July 20, 2012 Newsletter
Although winecurrent no longer attends the Vintages release tastings, for reasons outlined previously, there’s overwhelming interest and support from subscribers, wineries and agents to continue publishing the newsletter. It’ll be in your email box and archived on winecurrent.com every two weeks and populated by reviews of wines available in Ontario via Vintages Releases—those tasted previously and sent by agents and wineries—in the larger LCBO section, Ontario wineries, and those available through Consignment and Private Order.Sincere thanks to all who sent kind notes, blogged and showed their appreciation for winecurrent’s contribution to their wine knowledge and ability to better make informed wine selections. Thankfully, there was no ‘retirement party’, so no need to return gifts. However, I will keep and treasure the sentiments.
Highlights in this winecurrent newsletter include:
- Exceptional value wines – five wines earned the
icon indicating wines of ‘exceptional value’; prices range from $11.95 to $25.95 – two in the Main Release, one in New in the LCBO Portfolio and two in New in Ontario Wineries, the latter three from Jackson-Triggs. - Five stars – one wine from Fielding Estates earned the highest rating along with the exceptional value icon and it’s found in the Main Release as well as published in the LCBO Vintages glossy brochure.
- Finding Waldo – The grape is Albariño, the wine region is Rías Baixas, it’s the perfect summer white and it’s simply delicious.
Vintages Release: July 21, 2010
Australia Feature
Rutherglen Estates ‘Estate Grown’ Petit Sirah 2008
Rutherglen, Victoria, Australia $20.95 (179127) 14.5% alcohol
Petit Sirah’s known as Durif in this corner of Oz, with ancient vines adding grip and structure. Espresso roast, dark, ripe berry fruit and cedar on the nose, this dishes up a complex, chewy mouthful of black currant, briary berry and tangy cherry. It’s medium-full bodied with generous mouth feel and a lip-smacking aftertaste adorned with good grip and a core of tangy berry fruit. Pick up a bottle or two. (Vic Harradine)
The Main Release
Port Wine
Cockburn & Smith & Co. ‘Newman's Celebrated’ Port
DOC Porto $14.95 (134908) 20% alcohol
This is still one of the great bargains in the LCBO. An entry level "Ruby" Port that over- delivers on every count. Expect spice and cassis on the nose and then ladles of palate-drenching sweet, black, ripe, juicy berry and pit fruit flavours. More of the same on the finish, sending one in search of a cold winter evening, chocolate dessert or large chips of Parmigiano-Reggiano to match. (Vic Harradine)
Ontario: White Wine
Featherstone Estate Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2011
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $19.95 (089011) 13.0% alcohol
Hints of honeyed orchard fruit, kiwi and lemongrass provide segue to a gorgeously textured, flavour-laden, off-dry gem. Hand picked, hand sorted and barrel fermented, it’s mid weight, mellow and creamy smooth dishing up a river of lemon yoghurt, tangy key lime and sweet pineapple. It finishes lip-smacking good with oodles of charm and appeal. Pour alone or with pan-seared scallops over mesclun with Gorgonzola. (Vic Harradine)
Fielding Estate Viognier 2010
VQA Niagara Peninsula $25.95 (142323) 13.5% alcohol
Alluring aromas of nectarine, sweet spring flowers and spiced poached pear provide segue to a creamy-textured explosion of palate-coating flavours. This is concentrated and brimming with depth and complexity; honey-infused musk melon, apple crumble and marzipan run rampant over the palate and lingering aftertaste. Amidst this array of texture and charm, there’s balance and a refreshing finish. Winemaking wizard, Richie Roberts, waves his magic wand. (Vic Harradine)
Jackson-Triggs ‘Silver Series’ Sauvignon Blanc 2010
VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.95 (209577) 13.6% alcohol
The price-quality balance tips well in your favour. Delicate aromas of white peach, floral notes and sprigs of herbs presage a balanced wash of lemony citrus and lime cordial mingling with hints of minerality. It’s fresh and lively with a slight spritz, good mouth feel and a lingering, lip-smacking aftertaste of white grapefruit. Pour on its own as a delightful aperitif or alongside skillet-seared calamari. (Vic Harradine)
South Africa: White Wine
Ken Forrester ‘Reserve’ Chenin Blanc 2010
WO Stellenbosch $17.95 (231282) 14.5% alcohol
Complex, layered and rich, it offers up an involved nose of honeyed orchard fruit, nutty notes and quince jelly mingling with wisps of sweet vanilla. Palate-coating flavours abound—peel marmalade, racy lime cordial and yellow plum—carried along on a medium-full bodied, generously textured underpinning followed by a mouth-watering, crisp finish. This has ageability—drinking now to 2018—is versatile with food—try pan-seared garlic prawns—and is value packed. Did I mention it’s delicious? (Vic Harradine)
Italy: Red Wine
Rocca delle Macie Chianti Classico ‘Riserva’ 2006
DOCG Chianti Classico $21.95 (930966) 14.5% alcohol
A classic wine that’s been offered for almost 4 decades, it has evolved with the Zingarelli family winery. Aged 24 months in French oak, this Sangiovese is blended with a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Semi-transparent ruby, alluring aromas of sweet, ripe fruit, vanilla and spice rise from the glass. Dry and medium-full bodied, the wine is appealing and approachable, offering deeply flavourful red fruit and spice. A silky texture, fresh acidity and ripe tannin complete the package. Palate pleasing, well structured and finishing long, this will cellar medium term or can be enjoyed now with veal parmigiana. (Susan Desjardins)
Spain: White Wine
Martín Códax Albariño 2010
DO Rías Baixas $17.95 (984906) 13.0% alcohol
This top-tier Albariño, hand picked from over 1400 vineyard sites, surges from the blocks with racy aromas of minerality, pear and tropical fruit. Medium bodied with very good texture and oodles of charm, it flows over the palate with an energetic spray of lemon tang, white grapefruit and succulent white nectarine finishing crisp and refreshing. It’s versatile at the table matching well with fish, sea food or poultry. (Vic Harradine)
Upstream in winecurrent
Vintages release: Fall 2012
Rosehall Run ‘liberated’ Chardonnay 2011
VQA Ontario $15.95 (303776) 12.7% alcohol
Tropical fruit, yellow plum and exotic spice aromas on the nose herald a mid-full bodied, silky smooth gusher of ripe pineapple, racy lemon and mineral tones that ride on hi-toned wave after hi-toned wave. The crisp, refreshing aftertaste is nicely balanced and lip-smacking good. This is a versatile, value-packed Chardonnay to keep on hand. Sip on its own or pour with brie, camembert or roast chicken. (Vic Harradine)
Rosehall Run ‘defiant’ Pinot Noir 2011
VQA Ontario $18.95 12.5% alcohol
Lively, racy and full of flavour, it dishes up a juicy mouthful of County Pinot with a dash of Zweigelt coupled with gusto and verve. It’s silky smooth and light on its feet with tangy fruit flavours of savory red currant and sour cherry mingling with blueberry and hints of mineral. It finishes with tangy cherry/berry. Wonderful sipped on its own—try chilling slightly—and versatile at the table; pour with roast chicken or pork, or grilled, cedar-planked salmon. (Vic Harradine)
New in the LCBO Portfolio
Jackson-Triggs ‘Reserve’ Chardonnay 2011
VQA Niagara Peninsula $11.95 (526251) 13.0% alcohol
Aromas of sweet vanilla, apple and orange blossom provide segue to a fully textured, silky smooth mouthful of balanced and beautiful flavours. Ripe apple, juicy pear and beautifully integrated spice and toasty notes interlace and roll over the palate infusing the lingering, mouth-watering finish. Punching well above the price, could easily be your next ‘House Wine’ white—don’t pass it up. (Vic Harradine)
