Author Archives: Weston

Top 10 Wines of 2011

Posted on December 18, 2011 by Weston| Leave a comment

For me this has been a year of Chardonnay & Champagne.

2011 What a interesting ride it has been, ups and downs, lefts and rights; all over the place with some of my best wines to date.  The year began with me starting to  enjoy Chardonnays, especially oaked. Up until this point I just could not stomach them for whatever the reason. [To this day I have no idea why it changed. It wasn't really a stylistic change that I was leaning to but I dont know how to put it.] But Chardonnay when it’s good its OMG good.

Champagne, well I’ve always loved champagne, but  it was hard  for me to find a reason to drink champagne by myself, well I mean you could but it not the same. It asks to be shared, and this year allowed me to share champagne, and with that it meant I bought more and shared more. Yes I’ve had some amazing Champagne [think there are two below] and yes I have even called champagne boring, oh the horror!

Now what makes my top 10 wines of the year? Are they the top 10 scored wines by what I entered into Cellartracker?  For me no.  What the wine needs is to be amazing; you need to remember it; where you were; with whom you had it with; and maybe why the reason you opened it.  Maybe it was a special occasion wine, or a ‘hey lets open this wine tonight’ wine. Whatever the wine it has to be firing on all cylinders at the end of the day, they are the wines that imprint on your memory forever. Whether enjoyed by yourself, or with others.

TOP 10!

1974 Camille Giroud Corton-Charlemagne – This wine was my number one of the year hands down.  This wine imprints on your memory, this wine is so good it doesn’t matter who the company is, friend or foe.  This wine overwrites that! Now I’ve had this wine twice in a year; first time it was good but died after 2hrs [started to oxidize really fast after that].  But OMG Bottle number two! Amazing; the Power; the Elegance; the Freshness the Fruit the… the… the…everything this wine wins hands down.

1994 Domaine Auguste Clape Cornas – This Cemented by love for wines with the right amount of age, I’ve had OLD Wines this year, but this is at its Peak of enjoyment, where it hits all those points and all you want to do is drink these types of wines every day. How I came across this wine was from my NYC trip dinner at Bar Boulud Michael Madrigale Sommelier recommended this wine he had just bought at auction. I big thanks to Drod for having that connection with the Sommelier, to share something from his cellar that wasn’t even on the list and for a steal of a price too [Well coming from BC, Canada everything is almost a steal of a price].

1996 Bruno Paillard Champagne Assemblage Brut – What to say about aged Champagne, amazing? Yes! It even reminded me a bit of the 74, the way the fruit was so ripe and fleshy but not over the top.  I do remember this night indeed it started with this while trying out my new pasta maker, also some sablefish in a dashi broth. The wine was so good that dinner really didn’t get started to later because we just sat back and enjoyed this,  all I know is at the end it was all of a sudden 2am on a work night ut oh! But could wine can make time just fly by, it can transport you.

2004 Domaine Amiot Guy et Fils Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru La Maltroie – This wine is interesting, this was near the beginning of the year. I was starting to like Chardonnay, had a friend over for dinner who I knew loved Chardonnay. I wanted to impress them so a chardonnay would do! I wanted something that I would enjoy; I knew to stay away from new world chards  for the time being as I knew it might be a 50/50 gamble with me. This wine is what made me truly appreciate/understand how good a chardonnay could be. It was that Ah Ha! Moment. Coming from the much underrated 2004 vintages for whites which gets over shadowed by the much lauded 2005 vintage.  What amazing wines we can find in the ‘lesser’ vintages.

1993 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon – Lets see

  • BYOB in New York City [check].
  •  A bunch of wine lovers at Tribeca Grill [check]
  • 498 wines glasses used[Check].

That equals one pretty awesome night, so many amazing wines, a Kistler Chardonnay thrown in there. IF I remember correctly near the end of the meal I went and searched out that bottle and declared the last 1/3 for me and the people beside me.

1983 Pio Cesare Dolcetto d’Alba – 83 DOLCETTO! Seriously and it was amazing.  Enough Said really, well that and Pio Cesare.

2005 La Pèira Vin de Pays de l’Hérault Deusyls – I had just read Justgrapeswine review on this and knew it would be right up my alley. Fat, Rich and Delicious.  This was even on my 2011 wine resolution [to drink more white Rhone's/South of France], this being in that style.  Utterly Delicious I went back and bought another bottle from Marquis Wine Cellar.

