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  

Studert Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett 2008, Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany

 

This wine is 100% Riesling grapes, maturation partly in stainless steel and partly in oak barrels with a gentle filtration before bottling and alcohol coming in at 7.5%.

Bright straw yellow in color, this Riesling opened up with attractive aromas of pear, peach, pink grapefruit, honey, minerals and a hint of petrol. On the mouthfeel, light to medium bodied, off-dry, tasty sweetness on the palate and lively acidity. Good length on the finish with flavours of soft tropical fruit and honey and a great acidity, which made the ending clean and refreshing. Enjoyed by all five of us who had the opportunity to share this lovely Riesling, loved the low alcohol and at $16.95, it represents a terrific value. Score 89 points.

Purchased February 2, 2013 LCBO Vintages New Release (970129) at $16.95


My top three enjoyed wines for March 2013

A fine group of mostly reasonably price wines where enjoyed this month. I have often noticed that the most expensive don't always make my top three, I must admit my expectations are heightened when I spend over $50.00 a bottle. These very enjoyable wines did not make my top three but are worth an honourable mention; Graham Beck Bowed Head Chenin Blanc 2010 from South Africa, Tabali Reserva Especial 2009 from Chile and Domaine Grand Veneur Les Champauvins Côtes du Rhône 2010 from France. Now here are my top three wines for this month;

My top three wines in March

 

1- Poliziano Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2009, Docg, Tuscany, Italy 

http://paulnjoywine.blogspot.ca/2013/03/poliziano-vino-nobile-di-montepulciano.html

 

I have been following Poliziano Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano through many vintages now (but we did not see the 2008 vintage in our market), and for me the 2009 vintages is as beautiful as their 2007 vintages. All the elements are in place for this wine to age gracefully over the next 4-5 years. I have three more in my cellar and looking forward to see their evolution over the next few years.

 2- Angulo Innocenti Malbec 2010, La Consulta, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina 

http://paulnjoywine.blogspot.ca/2013/03/angulo-innocenti-malbec-2010-la.html

This inaugural vintage for Angulo Innocenti Malbec sure was delicious, well structured, age worthy and deserving of its number 2 place, based on its outstanding value. I originally bought only one bottle but went back and purchased 3 more. 
 

3- Castello Di Querceto Chianti Classico Riserva 2008, Docg, Tuscany, Italy 

http://paulnjoywine.blogspot.ca/2013/03/castello-di-querceto-chianti-classico.html


What I like about Sangiovese is its ability to work so well at the table. When you spend a few hours putting a meal together, there is nothing more rewarding then opening up a beautiful wine like this one.

Graham Beck Bowed Head Chenin Blanc 2010, Wo Paarl, South Africa

This wine is a blend of 100% Chenin Blanc, from low yielding old bush vines (41-47 years old), after barrel fermentation the wine was matured in French oak for eight months (combination of 1^st to 3^rd fill) and alcohol comes in at 13.5%.

This wine is a bright yellow gold and opened up with aromas of pineapple, peach, caramel, honey and hints of spices. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied with a creamy and slightly sweet and ripe flavours of tropical fruit with a honeyed textured and crisp acidity. This Chenin Blanc finish is long with a mouth coating sweetness and a citrus refreshing ending. Very enjoyable, score 89 points.

Purchased February 2, 2013 LCBO Vintages New Release (231357) at $18.95  

Angulo Innocenti Malbec 2010, La Consulta, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

This is the inaugural vintage for this delicious wine, made with 85% Malbec with the remaining 15% Cabernet Sauvignon in a supporting role. A single vineyard fruit from their Finca Piedras Blancas estate, the climate is cool sunny days and cold mountain nights, drip irrigation and alcohol coming in at 14.5%.

This wine poured a deep opaque purple in color and opened up with attractive aromas of black fruit, violets, cedar, tar, pencil shavings and savoury spices. On the mouthfeel, a full bodied wine with great texture, crushed wild berries, creamy oak flavours, fresh acidity and fine grained tannins. This Malbec finish is robust with great energy, flavours and fine grained tannins lingering. I love the structure and flavours of this gorgeous made to please Malbec, the addition of Cabernet Sauvignon certainly added an additional layer of flavours and complexity. Great value and strongly recommended, score 91points.    

LCBO Vintages New Release of March 30, 2013 (305813) at $18.95

 

 

 The last two photos are from the winery website.

Domaine Les Yeuses Les Épices Syrah 2010, IGP Pays d’Oc, Languedoc Roussillon, France

This wine is 100% Syrah from old vines with maturation of 60% on fine lees in tank with the remaining 40% on lees in oak barrels for 9 months. After blending the wine spends its final 3 months in tanks before bottling and alcohol comes in at 13.5%. In French les épices means spices.

This wine is medium violet in color and opened up with aromas of raspberry, blueberry, spices, black pepper, earthy and mineral notes. On the mouthfeel, light to medium bodied, light on fruit, mineral driven, herbal flavours with balanced acidity and well integrated tannins. Great energy on the finish with peppery flavours, this wine has a strong minerality presence throughout. This wine is not meant for everyone, if you like a fruity type of Shiraz, this is not going to be for you. I found the first two glasses to be interesting but that interest quickly faded away. Score 87 points.  

