CaliIcons - Vintages
Transcription
CaliIcons - Vintages
23365 Covers_EN_Eng Cover 15-02-20 6:00 AM Page 3 THE NAME GAME Cali Icons 20798 Secrets of SOUTHWEST FRANCE DISCOVER OUR RLATEST U ,R DJAY, CH E L E ACOLLECTION, S E D A T E :INSSTORES AT U RS DAT AY U NMEA R 2 3 ,2 12, 2 0 015 07 23365 Covers_EN_Eng Cover 15-02-13 5:08 AM Page 4 the benchmark for Barossa Valley Shiraz When Australia burst onto the world wine scene some 20 years ago, Barossa Valley was the region – and Shiraz was the grape – at the heart of it all. Barossa Valley Shiraz continues to be the most iconic premium wine from Down Under today. Interestingly, it’s not as though this was a new wine-growing region: with a plethora of old vines in excess of 50, 75 and even 100 years of age, Barossa is home to some of the oldest Shiraz vines on Earth. Drenched in sunshine and warmth, the region is ideal for bringing out the fully ripe, dark fruit of Shiraz, while skilled growers and winemakers like Schild Estate can retain the variety’s peppery nuances, too. SCHILD ESTATE SHIRAZ 2012 Barossa Valley, South Australia 066555 (XD) 750 mL $24.95 2 TASTING NOTE: Opaque purple. Sexy oak-spiced black and blue fruit aromas are complicated by suggestions of woodsmoke and vanilla. Plush and open-knit, showing good heft to its cassis and blueberry compote flavors, with a peppery quality emerging with air. Closes sweet and long, with soft tannins building slowly. This approachable, fruit-driven shiraz was aged in a combination of new and used French and American oak hogsheads. Score: 90 (Josh Raynolds, vinousmedia.com, July 2014) Full-bodied & Smooth 23365 pages One 24 to 48_EN_ENGLISH 15-02-20 12:41 AM Page 1 welcome March 21 pg.2 CALIFORNIA ICONS Christian Moueix from Dominus. pg.20 LOCAL TALENT pg.14 SECRETS OF SOUTHWEST FRANCE RIESLING plus... PRODUCT INFO & TASTING NOTES pages 24-39 TEAR-OUT SHOPPING LIST pages 40-41 VINTAGES SPECIAL OFFERS pages 46-47 * vintages.com FRONT COVER: CAKEBREAD CELLARS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2013, DOMINUS 2011 (See pages 4 and 7) 23365 pages 02 to 13_EN_Layout 1 15-02-20 1:25 AM Page 2 Seeking something all-around impressive? These captivating wines from some of CALIFORNIA’S BIGGEST NAMES feature big flavours and big scores to boot. 23365 pages 02 to 13_EN_Layout 1 15-02-13 3:52 AM Page 3 Before the vines leaf out in spring, flowering mustard dominates this Sonoma vineyard. There’s no region in the New World so venerated as California. This is where the leviathans of American winemaking roam, and we’re pleased to present this special collection of iconic favourites from some of the true giants of California wine. Included here are names that shook the very foundations of the wine world, and others – newer but no less influential – that speak to greatness yet to come. VINTAGES 3 23365 pages 02 to 13_EN_Layout 1 15-02-13 3:53 AM Page 4 Cakebread founder Jack Cakebread (centre) with sons Bruce (left) and Dennis in the late 1980s. LASTING INFLUENCE This family-run winery’s legacy for producing highly sought-after, award-winning wines dates to the early ’70s, making Cakebread one of the cornerstones of premium Napa winemaking. Sauvignon Blanc was the first varietal they planted, over 40 years ago. CAKEBREAD CELLARS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2013 Napa Valley Cakebread is one of the most highly esteemed wineries in Napa Valley. The early success of their Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Cabernet built a loyal following and enabled the family to continue acquiring top vineyards. This Savvy spends five months in oak, adding mellow toasty notes to the ripe tropical fruit and veggie characteristics. Aromatic & Flavourful 707224 (XD) 750 mL $39.95 4 VINTAGES 1 23365 pages 02 to 13_EN_Layout 1 15-02-20 1:25 AM Page 5 Kistler Vineyards business manager Mark Bixler, who also oversees the winery’s lab. A-LISTED Founded in 1978, Kistler are true masters and fashion some of the most expressive terroir-driven Chardonnays in all of California. These wines are highly allocated and many are available only to members of the winery’s mailing list. KISTLER McCREA VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2012 Sonoma Mountain TASTING NOTE: The elegance of the 2012 Chardonnay McCrea Vineyard is obvious in its crisp, orange blossom, lemon oil, fresh mineral-laced, medium to full-bodied style. The texture is there, the wine has impressive purity, and a hint of orange marmalade follows through in the flavors as well. This is a lovely, delicately oaked, flavorful Chardonnay to drink over the next 4-6 years. Score: 94 (Robert Parker Jr., erobertparker.com, Jan. 2015) Full-bodied & Rich 353706 (XD) 750 mL $103.95 2 VINTAGES 5 23365 pages 02 to 13_EN_Layout 1 15-02-13 3:53 AM Page 6 Cade’s 54 acres of vineyards (21 planted to Cabernet Sauvignon) sit at 1,800 feet above sea level. ELEVATED EXPRESSION Founded in 2005, Cade is the relatively young mountain counterpart to the spectacular PlumpJack Winery. Appropriately for such eloquent articulations of Howell Mountain fruit, ‘Cade’ is taken from Shakespeare, as, of course, is Plumpjack: “O brave new world,” indeed. CADE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011 Howell Mountain, Napa Valley TASTING NOTE: Dark red cherries, wild flowers, mint, savory herbs, mocha and licorice all flesh out in the 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain. Deep and beautifully layered, the 2011 stands out for its delineation, energy and pure vibrancy. I very much like the sense of energy here. This is a relatively gentle, suave style for Howell Mountain, but at the same time, there is plenty of early accessibility. The 2011 is 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Merlot. Score: 92 (Antonio Galloni, vinousmedia.com, Nov. 2013) Full-bodied & Firm 325027 (XD) 750 mL $112.95 6 VINTAGES 2 23365 pages 02 to 13_EN_Layout 1 15-02-20 3:30 AM Page 7 Christian Moueix, who makes classic wines on two continents, is recognized as one of the wine world’s greatest visionaries. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED Christian Moueix oversees production at the renowned Bordeaux estates of Château Pétrus and Château Trotanoy. When he took control of the historic Napanook vineyard in 1995, it was the culmination of a dream that began in the ’60s when he fell in love with Napa, sensing its potential. Dominus and the estate’s second wine, Napanook, stand as stunning verifications of his instincts. DOMINUS 2011 Napa Valley (Christian Moueix) TASTING NOTE: Savory herbs, menthol, smoke and licorice are some of the aromas that open up in the glass in the 2011 Dominus. This is a relatively immediate, expressive Dominus with plenty of near-term appeal. The style is open and succulent for the year, with lovely balance and poise. Crushed rose petals and dried herbs linger in the close. With time in the glass, the 2011 fleshes out nicely. In 2011 Dominus is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Drink 2017-2031. Score: 94 (Antonio Galloni, vinousmedia.com, Nov. 2013) Full-bodied & Firm 212381 (XD) 750 mL $176.95 2 DOMINUS NAPANOOK 2011 Napa Valley (Christian Moueix) TASTING NOTE: A tangy, fresh red with green tobacco, light chocolate and cherries. Full to medium body, firm tannins and a fresh finish. 83% cabernet sauvignon, 9% petit verdot and 8% cabernet franc. Drink now. Score: 91 (James Suckling, jamessuckling.com, May 15, 2014) Full-bodied & Firm 212357 (D) 750 mL $76.95 2 VINTAGES 7 23365 pages 02 to 13_EN_Layout 1 15-02-13 3:53 AM Page 8 In 2007, Frog’s Leap acquired the historic Rossi Estate and its vineyards; this pre-1900 tower still stands on the property. TOP SOIL Frog’s Leap has been organically farmed since 1988, and their noninterventionist terroirdriven philosophy includes choosing not to irrigate their vines. The results are stunningly pure expressions of each vintage. FROG’S LEAP CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012 Rutherford, Napa Valley TASTING NOTE: Chalky dry Californian red wine, with enticing aromas of dark berries and cassis. Balanced and long. Elegant, not in your face. Complex, balanced and featuring a long finish. Pair with organic beef dishes. Pair with: hearty meat dishes, hard cheese, braised pork shanks with white beans, sizzling New York strip steaks, veal, Asian chicken salad. Drink: 2014-2020. Score: 92 (Natalie MacLean, nataliemaclean.com, Oct. 2014) Full-bodied & Smooth 932400 (XD) 750 mL $68.95 4 Organic product 8 VINTAGES 2 23365 pages 02 to 13_EN_Layout 1 15-02-13 3:53 AM Page 9 In late 2012, Mike Grgich was featured at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in its first-ever exhibit on food history. HALL OF FAMER Miljenko “Mike” Grgich rose to international fame when the 1973 Chardonnay he crafted for Château Montelena achieved the highest rating of any wine at the famous 1976 Judgement of Paris tasting. Soon after, he struck out on his own and established Grgich Hills Estate. He was inducted into the Vintners Hall of Fame in 2008. GRGICH HILLS ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010 Napa Valley TASTING NOTE: A wine that offers a tight, focused beam of loamy earth, dried dark berry, cedar, anise and espresso. Features good length, with gripping tannins. Shows Grgich Hills at the top of its Cabernet game. Best from 2015 through 2026. Score: 91 (James Laube, winespectator.com, Nov. 15, 2013) Full-bodied & Firm 071407 (XD) 750 mL $80.95 2 4 Organic & biodynamic product VINTAGES 9 23365 pages 02 to 13_EN_Layout 1 15-02-20 1:25 AM Page 10 Pahlmeyer’s Waters Ranch vineyard offers perfect conditions for Bordeaux varietals (and, on clear days, views of San Francisco). FIELD OF DREAMS Astonishingly, Jayson Pahlmeyer was initially advised to grow corn in his now-iconic vineyard. Thankfully, he refused to abandon his dream of creating a “Californian Mouton” and instead established one of Napa Valley’s greatest expressions of traditional Bordeaux grapes. PAHLMEYER PROPRIETARY RED 2012 Napa Valley TASTING NOTE: The 2012 Proprietary Red Blend (79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 4% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot) is fabulous with complex notes of plum, blackcurrants, blueberries, raspberries, licorice and very subtle background oak followed by a full-bodied, opulently textured wine. This has voluptuous texture, tremendous opulence and is a sexy beast. Perfect purity also highlights this marvelous wine that can be drunk now or cellared for 15 more years. Score: 94 (Robert Parker Jr., erobertparker.com, Oct. 2014) Full-bodied & Firm 329375 (XD) 750 mL $162.95 10 VINTAGES 2 23365 pages 02 to 13_EN_Layout 1 15-02-23 1:04 AM Page 11 A cellar at Ridge Vineyards, built into a mountainside in the late 1800s and still in use today. TOP FLIGHT Ridge’s world-famous, storied vineyards have yielded some of the most sought-after Cabernet and Zinfandel ever made. Their Estate Cabernet comes from the same vineyard as their historic flagship wine, the Monte Bello, which played a major role in the 1976 Judgement of Paris tasting, while the 2012 hand-harvested Three Valleys comprises fruit from seven of Ridge’s most prized sites. RIDGE ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011 Monte Bello Vineyard, Santa Cruz Mountains TASTING NOTE: Ridge’s 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is quite laid back in this vintage. Sweet floral notes meld into red stone fruits, pomegranate and cinnamon. In keeping with the style of the year, the 2011 is medium in body, feminine and gracious. Best of all, it will drink well pretty much right out of the gate. Drink [Now] Till 2023. Score: 92 (vinousmedia.com, Dec. 2014) Full-bodied & Smooth 089284 (XD) 750 mL $73.95 2 RIDGE THREE VALLEYS 2012 Sonoma County TASTING NOTE: The 2012 proprietary red Three Valleys is composed of 82% Zinfandel, 12% Petite Sirah and the rest Carignan and Alicante Bouschet. This sexy wine (14.2% natural alcohol) reveals lots of raspberry and black cherry fruit, medium to full body, beautiful purity, delicate notes of spice, and no hint of oak. Enjoy this fleshy red over the next 3-4 years. Score: 90 (Robert Parker Jr., erobertparker.com, Oct. 2014) Full-bodied & Smooth 652875 (D) 750 mL $35.95 2 VINTAGES 11 23365 pages 02 to 13_EN_Layout 1 15-02-20 3:17 AM Page 12 Since Rodney Strong bought his first vineyards in 1962, the winery has grown to include 12 estate vineyards in six appellations. DANCING WITH THE STARS Before becoming a legendary winemaker, the late Rod Strong was a Broadway dancer – no wonder he was known for creating wines of exquisite balance and elegance. In 2013, Rodney Strong Vineyards was named Wine Enthusiast’s American Winery of the Year. RODNEY STRONG BROTHERS RIDGE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011 Alexander Valley, Sonoma County TASTING NOTE: From one of California’s best-known producers whose winery is a must-visit for anyone lucky enough to find themselves in Sonoma, this is a powerful and expressive wine with a lifted floral note off the top followed by oak, coffee, plum and mulberry. Fantastic mouthfeel, velvety and fine and classically Californian with beautifully integrated oak and great length. (VINTAGES panel, July 2014) Full-bodied & Smooth 405209 (XD) 750 mL $99.95 New at VINTAGES 12 VINTAGES 2 23365 pages 02 to 13_EN_Layout 1 15-02-20 1:26 AM Page 13 Raise a glass to California! Visit the 2015 California Wine Fair in Ottawa (April 10) or Toronto (April 13), where 120 top Cali producers will be offering 400+ premium wines for sampling. For tickets and information, visit calwine.ca The Shafer estate comprises 50 acres of vineyards, many of them on steep, rocky slopes that the family terraced themselves. PERSISTENT PERFECTION John and Doug Shafer and winemaker Elias Fernandez have mined some of the most exciting and unique microclimates of Napa Valley to create one of the most historic and consistently impressive wineries in the world. SHAFER MERLOT 2012 Napa Valley TASTING NOTE: The 2012 Merlot jumps from the glass with brilliant red cherries, plums, flowers, spices and mint. With time in the glass the flavors blossom beautifully as the wine gains texture and resonance. Merlot still suffers from a less than stellar reputation in some circles, which is unfortunate. Few do it better than Shafer when it comes to capturing the fruitdriven exuberance of Merlot. Drink this juicy, resonant red over the next few years. Drink 2015-2022 Score: 91 (Antonio Galloni, vinousmedia.com, Dec. 2014) Full-bodied & Smooth 346262 (XD) 750 mL $79.95 2 VINTAGES 13 23365 pages 14 to 19_EN_Layout 1 15-02-13 4:00 AM Page 14 ~ SECRETS OF ~ Southwest France Though it keeps a low profile, this classic region offers a trove of big, food-friendly wines. 