Taltarni Pyrenees Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Pyrenees, Victoria, Australia

This wine is crafted with 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, with Merlot in a supporting grape at 6%, with maturation in a mix of new to 4 years old French and American oak. Alcohol comes in at 14.5%.

This wine opened with an exotic maturing bouquet of blackberry, plum, blackcurrant, Moroccan spices, smoke, and cedar notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, tasty, structure is entirely elegant and very smooth with soft seductive fruit and gentle wood spices, fresh acidity and silky tannins. Very good length on the finish, not very complex but the flavours are very nice and the texture is pure velvet. This Cabernet Sauvignon has a lot of charm and although it is ready to enjoy, I wouldn’t suggest you wait more then 2-3 years of additional cellar time. There are endless pairing possibilities, including sipping on its own. Well made and very enjoyable. Score 90 points.

Purchased November 24, 2012 LCBO Vintages New Release (940692) at $24.95
 

Paul's Picks from the LCBO Vintages New Release of April 27, 2013 - Appassimen​to A Drying Art and My picks for...

Hello to all my wine friends,

Looking at this New Release (NR), if you are a fan of Italian reds, you are in luck. There is a respectable selection of wines from the featured Appassimento style of wines, from the region of Veneto, plus strong representation from Tuscany. If you are a fan of Barolo you have not been forgotten, there is a strong offering from the Fontanafredda Estate. As for the rest of the NR, a strong and interesting selection of white wines from Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling and Assyrtiko.

 

 

 

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 Fattoria Di Basciano Il Corto 2009 from Italy (134775) at $27.95, a classy Tuscan blend of mostly Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon with so many pairing possibilities.

Appassimento A Drying Art; The LCBO Vintages staff who put together this feature story deserve credit, both for the beautiful photos and the definition of what Appassimento style of wine making is. This link will take you directly to their well sourced info, so you can see for yourself and learn more about the difference between Ripasso or Amarone.

 

*http://*www.vintages.com/circular/130427/index.shtml#/4/

 

Here are my top three wines from the Appassimento style of wines from Veneto, Italy;

 

• Remo Farina Montecorna Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superior 2010 (056267) at $19.95 - Sometimes referred to as a baby Amarone or Amarone's little brother, this wine from the reliable producer Remo Farina is a blend of 70% Corvina, 15% Rondinella, 5% Molinara and 10% of other grapes, the alcohol comes in at 14%.
  
• Masi Grandarella 2009 (606921) at $25.95 - Masi is another very good producer of Appassimento style of wines, I have been following Grandarella wines for many vintages now, a full bodied, rich and velvety wine made with Refosco and Carmenre grapes with alcohol coming in at 14.5%. Pairing suggestion BBQ or roast red meat, game and cheese platter.
  
• Monte Del Fr Lena Di Mezzo Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2007 (047506) at $48.95 - In the wine world I don't know if there is a sexier wine than Amarone. This one is a blend of 80% Corvina & Corvinone and 20% Rondinella with maturation in 20 to 30 hectolitres oak barrels for at less 24 months, the alcohol comes in at a generous 15.5%.

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

• My Organic white pick; Wittman Riesling Trocken 2011 from Germany (320366) at $20.95  - Here is my pick from the six products featured in the Green Power Organic Wines section, this is a organic & biodynamic Riesling from the region of Rheinhessen in Germany, sweetness level is extra-dry and alcohol comes in at 12%.
  
• My best value white pick; Mount Riley Chardonnay 2011 from New Zealand (032318) at $17.95  - This wine is a blend of 100% Chardonnay fermented in stainless steel and French oak barrels and alcohol comes in at 13.5%. The same country which produces crisp and refreshing Sauvignon Blanc can also produce great cool climate Chardonnay like this one.
  
• My Chardonnay pick; Kenneth Volk Santa Maria Cuve Chardonnay 2009 from California (233981) at $23.95  - This is a cool-climate wine made with 100% Chardonnay grapes with maturation in a combination of French and Hungarian oak and alcohol comes in at 14.2%. Suggestive pairing; grilled or sauté fish or shellfish, chicken or pork dishes.
  
My off the beaten track red pick; Torrevento Vigna Pedale Riserva 2008 from Italy (208256) at $20.95  - This is one of my best value pick from this NR, from the region of Puglia, this wine is made with 100% Nero di Troia grape with maturation in steel for 8 months than a further 12 months in oak barrels with alcohol coming in at a reasonable 13%. Suggestive pairing; Italian pasta, pizza, red meat or mature cheese.


