![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Dec12_2015.jpg\")
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Key to the 5-star rating system:<\/strong><\/em> Wine colour indicators – Red<\/span>, Whites<\/span>, etc.<\/strong><\/p>\n The Foci …<\/strong> Viva Italia (VI<\/strong>) \/ Intriguing Israel (IS<\/strong>) \/ An Ontario Easter (ON<\/strong>) Argentina …<\/strong> Australia …<\/strong> Canada<\/strong> (British Columbia) …<\/em><\/span> Chile …<\/strong> France<\/strong> (Beaujolais) …<\/em><\/span> Greece …<\/strong> Israel …<\/strong> Italy<\/strong> (Abruzzo) …<\/em><\/span> New Zealand …<\/strong> Portugal …<\/strong> South Africa …<\/strong> Spain …<\/strong> United States<\/strong> (California) …<\/em><\/span> In-Store Discoveries: wines that appear on the shelves of your local Vintages outlet …<\/strong> If You Can Afford It: wines worth their high price …<\/strong> What I’ll Be Lining Up For: March 19, 2016 …<\/strong> Happy Shopping<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":2819,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[258,153,72,257,190,230,58,120,62,152,48,231,240,232,79,241,160,243,133,47,259,170,233,103],"class_list":["post-2986","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-vintages-releases","tag-alsace","tag-argentina","tag-australia","tag-austria","tag-bordeaux","tag-burgundy","tag-california","tag-chile","tag-france","tag-israel","tag-italy","tag-loire","tag-midi","tag-piedmont","tag-portugal","tag-puglia","tag-rhone-valley","tag-south-africa","tag-spain","tag-tuscany","tag-umbria","tag-united-states","tag-veneto","tag-washington"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2986","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2986"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2986\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2819"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2986"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2986"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2986"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
5 = Outstanding … 4.5 = Excellent … 4 = Very Good … 3.5 = Good<\/em><\/p>\n
The Skinny …<\/strong> The Italian spotlight is surprising well represented here, Ontario Easter lags a little bit, but the real surprises here are some of the gems from Israeli. There’s also a Chilean Syrah and a Beaujolais that blow you away.<\/p>\n
Alta Vista 2013 Premium Estate Malbec<\/em><\/span> ($19.95 – #677443) – blueberry, cassis and a real hit of smokiness. (*** ½+)
Luca 2013 Laborde Double Select Syrah<\/span><\/em> ($29.95 – #167346) – earthy notes with delicate spice, dark fruit and a white pepper finish. (*** ½+)<\/p>\n
Ad Lib 2014 Hen & Chicken Chardonnay<\/em><\/span> ($19.95 – #297697) – don’t usually dig on Australian Chard but this one is a good example of what they can do with its creamy peachy, apple freshness, vanilla notes and touch of floral. (****)
Barossa Valley Estate 2012 Grenache\/Shiraz\/Mourvedre<\/em><\/span> ($21.95 – #438440) – silky red fruit, a little white smoke, raspberry, cherry and subtle spice. (*** ½+)
Glaetzer 2012 Wallace Shiraz\/Grenache<\/span><\/em> ($28.95 – #047605) – fruit forward raspberry, strawberry, with chocolate, violets and woodsmoke; pretty and flavourful. (****+)
Two Hands 2013 Sexy Beast Cabernet Sauvignon<\/em><\/span> ($27.95 – #219469) – gorgeous and silky with mint, strawberry, cassis, blackberry and a spicy finish. (****)<\/p>\n
Osoyoos Larose 2011 Le Grand Vin<\/em><\/span> ($44.95 – #626325) – firm with pepper, smoke, leather and cedar; the fruit on the nose should come to the palate with time. (*** ½+)
