There are still a few hot weeks ahead so there are some refreshing recommendations. There are also a few good value reds.
Rose
I personally don’t go for the light, florally roses. So I found these 2 intriguing because they promise a bigger mouth feel.
Chateau Bellevue La Foret Rose 2015
#219840 Score 90 $14.95
Tasting notes from Natalie MacLean say ‘An incredible tasting and mouth-watering dry rose, especially for this price point. Aromas of field strawberries and tiny raspberries.”
Famille Perrin Reserve Rose 2015
#719062 $15.95
Vintages panel tasting notes say “this is loaded with aromas of field flowers, potpourri, apricot, raspberry, wild strawberry and garrigue. Plump and juicy with considerable heft, but carried beautifully on a soft, round frame. Closes with a floral and herb-tinged fruit tone.”
Whites
Joseph Cattin Gewurztraminer 2014
#224626 Score 90 $19.95
This wine is from Alsace where they excel at whites like Reisling, Gewrtuztraminer , Pinot Gris. Traminer is the grape and gewurz means spicy. Gewruztraminer is a very specific taste- you either like it or you don’t I think. I happen to like it a lot! Particularly with Chinese or Asian food which can be hard to pair with. Tasting notes from Anne Krebiehl (MW, Wine Enthusiast) say “charming overtones of citrus herald the freshness of the 2014 vintage while the palate shows richer fruit, golden Mirabelle plums and baked apricot with occasional swirls of rose blossom. The dry finish beautifully accentuates the freshness and is rather moreish.”
Elderton # Series Chardonnay 2015
#458760 $15.95
Elderton is a highly respected Australian producer. Wine notes are calling this outstanding value since it is made from premium Barossa fruit. They anticipate a plum, fruit-driven Chardonnay with ripe pineapple and peach.
Kim Crawford Pinot Gris 2015
#369850 $19.95
In case you didn’t see my earlier posts…Pinot Gris is my new area of exploration. So I can hardly wait to try this wine described by the Vintages panel as “the purest possible expression of the grape” because there was minimal skin contact, cold fermentation and no oak. Tasting notes say it is a delicate, lovely wine with aromas and flavours of jasmine, apple, spice and honey. Fresh, vibrant with superb balance.
Reds
Some good value wines in this release as well.
Chateau La Bastide Optimee Corbieres 2011
#448662 Score 91 $19.95
Jeb Dunnuck of erobertparker.com is calling this wine ‘a rock star Corbieres’. It is 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache. His tasting notes indicate ‘Deep, rich and layered, with lots of ripeness in its cassis, black raspberry, melted licorice and subtle vanilla ban aromas and flavors, it’s full-bodied with low acidity, outstanding purity and a thick unctuous texture. This is one sexy Corbieres to enjoy over the coming 3-4 years.”
A lot of superlatives going on here and I particularly like the low acidity for drinking now. This would be one to stock up on if you like dark fruitiness in your wine.
Pascual Toso Reserve Malbec 2013
#183897 Score 90 $19.95
I became familiar with Pascual Toso Malbec when it won a Bronze Medal in the World Wine Awards of Canada in the Malbec category in 2014. At $13.95 it became a go-to for everyday drinking.
The World Wine Awards of Canada (“The Worlds”) is open to both imported and domestic wines for sale in Canada, provided the wine sells for less than $50 somewhere in the country. As a consequence it is an opportunity for all wines sold here to show that they can compete in quality and value with wines from anywhere in the world. Blind judgings are remarkable opportunities for unknown wines to make their mark. Wines are tasted in price categories based on the lowest selling price in Canada.
The wine in this month’s release is a Reserve and apparently a noticeable step up from the regular fare. Steve Thurlow of winealign.com says the aging in American oak ‘gives it a sweetish feel to nose and palate and it is quite dry and finely balanced with excellent length. Aromas of floral black cherry with blueberry and mild warm fragrant oak spice.’
Ravenswood Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel 2014
#942599 $21.95
Zinfandel has a distinct character – medium to full bodied, spicy, peppery, fruity and fairly unique to California. (Italy produces wine from the same grape but calls it Primitivo and the style is quite different). Ravenswood is one of the top producers of Zinfandel and the Old Vine is a notch up from the regular fare. I would also look for a bit of a raisiny quality thanks to the Old Vine origin.
Note it is a 2014-tasting notes suggest if you drink it now decant and let it aerate for about 3 hours.
Buried Cane Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
#402081 Score 90 $19.95
This is featured as the LCBO’s Wine of the Month. Washington Cabernet Sauvignons are typically fruity and not overly tannic which equals EASY DRINKING! Tasting notes from Catherine Fallis MS winereview-planetgrape.com call is ‘Supple and slightly chewy with notes of cherry, blueberry, plum, cassis, dried herbs, aged Sumatran coffee beans and vanilla.”
