The turkey is in the fridge and veggies all prepared waiting for the crowd to come tomorrow, Thanksgiving Sunday. I tend to think of the celebration differently… it’s my Birth Weekend. Yes, the Day is on the tenth but I spread it over the weekend trying to convince guests that’s the real reason for getting together.Also on the Day of the year my BH generously bestows on me several choices from Vintages and LCBO shelves which are listed below. And today it’s similar to a Leap Year - my Birth Day falls on a Vintages Release.
When tasted the wine, red then whites, will appear in bold sequenced by rating.Cheers, Ww
- Sterling Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Napa Valley, 92-2 -- V, California, USA, #314575 $24.95
- Volpaia Citto Toscana 2007, 90-2 -- V, Chianti, Italy, #134817 $13.95
- Masi Tupungato Passo Doble Malbec Corvina 2007, 88-1 -- G, Tupungato, Argentina, #620880 $13.95
- Familia Zuccardi Fuzion Shiraz Malbec 2009, 84 -- G, Maipu, Argentina, #083188? $7.45
- Tedeschi Capitel Tenda Soave Classico 2008, 92-3 -- V, Verona, Italy, #730903 $15.95
- Malivoire Chardonnay 2007 VQA Niagara Escarpment, 88-1 -- V, Beamsville, Ontario, #573147 $19.95
- Seresin Sauvignon Blanc 2008, Marlborough, 88 -- V, NZ, #735043 $24.95
- Familia Zuccardi Fuzion Chenin Chardonnay 2009, 86-1 -- G, Maipu, Argentina, #119800 $7.45
- Malivoire Ladybug Rosé 2008 VQA Niagara Escarpment, 85 -- V, Beamsville, Ontario, #559088 $15.95
- Schlumberger Brut Sparkling Méthode Traditionelle, 83 -- V, Vienna, Austria, #284596 $14.95
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TASTINGS:
STERLING VINEYARDS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2006 Napa Valley, Califormia, USA, 14.2% D, #314575 $24.95 (Tasted October 30, 2009) CS.
Released by Vintages on October 10, 2009 and described anonymously (undated) as “One of the best values for Napa Valley Cabernet, this refined and focused wine features rich aromas of cassis, spicy plum, and hints of chocolate and suede. Bold and flavourful with loads of ripe fruit mingling with sweet oak, this wine will have your tastebuds dancing. With its refined supporting tannins and its long, complex finish, it's the perfect match for prime rib roast or roast leg of lamb.” My notes: A blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc. A deep purple ruby, rich in the glass with a firm film forming slow tears on the glass. A sharp jab wakes up the palate with delicately flavoured black currant, berries and mild liquorice then leaving a lasting bright fruit and cedar tone as a finish. Smooth to sniff with a spicyiness. Close to full-bodied with a sweet fruit added to fine tannins makes this an interesting sipper. Have with any grilled beef, a flavourful crock pot stew or rack of lamb. Three years old now and could improve over the next four. 92
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VOLPAIA CITTO TOSCANA 2007, Chianti, Italy, 14.0% XD, #134817 $13.95 (Tasted October 17, 2009) CS
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A Vintages release on October 10, 2009 described anonymously (undated) as “Volpaia's Citto is a blend of Sangiovese with a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon to add depth to the flavours. The wines are unoaked, thus putting the fresh fruit aromas and flavours front and centre. Look for cherry, blackberry, cassis and a hint of underbrush on the nose. Even without the oak, it has exceptional structure that will stand up to intense meat-based pasta dishes or even reward 2-4 years in a cellar.” My notes: A deep ruby with a purple tint and nose of spice and black cherries. Flavours include black berries, red currants, anise and the texture is full-bodied with a good tannin level and a sharpness that offsets any remaining fruit sugars. The finish is dry on the lips, bright on the palate and warm flavours that last a long while. Have with pepperoni pizzas or chorizo sausage and tomato sauced pasta. If you like bold and sharp it’s a sipper but more of a meal red that will attack any food with gusto. Cellared five years may evolve into a smoother, milder and even more complex red. 90
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MASI TUPUNGATO PASSO DOBLE MALBEC CORVINA 2007, Tupungato, Argentina, 13.5% XD, #620880 $13.95 (Tasted October 22, 2009) CS
