Recently tasted…
On Oscar night, I opened a bottle of Mirassou Monterey County Cabernet Sauvignon unfiltered 1978. I was apprehensive that a wine from California of this age would be dried out and over the hill. But it was stunning! Rick blackcurrant flavours and still lots of life. 42 years on and still showing great esprit.
Greywacke Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2018 (New Zealand)
Bright, almost water white in colour with a lime tint; lightly minerally nose of cut grass and gooseberries; medium-bodied, crisply dry, elegant, grapefruit and gooseberry; perfectly balanced, with a long lingering finish. Delicious wine. (93)
Flat Rock Cellars Chardonnay 2018 (Twenty Mile Bench, $19.95 ($17.95 until March 1), Vintages Essential, LCBO #286278)
Straw coloured, lightly oaky, spicy, apple nose; medium-bodied, dry, crisp green apple and lemon flavours. (89)
See Ya Later Ranch Major’s Block Red Blend 2016 Okanagan Valley, $22.95, LCBO #11815)
A Merlot dominated blend. Deep purple in colour; spicy, cedary nose of blackberries and plum with a light herbal and floral notes; medium to full-bodied, slightly sweet, blackberry flavour, creamy mouth-feel carried on lively acidity, with enough to give structure. (89)
Henry of Pelham Chardonnay 2018 (Ontario, $21.95)
Bright straw in colour; lightly spicy, toasty, apple nose with a forest floor note; medium-bodied, dry, elegant and well-balanced; apple and lemon flavours with well-integrated oak. (90)
Sand Point Family Vineyards Chardonnay 2017 (Lodi, California, $16.95, LCBO #11194)
Deep straw colour; spicy, pineapple and toasty oak on the nose; full-bodied, just off-dry, melon and pear flavours; mouth-filling, rich and full on the palate. Voluptuous and fleshy but well-balanced. (89)
Château Grande Réserve Camplong 2018 (Corbiéres, $13.95, Vintages #12990)
A Syrah blend. Dense ruby-purple in colour; cedary, spicy, lightly herbal, blackberry nose; full-bodied, dry, savoury, rich black fruit flavours with a note of dark chocolate with lively acidity; great mouth-feel with ripe, cocoa powder tannins on the finish. A well-balanced wine. (92)
Gérard Bertrand Fitou Grenache/Carignan 2017 (Midi, $17.95, Vintages #403683)
Deep ruby-purple in colour; cedary, spicy, plum bouquet with well-integrated oak; medium to full-bodied, dry, black plum flavour with fresh acidity and firm but supple tannins. (89)
Vinedos Marchigue Quilina Gran Reserva Carmenère 2018 (Chile, $14.95, Vintages #13430, release date March 7th)
Deep purple in colour; cedary, blackberry and plum bouquet; full-bodied, dry, richly extracted blackcurrant and black plum flavours with a note of milk chocolate, finishing on ripe tannins. (90)
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