Sophisticated, singular wines. That is the heading on the brochure of the Vintages release on October 31st. This release features some of the “Super Tuscan” wines of Italy. There will be some really tasty wines that should complement any super scary Halloween bash or would be nice to sip a glass whilst handing out Halloween treats to the kiddies. (Click images to enlarge.)

WINES OF THE SUPER TUSCAN RELEASE

276576 POGGIOTONDO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2010 $39.95
Cherry and alcohol at first, then some notes of red fruit, cigar leaf and black raspberry arise. Not too much excitement on the palate either, it lacks oomph, has some heat and it finishes thin. Find this wine

403477 IL GRIGIO DA SAN FELICE GRAN SELEZIONE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2010 $46.95
Lovely earthy, sewer, mineral and clay aromas are soon overshadowed by wave after wave of dark berry, blackcurrant, anise and sour cherry. It has great texture; the Asian spice, black cherry and currant flavours shine. There is tannin, but it is silky. A super Halloween counterpart for liver and fava beans. Find this wine

020966 CAFAGGIO CORTACCIO 2006 $24.95
This one hundred percent Cabernet Sauvignon is a dense wine with super funky notes of treacle, tree bark, spearmint and Kirsch. It is rich, ripe and chewy, with solid cassis and cherry flavours. It is hard now; tannins are powerful, yet it still manages to finish with an exquisitely charming layer of dried blueberry fruit. Find this wine

930966 ROCCA DELLE MACÌE RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2011 $22.95
Pleasing aromas of chocolate wafer, biscuit, vanilla, blueberry and cherry slide down to a simple palate of cherry and red fruits. Unassuming wine, nice crisp acidity, but short on the finish. Find this wine

912956 RUFFINO MODUS 2011 $29.95
A bright wine laden with aromatic notes of white mushroom, black cherry, plum, blackberry, coffee grounds and dried mint. Solid tannins, but they do allow one a tease of the floral and dark fruit flavours all bound together by lively acidity. Very youthful now, but with time, this will be quite superb. Find this wine

735597 TENUTA SETTE PONTI ORENO 2012 $77.95
Dark and expressive, with layers of black fruit, supported by coal dust, coffee grounds, varnish, tangerine and Szechwan peppercorn. All is good until it hits the palate. Never have I tasted such a tannic brute. It is seriously astringent, bitter clove overpowers any fruit that may be lurking and the tannin coats my teeth. This is a highly touted wine, James Suckling rates it 97, but clearly he sees something I do not at this stage in its development. Find this wine

964221 LE VOLTE DELL’ORNELLAIA 2013 $29.95
Merlot, Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon are blended to create an exciting wine laden with black fruit, mineral, star anise, black sweet licorice and toffee. The palate is solid, plenty of dark fruit and plum flavours with just a hint of prune and mocha. Some tannins, but nothing to stop the pleasure derived from immediate consumption. Find this wine

147876 TENUTA SAN GUIDO LE DIFESE 2013 $29.95
Light framed, some redcurrant, red fruit and tomato aromas, disappointing palate, good acidity, some fruit, but short on the finish. Find this wine

393199 PIAZZANO CHIANTI 2013 $14.95
A pleasing mix of black cherry, some strawberry, Asian spice and mocha on the nose, with a palate that reflects the red fruit aromas. Acids are in tune and the finish is clean. Find this wine

WINES FROM THE REST OF THE RELEASE

ONTARIO

268391 HENRY OF PELHAM ESTATE PINOT NOIR 2010, Short Hills Bench, Niagara Peninsula $24.95
Intense aromas, lots of bright cherry, strawberry, mineral, slate, iron and cola. Good concentration and balance on the palate. Rich and vibrant with sweet berry fruit, minerality and some tannins that are presently aggressive. Find this wine

001560 FLAT ROCK GRAVITY PINOT NOIR 2013 Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula $29.95
Good concentration, mineral laden with nice earthy aromas and plenty of bright red fruit and plum. It features raspberry and strawberry flavours with notes of plum and gravel. Simple tannins and good acidity keep it bright and lively. Find this wine

117960 CREEKSIDE ESTATE LAURA’S RED 2012 Niagara Peninsula $19.95
Lots of mocha and coffee grounds, quite floral too with plenty of dark fruit and dark chocolate aromas. Great structure to the palate, as 2012 was a red friendly vintage in these parts. Tasty now, but give those tannins a couple of years or so to soften and this will be at its prime. Find this wine

USA

014217 CLIFF LEDE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012 Stags Leap District, Napa Valley $112.95
This wine exudes aromas of mint, dark chocolate, underbrush, forest floor, black pepper and blackcurrant essence. It is ultra-concentrated, with a massive attack of cassis, Asian spice, vanilla and pepper. There are tannins, but they are silky allowing the fruit and secondary flavours to take centre stage. Last year when I reviewed this wine I loved it. I am really taken with the 2012 too, but the 2011 was $79.95 and worth every penny. The $32.00 increase in price for the 2012 is a little too much for me. Find this wine

147231 FOLIE À DEUX ZINFANDEL 2012 Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County $27.95
Black pepper, blackberry, sweet licorice and redcurrant all contest for top spot on the nose. The palate has balance, some spice comes forth and the fruit is plush and polished. Find this wine

FRANCE

148874 DOMAINE DU MEIX-FOULOT LES VELEYS MERCUREY 1 ER CRU 2011 $35.95
Nice and funky, smoked meat, wet earth, stony mineral, plum and dark berries. It has a chewy texture, the fruit is forward, and while there is a note of earthiness that is peculiar, this is over all a tasty wine. Find this wine

292722 DOMAINE DE VIEUX TÉLÉGRAPHE TÉLÉGRAMME CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2013 $48.95
Warm and fuzzy, with some pretty floral, herb and smoke aromas with plum and tar. Good fruit on the palate, where red berries and plum take centre stage, but the overall texture is very backward and tight. A keeper for sure, so wait at least a couple of years to let the tannins resolve. Find this wine

104927 LAVAU VACQUEYRAS 2012 $24.95
Sweet aromas of ripe blackberry jam meld with black toffee candy and fresh cut flowers. Nice flavours of pure dark fruit and chocolate emerge on the palate. Its acidity is spot on, there is a kiss of oak, but the tannins are big and gritty suggesting time away will make a big difference. Find this wine

SPAIN

958868 BARÓN DE LEY RESERVA 2010 Rioja $21.95
Plummy and fleshy, interesting notes of forest floor, cigar leaf and balsa too. Lovely flavours of strawberry and raspberry, showing early maturity; dusty tannins are integrating nicely and the acidity is lively. The finish has good fruit and a note of coconut from American oak. Find this wine

976910 ONTAÑÓN CRIANZA TEMPRANILLO/GARNACHA Rioja 2011 $16.95
This is a solid wine showing mineral, iron, balsa and dried fruit and dark cherry. The fruit is lighter on the palate than I expected, where strawberry and raspberry are discernible, but astringency overpowers. Find this wine

Cheers
CZ

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1. Alan Kerr’s Vintage’s March 31st Release – Tasting Notes
2. Alan Kerr’s Vintage’s August 31st Release – Tasting Notes
3. Alan’s October 10th, 2009 Vintages Release Tasting Notes
4. Alan Kerr’s Vintage’s October 27th Release – Tasting Notes
5. Alan Kerr’s Vintage’s October 17th Release Notes