August 2015 Wines - 15 Tasted of 15

Peter's Orchid*

Nine of the reds** in this month's collection were selected from a list of 36 wines tasted by a local tasting group. I was curious to see how my taste buds reacted by comparison. 'Tasting', with respect to wines, is an individual and personal reaction to seeing, smelling, an ability to sense a range of flavours and, more nebulous, a wine's depth and breadth. This reaction is then expressed meaningfully, usually in text, so others can relate to the experience. A rating can be used to

Wild Globe Thistle

summarize an individual's experience or, as in this case, a group.

Of the 36 wines, I had previously blogged ten, two were no longer available, another fifteen were over $16 (my imposed limit). This leaves the nine purchased and listed below along with four more reds, a white and a rosé to make up August`s total. When the dust settles I`ll see if any conclusions can be drawn.

My rating, out of 100, will be shown for each of the 9 reds as well as the group's, out of 20.

*A hybrid/cross between Paphiopedilum rothschildianum and Paphiopedilum philippinensis.

Cheers, Ww 

PS: Click here for a video of James Suckling explaining his use of the 100 point Rating System.

THE LINEUP:  (reds**, reds, whites, rosés)

1. Casa Castillo Monastrell 2012, 91-2  --  G, Jumilla, Spain, #165621  $14.95  (12.0)
2. Trapiche Extravaganza Red Blend 2014, 89a-2  --  G, Mendoza, Argentina, #360776  $15.95  (14.2)
3. Leone de Castris Maiana Salice Salentino 2013,  88-1  --  G, Puglia, Italy, #717959  $14.95  (12.8) 
4. KWV Roodeberg Red 2013, 87-1  --  G, Western Cape, South Africa, #007187  $12.65 (15.1)
5. Alamos Malbec 2013, 86 --  G, Mendoza, Argentina, #295139  $14.95 (15.3)
6. No. 99 Wayne Gretzky Estates Merlot 2013 VQA Niagara Peninsula, 86 -- G, Winona, Ontario, #063966  $15.95  (11.4)
7. Vineland Cabernet Franc 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, 84  --  G, Winona, Ontario, #594127  $13.95 (13.5) 
8. Domaine Boyar Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, 82  --  G, Thracian Lowlands, Bulgaria, #340851  $7.90*  (13.0) 
9. The Wolftrap Syrah Mourvèdre Viognier 2014, 81  --  G,  Boekenhoutsloof, South Africa, #292557 $12.95  (11.6)

• Sueno Tempranillo 2011, 87-1  --  V, Casa de Haro, Spain, #397133  $18.95
• Lavau Côtes du Rhône Villages 2011, 83  --  G, Rhône, France, #421024  $12.90 
• Cesari Adesso Merlot d'Italia 2014, 82a  --  G, Veneto, Italy, #572453  $7.95 

• Anselmi San Vincenzo 2013, 86  --  V, Veneto, Italy, #948158  $14.95*
• Fünf 5 Riesling NV, 85  --  G, Rhein, Germany, #175026  $10.40 

• Konigschaffhauser Vulkanfelsen Pinot Noir Rosé Trocken 2014, 87-1  --  V,  Baden, Germany,  #168237   $13.95

(V - Vintages, G - General, O - Other, r-v  - Rating-Value, a - aerated, c - cellar,

NR - Not Recommended)

TASTINGS:

KWV ROODEBERG RED 2013, Western Cape, South Africa, 14.0% D 7g/L, #007187  $12.65  (Tasted August 4, 2015) 

A General listing. My notes: A charcoal hued ruby and a sniff reveals a burnt ember with a soft prune edge. The first sip has the welcoming bite of bright cranberry and background of soft prune. The film spreads evenly krinkling at the rim and fragmenting as it falls - a tilt shows long legs. The finish is extra dry with a bright acid and pleasing warmth. Overall there are some interesting changes as a sip leads into a long finish. Pair with beef or game: grilled, stewed or roasted. This could become smoother with five years or so cellaring. 87

TRAPICHE  EXTRAVAGANZA RED BLEND 2014, Mendoza, Argentina, 13.0%  D  17g/L, #360776  $15.95  (Tasted August 31, 2015) 

A General listing. A blend of Malbec, Bonarda and Syrah.  My notes: Each blending grape is shared on the first sip... smooth and full for Merlot, a thin cherry berry Bonardo and a Syrah spice for penetration and excitement - at least that's what I sense. The colour is a deep brooding ruby, delightful in candle light. A swirl brings long fast legs against a viscous backdrop and the finish is a sumptuous extra dry prune and plum warming the throat.  Several years in the cellar could soften the edges. We'll serve with Sweet-and-Sour Spareribs. 89
 
