Photo credit: Maison Gabriel Meffre
For your drinking pleasure on this chilly first week-end in December, I offer a mixed bag of under 20$* whites & reds! My apologies for the extended blogging hiatus…a gorgeous little baby named Charlie is my excuse. He has graciously agreed to start sleeping for more than 2 hours in a row, so I should be back to inundating the web with my wine musings shortly!
* Okay, I added one over 20$ red…but it is worth every single extra penny!
(What do VW, PW and LW mean? Click on my wine scoring system to find out)
Laurus Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2015 – 93pts. VW
Viognier and Roussanne predominate in this highly textured, fragrant, full-bodied white. Aromas of white peach, yellow apple, ripe lemon and acacia feature on the nose. The medium weight palate offers a lovely freshness, concentrated stone fruit flavours and spicy oak nuances. The finish is long and layered. This is an absolute steal at under 20$.
Where to buy: SAQ (19.95$), agent: Elixirs Vins & Spiritueux
Attems Pinot Grigio 2016, Venezia Giulia – 88pts. VW
This is a clear step up from the majority of thin, neutral Pinot Grigios flooding liquor store shelves these days. Suprisingly fragrant, with yellow apple, quince and ripe lemon aromas. Crisp and dry on the palate, with a subtly creamy, layered texture, and interesting savoury nuances on the moderate length finish. Great apéritif wine.
Where to buy: SAQ (18.55$), agent: Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits
Gustave Lorentz “Réserve” Pinot Blanc 2016, Alsace – 89pts. VW
If you haven’t discovered the wines of Alsace yet, you are missing out! While not considered a “noble grape” in Alsace, well-made Pinot Blanc is often lively and rounded, with pretty orchard fruit aromatics, a subtle smokiness and an attractive, ever-so-slightly off-dry finish. Gustav Lorentz “Réserve” ticks all the boxes, with nice depth of ripe citrus and apple flavours on the smooth, medium weight palate. The finish is faintly honeyed, balancing the fresh acidity nicely.
Where to buy: LCBO (17.95$), agent: Amethyst Wines
Casa Ferreirinha “Papa Figos” 2016, Douro – 89pts. VW
Inviting nose of ripe dark fruit and red cherries, with floral and spiced hints. Moderately firm on the palate, this medium bodied Douro blend displays lovely freshness, powdery tannins and a dry, lifted finish. A quarter of the blend is matured in used barrels, rounding out the structure and bringing a subtle earthiness to the mix. Fantastic value for this highly versatile, food friendly red!
Where to buy: SAQ (16.95$), agent: Authentic Wines & Spirits Quebec
Domaine Theulot-Juillot Mercurey Vieilles Vignes 2015 – 91pts. PW
If you love juicy, fragrant, silky textured red Burgundy (but have stopped buying them due to the scary prices these days) this wine is for you! The nose is subdued, with moderately complex earthy, red berry and tea leaf notes developping upon aeration. The palate, however, is wonderfully vibrant, brimming with tangy red fruit. Medium bodied, with well integrated spicy, toasty oak. Moderately firm, fine-grained tannins frame the dry, lengthy finish.
Where to buy: LCBO (26.95$)