LCBO Vintages New Release of March 30, 2013 (177584) at $13.95

Paul's Picks from the LCBO Vintages New Release of March 30, 2013 - Wines of Southern France and My picks for...

Hello to all my wine friends,

 

 

At first glance this New Release (NR) seems like a unremarkable, even ordinary NR. However, after a little digging and a little research, I found this release is loaded with many good value wines under $20.00, notably the wines from Southern France feature (more on that later). For the fans of white wine, with spring finally here and summer fast approaching, there is a significant increase in the recommended whites in this release.

Now my favourite question; If I were allowed to buy only one wine from this NR, which one would that be? My answer would be I Campi Campu Vulcano Soave Classico 2010 from Italy (269969) at $18.95. People who have given up on Soave Classico will feel differently after tasting this complex and refreshing Soave. 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.

Starting with white wines;

·         For those of you who will be serving ham for Easter, here are two Rieslings to consider; first from Ontario, Château Des Charmes Old Vines Riesling 2010 from Niagara-on-the-Lake (277228) at $16.95 sweetness level - dry and Veil Armand Grand Cru Ollwiller Riesling 2009 from France (315135) at $20.95 sweetness level - extra-dry.

·         From one of the better Soave producers, I have really enjoyed their 2009 vintage and look forward to this new vintage; I Campi Campu Vulcano Soave Classico 2010 from Italy (269969) at $18.95.

·         Finally for fans of wines Pinot Gris from Alsace, Joseph Cattin Hatschbourg Pinot Gris 2010 from France (260240) at $19.95. This wine is off-dry and fruity, sweetness level - medium.

Now for the red wines;

·         Unfortunately I have emptied my cellar of Zinfandel, here is one wine which seems very interesting and can resolve my dilemma, Candor Lot 3 Zinfandel from California (133389) at $21.95. No vintage year for this Zin, the winemaker Austin Hope blends two, sometimes three vintages together to achieve the style he's looking for.

·         For fans of Malbec, here are three very good one to considered; the first two from Argentina, Angulo Innocenti Malbec 2010 from Mendoza (305813) at $18.95 and Versado Malbec 2010 also from Mendoza (317008) at $24.95. The last one from France, Château Haut-Monplaisir Prestige Cahors Malbec 2006 (936542) at $21.95.

·         My only red recommendation from Italy this week; Brigaldara Case Vecie Amarone Della Valpolicella 2007 from Veneto (247502) at $58.95. Well let's get started;

The Wines from Southern France; For most wine buyers, Bordeaux, Burgundy and the Rhône Valley take much of the spotlight, few people think of venturing into the Southern France shelves (also call Languedoc and Roussillon) of their wine shores. This is the exact reason why there are very good valued wines coming from appellations like; Corbières, Minervois and Saint-Chinian to name a few. Benefiting from a warm Mediterranean climate, the style of red wines coming out of this region are bold, slightly rustic with flavours of black fruit, black pepper, savoury spices, tar and sometimes strong minerality notes. Since most of these wines are blends, my recommendation for you is to find out which grapes you enjoy best. The majority of red grapes grown in this region are; Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Carignan. For my palate, I really enjoy Syrah, Grenache and Carignan, I am not a big fan of Mourvèdre. I just don't like the nose on the Mourvèdre grape, unless you have a foot fetish I suppose, the aromatics can be a little over the top for me. Occasionally I may buy a wine with 20% or less of Mourvèdre, but I will never buy a 100% Mourvèdre. Based on my palate, here are my top four wines from Southern France;

·         Domaine Les Yeuses Les Épices Syrah 2010 from les Pays D'Oc (177584) at $13.95 - This wine is 100% Syrah from old vines with maturation of 60% on fine lees in tank with the remaining 40% on lees in oak barrels for 9 months, after blending the wine spends its final 3 months in tanks before bottling and alcohol comes in at 13.5%. A ready to enjoy medium bodied spicy Syrah, in French les épices means spices.

·         Château de Treviac Corbières 2010 from Armaud Sié (670505) at $15.95 - My pick for the best value of this NR, this is a blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache with alcohol coming in at 14.5%. This is a full bodied wine to be paired with BBQ pork, beef or lamb, hamburgers or strong cheeses.

·         Château Saint-Roch Chimères 2010 from AC Côtes du Rousillon-Villages (119354) at $18.95 - This wine is a blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Carignan, aged 8-12 months in demi-muids and concrete vats and alcohol coming in at 14%.

·         Hecht & Bannier Saint-Chinian 2010 (184184) at $23.95 - From an awesome producer, this wine is a blend of majority Syrah with the remaining Grenache and Mourvèdre with maturation taking place in 35% tank, 20% demi muids (1 and 2 years old wood) and 45% barrels of 225 litres and 500 litres (new and 1 year old wood) and alcohol coming in at 14%.