2008 Peter Michael Chardonnay Belle Côte – I must thank Steve for sharing this wine from his cellar, an amazing wine had in Eugene, Oregon. A Special day indeed.

NV/2005  Larmandier-Bernier Champagne Terre de Vertus 1er Cru Brut Nature – Someone I know called this wine ‘Lemon Pie in a Glass’.  Whay do you say after that? And to think only bought this because It was sent back from a restaurant that was closing, and the label looked different; I said why not. Opened the one bottle to share, so good went back and bought the last remaining two.   I am glad I have one more bottle left of this, and I know who to share it with too. [Disgorged 03/08 [march 2008]]

2000 Langmeil Shiraz The Freedom – This wine opened my eyes to Australia, this was the AH HA! Moment. The younger vintages were just youthful, big and oaky, but as they shed their outer skin something beautiful was inside, and oh was it beautiful! And to think I would of never known unless I went to a vertical tasting of these wines. What I learned drinking them young does not do them justice at all. It is a disservice!

Honourable Mentions

N.V. Pierre Paillard Champagne Brut Rosé – My Official House Rose Bubbles split a case with wine friends, discovered this year, just like the Larmandier saw it on the shelf looked interesting [was another restaurant send back]

2007 Larkmead Vineyards Firebelle – An Amazing Napa wine, so good, all their wines are actually really good. Big thanks to Paul for sharing this from his cellar with us.

**N.V. Hijos de Rainera Perez Marin Jerez-Xérès-Sherry La Guita Manzanilla – Ahhh a NV Sherry, I wanted to put this in my top 10, but I just couldn’t justify it due to the fact it’s a NV. [It should technically be  the same year after year if fresh]. So Delicious! Maybe it was the anchovies that made it that much better? To think it was bought at a random wine store in NYC near 94th street? couple blocks east of 5th avenue. Talked to the employee in the store about wine, hockey the Philadelphia Flyers & Vancouver Canucks. He was rooting for them during the playoff as by then it was the conference finals

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Posted in 2011

#BCWineChat

Posted on December 17, 2011 by Weston| Leave a comment

December 21st 2011 #BCWineChat on twitter will be talking about Inter provincial Wine Shipments in Canada.

A Interesting subject to say the least, to see how laws written way back when, when Puritian laws were seen as good for society.

Freemygrapes.ca is a group trying to change Inter provincial WIne Shipments in Canada, I know there is a private members bill in front of Parliment as we speak.

Also Mark Hicken a local Vancouver lawyer, runs winelaw.ca which use to have an awesome calculator to see how expensive wine can be bringing it across the board from the states.  Tho cant seem to find it anymore

Links

http://bcwinechat.com/schedule/

http://freemygrapes.ca/links.shtml

 

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Round up of Top Wines for 2011 [not my top 10!] but DAMN Good

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Weston| Leave a comment

Someone I know said was the wine really that good or just the company? Maybe we will never know. I’d like to think its a bit of both, a connection to the wine to the place, to the people, or person you are with/at that very moment in time.

The beauty of Cellartracker is that you can pull up all types of reports, from what you scored you wines, then by region or by time, or both.  And of course everyone’s favorite pulling up how much you spend on wine, by month, or quarter or yearly, but this post isn’t about that.

So I went through what I tasted up until December 14th [I still dont know if the wines from now on out will be amazing, and maybe Ill do a follow up post if there are] but These are Jan 1st to December 14th.

Now I know some of these people are thinking what! Not your top ten especially the people I drank them with, I mean really some of these can be switched up in there but, my top 10 list I made for a specific reason.  Everything worked out in those top ten moments, the Wine,  the people, and that Ah Ha! Moment.

2001 Château Rieussec – I have had this wine twice now and both times at the end of the night after DRINKING wine and not spitting, the problem with that is I have never properly sat down and tasted it, I know its good but I really don’t know how good.

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Posted in 2011, Wine

There are Old Wines, then there are OLD Wines

Posted on December 11, 2011 by Weston| 1 Comment

OLD Wines are an interesting thing to behold.

How do you express what drinking an OLD wine those below are like [maybe minus the 1982].  There are old wines that when drunk at their peak they are as some critics would put it 100pts wines, or wines at the peak of enjoyment. Which I totally understand within the last year I’ve had a couple of these wines a 93 Caymus and a 94 Clape [Cornas] that when drinking them were utterly beautiful that linger in your brain, well probably forever.