VINELAND CABERNET FRANC 2013 VQA Niagara Peninsula, Winona, Ontario, 12.5%  D  7g/L, #594127  $13.95  (Tasted August 3, 2015)

 A General listing.  My notes: A charcoal hued see-through ruby with a bright bell pepper, an indistinct raspberry and matchstick nose. Air thirty minutes before serving. A viscous film eventually drops long slow legs followed and combined with a veil of slow tears. A pronounced sharpness adds interest as a sipper leaving the palate dry with brambly berry remnants. Light-bodied with a strong character makes for pleasant sipping and flexible pairing. Not being accustomed to 'bell pepper' as a replacement for fruit it's not my choice for a sipper - it went well with a mild beef bourguignon.  84

DOMAINE BOYAR CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2014, Thracian Lowlands, Bulgaria, 12.5%  D  7g/L, #340851  $7.90*  (Tasted August 7, 2015) 

A General listing.  My notes:  Pouring 2 samples, one being aerated I found both had the same nose, a light black fruit aroma with a whiff of vanilla and a polite edge. The colour has a bright raspberry hue darkened by subtle charcoal and shows a moderate film with a fragmenting rim and long legs. Now the sips. The 1st stings the throat, dries the palate and tastes of a flat  berry fruit at the start and going into a long finish - not a sipper. The 2nd (aerated) has an acceptable sharpness with the same berry and dryness for a finish - except for the dryness, close to chalk, a marginal sipper if with nibbles.  Better to pair with meat & potatoes splashed with moderate to rich sauces. A drink now. 82

LEONE DE CASTRIS MAIANA SALICE SALENTINO 2013, Puglia, Italy, 13.5%  D  13g/L, #717959  $14.95  (Tasted August 30, 2015) 

Released by Vintages on May 2, 2015 and rated 90 by Natalie MacLean (February 2015).  My notes: Air thirty minutes. A deep black cherry with a viscosity that clings to the glass, runs long fast legs and leaves a lacy pattern with lots of nodules. When is a nose not a nose? When it's this red - a residual of bramble and softly sweet berries encouraging guests to the first sip - a light cherry, pleasantly bright, a light tannin and a smooth background. A house red, not to impress but easily sipped then married with cheesy pizza, a sultry stroganof or juicy prime rib. Cellaring a few years may fuse characteristics for a higher rating - I'd chance it!   88

CASA CASTILLO MONASTRELL (Mourvèdre)  2012, Jumilla, Spain, 14.5%  XD 5g/L, #165621  $14.95  (Tasted August 6, 2015) 

Release date by Vintages not given.  My notes:  A rich ruby flowing long legs from a krinkly rim, attractive on pouring. The nose is bright filled with the soft ripeness of berries still showing some youthfulness - allow to develop in the glass. A sip fulfills the promise of soft and bright while increasing a pleasing depth - well balanced. Finishes warm with a light tannin, a reserved fruit and an anticipation of the next sip. A flexible sipper and a complement with anything beefy from pizzas to bourguignon. Could age well over several years. 91

NO. 99 WAYNE GRETZKY ESTATES MERLOT 2013 VQA Niagara Peninsula, Winona, Ontario, 13.0%  D  6g/L, #063966  $15.95  (Tasted August 19, 2015)

A General listing.  My notes: The nose has the scent of smoky raspberries with a sharp edge. The colour is of crushed ripe berries. The rim fragments quickly as a thin film spreads evenly then starts a row of small tears that accumulate volume and drop slowly. The first sip dries the mouth while a flavour burst adds brightness. Although light in body it's silky and warm finishing light, long and retaining moderate flavours. A social sipper. Went well with Shepherds Pie and would complement most meat dishes, pizzas or burgers.  86

ALAMOS MALBEC 2013, Mendoza, Argentina, 13.5%  XD  5g/L, #295139  $14.95  (Tasted August 12, 2015)

A General listing. My notes: A vivid black cherry colour at the rim deepening to the bowl. Aromas of tangy blackberries, black cherries and distant vanilla. The film is firm initially running fast legs then slow tears as the full rim empties. There's a bright tang in the first sip, nicely warming with fruit flavours predominating. A warm finish carries the tang and fruit to provide a pleasing refresher in between sips or bites. Pair with anything beefy, saucy with sautéed mushrooms and onions and back ribs for sure. 86


THE WOLFTRAP SYRAH MOURVÈDRE VIOGNIER 2014, Boekenhoutsloof, South Africa, 14.5%  D  6g/L, #292557 $12.95  (Tasted August 3, 2015)

