Gramercy Cellars Lower East Syrah 2016, Columbia Valley, Washington State, USA 🇺🇸

🍇 Syrah 100%

🤔 Alcohol 13.4%

🍁 My Score 90 Points

🧩 Fermented 76% whole cluster partially in concrete tank with native yeast. Aged in 100% French oak (4% new) for months.

🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

Beautiful, inviting nose with aromas of blackberries, black cherries, violets and peppery notes. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied, flavourful, smooth texture with well integrated tannins and vibrant acidity. The finish is medium-long with flavours of red fruit, baking spices, peppery and savoury dried spices lingering.

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹

This is an elegant, almost Rhône like Syrah. I believe I tasted a hint of Grenache in this wine, with more black fruit on the nose but lighter red fruit on the palate. This was a reminder of better times when we were able to travel and attend public events. This beautiful Syrah was purchased in Seattle last May where I spent an enjoyable time attending Seattle Mariners Baseball games, theatre and delicious meals. Cheers my wine friends 🍷

Summers Andriana’s Cuvée Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, California, USA 🇺🇸

🍇 Cabernet Sauvignon 77.5%
🍇 Merlot 16.5%
🍇 Petit Verdot 2.1 %
🍇 Petit Sirah 2.1%
🍇 Malbec 1.8%

🧐 Alcohol 14.1%

🍁 My Score 89 Points

🧩 Fruit 67% from Sonoma County and 33% from Napa County
      Oak treatment: 16 months in French oak, 50% new oak

🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

Very attractive nose with aromas of cherries, wild berries, black currants, violets, leather and vanilla notes. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied, creamy oak covering the palate with silky tannins and low acidity. The finish is medium length with ripe fruit flavour and oak spices lingering.

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹

A most interesting blend here. I recall a few years ago, this was 100% Cabernet. It’s definitely a wine with great appeal, beautiful aromatics, well integrated oak, smooth texture and most enjoyable. An uncomplicated Cabernet that goes down easy. Cheers my wine friends 🍷

Turley Old Vines Zinfandel 2016, California, USA 🇺🇸

🍇 Zinfandel 100%

🧐 Alcohol 15.5%

🍁 My Score 88 Points

🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

Classic Zin nose with aromas of wild berries, black cherries, violets, light cloves and burnt brown sugar. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied with fruity flavours, baking spices, soft tannins and low acidity. The finish is medium length with flavours of ripe berries, dried raisins, vanilla and peppery notes.

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹

I really enjoyed this Zinfandel with a BBQ steak but by the end of the evening, on it’s own, it tasted a little jammy. Would have preferred more depth, structure and acidity. Base on my notes, I enjoyed the 2015 more than this vintage. Still a good Zin experience. Cheers my wine friends 🍷

Arrowood Knight Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Sonoma County, California, USA 🇺🇸

🍇 Cabernet Sauvignon 80%
🍇 Merlot 16%
🍇 Malbec 4%

🧐 Alcohol 14.8%

🍁 My Score 91 Points

🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

A beautiful and inviting nose with aromas of blackberries, blueberries, plums, leather, underbrush, spices and smoky cedar notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, dry, leathery fruit, dusty tannins and balance acidity. The finish is medium-long with flavour of black fruit, plums and savoury notes lingering.

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹

I enjoy attending Trade tastings when wine is being pored, which we have in stock @vintagespiritsvictoria . I always make an effort to taste all wines which we carry, so I know how to describe them to our customers. So how would I describe this wine?  It’s a blend with great aromatics, complexity, texture and very flavourful. To be enjoyed today, after an hour decant with a great piece of beef 🥩 or to cellar for a few years where it would acquire even more elegance. Strongly recommended and superb value.  Cheers my wine friends 🍷

Paradigm Merlot 2014, Oakville, Napa Valley, California USA 🇺🇸

  

🍇 Merlot 94%

🍇 Cabernet Sauvignon 6%

🧐 Alcohol 14.4%

🍁 My Score 92%

🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

Gorgeous nose with aromas of blackberries, plums, tart cherries, violets, spices and light cedar notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, lively texture, silky tannins and fresh acidity. The finish is long, dry with lots of spicy cherry flavours lingering.

