Brouilly Pierreux Pierre-Marie Chermette 2010, Beaujolais, France

This is an interesting wine to be sure, but not meant for everyone. A beautiful deep ruby in color, this wine opens up with aromas dark fruit, smoke, violet, light licorice with strong, stoney, minerality notes . On the palate, medium bodied (even with a low alcohol of 12.5%), odd flavours and very concentrated, balance acidity and dusty tannins. This Beaujolais finish is long with flavours of crushed stone (you can almost taste the granite which these vines grows in) , slightly bitter fruit and those same dusty tannins lingering. Not what one might expect from a Beaujolais (light, easy drinking, fruity with light tannins) even for a Cru Beaujolais. This wine would be better enjoyed with food and a few years in bottle. Score 88 points.

 

Purchased April 28, 2012 at the SAQ (11305660) at $20.43  

Hester Creek The Judge 2008, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

Wow, what incredible aromatics on this wine, it brings me back to the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival where I first tasted and then purchased this wine. This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, 100% estate grown fruit with alcohol coming in at 14.1%. On the nose, this blend opens up with aromas of cherry, figs, soft leather, black pepper, vanilla, savoury spices and attractive cedar notes. On the mouthfeel, full bodied, big plumy fruit and cedar spices, fresh acidity and fine chewy tannins. This wine finish is long with a very smooth texture, seductive fruit and savoury spices lingering. In my view this wine is drinking at its best right now, with soft tannins and well integrated oak. And the verdict! The Judge is guilty of being damn delicious, what a treat. Score 92 points. 

Purchased at the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival in Vancouver, BC on March 2, 2012 at $45.00  

Col D’Orcia Brunello Di Montalcino 2004, DOCG, Tuscany, Italy

What I like about Brunello’s, are the possibilities of what pleasures lay ahead. The complexity and elegance gained by added time in the bottle (the better ones, would mean ten years plus after the vintage year), everything from the color of the wine, the complex aromatic, the smooth texture and the pure enjoyment of the wine itself. I had the opportunity to enjoy this wine in its youth (late 2009) while leaving in Victoria, BC and I truly enjoyed the wine then. But the added time in bottle didn’t translate into what I had hoped for in a Brunello. 

This wine opens up with aromas of red cherry, blackberry, tobacco, spices and a strong hint of barnyard. On the palate, medium-full bodied (with alcohol coming in at 14%), fresh acidity, well integrated tannins, smooth texture but lacking energy. This Sangiovese finish is medium length with a damp black earth and exotic spices flavours lingering. Definitely not much elegance after almost 8 years after the vintage, I would guess that this Brunello is into a funky stage at the moment and I would hope that it will gain some elegance in the years to come. But at the moment, this is a laying down experience that didn’t pan out. Score 88 points. 

Purchased at the SAQ  August 19, 2010 at $51.25

Ridge Three Valleys 2009, Sonoma County, California, USA

This wine is a blend of 70% Zinfandel, 15% Carignane, 10% Petit Sirah, 3% Gernache and 2% Mataro with alcohol coming in at a reasonable 14.1%. Not very flashy on the nose for a Zin, with aromas of blackberry/black cherry fruit, licorice, smoke, pencil shaving, tobacco and wood spices. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, dry, with lots of concentrated flavours, balanced acidity and dusty tannins. This wine finish is very long, very smooth with good texture and a lot of detail. I have been following Ridge Three Valleys for quite some time now, very interesting as always, seemingly different from year to year but they always seem to produce a more refined, tasty, savoury style Zin blend. It would certainly be interesting to sit at the same table and be part of the team that blend the final product. Very enjoyable, score 90 points.

Purchased March 3, 2012 LCBO New Release (652875) at $34.95

Seppelt Chalambar Shiraz 2008, Grampians/Bendigo, Victoria, Australia

Another fine wine from Seppelt. This Shiraz opens up with aromas of blackberry, cherry, stewed plum, raisins, cedar and spicy notes. On the palate, medium-full bodied, with layered spicy dark fruit, creamy oak texture, balance acidity and fine grained tannins. This Shiraz finish is long, spicy, with mouth caressing rich flavours and spiciness. Here is a well made, well balanced wine, which managed to achieve both power and elegance quit well. I have never been disappointed by Seppelt yet, and there Chalambar Shiraz 2008 is quit delicious. Strongly recommended, score 91 points.