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A General listing described anonymously (undated) as “Medium deep red cherry colour; aromas of dried herb and fruit, with black cherry and spice notes and a hint of vanilla; dry, medium to full bodied, rich, with sweet dried fruit flavours, good balanced acidity and supporting tannins, long finish. Serve with rich meat dishes, including stews, casseroles and grilled steak.” My notes: Masi double ferments Argentean Malbec with a touch of Merlot and Veneto's Corvina grape which has been mat dried (20 days), in Spanish the process is 'semiappassita'. Except for 2004, the 2000 and 2003 vintages previously tasted improved after cellaring a few years. Flavours of this 2007 vintage are fruity and mildly spiced, smooth textured and full-bodied so continual sipping is not a problem. Not a touch of sweetness and a light touch of tannins lays a plush carpet for flavours of blackberries, dried black cherries and just a touch of leather. Serve with rich meat dishes, including stews, casseroles and grilled steak. Laying down for a few years should be OK. 88
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FAMILIA ZUCCARDI FUZION SHIRAZ MALBEC 2009, Maipu, Argentina, 13.5% D, #083188 $7.45 (Tasted October 19, 2009) CS
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A General listing described anonymously (undated) as “Pale ruby purple colour; aromas of crushed berries and spice; dry, medium-bodied, flavours of candied berries and black pepper. Serve with burgers, red onions and spicy sauce.” My notes: A deep ruby, a slight aroma of plums and berries and a swirl that films the glass showing slow tears. The first sip has both a spicy pepper and mild cedar wrapped flavours of ripe berries. The finish has a brambly touch before a tinge of spicy berries carries on. A house red for a general crowd, straightforward with the roughness of a bulk harvest. Went well with a seared pork chop in a bing cherry sauce with a side of carrot, peas and shallot mix. A drink now. 84
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SERESIN SAUVIGNON BLANC 2008, Marlborough, NZ, 13.5% XD, #735043 $24.95 (Tasted October 27, 2009) CS.
A Vintages release on September 12, 2009 rated 4½ of 5 and described by Michael Cooper (2009) a NZ critic as “The 2008 vintage is weighty and complex, sweet-fruited and concentrated with ripe, limey, slightly minerally flavours, showing good complexity and texture, fresh acidity and a dry finish ...Full of personality, it's already delicious.” My notes: A pale gold colour and aromas of a gooseberry and nettle blend, nothing memorable with 5% Semillon adding a side note to flavours and nose. The first sip is lightly flavoured with a touch of sweetness although the fruit develops more over the long finish - lime and gooseberry. Bright on the tongue with a touch of oil and a dry lime ending. A full flavoured sipper that should be OK with a creamy salmon pasta dish or sliced cold chicken on greens. A drink now. Not a value. 88
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SCHLUMBERGER BRUT SPARKLING MÉTHODE TRADITIONELLE, Vienna, Austria, 11.5% D, #284596 $14.95 (Tasted October 24, 2009) CS
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A Vintages release on October 10, 2009 described anonymously (undated) as “Established in 1842, Schlumberger is the oldest sparkling wine house in Austria. Made with 100% Welschriesling (no relation to Riesling), this sparkler always fits like a glove with dishes like grilled prawns, grilled herbed chicken breast, or pork chops with apple sauce.” My notes: The Welschriesling grape must be delicately flavoured as this is delicate in every respect: a light yeasty scent, a faint gold colour accenting bubbles of every size, a lively zest on the palate, a light lime and hint of apple flavour finishing dry with a silky softness and perhaps some remnant sugar. Nothing exceptional but a sipper to have on any occasion with family and friends or with light seafood dishes: crab cakes or lobster tails, scallops or chicken cubes on skewers with light veggies. A drink now. 83
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MALIVOIRE LADYBUG ROSÉ 2008 VQA Niagara Escarpment, Beamsville, Ontario, 12.0% D, #559088 $15.95 (Tasted October 22, 2009) CS
