Archive for the Vintages/LCBO Release Notes Category

Thanks to one of my colleagues switching classes with me, I was able to get to London and taste a little of what we, the wine loving public, can expect to find on the shelves this Saturday and two weeks down the road. Although the focus this release is on some very good wines from Tuscany and Piedmont, I surprised myself as I was more impressed with the wines from Argentina, that although not cheap, were in fact exceedingly tasty.

October 15th.

Wines of Piedmont.

225227 LA QUERCIOLA CHICCHIVELLO LANGHE ROSSO 2008 $13.95
Lots of tar, spice, clove, black ground pepper and black fruit that runs across the palate with the right amount of acidity and oomph. Its finish displays the black fruit and adds a note of sweet red berry and dusty tannin. Nice wine, well priced and very quaffable. Find this wine

232454 PODERI DI LUIGI EINAUDI DOLCETTO DI DOGLIANI 2009 $18.95
This wine has layers of fresh berry coulis, cherry and black raspberry with floral notes, dried herb and mineral. It is fleshy on the palate, blueberry joins the fruit mix, it carries some weight, but at this point in its evolution it is a little chunky. Find this wine

233890 GUASTI CLEMENTE & FIGLI FONDA S. NICOLAO BARBERA D’ASTI SUPERIORE 2005 $21.95
A pretty wine, showing fresh cut flowers, damson cherry cola, mocha and maturing fruit, excellent balance, nice texture, gentle tannins and a touch of mineral on the finish. Find this wine

233908 GUASTI CLEMENTE & FIGLI RISERVA BARBARESCO 2005 $35.95 DOCG
As with the Barbera, this wine carries the maturing fruit and mocha notes plus a whiff or two of dried herb, game and meat. However, the palate is dry, has excessive tannins and a note of heat. Find this wine

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It’s that time of the year again when the LCBO boffins come out full tilt with the critically acclaimed big boys, otherwise known as the “Top Marks 90+ Wines”. Vintages has assembled a few liquid treats from around the wine world that have been blessed and highly touted by some of the most influential wine gurus, applying a score of 90 points or more. Some are worth their high degree of hype and some are clearly not!

Do you like Sauvignon Blanc? Good, I do too and there are a couple I particularly enjoyed, so best read on.

TOP MARKS 90+ WINES

927582 KILIKANOON PRODIGAL GRENACHE 2007 Clare Valley, South Australia $29.95
One of two excellent Grenache wines from down under, this one spending time in both French and American oak, flaunting aromas of chocolate, black fruit, mineral, slate and lavender. Its palate is ripe, but balanced, showing layers of blackberry and currant, some Asian spice flavours and perfect acidity to complement the fruit. Find this wine
Jay Miller, erobertparker.com, 90 points
Yours truly, Gangofpour.com 91 points
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When I realized the focus of June’s latest release is to be wines from Argentina, I was not overly thrilled, not that I don’t like the odd bottle of Argentinean wine now and then mind you, but drinking a flight had little appeal for me. However, much to my delight, I am able to report the release offers many solid wines, which are well priced and several are drinking nicely now. Please read on……………….

WINES FROM THE “HEAT IS ON RELEASE”.

232678 ALTOCEDRO AÑO CERO TEMPRANILLO 2009 La Consulta, Mendoza $16.95
Lots of mocha with whiffs of balsa, underbrush, milk chocolate, dark fruit and funk, a little chewy on the palate, notes of blueberry and currant, plenty of teeth coating tannin, but not much length on the finish. Find this wine

233973 ANTUCURA CALVULCURA 2005 Uco Valley, Mendoza $23.95
This blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon has some smoky meaty notes, layers of blackcurrant, chocolate, mineral and slate, plenty of tasty dark fruit, some red currant and still some tannin to resolve. Find this wine

232637 BENMARCO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2009 Mendoza $16.95
Blackcurrant laden aromas with a dose of sweet oak, a floral note, carrying an enjoyable texture on the palate; it is balanced nicely with just a few soft tannins appearing on the finish. Find this wine

235085 CARLA CHIARO RESERVE MALBEC 2007 Mendoza $14.95
Sweet Moroccan spice, some dark chocolate, mint and lovely black raspberry and blackcurrant aromas run through to the juicy palate, laden with refreshing black fruit acidity and a touch of dusty tannin. Find this wine

