From the outset, experts unanimously hailed the 1998 Southern Rhône harvest, as vintage of the century. La Revue du Vin de France: the 1998 Southern Rhône vintage produced «wines of anthology» (Score 19/20). The wines were labeled as bursting with ripe fruit, depth and excellent aging potential. Originally these intensely fruity wines pleased fans of rich, velvety, full bodied Grenache dominated reds. At age 20, has some of the fruit faded? Are the wines holding up to the hype?
@ Les Conseillers du Vin, a group of 16 experienced tasters analyzed eight (8) 1998 Southern Rhône reds, dominated by the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. In the usual blind tasting format, the goal of this tasting is to verify the evolution, richness and balance of this excellent Southern Rhône vintage. Should we drink up or leave these fine reds in our cellar for a few more years?
Results: To establish the order of preference of the tasting panel, 3 points were awarded for a first place vote, 2 pts for a 2nd place vote and 1pt for a 3rd place vote.
On a recent trip to Tuscany during the 2017 harvest, I noticed a trend towards a more tradionnal approach. Many tastings and conversations lead me to believe that a return to the past has brought increased quality and typicity to many Tuscan reds.
Visiting the two most iconic districts of Tuscany, Chianti classico and (Brunello di) Montalcino appellations are setting the pace and raising the bar with upscale reds bursting with character and aging potential.
1970 – 80’s : Super Tuscans
We should thank the Antinori family for their foresight and courage to challenge the rules of production of Chianti Classico. By refusing to incorporate white varieties and replacing them with international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, the taste profile and aging potential of the embassador of Tuscany was modified. This trend, which began in the early seventies, created a category know as the «Super Tuscans».
Here is a selection of four (4) sparkling wines and two (2) Champagne, all should be easy to find at the SAQ. Also a few slightly more expensive reds that should make lovely gifts for the Holidays. And two excellent whiskies for the spirit enthusiast.
Wishing all of you great Holidays and an amazing 2018 !
SPARKLERS :
Cuvée Prestige 2014 Franciacorta, Ca’ del Bosco, Italie 43$ 11008024
To help you find some tasty quality wines I’ve prepared a short list for your Holiday celebrations. A tad more expensine than usual, these wines still offer a great quality/pleasure/price ratio. Included are a really unexpenive Spanish sparkler, an all purpuse white, three perfect reds for turkey and a more structured red for meats and game. This selection should satisfy demanding palates sekeing wines bursting with character.
These quality selections should marry well with flavourful Holiday dishes. Hope they also contribute to many enjoyable momets with friends and family.
A sparkler for starters and hors-d’oeuvres :
Elyssia Cava, Freixenet, Espagne 18,60 $ 11912494
Great vintage for whites, the excellent 2014 Burgundies display good character, freshness, finesse and aging potential. Two weeks ago @Les Conseillers du Vin we tasted the Burgundy reds 2014. The quality level was excellent but irregular. On the other hand, the whites were excellent to outstanding and consistent. Available in our market, many of these whites offer bright acidity confirming their excellent potential for aging.
As usual a group of 16 experienced tasters analyzed seven (7) 2014 white Burgundies plus a mystery wine in the usual blind tasting format.
Results: To establish the order of preference of the tasting panel, 3 points were awarded to a first place vote, 2 pts for a 2nd place vote and 1pt for a 3rd place vote.
To better understand this vintage it must be mentioned that 2014 was saved by a perfect end to the growing season. Ideal climatic conditions in September and October assured full ripeness with a lower alcohol content and fresh acidity.
According to many experts the 2014 red Burgundy vintage is the best since 2010, offering incredible freshness and remarkable balance. During a recent trip to Burgundy (June), the 2014 reds tasted in the region displayed vibrant acidity, refined tannins and an elegant mouthfeel. To confirm and better understand this fine vintage of Burgundy, we decided at Les Conseillers du Vin, to re-evaluate this vintage hoping to confirm the high level of quality and aging potential of this charming (2014) Burgundy vintage.
As usual a group of 16 experienced tasters analyzed seven (7) 2014 red Burgundies plus a mystery wine in the usual blind tasting format.
