Hello to all my wine friends,
This is a
pretty exciting New Release (NR), keeping myself on budget is going to be a
challenge. The main feature of this NR is labelled “Tuscan Triumphs” and indeed
it is, a triumph, especially if you love Brunello’s (more on Tuscany latter). The
selection from France (both Bordeaux and the Rhône Valley) is also pretty
outstanding. The second feature segment in this NR is “Kosher wines for
Passover”, these offering left me unimpressed so I decided to pass on the passover
feature instead and provide you with interesting white wines from this NR as my
second featured story. Now apart from the wines featured in the following two
highlighted segments, here are a few wines I would like to bring to your
attention.
This is a
pretty exciting New Release (NR), keeping myself on budget is going to be a
challenge. The main feature of this NR is labelled “Tuscan Triumphs” and indeed
it is, a triumph, especially if you love Brunello’s (more on Tuscany latter). The
selection from France (both Bordeaux and the Rhône Valley) is also pretty
outstanding. The second feature segment in this NR is “Kosher wines for
Passover”, these offering left me unimpressed so I decided to pass on the passover
feature instead and provide you with interesting white wines from this NR as my
second featured story. Now apart from the wines featured in the following two
highlighted segments, here are a few wines I would like to bring to your
attention.
For the white
wines;
·
What
Ontario does best are Riesling and Chardonnay and here is one of each for you
consideration; Fielding Estate Riesling 2011 (251439) at $18.95 and Konzelmann
4 Generations Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2009 (148460) at $30.00.
·
Another
Chenin Blanc from South Africa is been release this weekend, Spice Route Chenin
Blanc 2011 (174623) at $16.95.
Now for the
red wines;
·
People
looking for wines from the very good 2009 vintage in Bordeaux, here are two of
them to consider; Château De Pez 2009 (202697) at $58.95 and Château Teyssier
2009 (226035) at $23.95.
·
Cabernet
Sauvignon and Shiraz grapes which don’t make it Penfold flagship red Grange goes
into the making of Penfold Bin 389 Cabernet/Shiraz 2009 (309625) at $44.95.
·
Here
are my three picks from the Rhône Valley; Delas Frères Les Launes
Crozes-Hermitage 2010 (701359) at $20.95, Domaine Saint-Pierre Vacqueyras 2009
(130013) at $24.95 and Domaine de Fontavin Terre D’Ancêtres Châteauneuf-Du-Pape
2010 (309427) at $37.95.
·
An
unusual and interesting blend out of Piedmont (Nebbiolo, Barbera and Cabernet
Sauvignon), Tenuta Rocca Ornati Langhe 2006 from Italy (309369) at $21.95 and
finally,
·
There
is usually great value coming from either Argentina or Chile in each NR, this
week my pick is Trapiche Fincas Las Palmas Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 from
Argentina (143206) at $16.95.
Now let’s get
started;
Tuscan
Treasures; If like me you are a fan of Sangiovese and wines from Tuscany, there
is quite an abundance of riches in this NR. All of 13 red wines releases in
this feature section are Sangiovese base wines. Here are four of those wines
which I would like to feature;
·
Giacomo
Mori Chianti 2009 from Italy (068858) at $17.95 – If you enjoy a more
traditional style of Chianti, this wine is produce from a family owned estate,
established in 1790. A blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Canaiolo, maturation in
Slovonian and French (Allier) oak for 10-12 months and alcohol coming in at
13.5%.
· Antinori
Badia A Passignano Chianti Classico Riserva 2007 (384552) at $44.95 – A Chianti
Classico Riserva at a Brunello price, but don’t worry, this is a wine with
superb concentration and power, 100% Sangiovese with 14 months maturation in
oak and alcohol comes in at 13.5%.
·
Poliziano
Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2009 (988055) at $25.95 – This wine is a blend of
85% Prugnolo Gentile (local clone of Sangiovese) with the remaining 15% a blend
of Colorino, Canaiolo and Merlot with alcohol coming in at 14.5%. After opening
this wine, you will which that you had purchased more than one bottle. Do you get
my message?
·
Caparzo
Brunello Di Montalcino 2007 (579094) at $41.95 – All four Brunello’s in this NR
are recommended, and as per the appellation, they are 100% Sangiovese. That being
said, I am looking for a Brunello which I can enjoy now. Of these four Brunello’s my pick is the more
elegant and feminine style of wine from Caparzo. Their 2006 Brunello was
absolutely superb.
When dining
call for a white wine; I know that most of the wines I reviewed on my blog are
red wines, but I do enjoy white wines and on occasion, the best pairing is a
white wine. After studying the wines available in this NR, a number of white
wines stood out for me has interesting and left me to think of possible
pairing. Now here are four interesting food friendly whites;
·
Teruzzi
& Puthod Vernaccia Di San Gimignano 2011 from Italy (316976) at $15.95 – Listed
as extra-dry, this wine is made with 100% Vernaccia grapes and only grown in
the beautiful municipality of San Gimignano, maturation taking place in
stainless steel tank and alcohol coming in at 12.5%. Food matching
possibilities; aperitif, antipasto plater with dry cheese, white fish, seafood
and sushi.
