De Toren Z 2008, Wo Stellenbosch, South Africa

 

This wine is a blend of all five Bordeaux grapes; 45% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Malbec, 7% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot, maturation took place in 225L French and American oak for 12 months (only American oak is use for the Malbec), alcohol comes in at 14.5%.

This wine opened up with aromas of plum, black cherry, blackberry, dark chocolate, violets, herbs and pepper. On the mouthfeel, full bodied, dark and concentrated flavours, firm texture, slightly rustic with good acidity and grainy tannins.  This blends finish is long with lots of oak spices and smoky characteristics. De Toren Z is not as memorable has there Fusion V which is more elegant and complex, I would have liked a little less toasty oak but Z is still quite pleasant, score 89 points.

Purchased September 3, 2011 LCBO New Release (178194) at $32.95

Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 2008, Mosel, Germany

 

From the challenging 2008 vintage in Germany, here is a half bottle Riesling that is surprisingly light on its feet and was absolutely delicious.  This wine opened up with aromas of citrus fruit (orange-lime,), apple, a hint of petrol and honey. On the mouthfeel, light bodied (with alcohol coming in at 7%), excellent balanced layers of creamy Auslese sweetness and lively acidity. A very long finish with mouth coating sweet fruit, honey and slightly spicy. An elegant and very stylish Riesling, very much enjoyed by all four of us who shared this wine with dessert, score 92 points.

Purchased in August of 2010 at Ka De We department store, Berlin, Germany.  

 

 

In Canada our labels are in French and English, wish I spoke German.

 

Te Mata Coleraine 2007, Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand

 

 

Sometimes it is a challenge to take a photo of your wine when you are having guests join you for dinner and you are busy putting that last minute details together. My friend and fellow Sommelier, Sebastian suggested to me it would be a shame to omit a review for this wine.  His request was well supported. Here is a photo of the empty bottle and the cork (more on that later).

 

This wine is a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot and 14% Cabernet Franc, maturation took place predominantly in new French oak for 20 months with alcohol coming in at 14%. When we opened this wine, I thought that it might be oxidized, the foil was covered with dry wine, half of the top of the cork was covered with dry wine and two separated lines of wine were running the length of the cork, through to the top. The quality of the cork appeared very good and the length was good, but it might not have been as tight as it could have been. This wine opened up with aromas of black cherry, blackberry, blackcurrants, roasted coffee beans, damp earth, smoky, exotic spices, cedar and mineral notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, bone dry with great structure and energy, balanced acidity and fine grainy tannins. A very good length on a long finish, with a rich combination of smoky dark fruit, minerals and mild tannins.  A gorgeous Bordeaux blend (think Graves here), robust, yet approachable, this wine just keeps getting better the longer it breathes. This bottle was definitely not oxidized, who knows if I would have keep it for another year or two, but today, this wine was much enjoyed by all. Score 93 points.

Purchased September 17, 2011 LCBO New Release (640656) at $59.95 

 

Five Rows Sauvignon Blanc 2011, St David Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

I had the opportunity to enjoy this wine over dinner, with friends at a local restaurant, Beckta Dining & Wine. Five Rows is a boutique winery, all estate grown fruit with a very interesting story. There were 99 cases produced of this Sauvignon Blanc (SB), 75% of the SB was fermented in four older French oak barrels (2x 2007 DAMY and 2x 2003 Berthomieu) the remaining 25% in stainless steel.

This wine opens up with aromas of citrus fruit (lemon-lime), gooseberry, yellow plum with light spices and vanilla notes. On the mouthfeel, a light to medium bodied wine(alcohol coming in at 12.4%), soft texture and refreshing flavours with excellent fruit-acid balance. The finish is very fresh, crisp with great energy and length. This is a well crafted, elegant Sauvignon Blanc, which when on a wine list makes the work of the Sommelier easier, because of the wine’s food friendly nature can easily match with so many varieties of food. In our case, three different appetizers paired with Five Rows Sauvignon Blanc 2011 and very much enjoyed by all. It is always nice to discover a new winery, thanks to Beckta’s Sommelier, Pieter Van den Weghe, for the excellent recommendation. Wine score, 91 points.  

Five Rows web address; http://www.fiverows.com/

Beckta Dining & Wine; http://beckta.com/

Enjoyed on September 7, 2012, restaurant price $58.00.

Summers Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Knights Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA

This wine opens up with a classic California Cabernet nose of blackberry, black cherry, black currant, clove, mint, chocolate and cedar notes. On the mouthfeel, this is a full bodied wine with (kudos for the moderate alcohol at 14.2% for California anyway) sweet ripe, rich fruit and creamy oak covering the palate with silky, slightly chewy tannins. Great length on the finish, with generous fruit concentration and beautiful silky tannins adding texture right to the end. For fans of California Cabernet, this rich and juicy wine goes down easy and is unlikely to disappoint, one word to describe this wine would be ...yummy. Strongly recommended, score 90 points. 

Purchased August 18, 2012 LCBO New Release (279398) at $29.95

Trinity Hill Syrah 2010, Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand

New Zealand may very well be closer to Australia but this Syrah is similar to the Northern Rhône Syrah, this wine is made using 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier fermented together in French and American oak for 10 months and then in stainless-steel tanks.  A deep plum color, this wine opens up with aromas of plumy-blackberry fruit, dried violet, white pepper, meaty and dry spices notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied , black fruit flavours and rustic with fresh acidity and fined-grained tannins. Dry with a good length on the finish with blackberry and crushed stone texture lingering. Very interesting and enjoyable, better served with food (would be great with lamb). Score 90 points

 

Purchased September 1, 2012 LCBO New Release (194274) at $20.95

Joffré E. Hijas Grand Merlot 2007, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

 

Here is an interesting and mature Merlot which opens up with aromas of spiced plum, black cherry, dry spices, tobacco, soft leather and dry mushroom. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied (alcohol coming in at 14.5%) smooth texture, plum and tobacco flavours, balanced acidity and dry silky tannins. Medium length on the finish, not terribly complex but very smooth. Very enjoyable and ready to drink now, it wouldn’t gain much by further aging, I say drink over the next 6 months. Score 88 points.

 

Purchased August 18, 2012 LCBO New Release (025098) at $17.95