Our Top 20 Picks from the February 6 Vintages Release

The focus of this week’s release is on Southern France, an area we have long touted as a value-driven region of robust and spicy reds made from Grenache, Carignan, Syrah and Mouvedre. White wines play a lesser role, but rich Chardonnays and Viogniers can certainly be found, as can Picpoul – a racy, bright and mineral driven white wine that is probably most obscure but a perfect partner for fresh fish and seafood.

Of course, with Valentine’s Day just around the corner bubbly is what will be on everyone’s lips (both celebrating couples and commiserating singles) and we’ve highlighted four sparklers that we think will light up the night.

Not to be forgotten, Ontario has some wines you’ll fall in love with in this release, too. We’ve picked out three rich and juicy reds that are perfect for romantic dinners – no matter if your dream date is cuddling on the couch with pizza with Netflix, or putting on the ritz with a black tie, five course dinners.

CANADA

Creekside Merlot VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula 2013
$24.95 Vintages 444752
Silky and fresh with toasty notes of juicy blackberry, mixed spice and a bit charcoal smoke, this highly enjoyable red is casual enough for Tuesday burgers but can also be dressed up for Sunday prime rib. 88 points.

Fielding “Red Conception” VQA Niagara Peninsula 2012
$18.95 Vintages 189183
Made up of 68% Cabernet Franc, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon and the remaining balance going to Syrah and Petit Verdot, each lot was aged separately in French, American and Hungarian oak before coming together for the final blend. Red cherry, wild herbs, toasted spice and a hint of asphalt all come together in this fruit-driven wine that shows soft tannins and easy approachability. 88 points.

Reif “The Magician” Shiraz/Pinot Noir, VQA Niagara Peninsula 2012
$24.95 Vintages 246413
Shiraz and Pinot Noir is already a curious blend, but adding to the interest is that the grapes were kiln dried to create a full bodied and rich appassimento styled wine. Jammy black cherry, cassis, cracked peppercorn and dark espresso flavours show through, with a supple mouthfeel and plus tannins. 87 points.

FRANCE

Lallier Grand Cru Rosé Champagne NV
$68.95 Vintages 385179
Notes of bruised apple and wildflower mix on the nose and palate of this pale pink sparkler which has razor’s edge acidity and an excellent tangy, pink grapefruit finish. 89 points.

Taittinger Brut Champagne 2008
$97.95 Vintages 98905
Deeply aromatic with yellow apple and pear, mixed citrus and shortbread/yeasty notes. Bright and vibrant on the palate with a mix of lemon and orchard fruit flavours supported by a fine mineral streak. 90 points.

Pierre Sparr Brut Rosé Crémant d’Alsace NV
$18.95 Vintages 39016
This fun bubbly is 100% Pinot noir made in the champagne method. Floral and raspberry cream aromas on the nose, while the fruity palate shows strawberry candies with a slightly bitter orange peel finish. 87 points.

Gérard Bertrand “Côte des Roses” Rosé, Languedoc 2014
$18.95 Vintages 373985
They say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but this bottle is so gosh-darned pretty with it’s glass stopper and rose bloom etched into the bottle’s base that it could be hemlock inside and we’d still buy it. Luckily, nothing but excellent Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah rose here, showing a fragrant nose of light florals and tree fruit. Dry and crisp on the palate with flavours of red apple, strawberry, apricot and a chalky mineral finish, sipping this alongside freshly prepared mussels or spicy prawns would be trés bon. 89 points.

Château des Jacques Morgon, Beaujolais 2013
$24.95 Vintages 653584
Pepper, cedar, black berry and violet aromas which follow through to the earthy palate. Dry, grippy tannins make for a seriously powerful wine, even with juicy, ripe dark berry fruit. 88 points.

Château Bel Air, Cru Borgeois, Haut Medoc, Bordeaux 2011
$23.95 Vintages 416172
Complex and rich with a great depth of aromas and flavours of violet, fresh earth, black berry and other wild black fruits, plus a slightly smokey, woodsy note. A firm backbone of muscular tannins demand pairing with rare roast meats, or laying down for another year or two. 89 points.