Then you have these OLD wines, they are in a way like…Forgive before hand as I try not to insulalt anyone.  They are like a Retired old person, the guy at legion, the lady at tea shop.  Who have these stories to tell.  Some of them are Fantastic, some are interesting, some are just well you listen and don’t know what to make of it.  Thats how I find OLD wines, sometimes the story hearing them once is fine [One sip and your good] sometimes the story is fascinating, and you just want to hear it over and over again, even tho you can not connect with that actually story [think WW2 stories to a generation that has never experienced a modern war] .  Then there are stories that you don’t want to hear but you hear them anyways because you need to, just to understand.

To me that is how I explain OLD wines, they have a story to tell they are not the most ‘beautiful’ stories in a sense of perfection as they are pass their prime [outside their generation gap] but yet you want to hear/expierence them for what they are.

Enjoy the tasting notes, how do you explain a wine that is 50+ years old that isn’t oxidized or bad?

OLD WINES [1959 - 1982 ] – Vancouver (12/3/2011)

A Selection of Old Wines, Mainly Italian, and one French, which was Terrible!

  • 1970 Cantine Sociali Riunite Antico Piemonte – Italy, Piedmont

    This wine was short lived, was looking pretty rough from the start, but it had enough life in it 5-10mins so a sip or two for everyone in the room then it just went Mud brown right before our eyes

    Conc: An Experience to see a wine die this fast. Amazing

  • 1964 Cascina Montaldo Barbera d’Alba Giovanni Scanavino – Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d’Alba

    This wine had some life in it, Acidity for sure, touch of VA to keep it ‘fresh’ touch of red fruit, a interesting wine to taste thats for sure.

  • 1959 Casa Vinicola Flli Chiarusi Chianti Rùfina Pomino – Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Rùfina

    No Formal Tasting Notes

    The Colour on this wine was unbeleivable dark, It looked in the decanter almost Opaque, I didnt take a close enough look to even see if there was any garnet. The fruit pure and still much there, of course it was in the develping stage but the acidity was amazing . This wine was fantastic at over 50yrs old.

  • 1976 Château Batailley – France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    No Formal Tasting Note
    This wine was disappointing, the one thing I would say is the mouth feel on this wine was amazing, the texture fantastic, the colour still dark and fresh looking, but in the mouth a touch of fruit then it falls of a cliff, No Finish no nothing after the initial 1sec fruit then drying tannin no fruit no finish

    Conc: A Cliff wine (79 pts.)

  • 1968 Bertani Recioto della Valpolicella Amarone Classico Superiore – Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Recioto della Valpolicella

    Another End of the Night Wine.

    The Notes are definitely not formal, this wine was pretty damn good, the Heaviness of youthful Amarone fruit is gone, its mellowed, its not a dry wine, maybe a touch off dry but the acidity balance that tout, the fruit is still present. I can see why this is Franks Favorite wine

    I can also see why a sommelier in a restaurant would stear a person away from ordering this wine, if they dint know what they were getting into as its not a youthful type of Amarone so elegant

    Found my notes! Kinda
    A:Med Intensity, Developed. Really Really Floral Like crazy Germanium type of Floral. Chocolate Shavings
    T:Med+Intensity med+finish, med- tannin
    Gorgerous Red Fruit, Chocolate (94 pts.)

  • 1982 Fontanafredda Barbaresco – Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

    End of Tasting Wine, Notes not formal

    Colour was a light ruby, maybe a hint of garnet, the fruit was still there tannins soft, all around a very enjoyable wine to drink (92 pts.)

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Posted in Italy, Old Wine, Wine

Washinton State Wines

Posted on December 11, 2011 by Weston| Leave a comment

I opened yesterday a Washington State wine, by Buty the 2009 Merlot/Cab Franc.  Instantly it just brings me back to why I love Washington State red wines, it has that youthful exuberant fruit [when drunk young] that is so engaging, and then it has the structure of tannins and acid that brings it all together without being over the top.  I think because of this it is one of those regions that just excites me.  Now to write about my OLD wine drinking experience may take some working out but this wine does help with that.

