August 2017 wines

August 2017 wines - 15 tasted of 15

A Friendly Giant - 2010

LINEUP: Reds, Whites and Bubblies

• Wakefield Jaraman Shiraz 2015,92-3 -- V, Clare/McLaren Valleys, Australia, #377036 $24.95
• KWV The Mentors Shiraz 2013, 92-2 -- V, Coastal Region, South Africa, #403618 $25.75
• D'Angelo Sacravite Basilicata 2013, 91-2 -- V, Basilicata, Italy, #440834 $15.95
• Tommasi Arele Parziale Appassimento 2015, 89-2 -- V, Venezie, Italy #224188 $16.00*
• Zorzal Terroir Unico Malbec 2014, 88-1 -- V, Tupungato Valley, Argentina, #339788 $15.95
• Maycas Del Limari Reserva Especial Pinot Noir 2014, 88 -- V, #469213 $19.95
• Vina Marty Pirca Gran Reserva Carmenere 2014, 86 -- V, Central Valley, Chile, #379156 $14.75
• La Château Haut Peyraud 2012, 84 -- V, Bordeaux, France, #413948 $15.95
• Farnese Soluna Terre Du Chieti Sangiovese Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, 84a -- V, Abruzzo, Italy, #477703 $15.95

• Pomelo Sauvignon Blanc 2015, 91-2 -- V, California, USA, #470641 $16.75
• Luis Felipe Edwards Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2015, 89-2 -- V, Leyda Valley, Chile, #663062 $15.20
• Hogue Riesling 2014, 89-2 -- V, Columbia Valley, Washington, #363291 $15.95
• Matetic Corralillo Sauvignon Blanc 2015, 87-1 -- V, San Antonio Valley, Chile, #347740 $15.95
• Cave Spring Estate Bottled Chardonnay Musqué 2015 VQA Beamsville Bench, 87 -- V, Jordan, Ontario, #246579  $16.95

• Kim Crawford Small Parcels Fizz 2012, 89-1 -- V, Marlborough, New Zealand, #381236 $24.00*

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

NR - Not Recommended)

TASTINGS:

ZORZAL TERROIR ÚNICO MALBEC 2014, Tupungato Valley, Argentina, 13.8% XD 2g/L, #339788 $15.95 (Tasted July 12, 2017)

Released by Vintages on March 4, 2017.  My notes:  Luis Gutierrez  (robertparker.com) rated this 90 on August. 27, 
2015.  A hint of sweet from the first sip balances with a moderately tart cranberry/cherry/soft woody flavour and is a pleasing intro to a social get together. Bacon wrapped asparagus, double pepperoni pizza and Polish sausage with onions, mustard and relish layered liberally would be a compatible mating. The film runs wide tears quick to start then slowly accumulates. With the sugar now gone texture settles to a slight chalk matching softened berries for a moderate finish. This is a Malbec that proves to be both a value and a flexible dinner partner. A drink now.  88

MATETIC CORRALILLO SAUVIGNON BLANC 2015, San Antonio Valley, Chile, 13.5% XD 2g/L, #347740 $15.95 (Tasted July 1, 2017)

Released by Vintages on February 4, 2017.  My notes: A wine obtained from ‘sustainable farming’. The colour is a light grapefruit. Light-bodied and laying a thin film minutely fragmenting at the rim. Poured at 10oC then allowing a bouquet to build in a wide mouth glass there’s a freshly cut pepper showing with lemon. A refreshing tang prolongs the combination through a long extra dry finish that bursts with tang. On the way to 14oC a vegetative flavour builds depth and intensity prompting a visit to a nibble tray: rye slices spread with Morocco hummus, bacon wrapped asparagus spears and a variety of cheese crisps. It would be interesting to rate among a selection of equivalently priced chardonnays.  87


VIÑA MARTY PIRCA GRAN RESERVA CARMENÈRE 2014, Central Valley, Chile, 14.0% D 3g/L, #379156 $14.75 (Tasted July 28, 2017)

Released by Vintages on February 18, 2017.  My notes: A charcoal stained ruby lays a lacey veiled film on the glass. A delicate acid brightens a mild plum softened black cherry aroma. The first sip wets the appetite for more although its extra dry mildness slows the release of shy fruit. A soft finish still suits pairing with grilled ground beef or pork. We served with chorizo sausage on a bun with a healthy mixed green salad and I can see this pairing well with beef lover’s pizza – no pineapple please! Now aged to its limit makes this a drink now.  86

