January 23, 2020 Newsletter
The Canadian Culinary Championship
Canada’s Greatest Kitchen Party
The best culinary and wine event to hit the National Capital Region begins soon and ...
it’s one you don’t want to miss!
Incredibly generous offer to winecurrent subscribers!
Canada's Great Kitchen Party would like to extend a special offer to winecurrent subscribers. If you purchase one Mystery Wine Pairing competition at $195 you receive a second ticket for free!
This offer is for a limited number of guests so act quickly. To receive this special offer please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and quote WineCurrentCCC2020.
Louise Boutin and Lisa Isabelle from winecurrent will be there; why don’t you join them?
Click here for the skinny on this event
Vintages Release: January 25, 2020
Ontario: Icewine
90
Lakeview Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Icewine 2017
VQA Niagara Peninsula $39.95 200ml (471813) 11.0% alcohol
This bright, 100% cabernet sauvignon elixir never disappoints; fragrant on the nose—maraschino cherry, crushed strawberry and black pepper—it introduces a delightful and vibrant juice of sweet and tart flavours with ripe cherry, strawberry, tangy raspberry on the palate followed by a savoury herb and red, bell pepper jam note trailing on the perfectly balanced finish. Enjoy on its own or with creamy cheese such as Brie or Camembert at any time. (Louise Boutin)
Argentina: Red Wine
89
La Posta ‘Estela Armando’ Bonarda 2017
Mendoza $15.95 (261586) 13.0% alcohol
Aromas of floral and earthy notes lead to a persistent stream of palate-bathing flavours with pie cherry and spice mingling nicely with dark chocolate, sweet vanilla and wisps of tarry notes. This is medium-plus weight with good texture and a dry, medium-length finish and aftertaste. Pour alongside meat-laden pizza, lasagna or beef fajitas. (Vic Harradine)
France: Red Wine
91 
Domaine Les Pins ‘Les Rochettes’ Bourgueil 2017
AOC Bourgueil, France $17.95 (478263) 13.0% alcohol
Sourced from 10 to 35-year-old vines; this 100% cabernet franc has a lovely bright, medium-ruby colour. The nose is shy at first, but when given a chance to open, it shows aromas of dark cherry, strawberry, jalapeño and dusty rock. It flows on the palate with the freshness of juicy red berry flavours with spicy pepper kicking in on the mid palate along with assertive fine-grained tannin and recurrent minerality in the long, delicious, sharp and dry finish. It’s medium bodied with character and excellent structure and is a hit with grilled-rare ribeye steak. Aerate/decant an hour or two. (Louise Boutin)
Portugal: Red Wine
90
Quinta de Curvos ‘Provo Cega’ 2017
DOC Douro, Portugal $12.95 (446054) 14.5% alcohol
This is sourced from premium Port grapes—50% touriga nacional/25% touriga franca/25% tinta roriz and an incredible steal for its qualities. A lively fresh nose of mixed crushed berry, kirsch liqueur and floral note introduces a soft flow of delicious palate flavours—ripe blackberry, blueberry and cassis, lifted with bright raspberry acidity and wrapped in chalky fine tannin. The finish is nicely warm with tangy fruit flavours and a cinnamon hint in the aftertaste. This is ready to go and a delicious match with charcuterie board. (Louise Boutin)
Special Features: Misty Cove Wines and Nautilus Estate
• Vic tasted the following twelve wines while visiting two premium New Zealand wineries. Some were exceptionally good and four of those were exceptional value. If and when these make it to the LCBO, we’ll let you know. However, just reading the comments and the reviews will give you a better understanding of what New Zealand wineries are planning and planting for the future.
Misty Cove Wines
• The following 2019 Misty Cove Wines ‘Estate Series’ Sauvignon Blanc 2019 was sourced from estate fruit grown in the Wairau and Waihopai Valleys.
