Niepoort Rotulo Dao DOC 2014

Niepoort Rotulo Dao DOC 2014

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

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

Juan Gil Pasico Monastrell-Shiraz Jumilla 2015

Juan Gil Pasico Monastrell-Shiraz Jumilla 2015

Juan Gil Pasico Monastrell-Shiraz Jumilla 2015 

The bold and rich but drinkable wine lover are not alone. Real deal are not that commonly found too, especially if you seek for quality. May not be the preferred style for those who like light wines, this dark wine with aromas and flavors of ripe black berries, spices, meat notes will charm you without breaking the bank! It makes this wine then a perfect recommadation for the « affordable wine of the week»!

Blend of monastrell and shiraz grapes. Alcohol level of 14% 

Available in SAQ stores for 11,90$ (Code SAQ : 12990152)

Bodegas Juan Gil’s website: bodegasjuangil.com

They are represented in Québec by Vins Balthazard: vinsbalthazard.com

Dégustations de vins de chez Fratelli Alessandria

Tasting of Fratelli Alessandria wines

Tasting of Fratelli Alessandria wines

Hills and small valleys, beautiful landscape views with the Turin river shining waters. Then vines line-up everywhere. A load of images of pretty places comes into our minds when Vittore Alessandria talks about his family vineyard, in the Piemonte region in the Northwest of Italy.

Fratelli Alessandria is a family run vineyard founded in 1870 and now running 14ha of vines, 12 being over Verduno in the North and 2 being over Monforte d’Alba, South of Piemonte. There have the classic area vines of Nebiollo, Barbera and Dolcetto, but also native varieties like Freisa, Pelaerga Piccolo and Favorita.

The vines and the cellar

A great focus is put on the vines and no herbicides are used in the vineyards. The same care is applied to the cellar as everything is clean, from barrels to older wooden cask to avoid the bacteria that causes Brett of other faulty taste or aromas. They prefer to be auto-critic and challenging themselves in a way to make the better wine possible for their clients. They are only using their fruits and don’t buy some from surrounding vineyards.

Fratelli Alessandria Prinsìot Langhe Nebbiolo 2014

Fratelli Alessandria Prinsìot Langhe Nebbiolo 2014

Of course the Nebbiolo is their main grape grown in their vineyards, even if this requires more work in order to meet the requirements to be classified in the right appellation, from Barolo to Langhe Nebbiolo etc.  For example, this grave variety likes South facing exposure, be planted on elevated slopes and in proper climatic conditions to give the best fruit possible.

The Northern part of that region is associated to a micro-climate influenced by the Turin River running at the bottom of the surrounding hills, bringing fresh nights. The blue clay soils makes very fine wines as opposed to the ones coming from the South of Barolo region planted over packed sandy soils that brings more power and tannins to the wines. There is so much complexity in that area that covers only 12km long by 6km wine of land!

Then Vittore Alessandria explained their vision for the many wines they’re producing and brought up the typical spiciness that is present in all of their wines, which we all found in the presented wines.

Another proof of their devotion on making great wines, Vittore added this: « if there is wine left in the bottle when two person are going out in a restaurant and sharing a great meal, then you know the wine wasn’t good enough». I like that vision and the goal behind it; making wine that makes you want to go through the bottle!

The wines now

Fratelli Alessandria Favorita Langhe 2014 (25,20$ – Code SAQ: 13111906)

Saline nose with pear, ripe apples, spices and floral notes. Same on the palate with the additional spices on the finish. This is really tasty! Very good (89)

Aged in tanks for 3-4 months on lees. The Favorita grape is often compared to Vermentino grapes.

Fratteli Allessandria Priòra Barbera d’Alba Superiore 2014

Fratteli Allessandria Priòra Barbera d’Alba Superiore 2014

Fratelli Alessandria Dolcetto d’Alba 2015 (21,95$ – Code SAQ : 11580186)

Medium dark ruby color with purple hue. Fresh plum notes with crushed red fruits and spices. Red crunchy and spicy fruits burst on the palate, this wine is on the quaffable side. Very good (89)

This wine is made fir its drinkability even if that grape can make more complex wines. Aged in stainless and/or cement tanks for 5 to 7 months.

