Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Report from ... Hobbs & Co. Agent Tasting - April 25, 2013

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:

Plume 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon ($35.00) - California
big vanilla, chocolate and cherry
(****)
Boomtown 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon ($26.00) - Washington
nice easy drinking Cab with good fruit and a touch of spice
(****)

Gauchezco 2008 Oro ($53.00) - Argentina
made from 80+ year old Malbec vines
sexy, smooth with chocolate-spiciness
(****+)
Hartenberg 2007 Shiraz ($28.95) - South Africa
lovely spice with smooth palate of dark fruit
and hints of vanilla with a long spiced finish
(****)

Campbells Rutherglen Muscat NV ($26.00) - Australia
a cross between Christmas spice and creme brulee
(**** 1/2)
Alpha Zeta 2012 Chardonnay ($16.00) - Italy
pineapple and apple skin along with some lime zest
and vanilla backing
(*** 1/2+)
Alpha Zeta 2010 Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso ($24.00) - Italy
cocoa, cherry and blackberry
(****)
Empordalia Verdera Negre 2011 ($13.50) - Spain
nice fruit with cherry and blackberry tones
nice length to the finish and great value
(****)

Domaine de Grand Garant 2011 Fleurie Le Vivier ($23.00) - Beaujolais
pretty floral along with some sour cherry; nice little Gamay here
(*** 1/2+)
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+)

Leitz 2012 Dragonstone ($23.00) - Germany
floral with sweet mineral and lovely balance
(*** 1/2+)
Leitz 2012 Kaisersteinfels ($46.00) - Germany
40-80 year old vines with great minerality and
delicious apple as the main fruit
(****)

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+)


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