14 VINTAGES 23365 pages 14 to 19_EN_Layout 1 15-02-13 4:00 AM Page 15 The 13th-century Château de Grézels near Cahors. Remember when Gilligan’s Island first aired and the theme song glossed over two of the show’s stars (“and the rest”)? As it turned out, the Professor and Mary Ann became fan favourites with their own cult followings, and so the lyrics were changed. Well, the fascinating little appellations known collectively as Southwest France are a bit like these castaways: although you might not know their individual names, they are well worth discovering. Just sit right back and appreciate the wines of Southwest France, and you might change your tune. VINTAGES 15 23365 pages 14 to 19_EN_Layout 1 15-02-13 4:00 AM Page 16 Vineyards in Madiran and Caillac (bottom right). 16 VINTAGES 23365 pages 14 to 19_EN_Layout 1 15-02-13 4:01 AM Page 17 LOIRE VALLEY Atla ntic BURGUNDY Oce an BORDEAUX Cahors SOUTHWEST FRANCE Fronton Madiran the wine lineup Hearty reds crafted from unique native grapes are a Southwest signature. CHÂTEAU PINERAIE L’AUTHENTIQUE CAHORS 2011 CHÂTEAU VINCENS ORIGINE CAHORS 2011 AC AC TASTING NOTE: Really vibrant blackberries with subtle hints of earth and toast, rich fleshy palate, pronounced but ripe tannin, very generous with a lingering cedar tinged finish. Score: HHHHH (Panel, Decanter World Wine Awards, 2013) Ranked #12 in Wine Enthusiast’s 2013 Enthusiast 100. Full-bodied & Firm 408294 (XD) 750 mL New at VINTAGES $39.95 2 TASTING NOTE: Almost black in color, this is a dark-hued, black plum and chocolate flavored wine. It is powerful and very concentrated, densely tannic as well as fruity. There is a dusty texture, a fine stratum of acidity and strong wood-spice flavors. The wine is for long-term aging. Drink from 2017. Score: 93 (Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast, Dec. 31, 2013) Full-bodied & Smooth 343400 (XD) 750 mL $17.95 3 If Southwest France has a unifying trait, it’s the hearty textures of its red wines. In the not-too-distant past, the wines were accurately described as rustic due to the prevalence of rough, unpolished tannins; modernization has brought more overall polish to the wines, but the big tannins and resulting chewy textures have largely remained. Beyond that, though, it’s tough to generalize given that the ‘region’ of Southwest France is really a vast expanse dotted by tiny individual appellations that tend to make their wines from unique native grape varieties. CAHORS lies in the northeast, at the same latitude as southern Bordeaux, and makes deep, dark, tarry wines from a little grape you might have heard of called MALBEC . Some 50 km south, just north of Toulouse, is FRONTON , where the signature local red grape, NEGRETTE , is used to make tangy, sinewy reds. Another 100 km southwest of this is MADIRAN , where TANNAT (a variety named for its robust tannins) is used to make massive, robust, chewy reds. VINTAGES 17 23365 pages 14 to 19_EN_Layout 1 15-02-20 1:41 AM Page 18 LIONEL OSMIN & CIE VILLA LA RÉSERVE MALBEC 2011 CHÂTEAU PEYROS VIEILLES VIGNES MADIRAN 2009 IGP Comté Tolosan AC TASTING NOTE: From the Comté Tolosan IGP that includes all vineyards of Southwest France, this is classically styled Malbec at a very friendly price. Big plum, cherry fruit and oak wrapped in bright acidity and substantial yet elegant tannins make for a balanced, longfinishing, impactful wine. (V INTAGES panel, July 2014) TASTING NOTE: On the southern edge of Madiran, Château Peyros has exceptional rocky vineyards. That gives this seriously structured wine a mineral nuance, framing the dark, very firm and tannic character. The fruit, bold and black, is still under the surface of a wine that needs at least 7-8 years to soften. Cellar Selection. Score: 92 (Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast, Sept. 2013) Medium-bodied & Fruity 328641 (XD) $13.95 2 750 mL Full-bodied & Firm 234997 (XD) $18.95 2 18 VINTAGES 750 mL DOMAINE SERGENT OAK AGED MADIRAN 2011 CHÂTEAU BELLEVUE LA FORÊT 2011 AC (Earl Dousseau, Prop.-Vitic.) AC Fronton (Philip Grant, Prop.) TASTING NOTE: Made from Tannat with Cabernets Franc and Sauvignon in support, this big earthy wine serves up tons of chewy dark fruit – mulberry, plum, rich cherry – and plenty of oak spice. It’s a modern, fruit-driven Madiran that also exhibits classic heft, concentration and structure. (V INTAGES panel, July 2014) TASTING NOTE: Lively blueberry, plum, dark cherry, earthy notes and spice paint a pretty picture in this modernstyled red built around the local signature Negrette variety. There’s massive concentration on the palate and brilliant acidity bringing refreshment. Very good value. (VINTAGES panel, July 2014) Full-bodied & Firm Full-bodied & Firm 251561 (XD) $21.95 354134 (XD) $13.95 2 750 mL 2 750 mL 23365 pages 14 to 19_EN_Layout 1 15-02-13 4:01 AM Page 19 Cassoulet and duck confit (bottom left) are both fine matches for the hearty wines of Southwest France. eat local, drink local Southern France’s robust fare is the perfect foil for the region’s big wines. While the red wines of Southwest France can be great with many protein-rich foods – red meats, game, firm cheeses, legumes – there are some regional old-school French country cooking dishes that offer particularly rewarding pairings. CASSOULET – A slow-cooked casserole of pork sausages, pork skin and white beans. It’s brimming with enough protein to tame the wine’s chewy tannins. POULET BASQUAISE (Basque chicken) – Chicken simmered in tomatoes, bell peppers, wine, onions and garlic. The forthright flavours of the dish call for a big wine. JAMBON DE BAYONNE – Sometimes called French prosciutto, this dry-aged salted ham was named for the ancient port city of Bayonne in Southwest France. It’s a perfect charcuterie pairing with the local reds. CONFIT DE CANARD – Salt-cured duck slow-cooked in its own fat and seasoned with herbs, this classic dish of Southwest France has the richness and flavour to complement the wines. VINTAGES 19 23365 pages 20 to 23_EN_Layout 1 15-02-13 4:13 AM Page 20 expressly expressive Niagara Rieslings deftly demonstrate how varied vineyard sites create nuances both subtle and striking. Riesling conveys an almost magical sense of where it comes from. The grape’s natural knack for transparency and authentic expression is good news for Ontario growers and winemakers, since our climate is ideal for making bright, refreshing Rieslings with nuanced mineral characteristics. In Niagara, Riesling is the perfect lens through which to appreciate the (sometimes subtle, sometimes striking) differences between the local sub-appellations and even the individual vineyards. Join us as we explore this precision through four outstanding singlevineyard Rieslings. continued on page 22 20 VINTAGES 23365 pages 20 to 23_EN_Layout 1 15-02-13 4:13 AM Page 21 VINTAGES 21 23365 pages 20 to 23_EN_Layout 1 15-02-13 4:13 AM Page 22 the minerality of Creek Shores wines subtler than those from the Bench appellations. Rising above Creek Shores and its lakeside neighbour Lincoln Lakeshore are the three Bench appellations that make up the Niagara Escarpment regional appellation – Short Hills Bench, Twenty Mile Bench and Beamsville Bench. Vineyards here are sheltered from prevailing winds by the escarpment itself, while mild lake breezes are reflected back by the ridge and thereby moderate temperatures. The glacial-formed soils of the escarpment are incredibly complex, with WELLAND CANAL Resting below the Niagara Escarpment and covering some 5 km from the shoreline of Lake Ontario to the foot of the escarpment itself, the Creek Shores appellation enjoys steady sunshine and mild temperatures that make for some of Niagara’s softest, ripest and most fruit-driven Rieslings. Sunny citrus fruit is a particular calling card, which can be seen in full force in the single-vineyard 13th Street June’s Vineyard Riesling 2013. Since it sits below, rather than atop, the rocky benches of the escarpment, the fertile soils are sandy and dotted with pockets of mineral that trickled down over the centuries, making Niagara Appellations calcareous clay and dolomitic limestone in varying degrees as the common thread. The wines are often etched with distinctive limestone mineral character, as seen in the Vineland Estates Elevation St. Urban Vineyard Riesling 2012 sourced from a vineyard in Twenty Mile Bench, an appellation known for its unique double-bench formation and soils remarkably rich in limestone and shale. While the team at Vineland Estates emblazons their Riesling with the larger Niagara Escarpment appellation, the Flat Rock Nadja’s Vineyard Riesling 2013, sourced from a tiny mineralrich vineyard, wears the Bench NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE Niagara Lakeshore PORT WELLER LAKE ONTARIO PORT DALHOUSIE Four Mile Creek JORDAN HARBOUR ST. CATHARINES Lincoln Lakeshore JORDAN GRIMSBY Creek Shores Beamsville Bench Twenty Mile Bench Short Hills Bench Vinemount Ridge St. David’s Bench Niagara River 23365 pages 20 to 23_EN_Layout 1 15-02-13 4:13 AM Page 23 appellation name itself. Tasting these two wines side by side offers a good introduction to the Rieslings of Twenty Mile Bench, giving a sense of the freshness and minerality that unites them and the nuances that differentiate them. Just west of Twenty Mile Bench is Beamsville Bench, with its single-bench formation network of small streams and ravines. This appellation, too, reaps the windbreak and heat-cycling benefits of the escarpment. The soil here is an eclectic and highly variable mix of boulders, gravel, sand, silt and clay dotted with shale, sandstone and limestone, with dolomitic limestone figuring importantly across the appellation and expressed prominently in the wines. The Fielding Estate Riesling 2014 is sourced from select blocks in Fielding’s own Beamsville Bench vineyard. the finer points 13TH STREET JUNE’S VINEYARD RIESLING 2013 VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula The bright citrus fruit here is a hallmark of the Creek Shores appellation. Mineral-laced and built for the long term. 91 points (Michael Godel) Aromatic & Flavourful 147512 (D) 750 mL $19.95 2 VINELAND ESTATES ELEVATION ST. URBAN VINEYARD RIESLING 2012 VQA Niagara Escarpment Interplay of citrus, pear, honey and complex Niagara Escarpment minerality. Has balance and structure to last for decades. 94 points (Michael Godel) Off-dry & Fruity 38117 (M) 750 mL $19.95 2 FLAT ROCK NADJA’S VINEYARD RIESLING 2013 VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula Pretty and very aromatic, with plenty of crisp apple, summer fruit and minerality. Great length and cellar potential. 