Purchased July 7, 2012 LCBO New Release (029488) at $24.95

Paul's Picks from the LCBO New Release of July 21, 2012 - Victoria's Secret "The Wine Kind" and Refreshing Summer Whites

Hello to all my wine friends,



Looking at this New Release (NR), apart from the wines featured in the following two highlighted segments, here are a few wines I would like to highlight for you. Starting with white wines, for fans of Chablis, and one of the best wines of this release, the La Chablisienne Vaulorent Chablis 1er Cru 2009 from France (111666) at $31.95; and to consider, a very good value wine from Veneto, the Monte Vicario Soave Classico 2010 from Italy (282087) at $13.95. Now for reds, a couple of mid-priced wines suited for the BBQ seasons, Altocedro Reserva Malbec 2009 from Argentina (187880) at $24.95 and Summers Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 from California (279380) at $29.95. Also, here are two very different wines from Italy, first from the Piedmont region, the high acid grape Barberra (not for everyone I might add) but fantastic paired with a tomato base pasta dishes, Paolo Conterno Bricco Barbera D’Alba 2010 from Italy (744714) at $16.95; and finally my top pick from this NR, Livio Sassetti Pertimali Brunello Di Montalcino 2006 from Italy (287292) at $47.95. Well let’s get started;

Victoria's Secret “ The Wine Kind”;   With this title, I wanted to get your attention, did it work? I have found that the summer months are the perfect time to investigate the beauty of cool climate reds wines. Who wants to drink a tannic monster with high alcohol on a hot summer day? Which makes looking for cooler wine producing regions, like Victoria region in New South Whales, Australia, a good place to start. Better known for their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, but when planted in the right location, Merlot, Shiraz, Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon (mostly used in blends) can produce elegant, balanced wine with soft tannins, food friendly acid and lower alcohol. The added bonus? Wines from Victoria region usually represent great value compare to Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale. Here are a few suggestions of cool climate reds from Victoria, in this NR;

• De Bortoli Windy Peak Pinot Noir 2010 from Yarra Valley (048587) at $17.95 – Yarra Valley is best known for their Pinot Noir, and here is a good value Pinot Noir from the Bortoli family owed vineyard. Ready to enjoy or short term cellar 2-3 years.

• Domaine Portet Fontaine Shiraz/Cabernet/Merlot 2010 Yarra Valley/Heathcote (281410) at $19.95 – The Shiraz grapes are from the warmer Heathcote region while the Cabernet fruit are from the cooler Yarra Valley. Ready to enjoy with lamb, Coq au vin or a strong flavoured pasta dish or cellar 2-3 years.

• Tar & Roses Tempranillo 2011 from Heathcote (280198) at $24.95 – This wine would make for an interesting pick for a Tempranillo blind tasting. The early ripening Tempranillo grape grown largely in the Rioja and Ribero Del Duero region of Spain. This wine is 100% Tempranillo grapes, 64% from the region of Heathcote and 36% from Alpine Valleys, alcohol at a modest 13% with maturation taking place in a combination of new French oak (10%) and older barriques.

• Camelback Shiraz 2008 from Heathcote/Sunbury (665125) at $27.95 - This wine is 100% Shiraz from a small family owned winery, with maturation taking place in French oak (30% new) and alcohol coming in at 14%. The fruits are from the two region of Heathcote and Sunbury, both of those region vineyards have been grown in volcanic derived red soils.

Refreshing Summer Whites; There are few things more enjoyable then sipping a nice white wine with friends on a hot summer day. I, like many of you, have a tendency to drink more white wines in the spring and summer. The white wines I prefer during the summer months, are thirst quenchers that are lower alcohol, aromatic, with good acidity and a minimum use of oak. Over the last few weeks, I had the opportunity to enjoy two examples of these type of whites; one from the June 9 LCBO New Release, Paul Cluver Chardonnay 2010 from South Africa (277939) at $21.95 and from the June 23 LCBO NR, Reichsgraf Von Kesselstatt Ockfener Bockstein Riesling Kabinett 2008 from Germany (606202) at $16.95.

• Ken Forrester Reserve Chenin Blanc 2010 from South Africa (231282) at $17.95 – The best South African Chenin Blanc I have ever tasted have been from Ken Forrester. This wine is 100% Chenin Blanc grapes from 35 years old vines, alcohol coming in at 14.5%, barrel (9 months French oak, 20% new) and tank fermented.

• Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc 2011 from New Zealand (278556) at $19.95 – One of my favourite Sauvignon Blanc (SB) tasted at the New Zealand Wine Fair here in Ottawa last May 8, 2012. This is a fruitier style of SB with aromas of pink grapefruit, tropical fruit, gooseberry, pine nettle with crisp acidity. A very refreshing SB which over delivered at this price, worth multiple purchases and definitely on my shopping list.

• Hiedler Grüner Veltliner Thal 1er Cru 2010 from Austria (285056) at $23.95 - Looking for a partner for grilled white fish or seafood? How about this 100% Grüner Veltliner from Autria. Grüner Veltliner is mostly growed in Austria, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, usually better enjoyed with food and you should expect flavours of citrus and tree fruit, herbal and white pepper notes.

My top three wines from this release;

1- Livio Sassetti Pertimali Brunello Di Montalcino 2006 from Italy (287292) at $47.95

2- La Chablisienne Vaulorent Chablis 1er Cru 2009 from France (111666) at $31.95

3- Kooyong Massale Pinot Noir 2011 from Australia (281055) at $39.95

My top three wines for value;

1- Monte Vicario Soave Classico 2010 from Italy (282087) at $13.95

2- Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc 2011 from New Zealand (278556) at $19.95

3- De Bortoli Windy Peak Pinot Noir 2010 from Australia (048587) at $17.95

These wines did not make my shopping list but are worth considering;

Red Wines;

1- De Bortoli Windy Peak Pinot Noir 2010 from Australia (048587) at $17.95

2- Kooyong Massale Pinot Noir 2011 from Australia (281055) at $39.95

3- Pyrenees Ridge Shiraz 2009 from Australia (661918) at $20.95

4- Camelback Shiraz 2008 from Australia (665125) at $27.95

5- Ladies Who Shoot Their Lunch Shiraz 2009 from Australia (243592) at $35.95

6- Rodney Strong Knotty Vines Zinfandel 2009 from California (363358) at $22.95

7- Sonoma-Cutrer Grower-Vintner Pinot Noir 2008 from California (140723) at $30.95

8- Summers Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 from California (279380) at $29.95

9- Clos De Los Siete 2009 from Argentina (622571) at $21.95

10-Arboleda Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 from Chile (606764) at $18.95

11-Laurent Gauthier Grand Cras Vieilles Vignes Morgon 2010 from France (279059) at $15.95

12-Delas Haute Pierre Châteauneuf du Pape 2009 from France (074195) at $37.95

13-Gabriel Meffre Laurus Gigondas 2009 from France (163113) at $26.95

13-Paolo Conterno Bricco Barbera D’Alba 2010 from Italy (744714) at $16.95

14-Livio Sassetti Pertimali Brunello Di Montalcino 2006 from Italy (287292) at $47.95

15-Pasquale Petrera Fatalone Primitivo 2006 from Italy (279729) at $16.95

White Wines;

1- Bernard Reverdy & Fils Sancerre 2010 from France (200055) at $22.95

2- Vincent Raimbault les Terrages Demi Sec Vouvray 2010 from France (271973) at $17.95

3- Artesa Chardonnay 2010 from California (657585) at $23.95

4- Hiedler Grüner Veltliner Thal 1er Cru 2010 from Austria (285056) at $23.95

5- La Chablisienne Vaulorent Chablis 1er Cru 2009 from France (111666) at $31.95

6- Domaine Sigalas Assyrtiko/Athiri 2010 from Greece (276535) at $16.95

7- Monte Vicario Soave Classico 2010 from Italy (282087) at $13.95

8- Martín Códax Albariño 2010 from Spain (984906) at $16.95   

That is all for me and my team. We will be back for the next New Release of August 4, 2012, where the featured segments are; “Summer Blockbusters” and “Single Estate German Wines”

Cheers,

Paul YWG 

Château Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Washington State, USA

Here is an easy drinking Cabernet Sauvignon which can be enjoy with or without food. This wine opens up with aromas of ripe blackberry, dark plum, cherry puree, tobacco, chocolate, black pepper and cedar notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied (with alcohol coming in at 13.5%), concentrated flavours, low acidity and smooth tannins. Medium length on this Cabernet finish, with flavours of black fruit and slightly smoky. An easy drinking wine but for this wine to be fully memorable, I would have prefer less oak treatment, the fruit feel buried under all that oak. Score 88 points.




Purchased June 9, 2012 LCBO New Release (269357) at $19.95