June 2017 wines

June 2017 wines – 15 tasted of 15
Cheers, Ww

Northeast View - May 30, 2017

LINEUP: Reds, Whites, Rosés and Bubblies

• J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, 93-2 -- V, Paso Robles, California, #656561 $23.95
• Sister’s Run Epiphany Shiraz 2014, 91-2 -- V, McLaren Vale, Australia, #269464 $17.95
• Faustino Rivero Ulecia Silver Label Reserva 2009, 83 -- V, Rioja, Spain, #481416 $17.95
• J.P. Chenet Reserve Pinot Noir 2015, 83 -- G, France, #142406 $13.95
• Monte Antico 2012, 83 -- G, Tuscany, Italy, #069377 $15.95
• Alamos Malbec 2015, 82a -- G, Mendoza, Argentina, #295139 $15.65
• Ghost Pines Merlot 2013, 82 -- G, California, USA, #454876 *$16.95

Harbinger 1

• Bouchard Père & Fils Macon-Lugny Saint-Pierre 2015, 91-2 -- G, Burgundy, France, #051573 $15.95*
• Anselmi San Vincenzo 2015, 91-2 -- V, Veneto, Italy, #948158 $16.95
• Chloe Chardonnay 2015, 90-2 -- G, California, USA, #392597 *$14.95
• Echeverria Gran Reserva Chardonnay 2015, 90-2 -- V, Colchagua Valley, Chile, #485292 $14.95
• Alamos Torrontés 2016, 88-1 -- V, Salta, Argentina, #081539 $15.95
• Domaine de la Vieille Cure Muscadet Sèvre & Maine Sur Lie 2015, 85 -- V, Loire, France, #469775 $13.95 

Harbinger 2

• Ogier Côtes du Ventoux Rosé AOC 2015, 84 -- G, Rhône Valley, France, #134916 $12.15

Harbinger 3

• Torresella Prosecco XD NV, NV, 88-1 -- V, Venezie, Italy, #400440 *$14.95

(V - Vintages, G - General, O - Other, r-v - Rating-Value, a - aerated, c - cellar, NR - Not Recommended)

TASTINGS:

Unloading in the Distance June 1 '17

J.P. CHENET RESERVE  PINOT NOIR 2015, Midi, France, 12.5% XD 4g/L, #142406 $11.95 (Tasted May 28, 2017)

A General listing. My notes: Having tried several vintages of J P Chenet wines tastings have shown some inconsistency – eg. vintages 2008 (84), 2010 (86), 2011 (89) and 2012 (78)(82) – details are in previous blog entries. The 2015 vintage has a dry strawberry plum nose with a bright finish. The dryness shows from the first sip and carries through a long finish outlasting the fruit. A swirl leaves a thin film with slow tears and a charcoal tinge darkens an opaque ruby. Equally compatible with roast turkey, lamb kebobs and tuna steak - OK as a light bodied quaffer. Price is the basis for this purchase. 83

FAUSTINO RIVERO ULECIA SILVER LABEL RESERVA 2009, Rioja, Spain, 13.0% XD 2g/L, #481416 $17.95 (Tasted April 23, 2017)

Released by Vintages on March 18, 2017. Rated 90 by Michael Schachner Wine Enthusiast, December 1 2015. My notes: Aerated a sample I find a noticeable difference in the bite on the buds, the aerated being a more reserved offering, a more pleasing sipper. Also, the aerated nose is slightly mellower such that a milder meal may not be overwhelmed by the initial acid. Flavours of smoky cherry and blackberry are spread evenly and last for a long extra dry finish. Be prepared for a lasting bite if sipping solo. Decant overnight if an aerator isn’t available. Match with Texas Chili or a beefeater’s chorizo pizza. Eight years cellared could mean the end has been reached. 85

ALAMOS TORRONTÉS 2016, Salta, Argentina, 13.0% D 8g/L, #081539 $15.95 (Tasted April 13, 2017)

Released by Vintages on March 18, 2017. My notes: A Catena wine. A light aroma on first pouring and a crystal clear lightish yellow. Coats the glass and slowly fragments indicating a moderate viscosity. Chill to 10oC for sipping to enjoy the seeping aromas and silk edged grapefruit flavour. Continue below 14oC when pairing with cheeses, garlic and herbal hummus, tangy greens, shellfish, grilled sea creatures. Finish flattens as temp rises displaying a creamy texture, warmth and mild lemon. 88 

