Our Top 20 Picks from the April 16 Vintages Release

We saw a clever tweet recently that read, “Whoever said April is the cruellest month, must have lived in Southern Ontario.” And man, is that true. The weather stations said it was the first time it snowed in April since 2005 …  but now Spring is finally in the air!

If the Weatherman is t be trusted, it looks like the week ahead will bring double digit temperatures and sunshine … and we will take it!

Our top wine picks this week reflect our sunnier outlook – crisp whites for pairing with lighter fare and robust reds to go with all the grilling you are no doubt itching to do. So get out there and celebrate the sunshine with a glass or two – and let us know which one’s your favourite.

CANADA

Chateau des Charmes “Old Vines” Riesling, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON 2013
$16.95 277228
Lime, petrol and mineral notes all combine on this classically styled Riesling that shows lip-smacking acid to balance that tiny touch of sweetness. Try with triple cream cheeses, baked ham or white fish. 90 points.

Vineland Estates “Elevation” St Urban Vineyard Riesling, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, ON
$19.95 38117
Peach, pear and mixed orchard fruit on the nose while the fresh acid gives freshness to this fruit forward, lightly off-dry wine. At only 8% alcohol this is great for seafood lunches or afternoon cheeseboards. 89 points.

Flat Rock Cellars Chardonnay, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, ON 2013
$18.95 286278
A terrifically valued Chardonnay that balances the focused cool climate mineral with judicious oak. Flint and toast combine with tropical and citrus fruits on both the nose and palate. Very nice. 88 points.

FRANCE

Charles Collin Brut Champagne NV
$39.95 442343
Soft and elegant with notes of tree fruit and toasted brioche. Fine mousse and bright acidity offer freshness. A very pretty wine to drink with chilled shrimp, raw oysters or stuffed mushrooms. 90 points.

Cuvée Joseph Talmard Mâcon Chardonnay, Burgundy 2014
$16.95 392712
Macon offers such great value-for-quality. A flinty, mineral nose gives way to a mid-weight, slick palate with flavours of yellow apple and pear with subtle mineral undercurrent. Fresh and bright, that could go with anything from grilled lobster to turkey burgers, at this price we’ll be stocking up for our summer cellars. 89 points.

Bouchard Pere & Fils Montagny, Burgundy 2013
$29.95 653683
The delicately creamy palate shows off toasted flavours of Apple, pear and citrus with a moderately tangy, bitter lemon zest finish. Try with mushroom stuffed pork loin, creamy pasta or chicken pot pie. 90 points.

Louis Robin Chablis 1er Cru Vosgros, Burgundy 2013
$31.95 445304
Vosgros is a leading Premier Cru vineyard at the south end of Chablis known for producing classically bright wines, but with a little more ripeness. Here we have a gorgeous example that is creamy, yet fresh with falvours of ripe apples, apple sauce and mineral with a tangy lemon finish. Excellent texture. 90 points.

Château Clarke, Listrac-Médoc, Bordeaux 2009
$42.95 503904
This property dates back to the 12th century, but had fallen into neglect by the 1970’s when it was purchased and replanted by the current owner, Baron Edmond de Rothschild. A blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, this shows a certain earthy funk on the nose with meat, forest floor and blackberry cough candy all coming through. The palate is full and dense with firm tannin and rich black currant, blueberry and black licorice flavours. Quite powerful. 90 points.

Château Bonnin Pichon, Lussac Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux 2012
$19.95 280008
An elegant nose of brandied cherry and slight clove-baking spice. Medium bodied and toasty with red cherry, asphalt, mineral and cured meat. Polished. Pair with rack of lamb or cassoulet. 89 points.

Château Sanctus, Saint-Emilion Gand Cru, Bordeaux 2012
$69.95 444067
A Merlot-dominated red blend with 20% Cabernet Franc, Dusty earth, ripe black fruit and dried thyme show through on the nose, and is echoed on the plush, full bodied palate. Velvety smooth with a satisfying richness, it’s quite indulgent. 89 points.

ITALY

Carpineto Chianti Classico, Tuscany 2013
$19.95 356048
Some aromas of dried red cherry and oregano spice show through, although the nose is slightly closed. Flavours lean more to the savoury with black olive, oil of oregano and black tea with a tart, red cherry finish. Quite powerful with firm, grippy tannins that cry out for rare, red meats. 89 points.

La Lecciaia Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany 2010
$57.95 121905
Fruit forward aromas of red cherry and raspberry concentrate with dried herbs on the nose, while the mid-weight palate shows dry, sticky tannins and flavours of baking spice and juicy red fruits like wild raspberry, cherry and currant with a subtle rosemary-herbal note on the finish. Osso buco is an excellent choice here. 90 points.

Il Grigio da San Felice Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, Tuscany 2011
$46.95 403477
Caraway and earthy spice come through on the nose of this rustic Chianti Classico. Toasted spice, tart red cherry and cured meat flavours with grippy tannin and balanced acid on the palate. 88 points.

Guado al Tasso “Il Bruciato,” Tuscany 2013
$25.95 674135
Guado al Tasso is the Bolgheri estate of Antinori, and has had a place in our hearts since visiting the charming winery in 2009. The younger brother of the eponymous flagship wine, this red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah is made in more contemporary style, with ripe blackberry and cherry alongside wild herbs, celery salt and potting soil. Pair with grilled venison, lamb chops or beef stroganoff. 89 points.

NEW ZEALAND

Mission Estate Reserve Merlot, Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay 2013
$19.95 447524
Gimblett Gravels is a premium wine growing region known for making superior Bordeaux styled reds of both elegance and power. About 10% Malbec was blended in to this Merlot which has ripe cherry, crushed black pepper and menthol all swirling on the nose and palate, alongside sweet oak notes. Medium-full bodied with fine-firm tannin, the vibrant acid gives a bit of life to this otherwise powerful wine. Pasta with meat ragu, roast beef and grilled Portobello mushrooms are all great choices to pair. 90 points.

SOUTH AFRICA

Graham Beck Brut Zero, South Africa 2009
$22.95 435453
With a nose of tinned apple juice and fresh mushrooms, and flavours of green apple and citrus, with a touch of earth, there’s obviously bright acid (“Zero” means there is no sugar added in the dosage), but without the sometimes sharp tartness that zero dosage can produce. In fact there’s even a touch of creaminess to the texture thanks to several years being spent on the lees. We’re thinking oysters. 90 points.

SPAIN

Faustino Crianza, Rioja 2012
$16.95 214296
An easy going and juicy option for backyard cookouts, look for aromas of red berries in the form of sugared cranberries and earthy raspberry. Medium body with silky mouthfeel and fine tannins, the juicy flavours of red cherry and fresh raspberry are supported by dark earth and bitter chocolate. Try this with grilled chorizo and spicy prawns, or beef kabobs. 88 points.

Cune Reserva, Rioja 2011
$24.95 417659
Coming from the excellent 2011 vintage, this red is mostly Tempranillo with 15% made up by other grapes and was aged in barrel and bottle for more than 3 years before release. A more savoury example with earthy aromas of wild herbs and spice alongside some old leather with an under current of dark cherry. Medium bodied, focused and fresh on the palate with firm tannin, those same bramble-earthy notes surrounding a core of ripe, black fruit come through on the palate. Try this with simply grilled steak or chicken basquaise.