91 points (John Szabo, M.S.) Aromatic & Flavourful 578625 (D) 750 mL $19.95 2 FIELDING ESTATE RIESLING 2014 CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Fielding Estate’s inviting tasting room is built of cedar, stone and glass in a nod to Ontario cottage country; a deck offers stunning views of Lake Ontario. Flat Rock Cellars’ 80 acres of vineyards are planted with Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, all well-suited to conditions on the Twenty Mile Bench. Vineland Estates Winery, formerly a Mennonite homestead dating to the 1840s, is surrounded by its St. Urban Vineyard. The focal point of 13th Street Winery’s Gallery Room (available for meetings and private dinners) is an 18-foot table made from a solid slab of Indonesian hardwood. Estate bottled, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula Beautifully articulated Riesling with bright green apple, lime and a smoky minerality. The sweetness is perfectly balanced by the amazing mouth-watering acidity. Aromatic & Flavourful 251439 (M) 750 mL $18.95 2 FOR COMPLETE TASTING NOTES, SEE PAGE 26. VINTAGES 23 23365 pages One 24 to 48_EN_ENGLISH 15-02-23 1:06 AM Page 24 UNCORK SOMETHING GREAT • SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2015 SPIRITS product notes BRANDY DRINKABILITY INDEX G.E. MASSENEZ VIEUX CALVADOS AC, France This index is intended as a guideline and reflects the collective view of our purchasing panel. 1 2 3 DRINK NOW: Enjoy and drink. There is no benefit to cellaring. DRINK OR HOLD: Can be enjoyed now, but may be matured further by cellaring, depending on individual preference. HOLD: Ideal for further cellaring. This wine may well be enjoyed now by some but we feel that it will develop favourably under ideal cellaring conditions. PERCEIVED SUGAR CONTENT Perceived dryness/sweetness by tasting evaluation. VINTAGES scale ranges from Extra Dry to Sweet: XD, D, M, MS, S. Please discuss specifics with our Product Consultants. TASTING NOTE: This “imprisoned” apple is part of the prestigious Signature range. The bottle is attached to the apple tree while in flower so the fruit develops inside the bottle. When it ripens, the fruit and the bottle are carefully detached. Then the bottles are cleaned and filled with Calvados. Years of maceration gently blend the flavours of the apple and the spirit. The result is an aroma that’s full of apple cider and baked apple notes which carry through intensely on the palate. Rounded, smooth with deep apple flavours, this is great before dinner on the rocks, after dinner at room temperature or in-between courses ... Score: 95 (Margaret Swaine, winealign.com, May 7, 2014) 271726 750 mL $72.95 FORTIFIEDS WINE STYLES Every wine in this section includes a style, above the product number (e.g, Full-bodied & Smooth, Aromatic & Flavourful). These simplified flavour profiles are designed to help customers quickly and easily choose products. For detailed descriptions of each style, and more information, visit lcbo.com/winestyles. ORGANIC PRODUCTS Wines designated as organic 4 contain 30 mg/L or less of free sulphur for dry wines (<50 g/L sugar); 35 mg/L or less for sweeter wines (50-99 g/L sugar); 45 mg/L or less for sweet wines (>99 g/L sugar). EUROPEAN FORTIFIED DOMAINE DU PAPAROTIER MUSCAT DE BEAUMES-DEVENISE 2012 AC, Rhône, France (Vignobles de Balma Venitia) TASTING NOTE: Fragrant and enticing with pronounced aromas of fresh flowers, orange, peach and honey. As sweet-kissed, unctuous and juicy as it is on the tongue, it’s equally refreshing, with delicious echoes of the nose and a long, honeyed finish. Savour this with fresh fruits, or simply sip after a fine meal. (VINTAGES panel, July 2014) ALCOHOL CONTENT The alcohol/volume content for any product released by VINTAGES is available on our website. Visit vintages.com and enter the LCBO# into the Product Search field. Products in this catalogue are available in limited quantities. Please see store staff for details. Prices listed in this catalogue are subject to change without notice. Up-to-date prices are listed online. For current pricing, simply visit vintages.com and enter the product name or number in the product search box. All prices include applicable container deposit and HST. VINTAGES cannot assume responsibility for typographical errors in this catalogue. 24 VINTAGES SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2015 Sweet 400713 (S) 375 mL $17.95 2 KOURTAKI MUSCAT OF SAMOS PDO Samos, Greece TASTING NOTE: Presents heady aromas and flavors of ripe peach, dried apricot, fig and spice. Honey and smoke accents envelop the rich and creamy finish, which lingers with luscious sweetness and tropical fruit details. Drink now through 2024. Score: 91 (Kim Marcus, winespectator.com, Nov. 15, 2013) Sweet 938407 (S) 750 mL $15.95 2 23365 pages One 24 to 48_EN_ENGLISH 15-02-20 2:05 AM Page 25 UNCORK SOMETHING GREAT • SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2015 SHERRY SPARKLING WINE EL MAESTRO SIERRA FINO SHERRY DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry CATHEDRAL CELLAR BRUT SPARKLING 2010 Méthode Cap Classique, WO Western Cape, South Africa (KWV) TASTING NOTE: Gently floral, with hints of iodine and pepper, this is a subtle and delicate Fino. The acidity keeps up the tension while the texture feels soft. Give it time in the glass and spicy scents emerge, along with an intriguing fruitiness. Score: 91 (wineandspiritsmagazine.com, Oct. 2013) Dry 402719 (D) 375 mL $11.95 2 TASTING NOTE: Great value bubbly. The nose shows lots of autolysis with creamy vanilla custard and apple and peach aroma. The palate is quite rich and soft yet still with crisp acidity and flavours of apple, lemon, lemon zest, caramel and nut with a long finish. Score: 90 (Rhys Pender, MW, winealign.com, Sept. 20, 2014) Medium-bodied & Flavourful 296426 (D) 750 mL $16.95 DOMAINE J. LAURENS LE MOULIN BRUT BLANQUETTE DE LIMOUX Méthode Traditionnelle, AC, Midi, France SPECIALTY WINES FRUIT WINE DOMAINE LAFRANCE SPARKLING CIDER 2012 Quebec TASTING NOTE: Quebec produces exceptional ciders, and this is an outstanding example. Fresh and inviting with notions of tree-ripened apples, orchard blossoms, lemon zest and garden flowers, it’s off-dry on the palate with refreshing acidity keeping things tangy and elegant. A brilliant sipper, it’ll also delight with lightly spiced pork dishes. (VINTAGES panel, July 2014) Medium 400705 (M) 750 mL $16.95 2 TASTING NOTE: The sparkling wines of Limoux probably pre-date those of Champagne. This example, made from 90% mauzac and 10% chardonnay, is very attractive and very good value, and makes an excellent aperitif as well as a successful partner for food. The flavours are fresh but substantial, with good focus and structure, and they sit prettily with the broad seam of crisp, round-edged acidity. The bubbles are plentiful, the mousse generous. Score: HHHHJ (Rod Phillips, winealign.com, May 10, 2014) Rich & Complex 180323 (XD) 750 mL $18.95 1 1 BOHIGAS RESERVA BRUT CAVA DO, Penedès, Spain CHAMPAGNE PHILIPPONNAT ROYALE RÉSERVE BRUT CHAMPAGNE AC TASTING NOTE: Crisp and mouthwatering, with well-knit acidity, this balanced bubbly shows a creamy mousse carrying subtle flavors of crunchy pear, white raspberry, lemon curd and chalky mineral. Disgorged December 2013. Drink now through 2019. Score: 91 (Alison Napjus, winespectator.com, Nov. 15, 2014) Rich & Complex 995720 (XD) 750 mL $59.95 2 TASTING NOTE: My favorite of the two sparkling Cavas is the non-vintage Brut Reserva Cava. Made from a classic blend (for this area) of Xarel-lo, Macabeo and Parellada planted in limestone and clay soils, the wine spends 24 months on its lees before disgorgement. It is an excellent value for consumers looking for alternatives to French Champagne. Lemon/lime, crushed rock and white currant notes are present in this crisp, elegant, refreshing, zesty, dry sparkler. Hints of wheat thins and brioche add complexity. Enjoy this mediumbodied offering over the next 1-2 years. Drink: 2013-2015. Score: 90 (Robert Parker Jr., erobertparker.com, Aug. 2013) Medium-bodied & Flavourful 401216 (XD) 750 mL $17.95 1 SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2015 VINTAGES 25 23365 pages One 24 to 48_EN_ENGLISH 15-02-20 2:06 AM Page 26 UNCORK SOMETHING GREAT • SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2015 CANADA – WHITE WINE FLAT ROCK NADJA’S VINEYARD RIESLING 2013 VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula ONTARIO 13TH STREET JUNE’S VINEYARD RIESLING 2013 VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula TASTING NOTE: 2013 was a perfect follow-up for Niagara Riesling, after a vintage where so many exceptional wines were made. The ’12 June’s by Jean-Pierre Colas was his best and with this repeat performance in ’13, the consistency of June’s vineyard is further cemented. Once again, the citrus injection is a Creek Shores thing, a vehemence not matched by other sub appellations. Where ’13 differs is its weight. There is a textural density improved upon and at the same time dragging on the freshness of the fruit. The trade off will mean less immediate gratification in lieu of more flesh and bone for a longer period of aging. Given at least five years rest, the 2013 June’s Riesling will discover a Ribeauvillé like future. Tasted December 2014. Score: 91 (Michael Godel, winealign.com, Dec. 4, 2014) Aromatic & Flavourful 147512 (D) 750 mL $19.95 2 Featured in Local Talent CAVE SPRING ESTATE BOTTLED CHARDONNAY MUSQUÉ 2013 VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula This wine is fermented in stainless steel and unoaked so as to maintain the delightful aromatics of the Chardonnay Musqué grape. Look for pretty floral notes and bright citrus, and sip on its own, with seafood, or with green salads featuring fresh mandarin orange slices and lychee fruit. Aromatic & Flavourful 246579 (XD) 750 mL $15.95 2 TASTING NOTE: Nadja’s vineyard was planted in 2000 ... Flatrock’s coolest site that ripens up to two weeks later than the parcel below the winery ... 2013 was a cool year, really fine for whites in particular, with a long, cool season that ran late into November. This is fragrant and pretty, very aromatic, with plenty of crisp apple and summer fruit, with no shortage of minerality. The palate is lean and tightly wound, sharp, as young Nadja’s riesling always is, with high acids hiding 18 grams of sugar and giving this an essentially dry impression. Great length – a lovely pure and crystalline wine with fine ageing potential. Tasted May 2014. Score: 91 (John Szabo, M.S., winealign.com, May 15, 2014) Aromatic & Flavourful 578625 (D) 750 mL $19.95 2 Featured in Local Talent ORGANIZED CRIME CHARDONNAY 2012 VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula TASTING NOTE: The juicy peach, melon, apple and lemon fruit at the forefront of this Chardonnay are given nice oak shading in the form of gentle woodsap and butterscotch notes. It’s vibrant, fresh and finely balanced on the palate and sports a crisp finish. (VINTAGES panel, Sept. 2014) Full-bodied & Rich 408435 (XD) 750 mL $19.95 2 VINELAND ESTATES ELEVATION ST. URBAN VINEYARD RIESLING 2012 VQA Niagara Escarpment TASTING NOTE: Beautifully articulated Riesling that loads the senses with aromas of lime, bright green apple, grapefruit and a smoky minerality. As impressive as the nose is, the palate is all the more – a wonderfully textured mouthfeel with big flavour replays and mouth-watering acidity that perfectly balances the sweetness. Lip-smackingly delish! (VINTAGES panel, Jan. 2015) TASTING NOTE: ... it will go down as one of the best ever, at any price. The vintage impart is a natural for this wine. At the moment it is the most primary of all because of the layers that texture bring. The Elevation will go thirty years and climb higher and higher into the stratosphere, gaining flesh and personality. The already seamless gathering of fruit and mineral is palpable. And still a reminder, the price is $20. This is a Schmidt gift to Ontario, for anyone and everyone to be one of the lucky ones. To purchase in increments any less than a case may be considered a crime against Riesling. Tasted November 2014. Score: 94 (Michael Godel, winealign.com, Dec. 4, 2014) Aromatic & Flavourful 251439 (M) 750 mL $18.95 Off-dry & Fruity 038117 (M) FIELDING ESTATE RIESLING 2014 Estate bottled, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula Featured in Local Talent 26 VINTAGES SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2015 2 750 mL $19.95 Featured in Local Talent 2 23365 pages One 24 to 48_EN_ENGLISH 15-02-13 4:25 AM Page 27 UNCORK SOMETHING GREAT • SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2015 CANADA – RED WINE USA – WHITE WINE ONTARIO CALIFORNIA DOMAINE QUEYLUS TRADITION PINOT NOIR 2011 VQA Niagara Peninsula BUENA VISTA CHARDONNAY 2011 Sonoma County TASTING NOTE: Light ruby colour; more animal on the nose than the 2010; cherry flavour with a floral grace note, firmly structured with a silky mouth feel; great structure. Score: 92 (Tony Aspler, tonyaspler.com, A Wine Lover’s Diary, April 14, 2014) TASTING NOTE: Eclipsing most ‘pioneers’ in California by a century, Buena Vista Winery was founded in 1857 and is often touted as California’s first premium winery. This wine may be called ‘Buena Vista’ (good view), but it’s certainly not shy on ‘buen gusto’ (good taste). Ripe, bright citrus fruit and suggestions of creamy vanilla delight in this sunny, round, deliciously flavourful Chardonnay. A good choice for crab legs or grilled pork. (VINTAGES