February 2018 wines:

February 2018 wines: 13 tasted of 15

LINEUP: Reds, Whites, Rosés and Bubblies

Shawnigan Lake, BC 1996

·       Château Saint-Roch Chimères 2015, 93-3   V,  Midi, France,  #119354  $19.95
·      Mitolo Jester Cabernet Sauvignon 2014,  92-2  V, South Australia, #043224  $22.95
Jean-Pierre Moueix 2015,  88 V, Bordeaux, France,  #516765  $17.00
·     Hahn Pinot Noir Monterey 2016, 87  -- G, California, USA, #226555 $19.45
·       Big Devine Red Blend 2014, 87 --  V, Columbia Valley, Washington, #514828  $19.95
·       Izadi Reserva 2012, 85  --  V, Rioja, Spain,  #461269  $19.95

·       3 Rings Shiraz 2014,  83  --  V, Barossa Valley, Australia, #15495 $18.95

·       Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2015,  83  --  G, Hopland, California, #461053  $18.95

·       Francis Coppola Diamond Collection Ivory Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2016,  r-v  --   V, California, USA,  #521021 $21.95*

·       Aquinas Pinot Noir 2015,  r-v  --  G,  Napa, California,  #277657  $19.95 

Erin, Ontario 2008

·       Beringer Founders’ Estate Chardonnay 2015,  89-1  --  G,  Sonoma, California,  #534230  $17.95  

·       Charles & Charles Art Den Hoed Vineyard Riesling 2015,  87-1  --  V, Washington, USA,  #478123   $14.75

·       Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc 2016, 86-1  -- V,  Western Cape, South Africa, #675421  $14.95

·       Miraval Rosé 2016, 84  --  V,  Provence, France,  #342584   $22.95

·       Lamarca Prosecco DOC NV,  88-1  --  G, Veneto, Italy, #487694  $16.95      

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

TASTINGS: 

JEAN-PIERRE MOUEIX 2015,  r-v  --  V, Bordeaux, France,  13.5%  XD  3g/L,  #516765 $17.00  (Tasted January 16, 2018)

Released by Vintages on October 28, 2017.  My notes: Rated 90 by Mike Bennie  (winefront.com.au) June 2017. A pleasing sipper with a plum and berry front supported by a woody backbone. Mid ruby, with a see-through density and enough boldness to complement any rosemary stew to chorizo inspired pizza. Tears reluctantly drop from a modest rim. Dry can be discerned by the chalky layering left by the first sip and a comforting warmth that encourages more sips. A companion for a field trip with timeouts in full sun by a shaded brook. Take a tub of hummus and bag of chips. 88 

CHÂTEAU SAINT-ROCH CHIMÈRES 2015, Midi, France, 14.0%  D  6g/L,  #119354  $19.95  (Tasted January 6, 2018)

Released by Vintages on October 28, 2017. Rated 93 by Jeb Dunnck  April 28, 2017. My notes: A soft blueberry aroma, a slight wood and tender herb. The colour is a dense ruby leaving a firm film with slow to appear tears unless tilted then just a few. A sip brings dryness, a touch of caramel flavouring, full- bodied with a long lasting finish. Sweet licorice carries the day making this a scrumptious socializer. A perfect partner with 'The Keg' steaks or calves liver with caramelized onions. Will cellar well. 93

MIRAVAL ROSÉ 2016,  Provence, France, 13.0%  XD  2g/L, #342584   $22.95  (Tasted January 6, 2018)

Released by Vintages on October 28, 2017. Rated 90 by Josh Raynolds  June 2017.  My notes: A delicate powder puff pink, clear and fragmenting quickly on the glass as a thin ragged rimmed film. Delay until warmed, 12oC and above, allowing a soft fullness to set up. A sip brings a faint strawberry/lemon with a grassy dryness. Pair with seared coconut scallops or Bento box with a sushi/tempura mix. At its best at 14oC where it shows a prominent warmth while soothing the grass. Cellar a few years.  84 

FRANCIS COPPOLA DIAMOND COLLECTION IVORY LABEL CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2016, California, USA, 13.5%  D  6g/L,  #521021 $21.95*  (Tasted tbd)

Released by Vintages on April 3, 2017. *Reduced from regular of $24.94 until December 31, 2017. My notes; 

CHARLES & CHARLES ART DEN HOED VINEYARD RIESLING 2015, Mattawa, Washington, 12.0% XD 14g/L, #478123 $14.75 (Tasted December 30, 2017)

Released by Vintages on March 4,2017.  My notes: Produced by the Sutter Home Winery of Washington State. A clear yellow leaving a moderate fragmenting film on the glass. A discernible delicate aromatic with lemon and grapefruit traces, extra dry but with a balanced sweet roundness from first swallow to a long warm finish. Have with sushi, Chinese stir fry or freshly breaded tilapia or cod filets. A social sipper below 14oC, a seafood delight or with light fowl. 87

HAHN PINOT NOIR MONTEREY 2016, California, USA, 14.5%  D  6g/L,  #226555  $19.45  (Tasted January 9, 2018) 

A General listing. My notes: A deep ruby spreading a moderate film wrinkled at the rim then slowly dropping a ring of miniature tears. Thin on the lips, some sweetness and silk with a tolerable dryness to start a long finish - excellent as a social sipper. Pair with veal or pork cutlets or a tray of sliced meats and hard cheeses – vegetarian pizza? Cellaring several years should maintain the flavour balance along with a modicum of bright bramble. Serve slightly chilled (12oC). 87