BOUCHARD PÈRE & FILS MACON-LUGNY SAINT-PIERRE 2015, Burgundy, France, 12.5% XD 4g/L, #051573 $15.95* (Tasted May 31, 2017)

A General listing *originally priced at $17.95 until April 23, 2017.  My notes: A brilliant yellow and a mild aroma of salty butterscotch – unique and luscious as slices of chilled Granny Smith apple. Chill to 10oC then serve with a crushed frozen lime dessert or sip sparingly savouring the dry coating that spreads over the palate. Refreshing, buttery and toasty in the back of the throat allowing its complex character to express itself as it develops. Enjoy alone or pair with Provençal fare. Cellaring a few years may increase the silk that’s just now showing. 91

GHOST PINES MERLOT 2013, California, USA, 14.5% D, 10g/L, #454876 *$16.95 (Tasted June 5, 2017)

A General listing priced down from $ 18.95 until Apr 23, 2017. My notes: An E&J Gallo product - an aromatic combination of raspberry blanketed by alcoholic warmth and the colour of ripe black cherries. A swirl spreads a weepy film anticipating a viscous flow across the palate. Instead chalk dries the entire mouth adding a penetrating tang lasting through a long bright and bitter finish. Aerating does nothing to ease a rough combination characteristic of young vines. Summarizing - a raw sipper or set aside as a cooking red. Try airing overnight and serve with Texas chili or beef ribs rubbed with a savoury spice. The empty weighs 1.5lbs.  82

SISTER'S RUN EPIPHANY SHIRAZ 2014, McLarenVale, Australia,  14.5%  D  2g/L, #269464   $17.95   (Tasted June 3, 2017)

Released by Vintages on April 1, 2017.  My notes: A soft and sweet nose with an enticing taint of lilac. I aerated out of habit but not needed. A subtle sweetness shows from the first sip with fruit balanced to perfection and accented by a modest woodiness. A swirl leaves a firm film running long legs for a smooth sipper then finishing dry on the palate with a distant sharpness. Flexible paired with meat lovers pizzas, Caesar salad and beef burgers, grilled lamb chop or two with stir-fry veggies. At peak now with a few more years on a slow decline.  BTW the empty bottle weighs in at 1.5lbs. 91

J. LOHR SEVEN OAKS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2014, Paso Robles, California, 13.5% D 5g/L, #656561 $23.95 (Tasted June 16, 2017)

Released by Vintages on April 3, 2017.  My notes:  A black cherry shade, red deepened by charcoal.  A tilt shows a curtain of heavy tears settling slowly as a fragmented veil. A warm plum aroma soothes each sip while the first swallow puckers the palate and dries the gullet. Sip rather than quaff to appreciate the balance of each characteristic  Full-bodied with a tang that recedes as a long smooth finish. Have with rare sirloin or a blanketed Beef Wellington. Enjoyable now or cellar awhile.   93

MONTE ANTICO 2012, Tuscany, Italy, 13.0% D 6g/L, #069377 $15.95 (Tasted June 15, 2017)

Released by Vintages on April 1, 2016.  My notes: Aerating adds a noticeable brightness to this austere red. There is slight nose appeal and the first sip layers an extra dryness on the palate with a flash of warmth. The flatness of forest floor mixed with mild raspberry unappealing sipped alone but would pair nicely with stuffed mushrooms, bacon wrapped seared scallops making their way to a flexible buffet table. With the dryness and raw flavour this is best set aside for rich Italian sauces. A ‘past the post’ red. 83

CHLOE CHARDONNAY 2015, California, USA, 13.5% XD 5g/L, #392597 *$14.95 (Tasted May 25, 2017)

A General listing priced down from *17.95 until April 23, 2017. My notes: Has the aroma of peeled clementine tainted by Bosc pear on pouring, light on sweet fruit with fragile focus on mineral and straw. The colour of lemon skins, not opaque but crystal clear. A swirl lays a clear film quickly fragmenting as small islands on a calm lake. Served chilled at 10oC a sip is both refreshing as well as tangy, bright and sugar free. A chalky texture with enjoyable warmth lasting until the next sip. Successive sips provide an extra dry partner for salty crackers or hard cheeses. Cellaring may develop a smoothness adding a difference to a buffet of shellfish portions. Drier than past vintages, ie.  2014 (March 2016 rated 88) and 2012 (April 2015 rated 84).  90

