The release for May 12 features wines from the vast and diverse region of Bordeaux, but sadly only two of the wines were available to taste. One was very good one indeed, but whilst the other was tasty, it lacked the complexity of the first. Both are eight years of age, but the quality is clearly very different. Here are notes on them and a few others too. If spring is finally here to stay, enjoy it.

282475 DOMAINE DE VIAUD 2010 Lalande-de-Pomerol $32.95
Heady aromas of iron, lead pencil, black raspberry, cream soda and blueberry. Flavour laden palate delivers dried currants, pepper, plum, Asian spice and raspberry. There are silky tannins, but they do not impede. There’s plenty of lovely dark fruit on the finish with chocolate and clean acidity. It’s drinking nicely right now. Find this wine

445510 CHÂTEAU FLEUR HAUT GAUSSENS 2010 Bordeaux Supérieur $18.95
Blackcurrant, cedar and red fruit with a touch of tar and leather, a light to medium palate, with pleasant blueberry fruit; it’s tasty, but it falls short on the finish. Find this wine

ONTARIO

493973 THIRTY BENCH WINEMAKER’S BLEND DOUBLE NOIR Niagara Peninsula 2016 $18.95
This blend of Gamay and Pinot, similar to the highly quaffable Passe-tout-grains of Burgundy, exudes notes of perfume, sweet spice and ripe raspberry, which focuses more on the Gamay than the Pinot. It’s nicely balanced, there is a little tannin, but acids are crisp and clean. Good choice for a simple burger or even smoked ribs. Find this wine

USA

498766 LAKE SONOMA ZINFANDEL 2014 Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County $26.95
A solidly constructed and well-priced Zin that carries both fruit and earthy notes. It starts with blackberry, black cherry, dried blueberry, black raspberry and Cassis. Soon notes of clay, caramel, balsa and mocha appear. The palate is ripe and juicy, but not over the top. It has a blackberry toffee texture, acids are spot on and the finish is long. Find this wine

936039 SILVER OAK CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013 Napa Valley $204.95
Gone are the days when Silver Oak had more wood than old Sherwood Forest. This rendition is choco-block full of dark super ripe fruit enhanced by mint, eucalyptus, couverture and cocoa. The structure is dense; it brings on layers of cherry cola, Ribena, After Eight mints, black currant and plum. The tannins are ripe, but not austere; its finish is super long with traces of coconut, dried fruit and black toffee. Find this wine

237776 KINGS RIDGE PINOT NOIR 2015 Willamette Valley $27.95
Flint, blackberry, wet soil, milk chocolate, strawberry, dried mushroom and cinnamon are to be found in this tasty little gem. Good fruit on the palate, strawberry jello sweetness, some black tea, dried red fruit and dusty tannins. Find this wine

486936 CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE MERLOT 2015 Columbia Valley $21.95
Pleasing mix of black raspberry, blueberry jam, sweet spices, mocha and dried herb. It has an unassuming palate, nothing special, but well balanced, nice fleshy fruit on the finish along with a hit of cocoa and dusty tannin. Find this wine

ITALY

378257 BANFI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2012 Tuscany $56.95
Maraschino and red cherry, balsa and perfume on the nose, some defined fruit on the palate, a touch of caramel, but a surprisingly short finish. Find this wine

338939 TOMMASI GRATICCIO APPASSIONATO 2015 $15.95
This blend of Corvina, Rondinella and Merlot is a peach! It teases with lovely whiffs of red fruit, red licorice, anise, lavender and Bouquet Garni. There’s mostly red fruit on the palate, where it carries a slight sweetness, but is balanced by fine acidity and there’s decent length to the finish. One to stock up on for the barbecue season. Find this wine

SPAIN

370023 LICENCIADO RESERVA 2012 Rioja $24.95
Enticing forest floor and pine needle aromas meld with mocha, cedar, cherry brandy and plum. Soft palate, nice red currant flavours, some thyme and bay leaf, gentle tannins and well balanced. Find this wine

166579 MONASTERIO DE LAS VIÑAS RESERVA GARNACHA/TEMPRANILLO/CARIÑENA 2012 $14.95
A Vintages staple showing notes of tar, black licorice, dark fruit, forest floor and mushroom. Lovely roundness on the palate, some tannin, but nothing to spoil the fun. Just a little chalky on the finish, but a bargain basement wine that rarely disappoints. Find this wine

89284 RIDGE VINEYARDS ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2014 $94.95
Those lovely people at the board sent this wine, but it was not on the last release or this. Could be a “Flagship” product, but who cares, yours truly got to taste it and this is what I thought! The Draper perfume emits layers of pure dark fruit, dried mint, chalk, slate and mineral. Cherry liqueur, Asian spice and blueberry preserve make an appearance on the well-structured and nicely composed palate. Tannins are far from integrated and if one acquires a bottle or two, lay it down for at least five years. Find this wine

Cheers
CZ

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1. Alan Kerr’s Vintages December 12th Release Notes
2. Alan Kerr’s November 12th Vintages Release Notes
3. Alan Kerr’s Vintage’s October 12th Release – Tasting Notes
4. Alan Kerr’s Vintage’s April 12th Release – Tasting Notes
5. Alan Kerr’s June 12th, 2010, Vintage’s Release – Tasting Notes