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New at VINTAGES: Hewitson Miss Harry 2009

By James McNally / January 21, 2012

The Other Miss Harry

I have to admit that I was hoping the Hewitson Miss Harry 2009 was named after the singer of Blondie, the lovely Debbie Harry. Upon further research, I learned it’s named for Harriet Hewitson, who I am sure is just as lovely. The wine certainly is. A Rhône-style blend (or “GSM” as they’re called in Australia) of Grenache (50%), Syrah (40%) and Mourvèdre (5%), with the addition in this case of two other Rhône varietals, Carignan (2.5%) and Cinsault (2.5%), the Miss Harry is sourced from vines dating back to the 1800s on the Hewitson‘s Barossa Valley property.

Aromas are of ripe strawberries and intense red forest berries and rhubarb with layers of creamy complexity offered by the extended barrel maturation on lees. The palate is wonderfully full, showing ripe strawberries and red plums, with a concentrated core of fruit essence with a racy acidity that gives the wine incredible vivacity and an exceptionally long finish. But don’t take our word for it:

Hewitson Miss Harry 2009

This red blend of Rhône Valley varietals delivers a heady nose of fresh savoury and herbs interwoven with red cherry/berry. It’s light-medium bodied, crisp and refreshing on the palate with red and black currant, spiced dark plum and nuances of black pepper. The tangy, racy aftertaste showers red currant and red cherry along with hints of dark berry fruit. Give it a go with smoked, grilled duck breasts over a bed of arugula drizzled with sweet mango chutney. (****)

Vic Harradine, Winecurrent.com, January 2012

A southern Rhône blend of Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, and Carignan picked from old, dry-grown vines; the hue is bright, although relatively light, the flavours bright and juicy on a medium-bodied palate; the lack of tannins makes it a drink soon proposition. Drink by 2015. (92 points)

James Halliday, WineCompanion.com.au, January 2011

Come Saturday, you can find it in your local LCBO Vintages section for $23.95/bottle. Use the handy LCBOSearch service to locate bottles near you.

And now, just for fun, are TWO videos about Miss Harry. First Harriet:

And now Debbie:

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New at VINTAGES: Rivera Cappellaccio Aglianico Castel del Monte Riserva DOC 2005

By James McNally / January 6, 2012

Aglianico is one of the oldest grapes known to humanity. It’s also now one of the most unknown, which is a genuine shame. It was introduced to southern Italy by the Greeks more than 3,000 years ago, and has been called the “Nebbiolo of southern Italy” for its elegance, ageing potential and the complexity of the wines made from it. The Rivera Cappellaccio Aglianico Castel del Monte Riserva DOC 2005 ($18.95) takes its name from the thin and hard calcareous crust that is found at around 50cm under the limestone soils of the Castel del Monte DOC area and that has to be broken in order to allow vines to be planted.

Made with 100% Aglianico, this is a wine that fully expresses the outstanding characteristics of this unique and ancient varietal.

Rivera Cappellaccio Aglianico Castel del Monte Riserva DOC 2005

The 2005 Aglianico Riserva Cappellaccio is a beautiful, racy wine endowed with layers of wild cherries, sweet herbs, menthol, tobacco and cured meats. This bold, juicy Aglianico offers gorgeous overall balance, but the firm tannins suggest the wine is best paired with equally bold, rich dishes. Clean, minerally notes frame the exquisite finish. Today the fruit remains quite primary, and a few additional years of bottle age will only do the Cappellaccio good. This is a very serious wine for the money. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2022. (91 points)

Antonio Galloni, erobertparker.com, June 2010

Come Saturday January 6th, you can find it in your local LCBO Vintages section for $18.95/bottle. Use the handy LCBOSearch service to locate bottles near you.

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New at VINTAGES: Quinta do Noval Tawny Port

By James McNally / December 22, 2011

Quinta do Noval Tawny PortAged for three years in oak, Quinta do Noval Tawny Port ($16.95) is lighter in colour and softer in flavour than Ruby Port. The nose is more complex, though, with notes of raspberry. It’s a perfect drink for the holiday season, and ideal for the Port neophyte. Drink it slightly chilled as an aperitif or at room temperature with a dessert.

Did I mention that fortified wines like Port are one of the best bargains at the LCBO? The price/value ratio is simply astronomical. And best of all, the bottle will keep for several weeks after opening, so you can return for a taste again and again. But trust me, it likely won’t last several weeks.

