Archive for the Vintages/LCBO Release Notes Category
Alan Kerr’s Vintage’s February 5th Release – Tasting Notes
February 4th, 2011 | 
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According to the Vintages catalogue, 2007 was a banner year in Tuscany. Judging from what I tasted, for the most part at least, I have to agree. There is a secondary feature that showcases wines from Washington State and a couple of those are dandies too. And as the 14th of the month nears, what better way to please than cracking a bubbly or two! Please read on. Click labels to enlarge.
211599 LORNANO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2007 $15.95
Amazing nose of pure red fruit, hay, bay leaf, mocha and dried mushroom. It has a fleshy palate, but the balance is in perfect tune showing nice blackcurrant, a pleasing sweetness and just a faint layer of dusty tannin. Great price for a great wine. Find this wine
191361 LA MADONNINA CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2007 $22.95
Tight at first, but with some enticing the nose shows some wet earth, star anise, Dutch licorice, currant and kirsch. The palate has great structure, laden with blackberry and cola flavours along with gentle tannins that suggest aging will be beneficial. Find this wine
207795 LE CINCIOLE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2007 $19.95
Wine of the Month: unfortunately sample was corked. Find this wine
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Alan Kerr’s Vintage’s January 21st Release – Tasting Notes
This mid winter release is uninspiring to say the least. It showcases the wines of Chile, not that Chilean wines are not stimulating, but my notes are minimal as palate fatigue took its toll. Anyway, please read on because as always, there is a gem or two to be found.
Alan Kerr’s Vintage’s January 8th Release – Tasting Notes
Happy New Year and welcome to Vintage’s “Smart Buys” issue, one that puts affordable wines on the shelf to help relieve the stress after buying all those high end wines from previous releases. Is quality a factor with these bargain basement prices? In many cases yes, but nonetheless, trust me; there are a few gems that will make the trip to your local store on Saturday morning worthwhile.
Wines from the “Smart Buys” release.
467951 ALAMOS MALBEC 2009 Mendoza, Argentina $13.95
Always a bargain, no complexity, but plenty of black fruit flavours, a touch of mineral and gentle tannins. Acidity is lively and the finish is clean. Find this wine
016071 MONTES LIMITED SELECTION CABERNET SAUVIGNON/CARMENÈRE 2008 Apalta Vineyard, Colchagua Valley, Chile $14.95
Sweet aromas combine with Moroccan spice, black cherry, currant and dried herbs. Nice oomph on the palate, some tannin, but none to offensive and a balanced and juicy finish. Find this wine
Alan Kerr’s Vintage’s December 11th Release – Tasting Notes
Click image to enlarge.
Back in business, and just in time for the concluding release of 2010 that is scheduled to hit the shelves on December 11th. Ouch, time does fly by, especially when one is having fun, and fun I had, as there are several great wines to be found. Those most notable are from the Golden State, Italy, Australia and Ontario. Happy holidays as we have to say now, and have a safe and wine-filled New Year.
Speaking of New Year, here is an array of fine bubblies, at all levels of pricing, which will fit the occasion nicely.
No Vintages notes for Oct. 16th
Sadly I was unable to get to London and taste the wines for this and the next release. However, I will have notes up shortly on some stellar Niagara Riesling grown on the Bench. Enjoy the fall.
Cheers
CZ
Alan Kerr’s October 2nd, 2010, Vintage’s Release – Tasting Notes
Lovers of big fleshy juicy wines will be content this month as this Saturday’s release showcases an array of tasty wines from down under. The supporting role in the release is given to Italy. Vintages is bringing some of the countries high end wines to the table.
Wines from Australia.
027383 CHARLES CIMICKY TRUMPS SHIRAZ 2006 Barossa Valley $24.95
First up to the plate is a wine that starts with a ripe fruit laden nose of black raspberry and blackberry, accented with bay leaf, mocha, peppercorn and straw. The palate is rich and chewy while the finish is tight and full of powdery dusty chocolate and a blast of peppery spice. find this wine
716142 ELDERTON COMMAND SINGLE VINEYARD SHIRAZ 2006 Barossa Valley $89.95
Iron, plum skin, milk chocolate and blood along with a massive tier of perfectly ripe fruit may sound like an undesirable combination, but no, this is one stellar glass of wine. It has a rich sweet palate, perfect amount of toasty oak, a fabulous seamless texture and a never ending finish. find this wine
Alan Kerr’s September 18th 2010, Vintage’s Release – Tasting Notes
“The buzz on what we do best” is the theme of this week’s Vintages release that promotes indigenous wines of Ontario. However, wine makers in Lake Erie North Shore have no representation whatsoever and there is a mere one bottle from Prince Edward County. So, here are my notes on the wines of Niagara. There are some good Niagara wines available, but one should remember many of the wineries here in Niagara that make superb wines make them in very limited production and can’t supply enough for Vintages inventory requirements. All the more reason to spend time in Niagara and find out for yourself, yes?
Alan Kerr’s September 4th 2010, Vintage’s Release – Tasting Notes
Relief from this heat wave is on the way and with cooler temperatures forecast for this, the last, long weekend of this glorious summer, there will be no better time to sample a few of the 2007 “Red Rhones” soon to be found on the shelves of this September 4th release. From a price point, the wines are well priced even when compared to those in the US. Several tasty ones are under the $15.00 mark. In addition, I really like the way the Vintages catalogue breaks down the region, dividing sub appellation by sub appellation and giving good information on each one. Well done to the board. I also have a tasting note on one of the best Viogniers I have tasted, one that should not be missed. Enjoy the weekend.
Wines from the Cotes du Rhone
Alan Kerr’s August 21st, 2010, Vintage’s Release – Tasting Notes
“New World Wonders,” ten iconic varietals is the theme of the August 21st release. Often this time of the year the wines at Vintages tend to be on the blah blah side, but this Saturday, there are several tasty wines worth seeking out. Some fit the pocket book with ease and for some, one has to dig deep. Sadly not all the wines were sent for the tasting, but I did get notes on a good many of them. In addition to the new world wine, there is a sub release entitled “Germany decoded.” Naturally this features mostly white wines which will indeed make tasty summer sippers. Oh, and I should mention that I tasted one of the best new wines I have sampled in a long, long time? Well better read on then yes?
No notes for you!
Unfortunately, due to a little excursion away from Ontario for a few days, I was unable to get to London to taste wines for the release this weekend and the weekend of August 7th. The next tasting is marked on my calendar and notes will be posted forthwith. Enjoy the summer.
CZ
