From time to time, wines that are not available at the LCBO are sent to Wines In Niagara for consideration.
Most of these wines, sent unsolicited by wine agents, will eventually be placed in front of LCBO buyers in the hopes that they get listed at the monopoly at some point in the future. They are often very cool wines from far-flung regions that would be nice to have available here.
Here are some that I have tasted in the last little while, these from VinoLuna with approximate prices should they ever be listed in Ontario. Many of these wines are likely more widely available outside of Ontario for the time being.
Mascarello (Italy)
Mascarello dal 1927 Nebbiolo D’Alba 2011 ($51, 92 points) — One of the prettiest labels I have seen in a while and a nose to match with attractive black currants, raspberry, savoury spices, cigar leaf, cedar and vanilla. It is a robust wine on the palate with roasted vanilla bean, anise, currants and cherry with a mélange of spice notes. Quite structured with plush tannins and the stuffing to age for 5-10 years.
Mascarello Barolo 2011 ($64, 93 points) — A meaty, savoury and bold Nebbiolo with a nose of dark fruits, wood smoke, underbrush and nutmeg spice. There is firm tannic structure on the palate, suggesting a long life, with earthy blackberry and anise fruit and a full range of oak-derived baking spices and tobacco notes. It’s nicely integrated but will improve for decades to come.
Mascarello Nebbiolo D’Alba 2012 ($30, 90 points) — A nose of field raspberries, floral notes, black cherries and sweet baking spices. It’s rich on the palate with red berries, anise, fine tannins and spice that cover the palate through a long finish. Can age five plus years.
Vina Gormaz (Spain, DO Ribera del Duero)
Vina Gormaz Crianza 2012 ($18, 90 points) — Made from 100% Tempranillo, this is bright and bold on the nose with cassis, raspberries, vanilla and sweet spices. It has mouth-filling fruit, good balance, savoury spices, cocoa and subtle dried herbs on the finish. Think roast lamb with this.
Vina Gormaz Roble 2013 ($15, 88 points) — Sweet cherry, violets, toasted vanilla, spice and soft blueberries on the nose of this Tempranillo. It’s bright and fresh on the palate with savoury herbs, cherries, coffee bean and vibrant acidity through the finish. Delicious little wine.
Bodegas Garci Grande Verdejo 2014 ($16, 91 points) — Wow! What a lovely old school Verdejo from the Rueda D.O. The nose shows white peach, guava and apricot with dried herbs and spice. It has enough acidity to lift the lemon and apricot fruit with a balanced approach to the spice. It’s juicy yet fresh and lively through the finish. Great match with white fish.
Partenaire (France, Languedoc)
Partenaire Rene Bessac Rouge 2012 Cotes du Rhone Plan de Dieu (price not available, 87 points) — Soft, pretty nose of currants, nutmeg and cinnamon spice. It has supple, soft tannins on the palate with a bevy of red fruits and integrated spices. A crowd-pleaser made from Grenache, Syrah, Mourevdre and Carignan.
Partenaire Hauts de Cairanne Rouge 2014 Cotes du Rhone Villages (price not available, 89 points) — This Cotes du Rhone blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre offers up a fragrant nose of spicy dark fruits, sweet tobacco, earth and cocoa powder. It has mouth-filling currants, blackberries and spice with vibrant acidity through the finish.
Partenaire Domaine D’Aigues Rouge 2014, Luberon AOC (price not available, 88 points) — Made from Syrah, Grenache, Carignan and Cinsault with a subtle, nuanced nose of blackberry, raspberry and light spices. More expressive on the palate with raspberry, cherry, spice and chocolate notes. It’s medium-bodied with smooth tannins.
Partenaire Domaine de Beaumiere Cotes du Rhone 2014 (price not available, 91 points) — I love the nose on this Grenache/Syrah blend. Fragrant violets, garrigue, cherry-raspberry fruit and spices. On the palate look for persistent and crunchy red fruits, earth and spice with a smooth and balanced approach on the finish. Lovely wine.
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