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹

Wow! A great Friday treat, from it’s intoxicating nose, bright and lively texture and beautiful length on the finish. We did not decant this wine, however it would be a great idea, as the evening unfolded, this Merlot kept getting better and smoother.  A new addition in the store this week.  Every Thursday I arrive at the store, it’s like Christmas 😀 I am always excited to see what just came in. Now that I know what to expect, another bottle for my cellar, to enjoy same time next year. Cheers my wine friends 🍷

Robert Monday Oakville Cabernet Franc 2014, Napa Valley, California, USA 🇺🇸

🍇 Cabernet Franc 80%
🍇 Cabernet Sauvignon 15%
🍇 Malbec 3%
🍇 Merlot 2%

🧐 Alcohol 14.5%

🍁 My Score 92%

🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

A very attractive nose with aromas of blackberries, blueberries, black currants, camp fire smoke, violets, savoury herbs and vanilla notes. On the mouthfeel, full bodied, fantastic mid palate with smooth tannins and balanced acidity. The finish is medium-long, clean with excellent depth of flavours.

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹

My first time with this Cabernet Franc and what a fantastic wine experience it was. A wine with great aromatics, complex flavours and terrific oak integration. A Cabernet Franc tailor made for Cabernet Sauvignon lovers. In a sea of expensive California wines, this one represents a great value. Need I say, outstanding wine and strongly recommended. Cheers my wine friends 🍷

Decoy Zinfandel 2010, California, USA

Made with 100% Zinfandel with maturation for 12 months in 100% American oak barrels of which 30% is new oak and the remaining 70% is second vintage, alcohol comes in at 14.5%.

This Zin opened up with pleasant aromas of wild berry fruit, strawberry jam, vanilla and gentle wood spices. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied and well balanced by soft seductive ripe fruit flavors, fresh acidity and fine tannins. Medium length and very smooth on the finish. I don’t often associate California Zinfandel with elegance and finesse but in this case the team at Duckhorn manage just that. While I really enjoyed this wine I feel it does not represent good value in our market, I see many US retailers selling it for between $17 to $22 US dollars. As Ontario is one of the biggest buyer of wine in the world, they should have managed a better price for us. Score 91 points.

Purchased August 3, 2013 LCBO Vintages New Release (327502) at $29.95

Ghost Pines Winemaker’s Blend Merlot 2010, Napa & Sonoma Counties, California, USA

Made with 100% Merlot grapes, 71% of the fruit coming from Sonoma Valley and the remaining 29% from Napa Valley with maturation in a combination of American and French oak, alcohol comes in at 13.9%.

This wine opened up with aromas of bing cherries, blackcurrants, fruitcake, mocha, spices, toast and vanilla notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, sweet, almost jammy on the palate lacking both acidity and tannins to give this wine any structure. The length on the finish was very good, smooth with chocolate and ripe fruit lingering. I couldn't drink more than a glass; this wine was way too sweet for me. The sweetness level is listed as extra-dry, I just don't see how. Tailor made for meat or sausage on the BBQ but may also work with cheese and desserts. Will appeal to many, but for me it felt way too confected, score 85 points.

Purchased July 6, 2013 LCBO Vintages New Release (135384) at $19.95   

Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Napa Valley, California, USA

This wine is a blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Syrah (all Napa Valley fruit) with maturation in French oak barrels (15% new) for 18 months. It was blended, than bottled in July 2012, with alcohol coming in at 14.3%.

 

Classic masculine Cabernet Sauvignon bouquet with aromas of black cherry, blackberry, blackcurrants, tobacco, saddle leather, black olives and espresso notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, dried with robust flavours, low acidity and fine structured tannins. Very good weight and length on the finish with great flavours and a nice tannic grip. This is a very enjoyable well made Cabernet that walks a fine line between power and elegance. Enjoy now or over the next 3-4 years, strongly recommended. Score 90 points. 

 

Purchased May 30, 2013 LCBO Vintages Essential (255513) at $34.95 

Kenneth Volk Santa Maria Cuvée Chardonnay 2009, Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara, California, USA

 

 

This wine is produced with 100% Chardonnay grapes, and opened up with aromas of pineapple, peach, apple, crème brulée and light citrus notes. On the mouthfeel, a full bodied wine with alcohol coming in at 14.2%, rich, buttery with a sweet caramel flavours and low acidity. The length on the finish is good with a mixture of citrus and tropical fruit flavours and light minerals notes. Overall, this Chardonnay is enjoyable but I felt it could have been much better. For my palate this wine feels a little heavy, the product of too much toasty oak. When I think of cool-climate wines, I look for a wine with a vibrant energy and better acidity. Score 87 points. 

