If you do not know what Nizza is, you have not been paying attention. Last month I posted 5 reports from the area, and I have done a few videos about these wines. Going forward, you will be seeing more from me about Nizza Monferrato; for now, all I can say is that if you are a fan of Barbera from Piedmont, listen up - this is going to be your "jam" ... Today, it's the La Gironda 2019 Ago Nizza Riserva
I went to Piedmont in search of Cru Barbera, the best of the best from this grape. I found Nizza Monferrato, a place of amazing Barbera; and I will have lots to say about my findings over the next little while; starting right now. Today, I'm looking at the Vinchio Vaglio 2019 Sei Vigne Insynthesis Nizza Riserva
There are plenty of reasons to love wines derived from a single vineyard. Let me tell you about just one :
Fattoria Carpineta Fontalpino 2019 Vigna Montaperto
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Next weekend, I will be learning about some new wines coming from Montepulciano in Tuscany - they will be special, single plot, single vineyard wines and I will tell you all about them in an upcoming video or article (or both) - but for now let's look at what they have been doing (and really well) up till now :
Icario 2019 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
When I was at Ca' Di Sopra,
I did not find just one stunning bottle of single vineyard Romagna Sangiovese,
I found two. This is the second :
Ca'Di Sopra 2019 Vigna Montale - Marzeno Romagna Riserva
A beauty of a bottle. This is a Ripasso that seems old school to me:
Tenute Falezza 2019 Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore
Lovers of Super Tuscan wines are gonna dig today's video for the
Ruffino 2019 Modus
It has been a long time since I've had a stunning bottle of wine from Romagna;
but this one qualifies, BIG TIME:
CADISOPRA 2019 Vigna Ca' Del Rosso - Marzeno Romagna Riserva
"Riserva" wines can see too much wood and take too long to iron out the rough spots;
but then there is the
Tenuta di Nozzole 2019 Chianti Classico Riserva
For those who think Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is a simple wine;
now's the time to change all that:
Masciarelli 2019 ISKRA - Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva
You wanna bring in the New Year in style and drink Canadian in the process?
Have I got the bottle for you
Blue Mountain 2019 Brut
Have we all forgotten about the wonderful world of Chablis?
I have thankfully been reminded about it - you're welcome
Les Chablisienne 2019 Les Venerables Chablis
Does Syrah belong in Ontario? The short answer is: probably not -
but there are certain pockets of the province (and in Niagara) that does this grape justice.
Here's one : Kacaba 2019 Syrah, Proprietors Block
You would not think 2019 to be a year for Syrah; but if you were one of the first to plant the grape, that makes your material old vines, and here that helps. Here Syrah was combined with 10% Viognier, all estate grown, then aged in a mix of American and French oak for 17 months, giving the wine elements of floral and hints of fruit sweetness in the process. Peppery and smoky notes lead things off, before the fruit really kicks in: raspberry, blackberry and creme de cassis ... This is elegant and stylish version Syrah - that's not just good for the vintage, but really good in general ... Vintage be damned.
When I first tasted this wine I thought it was from a completely different place,
showing you can't judge a wine by it's label
Westmount 2019 Pinot Noir
... WRITTEN REVIEW ...
A real step up for Oregon Pinot Noir; lots of depth in the dark fruit department, and lovely complexity from first to last sip. Sure, it has those signature characteristics — earthiness and cherry notes—but then it doubles down on that Oregon beauty with concentration and exuberance. Cellar potential of five-years-plus.
Montes makes some amazing wines, this one was new to me,
but it still delivered everything I expect from this winery in Chile
Montes Wines 2019 Wings
A nod to Paul McCartney or Red Bull, either way, this wine flew high to represent another really good offering from Montes. Smoky-black cherry and hints of coffee - the fruit just sores and sings, and it's stays a long time on the palate. Beauty.
Many superlatives can be used to describe the Artemis Cabernet.
I use a few of my own in this video for the
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars 2019 Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon
Marcus (winemaker) describes 2019 as a "challenging, but good. Vintage" overall. The wine has a drop (.5%) of Cabernet Franc and the blend spends 15 months in oak, 42%, new French and 6% new American, all the rest is in older French. The fruit is pure and robust: plum, black cherry, blackberry with notes of chocolate, white smoke and silky tannins. Through the evening, the wine opened and became even more silky and ultimately gorgeous for both sipping and sniffing – the grilled beef fillet was not let down by the wine, nor vice versa. Purity of fruit and complexity makes this wine and the cellaring potential sits at about 15 plus years.
As a fan of this juicy Cabernet from Duckhorn it's time to talk about it;
it's a second wine that drinks like top-shelf product
Duckhorn 2019 Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon
This is Duckhorn Vineyards’ second wine, and it’s a real treat. Powerful fruit offering red plum and plush chocolate along with hints of spice and smoke. It’s dangerously drinkable, on its own or with … whatever you want. (****+)
This ABCer finds another Chardonnay that floats his boat
Cave Spring Cellars 2019 Estate Chardonnay
This is a stunning wine that delivers a bit of spice along with some richness that pairs nicely with its acidity to keep it light on the palate. Thanks to a cool growing season, 2019 was a challenging vintage, but the folks at Cave Spring clearly didn’t get the memo. This may be the best Chardonnay in the LCBO at this price point from anywhere.
A tiny sub-appellation in the Loire Valley is making outstanding Cabernet Franc
Domaine de la Paleine 2019 Saumur Puy-Notre-Dame
A beautiful wine by an up-and-coming young winemaker from Umbria
Luca di Tomaso 2019 Montefalco Rosso
