December 2017 wines

A Georgian Bay breeze

December 2017 wines: - 15 tasted of 15

Cheers, Ww

LINEUP: Reds, Whites and Bubblies

• Zonte’s Footstep Lake Doctor Shiraz 2014, 92-2 -- V, South Australia, #072975 $17.98 
• J. Lohr Los Osos Merlot 2014, 90-1 -- V, California, USA, #027516  $22.95 
• Mallee Rock Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, 88-1 -- V, Limestone Coast, Australia, #434589  $12.95*
• Château de Segure Vieilles Vignes Fitou 2014, 86 -- V, Midi, France  #370254  $17.95
• Seven Falls Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, 84a -- V, Washington State, USA, #360222  $21.95

• Trout Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2015, 89-1 -- V, Nelson, New Zealand,#060046  $19.95
• Thierry Delaunay Touraine Sauvignon Blanc 2016, 88-1 -- V, Loire Valley, France,  #391847 $15.95
• Pepperwood Grove Pinot Grigio 2016, 86-1 -- G, Napa, California,  #483305 $13.00  
• Miguel Torres Santa Digna Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2016,  83 -- V, Central Valley, Chile,  #177444  $14.95
• Luna Nuda Pinot Grigio 2016, 81NR -- V, Alto Adige Valley, Italy, #401232 $15.95

• KWV Cathedral Cellar Brut Sparkling 2010,  91-2 -- V, Western Cape, South Africa, #296426 $16.95
• Vieni Momenti Sparkling Wine VQA Ontario, 88-2 -- V, Beamsville, Ontario, #435784 $13.95 
• J.C. Le Roux Méthode Cap Classique Pinot Noir Rosé 2010,  88-1  --  V, Stellenbosch, South Africa,  #483057   $16.95
• Codorniu Selection Raventos Brut Cava, 87-1  --  V,  Penedes, Spain, #521773  $13.95
• Medici Ermete i Quercioli Reggiano Lambrusco Secco, 83 -- V, Emilia-Romagna, Italy, 11.0% D 16g/L, #514380  $12.05( - Vintages, G - General, O - Other, 

r-v - Rating-Value, a - aerate, c - cellar, NR - Not Recommended)

TASTINGS:

CHÂTEAU DE SÉGURE VIEILLES VIGNES FITOU 2014, Midi, France, 13.5%  XD  4g/L,  #370254  $17.95  (Tasted October 28, 2017)

Released by Vintages on October 14, 2017.  My notes: An aroma of woody raspberry lifts over a dark, opaque viewed in room light, raspberry tone. Tears drop from a moderate film predicting a silky texture. Silky? Yes - but with a penetrating tartness and unexpected level of warmth. Now slow the pace to allow blackberry and treacle flavour balance a start to a long finish. A suspicion of sweet balances precariously on the tongue then exits quickly. More of a meal red than a sipper this pairs nicely with grilled liver and onions, Moroccan beef or Beef Wellington. Try cellaring a few years but don’t raise your expectations. 86 

J. LOHR LOS OSOS MERLOT 2014, California, USA, 13.5%  XD  2g/L, #27516  $22.95  (Tasted November 20, 2017)

Release by Vintages on April 3, 2017.  My notes: A black cherry hue that lays a moderate film, several tears, fragmentation from a rounded rim and fumes that are soft, savoury and lasting. The flavour is a well balanced tangy mixture of blackberry and woody dryness making for an enjoyable sipper. Pause to sense a medium, lingering velvet – time for another sip. I’d call it a grilled beef red, rare to medium riding on a juicy entrée. Now quaff for its flavourful fullness and deep warmth. Past peak with short term cellaring still possible. 90

SEVEN FALLS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2014, Washington State, USA, 14.5%  XD  5g/L,  #360222   $21.95  (Tasted November 7, 2017)

Released by Vintages on September 30, 2017.  My notes: A Chateau Ste Michelle product. The colour is a blackened ruby and by its appearance you’d expect it to be full of bright and juicy flavours. A sniff reveals a soft woody scent with a quiet blackberry taste and moderate spice. Aerating mellows some of this balancing what is now prominent fruit and long warm finish. Aerating mellows some of this balancing with what is now noticeable fruit. Pair with pork tenderloin, bacon & cheese burgers or pepperoni pizzas. A red that needs complementing flavours, appetizers or mains.  84a