panel, June 2014) Medium-bodied & Fruity 392738 (XD) 750 mL $29.95 2 Full-bodied & Rich 396440 (XD) 750 mL $19.95 2 CALERA CHARDONNAY 2013 Mt. Harlan, Central Coast PONDVIEW RESERVE CABERNET/MERLOT 2012 VQA Niagara Peninsula TASTING NOTE: From a vintage well suited to Bordeaux varieties, this 2012 vintage offers bold, ripe cherry and black plum fruit, licorice spice, cedar smoke and coffee wrapped in impressively balanced moderate tannins and bright acidity. It’s still a bit chewy on the finish, making it a good partner for hearty meats or firmer cheeses. (VINTAGES panel, Sept. 2014) “Yes, Josh Jenson is nuts about limestone. That single word distinguishes this tiny region from everything else in California. Mount Harlan provides California with just about our only window on the French claim about the importance of this bedrock to their great Burgundies ...” (Clark Smith, appellationamerica.com, May 12, 2009). Serious Chardonnay fanatics won’t want to miss this uniquely mineral expression of Cali’s microscopic Mt. Harlan AVA, which contains just one winery: Calera. Medium-bodied & Fruity 307561 (XD) 750 mL $18.95 Full-bodied & Rich 968925 (D) 2 750 mL $49.95 2 CLOS PEGASE MITSUKO’S VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2012 Carneros, Napa Valley THE TRAGICALLY HIP FULLY COMPLETELY GRAND RESERVE RED 2012 VQA Niagara Peninsula (Stoney Ridge Estate Winery) This blend of Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc with Merlot was the brainchild of The Hip along with Stoney Ridge’s head winemaker, Jeff Hundertmark. Like the album for which it’s named, it starts boldly and shows impressive range and complexity. Look for dark fruit aromas and flavours with accents of chocolate and pencil shavings. Medium-bodied & Fruity 411595 (XD) 750 mL $24.95 2 Mitsuko’s Vineyard was acquired and named in 1989 by Jan Shrem, the founder of Clos Pegase, who named it after his wife as a surprise Valentine’s Day gift. Jan filled a gift box with soil from the new vineyard and excitedly presented it to her. Mitsuko, thinking she’d been the victim of a practical joke, was furious until her husband explained the source of the soil and told her he’d named the 365-acre vineyard for her in honour of “every day of the year I love you.” Situated just three kilometres from San Francisco Bay, the vineyard is relatively cool and creates elegant, bright Chardonnay brimming with tropical fruit flavours. Full-bodied & Rich 986737 (XD) 750 mL $29.95 2 SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2015 VINTAGES 27 23365 pages One 24 to 48_EN_ENGLISH 15-02-13 4:25 AM Page 28 UNCORK SOMETHING GREAT • SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2015 USA – WHITE WINE CONT’D USA – RED WINE CALIFORNIA CALIFORNIA GUNDLACH BUNDSCHU ESTATE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2012 Sonoma Coast FREAKSHOW CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012 Lodi (Michael David Winery) TASTING NOTE: This is a polished Chardonnay, fruity in Meyer lemon and lime yet mellow and honeyed on the palate, buoyed by tight acidity and just enough spice. There’s a balance of depth and breadth to this wine, and a lengthy finish. Some fruit comes from 40-year-old vines planted to Heritage Selections of the Robert Young clone. Score: 90 (Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, Nov. 2014) Aromatic & Flavourful 400051 (XD) 750 mL $34.95 2 NAPA CELLARS CHARDONNAY 2013 Napa Valley TASTING NOTE: Full-bodied and generous Californian Chardonnay, with toasted almond, peach and pear notes. Finishes with peach and vanilla smoke. Produced by Folie à Deux, this robust Napa Chardonnay offers layers of tropical tree fruit aromas and freshly baked bread. Perfect for roast chicken or lobster in melted butter [or] barbecued pork, turkey burgers, beef bourguignon, linguini with clams and fennel. Drink: 2013-2018. Score: 90 (Natalie MacLean, nataliemaclean.com, Sept. 2014) Full-bodied & Rich 225342 (XD) 750 mL $23.95 2 The 2012 Freakshow is the fourth vintage of this amazing wine from the producers of the popular 7 Deadly Zins (059311) from our Essentials Collection. Cabernet with a dash of Petite Sirah, this is as approachable a wine as its label is fun. And though there is a touch of tongue-in-cheek about the label, “This is a ‘gold star’ winery for consumers looking for values as just about every wine they produce offers abundant flavors as well as inexpensive prices ...” (Robert Parker Jr., erobertparker.com, Aug. 2013) Full-bodied & Smooth 405175 (XD) 750 mL $24.95 2 IRONSTONE OLD VINE ZINFANDEL 2013 Lodi TASTING NOTE: Smoky great Californian red wine made from the state’s classic Zinfandel grape, and offering lusciously ripe black and purple plum aromas. Please, tell me that campfire story again as the smoke swirls around my head and the stars above us on this mid-summer night. Perfect for grilled meats. Ironstone delivers extreme value in the glass at many price points. Pair this blockbuster red with BBQ chicken or ribs. Pair with: barbecued ribs, wings, burgers, spaghetti Bolognese, aged cheddar. Drink: 2013-2018. Score: 93 (Natalie MacLean, nataliemaclean.com, Sept. 2014) Full-bodied & Smooth 951889 (D) 750 mL $17.95 2 WASHINGTON SEVEN FALLS CHARDONNAY 2012 Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley LIBERTY SCHOOL SYRAH 2012 Central Coast TASTING NOTE: Open-textured and appealing, revealing an almost weightless feel around the core of toasty, tobacco-accented pear and floral flavors, lingering easily on the finish. Drink now through 2016. Score: 89 (Harvey Steiman, winespectator.com, June 15, 2014) This wine is a real VINTAGES customer favourite, no surprise when you consider that this savoury Syrah is always packed full of rich blackberry fruit with a dash of spice. It’ll make a fine choice for steaks or a hearty beef stew with rosemary and sage. Aromatic & Flavourful 385773 (D) 750 mL $19.95 Full-bodied & Smooth 942383 (D) 750 mL $18.95 28 VINTAGES SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2015 2 2 23365 pages One 24 to 48_EN_ENGLISH 15-02-20 2:06 AM Page 29 UNCORK SOMETHING GREAT • SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2015 OREGON LUCA LABORDE DOUBLE SELECT SYRAH 2012 Uco Valley, Mendoza BENTON-LANE ESTATE PINOT NOIR 2012 Willamette Valley TASTING NOTE: Scents of dark plum gain contour from spice notes of clove and forest floor. The flavors are plush and exuberantly round, creamy in the middle, the finish hinting back at soil. This still needs time to integrate, but everything’s in place. Score: 90 (wineandspiritsmagazine.com, June 2014) Medium-bodied & Fruity 255737 (XD) 750 mL $37.95 2 WASHINGTON Kim Marcus awarded this wine 91 points and designated it a Smart Buy, calling it “A well-crafted and meaty red, with hints of baked yam that give the ripe dark fruit flavors an intensely savory edge” and suggesting a drinking window of now till 2018. (winespectator.com, April 30, 2014) TASTING NOTE: Amazing aromas of blue slate, dried meat and blueberry. Full body, with fine tannins and a fruity finish. Yet reserved, complex and stylish. Lots of meat and iodine. Intense and elegant. Drink now. Score: 93 (James Suckling, jamessuckling.com, June 11, 2014) Full-bodied & Smooth 167346 (D) 750 mL $24.95 2 RYAN PATRICK ROCK ISLAND RED 2012 Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley TASTING NOTE: This big and tasty blend by Mattawa, Wash., winemaker Jeremy Santo gathers up Merlot (58%), Syrah (35%), Petite Sirah (5%) and Primitivo picked beyond 26 Brix from Katherine Leone, King Fuji, Clifton and Northridge vineyards. Aromas of blueberry milkshake and black currant also offer up molasses, walnut and baking spices. Those dark, blue fruit tones return with a rush of long and powerful tannins that keep pushing. Recommended. (Andy Perdue & Eric Degerman, greatnorthwestwine.com, Jan. 11, 2015) Full-bodied & Smooth 403402 (XD) 750 mL $27.95 2 MENDEL LUNTA MALBEC 2012 Mendoza TASTING NOTE: Good full medium ruby. Blackberry, licorice and nutty oak on the inviting nose. Concentrated and sappy on the palate, with a creamy quality to the blackberry, black plum and fig flavors. Harmonious acidity gives the wine grip while accenting its seamless texture. Finishes with firm tannic spine and very good length. Score: 89 (Stephen Tanzer, vinousmedia.com, March 2014) Full-bodied & Firm 261917 (D) 750 mL $19.95 2 ARGENTINA – RED WINE CHAKANA ESTATE SELECTION RED BLEND 2012 Mendoza TASTING NOTE: ... 60% Malbec, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Shiraz aged 10 months in 100% new French oak ... Aromas of flowers, blackberries, camphor, forest floor and subtle new oak emerge from this full-bodied, textured, opulent blockbuster. Extremely pure and rich, this bargain-priced Malbec should drink well for 610+ years. If this were a Napa Valley or Bordeaux red, it would undoubtedly be priced between $150-$200. Drink: 2013-2023. Score: 95 (Robert Parker Jr., erobertparker.com, Aug. 2013) Full-bodied & Smooth 322602 (D) 750 mL $26.95 2 PASCUAL TOSO BARRANCAS VINEYARDS RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012 Mendoza TASTING NOTE: Bright dark red with ruby tones. Aromas of cassis, blackberry, licorice and pepper, complicated by a balsamic note ... with a medicinal quality to the flavors of black cherry, spicy herbs and pepper. Finishes with a serious dusting of tannins and lingering dark berry and licorice flavors ... and a good value. Score: 89 (Stephen Tanzer, vinousmedia.com, March 2014) Full-bodied & Firm 083337 (XD) 750 mL $19.95 2 SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2015 VINTAGES 29 23365 pages One 24 to 48_EN_ENGLISH 15-02-23 1:08 AM Page 30 UNCORK SOMETHING GREAT • SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2015 ARGENTINA – RED WINE CONT’D CASA SILVA LOS LINGUES GRAN TERROIR CARMENÈRE 2012 Colchagua Valley ZUCCARDI SERIE A MALBEC 2012 Uco Valley, Mendoza TASTING NOTE: A moreish Malbec. This is a simple wine, direct in its fruity expression but with a certain depth at the same time. A red for the grill, there were 225,000 litres made from different Malbec sectors of the Uco Valley, especially La Consulta, Vista Flores and Tupungato. Drink: 20142015. Score: 90 (Patricio Tapia, decanter.com, March 20, 2014) Full-bodied & Smooth 167619 (XD) 750 mL $16.95 2 TASTING NOTE: [translated from the French] Dark purple colour with black in the red and purple tints. A beautiful shine and even more density. The nose is complex with the vegetal freshness of green pepper, the fresh wild strawberry and the languor of fresh butter. On the palate, there’s an abundance of sweet spices, licorice and caramel. The tannins are silky and beautifully thick. What a talent! What harmony! ... Score: Gold Medal (Vinalies Internationales, 2014) Full-bodied & Smooth 059477 (XD) 750 mL $15.95 2 CHILE – WHITE WINE SANTA CAROLINA GRAN RESERVA CHARDONNAY 2012 Casablanca Valley TASTING NOTE: Fantastic value for a very serious chardonnay. It has just the right amount of soft fragrant oak to augment the fruit on both nose and palate. This is big wine but it’s also quite elegant with the tropical fruit and baked apple aromas nicely interwoven with grapefruit, custard and warm spice. The palate is very flavourful yet feels light due to the vibrant acidity. Very good to excellent length. Try with strongly flavoured pork, veal or chicken dishes. Best 2014 to 2017. Tasted October 2014. Score: 90 (Steve Thurlow, winealign.com, Oct. 7, 2014) Full-bodied & Rich 928580 (XD) 750 mL $15.95 2 VALLE SECRETO FIRST EDITION CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011 Cachapoal Valley TASTING NOTE: Sanguine hints accent the dark plum, currant and dried blueberry flavors in this brooding red. Quite minerally and brambly midpalate, with notes of dried meat on the finish. Drink now through 2016. Score: 88 (Kim Marcus, winespectator.com, web only, 2014) Full-bodied & Firm 298042 (XD) 750 mL $19.95 2 AUSTRALIA – WHITE WINE JIP JIP ROCKS UNOAKED CHARDONNAY 2014 Padthaway, South Australia CHILE – RED WINE TASTING NOTE: Open-knit, creamy and lushtasting, with spiced cherry, dark plum and boysenberry flavors that ooze with rich, spicy notes. Fig and chocolate mousse details flood the finish. Drink now through 2016. Score: 90 (Kim Marcus, winespectator.com, May 31, 2014) TASTING NOTE: This medium-bodied unoaked Australian chardonnay [is] fresh and pure with aromas of green apple and lime. No oak, no heaviness: run free in your bare feet! A crisp green melon finish. Perfect for fresh seafood. The Padthaway wine region of Australia is one of three cool climate areas known for producing terrific unoaked Chardonnay. The other two are Tumbarumba and Tasmania. Pair this white wine with roast chicken or turkey. Pair with: calamari, turkey pot pie, cheese, grilled chicken, pork. Drink: [till] 2018. Score: 90 (Natalie MacLean, nataliemaclean.com, Dec. 2014) Full-bodied & Smooth 325407 (D) 750 mL $16.95 Full-bodied & Rich 175752 (XD) BISQUERTT LA JOYA GRAN RESERVA SYRAH 2012 Colchagua Valley Ranked #57 in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2014. 