  • 2009 Buty Merlot/Cabernet Franc- USA, Washington, Columbia Valley (12/10/2011)Opaque
    Day 1
    A: Med Intensity
    Raspberry, Hint of Dark Mocha Chocolate, earthy
    T: Dry, High Acid, Med tannin Med+ intensity, long finish
    raspberry, bright, coffee/cream
    Conc: Day 1 its youthful 89pts
    Day 2
    The nose comes together in that delicious raspberry/cassis note, with delicious sweet cream. the palate dark fruit ripe but balanced,Conc: Its what washington state wine is that ripe fruit but with that great acidic back bone and tannins 91pts (90 points)

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Posted in USA, Wine

Chateau Beaucastel Vertical Tasting [94-08]

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Weston| 1 Comment

Attending a vertical tasting of the same producer is really one of the most educational things to for ones brain and palate. To understand how  a wine develops and of course how the vintages differ.  Its always cool during one of these tasting that someone will say ‘this doesn’t taste like the same producer’.  Which to me makes it fascinating, it just shows you how the year was.

I’ve had the opportunity to do a couple vertical tasting now one of a Barossa Shiraz [which just shows how that youthful fruit fades/integrates, and same with the oak into something beautiful] and one from a new producer Osoyoos Larose [which shows that young vines really dont age].

Going into the Beaucastel tasting I was expecting a big ole Brett Party, and I was a little disappointed that I didn’t, because I was already had my 80s Bandana Ready, knee high socks, some thick rim glasses but NO.  What I found was maybe a couple vintages with a hint of Brett, and you know what maybe it was more of the Mourvèdre

Below are my tasting notes. You will notice that as we got to the end of the tasting my notes were less detailed, one maybe due to the alcohol as we were not spitting [which I don't like for writing notes] and the fact that the younger wines just didnt taste ready like the older ones so I became disenfranchised of the newer vintages, they were not ready to drink.  Another thing that did stand out was the labels, From 94 to 99 they all seemed to state 13% alc, then the 00 to 05 was 14% and the ’07 and ’08 were 14.5%. My Question is what is the true %, and were the just reusing the same label, was the vintage is on the next on its on label. Thoughts to ponder!

VERTICAL OF BEAUCASTEL [94-08 MINUS CPL YRS] – Vancouver, BC (12/3/2011)

A Vertical of Beaucastel, Minus 1996, 2002, 2006

  • 1994 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape- France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-PapeMed Ruby
    A: Med Intensity, Developing
    Currant Jelly, Stem/Earth, Light Leather notes, smokey leather to be exact
    T: med+ intensity, med body, med to med+intensity, long finish
    A Youthful Currant Jelly, Leather/Smk, Spicey Raisin GrapeConc: Has an elegance to this wine, with opening up to a raisin note
  • 1995 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape- France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-PapeA: Med Intensity, Developing
    Leather/Funk, Peppery not subtle
    T: High Acid, Med+ Intensity, Med+ Finish
    Intensely Focused, the brightness is so youthful. Leather/Spice, Youthful leather tho. Coffee, Vegetal/Cooked Not RawConc: So Youthful/Concentration is there but not ‘massive’
    This has another 15years of life!
  • 1998 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape- France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-PapeMed Intensity, DevelopingCrazy Fresh Pepper! Creamy/Cherry Creamsicle, amazing acidity focus. Hits all the spots.
    Med+ Acid to high acid, med tannins
    Chocolate, Cherry/Creamsicle deliciousness, Cola SpiceConc: as they say firing on all cylinders. Exceptional
    Beside the 95, more structure, more complete (95 pts.)
  • 1999 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape- France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Papemed+ Intensity, Getting close to the funk/brett
    Honey/Syrup, Youthful/Rich
    Med+Body, med Intensity
    Licorice, Chewy Cherry, Berry fruitConc: A little bit more on the riper side
  • 2000 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape- France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-PapeMed+ Intensity, Medicine/over the top fruit
    T: Med+ Acid, Med+ Body, med+Finish
    Big Fruit, Ripe, SpiceConc: I first wrote down ‘needs time’ and youthful, but going back to and from whatever says in the room, it just doesn’t seem to be there, and I dont know if time will do it justice [taking a quick over at CT notes it seems maybe it does need time/a good decant]
  • 2001 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape- France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-PapeStructure is there, Balanced for sure, coming across with that youthful ‘baby fat’ fruit notes, and ham fat, cranberry/cherrySome notes I wrote down ‘Spicy’ ‘meaty’ ‘elegant’Conc: I know a couple people really picked this one to be there beaucastel WOTN. I think this will be excellent in 5-10 years for sure (93 pts.)
  • 2003 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape- France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-PapeMossy/Fresh Forest Floor, Meaty [Chicken]
    Med+ Acid, med/med+ tannin, med+ body, long FinishFresh, Big, Structuredconc: from my notes this seems to be another one for the long haul, just too young but excellent (92 pts.)
  • 2004 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape- France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-PapeClosed Nose, Nothing [everyone in the room agreed]Med body, med+ intensity, med+ acid
    Bitter finish, baby fat fruit, spice dark chocolateConc: Might of shut down for the tasting
  • 2005 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape- France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-PapeLooks like I skipped over this wine. Is that good or bad?
  • 2007 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape- France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-PapeA: Med Int
    Mushroom, Touch of Fruit
    T: med+ Acid, med+ body, med+ tannin, med+ int, med+ finish
    Big Fruit, Chocolate, Dark/ConcentratedConc: Dark Structure, youthful, would like to see how it develops. This coming off from the ‘hot/ripe’ 07 (90 pts.)
  • 2008 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape- France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-PapeLooks like no notes, think this was too young for me to even bother to write anything down after everything else

