Beaujolais Nouveau etc. 2010 Picks: 6 Tasted of 6

Beaujolais Nouveau   … or Vino Novello if you prefer. This started from a read of Wineoftheweeknd wine site.  I didn’t plan to taste nouveau wines this year. Curiosity got the best of me and when dropping by the local Outlet for a Mezzacorona Vino Novello, kind of rolls off the lips in Italian, I picked up the second. Then after reading Gord Stimmell's notes and ratings in his Toronto Star  column I’ve added a few more of the eight released by the LCBO.….  I find it an interesting but, perhaps, a fading tradition.

Gord Stimmell presents LCBO's lineup of this year's Nouveaux in his video below:(video no longer available)



THE LINEUP:

• Mezzacorona Novio 2010 Vino Novello di Teroldego,  89-2  --  G, Trentino, Italy,  #669275  $9.95
• Joseph Drouhin 2010 Beaujolais Villages Nouveau, 88-1  --  V, Beaune, France, #113266 $14.95
• Georges DuBoeuf 2010 Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau, 88-1  --  V,  Romanèche-Thorins, France, #932780 $14.95   
• Georges DuBoeuf 2010 Gamay Nouveau, 87-2  --  G, Ardèche, France, #891846 $8.95 
• Cantina 2010 Novello del Veneto IGT,  86-1  --  G, Negrar, Italy, 12.0% D, #899955 $9.95
• The Fool Reif Estate Gamay Nouveau VQA Niagara River, 83*  --  G, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, #220483 $10.95

Not Planned:

• Mommessin 2010 Beaujolais Nouveau, G, France, #897934 $ 13.95
• Catalans 2010 Primeur Syrah Merlot IGP Pays d’Oc, G, Rousillon, France, #220533 $9.95

(G - General Listing, v-r - Value levels, * - see notes)
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Today's the Day, 23rd November 2010, for a blind tasting of Nouveau wines. The Kit shown in the photo was a gift some years ago and has come in handy at certain times when a Blind Tasting happens. I say 'happens' since I seldom plan anything. The last event was #Cabernet Day sponsored by Rick Bakas , at the time of St. Supery Winery in California, now an independent Marketing guru. After his event prompts are seldom needed for my BH and I to cover a few bottles, crack them open and sniff & sip our way through a tasting. 'But' you say, 'where's the sixth?' There's only five letters in 'WINES' so the Joseph Drouhin will come later.  Cheers, Ww

A point made at times is that ratings are meaningless. How can wines of different grapes be compared one with another? My answer is: comparisons are made by individuals and some discrimination must be used in their application. 

If a comparison is badly applied then the individual making the comparison is at fault not the rating system. However, if one can bridge ratings given for different grape types, different wine styles, terroirs, perhaps with qualifications, then a rating comparison makes sense to that individual. Some comparisons however have to be questioned, for instance, standard wines versus Nouveau wines. Nouveau wines are a once a year phenomenon with unusual taste profiles and a 'best before date' of January 2011. The ratings shown in this blog are only relative to other Nouveau wines.