30 VINTAGES SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2015 2 750 mL $16.95 2 23365 pages One 24 to 48_EN_ENGLISH 15-02-20 2:06 AM Page 31 UNCORK SOMETHING GREAT • SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2015 AUSTRALIA – RED WINE SISTER’S RUN BETHLEHEM BLOCK CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011 Barossa Valley, South Australia CHARLES CIMICKY RESERVE SHIRAZ 2012 Barossa Valley, South Australia TASTING NOTE: Very deep purple-black in color, the 2012 Reserve Shiraz presents a nose of crushed blackberries, blueberry compote and plum preserves with nuances of menthol, cloves, mocha and licorice. Medium to full-bodied with mouth-filling blackberry preserves and spicy flavors nicely supported by medium to firm, rounded tannins, it finishes long with a refreshing lift. Drink it now to 2020+. Score: 92 (Lisa Perrotti-Brown, MW, erobertparker.com, May 2014) Full-bodied & Smooth 685594 (XD) 750 mL $31.95 2 TASTING NOTE: Sister’s Run must have been delighted and surprised with the Blue-Gold (double gold) the wine received at the Sydney International Wine Competition ’13. It is elegant, and the wet, cool vintage had a silver lining for Barossa Valley cabernet, giving fragrance and varietal expression at lower alcohol levels than normal; the supple mouthfeel of this wine is one of its best features. Drink by: 2018. Score: 92 (James Halliday, winecompanion.com.au, July 26, 2014) Full-bodied & Smooth 360636 (XD) 750 mL $15.95 2 MOUNTADAM THE RED 2009 High Eden, South Australia TAHBILK CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010 Nagambie Lakes, Victoria TASTING NOTE: A blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc from the High Eden, matured for two years in new French oak; while obviously enough, the oak is a significant force, the rousing display of blackcurrant, redcurrant, plum and cassis fruit, together with fine tannins, emerges triumphant. Drink by: 2029. Score: 95 (James Halliday, winecompanion.com.au, July 17, 2012) TASTING NOTE: Bright hue, starting to lighten off; a move to earlier picking (or is it the vintage?) is paying off, with more elegant, less overtly robust, wines, with more red fruit flavours in this cabernet than prior vintages, and 18 months in French oak (mainly used) another plus. Drink by: 2020. Score: 92 (James Halliday, winecompanion.com.au, July 26, 2014) Full-bodied & Smooth 931105 (XD) 750 mL $34.95 2 Full-bodied & Smooth 138818 (XD) 750 mL $22.95 2 YALUMBA ORGANIC SHIRAZ 2014 South Australia SCHILD ESTATE SHIRAZ 2012 Barossa Valley, South Australia TASTING NOTE: Opaque purple. Sexy oak-spiced black and blue fruit aromas are complicated by suggestions of woodsmoke and vanilla. Plush and open-knit, showing good heft to its cassis and blueberry compote flavors, with a peppery quality emerging with air. Closes sweet and long, with soft tannins building slowly. This approachable, fruitdriven shiraz was aged in a combination of new and used French and American oak hogsheads. Score: 90 (Josh Raynolds, vinousmedia.com, July 2014) TASTING NOTE: This organic red wine is fullbodied, smooth and delicious with aromas of smoky black plums and blackberries. Deep and rich and satisfying. Great taste for the price. It opens beautifully on the palate with rich flavours of fleshy black fruit. Some pepper and spice and everything nice on the finish. This Australian red wine is loaded with black fruit, dried herbs and smoke. Pair with grass-fed beef. Pair with: gourmet burgers, mutton with mint and coriander, pizza, barbecued beef, pork. Drink: 2014-2020. Score: 92 (Natalie MacLean, nataliemaclean.com, Sept. 2014) Full-bodied & Smooth 066555 (XD) 750 mL $24.95 Full-bodied & Smooth 280883 (XD) 750 mL $18.95 Featured as the Benchmark 2 4 Organic product 2 SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2015 VINTAGES 31 23365 pages One 24 to 48_EN_ENGLISH 15-02-20 2:06 AM Page 32 UNCORK SOMETHING GREAT • SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2015 AUSTRALIA – RED WINE CONT’D SILENI CELLAR SELECTION SAUVIGNON BLANC 2014 Marlborough, South Island YALUMBA THE GUARDIAN SHIRAZ/VIOGNIER 2010 Eden Valley, South Australia TASTING NOTE: Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2010 The Guardian Eden Valley Shiraz Viognier flaunts a nose of ripe red cherries, red currants and kirsch with hints of sage, black pepper and menthol. Medium-bodied with a beautiful, silky texture in the mouth, plenty of spicy, red berry preserves flavors hold on through a long finish. Drink it now to 2017+. Score: 90 (Lisa Perrotti-Brown, MW, erobertparker.com, July 2014) Full-bodied & Smooth 396499 (XD) 750 mL $21.95 Aromatic & Flavourful 662882 (XD) 750 mL $18.95 1 2 NEW ZEALAND – RED WINE NEW ZEALAND – WHITE WINE AMISFIELD PINOT NOIR 2011 Central Otago, South Island MATAHIWI ESTATE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2013 Wairarapa, North Island TASTING NOTE: Pale silver-yellow. Sexy, inviting aromas of grapefruit, green tropical fruits, lemon zest and jalapeno: smells juicy! Boasts excellent intensity and grip to its lemon-lime and gooseberry flavors. Finishes firm and persistent, with an impression of saline extract. Score: 89 (Stephen Tanzer, vinousmedia.com, Sept. 2014) Aromatic & Flavourful 402677 (D) 750 mL $19.95 TASTING NOTE: This is a typical Marlborough sauvignon with a strong vegetal tone to the nose of guava and passionfruit with grapefruit and dry hay. It has beautiful mouthwatering acidity which makes the palate creamy with lemony gooseberry flavours. Very good length. Enjoy with chicken or veal plus a lemony pesto pasta sauce. Tasted August 2014 during WWAC14. Score: 89 (Steve Thurlow, winealign.com, Sept. 10, 2014) TASTING NOTE: The supple wild strawberry, cranberry and cherry flavors are both rich and focused in this red, with accents of clove, forest floor and cedar. Finishes with a grace note of fresh lavender. Drink now through 2028. Score: 92 (MaryAnn Worobiec, winespectator.com, June 15, 2014) Full-bodied & Firm 179754 (XD) 750 mL $41.95 2 2 SOUTH AFRICA – WHITE WINE CAPE POINT VINEYARDS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2013 WO Cape Point SAINT CLAIR WAIRAU RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2013 Marlborough, South Island TASTING NOTE: An intriguing mix of intense, fleshy peach, pear and dried apricot flavors, show toasted almond and spice notes. Medium-bodied and rich, with a juicy finish. Drink now. Score: 92 (MaryAnn Worobiec, winespectator.com, May 31, 2014) Aromatic & Flavourful 415653 (XD) 750 mL $35.95 2 TASTING NOTE: The 2013 Sauvignon Blanc is blended with 5% Semillon cropped at six tons per hectare and sees nine months on the lees in tank and in barrel. It has a pretty bouquet leaning more toward the tropical rather than herbaceous spectrum. The palate is very well balanced with crisp acidity, impressive weight in the mouth with lovely greengage, nettle and gooseberry notes flourishing toward the finish. This is another excellent Sauvignon Blanc from winemaker Duncan Savage. Drink: 2014-2019. Score: 90 (Neal Martin, erobertparker.com, Oct. 2014) Aromatic & Flavourful 285221 (XD) 750 mL $15.95 32 VINTAGES SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2015 2 23365 pages One 24 to 48_EN_ENGLISH 15-02-20 2:06 AM Page 33 UNCORK SOMETHING GREAT • SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2015 SOUTH AFRICA – RED WINE FRANCE – WHITE WINE THE MENTORS SHIRAZ 2011 KWV WO Coastal Region ALSACE TASTING NOTE: Vibrant plum compote nose, elegantly appealing with an abundance of raspberry jelly, blackberry, earthy spice and nutmeg twists. Ripe, juicy modern style, very consumer focused. Outstanding. Score: HHHHH (Panel, Decanter World Wine Awards, 2013) Full-bodied & Smooth 403618 (XD) 750 mL $29.95 2 TRIMBACH RIESLING 2012 AC Alsace Ranked #49 in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2014. TASTING NOTE: The piercing acidity and pronounced minerality weave a fine tapestry in this lovely Riesling, supporting flavors of white peach, slivered almond, lemon confit and oyster shell with a long, mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2024. Score: 90 (Alison Napjus, winespectator.com, Nov. 15, 2014) Aromatic & Flavourful 734517 (XD) 750 mL $21.95 TORMENTOSO BUSH VINE PINOTAGE 2013 WO Coastal Region (MAN Vintners) WOLFBERGER SIGNATURE PINOT GRIS 2013 AC Alsace TASTING NOTE: Lively mint, bramble, coffee and blackberry coulis flavors bounce along here, with a bacon note gliding through the finish. Drink now. Score: 87 (James Molesworth, winespectator.com, web only, 2015) Full-bodied & Smooth 399527 (XD) 750 mL $15.95 2 2 TASTING NOTE: Brimming with ripe apple, pear, citrus and peach, this is a shining example of the flavourful and adventurous style of PG made famous in Alsace. A touch of minerality and a hint of residual sweetness play about the edges of the palate, while crisp acidity makes for a clean and refreshing finish. (VINTAGES panel, May 2014) Aromatic & Flavourful 398172 (D) 750 mL $18.95 2 AUSTRIA – WHITE WINE BURGUNDY RABL LÖSS GRÜNER VELTLINER 2013 DAC Kamptal DOMAINE LE VERGER CHABLIS 2013 AC TASTING NOTE: ‘Löss’ in this wine’s name refers to the loosely sandy, Grüner-friendly soil in which the grapes are grown. Scintillating with crisp citrus fruit and mineral tones, this bright and tangy wine offers excellent value. Enjoy it tonight with green salads, fish or seafood. (VINTAGES panel, Aug. 2014) TASTING NOTE: This classic Chablis shows lemon drop, lemon zest and green apple aromas and flavours along with slightly flinty, saline minerality and a suggestion of vanilla. A good representation of top Chablis at an affordable price, this will elevate seafood and pork tenderloin dishes. (VINTAGES panel, Sept. 2014) Aromatic & Flavourful 295709 (XD) 750 mL $14.95 1 Light & Crisp 181289 (XD) 750 mL $22.95 2 SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2015 VINTAGES 33 23365 pages One 24 to 48_EN_ENGLISH 15-02-20 2:33 AM Page 34 UNCORK SOMETHING GREAT • SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2015 FRANCE – WHITE WINE CONT’D CHÂTEAU BELLE-VUE 2011 AC Haut-Médoc LOIRE TASTING NOTE: Very tannic with high acidity but it comes together with blueberry and currant character. Full body, firm tannins and a fresh finish. Better in 2017. Score: 90 (James Suckling, jamessuckling.com, Feb. 19, 2014) LE FILS DES GRAS MOUTONS MUSCADET SÈVRE-ET-MAINE SUR LIE 2013 AC (Claude Branger, Vign.-récolt.) Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine Sur Lie is considered the ultimate expression of the Melon de Bourgogne (aka Muscadet) grape. This hand-harvested wine shows crunchy apple, a squeeze of lemon, and chalky mineral, and is a fantastic choice for fish and seafood. Light & Crisp 363150 (XD) 750 mL $14.95 Full-bodied & Firm 294421 (XD) 750 mL $27.85 2 2 RHÔNE CHÂTEAU CLERC MILON 2011 AC Pauillac, 5e Cru E. GUIGAL CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2013 AC (Château d’Ampuis) TASTING NOTE: A great vintage for whites, the 2013 Cotes du Rhone Blanc (mostly Viognier) has outstanding notes of white peach and tangerine to go with an elegant, seamless style on the palate. It’s a smoking value to drink over the coming 1-2 years. Drink: [Now]-2017. Score: 90 (Jeb Dunnuck, erobertparker.com, Dec. 2014) Aromatic & Flavourful 290296 (XD) 750 mL $18.95 1 TASTING NOTE: Continuing its impressive development, Clerc Milon 2011 is a serious wine. It is elegant, stylish, its fruits well integrated with red berry and plum skin flavors. Powerful while round and fruity with a fine sense of weight, this wine will develop relatively quickly but will then stay at its peak for many years. Drink from 2017. Cellar Selection. Score: 94 (Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast, May 2014) Full-bodied & Firm 301119 (XD) 750 mL $89.85 2 FRANCE – RED WINE BORDEAUX CHÂTEAU LANBERSAC 2010 AC Puisseguin Saint-Émilion CHÂTEAU BEL AIR 2010 AC Haut-Médoc (Domaines Martin) TASTING NOTE: Features dark, roasted alder and mesquite notes mixed together, followed by juicy layers of linzer torte, blackberry pâte de fruit and plum sauce. The long, anise-framed finish displays a serious graphite spine for length and definition. Best from 2014 through 2020. Score: 91 (James Molesworth, winespectator.com, web only, 2013) Full-bodied & Firm 403717 (XD) 750 mL $28.95 34 VINTAGES SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2015 2 TASTING NOTE: Attractive nose with milk chocolate and red fruit. Some vanilla, fresh wood and an animal note. Full and lively on the palate with bright red fruit and fine tannins. Good length with a juicy acidity. Drink from 2016. Score: 90 (James Suckling, jamessuckling.com, March 6, 2013) Full-bodied & Smooth 177006 (XD) 750 mL $22.95 2 23365 pages One 24 to 48_EN_ENGLISH 15-02-20 3:12 AM Page 35 UNCORK SOMETHING GREAT • SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2015 