Tag Archive for: trialto

Lavradores de Feitoria Tinto Douro 2013

Lavradores de Feitoria Tinto Douro 2013

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Lavradores de Feitoria Tinto Douro 2013

Dark colored with purple hue. The wine shows aromas where the warm Portuguese climate can be feel, without any jammy cooked notes, rather being on nice black berries and spices notes. Chewy on the palate with medium softness, this would pair well with red meat dishes! Then flavors of black berries, spices and just a touch of flowers, this is tasty and is a steal at that price. Good+ (88)

Blend of Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional and Tinta Barroca. Fermented and aged in tanks. Alcohol level of 13% 

Available at the SAQ for 14,80$ (Code SAQ : 11076764)

Lavradores de Feitoria’s website: lavradoresdefeitoria.pt

Sample proposed by Trialto: trialto.com

Chartier Créateur d'Harmonies Fronsac 2012

Chartier Créateur d’Harmonies wines

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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):

Catena Malbec Mendoza 2014

Catena Malbec Mendoza 2014

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Catena Malbec Mendoza 2014

Purple color. Nose of black berries, ink, bitter chocolate, spices and oak, this is powerful and not so delicate! A little edgy and intense on the palate at first, this wine is quite tasty on the same flavors as caught on the nose. Would be better to wait a little before opening a bottle of this wine, or give it some air and pair it with a nice piece of red meat and it would do just fine! Clear ageing capacity for 10 years+. Very good (89) 

Made of 100%  Malbec from 4 vineyards located between 920 andet 1450m altitude. Aged 12 to 14 months in French oak barrels of one to three uses. Alcohol level of 13,5%

Available at the SAQ for 21,95$ (Code SAQ : 00478727)

Catena’s website: catenawines.com

Sample proposed by Réserve et Sélection / Trialto: trialto.com

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave L'Hermitage 2012

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave L’Hermitage 2012

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Domaine Jean-Louis Chave L’Hermitage 2012

I’ve heard many times that a Great wine should be drinkable at every step of its ageing process, from its early youth to a fully mature stage. It might be more theory based since it’s pretty rare that one have to chance to open that type of wine more than once, especially when young since one of the goal of having that type of bottle is to lay them down for medium to lo9ng ageing. Well not long ago, I was lucky enough to have to opportunity to taste one of these Grand Vin at an early stage of its life…

Tasted bling with wine geek friends, here is my comments on this week Grand Vin:

Purple color. Nose of black pepper, black berries and bacon. No doubt, this wine is made out of Syrah! Lively and structured on the palate with ripe fruit, the sun does show its presence on the wine. Then comes the spices (anise) on a medium intense structure with a very long finish. This is a beautiful and perfume wine quite approachable now. I guessed a young Cornas wine. Excellent+ (92)

Made of 100% Syrah grapes from Les Bessards, l’Hermite and Le Méal vineyards. Long ageing in oak barrels with 10% new barrels. Alcohol level of 14%

More information on Domaine Jean-Louis Chave: domaine-jean-louis-chave

Réserve et Sélection (Trialto) is the agencey representing Chave in Québec: trialto.com

Finca Villacreces Pruno Ribera del Duero 2014

Finca Villacreces Pruno Ribera del Duero 2014

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Finca Villacreces Pruno Ribera del Duero 2014

Dark cherry color. Nose of black berries, savory herbs, spices, it’s fresh and almost feels finesse coming from the glass. Explosive palate, mouth coating with pretty flavors of black berries, then spices and a hint of vanilla. Well made even if in a seductive style, but still this will hold many years. Very good (89)

This wine is considered by Robert Parker Jr. as the best Spanish wine under 20$ (US). This wine is made of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged 12 months in 3 wine use French oak barrels. Alcohol level of 14%

Available at the SAQ for 24,05$ (Code SAQ : 11881940)

Finca Villacreces website: villacreces.com

Sample proposed by Réserve et Sélection (Trialto): trialto.co

My tasting note on this wine from the 2012 vintage

Diamond Cabernet-Sauvignon Red Rock Terrace Napa 1996

Diamond Creek Cabernet-Sauvignon Red Rock Terrace Napa 1996

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Diamond Creek Cabernet-Sauvignon Red Rock Terrace Napa 1996

The Californian Diamond Creek Vineyards, which name comes from the place where it stands, the Diamond Creek Canyon, is made of different types of soil vineyards, bottled separately, ranging for 3 to 4 different wines depending on the vintage. One more thing that makes Diamond Creek different from the others wineries of that area, especially when it was founded in the late 1960’s, is the fact that it’s planted only with Cabernet-Sauvignon, from vines coming from First Growth Bordeaux Château.

