The last release of July is almost here and it’s time to pull
a cork on a nice rosé and quietly consider just where this summer is going so
quickly. While contemplating that unfortunate circumstance we can also consider
this release - Three features this time around including Chill Out Summer
Sippers, Argentina, and Greece. The latter two seem like afterthoughts used to
fill up a few pages. As well there is an Ontario winery regurgitation.
There are some good wines here but none that I consider
‘must haves’.
WHITES
Want to try something unusual? Try the TENUTE MESSiERI
VISIONI OFFIDA PECORINO 2012 – Made with the Pecorino grape that is thought to
have originated somewhere in the Sibilini Mountains. Note that 15 years ago
this grape was planted on 215 acres in all of Italy. This is not your everyday Pinot Grigio and it
bears no relation to the cheese of the same name other than the Italian word
for sheep is pecora.
Fielding
UNOAKED CHARDONNAY 2013 - $14.95 – Always a tasty summer sipper - full, pure
Niagara chard fruit in a glass. Well priced for what you get.
THE REDS
ARGENTINA
PASCUAL TOSO RESERVE
MALBEC 2012 349 cases of 12 $19.95 Solid, standard Malbec – get that grill heated up. If
you really need a sub $20 Malbec, this one will fill the bill.
AUSTRALIA
D’ary’s Original
447 cases of 12 $19.95 – A consistently priced, well made wine from Oz. Big
fruit across the palate. Syrah and Grenache.
PAXTON AAA SHIRAZ/GRENACHE 2012 575 cases
of 12 $19.95 -Biodynamic and certified
organic as well as just a bloody good pour.
FRANCE
CHÂTEAU PESQUIÉ TERRASSES 2013 649 cases
of 12 $17.95 - From the Cotes de Ventoux
this is a wine that used to perform above its price point when its price point
was $14.95. Now it’s a tie.We used to pay less than Quebec, now they pay less. How'd that happen? Yes it is a Parker favourite so you’ll be getting
lots of fruit.
GRAVILLAS SABLET Cotes du Rhone Villages 2013 - $15.95 - You
might want to save yourself 2 bucks and buy the Sablet instead of the Pesquié. Or
at least try one of each before diving in. This named village is among the
superior viillages of the Cotes du Rhone but not quite up to AOC standards. The
village name denotes an overall quality to the vineyards and producers of the
area.
DELAS LES LAUNES
CROZES-HERMITAGE 2012 249 $24.95 – Superior syrah – give it some
time and serve with rare lamb rack or chops.
TESSELLAE VIEILLES VIGNES CARIGNAN 2013 1293 cases of 12
$17.95 – Plenty of tannins and a big acidic mouthful to be sure. Look for dark fruits
and herbal notes. Very lightly oaked, if at all, as
it is 80% aged in concrete, 20% in demi-muids (I presume oak). Not to be
confused with the Tessellae GSM, this is another of U.S. Importer Eric
Solomon’s productions and it would seem to be built to Parker’s palate. Jeb Dunnuck certainly continues to propagate
Parker’s palate perceptions post Parker’s departure. (all this alliteration is
for the Vintages marketing team!)
MIRAVAL ROSÉ 2014
399 cases of 12 $22.95 The Jolie Pitt Perrin profitable pink production
returns for another run. I think this
has been reduced in price by a buck or two over last year. It is a well made
rosé but the bottle is a bit awkward and there are as good rosés for less. I
wonder how many times that bottle and ice bucket fell over when they were
staging the image for Vintages?
ITALY
SAN FABIANO CALCINAIA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010 ISD 49 cases
of 12 $24.95 An ISD with an unusually
low price. Will be in very limited supply.
SPAIN
BODEGAS ALTANZA -
LEALTANZA RESERVA 2009 B 12 659 cases of 12
$19.95 Solid, pleasant food wine with some age on it.
CALIFORNIA
NAPA CELLARS CABERNET
SAUVIGNON 2012 949 cases of 6 $26.95 –An OK BBQ wine if
grilled steaks are in the offing.
ST. FRANCIS CABERNET
SAUVIGNON 2012 616 cases
of 12 $29.95 – Another OK Cali cab.
BIG BUCKS and ISD’s
LADIES WHO SHOOT THEIR LUNCH SHIRAZ, FOWLES WINE 2012 287 cases of 6 $35.95 – Expensive but a good
wine. It goes with squirrel and rabbit and I just happen to have lots of both
eating their way through my backyard garden. Could it be that some good
grillin’ is in the offing? Furry things, you have been warned!
OSOYOOS LAROSE LE GRAND VIN 2010 ISD 84
cases of 6 $44.95 – The fruit is South
Okanagan, the winemaking French. It is among the better Canadian wines. Give it
a couple of years though.
CAPEZZANA CARMIGNANO 2010 ISD 12 29 $32.95 - In good vintages this is usually a superior
wine. Over the next 5 years or so my expectation is that this’ll be very nice.
It might be the sleeper of the release. An ISD so not many units at not many
stores.
CAPARZO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2008 B 12 149 $44.95 – Still
waiting on the ‘10s? This has some age on it and should be ready to go anytime.
Decant it.
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