640854 SALENTEIN RESERVE MALBEC 2009 Uco Valley, Mendoza $19.95
A spicy peppery wine showing nice black fruit, a touch of wet earth, a lively palate, black and blue berry fruit bound by chewy tannins. Find this wine
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Veneto wines are the feature of this release and, as Father’s Day is on the horizon, there are several highly touted wines suggested as treats for dad and for those kiddies with really deep pockets, well do read on…

THE WINES OF VENETO

029850 TENUTA SANT’ANTONIO MONTI GARBI RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA SUPERIORE 2008 Veneto $17.95
Notes of coffee bean, anise and sweet spice blend well with black cherry and plum aromas. Cherry dominates the palate, a touch of anise ball and spice, nicely balanced acidity and gentle tannin. Find this wine

063636 REMO FARINA MONTE FANTE RISERVA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2004 $62.95
Lots of barnyard and earthy aromas, borderline stinky, with some pinecone and forest aromas. Delving deeper, I find a similes to black forest torte, with Kirsch, meat and dark chocolate. It is elegant, but powerful on the palate, showing sweet cherry, blackberry and a layer of cocoa powdery tannin. There is a little heat on the finish, but it is tasty and will only get better with time. Find this wine

204826 GIACOMO MONTRESOR AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA 2006 $53.95
Earthy, wet soil, drifts of mocha, forest floor and spice, dark fruit run to a palate of dark cherry, cinnamon, nutmeg and mineral. It has a chewy texture, well balanced and gentle tannins. Find this wine

230607 ZENI VIGNE ALTE AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2006 $39.95
Layers of blackberry jam, Asian spice, and floral aromas follow through to a palate of dark fruit, tasty acidity and a touch of sweetness on the finish. Find this wine

084079 GIUSEPPE CAMPAGNOLA CASOTTO DEL MERLO RECIOTO DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2007 $29.95
An interesting nose composed of fresh cut flowers, sweet marzipan, liquorice, black lozenges and sweet cherry. The palate reflects the fruit and adding a nice layer of blackberry and mocha. Some dusty tannin on the finish. Find this wine

220830 ZENI MAROGNE RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA SUPERIORE 2008 $17.95
Lots of plush sweet fruit, a little cured meat, some red fruit on the palate and chewy tannin on the finish. Find this wine

134544 MONTE DEL FRÁ BARDOLINO 2010 $11.95
Rhubarb, sweet cake spice, cardamom and black cherry with a refreshing palate of cherry and berry, a touch of sweetness and good structure. It is a deal at the low asking price. Perfect to grab a case as barbecue season is finally upon us, I think! Find this wine

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As another barrage of Californian wines prepares to hit the shelves, the good news is some of them are very good and a couple are exceptional. However, the bad news is they are not cheap. As always, there are several wines to be found that won’t make the wallet wince so please read on.

WINES FROM THE CALI CONFIDENTIAL RELEASE.

001537 NEWTON UNFILTERED CHARDONNAY 2007 Napa County $64.95
A rich full bodied wine that is powerful, elegant and seamless. It puts forward, fig, baked pear, mineral and peach aromas. The palate offers a perfect balance of fruit flavours, deftly administered oak, acids, mineral and great length on the finish. Find this wine

221887 ROBERT MONDAVI FUMÉ BLANC 2008 Napa Valley $22.95
Lighter in style than previous vintages, has none of the rasping acidity one expects, some pretty melon and grapefruit aromas and a neutral palate. Find this wine

059311 7 DEADLY ZINS OLD VINE ZINFANDEL 2008 Lodi 24.95
Lots of creamy sweet fruit, plum and mocha notes with a touch of black liquorice lead to a palate of black fruit jam, a creamy texture and vibrant acidity. Quite spicy on the finish. Find this wine

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2009 seems to have been very favourable in France as most regions are reporting stellar wines across the board. Once again it is Bordeaux’s best ever vintage, while wines in Burgundy are being heralded as excellent. The 2009 harvest in the Southern Rhône was early and offers much promise in the quality of the wines produced. The spring was cool and wet, but the summer was long, torrid and dry. Are these wines equal to the hype? Well I for one have been a fan of Rhone wines for a while. Simple equation: Great wine + reasonable prices = one happy Alan. Vintages is selling some on May 14 so you can go, buy and try or read on.