Canada<\/strong> (Ontario) … click on wine name for full review<\/em><\/span>
Cave Spring 2013 Estate Bottled Chardonnay<\/a> ($18.95 – #256552) – *** … ON<\/strong>
Cave Spring 2013 Indian Summer Select Late Harvest Riesling<\/em><\/a> ($24.95 \/ 375ml – #415901) – ****
Charles Baker 2012 Picone Vineyard Riesling<\/a> ($35.20 – #241182) – ****+
Foreign Affair 2012 Dream<\/a> ($29.95 – #364380) – *** ½+
Henry of Pelham 2012 Estate Cabernet \/ Merlot<\/em><\/a> ($24.95 – #395855) – ****+ … ON<\/strong>
Inniskillin 2014 Riesling Icewine<\/em><\/a> ($79.95 – #558288) – ****+ … ON<\/strong>
Tawse 2014 Sketches of Niagara Riesling<\/a> ($17.95 – #089029) – *** ½+<\/p>\n
Antu 2014 Syrah<\/span><\/em> ($17.95 – #675371) – Antu is back with this blockbuster value: roasted coffee, mocha and meaty with black pepper and spiced raspberry; perfect for the BBQ, so stock up. (****+)
Caliterra 2013 Tributo Single Vineyard Carmenere<\/em><\/span> ($16.95 – #0056630) – raspberry, smoke, vanilla and blueberry; smooth. (*** ½+)
Intriga 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon<\/em><\/span> ($22.95 – #057901) – silky blackberry, cassis and cherry with a touch of vanilla on the finish. (****)
Merea 2014 Chardonnay<\/em><\/span> ($22.95 – #439349) – great aromatics kicks this one off, then a tangy freshness on the palate meets vanilla, grapefruit and apple. (****)<\/p>\n
Chasselay 2014 Quatre Saisons Beaujolais<\/em><\/span> ($18.95 – #444372) – gorgeous cherry with a white and black pepper mix; insanely good for Beaujolais fans. (****+)
France<\/strong> (Bordeaux) …<\/em><\/span>
Chateau de Bordes-Quancard 2011<\/em><\/span> ($16.95 – #444042) – nice value Bordeaux with pleasant tannin grip, dark fruit and layers of spice; a little gritty but should smooth with time. (*** ½+)
France<\/strong> (Midi) …<\/em><\/span>
Chateau de L’ou 2012 Infiniment Syrah<\/em><\/span> ($26.95 – #440610) – inky black in the glass with blackberry, black cherry, licorice and pepper. (****+)
France<\/strong> (Rhone) …<\/em><\/span>
Domaine Grand Veneur 2013 Les Champauvins Cotes du Rhone<\/em><\/span> ($21.95 – #076331) – lovely cherry, raspberry, strawberry and spice with delicate use of wood. (****)<\/p>\n
Skouras 2014 Moscofilero<\/em><\/span> ($17.95 – #442178) – sweet grapefruit, melon rind and a touch of white pepper. (*** ½)<\/p>\n
Gilgal 2013 Pinot Noir KP<\/em><\/span> ($29.95 – #440651) – a good light sour and red cherry fruit Pinot from a part of the world you wouldn’t expect to make good Pinot, exciting. (*** ½+) … IS<\/strong>
Tulip 2014 Just Cabernet Sauvignon KP<\/em><\/span> ($29.95 – #440420) – ripe red and black fruit, vanilla along with a good hit of spice on the finish. (****+) … IS<\/strong>
Recanati 2012 David Vineyard Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon KP<\/em><\/span> ($42.95 – #356683) – silky smooth from beginning to end: blackberry, cassis and black cherry fruit, well-balanced tannins and acidity. (****) … IS<\/strong><\/p>\n
Zaccagnini 2013 Dal Tralcetto Montelpulciano D’Abruzzo<\/em><\/span> ($19.95 – #396382) – interesting blackberry, cassis with a smoky-raspberry finish. (*** ½+) … VI<\/strong>
Italy<\/strong> (Puglia) …<\/em><\/span>
Cantele 2012 Riserva Salice Salentino<\/em><\/span> ($14.95 – #724328) – coffee and black currant with leather and spice. (*** ½+) … VI<\/strong>
Masseria Surani 2013 Heracles Primitivo<\/em><\/span> ($17.95 – #434274) – plum, black cherry, black licorice and mocha galore along with a spicy finish and a black\/white pepper mix. (****) … VI<\/strong>
Italy<\/strong> (Sardinia) …<\/em><\/span>
