So Much Wine So Little Time... (QPR L-R)

This has been my recent mantra, looking through seemingly infinite pages of wine notes, at the same time trying to squeeze some time in between work & school to blog. I love to share the real finds or the special experiences I've had, that is why I feel remiss to be still writing about my fall trip now. But wine only gets better with age right?

First stop Olivier Pithon, an organic & biodynamic winery in Calce, Rousillon. All the wines I tasted were worthy of a write up but these two were standouts.

Olivier Pithon - Cuvee Lais - 2009, Languedoc, France - 15.50 €
Assemblage of Grenache, Carignan, Syrah & Mouvedre from 3 different terriors - Earthy, gamey, cocoa powder & tobacco on the nose. Brambleberry, complex palate with long finish.

 

Olivier Pithon - Le Pilou - 2008, Languedoc, France - 30.00 €
Old vine carignan. Cassis, cherry on the nose. Low yield gives a palate an intense impression of dried, concentrated fruit. Elegant wine with lengthy finish.

http://www.domaineolivierpithon.com/domaine-olivier_pithon-tarifs.htm

Next up was Paziols, Languedoc & Domaine Jones. It was bustling when we stopped in because Katie was ensconsed in the wine making process. The activity and smell of fermentation only heightened the experience.

Domaine Jones - Jones Blanc - 2010, Grenache Gris, Maury/Languedoc, France - 12.00 €
Nose of slate and citrus blossom. Lime, grapefruit and vanilla on palate. Round & well-integrated.

Domaine Jones - Jones Fitou - 2010, Carignan/Grenache/Syrah, Fitou/Languedoc, France - 16.00 €
Complex nose of coffee, chocolate and black cherry with blackberry & beautifully integrated palate.
http://www.domainejones.com/theWines.html

Winter Warmers

What do this weeks wines have in common aside from both being red? Well not much except for great quality for the price and that I consumed them both within the last week and I couldn't wait to share...

CHÂTEAU DE NAGES RÉSERVE 2009 - Rhone, France - $ 11.45

This wine is an incredible pleasure, especially for the price. Sorry that I am at the last of this because the stock is critically low. Well-Priced at $14.95, even better at $11.45! 70% Grenache / 30% Syrah. It is quite complex with ripe red and black fruit, spicy and slightly herbal, nicely balanced.

http://www.michelgassier.com/en/our-wines/chateau-de-nages-reserve/rouge-2008.html

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=427617

13TH STREET - SANDSTONE - OLD VINES GAMAY NOIR - 2009, Niagara, ON - $27.95
Complex nose of dark fruit - plum and cherry, pepper and a smokiness.  Juicy fruit, young tannins (this is great now but will keep and improve with age). Mouth-filling, weighty, long finish, beautifully made wine.

http://www.13thstreetwinery.com/index.php?/wine/detail/2009_gamay_noir_sandstone_old_vines 

A visit with the 'Wizard' and some sublime wines...

They call him 'the wizard of Félines', Michel Escande is certainly a charming and intriguing character, but as engaging as a visit with him is, his wines are the real prize. It was hard to decide which of these Minervois wines held most appeal, and even though we had some lovely rosés I narrowed it down to five selections:

Esprit D'Automne - 2010 - Syrah/Carignan/Grenache blend -  $16.42
Fresh, red fruit, cherries & a hint of licorice on the nose. Palate follows through but add some savoury spice.
http://www.boriedemaurel.fr/english/espritdautomnegb.html
http://www.saq.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=73441&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=&top_category=
http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1235976

La Féline - 2009 - Syrah/Carignan/Grenache blend -  10.00 E
Red fruit, black pepper & herbs on the nose. Red cherries on the palate, black olive savouriness. Lean, with mouthwatering acid and long intense finish.
http://www.boriedemaurel.fr/english/felinegb.html
http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1258836

Cuvée Maxime - 2008 - Mourvedre -  16.00 E
Possibly my favourite at the moment because it was so intense. This is a voluptous wine full of spicy black fruit, pepper & leather. Very long finish. Michel recommends up to 10 years in cellar.
http://www.boriedemaurel.fr/english/maximegb.html
http://www.vinopedia.com/wine/Domaine+Borie+de+Maurel+Minervois+Cuvee+Maxime+2008

Belle de Nuit - 2009 - Grenache -  16.00 E
Red fruit and spice galore! A wonderfully elegant wine that has minimum 10 more years of life. http://www.boriedemaurel.fr/english/belledenuitgb.html
http://www.vinopedia.com/index.jsp

Cuvée Sylla - 2008 - Syrah -  24.00 E
Intense smoky, garrigue on the nose. Elegant black fruit and herbal dustiness. Beautiful wine!
Michel recommends up to 15 years in cellar.
http://www.boriedemaurel.fr/english/syllagb.html
http://www.vinopedia.com/index.jsp?country=All&keepdata=true
 

Bubbles on the brain...