CHÂTEAU LE HAUT DU PUY 2010 AC Haut-Médoc TASTING NOTE: Representing great value from a stellar vintage, this big-boned Bordeaux offers mixed berry aromas embroidered by earthy notes and spice. The palate is brimming with dark fruit and shows good intensity. Drink it over the next five years. (VINTAGES panel, Sept. 2014) Full-bodied & Smooth 404988 (XD) 750 mL $15.95 2 LES CHARMES DE MAGNOL 2010 AC Médoc (Barton & Guestier, Prop.) TASTING NOTE: From the outstanding 2010 vintage, this nicely balanced wine serves up rich dark fruit, coffee, and oak spice. There’s excellent structure on the palate and bright acidity bringing subtle lift. A tremendous value to enjoy tonight and over the next 3-5 years. (VINTAGES panel, Sept. 2014) Medium-bodied & Fruity 403709 (XD) 750 mL $18.95 2 CHÂTEAU MALESCOT ST. EXUPÉRY 2011 AC Margaux, 3e Cru TASTING NOTE: This small estate (only 130,000 bottles were produced in 2011) has been on a qualitative tear for a number of years. A fragrant perfume of spring flowers, black raspberries, blueberries and cassis is followed by a wine with medium-bodied, juicy flavors, sweet tannin and a broad, generous mouthfeel. A terrific 2011, it should be at its peak in 2-4 years, and last for 15 or more. Bravo! Score: 90 (Robert Parker Jr., erobertparker.com, April 2014) Full-bodied & Smooth 301101 (XD) 750 298976 (XD) 750 298984 (XD) 750 298919 (XD) 750 298901 (XD) 750 mL mL mL mL mL $89.85 $89.85 $89.85 $89.85 $89.85 2 2 2 2 2 BURGUNDY CHÂTEAU DE LA TERRIÈRE PINOT NOIR 2012 AP Coteaux Bourguignons (Des Deux Châteaux, Vign., récolt, Terroirs et Talents) TASTING NOTE: The appellation Coteaux Bourguignons (Burgundian hills) covers the vineyards of Burgundy and Beaujolais. This elegant Pinot shows earthy, smoky and sour cherry character on the nose and palate, with impressive depth of flavour. It’ll make a good partner for coq au vin. (VINTAGES panel, Sept. 2014) Medium-bodied & Fruity 409656 (XD) 750 mL $19.95 2 CHÂTEAU PONTET-CANET 2011 AC Pauillac, 5e Cru (Alfred Tesseron et Héritiers G. Tesseron) TASTING NOTE: Proprietor Alfred Tesseron’s 2011 Pontet-Canet is packaged in an engraved, heavy bottle, which only adds to the attractiveness of this beauty. A dense purple color is accompanied by notes of forest floor, acacia flowers and creme de cassis in this full, rich, and unequivocally classic Pauillac. With soft but noticeable tannins as well as a complete, full-bodied mouthfeel, this 2011 will benefit from 3-4 years of cellaring, and should age effortlessly for 15-20 years. Bravo! Drink: 20172037. Score: 93+ (Robert Parker Jr., erobertparker.com, April 2014) Medium-bodied & Fruity 297739 (XD) 750 300335 (XD) 750 297747 (XD) 750 298885 (XD) 750 mL mL mL mL $174.85 $174.85 $174.85 $174.85 2 2 2 2 MANOIR DU CARRA LES BOTTIÈRES JULIÉNAS 2012 AC TASTING NOTE: ... from granite and schist soils. It is a small production from the family’s 0.8-hectare holding of 50-year-old vines and it is aged in one wooden foudre. It has an expressive bouquet with floral scents infusing the cranberry and red currant fruit that is well-defined and vivacious. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, supple tannins that are impressive for the vintage, with plenty of chewy red berry fruit lining the satisfying finish. Drink now2019. Score: 91 (Neal Martin, erobertparker.com, June 2014) Light-bodied & Fruity 405696 (XD) 750 mL $19.95 2 SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2015 VINTAGES 35 23365 pages One 24 to 48_EN_ENGLISH 15-02-20 2:34 AM Page 36 UNCORK SOMETHING GREAT • SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2015 FRANCE – RED WINE CONT’D GREECE – RED WINE RHÔNE BOUTARI GRANDE RESERVE 2008 PDO Naoussa DOMAINE DU GRAND TINEL ALEXIS ESTABLET CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2012 AC TASTING NOTE: Year in and out, Boutari’s Grande Reserve sets the mark for Naoussa in a traditional style. The 2008 excels in a vintage memorable for a summer of drought and heat spikes: The wine is moderate in its fruitiness, balanced more toward fresh mushroom than cherry. The earthy and herbal notes give it a complexity that’s riveting for minutes after each sip; the tannins are firm but fine, giving the wine a gauzy finesse. Score: 93 (wineandspiritsmagazine.com, Aug. 2013) TASTING NOTE: ... a knockout effort that has fabulous fruit intensity, medium to full-bodied richness and a sexy, voluptuous style. Coming all from 100+-year-old Grenache vines planted in sand and pebble soils, and aged 12 months in foudre and oak tanks, it gives up notions of black raspberry, mulled blackberries, crushed flowers and herbes de Provence. Already reasonably approachable, enjoy it over the coming decade. Score: 93 (Jeb Dunnuck, erobertparker.com, Oct. 2014) Full-bodied & Smooth 993899 (XD) 750 mL $63.95 2 Medium-bodied & Fruity 140111 (XD) 750 mL $17.95 2 ITALY – WHITE WINE ALTO ADIGE PAUL JABOULET AÎNÉ SECRET DE FAMILLE CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2012 AC NALS MARGREID PINOT GRIGIO 2013 DOC Südtirol – Alto Adige TASTING NOTE: This dark, plummy wine shows black cherry and light spice notes, effortless balance, a soft texture and a long finish. It may have begun as a family secret, but at this price, it’s sure to be a hot topic. Enjoy it with burgers or steaks. (VINTAGES panel, July 2014) TASTING NOTE: Clean-cut and zesty, with an undertow of stony minerality and sleek acidity focusing the subtle flavors of crunchy pear and apricot fruit, verbena and lanolin. Drink now through 2016. Score: 88 (Alison Napjus, winespectator.com, June 30, 2014) Full-bodied & Smooth 400333 (D) 750 mL $16.95 Light & Crisp 290924 (D) 2 GERMANY – WHITE WINE 750 mL $16.95 1 ITALY – RED WINE MOSEL PIEDMONT DR. HERMANN ERDENER TREPPCHEN KABINETT RIESLING 2010 Pradikätswein BREZZA BAROLO 2010 DOCG TASTING NOTE: Displaying the attractive slate and mineral oil characteristics for which Mosel Riesling is renowned, this sweet-kissed example also delivers plenty of ripe peach aroma and flavour. The mineral-laced palate is quite complex. Fabulous value for Riesling of this calibre. (VINTAGES panel, Aug. 2014) Aromatic & Flavourful 402420 (S) 750 mL $17.95 36 VINTAGES SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2015 2 TASTING NOTE: Intense and elegant, it brings together sensations of violet, crushed red berry, mineral and cake spices that are supported by firm but fine tannins and brisk acidity. Fermented with wild yeasts, it illustrates the vibrant character of the vintage. Drink 2018-2040. Score: 94 (Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast, Oct. 2014) Full-bodied & Firm 711788 (XD) 750 mL $46.95 3 23365 pages One 24 to 48_EN_ENGLISH 15-02-20 2:34 AM Page 37 UNCORK SOMETHING GREAT • SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2015 TUSCANY VILLA CERNA RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2010 DOCG ANTINORI PIAN DELLE VIGNE BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2009 DOCG TASTING NOTE: A wine with lots of plum and orange-peel character. It’s rich and exotic. Full body with gorgeous fruit and a long, long finish. So much going on here. I love to drink it already. Score: 94 (James Suckling, jamessuckling.com, Oct. 20, 2014) TASTING NOTE: Part of the Cecchi Family Estates, the 2010 Chianti Classico Riserva Villa Cerna is a meat-friendly and darkly concentrated wine with sour cherry, espresso and toasted almond. The wine is tight and linear with a clear tannic vein at the back. There’s a good amount of growing room ahead. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2022. Score: 90 (Monica Larner, erobertparker.com, Aug. 2013) Full-bodied & Smooth 651141 (D) 750 mL $59.95 Medium-bodied & Fruity 349407 (XD) 750 mL $28.95 2 2 UMBRIA CASTELLO DI AMA RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2009 DOCG TASTING NOTE: The gorgeous 2009 Chianti Classico Riserva presents a classic aromatic profile that is deeply rooted in Tuscan territory. Autumn leaves, wet earth, wild mushroom and blue flower speak so eloquently through the bouquet. Polished tannins add a silky and pristine quality to the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2025. Score: 92 (Monica Larner, erobertparker.com, Aug. 2013) Medium-bodied & Fruity 403824 (XD) 375 mL $16.95 2 BOCALE MONTEFALCO SAGRANTINO 2010 DOCG TASTING NOTE: Hints of tea rose and Asian five spice add an exotic overtone to the flavors of crushed blackberry, date, salumi and olive tapenade in this balanced red, which is vibrant overall, though dense and structured by dusty tannins that hold sway on the finish. Drink now through 2020. Score: 91 (Alison Napjus, winespectator.com, June 30, 2014) Full-bodied & Firm 407155 (XD) 750 mL $39.95 2 VENETO MARCHESI DE’ FRESCOBALDI TENUTA DI CASTIGLIONI 2011 IGT Toscana REMO FARINA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2011 DOCG TASTING NOTE: Generous red fruits, full-bodied with modern styling. Ripe-cherry, roasted-espresso and forward vanilla tones with ample tannin and a silky texture. Hard to resist now but better in 2016 and beyond. Best Tenuta di Castiglioni ever. Score: 93 (James Suckling, jamessuckling.com, Oct. 20, 2014) Vintage after vintage, this Amarone delivers the decadence for which this wine style is loved, tempered by impressive elegance and poise. Look for subtle notes of smoked meat and fruit leather along with its classic raisin, chocolate and candied cherry notions. A must for rich pasta dishes with a dash of spice, or a selection of fine aged cheeses. Full-bodied & Firm 145920 (XD) Full-bodied & Smooth 995910 (D) 750 mL $36.95 750 mL $21.95 2 2 SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2015 VINTAGES 37 23365 pages One 24 to 48_EN_ENGLISH 15-02-20 2:34 AM Page 38 UNCORK SOMETHING GREAT • SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2015 ITALY – RED WINE CONT’D PORTUGAL – RED WINE VENETO BURMESTER RESERVA 2011 DOC Douro (Sogevinus) REMO FARINA RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO SUPERIORE 2013 DOC Ripasso-style wines continue to gain in popularity. These wines are made by fermenting (‘re-passing’) the wine a second time on dried Amarone grapes – a process that enhances everything from the wine’s colour and flavour to its ageability. Farina’s Ripasso, with its consistent notes of cherries, licorice and pepper spice, has become one of our customer favourites. Try it with roast rack of lamb or grilled veal chops. Medium-bodied & Fruity 999946 (D) 750 mL $16.95 TASTING NOTE: The red wines of Douro, comprising the local grapes made famous in Port – which venerable producer Burmester has been making since 1750 – are rising stars on the modern wine scene. This bright, well-made example offers fresh red fruit, spice, woodsmoke and coconut character shaped by a firm finish. Enjoy this wine over the next 6-8 years. (VINTAGES panel, Aug. 2014) Full-bodied & Firm 266957 (D) 750 mL $19.95 2 2 ROMANIA – WHITE WINE TOMMASI ARELE PARZIALE APPASSIMENTO 2012 IGT Veronese COTNARI FETEASCA ALBA 2012 DOC Cotnari TASTING NOTE: The Arele is named for the traditional wooden trays that were used to partially dry grapes selected to make appassimento wines. This 2012 vintage suggests aromas of red berry, anise, ripe cherry and spice. Juicy and approachable, with excellent concentration and soft tannins. Lovely spice notes interwoven with the black fruit. (VINTAGES panel, May 2014) Medium-bodied & Fruity 224188 (D) 750 mL $18.95 2 The aromatic Feteasca Alba grape is the single most important white wine variety in Romania. This wine serves up intense aromas of melon, mirabelle plum, grapes, Golden Delicious apple and honey. It is medium in sweetness with good fruit replays balanced by gentle acidity. Try it with a fruit-stuffed pork roast. Off-dry & Fruity 012088 (M) 750 mL $13.95 2 PORTUGAL – WHITE WINE SPAIN – WHITE WINE VIA LATINA ALVARINHO 2013 DOC Vinho Verde MARQUÉS DE CÁCERES ANTEA 2013 Barrel Fermented, DOCa Rioja (Unión Viti-Vinícola) TASTING NOTE: This elegant, pretty wine offers bright peach, apple and floral notes with a hint of Anjou pear. On the palate there’s a touch of spritz and crisp, clean acidity leading to a very refreshing finish. A great sipper for appetizers or seafoodtopped salads. (VINTAGES panel, March 2014) The winery ages this wine in the subtler French oak barriques rather than the more traditional Spanish choice of American casks. Look for hints of vanilla cream accenting the wine’s bright peach and melon fruit, and give it a try with scallops pan-fried in butter. Light & Crisp 398644 (D) Full-bodied & Rich 518985 (XD) 750 mL $17.95 38 VINTAGES SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2015 1 750 mL $15.95 1 23365 pages One 24 to 48_EN_ENGLISH 15-02-20 2:35 AM Page 39 UNCORK SOMETHING GREAT • SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2015 SPAIN – RED WINE IGNEUS BARRANC DELS CLOSOS 2012 DOCa Priorat TASTING NOTE: Fans of big blockbuster wines take note! Built around the Garnacha (Grenache) grape, this is a massive, generously concentrated wine overflowing with ripe black cherry, blackcurrant, berry jam, fruitcake, chocolate and sweet vanilla spice. It’s pure velvet on the palate, with enough tannic presence to give structure to the finish. (VINTAGES panel, June 2014) Full-bodied & Smooth 166660 (XD) 750 mL $22.95 2 TARIMA HILL MONASTRELL 2011 Old vines, DO Alicante (Bodegas Volver) TASTING NOTE: The 2011 Tarima Hill is made from old vine Mourvedre grown at a high elevation of 2,000-2,500 feet. Aged 20 months in French oak, its sensational inky/purple color is followed by a sweet bouquet of acacia flowers, blueberry liqueur, blackberries and graphite, and a full-bodied, rich mouthfeel. This sensational red wine could easily sell for three to five times the price with no complaints. It should age easily for another 5-6 years. Drink: 2013-2019. Score: 91 (Robert Parker Jr., erobertparker.com, Nov. 2013) Full-bodied & Smooth 310169 (D) 750 mL $19.95 2 Featured in Arrive in Style TINTO PESQUERA RESERVA 2010 DO Ribera del Duero (Bodegas Alejandro Fernández) TASTING NOTE: The 2010 Reserva with aromas of red and black fruit, feels more Atlantic than Mediterranean, with some hints of coconut and vanilla. The palate is medium-bodied, with good acidity and flavors of licorice with abundant, dusty tannins. Drink now-2017. Score: 89 (Luis Gutierrez, erobertparker.com, Aug. 2014) Medium-bodied & Fruity 323345 (XD) 750 mL $44.95 130 hand-picked proven favourites from around the world. Always available. 