Jackson-Triggs ‘Reserve’ Merlot 2010
VQA Niagara Peninsula $13.95 (618241) 13.5% alcohol
Spice, wood smoke and red cherry aromas herald a racy stream of red cherry, currant and blueberry flavour on the palate. Medium bodied, clean and well balanced, this finishes in a blaze of tangy, juicy flavour with spiced black plum underpinned by ripe, fine-grained tannin and a hint of savoury herbs. Pour with meat-laden pizza, burgers or pasta in tomato sauce. (Vic Harradine)
Jackson-Triggs ‘Reserve’ Sauvignon Blanc 2011
VQA Niagara Peninsula $13.95 (618413) 13.0% alcohol
Citrus, herbaceous notes and spiced orchard fruit on the nose, it dishes up a well-balanced and delectable river of yellow peach, lemon-lime sherbet and ripe pineapple. It’s mid weight with generous mouth feel and a refreshing aftertaste that’s tangy and lip-smacking good. A very good quaffer that pours well with chèvre or blanched and sautéed-in-butter asparagus. (Vic Harradine)
New in Ontario Wineries
Jackson-Triggs ‘Reserve Crisp and Lively White’ 2011
VQA Niagara Peninsula $13.95 13.0% alcohol
This slightly off-dry, Riesling-Gewürztraminer blend jumps from the glass with lively spice-laden aromas of licorice, rosewater and citrus. Lime cordial, succulent white peach and crisp green apple flavours abound on the palate persisting through the nicely balanced, crisp, refreshing finish. This perfect summer sipper also has the flavour, oomph and balance to front up beautifully to spicy Asian cuisine, hot wings or a mixed deli platter. (Vic Harradine)
Jackson-Triggs ‘Reserve Rich & Robust Red’ 2010
VQA Niagara Peninsula $13.95 13.5% alcohol
This gorgeous blend of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon sports aromas of ripe, dark berry fruit, charry toast and dark cherry. It really struts its stuff on the palate—2010 was a great vintage for reds—with a splendid wash of juicy, ripe, black currant interwoven with sweet, ripe mulberry, cracked black pepper and Bing cherry. It’s medium weight with good texture and a lingering, fruit-forward, lip-smacking aftertaste. It was hard to spit. (Vic Harradine)
Rosehall Run ‘Cuvée County’’ Chardonnay 2011
VQA Ontario $21.95 13.5% alcohol
Kitchen spice and oodles of oak on the nose, it washes over the palate in a spirited, lively river of Granny Smith apple, racy lemon tang and mineral notes. Mid weight with good mouth feel, there’s a spine of bracing acidity delivered throughout. It finishes crisp with lip-smacking lemon zest and oaky tones. Give it another few months in bottle, pouring with smoked turkey and all the fixings. (Vic Harradine)
Rosehall Run ‘Cuvée County’ Pinot Gris 2011
VQA Prince Edward County $21.95 11.5% alcohol
Peach, pear and hints of floral on the nose, it rides a spine of minerality and mouth-watering acidity throughout. Lemon zest and white grapefruit interlace with succulent white peach on the mid weight, nicely textured river of flavour on the palate. It finishes in a blaze of crisp, refreshing lip-smacking tang. Perfectly poured when patio-sipping, it also pairs well with freshly shucked oysters or pan-seared fish or prawns under a squish of freshly squeezed lemon. (Vic Harradine)
Rosehall Run ‘Cuvée County’ Pinot Noir 2010
VQA Prince Edward County $24.95 13.2% alcohol
Savory herbs, charred toast and sandalwood aromas peek through on the nose. Vibrant red cherry, racy red currant and spice-infused plum dominate the flavours in this gutsy red. There’s full-bore red fruit underpinned with fine-grained tannin and framed by a solid whack of soaring, lip-smacking tang. In spite of all that, or because of it, it’s balanced and beautiful with good structure and a boatload of charm. (Vic Harradine)
Cheers, Vic