TOP DROPS Rimbey Municipal Library March 8, 2014
Tasting guide Sight, smell, body, taste, aftertaste Discuss as you like, don t be shy Score your wines just for fun!
Types of Wine Tastings Basic Wines Cab, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot, Riesling, Sauv Bl, Chard Regional Wines Same varietal across many regions Same region, many varietals Varietal Wines Same varietal across many countries Blended Wines Often meaning specific wines to a region as well Horizontal Same type all from one vintage Vertical Same producer and wine from many vintages Dessert Sauternes, Sherries, Ports, Icewines
TOP DROPS What makes this tasting top drops? Review each wine and respective peers You make the call, is it worth it? Who said what?
Wine #1 Mission Hill Oculus 2007 Oliver and Osoyoos, B.C., Canada $100 95 pts James Suckling A big wine with muscular, but ripe, tannins. The initial aromas were primarily oak and dark chocolate; plum and cherry aromas developed with time. On the palate, the flavour layers revealed plum, currants, figs, chocolate, with a hint of spice on the finish. With time, a core of delicious ripe fruit flavours emerged. Drink 2010-2017.
Canada s Top Drops Canadian Wine Highlighted on an International Stage Anthony Gismondi formerly of Wine Access
Wine #2 Numanthia Termes Termanthia Tinta de Toro 2005 Toro, Spain $250 95 pts Wine Spectator Rich yet expressive, this powerful red delivers plum, cassis, meat, tobacco and licorice flavors over muscular tannins. It's rather austere now, but has concentration, a rock-solid structure and plenty of depth. Best from 2011 through 2020. 340 cases made.
Spanish Selections Berry Bros & Rudd Forbes Spanish Wine Guide Celebrated Regions Ribera del Duero, Priorat, Rioja, Toro
Wine #3 Chateau Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2010 Southern Rhone, France $120 96 pts Wine Spectator, #8 2013 Top 100 Dark, dense and very closed now, this has a tremendous core of crushed plum, linzer torte and blackberry confiture waiting in reserve. Ample singed cedar and mesquite, warm paving stone and black tea notes lurk in the background and glide through the finish. Features serious grip, but wonderful integration. Should cruise in the cellar. Best from 2016 through 2035. 7,500 cases made.
Top Chat-du-Pape Beaucastel Clos des Papes Pegau Chapoutier Beaurenard
Top Chat-de-Pape
Wine #4 Grant Burge Meshach Shiraz 2008 Barossa Valley, Australia $180 98 pts Tony Keys One cannot help but be overpowered with the intensity of this wine. I'm lost for words because I don't want to go into overdrive. I haven't tasted the 2008 Penfolds Grange but I should think this would give it a challenge. $180 is a lot of money but this has a very long life ahead and it's a wine with global standing of which all Australians can be proud. Best from 2015 through 2035.
Australia s Best of the Best Penfolds Grange Henscke Hill of Grace Torbreck Run Rig Two Hands Ares Clarendon Hills Astralis Mollydooker Velvet Glove Elderton Command Kaesler Old Bastard Killikanoon Oracle Kalleske Greenock Creek D arenberg Dead Arm Glaetzer Amon Ra
Australia s Best of the Best
Wine #5 Catena Zapata Cabernet Sauvignon-Malbec 2009 Mendoza, Argentina $150 94 pts Wine Spectator A concentrated yet lively red, with embedded acidity backing rich cassis, racy black cherry puree and mocha notes. This is detailed, delivering a long finish of spice cake, tarry mineral and fruit. Delicious now, but will reward patience. Best from 2014 through 2019. 1,500 cases imported.
Top Drops from Argentina How much for a malbec?
Wine #6 Montes Alpha M 2010 Rapel, Chile $90 96 pts Wine Spectator Beautifully concentrated, showing a floral undertone to the rich yet racy wild berry, cassis and damson plum skin fruit character that's tightly wound around fine tannins. The finish is long and compact, but needs time in the cellar to fully shine. Best from 2014 through 2020. 500 cases imported.
Chile s Top Drops 11 wines total to have ever scored over 95, all since 2000 Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta Concha Y Toro Don Melchor Almaviva
Wine #7 Antinori Solaia 2009 Tuscany, Italy $325 95 pts Wine Spectator A pretty red, boasting floral, cherry, black currant, chocolate and spice aromas and flavors. The firm structure is assertive now, both acidity and tannins, but the sweet fruit and spice flavors persist and grace the long finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2015 through 2030. 500 cases made.
Italy and the bestest Most collectible Tuscan wines
Wine #8 Joseph Phelps Insignia 2010 Napa, California, USA $225 97 pts Wine Enthusiast This is, as always, a gorgeous wine, rich, balanced and delicious. It shows classic Napa Valley ripeness, with blackberry jam, plum, dark chocolate and sweet oak flavors. Plush and velvety doesn t begin to do it justice. Despite it s fabulous lushness, this is a wine to age. Depending on your taste, it will provide excellence from now until 2030. 11,060 cases made.
Cookin Cali Cabs 359 Cabs and Blends with 95-100 rating Cult cabs
right and wrong Bordeaux s Baddest
Bordeaux Summary Original classification ordered in 1855 by Emperor Napoleon III from 1 st to 5 th growth (crus) Ordered by quality, determined by price and reputation at the time Much controversy around this, many have tried to change, only 2 ever 1856, another 5 th growth added, 1973, Mouton Rothschild became 1 st Whites, premier cru superieur Yquem, 9 1 st and 11 2 nd
Bordeaux Summary
Wine #9 Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2009 Bordeaux, France $1200 98 pts Wine Spectator This is pure, unadulterated Cabernet, with a gorgeously creamy mouth-feel to the beam of cassis that's backed by extra layers of cherry eau de vie, red licorice and raspberry ganache. Obviously dense but amazingly supple, with terrific length supported by a classic, ironfueled spine. This has power if it needs it, but it's all about length. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2020 through 2040.
Bordeaux Summary 1 st - 5 2 nd - 11 3 rd - 14 4 th - 10 5 th - 17 Lafite Leoville Palmer Beychevelle Pontet Canet Latour Montrose Lagrange Talbot Grand Puy Lacoste Margaux Ducru Beaucaillou Giscours Branaire Ducru Lynch Bages Haut Brion Cos D Estournel Calon Segur Duhart Milon Clerc Milon Mouton Pichon Longueville Kirwan Lafon Rochet Lynch Moussas
Wine #10 Taylor Fladgate 1964 Single Harvest Release Douro Valley, PORTUGAL $225 On the nose the wine displays fine oaky aromas and complex spicy, nutty, cigar box notes against a warm mellow background of butterscotch and molasses. The smooth velvety palate is lifted by a crisp acidity which gives the wine an attractive freshness in spite of its age. The finish is immensely long with rich, spicy, black pepper flavours lingering on the palate. Finely constituted and beautifully balanced, this rare Single Harvest Port would be an exceptional tribute to any 50th anniversary.
Buying Tips App check the vintage chart Vintage Chart The older the better? Research buy a magazine Or get a book from the library More $$$ is not always better Know your store or staff Experiment with caution Look up and buy down.
Thank You Jean Keetch for convincing me to do this. Chad Jones for bringing in the wines. All of you for coming out to have some fun!
Further Interests? Questions? Please drive safe.
TOP DROPS Rimbey Municipal Library March 8, 2014