhone, France (****)
Far Niente Estate 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon ($146.95 - #539098) California, USA (****)
Louis Jadot 2009 Beaune Theurons 1er Cru ($58.95 - #042838) Burgundy, France (****)
Luce 2011 ($99.95 - #685263) Tuscany, Italy (****+) – TT
Ornellaia 2011 ($189.95 - #722470) Tuscany, Italy (**** ½) - TT
Tenuta San Guido 2012 Guidalberto ($52.95 - #072439) Tuscany, Italy (****) – TT
What I’ll Be Lining Up For – October 25, 2014 …
Alamos 2012 Seleccion Malbec ($16.95 - #322800) – Argentina
Famille Perrin 2012 Les Christins Vacqueyras ($24.95 - #973453) – France
Miguel Torres 2010 Cordillera de Los Andes Syrah ($19.95 - #389700) – Chile
Pirramimma 2012 Katunga GTS ($19.95 - #203174) – Australia
Happy Shopping