236505 PERRIN LA GILLE GIGONDAS 2009 $29.95
A giant, showing heaps of fruit, black raspberry, medicinal aromas, mineral and a dusty note. The chunky palate boasts of dark fruit, earthy nuances and a restrictive veil of tannin. It should be very tasty after a long snooze in the cellar. Find this wine

736371 DOMAINE CROZE-GRANIER CUVÉE RÉSERVE CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2009 $13.95
Generic Cotes du Rhone that delivers ample fruit, a note of sugar snap/pea skin, wet earth and black peppercorn. Spicy palate, lots of black cherry and blackberry, note of vanilla and silky chocolate tannin. Tasty wine carrying an affordable price tag. Find this wine

223487 DOMAINE DE L’ARNESQUE CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2009 $13.95
Another QPR deal emitting notes of plum, blueberry, blackberry, sage and dried herbs. Simple palate, red and dark fruit flavours, gentle tannins with a touch of heat on the finish. Find this wine

224592 DOMAINE LE GRAND RETOUR PLAN DE DIEU 2009 Côtes du Rhône-Villages $13.95
It’s nice to see Cotes du Rhone Villages at this price, especially one that’s laden with coal, slate, mineral, black pepper, plum and blackberry aromas. Chunky and fleshy, the palate is redolent of mineral and dried blueberry, perhaps a trifle ripe, but nonetheless, a decent wine. Find this wine

082560 LES VIGNERONS D’ESTÉZARGUES LA GRANACHA SIGNARGUES 2009 Côtes du Rhône-Villages $17.95
From 100% old vine Grenache, lively vibrant red fruit, cake spice, sweet cherry and dusty soil. It is rich, chewy and viscous; there is a bitter note, comparable to Campari and dried orange peel. The finish has plenty of fruit, but does carry the bitterness. Find this wine

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Due to a change of date for the Vintages tasting, I was able to scribe a few notes on the next two releases. The focus this month is “All in the Family”, otherwise known as Aussie dynasties and their notable wines. Interesting to note, all but two of the Australian wines were in screw top bottles. Also featured in this release are bargain basement wines from Italy’s lesser known regions of the South.

THE FEATURED FAMILY VALUES WINES

225425 CAMPBELLS RUTHERGLEN MUSCAT Rutherglen, Victoria 375 ml $19.95
Dark brown colour, dried tangerine peel, huge mocha both on nose and palate. Quite spicy, some discernible, sweetness, but nicely balanced. Find this wine

917252 DE BORTOLI NOBLE ONE BOTRYTIS SEMILLON 2007 New South Wales 375 ml $29.95
Absolutely gorgeous, tastes like a first rate Sauternes. Aromas of guava, candied orange peel, vanilla and marmalade. Impeccably balanced, superb length on the mind blowing finish. Find this wine

CAMPBELLS BOBBIE BURNS SHIRAZ 2008 Rutherglen, Victoria $22.95
Nice fruit aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry and creamy mocha. It carries fruit on the palate, but the sweetness is a little high for me. Find this wine

677617 D’ARENBERG THE TWENTYEIGHT ROAD MOURVÈDRE 2007 McLaren Vale $29.95
Earthy, tar, treacle, mocha, floral notes and a whack of pure ripe dark fruit. It has a spicy palate, showing cinnamon and nutmeg, great texture, velvety fruit and lively acidity. Find this wine

221994 DE BORTOLI DB RESERVE PINOT NOIR 2008 $15.95
Nice red fruit aromas, red licorice, a note of cedar, thyme lead to a palate of elegant, well balanced fruit and the perfect amount of acidity. Hard to find nice Pinot at such a price. Find this wine

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New Zealand takes centre stage in this, the second release of April. The release has no wines one would call outstanding, but there is one or two that are worth seeking out. Unfortunately, due to the next tasting coinciding with exam week at school, I will miss the next tasting. Thus no notes for the next two releases I am afraid.

Wines from the New Zealand release.

