August 22nd brings us another Vintages release,
this one featuring ‘Top Scoring’ Wines. Scoring can be a subjective thing so
try to find reviewers whose palates match your own and read their notes, don’t
just go by the numbers. Also, I am not casting aspersions on their character,
but not all taste wine simply to taste it, some may be promoting their own agenda
(hidden or otherwise). Ahhh BP, so little faith!
On to the wines!
My opinion is the two WOMs are worth buying especially if you're a fan of steaks on the BarB or rare roasts of beef or lamb (or even a well roasted chicken) come winter time.
On to the wines!
My opinion is the two WOMs are worth buying especially if you're a fan of steaks on the BarB or rare roasts of beef or lamb (or even a well roasted chicken) come winter time.
SOUTH AFRICA (WHITE WINES)
FREE RUN STEEN CHENIN BLANC - $13.95 – A tasty, sophisticated change from Chards
and Pinot Grigios especially if oysters are on the menu. YTMV.
LIMESTONE HILL Chardonnay - $15.95 – Unoaked and pretty classy
for the price.
RED WINES
ARGENTINA
ARGENTINA
TRIVENTO GOLDEN RESERVE MALBEC 2012 – 1500 cases - $19.95 – Three reviews from respected
journals – consistent notes – 1 - Lush and intense, 2 - Ripe and rich, 3 - Dark
and dense. All over 90 points, you will be getting a real mouthful to go with
that steak.
FRANCE
GÉRARD BERTRAND GRAND TERROIR LA CLAPE 1499 cases of 12 $18.95 – Should be good. I measure all Bertrand wines by l’Hospitalet from the 2005 and ’07 vintages. Back then at $17.95 that wine was a screaming bargain. Also, if ever presented with an opportunity to try an older vintage (say 2007) L’Hosptalitas do so. It’s almost as good as any Chateauneuf du Pape. The downside is that it is priced accordingly.AUSTRALIA
TWO HANDS BRAVE FACES GRENACHE/MATARO/SHIRAZ 2012 406 cases
of 12 $24.95 - A superior wine especially for fans of GSMs
– count me in.
TURKEY FLAT GSM - Five bucks less than the Two Hands and close to if not as good.
TURKEY FLAT GSM - Five bucks less than the Two Hands and close to if not as good.
WAKEFIELD SHIRAZ 2014 1023 cases
of 12 $17.95 – With all the medals festooning this bottle, all it requires is a chrome twist cap and it would look like George C Scott in Patton. Well priced for what you get but this is a common shiraz often
carried in Vintages. No big rush to buy here.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
BLACK SAGE VINEYARD MERLOT 2012 335 cases
of 6 $22.95 – Time for a little Western Canada wine history here. Harry
McWatters was among the pioneers of fine wines in BC and as owner of Sumac
Ridge Winery was among the earliest to plant vinifera grapes in the Okanagan. (Side note: My wife and I took my parents to
Sumac Ridge for a wine tasting presided over by the legend himself and it was a
memorable occasion). Back to the lesson, Harry bought and turned what was once
a golf course into the The Black Sage Vineyard and it became the site of
premium grapes grown for Sumac Ridge’s upper tier of wines. Success attracts
interest and Sumac Ridge was purchased, first by Vincor, then by Constellation
Brands (when they purchased Vincor) but Harry always retained ownership of 50 %
of the Black Sage Vineyard. When Harry retired from Constellation a few years
back the vineyard was divided into two parts. Harry kept his half and
Constellation theirs. They also kept the rights to the name. This has led to a
rebranding by Constellation to identify wines from this site as they split Black
Sage off from the Sumac Ridge line of wines. The loftily priced Sumac Ridge Pinnacle
wine failed to make the cut and was dropped as part of this rebranding. In case you wondered, the popular Stellers Jay
sparkling wine did make the cut and I think is now is a brand unto itself. As for Harry, I think he’s opened his own
winery on his half of the old Black Sage Vineyard.
Wine wise, expect black fruit and mocha/ espresso notes here
– try a $20 Ontario merlot heads up to see what a difference longer summer days
and a desert environment can make.
ITALY
MICHELE SATTA BOLGHERI ROSSO 2012 299 cases
of 12 $22.95 . Good producer, nice wine.
Speaking of Michele Satta, my wish is for the LCBO to get the 2006, 2007 or
2010 Piastraia or Il Cavaliere and price them properly (both Satta productions
were available earlier this year at the SAQ). That would give us some wines to
get really excited about. Dream on, BP!
SPAIN
BALBAS RESERVA 2005 1189 cases of 12 $20.95 - 10 years old, well stored and now ready to
be consumed. Tapas time!
WASHINGTON STATE
CHARLES SMITH BOOM BOOM! SYRAH 2013 221 cases
of 12 $24.95 - Another of Charles Smith’s very good midrange
wines. It requires a certain level of confidence to order this wine from a
snooty sommelier in a ‘serious’ restaurant but don’t let that stop you! Also, for
any backyard bbq it’s right at home. Black fruits, white pepper, not OZ nor the
Rhone but hints of both.
PENDULUM RED 2011 111 cases of 12 $27.95
– A bit of a kichen sink blend, one review for it indicates it’ll be really
oaky, so if you’re susceptible to that, be warned.
BIG BUCKS
DOMAINE DURIEU LUCILE AVRIL CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2012 199 cases of 12 $47.95 - Consistently excellent producer, expect a
terrific, ageworthy wine. Not cheap but what is?
MOCALI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2009 167 cases of 12 $44.95 – Another Brunello
that’s ready to drink or hold.
CASTELLO DI GABBIANO BELLEZZA CHIANTI CLASSICO GRAN SELEZIONE 2010 - 223 cases of 6 $39.95 - Another Brunello in Chianti Classico
Clothing?
ROCCA DI FRASSINELLO ORNELLO 2010 199 cases of 6 $37.95 – Label pays homage to the cowboys of
the area so I suggest you might serve with rare beef.
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