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Posted in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Vertical, Wine

Wine People Love to Share

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Weston| Leave a comment

So It seems Ill be making an annual trip to Oregon? Well now is that really a bad thing. Nope! Close to drive, and with the Canadian dollar its great.

So last time I was there a friend of mine invited me to Steve’s place visit his cellar and drink wine. Best part about wine people well most of them anyways when they show you their wine cellar, they actually open wine.

*cough* unlike some people *cough*.

Steve is a wine guy, he knows what he likes and buys that, Napa Cabs and the likes, Napa Chards, he has Oregon wines little Sauterne in there but at the end of the Day he is a Napa Guy. Me being a Canadian means two things, what we do see up here is the big name brand stuff, and the stuff that does comes up here is so expensive its not even worth a second look. Which is why I really love going to the states, and Steve’s cellar, Good company good wine.

This year we were joined by Brandon, who is a winemaker out of Sonoma/Napa makes a Pinot and we had a grand ole time drinking wine!

Starting with Chardonnay, 2009 Lewis Cellars Chardonnay Reserve. Which is big and massive but utterly delicious in a hedonistic deliciousness, one glass and I’m good to go for sure.

Into the Cellar

Into the Cellar

Then opening some others [notes will be at bottom of the post] A Peter Michael Chard [had the red last time and loved it] and the chard is tasty too, a Great producer. A Red by Pahlmeyer, had the chard last time which I liked.

Then after a bunch of wine Steve decided to open up his one and only bottle of Amuse Bouche, you know the one made by Heidi Barrett, winemaker of Screaming Eagle, just not ludicrously expensive. Don’t get me wrong the amuse isn’t cheap either

And Finished off with 2001 Château Rieussec, a 100pt wine, which actually for me is the 2nd time I have had this.

At the end of the Day it was a great day, great people, company, Me being the wine guy who is so use to spitting taking my fair share of jokes, with someone pulling out a sippy cup for me.

The End

The End

 

WINES FROM STEVE’S PRIVATE CELLAR. – Hills of Eugene (8/18/2011)

  • 2009 Lewis Cellars Chardonnay Reserve- USA, California, Napa Valleymed gold, on the nose pronounced nose, youthful, big huge plumpfruit, richness, oak
    On the palate, med+ acid, full body, full intensity, long finish
    Lots of Oak, Lots of big fruit, Popcorn/Butter

    Conc: This is a big hedonistic chardonnay, that keeps it all together without getting goopy, it has a freshness to it but at the end of the day its a massive napa chardonnay if you like that style you’ll enjoy this (91 pts.)

  • 2006 Chehalem Chardonnay Ian’s Reserve Stoller Vineyard- USA, Oregon, Willamette ValleyNose is super interesting, savoury, but just different and could smell this all day

    on the palate tho lacking a little bit, more one dimensional with a lot of apple juice coming through (87 pts.)

  • 2008 Peter Michael Chardonnay Belle Côte- USA, California, Sonoma County, Knights ValleyA: med Int, Golden Apple
    T: Med Intensity, Med+ Body, med+ Finish
    Amazing great ripe fruit with a touch of oak that brings it all together such an elegant wine

    conc: Another great producer, had the red wine last year and yeah such a good producer (92 pts.)