·
Momo
Sauvignon Blanc 2011 from New Zealand (009167) at $17.95– Listed as dry, this
wine is made with 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes, maturation taking place in
stainless steel tank and alcohol coming in at 13.5%. The Sauvignon Blanc grape
would fall under the category of refreshing white with crisp acidity, food
matching possibilities of; goat cheese salad, seafood, chicken salad, or roast
chicken.
·
Salomon-Undhof
Wieden & Berg Tradition Grüner Veltliner 2011 from Austria (670513) at
$19.95 – Listed as dry, Grüner Veltliner is the most planted grapes in Austria
with flavour profile of citrus fruit, white pepper with mineral notes and crisp
acidity. Suggested pairing of sushi, spicy Asian, Indian or Thai food.
·
Château
Roquefort Blanc 2011 from France (313346) at $14.95 – Here is an excellent
value Bordeaux White, a blend of 85% Sauvignon Blanc and 15% Sémillon with
alcohol coming in at 13%. The addition of Sémillon would had a honey flavours
to the wine and lower its acidity. Suggestive pairing; aperitifs, seafood and
fish.
My top three
wines from this release;
1- Château De Pez 2009 from France (202697) at $58.95
2- Antinori
Badia A Passignano Chianti Classico Riserva 2007 from Italy (384552) at $44.95
3- Ayala
Majeur Brut Champagne from France (004143) at $48.95
My top three
wines for value;
1- Trapiche
Fincas Las Palmas Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 from Argentina (143206) at $16.95
2- Giacomo Mori
Chianti 2009 from Italy (068858) at $17.95
3- Teruzzi
& Puthod Vernaccia Di San Gimignano 2011 from Italy (316976) at $15.95
My wine picks
from this New Release for your considerations;
Red Wines;
1- Giacomo
Mori Chianti 2009 from Italy (068858) at $17.95
2- Castello
Di Querceto Chianti Classico Riserva 2008 from Italy (650754) at $27.95
3- Antinori
Badia A Passignano Chianti Classico Riserva 2007 from Italy (384552) at $44.95
4- Poliziano
Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2009 from Italy (988055) at $25.95
5- Caparzo
Brunello Di Montalcino 2007 from Italy (579094) at $41.95
6- Altesino
Brunello Di Montalcino 2007 from Italy (994095) at $57.95
7- Mocali
Vigna Delle Raunate Brunello Di Montalcino 2007 from Italy (162552) at $46.95
8- Terre Nere
Brunello Di Montalcino 2006 from Italy (208462) at $34.95
9-Rosewood
Estate Merlot 2010 from Ontario (211896) at $22.00
10-Duckhorn
Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 from California (024190) at $74.95
11-Trapiche
Fincas Las Palmas Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 from Argentina (143206) at $16.95
12-Majella
Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 from Australia (301531) at $36.95
13-Penfold
Bin 389 Cabernet/Shiraz 2009 from Australia (309625) at $44.95
14-Penmara
Reserve Shiraz 2009 from Australia (912782) at $17.95
15-Schild
Shiraz 2009 from Australia (066555) at $28.95
16-Château De Pez 2009 from France (202697) at $58.95
17-Château Teyssier 2009 from France (226035) at $23.95
18-Delas Frères Les Launes Crozes-Hermitage 2010 (701359)
at $20.95
19-Domaine de Fontavin Terre D’Ancêtres
Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2010 (309427) at $37.95
20-Domaine Saint-Pierre Vacqueyras 2009 (130013) at
$24.95
21-Tenuta
Rocca Ornati Langhe 2006 from Italy (309369) at $21.95
White Wines;
1- Teruzzi
& Puthod Vernaccia Di San Gimignano 2011 from Italy (316976) at $15.95
2- Fielding
Estate Riesling 2011 from Ontario (251439) at $18.95
3- Zonzelmann
4 Generations Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2009 from Ontario (148460) at $30.00
4- Riverview
Cellars Gewurztraminer 2011 from Ontario (319830) at $18.95
5- Momo
Sauvignon Blanc 2011 from New Zealand (009167) at $17.95
6- Spice
Route Chenin Blanc from South Africa (174623) at $16.95
7-
Salomon-Undhof Wieden & Berg Tradition Grüner Veltliner 2011 from Austria
(670513) at $19.95
8- Château
Roquefort Blanc 2011 from France (313346) at $14.95
9- Clos
Floridène Blanc 2009 from France (189357) at $31.85
10-Zenato
Lugana San Benedetto 2011 from Italy (707158) at $14.95
Champagne;
1-Ayala
Majeur Brut Champagne from France (004143) at $48.95
That is all
for me and my team. We will be back for the New Release of March 2, 2013 where
the featured segments are; “The new California, an insider’s peek” and The Star
of Central and Southern Italy”. It’s interesting because this next newsletter
will be coming from Vancouver, British Columbia where I will be attending the
trade tasting portion of the Vancouver International Wine Festival where
California is the featured “Wine Country” this year. There will be 62 wineries
from California alone, look for my blog post in about a week or two, about my
experience at this wine show.
Cheers
Paul YWG
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