Having a great capacity to age, these wines fully shows themselves when mature at around 20 years of age while holding a lot more. It is always a Great moment to enjoy these wines in that stage of development, which I did again! I had the opportunity over the years to drink few “old” or mature wines from Diamond Creek, as the 1979 and the 1992 also noted on my blog.

Here is now my note on this 1996 Red Rock Terrace:

Very dark garnet color. Nose of berries, leather, tobacco with fine spices and oak, showing clearly what Cabernet-Sauvignon wines can do best, while having great resemblance with left bank Bordeaux wines. This had such a beautiful nose! Flavors of the same kind of what was on the nose with the additional minerality, still showing structure even if polished in a long silky, fine, balance and savory finish. Liked it a lot! Superb (92)

Made of Cabernet-Sauvignon from vines planted on steep hillside made of red clay mixed with iron deposits. Aged in new French oak barrels. Alcohol level of 12,5%

The 2011 and 2012 vintages are currently available in some SAQ stores. For older vintages, some were previously sold through special release from the SAQ, so look for them of shop south of the border in US wine shops.

Diamond Creek Vineyards website: diamondcreekvineyards.com

They are represented in Québec by Réserve et Sélection / Trialto: trialto.com

Vietti au M Mme

Vietti at M Mme wine bar

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Vietti at M Mme wine bar

Having an history spreaded over five generations (from 1873), it’s only in 1919 that Mario Vietti produced the first wines under the name Vietti. He did have to change the farming they were doing on his family property, plant vines and buy more land.

Since his desire was to own his land, he did what he wanted and bought plot on as many areas possible in the Piedmonte. That explains why Vietti is one of the owners from the area that have the most vines on so many appellation, having vines on 15 different vineyards for a total of nearly 35ha.

Besides making wines from classic Piedmonte grapes varieties, they even started to make a white wine in the 1960s, the Roero Arneis.

Some of the wines currently available were previously made for their personal consumption as the Scarone Barbera, which reflects the fact that they do not produce huge amount of each wines.

That’s why one could consider their total production as small, especially when compared to some of their neighbours, even if they have 25 employees to take care of their vineyards on one of the 3 facility they have.

Here is the approximate amount of vines they have by region:

Dolcetto: 2,5ha

Barbera d’Alba: 6,25ha

Barbera d’Asti: 8ha

Barolo: 11ha

Moscato: 3,5ha

It’s Luca Currado, Luciana Vietti’s son that runs the place since 1990 as Chief Winemaker and Vineyard Manager, having previousy acquired experience in Bordeaux and California.

This event was leaded y Elena Currado, Luca’s wife, Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator for Vietti. She presented us some of their wines available here in SAQ stores or by private import.
Vietti Roero Arneis DOCG 2014

Vietti Roero Arneis DOCG 2014 (28,90$ – SAQ Code : 12098201)

Fine nose of flowers, it’s salty, have fruit and rocky notes. Finesse drives the wine again on the palate with flowers, pear and salty water. Very elegant and I liked that!

Made of 100% d’Arneis. Aged in stainless steel tanks. This grape variety used to be called White Nebbiolo.

Vietti Tre Vigne Barbera d’Alba DOC 2014

Vietti Tre Vigne Barbera d’Alba DOC 2014 (28,80$ – SAQ Code : 11863282)

Dark ruby color. Nose and flavors of red berries and floral notes. Slightly spicy with some earth, the fruit is shining!

Made of 100% de Barbera. Aged in a blend of Slovanian and French oak barrels and stainless tanks.

Vietti Vigna Scarrone Barbera d’Alba DOC 2013

Vietti Vigna  Scarrone Barbera d’Alba DOC 2013 (52,00$ – SAQ Code: 12900102)

Dark cherry color. Nose of spices, black berries and oak. More serious and showing depth on the palate, this as strenght and structure. Even if this is quite young, it can be enjoyed if paired with a dish that stands up the wine. Nice potential.

Made of 100% de Barbera. Aged in French oak barrels for 15 months. The vines for this wine are located on Barolo land.