ZONTE'S FOOTSTEP LAKE DOCTOR SHIRAZ 2014,  South Australia, 14.5%  D  3g/L,  #072975  $17.98  (Tasted November 6, 2017)

Released by Vintages on March 4, 2017.  My notes: A rich charcoal ruby colour showing a fine film that runs a rim with robust tears and exudes an enjoyable soft, woody scent of ripe blueberries and plums. A chewy shiraz, restrained at first opening followed by a penetrating richness. Versatile both as a sipper and meal red. Pair with savoury stews, prime rib and rare sirloin or welcome its balance with meaty appetizers. Now aged three years with a few more to go. Aerating slightly mellows a characteristic roughness so is a personal choice.  92

PEPPERWOOD GROVE PINOT GRIGIO 2016, Napa, California, 12.5% XD 2g/L, #483305 $13.00 (Tasted November 1, 2017)

A General listing.  My notes: The previous vintage (2015) was tasted in June this year with a rating of 84. Price was $11.00 until May 21 reduced from $13.00.  Now the price is $13.00 (but comes with a free ‘selfie stick’ until November 4th.)  A thin film lays a wrinkled rim, is a clean crystallized blond colour and has a faint veggie nose.  A silky feel and noticeable sweetness comes with the first sip lightly flavoured with a touch of watermelon. Enjoyable as a solo sipper, having a mellow finish nicely paired with cheddar crisps or toasted herbal breads. Went well with Maple wrapped salmon filets and would with pickerel, cod, seared scallops… ie. light seafoods. A value as a social mixer. 86

LUNA NUDA PINOT GRIGIO 2016, Alto Adige Valley, Italy, 12.5%  D  4g/L,  #401232  $15.95  (Tasted November 5, 2017)

Released by Vintages on  September 30, 2017.  My notes:  There’s a touch of softness from the first sip. The second sip has a slight dryness that leads to a moderate blend of cooking apple, faint lemon and green melon - interesting but not a social trend setter. For a suitable pairing try with a tempura assortment - or Chinese sweet & sour pork with pineapple chunks. Light on all counts: body, fragrance, spice  ie. a light white with an astringent finish.  81

TROUT VALLEY SAUVIGNON BLANC 2015, Nelson, New Zealand, 13.0%  XD  5g/L,  #060046  $19.95  (Tasted November 7, 2017

Release by Vintages on September 2, 2017. My notes: Take a right turn off the ferry heading to Kahurangi Estate on New Zealand’s south island and west of Marlborough. There’s a touch of green tinting this crystalline quaffer. A sniff offers a citrus scent with a pie dough softness. A thin film with a wrinkled rim quickly fragments and the first sip has a bite adding a dryness that together go into a long light parching of the palate. At this stage a flavour burst satisfies an earlier expectation of gooseberry blended with tart apple. The finish makes this SB a sipper with a ‘kicker’ finish - an excellent companion with seafood, shell or fin, Asian or Bento. 89

J.C. LEROUX MÉTHODE CAP CLASSIQUE PINOT NOIR ROSÉ 2010, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 10.5% D 8g/L, #483057 $16.95 (Tasted November 11, 2017)

Released by Vintages on April 1, 2017. My notes: A coquettish pink, vividly supported by a splash of bubbles, all sizes, and lasting with a continuing zest. Refreshingly tart and full of life although lightish-bodied smacking of apple, minerals and hint of cranberry. First expression is ‘Ooo what a colour’. Second is ‘Does it ever stop?’ Well suited for a festive occasion – nothing ‘off’ about this in any social setting unless its the warmth of alcohol. Going off chill a slight softness adds to the dry-as-chalk finish. The price suits if buying in for a crowd. 88

KWV CATHEDRAL CELLAR BRUT SPARKLING 2010,  Western Cape, South Africa, 12.0%  XD  6g/L,  #296426  $16.95  (Tasted November 14, 2017)

Released by Vintages on July 22, 2017.  My notes: A deep daffodil yellow gives the mainly medium sized bubbles room to expand. Add an aroma of a hot cross bun warmed to melt butter. This bubbly is meant to be quaffed to appreciate its balance of body, flavour and smoothness. A continuous spritz adds depth to the palate. Expand the role of a toasting white to that of a companion for delicate seafoods, salads and after dinner sweets: caramel treats, cheesecake varieties and parfait . Buy in for special events – and then another case for the cellar.  91