Fratteli Allessandria Priòra Barbera d’Alba Superiore 2014 (33,50$ – Code SAQ : 12034195)

Darker color. The nose offers more depth and complexity. More complex on the palate too, this is quite balance and have great fruit, spices and earth flavors. Very good+ (90)

Made of Barbera. Aged 12 to 14 months in 500L oak barrels and/or 20-40hl French or Slovenian oak cask.

Fratelli Alessandria Prinsìot Langhe Nebbiolo 2014 (31,25$ – Code SAQ : 12131104)

Garnet color. Nose of flowers with some berry notes, very fine. The the wine opened up as a flower would with even more floral and red fruit aromas. On the palate the wine is juicy, tasty and highly enjoyable. Excellent (91)

Made of Nebbiolo, 40% of the fruits being from the young Barolo vines. Aged 10 months in 20-40hl French or Slovenian oak cask then few months in stainless tanks. The name « Prinsiot » comes from their family nickname for Prince, as their house and cellar are quite big in that village.

Fratelli Alessandria Gramolere Barolo 2012 (70,50$ – Code SAQ : 12247684)

Dark garnet color. Nose and palate where flowers, earth, leather and fruit notes blends all together in an elegant and fresh even if the finish is a little dry at the moment. Excellent (91)

Aged 3 years in 20-40hl Slovenian oak cask, 2 months in stainless tanks and then at least 6 months in bottle prior to release.

Fratelli Alessandria Monvigliero Barolo 2012 (157,00$ pour le 1,5L – Code SAQ: 12499064)

Dark garnet color. Very floral and seductive nose, the richness, the depth and the complexity of the wine can be felt just by smelling it! Flavors of blood orange, red fruits, flowers, earth, light leather notes, this is complex yet enjoyable. Magnificent wine with balance and a long finish. Superb (93)

Aged 3 years in 20-40hl Slovenian oak cask, 2 months in stainless tanks and then at least 6 months in bottle prior to release.

 

Their wines are really great products and this was not the last time you’ll see then poured into my glasses…

Fratelli Alessandria’s website:  fratellialessandria.it

Many thanks to Oenopole for the invite to this event:  oenopole.ca

 

 

Domaine de Majas Côtes Catalanes 2015

Domaine de Majas Côtes Catalanes 2015

Domaine de Majas Côtes Catalanes 2015 

Light garnet color. Nose of red berries, earth, there is some funkyness here but it went away with air to let pepper and clove spices show up. On the palate there is so much fruit flavors that the spices notes only comes up on the finish to give some punch to that festive wine. Good acidity level, high quaffability, it’s what natural wine can offer best! Very good (89)

Made of 50% carignan and 50% grenache noir. Aged on lees. Organic farming with ECOCERT certification. Natural winemaking. Tom Lubbe (Domaine Matassa) is the consulting winemaker. Alcohol level of 13%

Available in SAQ stores for 20,50$ (Code SAQ : 13105910)

Domaine de Majas website: domainedemajas.com

Represented in Québec by Oenopole: oenopole.ca

Domaine de Majas Côtes Catalanes 2015

Domaine Chatelain Les Chailloux Silex Pouilly-Fumé 2015

Domaine Chatelain Les Chailloux Silex Pouilly-Fumé 2015

Domaine Chatelain Les Chailloux Silex Pouilly-Fumé 2015 

Lithly colored with green hue. Very lemony nose with wet rocks coming out of a river with all the saltyness one can think of with fine herbacious notes. Medium bright on the palate, it’s flavorful with lemon zest, ripe red apples flavors and a gentle saltiness and herbal finish. Good+ (88) 