  • 2007 Domaine Serene Pinot Noir Mark Bradford- USA, Oregon, Willamette ValleyOn the Nose, Earthy/Stems
    T: Med+ acid, med body, med tannin
    chocolate, cranberry, earth, touch of dark fruit undertones

    Conc: It started to open up a bit later on but fairly tight with those stemmy notes poking around

  • 2007 Cristom Pinot Noir Eileen Vineyard- USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola – Amity HillsVery Elegant, Touches of Red fruit with good structure a very nice Pinot Noir, nice acidity together (90 pts.)
  • 2004 Pahlmeyer Merlot- USA, California, Napa ValleyNeeds about 15-20mins to open up

    Started off med- int, opening to med+ intensity
    Red/Deep Strawberry notes,
    Med+acid, med+ body, long finish
    Dark Fruit, Rich Elegant

    Conc: Such a pleasure to drink this and watch it open so good, last year had a Pahlmeyer white and this is a good producer (91 pts.)

  • 2007 Amuse Bouche- USA, California, Napa ValleyMed Intensity, Youthful
    Crazy Good menthol coming through with red and dark fruit, so elegant on the palate, freshness, long finish

    Conc: such a treat, and the cab franc just brings that right amount of freshness to lift this thing to an elegant beautiful wine (93 pts.)

  • 2007 Hunnicutt Zinfandel- USA, California, Napa ValleyBig Zin, loads of Dark Savory notes, like dark soy [minus the salt] almost a vegemite, Elegant Balance with bright acidity and (89 pts.)
  • 2001 Château Rieussec- France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, SauternesWell by this time formal notes were done, and it was relaxing time, Have had this vineyard before in the pass its so young, so good, tons of great botyrtis characteristics with good fruit, amazing acidity to sweetness balance.

    Conc: Just needs time, to make this a true beauty (95 pts.)

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Pinotage, South Africa, Just a little scared

Posted on November 3, 2011 by Weston| Leave a comment

My Experience of South African wine has not been a good one, for one the selection is terrible here. The second reason is that Wines of South Africa when they held a tasting in Vancouver, Canada two years ago let a lot of people down in the city. One they poured all the same crap that the store carried [didn't even attempt to bring in the good stuff]. The stuff they did pour had my favorite good ole South Africa, Burnt Rubber Tire weirdness, some may call it South African Brett.

So I was hesitant about the up coming tasting on South African wines imported by Marquis Wine Cellars. To be fair I’ve never had a problem with South African whites, just never found them interesting enough to buy. But this post is on Pinotage.

See Full Tasting Book of what was avail here

Table 5: Pinotage
I was scared of this table lets be honest, there was one wine on this table that brought back some of those scary memories. And there was some lovely gems that made me sit back and enjoy the wine. I really dont know what pinotage “should” taste like, what is varietal correct?

2010 Perdeberg Pinotage
-Pretty red fruit, with a touch of leather on the palate
2010 Perdeberg Reserve
-Bready nose [almost what you would get off some Bordeaux reds], and a nice lovely cherry/round palate
2008 Kaapzicht Pinotage
-Big Style, Some of that South African Scariness, overdone leather, close to the burnt tire but not, but you know its there in the back ground
2009 Rijk’s Pinotage ‘Touch of Oak’
-So Elegant, I mean not much more you can say about this wine, pretty, elegant enjoyable
2007 Springfontein Pinotage, Terroir Selection
-No notes, dunno if that is good or bad
2008 Post House ‘Missing Virgin’ [Blend of Pinotage with some Petit Verdot]
-This has crazy raspberries on the palate with bouncy around acidity, which im going to say is coming from the P.V. it really needs to calm down, a kid with to much energy
2006 Rajk’s Pinotage Private Cellar
-A touch to big for me, I would stick to the Touch of Oak by Rajk’s and for the price yeah.

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Posted in Pinotage, RSA, South Africa, Wine

Champagne

Posted on August 10, 2011 by Weston| Leave a comment

So I have always loved Champagne, then again really how many people don’t, but I never really drank it a lot, mainly do to the fact that has to do with drinking a 750ml solo in one night. Don’t get me wrong it is doable no problem.  I think we could all agree that Champagne is all about sharing/celebrating/drinking good wine with people you care about.

