What We’re Drinking Now!

So we are now safely in to the 12 days of Christmas and the count down is on to the Big Day!

If you still have shopping to do, a day in the mall will certainly have you reaching for one of these bottles – or maybe all of them.

Because this is a time to celebrate, reflect and rejoice we’ve indulged in some premium bottles that are perfect for the occasion, but also offered up some value-driven bottles knowing that if your budgets are anything like ours, they’re a wee bit stretched.

Trius Brut, VQA Niagara Peninsula NV
$24.95 LCBO 284539
This is one of our favourite sparklers to bring to tastings, as it always gets a warm reception – with many mistaking this inexpensive bubbly for Champagne. A blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, it’s fresh and easy drinking with brioche, lemon and orchard fruit flavours. The bubbles are lively and fine with a creamy palate. A nicely focused fizz that offers exceptional value. Try with a host of hors d’oeuvres from poached shrimp and herbed aioli to proscuitto-wrapped dates. 89 points.

Oyster Bay Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand 2011
$17 Vintages 590414
An easy drinking crowd pleaser that’s full of ripe red berries, flint, spice & creme brulee topping w/ a tart cranberry-cherry finish. This is a great pick for the holidays as it will pair beautifully with everything from turkey and cranberry sauce to roast beef to salmon, but at $17 it’s also a nice match for your bank account. 87 point.s

Marchesi de Tenuta Frescobaldi Tenuta di Castiglioni, Tuscany, Italy 2011
$21.95 Vintages 145920
70% Cabernet Sauvignon with equal parts Merlot, Cab Franc and Sangiovese this approachable Super Tuscan offers a savoury nose of bell pepper, dried leaves, and dark fruit. The palate is medium bodied but quite grippy with bright acid and flavours of fresh black cherry and currant and an earthy herbal note. Try with prime rib or braised beef. 88 points.

Castellare di Castellina Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy 2011
$19.80 LCBO 276260
Coming from the very hot 2011 vintage, this has a rich a deep nose of blueberry pie filling, chocolate pudding and smoke. The palate still retains some elegance thanks to fine tannins and lively acidity; flavours of chocolate covered cherries, rosemary/sage herbs and  some baking spice. Love this with mozzarella-stuffed arancini or veal meatballs. 88 points.

Marchesi di Frescobaldi Castello di Nipozzano “Mormoreto,” Tuscany, Italy 2010
$62.95 Vintages 951210
A thoroughly enjoyable Bordeaux blend that primarily Cab Sauv and Merlot with a bit of CabFranc and Petit Verdot. Very savoury and masculine with intriguing aromas of soy sauce and beef bouillon, leather and dark fruit. The palate is fleshy and ripe with black cherry, mocha and five spice flavours, fine but firm tannin and a nice backbone of acidity. Classy and sophisticated. 91 points.

Thirty Bench “Small Lot” Chardonnay, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara 2011
$30 The Wine Shop or thirtybench.com
Barrel fermented and aged on its lees for a year, this wine shows substantial weight and oak influence, though well integrated. Aromas of ripe tropical fruit, peach, sweet citrus and vanilla pod, the palate is creamy and full, with flavours of fresh apple and lemon balanced by shortbread and crème brûlée. An elegantly indulgent wine that would pair well with turkey and all the trimmings, French onion soup or mushroom risotto. 88 points.

Nyarai Sauvignon Blanc, VQA Niagara Peninsula 2012
$20.95 nyaraicellars.com
The flagship wine of virtual winery Nyarai, the Sauv Blanc garners quite a bit of attention and maybe even a bit of a cult-like following. The wine is fresh and bright with lots of tropical and citrus fruit, and while there’s a hint of an herbal element it’s kept well in check in favour of peach, passionfruit, lime and mineral. Crisp acidity and medium bodied, try this with goat or brie cheese, oysters and mignonette sauce, or turkey chile with lots of spice and cilantro. 89 points.

Malivoire Cabernet Franc, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula 2011
$24.95 Vintages 310383
A pretty and poised Cabernet Franc that pours pretty ruby in colour and has aromas of red raspberry, incense, dried leaf and white pepper spice. The palate is medium bodied and juicy with flavours of red berries, spice and herbs. Tannins are fine, perhaps a bit gritty, with cran-cherry finish. Try with seared duck breast, eggplant and bell pepper lasagna, or lamb chops. 88 points.

Mission Hill Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, VQA Okanagan Valley, BC 2011
$23.95 Vintages 553521
Round and ripe with aromas and flavours of cassis, red and black cherry, mocha and black licorice. Nicely structured with fine tannin, balanced acidity, and good length this is a reliable Cab that offers decent value every vintage. Pair with hamburgers, veal chops or mushroom stew. 88 points.

Antinori Guado al Tasso, Tuscany, Italy 2009
$99.95 Vintages 986380
2009 was a superb vintage resulting in wines of both power and finesse. This Cabernet Sauvignon-dominate Bordeaux blend from Antinori, certainly has the muscle to age well for at least another decade, but is also approachable now with some decanting. Aromas of dark berries, leather, hints of spice and rich earth with a smooth, yet dense, palate and flavours of cassis, black licorice, mocha and some uplifting herbal notes like fresh bay leaf or rosemary. Charming and enjoyable, a very nice investment for later or celebrating today with rack of of lamb or roast venison. 91 points.

Quintessa, Napa Valley, California 2009
$129.95 Vintages 238279
A lovely Bordeaux blend from California that offers Old World charm with aromas of cassis, espresso, vanilla, fresh earth and a bit of fresh tobacco. The palate is juicy and fresh with ripe black cherry and currant, vanilla pod and subtle spice. Drinking well now but will continue to develop until 2020 or so. Enjoy with rib eye steak, charcuterie or strong, aged cheeses. 90 points.

Flowers Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast, California 2011
$59.95 Vintages 215210
We first noticed Flowers a few years ago, when they were part of the International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration. Since then we’ve kept our eyes peeled for when this California Chard makes its way through Vintages. A bit reserved at first, we would recommend decanting this for 30 minutes or so, as once it opens up a gorgeous nose of mineral, sea salt, crisp orchard fruit, lemon and firm peach. Structured and poised on the palate with a waxy mouthfeel and flavours of citrus, apricot, stoney mineral and faint herbal notes with restrained oak. Don’t over chill and enjoy with seared scallops or white fish, or even a simple roast chicken. 90 points.

Bouchard Père & Fils Beaune Grèves Vigne de L’Enfant Jésus 1er Cru, Burgundy, France 2010
$119 Vintages 43257
Elegant, complex and exciting, this iconic red Burgundy shows beguiling aromas of red raspberry, violet incense, mineral and dried herbs. Both powerful and delicate on the palate with notes of red raspberry, cherry, mineral, clove and dusty herbs. Firm but fine tannins and a bright core of acidity offer exceptional drinking pleasure now and for easily another decade. There are only a handful left in the LCBO, so contact Woodman Wines and Spirits if you can’t find bottles at your local store and would like to buy. 92 points.

Château Haut-Bages Libéral, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France 2005
$109 Vintages Direct Sales 351999
Some good value to be found in this fifth growth Bordeaux, which hails from a property next door to Chateau Latour (which sells for somewhere in the ballpark of $1,400). A predominately Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend, this offers luxurious aromas of cassis, cherry, black licorice, pencil led and a slight menthol lift. Drinking very well now with plush tannins and velvety mouthfeel, and flavours of black berry, rich earth, and subtle fresh herbal notes. Quite rich and deep. Try with meat fondue, sweetbreads or smoked tofu. 92 points.