CODORNÍU SELECCIÓN RAVENTÓS BRUT CAVA,  Penedes, Spain, 11.5%  D  7g/L,  #521773  $13.95  (Tasted November 13, 2017)

Released by Vintages on September 2, 2017.  My notes:
A large bubbly effervescence pouring from a delicate clear yellow and refreshing sipper. Tart and dry on the palate with the flavour of unripe grapefruit and a fullness to sustain its presence through a long finish. Remembering a time, person or place with words to match its fullness. A taste to draw attention to the context but serve chilled and quaffed before any warmth reduces the brightness. Bitter lemon and lime softened slightly with a touch of pie crust. A value suitable for a crowd. 87

VIENI MOMENTI SPARKLING WINE VQA Ontario NV, Beamsville, Ontario,  11.0%  MS  17g/L,  #435784   $13.95  (Tasted Novemer 13, 2017)

Released by Vintages on June 24, 2017.  My notes: Two years ago this bubbly from Vieni was tasted resulting in an 86. This has the same instant outpour of effervescence from a tight cork. A slightly deeper yellow greets the sipper as well as a slight pear/grapefruit and pie dough aroma. At the start there’s no sweetness to speak of but an enjoyable bite and mineral taste followed by the soft caress of Niagara whites, Pinot Grigio and Vidal, forming a enjoyable finish. Then pork tenderloin slices basted with a mild teriyaki sauce paired well. We toasted to our good fortune having recently found a buyer for our condo and look forward to a mid January move. 88

MALLEE ROCK SHIRAZ CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2015, Limestone Coast, Australia, 14.5% D 6g/L, #434589 $12.95* (Tasted November 5, 2017)

A General listing. *Reduced from $14.95 until November 26, 2017. My notes: Has the colour and scent of fresh red cherries that vitalize the olfactory while a swirl leaves droopy tears hanging from a ‘want to wrinkle but doesn’t’ rim. Dry as chalk with a sharp edge leaving the middle a balanced bramble and warm fruit. A quaff starts a long finish while setting up for the next sip. Medium-bodied wanting to be sweet but tempered by a core tartness. Pair with veal, pork or grilled ham or sip with sausage pieces and stuffed mushrooms. 88

THIERRY DELAUNAY TOURAINE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2016, Loire Valley, France, 12.5% XD 5g/L, #391847 $15.95 (Tasted November 15, 2017)

Released by Vintages on October 28, 2017.  My notes: A gentle swirl flows a moderate film mostly of fast tears hinged at the top by a fragmented curtain. The nose is fragile driven by a scent of soft grapefruit. A light lime tang is a reminder of its roots while the dryness is topped with a gooseberry familiarity. Sip, or better yet, quaff for a round and refreshing finish that fades too quickly. Pair with anything seafood, fin or shell. Also suitable as a house white and added to a social tasting with friends. A value. 88-1

MIGUEL TORRES SANTA DIGNA RESERVA SAUVIGNON BLANC 2016, Central Valley, Chile, 13.0% XD 2g/L, #177444 $14.95 (Tasted November 10, 2017)

Released by Vintages on September 30, 2017. My notes: Shiny in the bottle leads to shiny in the glass with well blended fruit and delicate melon-mineral nose. There’s some vanilla, some Granny Smith apple and tart lemon that, together, resemble green gooseberry. A thin film etches the glass momentarily showing a rim that slowly drains. The predominant tang of the first sip brings out a soft centre with grass and lemon each side. The sides fall away leaving a refreshing sharpness that lasts awhile. A sipper for those looking for long and extra dry, otherwise a meal white and partner for seafood, shellfish, a variety of Asian and sliced chicken salads. A young white. 83


MEDICI ERMETE I QUERCIOLI REGGIANO LAMBRUSCO SECCO NV, Emilia-Romagna, Italy, 11.0% D 16g/L, #514380 $12.05 (Tasted November 2, 2017)

Released by Vintages on October 14, 2017.  My notes: Rated 91 by James Suckling (jamessuckling.com), November 21, 2016.  Colour is a dense purple and except for a ring of fine bubbles at the rim has only the zest to confirm this is a bubbly. A faint sniff of blackberry adds fruit while the texture and dryness is enjoyable as a sipper. The finish verges on a light bodied red leaving the mouth dryyy! with strength insufficient to pair with a meal or a hearty eulogy. Serve chilled to let the elements share an overall balance with light appetizers or delicate pastas. Save for hot summer days. Went well with deep fried fish & onion rings. Worth the price. 83