January 22 - Vintages

ROSEWOOD ESTATES MERLOT 2008
Renaceau Vineyard, VQA Beamsville
Bench, Niagara Peninsula
TASTING NOTE: This is the first single-vineyard
Merlot from the estate winery and it’s a beauty. So
much going on here including spicy red fruits, wild
blueberries and vanilla on the nose. The palate
reveals rich fruits on a tightly structured frame that
suggests a little cellaring will help integrate the
various parts. But you can drink now with some
decanting or save for best results. Impressive price
point. Score: HHHHK (Rick VanSickle,
www.winesinniagara.com, Aug. 27, 2010)
211896 (XD) 750 mL $20.00 2
STREWN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007
VQA Niagara Peninsula
TASTING NOTE: Aromas of mineral, earthiness and
black plum roll off this cellar dweller while the fruitforward
flavours – black currant, black Bing cherry,
pomegranate, with welcomed accents of chocolate
and mint. It’s medium to full bodied, nicely textured
and wrapped firmly in a ripe, but firm tannin grip.
It finishes well balanced, dry and full of promise.
Drink 2013 to 2018 alongside a slab of strip loin
grilled rare to medium rare. Score: HHHHK (Vic
Harradine, www.winecurrent.com, Nov. 5, 2009)
529693 (XD) 750 mL $19.95 2
BRITISH COLUMBIA
MISSION HILL S.L.C. MERLOT 2005
VQA Okanagan Valley
TASTING NOTE: Mission Hill is one of the most
respected wineries in the Okanagan Valley wine
region. This multi-award-winning Select Lot Collection
Merlot has a toasty blueberry nose. Aromas
and flavours of rich blackberry, cherry, plum and
vanilla dominate this big, bold wine. The flavours
echo on the palate with persistence, culminating
in a dry, crisp finish. Match this BC delight with
pork tenderloin or grilled salmon. (VINTAGES panel,
May 2010)
068353 (XD) 750 mL $34.95 2
DISCOVER OUR LATEST • SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 2011
USA – WHITE WINE
CALIFORNIA
CLOS DU BOIS
SAUVIGNON BLANC 2009
North Coast
A fine match for warm chicken salad or roast pork.
TASTING NOTE: The Clos du Bois 2009 North
Coast Sauvignon Blanc reminds us of its New
Zealand cousins: It hits the tongue with a big gulp
of grapefruit and a definite pong of gooseberry.
That opens into lush melon, countered by bright
lime and the green flavors of fresh herbs. A bit of
oak aging gives it a touch of toast and vanilla, and
grapefruit lingers right into the finish, which has
a clean mineral edge … (Colette & John Bancroft,
St. Petersburg Times, Sep. 22, 2010)
146258 (D) 750 mL $17.95 1
IRONSTONE
OBSESSION SYMPHONY 2009
California
Symphony is not a brand name Ironstone gave
this wine; it is actually the name of the grape.
Developed at the University of California at Davis,
Symphony is an aromatic variety that is a cross
between Grenache Gris and Muscat of Alexandria.
It creates wines that are aromatically complex
and very pleasurable, such as this fine example.
A must for spicy Asian dishes.
073700 (MD) 375 mL $9.95 1
MÉNAGE À TROIS CHARDONNAY 2008
California
(Folie à Deux)
TASTING NOTE: Great price for a Chardonnay of
this quality. The grapes come from cool coastal
areas, and the wine brims with crisp, long hangtime
ripeness, accented with toasty oak. Feels rich and
creamy, with pineapple, tropical fruit and vanilla
flavors. Score: 88 (Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast,
Aug. 1, 2010)
158592 (M) 750 mL $18.95 2
SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 2011 VINTAGES 35