Chardonnay Musque all-the-way!

Spring is in air! Some days at least... and my palate craves lighter fare. Here is a wine that manages to be both refreshing and full in the mouth.

FIELDING ESTATE CHARDONNAY MUSQUÉ - JACK RABBIT FLATS - 2010  - $ 16.95
Exotic nose of flowers, citrus, star fruit and subtly-spiced green apple. In tasting, it follows through on the nose. It is the dry side of off-dry and has a nice long lemon curd finish.

http://www.fieldingwines.com/store/prod/36

Bold & Complex Rhone

I admit I am a Red Rhone fan. North or South. Whether it be Syrah alone or the famous blends of the South, I just feel happy with the range. Although full-bodied, this wine is beautifully nuanced.

MONTIRIUS GARRIGUES - VACQUEYRAS ,  FRANCE - 2009 - $ 23.95
Sagey-wild-herb on the nose with red plums and a smoked meat, smokiness. The palate is dry, black-cherry- raspberry and a slight savouriness. Velvety and full in the mouth with well-integrated acid and tannins.
30% Syrah, 70% Grenanche

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=108779

Great, detailed notes about the wines:

http://www.montirius.com/

Sensational Spanish Deals

Tasty, great value Garnacha (Grenache) reds for everyday. Refreshing on their own or great with a meal.

CASTILLO DE MONSERAN - GARNACHA - CARINENA, SPAIN (12.5%) - $ 8.95
Cassis & black cherry on the nose, bright, juicy,  red & black fruit on palate with medium tannin

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=73395



LAS ROCAS - GARNACHA 2009 - SAN ALEJANDRO, SPAIN  (15%) - $ 14.95

Black cherry, raspberry, licorice and spice - very fresh fruit on the palate

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=95190

http://www.san-alejandro.com/en/

A Kacaba Syrah never seems to disappoint!

Kacaba has won many prestigious awards for certain vintages of their Syrah and I have been lucky enough to try a few of them. Last weekend I was lucky again. This time with the 2008 vintage. It may not have the provenance of the 2007 vintage, but has still won Gold, and for the price there is no doubt it is definitely a real winner!

Beautifully deep extracted colour, blackberry, slight vanilla with a hint of pepper and a fresh acid. Gracefully balanced.

KACABA - SYRAH - 2008 - Vineland, Ontario $22.95

http://kacaba.com/index2.html