2 vintages.com/essentials SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2015 VINTAGES 39 23365 pages One 24 to 48_EN_ENGLISH 15-02-20 2:35 AM Page 40 SHOPPING LIST SPIRITS BRANDY SHERRY ■ 271726 G.E. MASSENEZ VIEUX CALVADOS (France) ■ 402719 EL MAESTRO SIERRA FINO SHERRY (375 mL) (Spain) Page 24 Page 25 $72.95 $11.95 ■ 400713 DOMAINE DU PAPAROTIER MUSCAT DE BEAUMES-DE-VENISE 2012 (375 mL) (France) ■ 938407 KOURTAKI MUSCAT OF SAMOS (Greece) Page 24 Page 24 $17.95 $15.95 ■ 400705 DOMAINE LAFRANCE SPARKLING CIDER 2012 Page 25 $16.95 ■ 995720 PHILIPPONNAT ROYALE RÉSERVE BRUT CHAMPAGNE Page 25 $59.95 ■ 296426 CATHEDRAL CELLAR BRUT SPARKLING 2010 ■ 180323 DOMAINE J. LAURENS LE MOULIN BRUT BLANQUETTE DE LIMOUX ■ 401216 BOHIGAS RESERVA BRUT CAVA Page 25 Page 25 Page 25 $16.95 $18.95 $17.95 FORTIFIEDS EUROPEAN FORTIFIED SPECIALTY WINES CANADA – QUEBEC CHAMPAGNE FRANCE – CHAMPAGNE SPARKLING WINE SOUTH AFRICA FRANCE – MIDI SPAIN WHITE WINE CANADA – ONTARIO USA – CALIFORNIA USA – WASHINGTON CHILE AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND SOUTH AFRICA AUSTRIA FRANCE – ALSACE FRANCE – BURGUNDY FRANCE – LOIRE FRANCE – RHÔNE GERMANY – MOSEL ITALY – ALTO ADIGE PORTUGAL ROMANIA SPAIN ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 147512 246579 251439 578625 408435 038117 396440 707224 968925 986737 400051 353706 225342 385773 928580 175752 402677 415653 662882 285221 295709 734517 398172 181289 363150 290296 402420 290924 398644 012088 518985 13TH STREET JUNE’S VINEYARD RIESLING 2013 CAVE SPRING ESTATE BOTTLED CHARDONNAY MUSQUÉ 2013 FIELDING ESTATE RIESLING 2014 FLAT ROCK NADJA’S VINEYARD RIESLING 2013 ORGANIZED CRIME CHARDONNAY 2012 VINELAND ESTATES ELEVATION ST. URBAN VINEYARD RIESLING 2012 BUENA VISTA CHARDONNAY 2011 CAKEBREAD CELLARS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2013 CALERA CHARDONNAY 2013 CLOS PEGASE MITSUKO’S VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2012 GUNDLACH BUNDSCHU ESTATE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2012 KISTLER MCCREA VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2012 NAPA CELLARS CHARDONNAY 2013 SEVEN FALLS CHARDONNAY 2012 SANTA CAROLINA GRAN RESERVA CHARDONNAY 2012 JIP JIP ROCKS UNOAKED CHARDONNAY 2014 MATAHIWI ESTATE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2013 SAINT CLAIR WAIRAU RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2013 SILENI CELLAR SELECTION SAUVIGNON BLANC 2014 CAPE POINT VINEYARDS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2013 RABL LÖSS GRÜNER VELTLINER 2013 TRIMBACH RIESLING 2012 WOLFBERGER SIGNATURE PINOT GRIS 2013 DOMAINE LE VERGER CHABLIS 2013 LE FILS DES GRAS MOUTONS MUSCADET SÈVRE-ET-MAINE SUR LIE 2013 E. GUIGAL CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2013 DR. HERMANN ERDENER TREPPCHEN KABINETT RIESLING 2010 NALS MARGREID PINOT GRIGIO 2013 VIA LATINA ALVARINHO 2013 COTNARI FETEASCA ALBA 2012 MARQUÉS DE CÁCERES ANTEA 2013 Page 26 Page 26 Page 26 Page 26 Page 26 Page 26 Page 27 Page 4 Page 27 Page 27 Page 28 Page 5 Page 28 Page 28 Page 30 Page 30 Page 32 Page 32 Page 32 Page 32 Page 33 Page 33 Page 33 Page 33 Page 34 Page 34 Page 36 Page 36 Page 38 Page 38 Page 38 $19.95 $15.95 $18.95 $19.95 $19.95 $19.95 $19.95 $39.95 $49.95 $29.95 $34.95 $103.95 $23.95 $19.95 $15.95 $16.95 $19.95 $35.95 $18.95 $15.95 $14.95 $21.95 $18.95 $22.95 $14.95 $18.95 $17.95 $16.95 $17.95 $13.95 $15.95 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 392738 307561 411595 325027 212381 212357 405175 932400 071407 951889 942383 329375 DOMAINE QUEYLUS TRADITION PINOT NOIR 2011 PONDVIEW RESERVE CABERNET/MERLOT 2012 THE TRAGICALLY HIP FULLY COMPLETELY GRAND RESERVE RED 2012 CADE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011 DOMINUS 2011 DOMINUS NAPANOOK 2011 FREAKSHOW CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012 FROG’S LEAP CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012 4 GRGICH HILLS ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010 4 IRONSTONE OLD VINE ZINFANDEL 2013 LIBERTY SCHOOL SYRAH 2012 PAHLMEYER PROPRIETARY RED 2012 Page 27 Page 27 Page 27 Page 6 Page 7 Page 7 Page 28 Page 8 Page 9 Page 28 Page 28 Page 10 $29.95 $18.95 $24.95 $112.95 $176.95 $76.95 $24.95 $68.95 $80.95 $17.95 $18.95 $162.95 RED WINE CANADA – ONTARIO USA – CALIFORNIA 40 VINTAGES SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2015 All bottles are 750 mL unless otherwise specified. 4 Organic product (K) = Kosher, (KP) = Kosher for Passover, (KPM) = Kosher for Passover & Mevushal 23365 pages One 24 to 48_EN_ENGLISH 15-02-20 2:35 AM Page 41 SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2015 RED WINE CONT’D USA – CALIFORNIA USA – OREGON USA – WASHINGTON ARGENTINA CHILE AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND SOUTH AFRICA FRANCE – BORDEAUX FRANCE – BURGUNDY FRANCE – RHÔNE FRANCE – SOUTHWEST GREECE ITALY – PIEDMONT ITALY – TUSCANY ITALY – UMBRIA ITALY – VENETO PORTUGAL SPAIN ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 089284 652875 405209 346262 255737 403402 322602 167346 261917 083337 167619 325407 059477 298042 685594 931105 066555 360636 138818 280883 396499 179754 403618 399527 403717 294421 301119 177006 404988 298984 298901 298919 298976 301101 300335 297739 297747 298885 403709 409656 405696 993899 400333 354134 234997 408294 343400 251561 328641 140111 711788 651141 403824 145920 349407 407155 995910 999946 224188 266957 166660 310169 323345 RIDGE ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011 RIDGE THREE VALLEYS 2012 RODNEY STRONG BROTHERS RIDGE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011 SHAFER MERLOT 2012 BENTON-LANE ESTATE PINOT NOIR 2012 RYAN PATRICK ROCK ISLAND RED 2012 CHAKANA ESTATE SELECTION RED BLEND 2012 LUCA LABORDE DOUBLE SELECT SYRAH 2012 MENDEL LUNTA MALBEC 2012 PASCUAL TOSO BARRANCAS VINEYARDS RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012 ZUCCARDI SERIE A MALBEC 2012 BISQUERTT LA JOYA GRAN RESERVA SYRAH 2012 CASA SILVA LOS LINGUES GRAN TERROIR CARMENÈRE 2012 VALLE SECRETO FIRST EDITION CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011 CHARLES CIMICKY RESERVE SHIRAZ 2012 MOUNTADAM THE RED 2009 SCHILD ESTATE SHIRAZ 2012 SISTER’S RUN BETHLEHEM BLOCK CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011 TAHBILK CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010 YALUMBA ORGANIC SHIRAZ 2014 4 YALUMBA THE GUARDIAN SHIRAZ/VIOGNIER 2010 AMISFIELD PINOT NOIR 2011 THE MENTORS SHIRAZ 2011 TORMENTOSO BUSH VINE PINOTAGE 2013 CHÂTEAU BEL AIR 2010 CHÂTEAU BELLE-VUE 2011 CHÂTEAU CLERC MILON 2011 CHÂTEAU LANBERSAC 2010 CHÂTEAU LE HAUT DU PUY 2010 CHÂTEAU MALESCOT ST. EXUPÉRY 2011 CHÂTEAU MALESCOT ST. EXUPÉRY 2011 CHÂTEAU MALESCOT ST. EXUPÉRY 2011 CHÂTEAU MALESCOT ST. EXUPÉRY 2011 CHÂTEAU MALESCOT ST. EXUPÉRY 2011 CHÂTEAU PONTET-CANET 2011 CHÂTEAU PONTET-CANET 2011 CHÂTEAU PONTET-CANET 2011 CHÂTEAU PONTET-CANET 2011 LES CHARMES DE MAGNOL 2010 CHÂTEAU DE LA TERRIÈRE PINOT NOIR 2012 MANOIR DU CARRA LES BOTTIÈRES JULIÉNAS 2012 DOMAINE DU GRAND TINEL ALEXIS ESTABLET CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2012 PAUL JABOULET AÎNÉ SECRET DE FAMILLE CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2012 CHÂTEAU BELLEVUE LA FORÊT 2011 CHÂTEAU PEYROS VIEILLES VIGNES MADIRAN 2009 CHÂTEAU PINERAIE L’AUTHENTIQUE CAHORS 2011 CHÂTEAU VINCENS ORIGINE CAHORS 2011 DOMAINE SERGENT OAK AGED MADIRAN 2011 LIONEL OSMIN & CIE VILLA LA RÉSERVE MALBEC 2011 BOUTARI GRANDE RESERVE 2008 BREZZA BAROLO 2010 ANTINORI PIAN DELLE VIGNE BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2009 CASTELLO DI AMA RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2009 (375 mL) MARCHESI DE’ FRESCOBALDI TENUTA DI CASTIGLIONI 2011 VILLA CERNA RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2010 BOCALE MONTEFALCO SAGRANTINO 2010 REMO FARINA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2011 REMO FARINA RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO SUPERIORE 2013 TOMMASI ARELE PARZIALE APPASSIMENTO 2012 BURMESTER RESERVA 2011 IGNEUS BARRANC DELS CLOSOS 2012 TARIMA HILL MONASTRELL 2011 TINTO PESQUERA RESERVA 2010 Page 11 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 29 Page 29 Page 29 Page 29 Page 29 Page 29 Page 30 Page 30 Page 30 Page 30 Page 31 Page 31 Page 31 Page 31 Page 31 Page 31 Page 32 Page 32 Page 33 Page 33 Page 34 Page 34 Page 34 Page 34 Page 35 Page 35 Page 35 Page 35 Page 35 Page 35 Page 35 Page 35 Page 35 Page 35 Page 35 Page 35 Page 35 Page 36 Page 36 Page 18 Page 18 Page 17 Page 17 Page 18 Page 18 Page 36 Page 36 Page 37 Page 37 Page 37 Page 37 Page 37 Page 37 Page 38 Page 38 Page 38 Page 39 Page 39 Page 39 $73.95 $35.95 $99.95 $79.95 $37.95 $27.95 $26.95 $24.95 $19.95 $19.95 $16.95 $16.95 $15.95 $19.95 $31.95 $34.95 $24.95 $15.95 $22.95 $18.95 $21.95 $41.95 $29.95 $15.95 $28.95 $27.85 $89.85 $22.95 $15.95 $89.85 $89.85 $89.85 $89.85 $89.85 $174.85 $174.85 $174.85 $174.85 $18.95 $19.95 $19.95 $63.95 $16.95 $13.95 $18.95 $39.95 $17.95 $21.95 $13.95 $17.95 $46.95 $59.95 $16.95 $21.95 $28.95 $39.95 $36.95 $16.95 $18.95 $19.95 $22.95 $19.95 $44.95 SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2015 VINTAGES 41 23365 pages One 24 to 48_EN_ENGLISH 15-02-13 4:27 AM Page 42 Flagship Store Exclusives! Visit our largest stores for an exciting expanded collection of premium V INTAGES products. We’re bringing you even more. In some of our larger stores, you’ll find a bigger, better selection of top wines and spirits, plus great little extras like a tasting bar where you can sample our fine wines. Look for this ad every two weeks, where we’ll tell you about our latest collection of Flagship Store Exclusives, then stop in to see for yourself. VINTAGES Flagship Stores TORONTO Summerhill & Yonge Queen’s Quay at Cooper St. Laird Dr. south of Eglinton Bayview Village (Bayview & Sheppard) Bloor & Royal York Rd. Avenue Rd. south of Wilson Bay & Bloor (Manulife Centre) OTTAWA Bank St. & Holmwood Ave. Rideau St. at King Edward OAKVILLE Cornwall Dr. at Trafalgar Rd. WOODBRIDGE Hwy. 7 & Weston Rd. 42 VINTAGES 23365 pages One 24 to 48_EN_ENGLISH 15-02-13 4:27 AM Page 43 New for March 21 Like all VINTAGES products, these special buys are available in limited quantities, so shop early for the best selection. ARDBEG SUPERNOVA THE ULTIMATE ISLAY SINGLE MALT Islay, Scotland, United Kingdom Vanilla, citrus, smoke and spice in abundance. Balanced and energetic. 93.5 points (Jim Murray, Whisky Bible, 2014) 406215 750 mL $335.95 G. BERTAGNOLLI GRAPPINO ORO GRAPPA Italy A repeat Gold Medal winner, this smooth oak-aged grappa offers attractive ripe apple, clove, pear and forest notions. (VINTAGES panel, June 2014) 404095 700 mL $47.95 COYOTE’S RUN BLACK PAW VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2012 VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario (Coyote’s Run Estate Winery) Concentrated aromas of black cherry, violets, cassis, strawberry and spice. Balanced and complex with layers of fruit and spice. 91 points (Rick VanSickle, winesinniagara.com, June 1, 2014) Medium-bodied & Fruity 116442 (XD) 750 mL $32.95 CAKEBREAD DANCING BEAR RANCH CABERNET SAUVIGNON/CABERNET FRANC 2011 Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California Look for deep, dark fruit accented by smoky espresso, and savour this single-vineyard Howell Mountain wine over the next decade and beyond. Full-bodied & Firm 220459 (XD) 750 mL $159.95 2 THE HILT THE VANGUARD PINOT NOIR 2011 Santa Rita Hills, California Black cherry, mint, licorice and oak notes combine to create a wine of considerable class. Voluptuous and rich – a striking accomplishment. 