FARNESE SOLUNA TERRE DU CHIETI SANGIOVESE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2015, Abruzzo, Italy, 12.5%  XD  13g/L,  #477703   $15.95  (Tasted August 5, 2017)

Released by Vintages on April 29, 2017. My notes: A black cherry colour with a warm plummy nose. A swirl runs full tears from a swollen rim slowing to a snail’s pace - a second swirl repeats the ritual. The first sip has a flat sting, is chalk textured against an otherwise bright end each lessened by aerating. Sip near a spread of stuffed mushrooms mushrooms or slices of pepperoni pizza, spaghetti and meaty meatballs/chorizo sausage. A blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon both contributing an extra dry, woody bite. A drink now. 84

TOMMASI ARELE PARZIALE APPASSIMENTO 2015, Venezie, Italy, 13.0% D 8g/L, #224188 $16.00* (Tasted July 4, 2017)

Released by Vintages on June 10, 2017 promo priced from $19.95. My notes: A Corvina (70%) blend of Rondinella (10%), Oseleta (10%) and Merlot (10%). With Corvino, for full flavour, Rondinella to add volume and Merlot restraint and smoothness Arele is a flexible house red. The rich blackberry colour projects fullness, a sipper ready to pair with a variety of pasta dishes. The initial taste reveals an unexpected sweetness adding to sipping pleasure. This fades quickly as a tolerable bitterness combines with dark berries and long finish. There’s excellent balance providing universal appeal and, consequently, value. Cellaring could be another 3 years. 89

D'ANGELO SACRAVITE BASILICATA 2013, Basilicata, Italy, 13% D 2g/L, #440834 $15.95 (Tasted July 24, 2017)

Released by Vintages on May 27, 2017 . My notes: 100% Aglianico from southern Italy known for its potent reds. The film sticks then slowly recedes not mounded but each tear building as it drops. A deep black cherry conveys intensity with its penetrating bite yet has the smoothness of an elegant slow sipper. Extra dry, almost gritty, and building a warm fruity aftertaste. Pair with game beef or dark meat fowl. Four years in a cellar now with another few possible. 91

POMELO SAUVIGNON BLANC 2015, California, USA, 12.5% XD 2g/L, #470641 $16.75 (Tasted July 11, 2017)

Released by Vintages on October 1, 2016. My notes: A crystal yellow, deeply aromatic with blended caramel and lemon fumes. Serve well chilled to maintain a refreshing intensity while sipping. Quaff for an extra ‘kick’. A swirl coats the glass with a thin veil that rapidly falls showing a few broad tears. Some bitterness adds to the extra dry finish. Still appetizing at 14oC altho’ most of its charm has now gone and a grassiness has taken center stage. Share on a hot summer patio with a shrimp ring. Has enough tang to withstand an icecube. 91

KWV THE MENTORS SHIRAZ 2013, Coastal Region, South Africa, 13.5% XD 14.5%, #403618 $25.75 (Tasted July 9, 2017)

Released by Vintages on February 4, 2017.  My notes: A deep blackberry lays a moderate film that fragments at the rim and a steady tilt overflows a few wide streams. The texture has a balance of velvet and bright tartness – no sweet. There’s an element of sour cherry to paint the buds then a delicate acid. I found this a pleasing sipper having a fullness suitable for savoury stews -  a flexible dining partner. I wasn’t able to differentiate an aerated version. Extra dry with matching warmth and a tang makes for a notable first sip. Pleasing now and capable of cellaring several years.  92


HOGUE RIESLING 2014,  Columbia Valley, Washington, 11.8%  D 14g/L,  #363291   $15.95  (Tasted June 26, 2017)

Released by Vintages on April 29, 2017.  My notes: A Constellation Brands product. A combination of dry, sweet, lasting warmth topping medium bodied layers of acidic pineapple and delicate clover honey. Four grapes: Gewurztraminer (8%), Chenin Blanc (1%), Muscat/Canelli (1%), are blended with Riesling to produce an interesting sipper. Alsace it’s not – it’s Hogue. Serve chilled in a bucket to prolong a residual roundness with a sweet nip and drying mineral. Pair with a light buffet: garlic shrimp – coated or naked, seared scallops, chicken fingers or wings, etc. 89

WAKEFIELD JARAMAN SHIRAZ 2015, Clare/McLaren Valleys, Australia, 14.5% XD 4g/L, #377036 $24.95 (Tasted June 24, 2017)

