Sandhill Small Lots Single Block Merlot C8 2009, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

This wine is 100% Merlot (estate grown and from, low yielding vines) , from the very good 2009 red vintage in the Okanagan, maturation taking place in new American oak for 20 months and alcohol coming in at a generous 15.5%. Only 5 barrels (119 cases) were produced.

This Merlot opened up with a rich bouquet of black cherry, dark plums, tobacco leaf, underbrush, roasted coffee beans, spices and toasty notes. On the mouthfeel, full bodied, extra dry, robust texture, concentrated flavours and firm tannins. This wines finish is very long, layered by dark fruit, cedar and spices and slightly chewy tannins lingering. A Merlot tailor-made for Cabernet Sauvignon lovers, richly textured wines which would be superb with any red meat off the BBQ. Some elegance should be acquired with 2-3 years of additional cellaring. A gorgeous wine and a real treat, score 92 points.

Purchased March 2, 2012 at the Vancouver International Wine Festival at $40.00

Domaine Les Grands Bois Cuvée Philippine Côtes Du Rhône Villages 2010, Ac Rhône, France

This wine is a blend of 55% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 10% Carignan from 10-70 year old vines, unfiltered and alcohol coming in at 14.5%. 

Deep purple in color, this Rhône blend opened up with an attractive bouquet of cherry, plumy-blackberry fruit, wood smoke, sweet spices and cedar notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, with flavours of dark fruit, strawberry jam and savoury spices, balance acidity and fine grained tannins. Medium finish, not particularly complex but the flavours are very nice and the texture is pure velvet. This is a very smooth, harmonious, easy drinking wine, made to please and at this price, strongly recommended. Score 89 points.  

Purchased August 18, 2012 LCBO Vintages New Release (286344) at $17.95 

Michele Castellani Cinque Stelle Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2006, Doc Veneto, Italy

This wine is a blend of the usual Amarone suspects of Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara, the grapes go through a drying process of 3-4 months with maturation taking place in 60% Slavonian oak barrels and 40% French barriques for about 3 years and finally, alcohol comes in at 16%.

Oh my! What a lovely maturing exotic bouquet on this Amarone with aromas of dried cherries, prune, raisins, soft leather, cola, clove and vanilla notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied with a fantastic mid palate richness and weight, low acidity and velvet tannins. This wines finish is long, very smooth, savoury with a silky texture. I think this Amarone is drinking pretty much at its peak right now, slightly verging on oxidation. I paired this wine with a tomato based pasta dish with sausage and it was wonderful. This Amarone is the perfect remedy for a cold winter evening, an absolute beauty. Score 93 points. 

Purchased October 15, 2011 LCBO Vintages New Release (75127) at $54.95

Quails’ Gate Chardonnay 2011, VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

This Chardonnay is a mix of 50/50 tank and wood fermented with only 20% new French and American oak and alcohol coming in at 13.5%. Pale gold in color, this wine opened up with aromas of ripe pears, golden apple, citrus fruit, buttery, toasty oak and vanilla notes. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied, slightly creamy, fresh acidity with a nice blend of citrus and tree fruit flavours. Very good depth of flavour on the finish, light minerality, toasted hazelnut with lingering flavours of tropical fruit with a touch of honey. Well made stylish cool climate Chardonnay where the use of oak is carefully restrained and well integrated. Strongly recommended, score 89 points.

Purchased January 19, 2013 LCBO Vintages New Release (377770) at $20.95

Kloster Elberbach Steinberger Riesling Spätlese 2005, Qmp Rheingau, Germany

The best holiday souvenirs for me are local arts and wine. Opening this bottle brought me back to the beautiful three weeks spent in Europe in the summer of 2010. This Riesling opened up with aromas of pink grapefruit, baked apples, peach skin and kerosene. On the mouthfeel, light bodied (alcohol comes in at 8%), moderately sweet with an excellent fruit/acid balance and a beautiful, creamy honeyed texture. This Rieslings finish is very soft with citrus fruit, a touch of honey and very flavourful. It has been 2 1/2 years since I first tasted this wine in Berlin, this wine is now moving into a more mature, complex and honeyed character, compared to the brighter fruit and acidity in the summer of 2010. Gorgeous wines like this one, are better shared with friends and made for a delightful sipper. Much enjoyed by all four of us, score 92 points.

 

Purchased August 2010 in Berlin, Germany at the beautiful KaDeWe Department Store

 

Photo courtesy of Rick. Much appreciated.

Penfold Bin 389 Cabernet/Shiraz 2008, South Australia, Australia

 

What am I to pair with a BBQ steak while having friends over and watching the big game (Super Bowl)? An equally big wine, a magnum of Penfold Bin 389, of course.

This wine is a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon and 48% Shiraz from various regions of South Australia (Barossa Valley, Coonawarra, Langhorne Creek and McLaren Vale), maturation taking place in 34% new American oak hogsheads with the remaining in seasoned American oak for 13 months and alcohol comes in at 14.5%.

Dark purple in color, this blend opened up with aromas of black cherry, blackberry, black currants, tar, dark chocolate, wood smoke, minty, clove and peppery notes. On the mouthfeel, full bodied, robust with concentrated and rich flavours, balanced acidity and grainy tannins. Very good length and power on the finish with layers of dark fruit, spices, cedar notes and fine grained tannins lingering. A big wine in every sense of the word, robust yet approachable, even in its youth and should keep improving over the next decade or more. Enjoyed by all, score 93 points. Okay score was Baltimore 34, SF 31.

Purchased at the SAQ October 10, 2011 at $79.00 for a 1.5 litre

Poderi Angelini Primitivo Di Manduria 2008, DOC, Puglia, Italy

This wine is 100% Primitivo grapes (Zinfandel big brother) with maturation in barriques for 6 months and alcohol comes in at a generous 15%. 

An interesting bouquet on this Primitivo with aromas of raspberry-cherry fruit, stewed plum, exotic spices, wood smoke and light herbal notes. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied, dry, soft seductive fruit and light cedar flavours, balanced acidity and silky tannins. On the finish, medium length with a beautiful soft texture and well integrated flavours. 

I wasn’t sure what to think about this Primitivo at first, but it really grew on me. There is a real Italian feel and charming rusticity to this Primitivo and I especially loved the savoury soft maturing fruit character of this wine. The surprising thing for me was how well integrated and almost unnoticeable the 15% alcohol was. It was ready to go after a one hour decant and best served at around 17ºC or 18ºC. Great value and strongly recommended. Score 90 points. 

Purchased February 2, 2013 LCBO Vintages New Release (268136) at $17.95