Perhaps it is the fast approaching New Years Eve, or tonight's #winechat on Twitter, or the long bubbly-soak I took post-gym, but I cannot seem to stray from the subject of sparkling wine, so I gave in and popped the cork on a Cremant de Bourgogne and I'll tell you about a few other values to help you celebrate this festive season.

Paul Delane - Cremant De Bourgogne - Burgundy, France - $17.60
Honeydew melon, lime blossom, brioche and apple nose. Pleasing, fresh lemon-lime citrus palate.
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=214981

Tawse Winery - Spark Rose - Laundry Vineyard - 2009 - Niagara, Ontario - $39.95
Very delicate, persistent bubbles. Nose of green apple and citrus. Long, elegant finish.
tp://www.tawsewinery.ca/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.display&page_id=89


Previously reviewed sparklers to help make your selection easier:

Charles Baur Cremant D'Alsace , Alsace, France - $ 18.95 Green apple and slight biscuit nose translates on palate. Creamy mouthfeel with lovely lemon finish.
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=185678
http://www.vinscharlesbaur.fr/gb/boutique/cremant-alsace/cremant-alsace-brut-medaille-or-au-concours-effervescents-du-monde-en-2010-750ml.html

Delmas Cuvee - Tradition Brut - Blanquette de Limoux, France - $ 18.95
Nose of green apple and brioche with a creamy palate of apple with a lime finish. Elegant.
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=179978
http://www.blanquette-delmas-bio.com/la-gamme-delmas


Roederer Estate - Brut - Sparkling, Anderson Valley, CA $28.95
Mineral, biscuit, apple and lemon aromas. Refreshingly crisp citrus finish. Incredible value.
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=294181
http://www.roedererestate.com/TechSheet.php?Wine=113

Henry of Pelham - Cuvee Catharine Rose Brut - Niagara, Ontario - $29.95
This is a Fav and a staple for me - crisp wine with biscuity, floral and gentle cherry notes on the nose.
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=4051
http://www.henryofpelham.com/wines.php?sub_id=23


The Grange of Prince Edward - Sparkling Brut 2007 - PEC, Ontario - $29.75Fresh notes of lemon and grapefruit with tinge of biscuit. tangy, long finish.

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=183228
http://grangeofprinceedward.com/grange-wines/


Fielding Estate- Sparkling Riesling, Niagara, Ontario - $28.15
A nice twist to use Riesling grapes, fresh apples and lemon freshness - beautifully balanced and a great value.
http://www.fieldingwines.com/page/whites

13th Street Winery- Premier Cuvee Brut- Niagara, Ontario - $29.95
Nose of mineral, lemon zest and orchard fruit with lengthy finish.
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=142679

Featherstone - Joy - Blanc de Blancs - Niagara, ON - $34.95

The name is right, what a Joy! Citrus and green apple notes. Delicate mousse and lovely minerality on the palate. Long finish. Very limited production.

http://www.featherstonewinery.ca/wines.html

Time to start thinking Turkey Wines...

...or in my case Tofurky...regardless, the holidays are fast approaching and I have three beautiful wine suggestions to go with your Christmas meal.

Featherstone Winery - Canadian Oak - Chardonnay - 2009, Niagara, ON - $21.95

I love this wine - it is special because it is fermented with wild yeast & in local oak barrels. It has a rich mouth feel, slight spice & caramel with long citrus fruit finish. Well balanced & complex.

http://www.featherstonewinery.ca/wines.html

St. Urbans-Hof - Riesling Kabinett - 2009 - Mosel, Germany- $21.95

Such a beautiful wine. Enticing aromatic nose.Complex and rich with but very bright fruit. Long, clean finish!

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=216622

http://www.urbans-hof.de/en/aktuelles/aktuelles_2.html

Akarua - Bannockburn - Pinot Noir - 2009- Central Otago, NZ - $36.95

Delicate red cherry, earth & a touch of spice on the nose. Red fruit palate with wonderful acidity. Very elegant wine.

http://www.akarua.com/wines/

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=79541