Well the Last little while I have had more bottles more frequently and some really nice stuff. From Drinking Champagne in New York because its a good price, to planning the trip to New York,and just cuz!  Its nice to open these bottles with other people, especially wine people, appreciate it together.

So mostly what I have been drinking is Grower Champagne, or as @drod_wino  calls it “Farmer Fizz”.  These Farmer Fizz are interesting, delicious, and from what little research I’ve done they seem to be more Organic or even BioDynamic [ Larmandier-Bernier especially my favorite Jose Dhondt NV BdB. Next year when the local wine store has some in stock going to buy a half case because it sells out quickly and I need my Dhondt Fix!

  • N.V. Henriot Champagne Brut Souverain- France, Champagne (7/10/2011)Med+ Intensity, Developing
    Apples, Lemon Curd, Spice, Autolytic Yup
    Med+ Body, med+/high acid, med+ to long finish
    Same as nose. A nice Richness on the mouth and it doesnt drop off on the finish like some Champagne canConc: This is a Solid Champagne, been drinking a lot of Champagne lately and this is solidly Delicious. Good value! (90 points)
  • N.V. Jose Dhondt Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut- France, Champagne, Oger, Champagne (6/30/2011)No Formal Tasting note
    Was opened up at end of a big ole wine bashThis wine sure did come through, great acidity, yeasty breadyness, nice citrus just so nice, 2nd or 3rd bottle of this stuff and its amazing everytime (92 points)
  • N.V. Pierre Paillard Champagne Brut Rosé- France, Champagne, Bouzy, Champagne (6/22/2011)*Disgorged may 25 2010 7g/l dosage Assemblage of 2005/2006Fine Persistant Bubbles
    med to med+ intensity, developing nose
    Good Yeasty Character, Red fruit strawberry but not bright/youthful, a nice mellow roundness dash of almonds
    T: Dry, Med+ Acid, med intensity, long finish
    Autolytic, Red fruit/strawberryconc: This wine is stunning, from start to finish, it has it all, its together seamless. Pairing with a smoked onion garlic caesar salad with sage butter chicken, AMAZING especially with the garlic (93 points)
  • N.V. Larmandier-Bernier Champagne Terre de Vertus 1er Cru Brut Nature- France, Champagne, Côte des Blancs, Champagne (5/29/2011)Drank a couple of weeks ago, this wine was picked up from Liquor store which was from a restaurants inventory [they closed and resold back to the liquor store]This definitely had some age on it and it was showing beautifully. A very memorable wine, bouncing with lively acidity, aged notes, very harmonious, creamy, citrusConc: Excellent for a aged NV [if I find my tasting notes I will put them in] (91 points)
  • 2002 Paul Bara Champagne Grand Cru Spécial Club- France, Champagne, Bouzy, Champagne (5/1/2011)#SparklingSunday (Kitsilano): Pale Gold
    med+ intensity, developing
    Baked Apple, Pear, Cream Cheese
    T: Dry, med+ acid, med body, med+ intensity, med+ finish
    Ripe Ripe Fruit coming through, pears, golden baked apples, Mineral, touch Oxidative?, YeastyConc: the ripeness of the fruit was coming through which I think threw us all off, Felt like it needed more acidity, tho maybe it just needs more bottle time? (89 points)
  • N.V. Pierre Péters Champagne Grand Cru Cuvée de Reserve- France, Champagne, Le Mesnil Sur Oger, Champagne (1/15/2011)Champagne & Italian Red (Meghans’ Apartment): A: Med+ Intensity, Developing
    Full on Autolytic Going on, Cream Cheese, Brioche yum!T: Dry, high acid, med- body, med + intensity, med+ finish
    Has tropical fruit, Pineapple but a highly acidic pineappleconc: great acid, and yet tropical notes pretty cool. for comparison Jose Dhondt BdB I think is a notch better then this (90 points)
  • N.V. Jose Dhondt Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut- France, Champagne, Oger, Champagne (1/8/2011)Disgored? M 10 18Med- Lemon
    A: Med+ Intensity, developing
    Brioche Yeasty, Cinnamon Buns, Rich Green Apple, Spice
    T: Dry, high acid, med- body, med intensity, long finish
    Apple, Lemon Ctirus, Sweet Brioche, Mineral, slight OxidationConc: Pretty Darn Good, Amazing Pairing with Sushi gets even more Mineral especially with Saba (92 points)

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Osoyoos Larose Vertical [ 2001 - 2007 ]

Posted on July 18, 2011 by Weston| 1 Comment
From June30th

Well might as well say it right off the bat, but the tasting was disappointing to say the least.  I had actually had high hopes going into this tasting, 6months before I opened a 2004 Magnum and it was really nice.  So I went in going this is going to be an awesome tasting.

