Jean-Claude Chanudet La Cuvée du Chat 2015

Jean-Claude Chanudet La Cuvée du Chat 2015

/in /by

Jean-Claude Chanudet La Cuvée du Chat 2015

Bright ruby color with purple hue. Nose of spicy red berries, earth, light green notes and just a hint of funkyness. In fact, just enough for that type of wine as it is enjoyable at that level. On the palate the wine is chewy, frsh, juicy and really tasty. The flavors are about the same as on the nose. This is the type of wine that calls sip after sip until the glass (or bottle!) is empty. Very good+ (90)

This wine is made by Jean-Claude Chanudet, named “le Chat” from the Domaine Joseph Chamonard. This wine was made at Château Cambon. Made of Gamayfrom vines planted in 1945. Aged in large old oak barrels. Alcohol level of 13%

Available in SAQ stores for 24,90$ (Code SAQ : 13184224)

Domaine Chamonard’s Facebook page: facebook.com/DomaineChamonard

This wine dedicated Facebook page: facebook.com/lacuveeduchat

They are represented in Québec by Oenopole: oenopole.ca

Jean-Claude Chanudet (Domaine Chamonard) La Cuvée du Chat 2015

Jean-Claude Chanudet La Cuvée du Chat 2015

Ijalba Genoli Rioja 2016

Ijalba Genoli Rioja 2016

/in /by

Ijalba Genoli Rioja 2016

Lightly colored. Very fresh nose with lemon, sea weed and yellow melon. On the palate it’s a salty feel that opens the way to lemony and herbacious notes. Great acidity level, long and tasty finish. A really good QPR. Good+

Made of 90% Viura and completed by other varietals. Aged on lees in stainless steel tanks. Alcohol level of 13%

Available in SAQ stores for 13,90$ (Code SAQ : 00883033)

Viña Ijalba’s website: ijalba.com

Ijalba is represented in Québec by Charton Hobbs: chartonhobbs.com

Maison Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages Combe aux Jacques 2015

Maison Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages Combe aux Jacques 2015

/in /by

Maison Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages Combe aux Jacques 2015

Dark purple color. Nose and palate of mixed wild berries, flowers, spices and earth. The wine really shows the vintage with darker and riper fruit while keeping the acidity and balance. Would pair well with poultry, a richer dish to bring freshness to it or the classic deli plate. Good+ (88)

Made of Gamay from vines mainly located in Lancié, Régnié and Lantigné villages. Alcohol level of 13% 

Available in SAQ stores for 16,75$ (Code SAQ : 00365924)

Maison Jadot’s website: louisjadot.com

Louis Jadot’s wines are represented in Québec by Les Sélections Fréchette: selectionsfrechette.com

Maison Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages Combe aux Jacques 2015

Maison Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages Combe aux Jacques 2015

 

Intriga Cabernet-Sauvignon Valle del Maipo 2014

Intriga Cabernet-Sauvignon Valle del Maipo 2014

/in /by

Intriga Cabernet-Sauvignon Valle del Maipo 2014

Dark purple color. Nose of black berries, spices, earth, grilled bell pepper, herbacious and oaky notes. Velvet texture on the palate, almost rich, but still keep its balance between concentration, strenght and a touch of freshness. Flavors of dark berries, spices, bitter cocolate, earth and oak. Very good (89)

Made of 95% cabernet-sauvignon and 5% of petit verdot. Aged 21 months in French oak barrels, 23% being new and 77% of second use. Alcohol level of 14,5%

Available in SAQ stores for 22,45$ (Code SAQ : 11766520)

Intriga is owned by MontGras: montgras.cl

MontGras is represented in Québec by VINS FINS l’agence: sdvf.ca

Un Grand vin - Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 1996

Un Grand vin – Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 1996

/in /by

A Great Wine – Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 1996

A Great Wine is one that often stands out from the other ones during an evening, an event or a tasting, giving a best showing between all the present wines in being different in a good way. This wine type can also lower the appreciation of the other ones poured at that moment and making them look dull or of low interest, even if drank alone they would’ve tasted much better as they are shadowed by the best ones.

Having attend a recent tasting where many good and qualitative wines were poured, one stood out, and it’s the one I’ll talk about in this week Great Wine suggestion. The others were good, enjoyable and representative of their origin and style.

But the wine I’ll talk about was on point, better than the other ones, with that sparkling qualities, more depth and a charming blend of aromas and flavors. I was also pleased in the way that this particular type of wine is a favorite of mine. Being sold even before I took my first sip, I knew it was going to be a great moment, and it was!