93
Misty Cove Wines ‘Estate Series’ Sauvignon Blanc 2019
Marlborough, New Zealand $17.95 13.5% alcohol
Pleasing aromas of ripe pit fruit and wisps of freshly squeezed lime abound. A surge of delectable fruit—cantaloupe, pineapple, hints of passionfruit and lime—capture the mid-palate persisting through the lengthy lip-smacking finish while showing plenty of pizzazz. This is medium bodied with generous mouthfeel and a lengthy, mouth-watering aftertaste. It showcases deft balance and delectable flavours throughout. Give it a go with breaded and grilled calamari, pan-seared white fish or sea food paella. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2019 Misty Cove Wines ‘Landmark’ Sauvignon Blanc captures characteristics of estate Fareham Lane Vineyard fruit. It was handpicked then cool fermented in stainless tanks after gentle pressing. Six months of lees aging prior to bottling developed mid-palate weight and texture and added to the wine’s fruit flavours.
95
Misty Cove Wines ‘Landmark’ Sauvignon Blanc 2019
Marlborough, New Zealand $23.95 13.5% alcohol
This single-vineyard gem was sourced from estate-grown fruit. It soars on the nose with alluring aromas of savoury herbs, lemon-lime and wisps of leesy notes. A surge of tang-infused flavours—white peach, Key lime, grilled and caramelized pineapple—capture the palate. Stunning flavours carried on fully textured mouthfeel and a solid line of balanced and beautiful ambrosia are prominent from twist top to final drop. This is stunning and not to be missed. (Vic Harradine)
92
Misty Cove Wines ‘Estate Series’ Pinot Gris 2019
Marlborough, New Zealand $20.95 13.0% alcohol
Delicate aromas of pit fruit and white floral notes waft gently from this gorgeous pinot gris. It’s much more interesting, full-flavoured and full-bodied than most pinot grigio and less oily and less cloying than some pinot gris from Alsace; it’s balanced on a pin and exceedingly versatile at the table. Look for nectarine and pear for ripe, fruity palate flavours then lime and minerality for a crisp, clean and refreshing finish. Pour with chicken, pork or veal as well as grilled tuna steak. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2019 Misty Cove Wines ‘Landmark’ Grüner Veltliner was hand-picked and hand-sorted, 75% whole-bunch pressed and cold fermented with commercial yeasts and 25% ambient-yeast fermented in new Acacia puncheon.
93
Misty Cove Wines ‘Landmark’ Grüner Veltliner 2019
Marlborough, New Zealand $23.95 13.0% alcohol
Using a grape closely associated with Austria, Misty Cove produced a very good-value, dry, crisp and exceedingly tasty example of it in this 2019 vintage. Lemon-lime, floral and straw aromas leap from the glass before bathing the palate with smooth and mellow flavours of Key lime, Meyer lemon and white grapefruit adorned with hints of white pepper. There’s good mouthfeel and plenty of lip-smacking tang in this small-lot gem. Pour with your favourite fish or seafood that’s grilled or pan-seared, sushi or ceviche. What’s not to like? (Vic Harradine)
• The sauvignon gris used in the following 2019 Misty Cove Wines ‘Landmark’ Sauvignon Gris is a clonal mutation of sauvignon blanc usually producing a slightly less aromatic (though not the case here) and pinkish wine. Found mostly in Bordeaux and Chile, there are also pockets of vines now being utilized for wine in New Zealand, particularly in Marlborough. This was hand harvested and cool fermented then aged four months on its lees.
93
Misty Cove Wines ‘Landmark’ Sauvignon Gris 2019
Marlborough, New Zealand $21.95 13.0% alcohol
This showcases good value, full-bore flavour, generous texture and deft balance. Aromas of honeysuckle and citrus give way to a delightful surge of palate flavours with cantaloupe and mango interlaced with tang-infused ruby red grapefruit and savory herbal notes. It’s medium bodied and delivers a food-friendly, mouth-watering, lengthy finish and aftertaste. Pour alongside grilled calamari or your favourite seafood under a generous squeeze of fresh lemon. (Vic Harradine)
93
Misty Cove Wines ‘Landmark’ Riesling 2019
Marlborough, New Zealand $23.95 12.5% alcohol
The sweet flavour of ripe pear and apple are juxtaposed with tang-infused lemon-lime and hints of white grapefruit on the palate of this value-laden, off-dry beauty. It dazzles the front and mid-palate then continues to impress right through to the lingering, lip-smacking tangy aftertaste. Pour on its own as a delightful sipper or aperitif, or pair with spicy tandoori chicken or curried lamb. This was difficult to spit and commands your attention. (Vic Harradine)
Special Feature – Nautilus Estate
• The following vintage-dated 2016 Nautilus Estate Méthode Traditionelle Rosé Sparkling Wine was sourced from 100% pinot noir vines with a blend of Dijon clones 667 and 777 and spent 36 months on its ‘lees’—a.k.a. spent yeast cells—before being disgorged.