179754 AMISFIELD PINOT NOIR 2008 Central Otago, South Island $44.95
Appealing aromas of muddy wet barnyard combine with a layer of floral notes plus blackberry, plum and clove. It is a tasty, but young wine with intense flavours of cherry and plum, a touch of iron and red fruit jam on the finish. Find this wine

919837 CARRICK PINOT NOIR 2007 Central Otago, South Island $34.95
Dark and sweet, almost Shiraz like as it pumps out blackberry and spearmint aromas. It is spicy on the palate, laden with black fruit, quite tasty, but from being a recognizable Pinot. It has a full finish carrying plenty of mineral and a touch of mocha. Find this wine

214858 LONE KAURI RESERVE PINOT NOIR 2009 Marlborough, South Island $16.95
Red berry, a wisp of pig poo, some clove and clay on the nose lead to a tasty mid palate showing plum, red currant, and dark cherry, a touch of spice and rhubarb flavours on the finish. Find this wine

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I was happy to get back to London, especially after missing the previous tasting that profiled some of Napa’s super stock, to taste the wines of Burgundy, which is the feature release. The secondary release is wines of South Africa and to be blunt, I found them more interesting than the Burgundies. So please read on. (Click images to enlarge)

Wine from the Burgundy release.

208496 VINCENT MORIN LACOMBE PINOT NOIR BOURGOGNE 2009 $16.95
Perfume and dark fruit, good concentration, a note of lavender, anise and steely mineral, all create alluring aromas to this top value Pinot. There is some tannin, but the silky unobtrusive type, blackcurrant takes pride of place on the palate and overall, the balance is spot on. Find this wine

124305 DOMAINE LOUIS MOREAU CHABLIS 2009 $22.95
Typical notes of wet stone and mineral combine with simple fruit aromas of apple, grapefruit zest and a touch of roasted nut. Nice clean fruit on the palate, mineral components increase, finish is decent, but disappears too soon. Find this wine

209502 DOMAINE TAUPENOT MERME GEVREY CHAMBERTIN BEL AIR 1ER CRU 2007 $79.95
Spicy with a touch of dried mint, black cherry, that is quite floral and perfumed. Good structure on the palate, a soft and creamy texture with plenty of red fruit, cranberry and dusty cedar. A pretty and elegant wine, showing a touch of tannin, but nonetheless, enjoyable now. Find this wine

210864 DOMAINE GILLE CÔTES DE NUITS-VILLAGES 2008 $24.95
The aromas of dark cherry, forest floor and blackberry are compelling to say the least. It has a pleasing texture, acidity is spot on, the dark cherry turns tart, but the tasty flavours of iron and mineral are duly noted. A nice wine, albeit short on the finish. Find this wine

210906 DOMAINE MARCHAND GRILLOT MOREY-SAINT DENIS 2008 $39.95
This almost looks like a Rose in the glass, very pale, with faint aromas of clove, cake spice, perfume, rhubarb and cola. Disappointing on the palate, so light, so lacklustre, I think the tasting panel, judging from their accolades, had a totally different wine than we did! Find this wine

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Global Cabernet Sauvignon takes pride of place in this edition of Vintages manual. In addition, there are a few wines for Passover and a couple of decent wines in the regular section of the release. It’s time for a barbecue perhaps in this spring-like weather we are experiencing.

Click images to enlarge.

WINES OF THE CABERNET SAUVIGNON RELEASE

212357 NAPANOOK 2007 Napa Valley $53.95
True left bank Bordeaux blend, 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot, loaded with mineral, iron, dried meat and rich dark fruit. Solid structure on the palate, but tannin is dominant and holds back the dense layer of fruit from presently showing its best. Find this wine

045476 SHAFER ONE POINT FIVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007 Stags Leap District Napa Valley $79.95
Holy cow, pure blackcurrant, Dutch salty licorice, mocha, chalk and dusty cocoa are bold and enticing. A delight to drink, tannin is there, but the layers of dark and red fruits roll across the palate leaving a coat of tingly acidity. Superb concentration and balance with a creamy texture on the finish. Find this wine

671164 ST. FRANCIS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2006 Sonoma County $28.95
Ripe with a raisin aroma, plenty of sweet blackcurrant, mocha and cigar box. Clumsy tannins and sweet fruit clash on the palate, oaky vanilla note on the finish. Find this wine

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