Purchased April 27, 2013 LCBO Vintages New Release (233981) at $23.95

Sterling Merlot 2009, Napa Valley, California. USA

 



This wine is blend of 82% Merlot, and in a supporting role 5% Cabernet Franc, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Zinfandel and the remaining 6% on specific (other) varietals with maturation in French and American oak for 14 months, alcohol comes in at 14.4%.

 

You would think will all these different grapes that this wine would be complex and interesting, but unfortunately this is not the case. What we have is a muted bouquet of stewed berries, dirty leather, oak and spices. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, dry and not that fruity, with low acidity and fine grained tannins. This Merlot’s finish has a medium length with flavours dominated by oak characteristics.  Not the kind of Merlot I would usually prefer, which is juicy, plumy, savoury and easy drinking. This one feels highly manipulated and actually feels more like a Cabernet. Disappointing, especially at this price, score 85 points.

 

Part of LCBO Vintage Essential (330241) at $27.95



De Loach Russian River Valley Zinfandel 2010, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA

 

Made with 100% Zinfandel with maturation in French, American and Hungarian oak barrels for 11 months and alcohol comes in at 14.2%.

This wine opened up with a very sweet aromas of ripe cherry/raspberry fruit, stewed plums, cola, vanilla and spices. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied with spicy flavours, lively acidity and well integrated tannins. This Zin’s finish is short, but the flavours are nice and spicy.  For me, an enjoyable Zinfandel and I love that it’s not too jammy. However, at this price point, it lacks complexity and structure . Score 88 points.

Purchased June 8, 2013 LCBO Vintages New Release (980573) at $29.95

Kunde Zinfandel 2008, Sonoma County, California, USA

Mostly Zinfandel with a small amount of Petite Sirah and Syrah, with maturation in a combination of American, French and Hungarian oak for 19 months, alcohol comes in at 14.5%.

A beautiful sensuous nose on this Zin, with aromas of black cherry, wild berries, raisins, toasty oak, saddle leather, vanilla and espresso notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied with ripe fruit concentration, peppery, cola flavours, nice acidity and silky tannins. This wines finish is a medium length with ripe and rich fruit concentration, peppery and savoury notes and a beautiful velvety texture. Great flavours on this Zinfandel, awesome value and strongly recommended. Score 89 points.

Purchased June 22, 2013 LCBO Vintages New Release (965921) at $21.95

Ravenswood Old Vine Zinfandel 2010, Lodi, California. USA

 

 

This wine is made with mostly Zinfandel, at 77%, the remaining 23% is Petit Syrah with alcohol coming in at 14.5%.

 

This wine opened up with aromas of red cherry, plum, wild berries, soft leather, spicy and vanilla notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied with ripe fruit concentration, spicy, fresh acidity and silky tannins. The finish is long, spicy with sweet and tart flavours and fine silky tannins. A lovely, well made Zinfandel, were the fruit is ripe and oak treatment is well handled, nothing overdone. Perfect paired with anything from the BBQ or can sip on its own, was very enjoyable. Strongly recommended, score 90 points.    

Purchased May 25, 2013 LCBO Vintages New Release (942599) at $19.95



Matchbook Tinto Rey 2007, California, USA

Spain meets California in this interesting blend of 44% Tempranillo, 36% Syrah, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Graciano and 2% Petit Syrah with alcohol coming in at a reasonable 13.9%. 

This wine opened up with aromas of cherry, blueberry, soft leather, gentle wood spices and cigar box notes. On the mouthfeel, a medium-full bodied wine with soft seductive fruit, finely textured, balanced acidity and silky tannins. This blends finish is moderately complex, very smooth with mature, spicy flavours. This is a very interesting wine with aromatics similar to a Spanish wine but with a riper, and rounder, more velvety texture. Had I tried this wine about a year ago; it would have most likely had a little more structure and tannins. Very enjoyable wine served slightly chilled, over the next year or so. Score 88 points.