Vietti Perbacco Nebbiolo Langhe DOC 2013

Vietti Perbacco Nebbiolo Langhe DOC 2013 (31,25$ – SAQ Code:  10861031)

Medium garnet color. Nose of dried flowers, earth cherries, citrus fruit peel and rocky-sandy-earthy soil! Good acidity and more serious and austere than the Barbera wines with its leather and dry fruits notes, it stays drinkable and quite good actually.

Made of 100% de Nebbiolo. Aged 4 months in oak barrels, then 20 months in oak cask. This wine is made of the barrels that will not go into the Castiglione Barolo.

Vietti Castiglione Barolo 2012

Vietti Castiglione Barolo 2012 (will be available in private import)

Medium brick garnet color. Pretty nose of fruit, flowers, fine spices and leather. Fine, fresh and typical of Nebbiolo wines. Charming on the palate with balance between finesse and rusticity. Flavors of wild berries, dried flowers, leather, sweet spices, all this in a long lasting finish! Will be a Grand vin for sure and is drinking beautifully from now. Can’t imagine this wine but coming from a better vintage! Tastedwith Elena Penna Currado from Vietti. Excellent!

Made of Nebbiolo. Aged 26 months in cask then 8 months in stainless tanks prior to bottling. Alcohol level of 13,5%

 

I liked these wine and they confirm why I was buying them long before this event. Won’t stop buying either!

 

Vietti’s website : vietti.com

These wines were tasted during an event hosted by Réserve et Sélection / Trialto : trialto.com

This event was held at M Mme, a very classy and pretty wine bar: mmme.ca

 

Note: At the moment to publish this blog post, the news just came out that Vietti waas sold to an American, Kyle Krause. What’s known for now is that the team in place will stay and that Luca Currado will keep his place of CEO and Chef Winemaker. Here is the article from Wine Spectator reporting the news: Barolo’s Vietti Winery Sold to American Businessman 

 

 

Brancaia Tre Rosso IGT Toscana 2013

Brancaia Tre Rosso IGT Toscana 2013

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Brancaia Tre Rosso IGT Toscana 2013 

Medium garnet color. Nose of cherries, earth, old wood and spices. A little more dark and serious on the palate when compared to the nose, this wine still offers beautiful flavors of berries from which the cherry is the clear leader, then tobacco, spices and oak wich a classy and long finish. Please bring me a steak and then we will have a great pairing! Very good (89)

Made of 80% Sangiovese and a total of 20% of Cabernet-Sauvignon and Merlot. Aged 12 months in French oak barrels. Alcohol level of 13,5%

Available at the SAQ for 22,55$ (Code SAQ : 10503963)

Brancaia’s website: brancaia.com

Sample proposed by Trialto / Réserve et Sélection: trialto.com

My tasting note on the 2012 vintage of this wine: Brancaia Tre Rosso IGT Toscana 2012

Le Macchiole Paleo Toscana IGT 2012

Le Macchiole Paleo Toscana IGT 2012

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Le Macchiole Paleo Toscana IGT 2012 

Produced as an IGT because it is not allowed into the Bolgheri appellation where the vines grows to do a wine from a single varietal.

Very dark cherry color. Nose with luscious and pretty oak notes, then the fruit, spices, dry herbs and the green bell pepper. So great on the palate, it’s tasty, young, the oak is there but all balanced with a long mineral finish. Great structure, acidity and even freshness! Again the grape variety shows, but there is also a difference coming from the origin of the wine and the place where the vines grows. Superb (93)

Made of 100% de Cabernet Franc. Aged 20 months in oak barrels, 75% being new. Alcohol level of 14,5%

This vintage will soon be available at the SAQ for 99,00$ (Code SAQ : 12640224)

Le Macchiole’ website: lemacchiole.it

Trialto / Réserve & Sélection is the agency that represents them in Québec: trialto.com

Sample proposed by a producer’s representative.

Parés Baltà Cava Brut

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Parés Baltà Cava Brut

Light gold color with fine bubbles. Not very intense on the palate, it still shows lemon notes with limestone minerality and green apples flavors. Good acidity level and length that brings up the rather thin mid palate. Not very complex, but fresh with an high drinkability level ! Among the best bubbly in that price range. Good+ (88)

Made of Parellada (58%), Macabeo (25%), Xarel·lo (17%). First fermentation in stainless tnaks then second fermentation in bottle following the traditional method. Aged up to 18 months in bottle before release. Alcohol level of 11,5%

Available at the for 17,45$ (Code SAQ : 10896365)

Producer’s website : paresbalta.com

Represented in Québec by : trialto.com

Parés Baltà Cava Brut_2