Tasted with some local wine people, one has just written his review and the other will be shortly.  Visit http://www.justgrapeswine.com/ for the one and http://www.winecouver.ca/ should be up shortly.

Well the tannins in the first three vintages were all dried out. Really acidic wines throughout all the vintages.  The only saving grace was the 2007 which from the new oak it was vanilla and had a nice sweetness, but from the other vintages would probably not age at all. Even with food it didn’t help much so to make us feel better after that disastrous tasting we drank the other reds that we had openned for our BBQ and these were delicious.

From June30th

2005 Chateau du Tertre, Margaux [Excellent, Beautiful]

2008 Azienda Agricola Cos Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico

Below are my tasting notes, after 2004 I was disappointed was very hard to concentrate and take proper notes which is not a good thing.  There was also a question about proper storage, Yes not all the bottles were straight from the cellar, but I dont think that would of changed much, but I will not be spending $45 a bottle for another tasting.

OSOYOOS LAROSE VERTICAL [ 2001 - 2007 ] – Vancouver, BC (6/30/2011)

All wines were either double decanted or left in decanter. The first couple notes I Took was straight from the bottle, and not too much changed for those maybe slowly opened up but nothing to change my opinion about them

  • 2001 Osoyoos Larose Le Grand Vin- Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley VQAPopNPour
    Med+ to deep ruby, slight garnet at rim
    med intensity, a freshness, vegetal notes, some hint of dark fruit a little floral
    T: Dry, med+ tannins [drying], med+/high acid, med body, med finish
    Red fruit, cranberry, hint of cherryconc: A short finish, drying tannins, the intial attack is good but mid palate drops a bit and not complex. DRINK NOW! (80 pts.)
  • 2002 Osoyoos Larose Le Grand Vin- Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley VQAPopNPour
    Med+ Ruby
    A: Med- Intensity, Clean, subtle smoke, some funk
    T: Med+ acid, med tannin [drying], med body,. med finish,
    Lots of Acidity, “Fresh” savoury, red fruit cranberryConc: Mid palate drops out the tannins are drying again, DRINK NOW (80 pts.)
  • 2003 Osoyoos Larose Le Grand Vin- Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley VQAMed Int, starting to develop
    Berries
    T: Med+ Acid, med tanning [drying], med int, med/+ finish
    Floral, red cranberry, tomato stalk juice, touch of spice, vegetal ripeConc: Better then the 01 and 02, a little bit more complex on the palate, it opened up some with a decant, BUT DRINK NOW, tannins are drying (84 pts.)
  • 2004 Osoyoos Larose Le Grand Vin- Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley VQAA: Med Int, Developing, Woody, Vegetal, Meaty, Dill, Earth
    T: Med+ Acid, med+ tanin [drying], med+ body,
    Fleshy Plum, SavouryConc: Not overly complex, a little more fruit on this then the 01-03 but tannins still drying (85 pts.)
  • 2005 Osoyoos Larose Le Grand Vin- Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley VQAAfter the first four vintages [ 01 - 04] being disappointing it was kinda of hard to focus properly and take real notes, was not interestedClosed Nose, Slowly Opens up but disappointing (82 pts.)
  • 2006 Osoyoos Larose Le Grand Vin- Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley VQAFROM A MAGNUM
    After the first four vintages [ 01 - 04] being disappointing it was kinda of hard to focus properly and take real notes, was not interestedAcidic [High Acid], decanted half the magnum shows better decanted but acid is screaming high, just not interesting not complex or anything (79 pts.)
  • 2007 Osoyoos Larose Le Grand Vin- Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley VQAAfter the first four vintages [ 01 - 04] being disappointing it was kinda of hard to focus properly and take real notes, was not interestedFruit/ Juicy, VanillaConc: this one was the best out of them all it was fleshy, juicy and the vanilla from the oak helped out (86 pts.)

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