• My Sangiovese blend pick; Fattoria Di Basciano Il Corto 2009 from Italy (134775) at $27.95  - This wine is a classy blend of mostly Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon in a supporting role, with alcohol coming in at14%. Suggestive pairing; grilled or roast beef, lamb or earthy Italian pasta dish with sausage.
  
• My Shiraz pick; Stalking Horse Shiraz 2010 from Australia (251215) at $18.95  - This wine is made with 100% Shiraz grapes, maturation in American oakwith alcohol coming in at 15.5%. For fans of big and rich Aussie, full bodied Shiraz, made to be enjoyed upon release with BBQ steak or BBQ back ribs or to cellar for a further 1-2 years.
  

My top three wines;

 

1- Monte Del Fr Lena Di Mezzo Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2007 from Italy (047506) at $48.95

 

2- Domaine de Saint Siffrein Chteauneuf-du-Pape 2010 from France (169771) at $41.95

 

3- Il Marroneto Brunello Di Montalcino 2007 from Italy (190108) at $46.95


 

My top three wines for value;

 

1- Mount Riley Chardonnay 2011 from New Zealand (032318) at $17.95

 

2- Torrevento Vigna Pedale Riserva 2008 from Italy (208256) at $20.95

 

3-Le Arche Atesio Appassimento 2010 from Italy (320747) at $16.95

 

My wine picks from this New Release for your consideration;

 

Red Wines;

1-Le Arche Atesio Appassimento 2010 from Italy (320747) at $16.95

 

2- Masi Grandarella 2009 from Italy (606921) at $25.95

 

3- Monte Del Fr Lena Di Mezzo Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2007 from Italy (047506) at $48.95

 

4- Remo Farina Montecorna Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superior 2010 from Italy (056267) at $19.95

 

5- Grgich Hills Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 from California (071407) at $74.95

 

6- Stalking HorseShiraz 2010 from Australia (251215) at $18.95

 

7- Yalumba Patchwork Shiraz 2010 from Australia (098392) at $21.95

 

8- Clos Du Roy 2010 from France (321307) at $22.95

 

9- Domaine de Saint Siffrein Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2010 from France (169771) at $41.95

 

10-Fontanafredda Serralunga DAlba Barolo 2007 from Italy (943290) at $39.95

 

11-Torrevento Vigna Pedale Riserva 2008 from Italy (208256) at $20.95

 

12-Castello Di San Sano Guarnellotto Chianti Classico Riserva 2008 from Italy (317529) at $23.95

 

13-Fattoria Di Basciano Il Corto 2009 from Italy (134775) at $27.95

 

14-Il Marroneto Brunello Di Montalcino 2007 from Italy (190108) at $46.95

 

15-Marchesi De Frescobaldi Tenuta Di Castiglioni 2010 from Italy (145920) at $21.95

 

16-Miguel Torres Mas La Plana Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 from Spain (129676) at $54.95

 

White Wines;

 

1- Huff Estates Pinot Gris 2011 from Ontario (134221) at $19.95

 

2- Frogs Leap Chardonnay 2011 from California (713552) at $36.95

 

3- Kenneth Volk Santa Maria Cuve Chardonnay 2009 from California (233981) at $23.95

 

4- Eradus Sauvignon Blanc 2011 from New Zealand (225557) at $17.00

 

5- Mount Riley Chardonnay 2011 from New Zealand (032318) at $17.95

 

6- Mud House The Woolshed Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2010 from New Zealand (312744) at $20.95

 

7- Waimea Sauvignon Blanc 2011 from New Zealand (714295) at $17.95

 

8- Jean-Marc Brocard Mont De Lilieu Chablis 1er Cru 2010 from France (265348) at $27.95

 

9- Henri Bourgeois La Chapelle Des Augustins Sancerre 2010 from France (322628) at $29.95

 

10-Wittman Riesling Trocken 2011 from Germany (320366) at $20.95

 

11-Gaia Thalassitis Assyrtiko 2011 from Greece (315010) at $21.95


Champagne & Sparkling wine;

1- Lallier Grande Réserve Grand Cru Champagne from France (225284) $48.95

2- Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Vintage Rosé Champagne 2004 from France (588475) at $97.95

3- Prevedello Asolo Superiore Extra-Dry Prosecco 2011 from Italy (262881) at $17.95
 

That is all for me and my team. We will be back for the next New Release of May 11, 2013. Where the featured segments are Oz: Great powerful and diverse and Rosés for all seasons.
 