Results: To establish the order of preference of the tasting panel, 3 points were awarded to a first place vote, 2 pts for a 2nd place vote and 1pt for a 3rd place vote.
To better understand this vintage it must be mentioned that 2014 was saved by a perfect end to the growing season. Ideal climatic conditions in September and October assured full ripeness with a lower alcohol content and fresh acidity.
In the last twenty years the popularity of Pinot Noir has soared. This finicky grape is at the height of its popularity and intrigues many wine aficionados. Many regions attempt to master this varietal, only a few succeed. France remains its most reputed terroir, but luckily producers from cooler areas in the wine world are crafting wines that show good concentration, elegance and potential. Obviously terroir/vineyard location is key. Most of the Pinots evaluated in this tasting come from some of the best sites on the planet.
At Les Conseillers du Vin, we decided to taste a selection of high quality pinot producers that would help us better understand and appreciate the many expressions of this finicky grape. A group of 15 experienced tasters analysed 8 Pinots from around the world in the usual blind tasting format.
Results: To establish the order of preference of the tasting panel, 3 points were awarded to a first place vote, 2 pts for a 2nd place vote and 1pt for a 3rd place vote.
It was very close, but four (4) wines stood out: first place went to the Gevrey Chambertin Vieilles Vignes 2014 from Frédéric Magnien (23 pts); the 2015 Felton Road Block 3 from Central Otago came in second with 21 pts, followed by Shea Vineyard 2012 Pinot from Willamette Valley Oregon (19pts) and the 2011 Prince Edward County Pinot from Norman Hardie (Ontario) came in fourth with 15 pts.
Here are the results of the 1995 horizontal tasting of eight (8) reds from around the world. During this blind tasting participants were asked to identify as many wines as they could. The person successfully identifying all eight wines would have received a gift certificate for a future tasting at les Conseillers du vin. Since no participant successfully identified all eight wines, a bottle of Champagne was awarded to the person who recognized the most wines. Our winner, Alex Jipa, identified six of the eight wines. Alex is well known in the Montreal wine scene for his great knowledge and passion. Congrats Alex !
Results: celebrating their 22nd birthday, most of the wines were surprisingly still youthful. To establish the order of preference of the tasting panel, 3 points were awarded to a first place vote, 2 pts for a 2nd place vote and 1pt for a 3rd place vote.
According to many experts the 2010 Brunello di Montalcino wines are outstanding!
The 2010 harvest in Montalcino benefitted from an ideal growing season. Mother Nature cooperated to produce outstanding Brunello di Montalcino wines. Brunelli that are full, suave, well balanced; complete wines that are remarkably charming. These full flavoured, elegant terroir wines should age quite well. Great Tuscan reds that impress with complexity and surprising freshness. This outstanding vintage could be the best since 2004.
At Les Conseillers du Vin, we decided to taste a selection of wines from reputed producers to verify the aging potential, richness and balance of this excellent Brunello di Montalcino vintage. How long should we leave these fine Brunelli in our cellar? And how much should we pay for these high quality Sangiovese based reds? A group of 16 experienced tasters analysed 7 Brunelli plus a mystery wine in the usual blind tasting format.
This particularly hot Piemonte vintage produced surprisingly charming ripe wines. Lots of heat and sun pushed maturity of the nebbiolo grape to a level seldom attained in Piemonte. This atypical Piemonte harvest, with below average yields, produced «grandi vini» with surprising richness. This high quality 1997 vintage is celebrating its 20th anniversary, the wines display surprising ripe flavours, soft acidity, unusually ripe tannins and great complexity.
Twenty years later, at Les Conseillers du Vin, we decided to revisit this 20 year old Piemonte vintage by tasting a selection of wines from reputed producers to verify its evolution and complexity.
As usual a group of 16 experienced tasters analysed 8 Piemonte reds. At this point we must keep in mind a few important factors: 1-1997 is a hot atypical vintage. 2-three (3) appellations are represented: the «King» Barolo, its sister Barbaresco and the kid from across the Tanaro river : Roero. 3-all wines are made the reputed Nebbiolo grape. Wines from these areas are usually more aggressive and austere, offering higher acidity. They tend to be fresher, leaner and often more elegant. The 97s are riper and softer. But can they age as well?