Un Grand vin - Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 1996

Masterclass event where teh 1996 Mondavi Reserve was poured

Here are my thoughts on the wine:

Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 30th Anniversary Edition Napa 1996

Garnet color with a touch of bricking on the rim. Nose that flows to Bordeaux while being typical of aged Napa Cabernet wines with lots of elegance. Aromas and flavors of berries, earth, mushrooms, fine spices and tobacco. Long lasting finish with just a little bitterness to it that matches the finesse of the wine. This was so good! Superb (93)

Made of 96% cabernet sauvignon and 4% cabernet franc. Aged two years in new French oak barrels. Alcohol level of 13,5% 

Robert Mondavi Winery’s website: robertmondaviwinery.com

Thanks to Constellation Brands for the intive to this event where this spectacular wine was poured!  cbrands.com

Claude Riffault Les Chailloux Sancerre 2014

Claude Riffault Les Chailloux Sancerre 2014

/in /by

Claude Riffault Les Chailloux Sancerre 2014 

Light and bright gold color. Deep nose of lemon, peaches, crushed rocks and a pretty saltiness. On the palate there is that round and almost fat mouthfeel, there is also acidity, salty and sea shell notes, then lemon, lime and peach flavors. Might feel a little rich, but this is so elegant with a long lasting finish that it can just be good! Excellent (91)

Made of sauvignon blanc from 13 to 40 years old vines. Aged in oak barrels for less than a year. Alcohol level of 13%

Got this wine through private import, but some of his wines are now available in SAQ stores.

Domaine Claude Riffault’s website: clauderiffault.com

They are represented in Québec by Séguin-Robillard: seguinrobillard.ca

Claude Riffault Les Chailloux Sancerre 2014

Claude Riffault Les Chailloux Sancerre 2014

Ken Forrester Petit Pinotage Stellenbosch 2015

Ken Forrester Petit Pinotage Stellenbosch 2015

/in /by

Ken Forrester Petit Pinotage Stellenbosch 2015 

Dark and purple color. Nose where earthy notes comes first, to let with air dark berry notes, mushrooms and spices show up in a warm and sunny feel. Flavors of black berries, wet earth, warm spices. Long lasting finish where alcohol shows without being disturbing. Good (87)

Made of Pinotage. Aged in tanks. Alcohol level of 14%

Available in SAQ stores for 14,90$ (Code SAQ : 11379749)

Ken Forrester’S website : kenforresterwines.com

They are represented in Québec by Valmonti : valmonti.net

G.D. Vajra Langhe Rosso 2014

G.D. Vajra Langhe Rosso 2014

/in /by

G.D. Vajra Langhe Rosso 2014

Medium ruby color. Nose of flowers, red berries, earth, then sweet spices. You can also feel freshness and a light bitterness coming out of the aromas. Same profile on the palate with a good acidity level, a fine and enjoyable bitterness on the finish, but the fruit is so chewy and tasty and makes this wine highly drinkable. I found it better at bottle opening as it was more crisp after some time. Enjoy it now of after a short cellaring time. Very good (89)

Made of Barbera 40 %, Dolcetto 25 %, Nebbiolo 25 %, Freisa, Albaroaas and Pinot Noir. The ageing last from 18 to 24 months, partly in tanks and in “pièces” of one to three wines. Alcohol level of 13%

Available at the SAQ for 21,95$ (Code SAQ : 12464953)

G.D. Vajra’s website: gdvajra.it

They are represented in Québec by Montalvin: montalvin.com

G.D. Vajra Langhe Rosso 2014

Niepoort Rotulo Dao DOC 2014

Niepoort Rotulo Dao DOC 2014

/in /by

Niepoort Rotulo Dao DOC 2014

Nose of dark berries, spices, earth, enjoyable green notes and red meat, all paired with freshness. Round and chewy on the palate, it still shows its structure that would pair well with grilled meat dishes. The flavors of black berries, spices, earth (no green notes here) leads to a long finish. A good wine really well priced. Good+ (88)

Made of Touriga Nacional, Jaen and Alfrocheiro. Aged 20 months in concrete tanks. Alcohol level of 12,5%

Available in SAQ stores for 15,30$ (Code SAQ : 13088030)

Niepoort’s website : niepoort-vinhos.com

They are represented in Québec by Alivin Canada inc. : Alivin Canada sur Facebook

AA Badenhorst The Drifter Cinsault Swartland 2016

AA Badenhorst The Drifter Cinsault Swartland 2016

/in /by

AA Badenhorst The Drifter Cinsault Swartland 2016 

Light garnet color. Earthy nose, slighytly meaty but very bright with red berry notes blended with spices. Lots of red berry flavors on the palate with some animal notes and a spicy kick on the finish. Good+ (88)

Made of cinsault. Natural winemaking. Alcohol level of 13%

Available in SAQ stores for 18,00$ (Code SAQ : 13057997)

AA Badenhorst’s website: aabadenhorst.com

They are represented in Québec by Symbiose: symbiose-vins.com

AA Badenhorst The Drifter Cinsault Swartland 2016

AA Badenhorst The Drifter Cinsault Swartland 2016