The Vintages wine release on Saturday features some of California’s most collectible wines including the Robert Parker 100-point Dominus 2010 from Napa Valley ($171 per bottle).
Even at that price, good luck getting any, especially if you live outside the GTA. Not one bottle is making its way to Niagara and I’ve heard that it’s being allocated on a first-come first-served basis one bottle at a time even if you do want to drive to Toronto or Oakville and stand in line.
The closest store for Niagara residents to acquire the Dominus is the Vintages store in Oakville at Trafalgar and Cornwall. That store is getting a tiny allotment of 72 bottles and Vintages is recommending that if you want any, even a single bottle, to lineup before the store opens at 9 a.m. Saturday. To give you an idea of the small quantities of this wine being made available, the main Queen’s Quay store in downtown Toronto is only getting 96 bottles.
To find the nearest store getting the Dominus, call 416-365-5900.
Some of the other heavy hitters from the Cali release include Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet 2010 ($150), Pahlmeyer Red 2010 ($160), and Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 ($62).
There was a time I would lineup outside LCBO stores to acquire sought-after bottles of wines, but not any more, life is too short. Perhaps if my local Vintages store was stocking a few bottles I might drag myself out of bed and head down out of curiosity. But I’ll be damned if I drive all the way to Oakville just to get one bottle of really expensive Napa Cab that Parker thinks is perfect.
What I’m excited about in this release is Niagara’s Thomas Bachelder’s top Pinot Noir from Burgundy. The La Petite Charmotte from Nuits-Saint-Georges is this tri-regional winemaker’s best effort from his first red Burgundy release. I’m happy to see some of it reach Vintages shelves instead of the SAQ, which has been getting the lion’s share of Bachelder’s Burgundies lately).
Bachelder, who is based in Niagara, makes Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (his favourite varieties) each vintage from Niagara, Oregon and Burgundy. It’s a unique approach that no one else has tried in three distinct regions before (that I’m aware of). It takes Bachelder on the road most of the year as he juggles three different harvests and winemaking decisions.
I remember tasting this Pinot at his home last summer and being impressed with its finesse and gracefulness. It’s a beautiful wine that is true to Bachelder’s style.
So, here are my highlights from the Vintages release on Saturday.
Bachelder Nuits-Saint-Georges La Petite Charmotte, Burgundy 2011 ($50, 93 points) — The Bachelder style shines through all his Pinots from Niagara to Oregon to Burgundy. They are never overdone, and always show a sense of graceful power and finesse. This gorgeous wine displays fruits of anise, raspberry, ripe cherry and cassis with pretty floral and incense notes. The tannins are evident but smooth and the ripe fruits are bolstered by crunchy minerality and light savoury spice through a long finish. Buy, hold and enjoy years down the road.
13th Street White Palette 2011 ($16, 87 points) — This blend of Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Musqué and Viognier amounts to a lovely summer sipper with fresh citrus, floral, tropical fruits and touch of herbs on the nose. It’s juicy on the palate with moderate acidity in an easy-going style that will appeal to a broad spectrum of wine lovers.
Coffin Ridge Into the Light White 2012, Georgian Bay ($20, 88 points) — A nose of grapefruit, peach, orange peel, kiwi and lime. Lots going on in this interesting off-dry white fruit-bomb blend of Geisenheim, Riesling, L’Acadie Blanc, Frontenac, Frontenac Gris, La Crescent and Prairie Star, including peach, cold tea, minty herbs, lemon-lime and a refreshing zip through the finish.
Other Ontario wines being released but not reviewed:
• Calamus Pinot Gris 2013 ($17)
• Cave Spring Estate Bottled Chardonnay Musque 2012 ($16)
• Fielding Viognier 2012 ($26)
• Henry of Pelham Estate Chardonnay 2012 ($22)
• Burning Kiln Strip Room Merlot/Cabernet Franc 2012 ($25)
• Henry of Pelham Reserve Baco Noir 2011 ($25)
• Lailey Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 ($25)
• Smoke & Gamble Reserve Cabernet/Merlot 2011 ($20)
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