Bouchard Père & Fils Côte de Beaune-Villages 2013

Bouchard Père & Fils Côte de Beaune-Villages 2013

Bouchard Père & Fils Côte de Beaune-Villages 2013

Light ruby-orange color. Nose of spicy red berries, earth and blood orange. Real red berry juice on the palate with black pepper notes, this wine is what we should aim at while drinking this Burgundy range wines; fruit, pinot noir character and drinkability. Don’t let yourself be fooled by this wine simplicity, but enjoy it for what it is which is exactly what I did! Very good (89)

Made of bought pinot noir fruits. Aged 10 to 12 months in oak barrels, 20 to 30% being new for a part of the wine and the balance is aged in tanks. Alcohol level of 12,5%

Available in SAQ stores for 29,60$ (Code SAQ : 00864397)

Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils website: bouchard-pereetfils.com

They are represented in Québec by Sylvestre Vins & Spiritueux: sylvestre.ca

Bouchard Père & Fils Côte de Beaune-Villages 2013

Coto de Imaz Grand Reserva Rioja 2010

Coto de Imaz Grand Reserva Rioja 2010

Coto de Imaz Grand Reserva Rioja 2010

Medium dark garnet color. Charming nose of black berries, spices, vanilla and oak. The flavors on the palate are about the same as on the nose with a silky and slightly oaky finish. May not be the bolder Rioja around, but it’s ready to drink and will please your guest with its natural charm. Very good (89)

Made of Tempranillo. Aged 24 months in French and American oak barrels, then 3 years in bottle prior to release. Alcohol level of 14%

Available in SAQ stores for 33,50$ (Code SAQ : 11962651)

El Coto de Rioja’s website, the producer of this wine: elcoto.com

Sample proposed by Les Sélections Fréchette: selectionsfrechette.com

Casanova di Neri Rosso-di-Montalcino 2012

Casanova di Neri Rosso-di-Montalcino 2012

Casanova di Neri Rosso-di-Montalcino 2012 

Dark garnet color. Nose of spicy red and black berries, of earthy notes, leather and some oak. Dense and deep on the palate, the wine is tasty with its mixed berry flavors, leather, spices and oak also there, but well integrated. This wine have the structure to be cellared, but with some air, which is what I did, this is good from now! Excellent (91)

Made of sangiovese. Aged in oak barrels for a period of about 15 months. Alcohol level of 14%

The 2014 vintage of this wine is currently available in SAQ stores for 28,65$ (Code SAQ : 10335226)

Casanova di Neri’s website: casanovadineri.it

Vins Balthazard is the agency that represents them in Québec: vinsbalthazard.com

Norman Hardie County Cabernet Franc VQA Prince Edward County 2014

Norman Hardie County Cabernet Franc VQA Prince Edward County 2014

Norman Hardie County Cabernet Franc VQA Prince Edward County 2014

Dark ruby color. Nose where small red and black berries are blended with just a touch of red bell pepper, spicy and earthy clay soil notes. Really fresh on the palate with a good acidity level, the fruit is chewy and the spices brings in some seriouness, but nothing to fade the enjoyability of this wine! Still young even if really tasty, a year of cellaring should help it to show itself even more enjoyable. Very good+ (90)

Made of cabernet franc. Aged 10 months in French oak barrels. Alcohol level of 10,9%

Available at the winery and at some Ontario LCBO stores for about 29,00$

Norman Hardie Winery’s website: normanhardie.com

Norman Hardie’s wines are represented in Québec by Les Vins Dame Jeanne: vindamejeanne.com

Domaine de Rome Sancerre Traditionnel 2014

Domaine de Rome Sancerre Traditionnel 2014

Domaine de Rome Sancerre Traditionnel 2014 

Lighly colored with green hue. Nose of grapefruit, citrus fruit, herbacious and box tree notes in a fresh, mineral and expressive way. On the palate the acidity blends with a round and almost fat mouthfeel even if the wine is dry, and last quite long in a mineral finish. Very good (89)

From a 375ml bottle. Made of sauvignon blanc from 30 years old vines. Aged on lees for 6 to 18 months. Alcohol level of 13%

Domaine de Rome, owned by de Hervé Baudry: domaine-de-rome.com

This wine is available through private import with Kel-Vins: facebook.com/agencekelvins

