Just a few notes this week on the release for April 14th as the board was a bit stingy with the wines shipped to taste. One or two do stand out as being stellar and are priced under twenty bucks. Please read on.

ONTARIO

149302 FEATHERSTONE CANADIAN OAK CHARDONNAY 2010 Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $21.95
Plenty of sweet spice, a touch of butterscotch, apple, pear and mineral aromas on the nose, the palate shows excellent balance with a nice sweet toasty note on the finish. Find this wine

235051 CAVE SPRING MERLOT 2008 Niagara Escarpment $17.95
An interesting blend of fennel seed, dill, red fruit, plum, tobacco and mocha stays true on the palate that has great texture, enough fruit and decent length. Find this wine

660704 STRATUS WHITE 2008 Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario $44.20
J.L Groux’s mystical blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Semillon, Gewürztraminer and Viognier, is simply stunning. It is abound with aromas of peach, nectarine, linalool, pear and mandarin. It has an amazing texture, a pleasing streak of acidity and lots of plump tree fruit flavours. Tasty now, but it will only get better. Find this wine

USA

530139 BONTERRA ZINFANDEL 2009 Mendocino/Amador/ Lake Counties, California $19.95
A little funky a first, sweet plastic and liquorice candy notes with dried mushroom and bramble. The palate is bright and lively showing blueberry, blackberry and mineral. Find this wine

ARGENTINA

195677 DECERO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2009 Remolinos Vineyard, Agrelo, Mendoza $19.95
Plenty of earthy and nut shell aromas that blend nicely with blackcurrant and blackberry notes, a solid core of fruit on the palate, tasty, but the one flaw for me is the low level of acidity. Find this wine

135202 KAIKEN ULTRA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2009 Mendoza $19.95
Big fleshy Californian styled wine oozing sweet spicy oak, lots of ripe blackcurrant, blackberry and plum aromas. It is a powerhouse on the palate, while it’s well balanced, has great texture and good length to the finish. Find this wine

148155 NORTON PRIVADA 2008 Mendoza $24.95
Dense and inky, this wine shows off its chocolate candy bar, plum, blackcurrant and mineral aromas with pride. There is a backdrop of dried fruit, mocha that leads to a well structured palate that is tasty albeit a little sweet. Find this wine

261750 LUIS SEGUNDO CORREAS VALLE LAS ACEQUIAS ROSEDAL MALBEC 2006 $29.95
Sandalwood and black cherry take centre stage as aromas of plum, blueberry, Asian spice and floral aromas nose scents fight for second spot. It is a monster, but a well tamed one at that. Chunky and chewy, it is brimming with fruit and mineral with super long length on the finish. Find this wine

FRANCE

136549 THE WINEMAKERS’ COLLECTION CUVÉE NO. 4 STÉPHANE DERENONCOURT 2008 Haut-Médoc $43.00
A new world style of Bordeaux showing upfront blackcurrant aromas, vivacious oak, a touch of mocha and a layer of crème de cassis on the nose. The palate is chewy, quite viscous, yet far from spectacular. Find this wine

264218 BROTTE CHÂTEAU DE BORD LA CROIX DE FRÉGÈRE CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES LAUDUN 2009 $16.95
Possibly the wine of the day, laden with sweet spice, cherry cola, black raspberry, lavender and mineral aromas. A little tight now on the palate, but for the price it is a big rich mouthful of wine, with superb acidity, minerality and dusty tannin. Find this wine

ITALY

642561 LA GERLA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2006 $47.95
Oh wow, the black tea, dried fruit, dried shitake, Dutch liquorice, roasted meat and lavender aromas are mesmerizing. The palate is dense, showing off layers of dried cherry, Asian spice and chocolate tannins. Although very tasty now, this is a wine that needs time to show what it is truly meant to be. Find this wine

216440 TEDESCHI CORASCO APPASSIMENTO 2008 $15.95
The bretty, aromas of barnyard and pig poo dance in the glass, but soon subside to reveal notes of dark fruit, plum and warm biscuit. The palate is full, spicy, has plum and dark chocolate flavours and a hint of dried sweet fruit to the finish. Find this wine

942508 MASTROJANNI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2006 $46.95
Pure dark fruit, sweet black cherry and plum aromas are surrounded by notes of dark polished wood, liquorice and fresh cut flowers. The palate is surprisingly open; it has lots of sweet red and black fruit flavours and just a hint of dusty tannin. Also available in 375 ml bottles for $25.95. Find this wine

ROMANIA

263939 BUDUREASCA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2008 Dealu Mare $14.95
Honey and bees wax, medicinal aromas with plum, blueberry, bacon and a metallic aroma lead to a palate of sweet fruit and acid. Find this wine

SPAIN

023762 COTO DE IMAZ RESERVA 2005 Rioja $19.95
Dried fruit and cedar, cigar box notes mingle with black cherry, lavender and tar. The flavours are lovely, the texture is silky and the balance is spot on. Find this wine

114454 RIOJA BORDÓN GRAN RESERVA 2004 Rioja $22.95
Great aromas of raspberry ripple, mocha, vanilla and sandalwood, super juicy red and dark fruit on the palate, some spice and a little tannin, but bloody tasty right now. Find this wine

Cheers
CZ

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3. Alan Kerr’s Vintage’s April 2nd Release – Tasting Notes
4. Alan Kerr’s Vintage’s May 14 Release – Tasting Notes
5. Alan Kerr’s Vintage’s June 25 Release – Tasting Notes