February 5 - Vintages

DISCOVER OUR LATEST • SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2011
SOUTH AFRICA – RED WINE
FAIRVIEW PINOTAGE 2009
WO Coastal Region
A cross of Pinot Noir and Cinsault, Pinotage was
created in the Welgevallen experimental farm in
Stellenbosch in 1925. This Fairview offering has
rich notes of chocolate, blackberries and licorice
on the nose. Dry with a beautifully balanced and
complex palate featuring deliciously ripe fruit,
this wine offers great versatility. Try with a
stir-fried beef dish, or with grilled pork.
205203 (D) 750 mL $14.95 1
GRAHAM BECK THE GAME RESERVE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2009
WO Robertson
The Graham Beck Game Reserve Cabernet is the
new name of the perennial VINTAGES customer
favourite, The Gamekeeper’s Reserve. The name
may have changed, but the wine is as delicious as
ever. Look for notes of blueberries and blackberries,
cedar, spices and leather. The palate is dry with
black-fruit flavours, toasty oak and wonderfully
integrated tannins.
002519 (XD) 750 mL $18.95 2
FRANCE – WHITE WINE
ALSACE
JOSEPH CATTIN PINOT GRIS 2008
AC Alsace
In 2009, this wine won Gold Medals at both the
Concours Général Agricole in Paris and the
Concours des Grands Vins de France in Mâcon.
TASTING NOTE: The Cattin family has been
devoted to winemaking in the Alsace region since
the 1850s. This Pinot Gris is an award winner,
and deservedly so, with its beautifully balanced
elements of peach, apple, poached pear, baking
spice and pumpkin. Tangy, crisp and flavourful,
with great intensity and length. Pairs beautifully
with a sweet red Thai curry, or chicken à l’orange.
(VINTAGES panel, May 2010)
196956 (MD) 750 mL $18.95 1
38 VINTAGES SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2011
LA CAVE DE SIGOLSHEIM RÉSERVE
PARTICULIÈRE MUSCAT 2008
AC Alsace
This wine won a Gold Medal at the Concours
Général Agricole in Paris in 2009.
TASTING NOTE: Some theorists believe that all
grapes are descendants of Muscat – it being
the oldest variety on record. A brilliant yellow,
this Muscat exhibits a lovely floral nose. Further
elements of pear, apple and grapey notes
intermingle on the palate with excellent balance
and length. A real beauty! Lovely as a sipper,
it will also match well with a variety of cheeses,
especially blue or gorgonzola. (VINTAGES panel,
May 2010)
202408 (D) 750 mL $15.95 2
BURGUNDY
MAISON KERLANN CHABLIS 2008
AC
TASTING NOTE: Chardonnay’s huge spike in
popularity in the latter part of the 20th century gave
Chablis a big resurgence as well. This Chablis
has a characteristic citrus nose, with aromas and
flavours of lemon, nuts, ripe melon and pear,
with just a hint of vanilla. An elegant, mediumfull-bodied
white, with a very long finish. This
is a great-value Chablis! A beautiful pairing with
seafood dishes, such as trout amandine with
asparagus. (VINTAGES panel, July 2010)
158964 (XD) 750 mL $21.95 1
LOIRE
JEAN-MAX ROGER CUVÉE C.M.
SANCERRE BLANC 2008
AC
TASTING NOTE: This shows a lot more fruit in
the aromatics than many Sancerres, but it’s still
nowhere near the flavour fruitiness of many
from New Zealand. Look for excellent structure
and very good complexity, together with a spine
of acidity that acts as a focus for the other
components. It’s a terrific choice for white fish
and seafood. Score: HHHHJ (Rod Phillips,
www.rodphillipsonwine.com, Oct. 27, 2010)
196667 (XD) 750 mL $24.95 1