Wine Tasting December 10
This is the last Vintages release of 2016 and he management went all out to list more than 150 wines and spirits which were made available to taste in two days. In this release there are 12 sparkling wines, but only a few stand out. Some of the reds are outstanding.
Unfortunately, the room temperature was well beyond standard, and wines tasted below their potential. This seems to be a problem in North America where room temperature often surpasses ideal (for wine tasting) by at least 4 – 5 F ( 2 – 3 C) versus those in Europe. Red wine should be enjoyed at 16 – 17 C, and Beaujolais 14 – 15 C, to taste, as they should Alexis Lichine (the author of several wine books and Bordeaux chateau owner) put it best when he said:” Americans have refrigerators in their mouths. They drink white wine ice cold”. He should have added, ad red wine “luke warm”.
My recommendations are:
Spirits:
Lochranza Reserve Single Malt Scotch Whisky, The Arran Distillery, Scotland
This unchilfilterd lighter than standard malt whisky that was matured in second fill Bourbon and sherry casks offers floral and toasty notes. It is smooth and deeply flavored.
A fine whisky at a reasonable price
90/100
700 ml., $ 55.95
Also recommended
Sherry Cask Finish Singe Malt Scotch Whisky, The Arran Distillery, Scotland
92/100
700 ml., $ 79.95
Po di Poli Morbida Moscato Grappa, Poli, Friuli, Italy
89/100
$ 66.95
Flor de Cana Tradicion 25 Year-Old-Rum (gift packaged)
Nicaragua
90/100
$ 299.95
Fortified wines
Colheita Tawny Port, 2002, Dow, Douro Valley, Portugal
Baked fig and nutmeg flavors are noticeable in mid-palate. On the finish, citrus flavors dominate this light, but extraordinary tawny. This remarkable tawny can be enjoyed after an extended meal, or between lunch and dinner as a pick-me-up
91/100
$ 39.95
Also recommended
2013 Vintage Port, Fonseca, Douro Valley, Portugal
89/100
No price
Dessert wines
Tokaji Aszu Three Puttonyos, 2012, Puklus Pinceszet, Tokaji Hegyalya, Hungary
Yellow amber in colour. Aromas of dried figs, pear, and apricot waft out of the glass. Well balanced, elegant and refined.
92+/100
500 ml., $ 20.95
Gewürztraminer Icewine, 2014, Sperling, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
89/100
375 ml., $ 49.95
Erben Auslese, 2014, Langguth, Germany
88+/100
No price
Sparkling wines
Rose de Cuvaison, Moutard Pere et Fils, Champagne, France
88/100
$ 49.95
Joy Cuvee Special 2012, Featherstone, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
88/100
$ 34.95
Cremant de Bourgogne Blanc de Blancs, Cave de Lugny, Burgundy, France
89/100
No price
Brut Seleccion Cava, Villa Conchi, San Sadurni di Noya, Spain
86/100
$ 14.85
White wines
Pinot Gris, 2014, Poplar Grove, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Brilliant greenish yellow colour. Pear, apricot and citrus flavours are balanced with underlying acidity that make this wine refreshing and appealing. Enjoy with breaded lemon sole with sauce tartar, poached smelts in fish stock, sautéed provimi veal in cream sauce, roast apricot or apple stuffed loin of pork.
88/100
$ 23.95
Far Niente Chardonnay, 2013, Nickel and Nickel, Napa Valley, California
Tropical fruit aromas dominate this relatively high alcohol chardonnay. The creamy mid-palate gives way to toasted oak flavors. Ready to enjoy, but will refine with 2 – 3 years of cellaring.
89/100
$ 99.95
Chardonnay, 2014, Cloudy Bay, Marlborough, New Zealand
87/100
$ 36.95
Chablis Premier Cru Montmains, 2014, Domaine Jean Collet et Fils, Chablis, Burgundy, France
87+/100
$ 34.95
Macon- Bussieres Les Clos, 2014, J. Drouhin, Burgundy, France
87+/100
$ 20.95
Grand Ardeche Chardonnay, 2014, L. Latour, France
88/100
$ 19.95
Chateau de Sancerre, Sancerre, 2014, Marnier-Lapostolle, Loire Valley, France
89/100
$ 24.95
Red wines
Chateau Bertin, 2014, Lussac- St Emilion, Bordeaux, France
This merlot-based dark red wine smells of plums. In the mouth it offers layered flavours of black cherries, and cassis. Well balanced with a long aftertaste.
90+/100
$ 19.95
Chateauneuf-Du-Pape, 2010, E Guigal, Rhone Valley, France
Brilliant dark red. Expect aromas of black cherries, underlined with faint meat nuances. Full-bodied with noticeable tannins in the finish.
Cellar for 5 – 6 years, or enjoy with fatty roasted meat dishes or hard properly aged chesses.
91/100
$ 63.95
Senorio de P/Pecina reserva, 2009, Rioja, Spain
Brilliant ruby colour. Berry jam, and vanilla aromas lead to a seamless and ripe fruit flavors.
Juicy acidity enlivens the taste buds. Balanced with smooth harmonious tannins.
Enjoy with roasted leg of lamb, or grilled lamb chops, or beef stews.
91/100
$ 29.95
Also recommended
Meritage 2013 Burrowing Owl, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
89/100
$ 58.95
Angel Paolucci Vineyard Malbec, 2015, La Posta, Mendoza, Argentina
89/100
$ 15.95
Coyam, 2012, Emiliana, Chile
90+/100
$ 29.95
Domaien de Valmoissine Pinto Noir, 2013, L. latoru, France
88/100
$ 19.95
Palas Barolo, 2012, M. Chiarlo, Piedmont, Italy
89/100
$ 37.95
La Vite, 2014, Lucente, Tuscany, Italy
89/100
$ 34.95
Palazzo della Torre Valpolicella, 2013, Allegrini, Veneto, Italy
89/100
$ 24.95
Ribera del Duero, 2010, Ardal, Spain
90+/100
$ 19.95
Rose wine
Chateau de la Tour de L’Eveque, 2016, Regine Sumeira, Provence, France
88/100
$ 19.95
The post Wine Tasting December 10 Vintages Release Recommendations appeared first on Winesworld Magazine.