DOMAINE DE LA VIEILLE CURE MUSCADET SÈVRE & MAINE SUR LIE 2015, Loire, France, 12.0% XD 2g/L, #469775 $13.95 (Tasted April 25, 2017)

Released by Vintages on January 21, 2017. My notes: Roger Voss (Wine Enthusiast) September 2016, rates this 88. A light grapefruit juice colour with a similar nose, alluring as a slow sipper. Warming slowly from 12oC adds a subtle apple scent. Swirling shows a light film on the glass and a full sip adds a prominent tang. Flavour subtleties accompanied by a penetrating acid fills the finish. Grilled scallops, a shrimp with penne and garlic sauce, or Moroccan hummus on crackers would pair nicely. Simply quaffing for the full aftertaste could be an alternative. A value to have on hand for unexpected guests – even better if they bring a buffet offering. 85

ECHEVERRIA GRAN RESERVA CHARDONNAY 2015, Colchagua Valley, Chile, 14.0% XD 2g/L, #485292 $14.95 (Tasted May 29, 2017)

Release by Vintages on April 1, 2017. My notes: Grapes from family vineyards near Molina, Chile are nurtured and processed for this Chardonnay. Lightly coloured and fragrance this light-bodied white has a touch of sweetness on the lips highlighting a bright acidity. The texture flows easily from the first swallow to a long dry finish, enough to hold its own with a range of seafood: mussels in a garlic and wine sauce, pineapple pizza, white filets on brown rice or chicken breasts with stir fry. Keep chilled from serving temp to mid 14oC to experience a wide grassy range. Should keep several years. 90

OGIER CÔTES DU VENTOUX ROSE AOC 2015, Rhône Valley, France, 13.5% XD 2g/L, #134916 $12.15* (Tasted May 28, 2017)

A General listing reduced to $12.15* from $14.15 until May 21, 2017. My notes: A coquettish blush 

taylored  for brilliant blond sippers  – but that’s my imagination running wild. A swirl lays a fine film with a full rim fragmenting then running bold tears. The initial nose is delicate with a sour lemon faint lime aspect that suggests pairing with berry or melon pieces – also dark chocolate, ie. something to backfill the void left at the start of a long dry finish. I found it difficult to identify the components of this Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault blend. Try with grilled rainbow trout, smelly cod or halibut. A light to medium bodied rosé building tang and chalk absent of fruit. Serve well chilled. 84

ALAMOS MALBEC 2015, Mendoza, Argentina, 13.5% XD  2g/L,  #295139   $15.65  (Tasted May 29, 2017)

My notes: An initial scent of black cherry tinged with woody blueberry rests on top of a glossy charcoal ruby. The first swirl shows a film that sticks then fills portions of the rim before dropping slow tears. Surprisingly flavours contrast with the nose although aerating does much to settle a noticeable mulch flavour disguising it as mild figs. Aerating is a must for a full-bodied, fuzzy smooth and chalk dry finish. If served now pair with grilled beef steak (perhaps with horse radish), rare New Zealand lamb with mint or a savoury stew. Cellaring is a question mark - I suggest several years then sample before serving.  82a  

TORRESELLA PROSECCO XD NV, Venezie, Italy, 11.5% XD 14g/L, #400440 $14.95 (Tasted June 2, 2017)

Released by Vintages on April 1, 2017. My notes:The faint birch wood shading under a burst of fine bubbles displays nicely when served ceremoniously on a silver tray. An aroma of faint grapefruit gains attention along with the buzz of bursting bubbles. A tangy spritz continues accompanied by dry chalk though mild at first building a prolonged tartness. Conservatively priced to allow sharing with a jovial crowd and varied appetizers: double cream brie or herbed humous spread suitably on wafer thin rye or naan breads. Light enough for an intro to a serious surf and turf and a moderate alcohol leads to an inclination to quaff…. and more speeches? Vic Harradine  rated this 4 of 5 on June 27, 2016. The empty weighs in at 1.5lbs.  88