89 points: Silky-tasting, with very fresh and vibrant flavors of dark plum, chocolate and spice. The lush finish is supple and refined. Drink now.

Kim Marcus, WineSpectator.com, 2011

Marvellous! Darker and more fruitcake than typical tawny but I love it just the same. This is a criminally low price. Food matches: almond-based desserts, dark chocolate, apple-cinnamon flan.

Natalie Maclean, NatDecants.com, November 27, 2010

Released on December 10th, you can find it in your local LCBO Vintages section for just $16.95/bottle. Use the handy LCBOSearch service to locate bottles near you.

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New at VINTAGES: Santa Margherita Chianti Classico 2007

By James McNally / December 7, 2011

Santa Margherita produces perhaps the most popular Pinot Grigio in North America, and it’s very likely that you’re familiar with its charms already. What you might not know is that they also produce a very fine Chianti, which is being featured in the December 10th VINTAGES release.

From the heart of Tuscany’s Chianti Classico region, the Santa Margherita Chianti Classico 2007 ($19.95) presents a contemporary style of Chianti, well-balanced and rich with fruit. An exemplary representation of the traditional, distinctive Sangiovese grape: elegant with tannic austerity and complex aromas. With a deep, ruby-red hue, this wine has rich nuances of wild berries, spices, and well-integrated oak. It’s a great match for grilled beef, game birds or fettuccine with a hearty meat sauce.

Santa Margherita Chianti Classico 2007

The quiet nose begrudgingly gives up aromas of floral and spice while the expressive smooth and mellow flavours spill out willingly — pie cherry, blackcurrant and spice-laden blueberry. It’s mid weight, deftly balanced with a dry, mouth-watering, mid-length finish that layers on wisps of oak and racy cranberry. Pour alongside Swiss steak or spicy, meat and tomato pizza. (****)

Vic Harradine, Winecurrent.com, Oct. 2, 2010

Come Saturday, you can find it in your local LCBO Vintages section for $19.95/bottle. Use the handy LCBOSearch service to locate bottles near you.

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Essential VINTAGES: Anselmi San Vincenzo 2010

By James McNally / December 1, 2011

Jamie Goode, of Wine Anorak tells the story of Anselmi best:

“Roberto Anselmi is widely regarded as one of Italy’s leading white wine producers. He left university in 1975 and started working in his father’s winery. His grandfather had been forced to sell the family’s vineyards in the 1940s and 50s, so his father’s winery relied on bought-in grapes.

Roberto’s ambition was to buy back the family’s vineyards, and he started acquiring hillside vineyards, planted at high density. Currently he has 70 hectares of vines, planted at 6000 vines per hectare and trained to Guyot or permanent cordon, as opposed to the much higher yielding double pergola system common in the region. His clones of Garganega (the white variety of Soave) are the less productive, higher quality ones.

Frustrated by the low quality and general lack of ambition in the Soave region, in 2000 he chose to leave the Soave DOC, and his wines are now labelled as IGT Veneto. “Probably the best property in Soave is my property,” he says, “but I don’t like beauracratic logic in my life. No one is focused on the real quality. I use 7000 plants/hectare as opposed to 1200. I have 3 bunches per plant as opposed to 15. These are two different philosophies of life.” He takes a quality minded approach, starting in the vineyard, and extending to the cellar where he uses cold maceration and low temperature fermentation.

His wines are very impressive in quite a modern, forward style. The San Vicenzo is a favourite of mine: lovely fruit quality unobscured by oak, and at around £10, very good value.”

Here’s a local take on the Anselmi San Vincenzo 2010 ($14.95), which is part of the VINTAGES Essentials collection, wines that should be widely available at any LCBO store with a VINTAGES section:
Anselmi San Vincenzo 2010

Here’s a bright golden blend of Garganega, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc that offers light floral and tree fruit aromas. Medium bodied with a refreshing acidity, it has appealing sweet fruit flavours — pears and peaches come to mind. It’s well integrated and balanced with a crisp and lingering finish. This is a versatile wine that pairs well with a range of light meat or pasta dishes. (Susan Desjardins, SavvyCompany.ca, November 2011)

You can find it in your local LCBO Vintages section for $14.95/bottle. Use the handy LCBOSearch service to locate bottles near you.

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