Made of sauvignon blanc. Aged in tanks. Alcohol level of 13% 

Available in SAQ stores for 26,10$ (Code SAQ : 10689753)

Domaine Chatelain website: domaine-chatelain.com

Sample proposed by Authentic Vins et Spiritueux: awsmqc.ca

Vina Ijalba Solferino Rioja 2014

Vina Ijalba Solferino Rioja 2014

Vina Ijalba Solferino Rioja 2014

Ruby color with purple hue. Nose of dark berries, spices, earth, just a little oak showing, it’s charming and quite rich. About the same on the palate, the mouthfeel is round, plumpy, tasty and have a good lasting finish. It does show some structure, but there’s the fruit to make it quite enjoyable. A great addition to the current offer from Ijalba. Good+ (88)

Made of 90% tempranillo and 10% maturana tinta. Aged 6 months in 1-2 wines American oak barrels. Organic certified farming. Alcohol level of 14%

Available in SAQ stores for 15,05$ (Code SAQ : 13004449)

Vina Ijalba’s website: ijalba.com

They are represented in Québec by Charton Hobbs: chartonhobbs.com

Brasserie Auval Super A Double IPA

Brasserie Auval Super A Double IPA

Brasserie Auval Super A Double IPA

Foggy orange-gold color. Creates a heavy white top when poured into the glass. Very aromatic with notes of mango, tropical fruits, citrus fruits and yeast. Light and fine effervescence that plays along flavors of the same origin as the one from the nose. Also felt is some notes of hop, a good but not bitting bitterness on the finish. Better than the Nordet IPA from the same brewer IMO. Good+ (88)

From the 2016-12-12 release. IBU of 60, alcohol levelof 5,2%

Brasserie Auval Super A Double IPA

Yves Cuilleron Saint-Joseph Les Pierres Sèches 2007

Yves Cuilleron Saint-Joseph Les Pierres Sèches 2007

Yves Cuilleron Saint-Joseph Les Pierres Sèches 2007 

Garnet color with an orange rim. Nose of meat, pepper, earth, fresh mushrooms and dark berries. Showing some strenght, richness and wide palate, the wine wine offered flavors of berries, red meat, pepper, then the mushrooms and earth came again to end on a long and spicy finish. Really tasty with a nice acidity, especially there on the finish bringing the wine at a greater level. Would have loved to have this wine with a nice piece of meat! Very good+ (90) + (90)

Made of Syrah. Aged 18 months in oak barrels. This bottle was a 375ml. Alcohol level of 13%

This wine on the 2014 vintage was available at the SAQ in 75lml bottles for 29,00$ (Code SAQ : 12008245)

Yves Cuilleron’s website: cuilleron.com

Le Maître de Chai represents Yves Cuilleron in Québec: maitredechai.ca

Yves Cuilleron Saint-Joseph Les Pierres Sèches 2007

Chanson Père & fils Viré-Clessé Bastion de l'Oratoire 2014

Chanson Père & fils Viré-Clessé Bastion de l’Oratoire 2014

Chanson Père & fils Viré-Clessé Bastion de l’Oratoire 2014 

Lightly colored. Nose of lemon, pears to which salty notes and a green note is added and it brings up some freshness. Round on the palate with buttery and light oak notes, but nothing to overpower the acidity or the freshness of this wine. Then followed flavors of lemon and lime that ended up in a medium long finish that had volume to it. This is a quite and classical Burgundy Chardonnay offered at a good price. Very good (89)

Made of chardonnay and chardonnay muscaté. Aged in oak barrels. Alcohol level of 13%

Available in SAQ stores for 26,45$ (Code SAQ : 11890811)

Domaine Chanson Père & Fils website: domaine-chanson.com

Sample proposed by Authentic Vins et Spiritueux: awsmqc.ca

Chanson Père & fils Viré-Clessé Bastion de l'Oratoire 2014

Source: domaine-chanson.com