A General listing and a blend of Syrah (82%) Mourvèdre (16%) and Viognier (2%). Price reduced from $13.95 until July 19th.  My notes:  A deep charcoal stained ruby meniscus that swirls a light film and recedes slowly leaving a fragmenting pattern. The nose is an earthy dark cherry noticeably acidic. The first sip is sharp with a burnt cherry/plum flavour then a long finish of drying tannins. Not a sipper - serve with herb scented sauces or spice rubbed meats. I wouldn't expect improvement if cellared. 81

SUEÑO TEMPRANILLO 2011, Casa de Haro, Spain, 14.0% XD 7g/L, #397133  $18.95  (Tasted August 24, 2015)

Released by Vintages on January 24, 2015. Rated 91 by Neal Martin  (April 2013).  My notes:  A charcoal hued blackberry with a ruby shine. The film is moderate forming a thin rim slowly accumulating volume to show a ring of sagging tears. A combination of forest floor and crushed berries needing time to develop in the bowl. The first sip has substantial tang, tannin and warmth. The tang turns into a brightness that is carried through a long xdry finish, better partnered with a charcuterie of Italian meats and hard cheeses or pair with grilled meats and saucy roasts. Already four years in the bottle it may be passing its peak.  87


ANSELMI SAN VINCENZO 2013,  Veneto, Italy,  12.5%  D  15g/L, #948158  $14.95*  (Tasted August 25, 2015)

Released by Vintages on April 1, 2015. Price reduced from $16.95 until July 19, 2015.  My notes:  The colour of lime juice and a short nose of subdued lime zest is an appealing start. A thin film leaves a rim that drops a thin veil, krinkly at the top and fragmenting on the way down. The first sip has a refreshing tartness, a smooth texture, a dry mineral and a background taste of lemon pulp, indiscernible as fruit and forming a short finish. Keep chilled, for a summer day cooler or pair with grilled seafood or sliced chicken to add some contrast. Went well with chicken teriyaki. Overall not a value. 86   

KÖNIGSCHAFFHAUSER VULKANFELSEN PINOT NOIR ROSÉ TROCKEN 2014, Baden, Germany, 12.5%  D  11g/L, #168237   $13.95  (Tasted August 8, 2015)

A Vintages release on May 30, 2015.  My notes:  A festive salmon hue in the glass with a subtle peach fuzz aroma. A swirl lays a fine film quickly fragmenting at the rim then falling as a lacy curtain.  Serve chilled there's a mellow softness, a cleansing tang and a building nectarine flavour all carrying into a long finish. A thin chalky coating benefits if finger food is nearby - or have with seared shrimp, scallops or whitefish: cod, halibut or basa. Serve to summer patio company with a mixed fruit and cheese tray. A pleasing quaff now. 87

CESARI ADESSO MERLOT D'ITALIA 2014, Veneto, Italy, 12.0% D 11g/L,  #572453  $7.95  (Tasted August 20, 2015)

A General listing.  My notes:  The colour is a charcoal hued ruby and a swirl lays a thin film that immediately fragments finely at the rim then recedes uniformly. A berry aroma has a touch of sharpness balanced with an earthy pungency - suitable for sipping if aerated. The first sip shows a metallic accent to young berry flavours and enough tart tannins to dry out a thin and long finish. Pair with a buffet spread or serve as a house red for a sports night with spicy oily pizzas. A drink now. 82a

LAVAU CÔTES DU RHÔNE VILLAGES 2011, Rhône, France, 13.5% XD xg/L, #421024  $12.90  (Tasted August 28, 2015)

A General listing.  Rated 87 of 100 by Beppi Crosariol in his newsletter August 14, 2015.  My notes: The colour is a charcoal hued blackberry and a crushed blackberry aroma comes with a sniff of black pepper. A tilt runs long fast legs while a swirl lays a thin film that edges the rim with lace soon to show fragmented pattern on the glass.  Smooth and bright, warm and extra dry accompany woody berry tannin similar to south Italy reds. Nicely balanced and a sipper if you prefer rough. Have with Osso Buco, beef bouguignon or braised ribs. Not for cellar. 83  


Fünf 5 RIESLING NV, Rhein, Germany, 9.0%  MS  38g/L, #175026  $10.40  (Tasted August 21, 2015)

A General listing and made by H. Schmitt Soehne.  My notes: A pale lime green with a nose to match, a subtle lime essence. A swirl causes a thin film that leaves a rippled rim to fall down as a curtain on the glass. More subdued lime in the first sip, a pleasing sweetness and a dry succulence sustained over a long finish. Perfect as a patio sipper with a low enough alcohol to allow continued refreshment on a hot day. Try with grilled tilapia or Artic Char - better paired with slices of cantaloupe and/or green seedless grapes or thinly sliced prosciutto wrapped brie.  Enjoy as a drink now.  85