Cheers,

Paul YWG

Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Grand Reserve Pinot Noir 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

From the very good 2010 vintage in Ontario, this Pinot Noir maturation took place in French oak for over 10 months and alcohol comes in at 13%.

This wine opened up with an attractive bouquet of wild strawberry, plum, gentle wood spices and vanilla notes. On the mouthfeel, light-medium bodied with soft seductive fruit and spices flavours, fresh acidity and silky tannins. The ending is so smooth with those same soft berry fruit, sweet spices and fine tannins lingering. What you get from this Pinot Noir is a wine with great harmony, elegance and finesse, exactly the style of Pinot Noir that hits all the right notes for me. Strongly recommended, score 91 points.

Purchased March 30, 2013 at the Wine Rack in Ottawa at $19.95

Pirramimma Shiraz 2009, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia

This wine is 100% Shiraz grapes from 30 years old vines with alcohol coming in at 15.5%. (No other info from the winery website)

Deep opaque violet in color, this Shiraz opened up with aromas of black fruit, chocolate, freshly roasted coffee beans, toasty, vanilla and peppery notes. On the mouthfeel, full bodied, robust, well structured by rich and concentrated flavours, low acidity and grainy tannins. Generous and intense flavour concentration on the finish. This is a big Shiraz in every way, big alcohol with equally big fruit concentration and oak treatment with still makes this wine balance. If opening this wine today, pair it with BBQ beef or lamb, but it certainly would improve with a further 4-5 years in your cellar. Score 88 points.

Purchased February 18, 2012 LCBO Vintages New Release (987784) at $26.95

Wynns Coonawarra Estate Shiraz 2010, Coonawarra, South Australia, Australia

This wine is 100% Shiraz grapes with maturation in a mixture of French and American oak for 10 months and alcohol coming in at 14%.

Opaque ruby in color, this Shiraz was a bit shy on the nose with aromas of red and black fruit, damp earth, smoke, spices and subtle eucalyptus. On the mouthfeel, medium-bodied, concentrated and robust but not overdone with mild acidity and silky tannins. This finish is pleasant, medium length and very smooth. This is an elegant, cool climate Shiraz and another excellent value red wine from Wynns Coonawarra Estate. Very enjoyable, score 89 points.

Purchased October 27, 2012 LCBO Vintages New Release (433060) at $22.95

Domaine Cros De Romet Cairanne Côtes Du Rhône Villages 2010, Ac Rhône Valley, France

This wine is a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah with alcohol coming in at 16%. (No other info from the vineyard)

Deep opaque purple in color, this wine opened up with aromas of black cherry, dark plum, dried herbs, peppery and smoky and earthy notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, hot with flavours of black fruit, spices and charred wood, low acidity and firm tannins. This finish is medium length, hot with baked fruit and a stony minerality texture. After tasting a number of 2010 Rhône wines, I started to think that they were (for the most part) un-balanced, lacked finesse, with high alcohol and low acidity. For my palate, Domaine Cros De Romet Cairanne Côtes Du Rhône Villages 2010 has nice flavours but the whole package is over the top for me, the fruit feels baked, the alcohol is crazy high and the lack of acidity is not helping. Disappointing, score 86 points.

Purchased October 27, 2012 LCBO Vintages New Release (42986) at $21.95

Quinta De Ventozelo Reserva 2009, DOC Douro, Portugal

This wine is a blend of the usual Port grapes of Touriga Nacional 60%, Tinta Roriz 20% and Touriga Franca 20%, maturation 12 months in oak and alcohol comes in at 14.5%.

This wine opened up with a very aromatic bouquet of blackberry, cherry, stewed plum-rhubarb, dried herbs, vanilla and exotic spices. On the mouthfeel, full bodied, ripe crushed berry fruit with lots of spices, fresh acidity and fine grained tannins. Very good length and smooth, velvety texture on the finish with subtle fruit flavours, light minerals and spices. Here is a very youthful, well made and flavourful wine, ready to enjoy. Strongly recommended, score 90 points.

Purchased April 13, 2013 LCBO Vintages New Release (021329) at $21.95