The best part about the Toronto Gourmet Food & Wine Expo, for me anyway, is the ability to sample wines I have yet to try or find out what certain countries, agents or producers are raving to the public about. Amongst all the goings on I found seven worth crowing about.
Spain …
I found three real winners here, which then turned into two once I had my information corrected. The
Osborne Santa Maria Cream Sherry ($11.30) is a stellar performer for sweet sherry drinkers: a cherry, almond, tangerine and marmalade nose leads to a creamy smooth hazelnut, spice and cherry marmalade palate with a hint of spice on the finish (*****). There’s also a Torres 2006 Coronas Tempranillo ($13.25) which shows incredible ageability (5+ years) all for under 15-bucks. Spices, herbs and black fruit galore, which leads to a long spicy, bitey finish (****). Finally, there was this Marques d Valcarlos 2000 which was awe inspiring, especially at the quotes price of $13.95; lots of red fruit on both the nose and palate followed by a lovely hit of tannins on the finish. Pretty impressive for a 9-year-old wine that was ready to drink yet could age another 3-4 years comfortably, all for under $15 (****). That price seemed a little fishy to me (especially after it was revealed to be a Vintages product). Upon my arrival home I looked the wine up on the LCBO website; the price was actually $17.95; the good news is that there is plenty of it available throughout the system. At $13.95 it was a special-trip-scour-the-city-buy-what-you-can-grab wine, but at $17.95 I can now wait till the next time I’m in the LCBO’s hallowed aisles, and if it’s sold out, so be it. But it is a very good wine it just doesn’t get that extra half star for value.
South Africa …
I tried The Wolftrap 2008 ($13.95), this usual Syrah-Viognier blend has been augmented with the addition of Mourvedre (30%) and it has made a world of difference. Instead of the usual unpleasant “South Africa notes” (tarry, barnyard) I pick up in the lower end wines from this country I am picking out chocolate, spice, black fruit and the slightest hint of burnt coffee aroma. Palate seems smoother and fuller with blackberry fruit, dark chocolate and a touch of spice. Terrific. (****½)
Argentina …
Coming in February (2010) to Vintages will be an Alta Vista 2007 Atemporal Assemblage ($19.95) a blend with Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Petit Verdot – nice spice, chocolate and floral notes on the nose; very bold and flavourful in the mouth with lots of spice and tannins (****). On of my perennial favourites to come into the LCBO is the Clos de los Siete, this 2007 version (40% Malbec / 20% Merlot / 20% Syrah / 20% Cabernet Sauvignon) is rich in red and black fruit, smooth and tasty in the mouth with licorice, leather, blackberry and a spicy finish (****) – not the best they’ve ever made but still a good wine.
United States …
Let’s conclude this look into the wines of the Gourmet Food & Wine Expo with a Chardonnay from the Scott Family, 2008 Dijon Clone Chardonnay – Arroyo Seco ($28.95), it spends only 7 months in new French oak, has 14.5% alcohol and is just a lovely, delicate wine full of rich flavour and yet enough complexity to make it interesting. Vanilla, butterscotch, caramel, pineapple and honeydew melon greet the nose and tantalize the taste-buds; the mouth is loaded with tropical fruit and creamy vanilla – good mouth feel and a long lingering finish, this is darn good Chardonnay (****½); and that’s high praise coming from a non-Chardonnay drinker.
Bargain Hunters Notice …
Get ready, word on the street is that Chilean producer, and Vintages staple, Montes is getting ready to invade the LCBO’s general list. Coming March 2010 you’ll see the Montes Classic Series for a mere $12.95, in two varietals: Sauvignon Blanc for you white fans and Cabernet Sauvignon for you red lovers – both wines are quite good and very nicely priced.
Spain …
I found three real winners here, which then turned into two once I had my information corrected. The
Osborne Santa Maria Cream Sherry ($11.30) is a stellar performer for sweet sherry drinkers: a cherry, almond, tangerine and marmalade nose leads to a creamy smooth hazelnut, spice and cherry marmalade palate with a hint of spice on the finish (*****). There’s also a Torres 2006 Coronas Tempranillo ($13.25) which shows incredible ageability (5+ years) all for under 15-bucks. Spices, herbs and black fruit galore, which leads to a long spicy, bitey finish (****). Finally, there was this Marques d Valcarlos 2000 which was awe inspiring, especially at the quotes price of $13.95; lots of red fruit on both the nose and palate followed by a lovely hit of tannins on the finish. Pretty impressive for a 9-year-old wine that was ready to drink yet could age another 3-4 years comfortably, all for under $15 (****). That price seemed a little fishy to me (especially after it was revealed to be a Vintages product). Upon my arrival home I looked the wine up on the LCBO website; the price was actually $17.95; the good news is that there is plenty of it available throughout the system. At $13.95 it was a special-trip-scour-the-city-buy-what-you-can-grab wine, but at $17.95 I can now wait till the next time I’m in the LCBO’s hallowed aisles, and if it’s sold out, so be it. But it is a very good wine it just doesn’t get that extra half star for value.South Africa …
I tried The Wolftrap 2008 ($13.95), this usual Syrah-Viognier blend has been augmented with the addition of Mourvedre (30%) and it has made a world of difference. Instead of the usual unpleasant “South Africa notes” (tarry, barnyard) I pick up in the lower end wines from this country I am picking out chocolate, spice, black fruit and the slightest hint of burnt coffee aroma. Palate seems smoother and fuller with blackberry fruit, dark chocolate and a touch of spice. Terrific. (****½)
Argentina …
Coming in February (2010) to Vintages will be an Alta Vista 2007 Atemporal Assemblage ($19.95) a blend with Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Petit Verdot – nice spice, chocolate and floral notes on the nose; very bold and flavourful in the mouth with lots of spice and tannins (****). On of my perennial favourites to come into the LCBO is the Clos de los Siete, this 2007 version (40% Malbec / 20% Merlot / 20% Syrah / 20% Cabernet Sauvignon) is rich in red and black fruit, smooth and tasty in the mouth with licorice, leather, blackberry and a spicy finish (****) – not the best they’ve ever made but still a good wine.
United States …
Let’s conclude this look into the wines of the Gourmet Food & Wine Expo with a Chardonnay from the Scott Family, 2008 Dijon Clone Chardonnay – Arroyo Seco ($28.95), it spends only 7 months in new French oak, has 14.5% alcohol and is just a lovely, delicate wine full of rich flavour and yet enough complexity to make it interesting. Vanilla, butterscotch, caramel, pineapple and honeydew melon greet the nose and tantalize the taste-buds; the mouth is loaded with tropical fruit and creamy vanilla – good mouth feel and a long lingering finish, this is darn good Chardonnay (****½); and that’s high praise coming from a non-Chardonnay drinker.
Bargain Hunters Notice …
Get ready, word on the street is that Chilean producer, and Vintages staple, Montes is getting ready to invade the LCBO’s general list. Coming March 2010 you’ll see the Montes Classic Series for a mere $12.95, in two varietals: Sauvignon Blanc for you white fans and Cabernet Sauvignon for you red lovers – both wines are quite good and very nicely priced.
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