Released by Vintages on June 10, 2017. My notes: A rich blackberry aroma warmed by alcohol fumes sets the frame for solo sipping or with buffet portions. A quick quaff stings politely and lays its drying fruit flavour on a welcoming palate. Winner of a gold medal with a rating of 91 (tastings.com October, 2016) the price alone warrants a special occasion/person. A medium-body viscosity is shown a firm film and slow legs. Pleasantly dry added to a long finish strikes a perfect balance with fruit and tang. At home with a rare sirloin, Osso Buco and other savoury treats. Perhaps a sale price will let us indulge. 92

KIM CRAWFORD SMALL PARCELS FIZZ 2012, Marlborough, New Zealand, 12% D 2g/L, #381236 $24.00* (Tasted July 15, 2017)

Released by Vintages on March 18, 2017. My notes: A Constellaton Brands winery this bottle is *promo priced down from $29.95. Bubbles fill the glass like a winter snowstorm and should win awards for sustained liveliness. Coloured a delicate peach with green apple flavours adding a mineral terroir this streams streams long after pouring. A bright sip bites the tongue while laying a soft bodied tang slowly settling to a moderate cream. Toast to the host then select from a host’s party favours to show your appreciation. 89

LUIS FELIPE EDWARDS GRAN RESERVA SAUVIGNON BLANC 2015, Leyda Valley, Chile, 13.0%  XD  4g/L,  #663062   $15.20  (Tasted July 7, 2017)

Released by Vintages on October 1, 2016. My notes: A fresh aroma of green peas touched by clover honey, altho’ not sweet. The colour is a fresh yellow slightly tarnished. Served at 12oC the dryness wakes the senses then settles to a soft apricot – a pleasant sipper during these hot July days. The price encourages stocking a dozen for unexpected guests. A fragmenting film predicts this to be medium-bodied with an acid level suitable for quaffing. Pair with seafoods: fin or shell -- or a ham steak with a pineapple glaze. 89

CAVE SPRING ESTATE BOTTLED CHARDONNAY MUSQUÉ 2015 VQA Beamsville Bench, Jordan, Ontario, 13.5% D 2g/L,  #246579  $16.95  (Tasted July 4, 2017)

Released by Vintages on June 24, 2017. My notes: Rated 90 by David Lawrason (winealigh.com) on December 22, 2016. The colour of sunlit wheat. A film that coats then fragments slowly. The first sip dries exposing a slight vanilla, a Granny Smith flavour with an appealing roundness, no observable sweetness but a touch of tang. Have with apple pudding and butterscotch sorbet to satisfy the dessert in you. Save a chilled portion for a seafood spread – nothing tangy. 87

CHÂTEAU HAUT PEYRAUD 2012, Bordeaux, France, 13.0% XD 2g/L, #413948 $15.95 (Tasted August 2, 2017)

Released by Vintages on July 8, 2017.  My notes: The ruby colour has a woody charcoal accent. A swirl spreads a firm film sticking the rim until enough volume to release long tears. A plum scent with a slight acid adds a touch of brightness not to discourage or slow that first taste. Merlot (70%) softens this red while Cabernet Sauvignon lends the body and flavour of stewed currants. A fine tannin dries the palate preparing it for matching with grilled or ground beef cuts. Now aged to, or past,  peak I suggest putting a few in the cellar for future comparison with other low-priced Bordeaux. 84

MAYCAS DEL LIMARI RESERVA ESPECIAL PINOT NOIR 2014, Limari Valley, Chile, 14.0% XD 2g/L, #469213 $19.95 (Tasted August 6, 2017)

Released by Vintages on November 12, 2016. My notes: Tasted at Cave Spring vineyards in Jordan, Ontario at their i4CC event and this bottle purchased at the LCBO on returning. Rated 91 by Luis Gutierrez (robertparker.com) September 6. 2015. A blend of two grapes, one from San Julián in the south bank and Quebrada Seca in the north bank of the Limarí River. The colour is a dull ruby running a rim of fast tears. Out of the bottle this is a bright, medium-bodied sipper light in flavour and leaving moderate sour cherry fruit, a light velvet supported by a lasting and  enjoyable tang. This finish continues as a cleansing complement with a variety of entrees: herb marinated pork loin, veal scallopini or a pepperoni cheese pizza. Cellaring may soften with more fruit showing.  88