MULDERBOSCH CHENIN BLANC 2016,  Western Cape, South Africa, 13.5%  XD  2g/L, #675421  $14.95  (Tasted January 4, 2018)

Released by Vintages on July 8, 2017. My notes: This has an aroma of Royal Gala apple with the same lively acid. The flavour deviates from local whites having a balanced tropical fruit and dry mineral. A blending of apricot and pear is sustained through to a long finish. Eventually an aspect of bland becomes noticeable but still maintaining a moderate fullness. An enjoyable sipper for its difference with sufficient body to match fowl and fish entrées. Further ageing is a gamble but price could make this a worthwhile try. 86

3 RINGS SHIRAZ 2014, Barossa Valley, Australia, 14.6%  D  5g/L, $18.95 #015495 (Tasted January 10, 2018)  

Released by Vintages on October 28, 2017. Rated 89 by Mary Ann Worobec,  March 31, 2016. My notes: A dark blackberry colour with raspberry overtones. Swirling brings a rounded rim with a few slow tears. Extremely sharp when first opened, extra dry with a roughness of crushed berry seeds. Let breathe several minutes or aerate to soften to a sociable level, otherwise needs partnering with hard cheeses or full flavoured pizza slices (anchovies, pepperoni, hot peppers). A long finish starts warm, ends warmer with a clay dry followup. A cooking red? 83

BIG DEVINE RED BLEND 2014, Columbia Valley, Washington, 13.5%  XD  7g/L,  #514828  $19.95  (Tasted January 17, 2018)

Released by Vintages on October 14, 2017. A blend of Malbec (69%) and Syrah (31%). Rated 88 by Sean P. Sullivan, Wine Enthusiast, November 2016. My notes: A deep ruby with a graduated rouge at the meniscus and, for a nose, the warm aroma of blackberries sniffed from the first pour. Medium- to full- in the mouth initially bold then waning to start a long flavourful finish, extra dry and enveloping all senses into a balanced package. Aerate or decant twenty minutes before serving. Have with rare to well done beef steaks, chorizo pastas or Texas chili. At peak with a biting tang following three years in the cellar. 87


IZADI RESERVA 2012, Rioja, Spain, 14% XD 4g/L, #461269 $19.95 (Tasted January 13, 2018)

Released by Vintages on September 16, 2017. Labelled 91 (no date) by James Suckling.   My notes: A black cherry red swirling a medium film and, with a tilt, dropping a restrained shower of tears from a finely fragmented rim. A soft berry fragrance titillates if slow sipping while a longer sip shows its clay roots and sharp terroir saying ‘slow down and enjoy’ and with enough boldness to dress up a beefy steak or osso bucco. Balanced, modest fruit, bramble for roughage and extra dry. Nearing peak if not past. A meat and potatoes red. 85

MITOLO JESTER CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2014, South Australia, Australia, 14.5%  XD  2g/L,  #043224  $22.95  (Tasted January 4, 2018)

Released by Vintages on October 14, 2017. Rated 92 by Joe Czerwinski, Wine Enthusiast (February 1, 2017).  My notes: A crushed blackberry hue swirling a moderate film that fragments as well as running a few delicate tears. A delightful velvet start to finish, warm and extra dry with a tamed tang. Sip or quaff, the structure and balance is perfect in my view and the ongoing flavour is well coordinated with the introduction adding a light touch of wood and herbs. Serve as an enjoyable sipper or open with seared steaks or beef tenderloin. Can be enjoyed for several more years.  92

JOSH CELLARS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2015, Hopland, California, 13.5% D  8g/L, #461053   $18.95  (Tasted January 1, 2018)

A General listing. My notes: A crushed berry fragrance swirling a moderate film shedding a few random tears is the first view of this charcoal ruby sipper. The first sip quickly parches the mouth. Warm and fuzzy summarizes the interval between sips and a bright finish prompts a search for appetizers: stuffed mushrooms, bacon wrapped sausage or grilled or ground sirloin. Aerating or decanting softens the bite a tad although emphasizes a clay dryness. Further cellaring is not likely to soften a natural roughness. 83

AQUINAS PINOT NOIR 2015, Napa, California, 14.5%  D  6g/L,  #277657  $19.95  (Tasted tbd)

A General listing.  My notes:

BERINGER FOUNDERS' ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2015, Sonoma, California, 13.9%  D 9g/L, #534230  $17.95  (Tasted January 11, 2018)


A General listing.  My notes: Tasted in September last year with a rating of 87. This has a tad deeper yellow, the same film and slow tears and a moderate viscosity. A smooth caramel also is prominent from an initial sip and adds a enjoyable touch of sweetness. Pair with seafood, creamy pastas and vegetarian pizza. A good partner with a cheese tray and sliced Italian meats. This bottle had an attractive amber hue and moderate length. 89

LAMARCA PROSECCO DOC NV, Veneto, Italy, 11%  M  19g/L,  #487694  $16.95  (Tasted January 2, 2018)

A General listing.  My notes:  A blend of apple, pear and lemon well balanced each adding its specific flavour presented from the first sip on. Also there’s a sweetness to be carried through to a long delicate finish. A substantial ‘head’ of moderate size bubbles quiesces quickly leaving a polite zest. It can serve as a toaster, a social sipper and a partner with a variety of fish and fowl entrées – for example Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo where the chicken can be dark or white and seared slices of red pepper can contrast with the green in a creamy casserole.  88