Antichi Podere Jerzu 2011 Chuerra Riserva Cannonau di Sardegna<\/em><\/span> ($17.95 – #270272) – nice blend of red fruit, pepper and smoke. (*** ½) … VI<\/strong>
Italy<\/strong> (Tuscany) …<\/em><\/span>
La Braccesca 2012 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano<\/em><\/span> ($24.95 – #566216) – lush black fruit, black cherry, cassis and smoky spices. (****) … VI<\/strong>
Nozzole 2011 Chianti Classico Riserva<\/em><\/span> ($19.95 – #324160) – well-priced Riserva with red and black fruit, hints of sour red berry and good acidity. (*** ½+) … VI<\/strong>
Italy<\/strong> (Umbria) …<\/em><\/span>
Villa Mora 2009 Montafalco Sagrantino<\/em><\/span> ($25.95 – #342394) – still with 7 years under its belt this wine needs time, big tannins and acidity with dark fruit buried but emerging. (*** ½+) … VI<\/strong>
Italy<\/strong> (Veneto) …<\/em><\/span>
Farina 2013 Appissilento<\/em><\/span> ($15.95 – #438481) – sweet plum, cherry and mocha. (*** ½) … VI<\/strong><\/p>\n
Clos Henri 2013 Sauvignon Blanc<\/em><\/span> ($28.95 – #675629) – more old world in style than the usually over-blown aromatics of New Zealand: gooseberry, apple, lemon rind and pea pod. (*** ½+)<\/p>\n
Mondeco 2010 Red<\/em><\/span> ($13.95 – #442210) – mocha, licorice, plum and black cherry; at under $14 this offers up wonderful value to explore the Dao region’s wines. (*** ½+)<\/p>\n
Rustenberg 2011 Buzzard Kloof Syrah<\/em><\/span> ($24.95 – #414151) – smoky, meaty with raspberry, cassis and strawberry fruit packed in; really tasty. (****)
Vinum Africa 2013 Chenin Blanc<\/em><\/span> ($15.95 – #739995) – lanolin, lemon, grapefruit rind and yellow plum. (*** ½+)<\/p>\n
Muga 2010 Seleccion Especial<\/em><\/span> ($39.95 – #712067) – black cherry, mocha, cedar and smoke. (*** ½+)
Olivares 2013 Altos de la Hoya Monastrell<\/em><\/span> ($13.95 – #163154) – licorice, mocha-chocolate and cassis; getting to know Monastrell is a good idea, here’s a good place to start. (*** ½)<\/p>\n
Chateau St.Jean 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon<\/em><\/span> ($39.95 – #977173) – herbal, mocha, vanilla, blackberry, black cherry and smoke. (*** ½+)
Handcraft 2013 Petite Sirah<\/em><\/span> ($17.95 – #361907) – plush blueberry, strawberry and raspberry, generous fruit, soft and sweet; really very yummy. (****)
Hess Select 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon<\/em><\/span> ($24.95 – #025080) – blackberry, mocha, plum and black cherry; pretty. (*** ½+)
La Crema 2013 Pinot Noir<\/span><\/em> ($31.95 – #719435) – silky with black and red fruits and a touch of that signature earthiness found in Pinot. (*** ½+)
Liberty School 2013 Zinfandel<\/em><\/span> ($19.95 – #041095) – big and sweet blueberry and plum notes, it’s an everyday drinking Zin in the Apothic vein. (***)
United States<\/strong> (Washington) …<\/em><\/span>
Chateau Ste. Michelle 2012 Indian Wells Merlot<\/em><\/span> ($25.95 – #408864) – soft and silky with plenty of mocha and blueberry. (*** ½+)
________________________________________<\/p>\n
Domaine de Rancy 2001 Rivesaltes Ambre<\/em> <\/span>($39.95 \/ 500ml – #165647) – France … *** ½+
Thorn-Clarke 2012 William Randall Shiraz<\/span><\/em> ($44.95 – #922773) – Australia … ****<\/p>\n
Ornellaia 2012<\/em><\/span> ($195.95 – # 722470) – Italy … **** (VI)
Giuseppe Quintarelli 2007 Rosso Ca’ Del Merlo<\/span><\/em> ($99.95 – #958595) – Italy … *** ½+ (VI)<\/p>\n
Antu 2014 Syrah<\/em><\/span> ($17.95 – #675371) – Chile
Chasselay 2014 Quatre Saisons Beaujolais<\/span><\/em> ($18.95 – #444372) – France
Masseria Surani 2013 Heracles Primitivo<\/em><\/span> ($17.95 – #434274) – Italy
Merea 2014 Chardonnay<\/em><\/span> ($22.95 – #439349) – Chile<\/p>\n