Monday, December 26, 2016

2016 2nd Half Summary - Reds



Haruru Falls, NZ '03
The 38 Reds tasted during July 1st through December 31st of this year are listed below. These are sequenced by their 100 point ranking and the month of each wine’s tasting is shown in brackets. There are 14 wines rated 90 and above. These are considered not lacking in any aspect and are excellent to sip and/or as a complement to an appropriate meal. Another twelve in the 85 to 89 range are enjoyable but lack in minor degrees of fullness, varietal character or some other element, perhaps introduced by terroir or process.

 Ten wines rated 84 and below although consumable are not enjoyable in some way - some will see this as a defect, others may describe it as a pecularity of the grape, the terroir or the winemaker’s process. The side panel has more background for this blog’s opinion.

 Given that the selection is from a lower price range, mainly from Vintages stock and somewhat arbitrary/personal, there's about a 75% chance of choosing a reasonable red.

 Attached to the 100 point ranking a second number indicates whether, in this taster’s opinion, a wine is 'worth the price' , one that I'd buy in 'multiples', or one I'd buy in 'quantity'. Click here to go to the 2016 2nd Half Summary - WHITES+ .

 Cheers, Ww

 Reds: (38)


  1. Byron & Harold Rose & Thorns Shiraz 2013  95-3  --  V, Western Australia, #453183  $19.95 (Jul)
  2. Undurraga Sibaris Gran Reserva Syrah 2013,  94-3  --  V, Cachapaol, Chile, #443556  $16.95(Aug)
  3. Domaine Santa Duc Roaix les Crottes 2010,  93-3  --  V, Cotes du Rhone Villages, France, #437491  $17.25(Aug)
  4. Tapiz Alta Collection Malbec 2013,  93-3  --  V, Uco Valley, Argentina, #450155   $19.95  (Aug)
  5. Wits End Luna Shiraz 2014,  92-2   --  V,  McLaren Vale, Australia, #311258  $17.00(Sep)
  6. Zonte's Footstep Baron Von Nemesis Shiraz 2013, 92a-c  --  V, Barossa Valley, Australia, #212936  $17.95(Jul)
  7. Lamadrid Single Vineyard Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2013,  92-2  --  V,  Mendoza, Argentina, #223206  $19.95(Oct)
  8. Catena Malbec 2014,  91-2 --  V,  Mendoza, Argentina, #478727  $17.95*(Oct)
  9. Wirra Wirra Church Block Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Merlot 2013,  91a-2c  --  V,  McLaren Vale, Australia, #024034  $19.95(Jul)
  10. Wakefield Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon 2013,  91-1  --  V, Clare + Coonawarra Valleys, #142398  $24.95 (Nov)
  11. Santa Duc les Vieilles Vignes Côtes du Rhône,  90-2 --  V,  Rhone, France, #101543  $16.95(Aug)
  12. H. J. Fabre Barrel Selection Malbec 2014,  90-2  --  V,  Patagonia, Argentina, #455741  $18.95 (Dec)
  13. Sledgehammer Zinfandel 2014, 90-2  --  G, California, USA,  #230466  $16.95(Nov)
  14. Dandelion Lioness of McLaren Vale Shiraz 2014, 90-1  --  V,  South Australia, #357475  $21.95   (Dec)
  15. Susana Balbo CRIOS Pinot Noir 2014,  89-2  --  V, Mendoza Argentina, #450098  $14.95 (Jul)
  16. Corte Majoli Ripasso Valpolicella Superiore 2013,  89-1  --  V, Verona, Italy, #084061  $16.25(Oct)
  17. Chateau Terra Mare Rhône Paradox Côtes du Rhône Homini 2012, 89-1 --  V, Rhône, France, #447912  $16.95 (Jul)
  18. Gérard Bertrand Cap Insula 2013, 89-1 --  V, Languedoc, France, #474973  $17.00
  19. Château Pégau Cuvée Maclura Côtes-du-Rhône 2013,  89-1  --  V,  Rhône, France, #452250  $19.95 (Jul)
  20. Mirasso Winery Pinot Noir 2014,  88-2  --  G, Modesto, California, #185249  $11.95* (Jul)Edge Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, 88  --  V, Napa Valley, USA, #034223  $37.95(Oct)
  21. Protea Merlot 2014, 87a-1  --  V, Western Cape, South Africa, #443481  $14.95 (Jul)
  22. Santa Carolina Gran Reserva Petit Verdot 2013, 87-1  --  V, Valle del Rapel, Chile, #007484 $15.95(Dec)
  23. Heirloom The Velvet Fog Pinot Noir 2015, 87  --  V, Adelaide Hills, South Australia,  #464693  $24.95(Nov)
  24. Marchesi de' Frescobaldi Tenuta di Castiglioni 2013,  86  --  V, Tuscany, Italy, #145920  $21.95*(Oct)
  25. ZIG ZAG ZIN Zinfandel 2013, 86  --  V, Ukiah, California, #039982   $22.95(Nov)
  26. Chateau Peyros Madiran Tannat/Cabernet Franc 2010,  85  --  V, Corbere Aberes, France,  #208249  $15.95 (Aug)
  27. Carnivor Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, 85 --  G, Modesto, California, #392647  $17.45(Dec)
  28. Montecillo Crianza Tempranillo 2011,  84a  --  G, Rioja, Spain, #144493   *$13.10(Nov)
  29. Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2014,  84  --  G, Hopland, California, #461053  $16.45(Dec)*
  30. Alamos Seleccion Malbec 2013,  84 --  V,  Mendoza, Argentina, #322800  $16.95 (Aug)
  31. Tessellae Old Vines Grenache/Syrah/Mourvèdre Côtes du Roussillon 2014, 84 -- V,  Midi, France, #343517  $18.95(Dec)
  32. Susana Balbo CRIOS Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, 83  --  V, Mendoza, Argentina, #640979  $12.75 (Aug)
  33. Ménage a Trois Silk Red Blend 2014,  83  --  G,  Lodi, California, #462853  $13.95  (Dec)
  34. Clayhouse Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, 83  --  V, Pasa Robles, California, #057869 $17.00(Dec)
  35. Ortas Cave de Rasteau la Domelière Rasteau 2014,  82  --  V, Cotes du Rhone, France, #222927  $16.95 (Aug)
  36. de Bortoli GS. Pinot Noir 2015,  82  --  V,  Yarra Valley, Australia, #015511  $19.95(Nov)
  37. Josef Chromy Pepik Pinot Noir 2014,  81  --  V,  Tasmania, Australia, 13.0%  XD  5g/L,  #162990   $21.95 (Sep)
  38. Monte Zovo Sa' Solin Ripasso Valpolicella 2014, 81  --  V, Verona, Italy, #650713  $17.95(Oct)

