Key to the 5-star rating system:
5 = Outstanding … 4.5 = Excellent … 4 = Very Good … 3.5 = Good
Wine colour indicators – Red, Whites, etc.
The Foci … Spain (SP), Cool Climate Chardonnay (CCC) and Sake (Which I am no expert on)
The Skinny … I’m not much of a Sake drinker so you’ll have to source your Sake reviews elsewhere, and the Cool Chardonnays on the menu for the LCBO were so-so; the real stars here were the Spanish wines offering value and flavour – here’s my take on the July 11th release:
Argentina …
Famiglia Bianchi 2013 Malbec ($17.95 – #677559) – blueberry, smoke, vanilla, easy and approachable. (*** ½)
Australia …
Domaine Tournon 2012 Mathilda Shiraz ($21.95 – #410761) – more spice than anything though there’s quite a bit of dark fruit weaving its way through. (****+)
Nugan Estate 2013 McLaren Parish Vineyard Shiraz ($24.95 – #72603) – silky smooth with plums and black cherry with vanilla-mocha; a very pretty Shiraz. (*** ½+)
Stella Bella 2011 Skuttlebutt Shiraz/Cabernet ($18.95 – #58131) – gentle, easy Cab blend that’s for sipping on the patio. (*** ½)
The Lackey 2013 Shiraz ($17.95 – #005199) – starts blackberry then turns peppery; pretty and polished. (*** ½+)
Canada (British Columbia) …
Therapy Vineyards 2013 Pinot Gris ($19.95 – #422477) – mineral, apple and pear. (*** ½)
Canada (Ontario) … click on wine name for full review
Creekside Estate 2012 Laura’s Red ($19.95 – #117960) – **** ½
Creekside Estate 2014 Cabernet Rosé ($14.95 – #48819) – ****
Flat Rock 2012 The Rusty Shed Chardonnay ($24.95 – #001552) – ****+ … CCC
Henry of Pelham 2012 Reserve Baco Noir ($24.95 – #461699) – ****
Hinterland 2014 Ancestral Sparkling ($25.00 – #426023) – *** ½
Norman Hardie 2013 Riesling ($21.00 – #131169) – ****
Rosehall Run 2011 Cuvee County Pinot Noir ($22.95 – #225748) – *** ½+
Strewn 2013 Terroir Sauvignon Blanc ($19.95 – #343897) – *** ½
Tawse 2013 Sketches of Niagara Riesling ($17.95 – #89029) – *** ½+
Chile …
Tarapaca 2013 Gran Reserva Pinot Noir ($17.95 – #404210) – sweeter style of Pinot, black cherry, hint of smoke and a little peppery goodness. (*** ½+)
France (Bordeaux) …
Chateau Le Doyenne 2011 ($24.95 – #416735) – juicy, spicy, blackberry and smoke. (*** ½+)
France (Burgundy) …
Bachelder 2011 La Grand Chatelaine Cote de Beaune ($37.95 – #332536) – it’s what you’d expect from Bachelder no matter where in the world he’s making Chardonnay. (****) – CCC
France (Provence) …
Chateau de Berne 2014 Terres de Berne Rosé ($17.95 – #278861) – odd bottle shape but easy to get it into the fridge; flavours are dry rhubarb and raspberry with a nice balance. (*** ½)
Chateau Paradis 2011 ($22.95 – #415984) – currants and raspberry with vanilla-smoke, raspberry and cedar. (*** ½+)
France (Rhone) …
Domaine de Saint Siffrein 2012 Chateauneuf-du-Pape ($44.95 – #169771) – creamy cassis, black cherry, chocolate, balanced tannins and a long finish. (**** ½)
Vidal-Fleury 2012 Crozes-Hermitage ($24.95 – #295832) – spicy character right off the hop with good cherry, blackberry and smoke. (****)
France (Southwest) …