Segla, Margaux, Bordeaux 2006
$55.95 Vintages 359810
This is the second wine of famed Chateau Rauzan-Segla. There is a definitive Old World, savoury restraint with aromas of iodine, saddle soap, old leather and a smokey, almost peaty smell. The palate is smooth, with firm tannin and deep, earthy flavours of forest, wild berry bushes and smokey leather. 89 points.

Foncalieu la Lumiere, Corbieres 2012
$37.95 Vintages 438044
Syrah makes up half the blend here, with the remaining made up by Mourvedre and Grenache, which makes for an intriguing wine that’s both savoury and fruity. Sweet red and black berries on the nose along with mixed spice and subtle smoked meat aromas. Smooth and plush on the palate with deep flavours of macerated dark fruit and a bitter dark chocolate finish. Tannins start fine but increase in intensity while acid is bright and balanced. Very good. 90 points.

Gayda Syrah, Pay d’Oc 2013
$14.95 Vintages 392977
Full bodied and juicy with a silky texture and terrific mix of ripe black fruits and earthy spice along with cured meat and barnyard. An unbeatable price. 90 points.

Hecht & Bannier Minervois 2013
$19.95 Vintages 17764
Minervois is a growing region in the Languedoc known for producing red blends made from the Carignan, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre grapes. Plush and smooth on the palate with good density of juicy black fruit and earthy spice. An intriguing crowd pleaser.  88 points.

Secret de Schistes, Côtes Catalans 2011
$41.94 Vintages 440669
Powerful and ripe with lots of rich depth and intensity, look for cassis, menthol, sundried black olive and toast. Nice structure with fine/firm tannin and lively acidity to give lift and freshness to an otherwise dense wine. Perfect for a big slab of beef. 90 points.

ITALY

Monte Tondo 2014 Soave Classico, Veneto 2014
$16.95 Vintages 311597
While fresh and bright are apt descriptors for this pale yellow wine, there’s a pleasantly surprising creamy feel to the palate which is flavourful and generous with yellow fruits and subtle floral notes. Easy drinking and value-driven this has pool party (is it time yet?) written all over it. 87 points.

Rocca delle Macìe “Riserva di Fizzano” Single Vineyard Gran Selezione Chianto Classico, Tuscany 2011
$32.95 Vintages 699454
An intriguing and expressive wine with aromas of smoke, toast and war baking spice, the palate is silky smooth with ripe flavours of macerated red cherry, fresh coffee beans and wild herbs. Very good. 90 points.

NEW ZEALAND

Tiki Pinot Gris, Marlborough 2014
$17.95 Vintages 295279
New Zealand is doing some terrific things with Pinot Gris. This is aromatic and rich with ripe tropical and stone fruit along with a touch of minerality on the nose with a full and generous palate that shows sweet peach, pear and apple notes, with a refreshing brace of vibrant acid. 88 points.

SOUTH AFRICA

Avondale “Jonty’s Ducks” Pekin White, Parrl 2014
$14.95 Vintages 439554
A blend of Viognier, Semillon, Rousanne and Muscat this white blend is fresh with juicy citrus and white floral notes. There’s a touch of heat on the finish, but this would be lovely paired to spicy prawns or even seafood curry. 88 points.

USA

Domaine Carneros Brut Cuvée Sparkling Napa, California 2011
$38.95 Vintages 301655
Fragrant and ripe on the nose with lychee, peach and mandarins orange, while the palate is full and fleshy with sweet citrus and baked pie dough. Quite nice with lots of interest. 90 points.

Cenyth “Red Blend” Sonoma County, California 2010
$68.95 Vintages 444679
An elegantly Old World style wine coming from the relatively cooler Sonoma county. A Bordeaux blend dominated by Merlot, there’s an appealing savoury edge to this wine with aromas of underbrush, cured meats, coffee bean and black cherry. Smooth with fine tannin and rich flavours of black currant, cedar wood, toast and forest floor, this is shows real finesse and while it’s drinking beautifully now, it’s tempting to quarrel away a couple of bottles for future enjoyment, too. 92 points.