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A Vintages release on October 10, 2009 rated 4 of 5 and described by local critic Tony Aspler (March 19, 2009) as “Style: Rosé Medium-bodied. Appearance: Pink. Nose: Big raspberry and cherry. Taste: Big cherry.” Beyond the turkey dinner, it is also a fine match for grilled salmon.” My notes: A blend of Cabernet Franc, Gamay and Pinot Noir, we paired it with grilled Char, broccoli and a creamy conchigliette. Shows as a deep pink in the glass with aromas of raspberry and white cherry. The taste has a pronounced raspberry and green apple peal combination, dry, finishing with a tart fruit and mineral note. An improvement over the 2007 Ladybug (Ww79, June 2008) but less round, medium-bodied, crisp, leaving the palate chalky. Better off-chill as a sipper and more of a meal rosé to have with turkey or chicken, ham or pork cutlet or vinaigrette salad. A drink now. 85
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TEDESCHI CAPITEL TENDA SOAVE CLASSICO 2008, Verona, Italy, 12.5% XD, #730903 $15.95 (Tasted October 23, 2009) CS
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A Vintages release on October 10, 2009 rated 2 of 3 and described by Kyle Phillips (April 20, 2009) as “… a selection of the best grapes from their Soave vineyards. It's brassy yellow with brassy reflections, and white rim; the bouquet is bright and rich with heather supported by deft greenish acidity and spice from grapes; it displays nice balance… On the palate it's full and rich, with heather and vegetal acidity with underlying minerality that flows into a clean mineral finish with underlying bitterness. Welcoming; it will be nice as an aperitif or with rich first courses, creamy pesto sauces come do mind, as do fish-based pasta dishes and risotto.” My notes: A pale straw colour and wild floral scents on the spicy side with a firm acid of the Garganega grape. The first sip is full of stone fruit with a mineral tartness, well balanced for pairing with the roasted Italian herb chicken my BH brought in for supper. Would also go with seafood or mushroom pasta dishes. The finish is smooth, long with a carry over of the flavours ‘til the dry ending. A scrumptious sipper with an interesting aroma and flavour mix. Should cellar well, say two years. 92
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FAMILIA ZUCCARDI FUZION CHENIN CHARDONNAY 2009, Maipu, Argentina, 13.0% D, #119800 $7.45 (Tasted October 19, 2009) CS
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A General listing not described by the LCBO. My notes: The right light gold, the right nose albeit it light, a firm film with lots of tears and flavours of fruit balanced by a light cream and acid to warrant sipping nonstop or matching with seafood or chicken breast entreés. Citrus, apple, possibly pear in the blend for a fruit cocktail that’s very prominent to the taste buds and lasting long after the sip. I think this would please most at a social get together - by the case. There is some sweetness lurking behind the tart. To me, it comes across in favour of dry. Not for the cellar. A real value drink now. 86
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MALIVOIRE CHARDONNAY 2007 VQA Niagara Escarpment, Beamsville, Ontario, 13.0% D, #573147 $19.95 (Tasted October 15, 2009) CS
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A Vintages release on October 10, 2009 described anonymously (undated) as “This soft and creamy Chardonnay is sourced from Malivoire's Estate and Moira vineyards... certified organic. This wine possesses complex aromas of apple, citrus, butter, spice, and toast. It's dry and well-balanced, displaying juicy apple flavours with mineral notes, and a toasty finish. Match it with pork tenderloin or grilled halibut.” My notes: The winemaker’s notes on the website describes the process and equipment used to preserve the care in timing the maturity and hand harvesting of the grapes for this lightly oaked chardonnay. The 2006 vintage ($21.95) was tasted on March 13, 2008 and rated Ww89. The VQA has expanded from the Beamsville Bench to multiple sub-appellations included in ‘Niagara Escarpment‘. This appears well polished in the glass with a light straw shade and faint aromas, for me too subtle to tell - perhaps a soft lanolin. An appealing light cream in the first sip with mild apple, citrus and toast flavours blended evenly then developing more as the palate is refreshed. Finishes with a soft apple-citrus touch. This would pair well with delicately seasoned halibut or sole, scallops or crabmeat and also would have wide appeal as a sipper. Not much to cellar but might go a few years. 88.
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