Gerard Bertrand 2011 Grand Terroir Les Aspres Syrah/Mourvedre/Grenache ($18.95 – #413245) – nice sweet mouthfeel with gentle tannins, blueberry, cocoa and vanilla with a blackberry, mocha finish. (****)
Greece …
Alpha Estate 2014 Axia Malagouza ($16.95 – #371666) – light, refreshing, and easy drinking: grapefruit zest, pith all with an apple hit. (*** ½+)
Gerovassiliou 2014 Malagousia ($23.95 – #416792) – nice floral and grapefruit notes. (*** ½+)
Italy (Puglia) …
San Marzano 2013 Falo Negroamaro ($14.95 – #380212) – fleshy middle with good tannins, cassis and blackberry fruit and a savoury finish. (****)
Italy (Tuscany) …
Le Velona 2009 Brunello di Montalcino ($39.95 – #181321) – licorice, cherry, spiced red fruit; all well-balanced. (****)
Sada Baldoro 2011 ($19.95 – #419044) – blackberry, black cherry, a touch of cedar and dusted with cassis on a long finish. (****)
Italy (Veneto) …
Monte del Fra 2012 Tenuta Lena di Mezzo Valpolicella Classico Superiore ($17.95 – #272500) – decent expression of Valpolicella with dark fruit and supple tannins. (*** ½+)
Portugal …
Lua Cheia Em Vinhas Velhas 2013 ($14.95 – #266882) – gentle and easy drinking with lots of cassis and black cherry. (*** ½+)
Muralhas de Moncao 2014 Vinho Verde ($15.95 – #80374) – fairly refreshing with limeade and mac apple. (*** ½)
Newman’s Celebrated Port ($17.95 – #134908) – Step up from your Morgan David and Manachevitz, adds spice and balance to a sweet wine. (*** ½+)
Spain …
Chapillon Siendra 2011 ($14.95 – #417675) – ripe and fruity that’s juicy with lots of raspberry and plum. (****) – SP
Finca Nueva 2009 Crianza ($16.95 – #292763) – nice subtle fruit of cherry, plum along with some savoury notes. (*** ½+) – SP
Quatro Pagos Reserva 2007 ($19.95 – #246660) – has a real savoury feel flavour down the middle, here fruit plays second fiddle. (*** ½+) – SP
Torres Floralis Moscatel Oro ($16.95 – #642173) – floral, orange peel, almond, candied citrus peel; a stunning achievement in dessert wine. (****+)
Valdemar 2012 Fincas Valdemar Roble ($19.95 – #417683) – nice spiced cherry and oak tones. (*** ½+) – SP
United States (California) …
Saintsbury 2012 Chardonnay ($39.95 – #359281) – nice hit of lemon drop and vanilla cream. (****)
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In-Store Discoveries – wines that appear on the shelves of your local Vintages outlet …
Carol Shelton 2011 Rockpile Rocky Reserve Zinfandel ($48.00 – #394510) – ****+
Champy 2011 Vieilles Vignes Gevrey-Chambertin ($59.95 – #264507) – *** ½+
Domaine des Baumard 2011 Clos de Saint Yves Savennieres ($34.95 – #16717) – *** ½
Merry Edwards 2012 Sauvignon Blanc ($59.00 – #283705) – *** ½+
Stonestreet 2011 Upper Barn Chardonnay ($85.00 – #253542) – ****
Tolaini 2010 Valdisanti ($42.95 – #137786) – *** ½
Torbreck 2010 The Steading ($51.95 – #97220) – ****
If You Can Afford It – wines worth their high price …
Domaine D’Ardhuy 2012 Aloxe-Corton Les Chaillots 1er Cru ($67.95 – #413112) – ****
What I’ll Be Lining Up For – July 11, 2015 …
Chapillon Siendra 2011 ($14.95 – #417675) – Spain
Domaine Tournon 2012 Mathilda Shiraz ($21.95 – #410761) – Australia
San Marzano 2013 Falo Negroamaro ($14.95 – #380212) – Italy
Happy Shopping