at No comments:

2016 2nd Half Summary – WHITES+


Ferry to the Islands

The latter half of 2016, from July 1st through December 31th, included 30 Whites, 1 rosé and 6 bubblies.  These are listed below. Also, shown in brackets, is the month of tasting for each wine where the original notes can be found.  Of the 37 wines twelve wines rated 90 or above are considered enjoyable to excellent either to sip or with a meal. Eighteen rated 85 to 89 are increasingly enjoyable while seven rated 84 or below are progressively less appealing.  The side panel shows more details.

One could conclude that, given that the selection is somewhat arbitrary & personal, from a lower price range and mainly Vintages stock, there's roughly 80% chance of choosing a reasonable wine.

 The value that is hyphenated to the 100 point rating indicates whether, in my view, a wine is 'worth the price', one that I'd buy in 'multiples', or one I'd buy in 'quantity'.
Consider this one person's view and perhaps a starting point for finding bargain wines although the higher the rating the less likely a wine is available. Clicking on the SKU number leads to the Vintages webpage where wine details, store location and inventory can be found. Click here for the  2016 2nd Half Summary - Reds


Cheers, Ww


Whites (30)

  1. Mount Riley Limited Release Sauvignon Blanc 2015, 93-3  --  V, Marlborough, New Zealand,  #447425  $18.95 (Aug)
  2. Santa Ema Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2014,  92-3 --  V,  Leyda Valley, Chile, #443507  $15.95 (Jul)
  3. La Cappuccina Soave 2014, 92-3  --  V, Verona, Italy, #081489  $15.95 (Oct)
  4. Willow Bridge Estate Dragonfly Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2015,  92-2 -- V,  Dardanup, Western Australia, #418368   $16.95 (Oct)
  5. Southbrook Triomphe Organic Chardonnay 2014 VQA Niagara Peninsula,  91-2  --  V, Ontario, Canada, #172338  *$18.40 (Oct)
  6. Organized Crime 2012 Chardonnay VQA Beamsville Bench, 91-2  --  O, Beamsville, Ontario, #n/a $23.20(Sep)
  7. Thornbury Sauvignon Blanc 2015, 90-2  --  V,  Marlborough, New Zealand, #734798  $18.95(Oct)
  8. Errazuriz Aconcagua Costa Sauvignon Blanc 2015,  90-2  --  V,  Aconcuaga Costa, Chile,  #462614  $19.95 (Oct)
  9. Montes Outer Limits Sauvignon Blanc 2015, 90-1  --  V,  Zapallar Coast, Chile, #389643 $19.95 (Jul)
  10. Organized Crime 2010 Fumé Blanc VQA Beamsville Bench,  90-1  --  O, Beamsville, Ontario, #n/a  $22.20(Sep)
  11. Peninsula Ridge Barrel Aged Chardonnay 2014 VQA Beamsville Bench, 89-2  --  V, Beamsville, Ontario, #211490  $15.95 (Aug)
  12. Concha Y Toro Serie Riberas Gran Reserva Chardonnay 2013,  89-1  --  V, Colchagua, Chile, #287995  $16.95 (Jul)
  13. See Ya Later Ranch Pinot Gris 2014 VQA Okanagan Valley, 89-1  --  V, British Columbia, Canada, #263699   $17.95 (Aug)
