Another HoHum release. The nicest thing I can say
is it’s mediocre. The Pacific Northwest is featured. There could be and should
be some terrific wines available but they’re not here. I suppose our weaker dollar combined with the
LCBO’s inability to go outside their comfort zone left me with nothing to say
except that there might be a few more labels available than past features of
this region. How’s that for a glowing endorsement? Oregon, Washington State and
BC all get at least a few entries.
Also included is the Loire Region of France. One QPR option to try methinks.
WHITES
MULDERBOSCH CHENIN BLANC $14.95 - Terrific on its own or better with shellfish.Chalky, mineraly yet with enough fruit to keep you interested.
CLOS LES MONTYS MUSCADET SEVRE ET MAIN SUR LIE - $13.95 - Terrific value for sipping with cold cuts or seafood or just on its own on a dock. Think Chardonnay, but not quite, and as an added bonus, it's a little frizzante!
WHITES
MULDERBOSCH CHENIN BLANC $14.95 - Terrific on its own or better with shellfish.Chalky, mineraly yet with enough fruit to keep you interested.
CLOS LES MONTYS MUSCADET SEVRE ET MAIN SUR LIE - $13.95 - Terrific value for sipping with cold cuts or seafood or just on its own on a dock. Think Chardonnay, but not quite, and as an added bonus, it's a little frizzante!
AUSTRALIA
ROLF BINDER HALES SHIRAZ 2012 798 cases
of 12 $19.95 - Good shiraz, OK priced and lots of it.
WASHINGTON STATE
CHARLES SMITH WINES WINES OF SUBSTANCE CABERNET 448 cases of 12 $24.95 -
Cassis, a hint of herbyness that borders on tobacco, and a soupcon of
oak. Smith’s marketing thrust continues with the stark black and white label
this time mimicking a periodic table entry.
MILBRANDT TRADITIONS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012 192 cases of 12 $24.95
- $16.99 US from the winery – this is a fine example of Washington State
cabernet but like the other Washington St. wines here, it’s no longer a bargain.
CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012 1511 cases of
12 $19.95 - Solid, oaky Washington St.
sample. While this wine includes fruit from their Indian Wells and Canoe Ridge vineyards
as well as others, one must wonder why one of those specific vineyard offerings
did not make the release. This would be the logical release for them, wouldn’t
it?
COLUMBIA CREST GRAND
ESTATES CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012 616
cases of 12 $17.95 - Just below the H3
on the CC totem pole, this is always a
solid performer especially well suited to summer time bbq’s but also winter time roasts.
SEVEN FALLS MERLOT 2012 279 cases of 12 $19.95 - The Seven Falls cab was quite nice. No
reason to expect less of the Merlot.
LONE BIRCH SYRAH 2013
179 cases of 12 $18.95 - New one
for me…in general Washington likes syrah and syrah really likes the soil and
climate there.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
SANDHILL VANESSA
VINEYARD CABERNET/MERLOT 2012 111 cases of 12 $19.95 - From a single vineyard in the Similkameen
Valley (parallel to the southern Okanangan), Sandhill works with the vineyard
to produce this wine.
MISSION HILL RESERVE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012 322 cases of 12 $26.95 – Among the most successful of the BC
producers so they must be doing something right.
FRANCE
Both these wines will probably taste different than what you
are used to simply due to the reduced Grenache yields in the 2013 vintage in
the Southern Rhone. Look for more syrah in both cases - if you
try one of these against a 2012 I’m sure you’ll taste quite a
difference.
ORTAS CAVE DE RASTEAU LA DOMELIÈRE RASTEAU 2013 cases of 12 798
$15.95
FAMILLE PERRIN L'ANDÉOL RASTEAU 2013 499 cases
of 12 $19.95
AUSTRALIA
ROLF BINDER HALES SHIRAZ 2012 798 cases of 12 $19.95 - Good shiraz, OK priced and lots of it.PUGLIA
ANTICA MASSERIA
JORCHE PRIMITIVO DI MANDURIA 2011 249 cases of 12 $21.95 - Match with beef or lamb burgers.
TUSCANY
MARIA CATERINA DEI DEI VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO 2011 246 cases
of 12 $27.95
ROSÉS
CHÂTEAU VAL JOANIS TRADITION ROSÉ 2014 563 cases of 12 $15.95
LES VIGNERONS DE
TAVEL DOMAINE DES CARTERESSES TAVEL 545 cases of 12 $17.95
JORGE ORDOÑEZ RIO MADRE GRACIANO ROSÉ 2014 399 cases
of 12 $13.95
BOUVET-LADUBAY BOUVET BRUT EXCELLENCE CRÉMANT DE LIMOUX 351 cases
of 12 $17.95
BIG BUCKS
BALNAVES SHIRAZ 2009
127 cases of 12 $33.95 - Cote
Rotie meets Coonawarra. Or is that Cote Rotie meats Coonawarra? A very bad play
on words to highlight the meaty aromas from the shiraz. A well respected Aussie
producer, Balnaves Coonawarra shiraz is very good. Most,if not all years, it
contains a small amount of viognier as well.
COURTIL - THIBAUT CLOS DES BRUSQUIÈRES CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU- PAPE
111 cases of 12 $47.95 - A small family
run operation producing a more traditional style of CdP.
PAOLO CONTERNO RIVA DEL BRIC BAROLO 2010 248 cases of 12 $39.95 – Not unlike Pinot
Noir, Nebbiolo can be a love it or leave it wine and certainly one that will
age. This is a well priced effort from a great vintage and a good producer if
you’re looking for a cellar starter.
VILLA MANGIACANE RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2009 197 cases of 6 $48.95
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