95 points (Antonio Galloni, vinousmedia.com, July 2013) ELK COVE CLAY COURT PINOT NOIR 2012 Willamette Valley, Oregon Expressive dark berry, cherry and woodsmoke. Silky and spicy, made in a fruit-forward style with impressive clarity and length. 92 points (Josh Raynolds, vinousmedia.com, July 2014) Medium-bodied & Fruity Full-bodied & Smooth 407841 (XD) 750 mL $63.95 2 2 402263 (XD) 750 mL $67.95 QUANTITIES ARE LIMITED. FOR PRODUCT INVENTORY AND FULL TASTING NOTES, VISIT vintages.com/exclusives 2 23365 pages One 24 to 48_EN_ENGLISH 15-02-20 2:35 AM Page 44 FORCE MAJEURE COLLABORATION SERIES VI 2011 Red Mountain, Columbia Valley, Washington Nicely complex white pepper, herbs, earth and dark fruit aromas. Pure and elegant, with good freshness and an amazing texture. New for March 21 Like all VINTAGES products, these special buys are available in limited quantities, so shop early for the best selection. MATETIC EQ PINOT NOIR 2012 Casablanca Valley, Chile Aromas of sour cherries and blood oranges. Balanced and fresh with good fruit and a mineral edge. 93 points (Luis Gutierrez, erobertparker.com, June 2014) 406108 (XD) 750 mL $75.95 DOMAINE THIBERT VIGNES DE LA CÔTE POUILLY-FUISSÉ 2011 AC, Burgundy, France Ripe apple, pear and oak spice tones. Firm acidic spine underlying a dense and seductive palate. 2 SCHLOSS SAARSTEIN SERRIG SCHLOSS SAARSTEINER RIESLING SPÄTLESE 2011 Pradikätswein, Mosel, Germany Lemon citrus, apple, beeswax, melon and spice. Exotic and compelling. 93 points (Kim Marcus, winespectator.com, Feb. 28, 2013) Aromatic & Flavourful 2 Medium-bodied & Fruity 2 2 FATTORIA DI CORSIGNANO L’IMPERATRICE GRAN SELEZIONE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2010 DOCG, Tuscany, Italy Aromas of berry, meat, chocolate and spice. Round and long with an intense finish. Excellent. 95 points (James Suckling, jamessuckling.com, Oct. 20, 2014) ALTO MONCAYO GARNACHA 2011 DO Campo de Borja, Spain Full-bodied and powerful, with an impressive concentration and richness that suggests 20-30 years of ageing potential. 95 points (Robert Parker Jr., erobertparker.com, Nov. 2013) Full-bodied & Firm 396358 (XD) 750 mL $46.95 Medium-bodied & Fruity 407163 (XD) 750 mL $47.95 2 BOUCHARD PÈRE & FILS VOLNAY 1ER CRU 2011 AC, Burgundy, France Beautiful, classic Volnay with complex notions of cedar bough, plum, vanilla bean, smoked sausage and red rose petals. (VINTAGES panel, Jan. 2015) 403741 (XD) 750 mL $62.95 Aromatic & Flavourful 403758 (D) 750 mL $49.95 400838 (S) 750 mL $41.95 Full-bodied & Smooth 90-93 points (Allen Meadows, burghound.com, Sept. 10, 2012) Medium-bodied & Fruity 403063 (XD) 750 mL $39.95 92 points (Jeb Dunnuck, erobertparker.com, June 2014) 2 2 Page 45 New Ad Eng and French_Rel Ad 15-02-20 3:49 AM Page 1 Primum Familiae Vini Europe’s leading wine families come to town. Primum Familiae Vini, the Leading Wine Families of France, Germany, Italy, Portugal and Spain, return to Toronto for the first time in 15 years to present their top wines. Don’t miss your chance to rub shoulders with principals from Château Mouton Rothschild, Marchesi Antinori, Joseph Drouhin, Egon Müller Scharzhof, Hugel & Fils, Champagne Pol Roger, Famille Perrin, the Symington Family Estates, Tenuta San Guido (Sassicaia), Bodegas Torres and Vega-Sicilia as they will be in attendance for both events. Order your tickets today Online: vintagesshoponline.com Phone: 416-365-5900 or 1-800-668-5226 Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 6 pm Saturday 9 am to 6 pm, except holidays Walk-around Tasting Wednesday, April 22, 2015 Royal Ontario Museum 100 Queen’s Park, Toronto 6:30pm – 9:00pm $125 per person Reception & Dinner Thursday, April 23, 2015 Trump International Hotel & Tower 325 Bay St., Toronto Reception: 6:30pm Dinner: 7:00pm $325 per person Visit vintages.com/pfv for full event details. Please refrain from wearing any cologne or perfume. Dress is business attire. This event is restricted to guests aged 19 years or older. All ticket sales are final. VINTAGES reserves the right to limit quantities on any products in the interest of overall customer demand. Please do not drink and drive. Tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Wines poured at this event will be measured and some wines may run out. 21516 A PASSION FOR EXCELLENCE 23365 pages One 24 to 48_EN_ENGLISH 15-02-13 4:27 AM Page 46 Unless otherwise noted, all text and rules are 100% Black. SPECIAL OFFERS limited-time offers Save on these popular wines and spirits between March 2 and March 29, 2015 White Wines BURNT SHIP BAY PINOT GRIGIO 2013 Our VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario 404939 (D) 750 mL $14.95 NOW $13.95 Save $1.00 best bets LE CLOS JORDANNE VILLAGE RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2011 VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario 33936 (XD) 750 mL $30.00 NOW $25.00 Save $5.00 COYOTE’S RUN GEWURZTRAMINER 2013 this month VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario 408021 (D) 750 mL $13.95 NOW $12.95 Save $1.00 WILLM RÉSERVE RIESLING AC Alsace, France 11452 (XD) 750 mL $15.95 NOW $14.95 Save $1.00 GOOSE BAY SAUVIGNON BLANC KPM Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand 28134 (D) 750 mL $23.15 NOW $22.15 Save $1.00 WOLFBERGER SIGNATURE RIESLING 2013 AC Alsace, France 398164 (XD) 750 mL $16.95 NOW $15.95 Save $1.00 LE CLOS JORDANNE LE GRAND CLOS CHARDONNAY 2011 VQA Niagara Peninsula, Twenty Mile Bench, Ontario 34561 (XD) 750 mL $65.00 NOW $60.00 Save $5.00 SAVE $2 SAVE $3 Red Wines BODEGA VOLCANES DE CHILE TECTONIA RED 2011 LE CLOS JORDANNE LE GRAND CLOS PINOT NOIR 2011 Central Valley, Chile 389668 (XD) 750 mL $17.95 NOW $16.95 Save $1.00 VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario 34553 (XD) 750 mL $75.00 NOW $70.00 Save $5.00 BONTERRA CABERNET SAUVIGNON LE CLOS JORDANNE VILLAGE RESERVE PINOT NOIR 2011 Mendocino County, California 342428 (XD) 750 mL $19.95 NOW $17.95 Save $2.00 VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario 33894 (D) 750 mL $30.00 NOW $25.00 Save $5.00 BURNT SHIP BAY CABERNET/MERLOT 2013 VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario 404947 (XD) 750 mL $14.95 NOW $13.95 Save $1.00 MONTES ALPHA CABERNET SAUVIGNON Colchagua Valley, Chile 322586 (XD) 750 mL $19.95 NOW $17.95 Save $2.00 CHURTON PINOT NOIR 2010 Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand 237164 (D) 750 mL $39.95 NOW $34.95 Save $5.00 SELLA & MOSCA CANNONAU DI SARDEGNA RISERVA KIM CRAWFORD SAUVIGNON BLANC DOC, Sardinia, Italy 425488 (XD) 750 mL REG. $17.95 Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand 035386 (XD) 750 mL REG. $19.95 NOW $15.95 NOW $16.95 46 VINTAGES SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2015 FLAT ROCK PINOT NOIR VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario 1545 (XD) 750 mL $19.95 NOW $17.95 Save $2.00 LE CLOS JORDANNE CLAYSTONE TERRACE PINOT NOIR 2011 VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario 33951 (XD) 750 mL $45.00 NOW $40.00 Save $5.00 TORRES GRAN CORONAS CABERNET SAUVIGNON RESERVA DO Penedès, Spain 36483 (D) 750 mL $19.95 NOW $17.95 Save $2.00 23365 pages One 24 to 48_EN_ENGLISH 15-02-13 4:27 AM Page 47 Count your savings with our Limited-Time Offers or collect Bonus AIR MILES®† reward miles by shopping for these products at VINTAGES! Other Wines & Spirits KITTLING RIDGE VIDAL ICEWINE LUXARDO MARASCHINO LIQUEUR VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario 563247 (S) 375 mL $39.95 NOW $34.95 Save $5.00 Italy 57448 750 mL $26.05 NOW $24.05 Save $2.00 LAKEVIEW CELLARS VIDAL ICEWINE ZUBROWKA BISON VODKA VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario 522672 (MS) 200 mL $20.95 NOW $18.95 Save $2.00 Poland 35840 750 mL $26.95 NOW $25.35 Save $1.60 (K) = Kosher (KP) = Kosher for Passover (KPM) = Kosher for Passover & Mevushal Prices subject to change without notice. Quantities are limited. bonus AIR MILES † reward miles ® Earn Bonus reward miles on these products from March 1 to March 31, 2015 Red Wines CONTE ROSSI DI MONTELERA CHIANTI COLLI FIORENTINI 2011 DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (Torre a Cona) 391532 (XD) 750 mL $17.95 Earn 5 Bonus reward miles VOLCANES DE CHILE TECTONIA PINOT NOIR 2012 Bío Bío Valley, Chile 389676 (XD) 750 mL $17.95 Earn 5 Bonus reward miles KAIKEN MALBEC Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina 58339 (D) 750 mL $14.95 Earn 8 Bonus reward miles Look for this sign on VINTAGES shelves Other Wines & Spirits MONTENEGRO AMARO BITTER LIQUORE ITALIANO Emilia-Romagna, Italy 601484 750 mL $25.15 Earn 8 Bonus reward miles *Bonus AIR MILES®† reward miles available on selected products from March 1 – March 31, 2015, at the LCBO. Offer available in Ontario only. While quantities last. Offer subject to change without notice. See store for details. ®†TM† Trademarks of AIR MILES International Trading B.V. Used under license by LoyaltyOne, Co. and LCBO. SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2015 VINTAGES 47 23365 pages One 24 to 48_EN_ENGLISH 15-02-23 1:09 AM Page 48 good to know Shopping Information • Products in this Release Catalogue can be obtained at VINTAGES locations across Ontario. Quantities are limited, and product availability varies by store – not all products are available in all stores. • Looking for a product, or a store that stocks it? Download our app from the App Store, or check out our product search engine at vintages.com. You can search by keyword or product number, or click the Advanced Search link to browse by category, country, region and price. Vintages.com also features special offers, events, a store locator and other information. • Customers outside the Toronto and Ottawa areas can order products in this Release Catalogue not found in their local LCBO or VINTAGES store by submitting a request to their store by 11 a.m. the Tuesday before the release date. There’s no limit on quantities requested, but availability is not guaranteed. Release Catalogue and VINTAGES Latest newsletter The VINTAGES bi-weekly Release Catalogue can be viewed online at vintages.com. If you currently receive the Release Catalogue via regular mail at home and are moving, receiving a duplicate copy, or wish to unsubscribe – or if you wish to become a subscriber – please call helloLCBO at 416-365-5900 or toll-free 1-800-668-5226 Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., or visit vintages.com/service. To receive the VINTAGES Latest electronic newsletter – filled with information about each new edition of the Release Catalogue, plus special offers, events and more – sign up at vintageslatest.com. In our next catalogue… April 4, 2015 FEATURE STORIES • Veneto from A to Z • Celebrate Easter with Ontario wine WINES OF THE MONTH ALLEGRINI PALAZZO DELLA TORRE 2011 IGT Veronese, Italy (672931) KENWOOD CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011 Sonoma County, California (990440) ARRIVE IN STYLE DOG POINT SAUVIGNON BLANC 2014 Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (677450) FRONT COVER FEUDI SAN PIO VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO RIPASSO SUPERIORE 2012 Veneto, Italy (181446) GÉRARD BERTRAND TERROIR FITOU 2011 AC, Midi, France (403683) Plus... watch for these and dozens of other exciting NEW products WHITE & SPARKLING WINES FLAT ROCK RIESLING 2014 VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula (043281) MARQUES DE CASA CONCHA SAUVIGNON BLANC 2013 Leyda Valley, Chile (403378) THORN-CLARKE PINOT NOIR/CHARDONNAY BRUT RESERVE SPARKLING WINE Barossa Valley, Australia (280925) RED WINES We’re easy to find There are over 300 convenient VINTAGES locations across Ontario. To find the one nearest you, use the store search on vintages.com. RICASOLI BROLIO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2012 DOCG Tuscany, Italy (003962) DIEMERSFONTEIN PINOTAGE 2013 WO Wellington, South Africa (956409) SAN ROMÁN 2011 DO Toro, Spain (250985) Prices not available at press time. 48 VINTAGES SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2015 23365 Covers_EN_Eng Cover 15-02-20 12:34 AM Page 5 Arrive in style with a triumphant return If you’ve ever had 100% Monastrell (aka Mourvèdre or Mataro) and loved it, here’s your chance to fall in love all over again. From producer Bodegas Volver, whose name means ‘come back’ or ‘return,’ this dryfarmed 91-point wine delivers rich blackberry and blueberry fruit. Try it and you’re sure to come back for more. TARIMA HILL MONASTRELL 2011 Old vines, DO Alicante, Spain (Bodegas Volver) 310169 (D) 750 mL $19.95 Full-bodied & Smooth 91 points (erobertparker.com) FOR COMPLETE TASTING NOTE, SEE PAGE 39. 23365 Covers_EN_Eng Cover 15-02-17 11:33 AM Page 2 pg.37 pg.32 pg.38 55 Lake Shore Blvd. East Toronto, Ontario, M5 E 1 A4 Please enjoy responsibly. 40064521 Catalogue No. 558 Cette publication est également disponible en français. 20798 Telephone 416-365-5900 Toll-free 1-800-668-5226 vintages.com