Purchased May 11, 2013 LCBO Vintages New Release (317859) at $21.95
 

Beaulieu Vineyard BV Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Napa Valley, California, USA

This wine is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Syrah, 2% Cabernet Franc with the remaining 4% Merlot and Petit Verdot, barrel aged for 10 months in a combination of oak (42% American, 39% French and 19% Hungarian oak), of those 6% is new barrels and alcohol comes in at 14.1%.

This wine opened up with aromas of blackberry-blueberry, dried currants, white pepper, spice box and vanilla notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied with nice fruit and spices flavours, fresh acidity and fine grained tannins. Perfect weight on the length and on the finish, with a silky smooth texture and excellent depth of flavours. An elegant, complex and well balanced wine, which I enjoyed with cheese and charcuterie platter. It worked beautifully. Score 91 points. 

Purchased April 13, 2013 LCBO Vintages New Release (987420) at $25.95

Candor Lot 3 Zinfandel, California, USA

Candor Lot 3 is a blend of Zinfandel from three different vintages; 2008 represents 6% of the blend, 2009 78% and 2010 16%. The fruit are grown in two regions, Lodi with about 65% with the remaining 35% from Paso Robles. Maturation was predominantly in American oak and alcohol comes in at 14.5%.

This Zinfandel opened up with an attractive and ripe bouquet of blueberry, plum and red berry fruit, fruitcake, light cedar, vanilla and savoury notes. On the mouthfeel, a medium-full bodied wine with delicious ripe fruit covering the palate, fine texture, balanced acidity and silky tannins. The finish is long, very smooth, fruit driven and those same lovely silky tannins lingering. This is a beautiful, well balanced, aromatic and delicious wine with great Zin character and highly unlikely to disappoint. Strongly recommended, score 90 points.

Purchased March 30, 2013 LCBO Vintages New Release (133389) at $21.95  

Stag’ Leap Petit Syrah 2007, Napa Valley, California, USA

 

 



This wine is mostly Petit Syrah with 84% and in a supporting role, 8% Syrah, 4% Grenache and 2% Viognier with alcohol coming in at 14.3%.

A deep aubergine in color, almost black, this wine opened up with aromas of blackberry, blueberry, espresso, damp earth, dried leaves, incense and white pepper notes. On the mouthfeel, full bodied, structured, with bold flavours, low acidity and firm tannins. This wine finish is long, intense with flavours of dark fruit, bitter sweet chocolate, espresso and persistent tannins lingering. There is nothing “Petit” about this wine, it’s a big, bold, structured wine which needs a further cellar period of 2-3 years for optimum pleasure. What it lacks in finesse and elegance, it more than made up by sheer power, for those who like them big. Be aware of the noticeable sediments as you get closer to the bottom of the bottle. Score 89 points.

Purchased June 11, 2011 LCBO Vintages New Release (590356) at $44.95

Antica Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Napa Valley, California, USA

Italy meets California in this wine from Antica, produced through a business venture of the Antinori Family of Italy, in the Napa Valley. This wine is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with 98.5% with Petit Verdot at 1.5% in a supporting role, maturation in French oak (55% to 65% new oak) and alcohol coming in at 14%.

Beautiful opaque ruby in color, this Cabernet opened up with a robust bouquet of blackberry, black cheery, ripe plum, cassis, tobacco, smoke cedar and exotic spices. On the mouthfeel, full bodied, layered with dark fruit, minerals and smoke with balance acidity and chewy tannins. The finish is long and intensely flavourful. A structured Cabernet Sauvignon that balances black fruit and French oak with real finesse and sophistication. A very enjoyable wine which I paired with a BBQ steak, score 91 points.

 

Purchased July 7, 2012 LCBO Vintages New Release (266551) at $49.95

Reininger Syrah 2007, Walla Walla Valey, Washington State, USA

 

Made with 100% Syrah with maturation in French oak (0% new oak), bottled in August 2009 with a low production of only 553 cases and alcohol coming in at 14.8%.

This wine opened up with attractive aromas of blackberry-blueberry fruit, raisins, white pepper, toasty and vanilla notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied with delicious forward fruit, slightly creamy, balanced acidity and velvet tannins. The finish is very long, fruit focused, rich and flavourful. Nicely made wine here with well handled French oak, very seductive, well balanced and juicy Syrah. Worth the spurge, strongly recommended. Score 92 points.

Purchased February 14, 2013 LCBO Vintages (249227 at $39.00