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Tenuta Poggio Verrano Chance Maremma Toscana IGT 2007

Tenuta Poggio Verrano Chance Maremma Toscana IGT 2007

Tenuta Poggio Verrano Chance Maremma Toscana IGT 2007

Dark garnet color. Nose of smoke, black berries, leather, spices and oak. Palate of black berries, spices and leather, then a hint of greens and oak. A little dry on the finish due to the tannins, the wine is enjoyable, especially after some air and is clearly better with food. Very good+ (90)

Blend of merlot, cabernet-sauvignon, sangiovese and cabernet franc. Aged for a total of 48 months in oak barrels and bottle prior to release. Alcohol level of 15%

Available at the SAQ for 37,25$ (Code SAQ : 11546965)

Tenuta Poggio Verrano’s website: poggioverrano.it

Represented in Québec by Connexion Oenophilia: oenophilia.ca

Sample proposed by the AQAVBS

La Fleur de Haut Bages Libéral Pauillac 2012

La Fleur de Haut Bages Libéral Pauillac 2012

La Fleur de Haut Bages Libéral Pauillac 2012

Very dark ruby color. Nose of red and black berries, spices, earth, but it’s fresh and inviting! About the same as the nose for the flavors, there is structure and body, but it doesn’t lower its freshness. This was tasty and enjoyable! Very good+ (90)

Blend of 80% cabernet sauvignon and 20% merlot. Aged in 1-2 years old oak barrels for 12 months. Alcohol level of 12,5% 

Available at the SAQ for 44,00$ (Code SAQ: 11454526)

Château Haut Bages Libéral’s website: hautbagesliberal.com

Sample proposed by Trialto: trialto.com

Château Cailleteau Bergeron Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2012

Château Cailleteau Bergeron Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2012

Château Cailleteau Bergeron Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2012 

Dark garnet color. Nose of dark berries, spices and smoke. On the palate this wine shows the Bordeaux classic balance with notes of tobacco and leather, this fruit flavors paired with an enjoyable bitterness. Approcheable now, but would surprise many of us after some ageing in a cellar. Good+ (88))

Blend of 80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Malbec. Aged 13 months in oak barrels. Alcohol level of 14%

Available at the SAQ for 19,55$ (Code SAQ : 00919373)

Château Cailleteau Bergeron’s website: cailleteau-bergeron.com

Sample proposed by Vins Fins: sdvf.ca

Château Bujan Côtes de Bourg 2014

Château Bujan Côtes de Bourg 2014

Château Bujan Côtes de Bourg 2014

Dark ruby color. Nose of spices, wild berries and some leather, oak and smoke notes. Thank you Bordeaux for letting us have that type of wine in our glass! Medium strenght on the palate with chewy fruit notes then a long spicy and smoky finish. This wine have what it takes to cellar and could also pair perfectly with roasted and comforting dishes that we all will need as the cold season begins! Very good (89) 

Blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. Aged 18 month in aok barrels. Alcohol level of 13.5%

Available in SAQ stores for 22,45$ (Code SAQ : 00862086)

Château Bujan’s website: chateau-bujan.com

Represented in Québec by Rézin Sélection: rezin.com

Chartier Créateur d'Harmonies Fronsac 2012

Chartier Créateur d’Harmonies wines

Chartier Créateur d’Harmonies wines

I had the opportunity to taste over the last two years few wines made by François Chartier, a well-known sommelier, an author of many wine guides (still have many copies at home and these did influenced the buying of my first cellared worthy bottles many years ago…), for his wine and pairing, for his recipe books made after years of research with renown chefs and wine producers from all over the world.

But what about the wines? I must admit that at first I doubt about them, being quite overwhelmed by the labels on the bottles and the marketing machine behind the wines. But every time I’ve tasted his wines, I was always gladly surprised by them.

From his Tuscan blend tasted blind with some friends, to the Spanish white I had during last Grande Dégustation de Montréal and not forgetting the rosé wine tasted along more than 20 other wines, I did enjoyed them every single time.

Now having his latest release in my hands, here is my first “official” tasting note on one of the Créateur d’Harmonies wine:

Chartier Créateur d'Harmonies Fronsac 2012Chartier Créateur d’Harmonies Fronsac 2012

Dark ruby color. Nose of smoke, dark berries, bay leaves, earth and pepper. Smooth on the palate but still stands up in a great showing with a spicy finish. Good flavors of berries, earth, mushrooms and just a touch of grilled Bell peppers. Good+ (88)

Made in collaboration with Bordeaux’s native winemaker Pascal Chatonnet, this wine is a blend of 86% merlot, 10% cabernet franc and 4% de cabernet-sauvignon. Aged 12 months in 1 and 2 years old oak barrels. Alcohol level of 13,5%

Available in SAQ stores for 19,45$ (Code SAQ : 12068070)

François Chartier’s website: francoischartier.ca

The sample was proposed by Trialto: trialto.com

 

Here is a video from François Chartier explaining the winemaking behind this wine and giving his thoughts on how he wanted it (French only):

Chevalier de Dyonis Pinot Noir Dealu Mare 2014

Chevalier de Dyonis Pinot Noir Dealu Mare 2014

Chevalier de Dyonis Pinot Noir Dealu Mare 2014

Very light ruby color. Subtle nose of cherries and strawberry fruit, then earth and spices notes. Very light on the palate on the first sips, it narrowed over time on a rustic finish, helping filling the mid-palate that was a little thin. Still, this is enjoyable and fresh. We have to remeber that 10$ Pinot is hard to find! Good (87)

Made of 70 % Pinot noir and 30 % Merlot. Alcohol level of 13% 

Available in SAQ stores for 10,95$ (Code SAQ : 00554139)

Made from purchase grapes in Romania by: serve.ro

Represented in Québec by Univins: univins.ca

Sirius Bordeaux 2012

Sirius Bordeaux 2012

Sirius Bordeaux 2012

Dark cherry color. Nose of smoke, black berries, some leather, all in the classic Bordeaux perfume spirit. Good showing on the palat with a spicy and biting finish, but drinks pretty well being not too heavy nor too light with just enough strenght to pair well with many types of dishes. This one did passed the test of fast drinking bottles as it went down quickly! Good+ (88)

Made of 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet-Sauvignon. Aged 12 months in oak barrels. Alcohol level of 13%

Available at the SAQ for 14,55$ (Code SAQ : 00223537)

Sirius is a win from the Sichel family: sichel.fr

Sample proposed by la Société de vins fins: sdvf.ca

Moulin de Gassac Cuvée Elise IGP Pays d’Hérault 2013

Moulin de Gassac Cuvée Elise IGP Pays d’Hérault 2013

Black cherry color. Aromas of pepper blended with field berries and notes of smoke and leather. Fruity palate on a round, generous and silky mouthfeel. Might be a little too “charming” in style, but so tasty! Good+ (88)

Made of Syrah (70%) and Merlot (30%). Aged in oak barrels for 8 to 9 months. Alcohol level of 13,5%

Available at the SAQ for 14,35$ (Code SAQ : 00602839)

Producer’s website : daumas-gassac.com

Samble proposed by : selectionsfrechette.com

Moulin de Gassac Cuvée Elise Merlot-Syrah IGP Pays d’Hérault 2013_2