Domaine de Rome Sancerre Traditionnel 2014

Domaine Berthoumieu Cuvée Haute Tradition Madiran 2012

Domaine Berthoumieu Cuvée Haute Tradition Madiran 2012

Dark and dense almost purple colored. Nose of balck berries, earth, spices and oak. On the palate the wine is flowing easily and despite its structure, it is drinking nicely with its velvety mouthfeel and good acidity. Flavors of dark berries, spices and earth with a good length finish. Good choice for those who likes bolder wines but not rustic ones. Goo+ (88)

Blend of 60% Tannat , 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Pinenc. Aged 18 months in tanks and 2 to 4 wines old oak barrels. Alcohol level of 14%

Available at the SAQ for 17,45$ (Code SAQ : 10778975)

Domaine Berthoumieu’s website: domaine-berthoumieu.com

Represented in Québec by Vini-Vins: vini-vins.com

Fattoria Lavacchio Puro DOCG Chianti 2015

Fattoria Lavacchio Puro DOCG Chianti 2015

Bright ruby color. Nose of and palate of pure fruit notes without being too light or thinLight bodied, great acidity, some strenght on the finish but nothing to lower its high drinkability! Perfect by itsel, to start a meal or over pastas or poultry. Very good (89) 

Made of  sangiovese. No added sulfites and certified organic farming. Aged in tanks. Alcohol level of 13,5%

Available at the SAQ for 20,70$ (Code SAQ : 12848367)

Fattoria Lavacchio’s website: fattorialavacchio.com

They are represented in Québec by Vinéalis: vinealis.qc.ca

Champagne Gardet Brut Premier Cru

Champagne Gardet Brut Premier Cru

Champagne Gardet Brut Premier Cru

Arômes où la minéralité se mêle à un côté floral, puis de citron confit, avec un léger bois, c’est très fin et agréable! Équilibré et pourvu d’une belle fraîcheur, ce n’est peut-être pas le plus concentré des Champagne bu, mais il est assez long et savoureux. Il a tout pour plaire et ce à un très bon prix! Très bien+ (90)

Blend of 40% Pinot Meunier and 60% Pinot Noir. Partially aged in oak barrels. Alcohol level of 12%

Available at the SAQ for 41,25$ (Code SAQ : 12398600)

Champagne Gardet’s website: champagne-gardet.com

Importation Épicuriene represents Gardet in Québec: importation-epicurienne.com

Sample proposed during an event hosted by the AQAVBS

Ridge Vineyards Lytton Springs Dry Creek Valley Sonoma 2012

Ridge Vineyards Lytton Springs Dry Creek Valley Sonoma 2012

Ridge Vineyards Lytton Springs Dry Creek Valley Sonoma 2012

Dark purple color. Nose of spices, small black berries, brown sugar, but it’s the finesse of the wine that impress the most. Same aromatic profile on the palate, the wine’s finesse goes along with its vigor and youth. Long finish with a little heat, but this wine is so good! Have to be decanted if drank now to lower its current strenght, but then so enjoyable. Excellent (91), but will be even better.

Blend of Zinfandel (70%), Petite Sirah (21%), Carignan and Mataro. Aged 14 months in American oak barrels,  25% new, 55% from 1 to 3 wines and 20% of 4 wines. Alcohol level of 14,4%

The 2014 vintage is currently available in SAQ stores for 62,25$ (Code SAQ : 12986196)

Ridge Vineyards website: ridgewine.com

They are represented in Québec by LCC Vins et Spiritueux: lccvins.com

Here is a video of Ridge’s winemaker tlaking about this specific wine:

Château Trillol Corbières 2012

Château Trillol Corbières 2012

Château Trillol Corbières 2012

Dark colored. Nose and palate of pepper, dark berries, it’s spicy and leather on the finish. There is also a chewy mouthfeel and structure, so it need meat to pair with it! If you like bolder and full-bodied wines, you may enjoy this one. Good+ (88)

Blend of 52% Grenache, 24% Carignan, 24% Syrah. Aged 6 to 12 months in 3 to 6 years old oak barrels. Alcohol level of 13,5%

Available at the SAQ for 17,95$ (Code SAQ : 00523274)

Château Trillol is owned by the Sichel family: sichel.fr

Sample proposed by VINS FINS L’agence: sdvf.ca