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TASTINGS:
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CANTINA 2010 NOVELLO DEL VENETO IGT, Negrar (Map it!) , Italy, 12.0% D, #899955  $9.95  (Tasted November 23, 2010)  CS
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A General listing not described. The back label says "... a dry red wine with aromas of ripe red fruits. The taste is fresh with flavours of ripe plums, cherries and blackberries."  My notes:  A pink meniscus and a light and clear ruby colour with spicy candy floss aromas, meant for quaffing. A swirl brings a receding film with scalloped edges, reluctant tears. Medium-bodied, smooth with a polite bite and strawberry candy floss flavours including a noticeable sweetness. The finish continues with the flavours adding a dry tannin and minerals reminiscent of ’airplane dope’ but not overly so. A congenial red meant for a convivial time. 86
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MEZZACORONA NOVIO 2010 VINO NOVELLO DI TEROLDEGO IGT, Trentino (Map it!) , Italy, 12.0% D, #669275  $9.95  (Tasted November 23, 2010) CS
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A General listing not described. The back label says "Produced from Teroldego grapes... cultivated in the foothills of the Dolomites. Ruby red, fruity bouquet with hints of ripe berries. ... Serve at 16 - 18C."  My notes: A woody scent when first poured then a delicate plum. There’s a purple hue to a deep ruby giving an elegant glow in the bowl. Medium-bodied with some tears from the film and the first sip is well balanced fruit, soft tannins and acids leaving some dryness on a long cherry finish. Except for the freshness of the fruit one may assume this to be a standard light-bodied red. A pleasant sipper for a mixed crowd with dry crackers - surprisingly this paired well with Mom's Meatloaf .  89
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GEORGES DUBOEUF 2010 BEAUJOLAIS-VILLAGES NOUVEAU, Romanèche-Thorins (Map it!) , France, #932780  $ 14.95  (Tasted November 23, 2010)  CS
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A Vintages release described on the back label as “Tender, fruity, harmonious, elegant, fresh, delicious are the main qualities of primeurs wines” and by G Stimmell as “Nice cherry berry with hints of vanilla and banana. Very fruity, with hints of complexity.”  My notes: A cardinal red adds brightness to the deep ruby and a cherry/raspberry/tobacco spice fills the bowl given time to develop. There’s some depth to the first sip with well balanced acids, tannins and berries. Bright edged fruit continue through a long chalk dry finish and a detectable almond touch as berries fade. A quaffer on a hot day especially with a few cubes. PS. A bit floral but great with grilled rack of lamb.  88  
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GEORGES DUBOEUF 2010 GAMAY NOUVEAU,  Ardèche (Map it!) , France, 12.0% D,  #891846   $8.95  (Tasted November 23, 2010)  CS

A General listing described on the back label as “supple, fruity, and generously balanced”  and by G Stimmell as “Violets, candied black cherry with hints of cola in a light but tasty style.”      My notes:  A pink edged ruby colour with just noticeable scent of crushed ripe strawberries, a film that easily sheds tears. Firm tannins dry while fresh berries brighten the palate - an interesting sipper. Medium-bodied with some jam and wood remaining as flavours decline. Add a cube and quaff on a hot day with dry crackers.  87   PS. Paired well, in the sense of adding a different flavour, to Veal Cordon Bleu with sweet potatoe and petit pois.

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THE FOOL REIF ESTATE 2010 GAMAY NOUVEAU VQA Niagara River, Niagara-on-the-Lake (Map it!) , Ontario, 13.0% D,  #220483   $ 10.95   (Tasted November 23, 2010)  CS

A General listing described by G Stimmell as “Pale hued, with rose petals, raspberry jam and marishino in a light-weight style.”    My notes:  The colour is a light red cherry and the delicate aroma is of almonds and cherries. A viscous film sheds long tears then recedes evenly. Smooth, red cherry jam with a touch of yeast and leaves a light presence on the palate. In a darkened room could be mistaken for a medium-bodied rosé. Serve chilled with a shrimp ring.  Ww83*  PS. Blending with 50% Casa LaPostolle Carmenère reduced the ’cherry jam’ to a moderate cherry with a taint of red currant. Now fuller and balanced widened its flexibility. When paired with cheddar macaroni and mild Italian sausage was much improved prompting ‘before discarding try blending‘.  86
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JOSEPH DROUHIN 2010 BEAUJOLAIS VILLAGES NOUVEAU, Beaune (Map it!) , France, 12.5% D, #113266   $14.95  (Tasted December 1, 2010) CS

A General listing described on the back label as “… reveals the elegance and true expression of the Beaujolais terroir. With its intensity and fresh fruit….”  and described by G Stimmell as “Blueberry, spicy plum and mellow black cherry. Some depth and heft.”  My notes: A slight pungency and a perceptible nose of floral black cherry from a clear, deep raspberry colour with the first sip showing a marzipan tainted red cherry and blueberry flavour, very smooth with a light tannin. The finish is fresh and fruity then fading to a balance of fruit remnants and acid. A welcomed sipper by itself or with a mixed cheese tray, no gorgonzola though. Pair with veal scallopini or crusted chicken legs, was great with Lindt white chocolate balls followed by coffee.  A drink now.  88