95
Nautilus Estate Méthode Traditionnelle Rosé Sparkling Wine 2016
Marlborough, New Zealand $49.00 12.0% alcohol
Red berry fruit, biscuit and leesy aromas precede a profusion of fine-bead bubbles and flavours with strawberry, pie cherry and ruby red grapefruit to the fore. This vintage-dated beauty also showcases good structure and mouthfeel, deft balance and a lingering, lip-smacking clean and crisp finish. An impressive wine when served to welcome guests, it also pours well with seafood appetizers and mains, especially grilled or pan-seared salmon. (Vic Harradine)
• The following Non-Vintage Méthode Traditionnelle Brut Sparkling Wine was sourced from 75% pinot noir and 25% chardonnay—two grapes commonly found in Champagne.
92
Nautilus Estate Brut Sparkling Wine Non-Vintage
Marlborough, New Zealand $39.00 12.0% alcohol
Fine-bead bubbles wind their way to the top of the glass in endless streams after you pour this very good-value sparkling wine. It bathes the palate with delectable flavour—apple, pear and racy citrus—then finishes in a crescendo of clean, crisp, tang-laden lemon. It offers good texture, coupled with plenty of flavour and pizzazz. No need to wait for a special occasion, this pours well as an aperitif or as a treat to sip over conversation with a friend. (Vic Harradine)
93
Nautilus Estate Grüner Veltliner 2018
Marlborough, New Zealand $29.00 12.0% alcohol
Aromas of apple, pear and wisps of ginger abound on the nose of this single-vineyard gem. It then offers the yin and yang of sweet and tang palate flavours with ripe peach, pear and apple juxtaposed with tang-infused lemon-lime persisting through the refreshing finish and aftertaste. Sip on its own or pour with fish or seafood like grilled calamari, prawn and chorizo paella or barbecued sardines. (Vic Harradine)
• Grown primarily in the NW corner of Spain and in Portugal, Albariño appears to have found another home in Marlborough, New Zealand. The following 2019 Nautilus Estate Albariño is worthy of your consideration for purchase.
93
Nautilus Estate Albariño 2019
Marlborough, New Zealand $28.00 13.0% alcohol
Aromas of floral notes, apple and pear give way to a delightful surge of pit fruit—nectarine and yellow plum—bathing the palate interwoven with lime and soft Meyer lemon tang adorned with a hint of ginger. This is balanced on a pin, medium bodied with good mouthfeel, persistent purity of fruit, structure and a lengthy, mouth-watering finish and aftertaste. Give it a go alongside mussels steamed in white wine, garlic and leeks. (Vic Harradine)
89
Nautilus Estate Chardonnay 2018
Marlborough, New Zealand $32.00 13.0% alcohol
Oaky and caramel notes on the nose of this chardonnay herald a medium-bodied, nicely textured wash of ripe Gala apple, toffee and ripe Bosc pear capturing the palate and persisting through the brief finish and aftertaste mingling with hints of lemon zest. This pours well alongside pad Thai or maple-syrup glazed ham scored and dotted with cloves. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2016 Nautilus Estate ‘Southern Valleys’ Pinot Noir was hand-harvested from fruit growing in the Southern Valleys, cold-soaked, wild-yeast fermented, underwent 100% malolactic conversion then matured 11 months in French oak barriques, 25% new.
95
Nautilus Estate ‘Southern Valleys’ Pinot Noir 2016
Marlborough, New Zealand $39.00 13.0% alcohol
Alluring aromas of floral notes, red and black berry fruit mingle with hints of herbs and mineral notes on the nose of this smooth and mellow pinot. Red berry fruit—strawberry and currant—interwoven with black cherry and black currant dominate palate flavours and persist through the lingering, balanced and beautiful finish. It’s medium bodied with good structure and just enough acidity to carry good balance of fruit, acidity and hints of soft-grained tannin. This will improve with age, though it’s certainly approachable now. Pour with grilled rack of lamb. (Vic Harradine)
Cheers, Lisa, Louise, Dave, Vic