  14. Susana Balbo CRIOS Chardonnay 2014,  88c-1  --  V,  Mendoza, Argentina, #243196 $13.95(Jul)
  15. Domaine LaFage Cuvée Centenaire 2014,  88-1  --  V,  Cotes du Roussillon, France, #343491  $19.95 (Jul)
  16. Cave Spring Riesling 2014 VQA Niagara Escarpment,  86  --  O, Jordan, Ontario, #n/a  $15.95(Sep)
  17. Willm Réserve Riesling 2015, 86  --  V,  Alsace, France, #011452  $15.95(Sep)
  18. Cave Spring Chardonnay Musqué 2014 VQA Beamsville Bench,  86 --  O,  Beamsville, Ontario, #n/a  $16.95(Sep)
  19. Jean-Michel Sorbe Quincy 2014, 86  --  V,  Loire, France,  #608877  $17.25  (Nov)
  20. Famiglia Bianchi Chardonnay 2015, 86  --  V,  Mendoza, Argentina, #001461  $17.95(Nov)
  21. Mount Brown Estates Pinot Gris 2015, 86  --  V,  Waipara, New Zealand, #466037  $18.95(Nov)
  22. Peninsula Ridge Estates Beal Vineyards Reserve Chardonnay 2009 VQA Beamsville Bench, 86 --  O, Beamsville, Ontario, #n/a  $24.95(Sep)
  23. La Cala Vermentina di Sardegna 2015, 85  --  V,  Sardinia, Italy, #627067  $15.95(Nov)
  24. Susana Balbo CRIOS Torrontés 2014, 84 --  V,  Mendoza, Argentina, #001834  $13.95*(Aug)
  25. Zuccardi Serie A Torrontés 2014, 84  --  V, Salta, Argentina, #389262   $15.95 (Aug)
  26. Finca El Origen Estate Reserva Torrontés 2015, 84  --  V, Uco Valley, Argentina, #262089  $15.95 (Aug)
  27. Pillitteri Estates Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2013 VQA Niagara Peninsula, 84 --  O, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, #n/a  $19.50(Sep)
  28. Peninsula Ridge Estates AJ Lepp Vineyard Pinot Grigio 2015 VQA Niagara Lakeshore, 83  --  O, Beamsville, Ontario, #n/a  $14.95(Sep)
  29. Riverlore Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2015,  83 --  G, Marlborough, New Zealand, #417600,  $15.95 (Aug)
  30. Pillitteri Estates Winery Viognier 2012 VQA Niagara Peninsula,  81  --  O,  Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, #n/a  $19.50(Sep)


Rosés: (1)

  1. MIMI en Provence Grande Réserve Rosé 2015,  92-2  --  V, Provence, France, #452573 $18.95  (Sep)

Bubblies: (6)


  1. Josef Chromy Pepik Sekt NV ,  90-1  --  V, Tasmania, Australia, #429704  $22.95(Sep)
  2. Aurora Sparkling White Brut Pinot Noir ,  89-2  --  V,  Serra Gaúcha, Brazil, #412536  $12.80* (Aug)
  3. Mionetto Prosecco DOC Treviso NV, 89-1  --  G, Veneto, Italy,  #266023  $18.15 (Jul)
  4. Bailly LaPierre Reserve Brut Crémant de Bourgogne NV,  87  --  V, Burgundy, France, #991562  $19.95(Dec)
  5. Château d'Avrillé Crémant de Loire NV,  86  --  V,  Loire, France, #460808  $17.95 (Oct)
  6. Bohigas Reserva Brut Cava NV, 86  --  V,  Penedes, Spain,  #401216  $17.95 (Nov)





at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)