The annual Hobbs & Co. tasting was held at Berkeley Church in Toronto. 14 winery principals from a variety of wineries from as close as Ontario to as far away as Australia poured their wines of which there were more than 90 to taste. I believe I tasted most, but I'm sure some slipped through the cracks. Here are my top selections:
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| Plume 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon ($35.00) - California big vanilla, chocolate and cherry (****) |
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| Boomtown 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon ($26.00) - Washington nice easy drinking Cab with good fruit and a touch of spice (****) |
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| Gauchezco 2008 Oro ($53.00) - Argentina made from 80+ year old Malbec vines sexy, smooth with chocolate-spiciness (****+) |
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| Hartenberg 2007 Shiraz ($28.95) - South Africa lovely spice with smooth palate of dark fruit and hints of vanilla with a long spiced finish (****) |
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| Campbells Rutherglen Muscat NV ($26.00) - Australia a cross between Christmas spice and creme brulee (**** 1/2) |
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| Alpha Zeta 2012 Chardonnay ($16.00) - Italy pineapple and apple skin along with some lime zest and vanilla backing (*** 1/2+) |
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| Alpha Zeta 2010 Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso ($24.00) - Italy cocoa, cherry and blackberry (****) |
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| Empordalia Verdera Negre 2011 ($13.50) - Spain nice fruit with cherry and blackberry tones nice length to the finish and great value (****) |
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| Domaine de Grand Garant 2011 Fleurie Le Vivier ($23.00) - Beaujolais pretty floral along with some sour cherry; nice little Gamay here (*** 1/2+) |
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| Domaine Lafond 2011 Tavel Rose ($24.50) - Tavel a seven grape blend that has nice fruit on the palate but ends with a dry, strawberry finish (*** 1/2+) |
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| Leitz 2012 Dragonstone ($23.00) - Germany floral with sweet mineral and lovely balance (*** 1/2+) |
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| Leitz 2012 Kaisersteinfels ($46.00) - Germany 40-80 year old vines with great minerality and delicious apple as the main fruit (****) |
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| Coto de Hayas 2011 Garnacha Centenaria ($17.00) - Spain sexy wine with chocolate and blackberry on the nose cassis, cherry and cocoa on the palate drinks exceptionally well now but will also age quite well (****+) |
Wines Not Pictured ...
Quails' Gate 2010 Chardonnay ($20.00) - British Columbia - creamy smooth with good fruit, peach and caramel along with buttery and oak notes. (****)
Chateau Gaudrelle Touraine Brut Rose NV ($26.00) - Loire Valley - tasty little buble with red berries and good acidity. (*** 1/2+)
