Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Justin's Wine Picks March 10, 2014


Wines Released for sale in Ontario on Saturday, March 15, 2014.

David Sedaris is one of my favourite authors. He writes essays for the New Yorker and has published several wickedly funny books. Here is his take on a new cell phone handily equipped with a taser!

This will mean I have one less thing to carry around. And isn't that technology's job? To lighten our burden? To broaden our horizons? To make it possible to talk to your attorney and listen to a Styx album and check the obituaries in the town where your parents continue to live, and video a race riot and send a text message and stun someone into submission all at the same time.
Doing it all while driving is illegal where I live, so I'm moving to a place where freedom still means something. I'm not telling where it is, because I want it to remain unspoiled. I'll just say it's one of the few states left where the mentally ill can legally own firearms. They used to be limited to muskets, but now they can carry or conceal everything a normal person can. If you don't think a mental patient has the right to bring a sawed-off shotgun to the church where his ex-girlfriend is getting married, you're part of the problem. The truth is that crazy people- who are really just regular people but more misunderstood- have as much right to protect themselves as we do.
Live with liberty, and your imagination can soar. If I had been born in the state I'm moving to, there's no telling who I might be now- an oral surgeon, maybe, or perhaps the ruler of the whole U.S. Countryside. Other kings would pay me tribute with livestock and precious gems, but deep inside I don't think I'd be any different from who I am today: just a guy with a phone, waiting for the day when he can buy an even better one. “ From Let's Explore Diabetes With Owls

There is a whole lot of EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE California wines on offer but I will concentrate on a few good deals from elsewhere. If you have more money than brains buy Dominus 2010 for only $170.95 or Pahlmeyer Proprietary Red 2010 @$159.00. Otherwise see below.

Best White: Domaine De Vaugondy Brut Vouvray $15.95. Bubbly made with Chenin Blanc.

Also in the bubbly mode is Rotari Rose Trento Italy $17.95. #43 in Wine Enthusiast's Top 100 Best Buys of 2013. “ Light touches of peach, cranberry and pink grapefruit.”

Whites

One of my perennial favourites is Cave Spring Chardonnay Musque. The 2012 @ $15.95 will show it's intense floral nose and mineral, green apple character. Think very good Chablis!
Just for fun try Charles & Charles Chardonnay 2012 $15.95. “Long, fruity, interesting finish.”
Joffre Pasion 4 Torrontes 2013 Argentina $14.95 Highly floral and fruity.
Wither Hills Wairau Valley Sauvignon Blanc N.Z. $17.95. Vegetal and Citric.
Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc 2011 S.A. $14.95. Continuing the floral nose theme!
Domaine Du Colombier Chablis 2012 $21.95. Compare with the Cave Spring Musque.
Vincent Girardin Les Vieilles Vignes Puligny-Montachet 2011 $68.95. WONDERFUL WINE!
Saint-Roch Vieilles Vignes Grenache Blanc/Marsanne 2012 Midi $15.95. “ Delightful bouquet of caramelized, honeyed grapefruit.”

Best Red: Chapel Hill Shiraz 2011 McLaren Vale Australia $25.95. “Perfect for diehard hedonists. This wine was designed for steak. Full-bodied and supple. “
Reds:

Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Sonoma. $21.95. The favourite wine of an old bridge partner of mine who passed away way too early.
Yalumba Shiraz 2012 Australia $19.95. Built like a fine Rhone Syrah!
Farina Amarone $36.95. “Lovely balance of fruit, spices and smoke. Perfect for roast beef.”
Senorio De Los Baldios Ribera del Douro 2009 $19.95. Parker Score 93.
Ferrari Iris & Figli 2011 Bolgheri $20.95. Drink over the next 5 years.
Diamandes Perlita Malbec/Syrah 2011 Argentina $17.95. Lush, supple and big!
Chateau Liversan 2010 Haut-Medoc $22.95 A rich Bordeaux BARGAIN!
Patrick Lesec Cotes Du Rhone Villages 2011 $19.95. Parker Score 89-92.
Giordano Primitivo Di Manduria 2011 $17.95. This would be ideal with venison.
Borges Reserva 2009 Portugal. $21.95. “Dense & very concentrated. “
Crameles Recas La Putere Feteasca Neagra 2012 Romania. $14.95. There are good things coming from the Old Communist wineries that are going for quality rather than quantity now.

Great Reads: Disunion, Edited by Ted Widmer. NY Times pieces on the American Civil War. Lots of new angles and opinions. Did you know that Sherman was a manic-depressive who almost missed the whole show?
Europe Transformed 1878-1919 by Norman Stone. Also lots of original and new takes on the history.

Thanks,
Justin