My picks for...; I thought that I might give you my picks by these predominant grapes or blend or region;

·         My Sauvignon Blanc pick; Frog's Leap Sauvignon Blanc 2012 from California (966036) at $26.95 - This wine is 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes from Rutherford in Napa Valley, fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks only (no oak) and alcohol comes in at 12.7%. This wine would be fantastic with a nice grilled chicken summer salad.

·         My Chardonnay pick; Framingham Chardonnay 2009 from New Zealand (309534) at $19.95 - The same great country that makes beautiful Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir can also make stunning, well priced Chardonnay like this one, maturation in French oak and alcohol coming in at 14%.

·         My top red wine from this NR; Château Grand Mayne 2009 from France (197848) at $67.85 - This is one of those wines which, if opened today would be a shame, forget about this beauty for at least the next 4-5 years. This is mostly made with Merlot with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc in a supporting role with alcohol coming in at 13%. This wine is ranked #36 in Wine Enthusiast's Top 100 of 2012.

·         My Spanish red pick; Otazy Premium Cuvée 2007 from Spain (313809) at $16.95 - From the Navara region of Spain, this wine is a blend of 45% Tempranillo, 40% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, maturation in French Allier oak barrels for 14 months and alcohol coming in at 14.5%. Should be paired with braised red meat, BBQ lamb or strong cheese.

·         My mature Chilean red pick; Erasmo 2006 from Chile (311837) at $21.95 - This wine is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, dry farmed, maturation in French oak for 18 months with alcohol coming in at 14.7% and bottled in February of 2008. Ready to go after a one hour decant.

My top three wines from this release;

1- Château Grand Mayne 2009 from France (197848) at $67.85 - Cellar Candidate

2- Beaulieu Vineyard Tapestry Reserve 2009 from California (050393) at $59.95

3- Brigaldara Case Vecie Amarone Della Valpolicella 2007 from Italy (247502) at $58.95

My top three wines for value;

1- Château de Treviac Corbières 2010 from France (670505) at $15.95

2- Otazy Premium Cuvée 2007 from Spain (313809) at $16.95

3- I Campi Campu Vulcano Soave Classico 2010 from Italy (269969) at $18.95

My wine picks from this New Release for your considerations;

Red Wines;

1- Domaine Les Yeuses Les Épices Syrah 2010 from France (177584) at $13.95

2- Château Pech-Redon L'Épervier 2010 from France (129965) at $19.95

3- Château Saint-Roch Chimères 2010 from France (119354) at $18.95

4- Château de Treviac Corbières 2010 from France (670505) at $15.95

5- Hecht & Bannier Saint-Chinian 2010 from France (184184) at $23.95

6- Le Clos Jordanne La Petite Colline Pinot Noir 2009 from Ontario (033944) at $40.00

7- Beaulieu Vineyard Tapestry Reserve 2009 from California (050393) at $59.95

8- Candor Lot 3 Zinfandel from California (133389) at $21.95

9- Angulo Innocenti Malbec 2010 from Argentina (305813) at $18.95

10-Versado Malbec 2010 from Argentina (317008) at $24.95

11-Erasmo 2006 from Chile (311837) at $21.95

12-Jim Barry The Lodge Hill Shiraz 2010 from Australia (998476) at $24.95

13-Château Grand Mayne 2009 from France (197848) at $67.85

14-Château Haut-Monplaisir Prestige Cahors Malbec 2006 from France (936542) at $21.95

15-Brigaldara Case Vecie Amarone Della Valpolicella 2007 from Italy (247502) at $58.95

16-Otazy Premium Cuvée 2007 from Spain (313809) at $16.95

White Wines;

1- Balchedel Saunders Vineyard Chardonnay 2010 from Ontario (324103) at $44.95

2- Château Des Charmes Old Vines Riesling 2010 from Ontario (277228) at $16.95

3- Le Clos Jordanne Claystone Terrace Chardonnay 2009 from Ontario (056929) at $40.00

4- Calera Chardonnay 2011 from California (713313) at $24.95

5- Frog's Leap Sauvignon Blanc 2012 from California (966036) at $26.95

6- Framingham Chardonnay 2009 from New Zealand (309534) at $19.95

7- Joseph Cattin Hatschbourg Pinot Gris 2010 from France (260240) at $19.95

8- Veil Armand Grand Cru Ollwiller Riesling 2009 from France (315135) at $20.95

9- Domaine Jean Coillet & Fils Vaillons Chablis 1er Cru 2010 from France (650804) at $27.95

10-Domaine Fouassier Les Grands Groux Sancerre 2010 from France (267948) at $24.95

11-I Campi Campu Vulcano Soave Classico 2010 from Italy (269969) at $18.95

12-Varanda Do Conde Alvarinho Trajadura Vinho Verde 2011 from Portugal (966663) at $13.95

This is all for me and my team. We will be back for the next New Release of April 13, 2013 where the featured segments are "New Zealand: fan faves and new faces" and "Versatile; great value Portuguese wines".

Cheers

Paul YWG