Joie - A Noble Blend 2016

Joie - A Noble Blend 2016 (SKU 882027, $26.44 tax included)

It was another case of name recognition when I noticed this white wine from B.C. Earlier vintages of this white wine blend was very attractive. I tasted it with some baked vegetable. The body and the nose were light. There was a taste of sweet pear on the palate. It is a blend of Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Auxerrois and Schöenberger. It would go well with Chinese food. There is ample supply in the LDB stores throughout the Lower Mainland.

Vina Santa Rita Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo Valley Medalla Real Gran Reserva 2012

Vina Santa Rita Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo Valley Medalla Real Gran Reserva 2012

 (SKU 275594, $21.26 tax included)

I was wandering through the liquor store when I saw a Limited Time Offer sign with this wine. I was very familiar with the earlier fine vintages of 2004 and 2005. This was a Chilean red wine of the Cabernet Sauvignon variety. Since it was on sale, I thought I should give it a try and I opened it with some baked chicken thigh. The nose was plain but there was a bit of spice on the palate. There was still some tannin and the body was medium full. Further tasting showed some vanilla and dark fruit. The finish was not too long. This was definitely not in the same league as the 2004 and 2005 vintages. But it would be a good pairing with a piece of steak from the barbeque in the summer since one would not want to drink too heavy a red wine with the hot weather. There was no Wine Spectator rating but I would not give it more than 86 points. At this price, it would be a good value food wine that may be cellared for a year or two. The price will go back up to $24.14 including taxes on July 1, 2017, so buy it now if you want to celebrate Canada's 150th birthday with some red meat.

La Montesa Rioja Crianza 2013

La Montesa Rioja Crianza 2013 (US$12.10 tax included, WS91 pts)

I was shopping for wine at the Alderwood Costco and missed this economical offering. Luckily my daughter caught the fine print and pointed it out to me that is was Wine Spectator's No. 52 Wine of the Year in 2016. At US$10.99 plus tax, I could not resist. I brought it back home and immediately opened it while enjoying some sushi. It was amazingly approachable and went well with the food. The nose was fragrant and the palate had taste of vanilla and juicy berry. Being a Tempranillo, it was a bit dry but there was lots of fruit. Even though the wine had a 14.5% alcohol content, it was very easy drinking. Two of us finished three quarters of a bottle without feeling any of the effects of the alcohol. Crianza meant that it was aged for at least two years. Wine Spectator indicated it was good from 2017 to 2023. I would drink it now if you can get your hands on some. I apologize for introducing a wine that is not locally available but this was such an exciting wine that I have to tell you about it. At this price, it is a great deal. It is also available at the Kirkland Costco, so I assume that it is available throughout the Costco chain in the U.S.

Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon Colchagua Valley 2013

Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon Colchagua Valley 2013 (SKU 322586, $27.59 tax included, WS90 pts)

This was a Christmas gift for me and I opened it to drink while having a pork tenderloin roast. The nose was light and the body was thin. It still had some tannins but the finish was short. The wine was overpowered by the meat. My tasting panel was not impressed on the first night. I drank the leftover the next night with some home-cooked Chinese food and take-out barbeque duck. It tasted more full and went well with the food. I guess this would be a nice everyday dinner wine. Compared to the Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon that I tasted last month, this Chilean offering was definitely one step behind. Wine Spectator gave it 90 points and I thought that was a bit generous. I would place it between 86 to 88 points. Although Wine Spectator indicated that this wine could be cellared until 2020, I would mark it for immediate consumption. At this price, this would be a good daily dinner wine. There is ample stock in the LDB system.

Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2013

Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2013 (SKU 255513, $34.49 tax included, WS90 pts)

I saw this wine on sale at the LDB stores $6 off regular price. I haven't seen a decent Napa wine at this price for a long time, so I decided to try it. It was a full body Napa Cab with quite a bit of tannins still. The nose was fruity and the taste was filled with loads of berries. I drank it with some take-out Chinese food but it did not matter since it was very powerful. Of course it will go better with a nice piece of steak or some rack of lamb. Wine Spectator indicated that it is good from 2016 to 2028, so it was still early to drink. I suggest decanting for an hour or two. Mondavi had been one of my favourte wineries and their Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Reserve had always been a powerful red wine to be enjoyed especially on Princess Cruises for a great bargain. At this sale price, this is a better deal than most B. C. wines. There is ample stock in the LDB stores.

Vina Santa Rita Medalla Real Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

Vina Santa Rita Medalla Real Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 (SKU 275594, $21.61)

I found this wine on sale ($2 off) at the liquor store and decided to give it a try, remembering the better vintages in 2004 to 2006. There was no Wine Spectator rating at the time of writing. When opened, the nose was fruity and full. However the palate was just so so, with a lot of tannin, light body and definitely short on the finish. I paired it with some beef and it tasted better. At most it tasted like a 85 point wine. Then on the second evening, it tasted more fruity and the palate was more full. The finish seemed to have extended. Then it tasted like a 88 point wine. This wine is best paired with some hearty red meat. On the third night, it tasted more smooth, losing the sharp edge in taste but gaining in the mid palate. This would suggest that the wine is not quite ready and would benefit from a few more years in the cellar. If you have to open it now, make sure you decant it for at least two hours. The sale price is good until October 31, 2015. There is ample supply in the liquor stores.

Frescobaldi Chianti Rufina Nipozzano Riserva 2011

Frescobaldi Chianti Rufina Nipozzano Riserva 2011 (SKU 107276, WS90, $25.29 tax included)
I bought this wine as a guide for the 3 litre bottle of the 2010 vintage. It was a typical chianti which was light on the nose and palate at first. The wine was dry, so it should be enjoyed with some Italian food. It firmed up after a couple of hours and was perfectly enjoyable on its own. I have to tell you about the 3 litre bottle of the 2010 vintage. I opened a bottle at a special dinner at Oru, Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel. It was decanted for two hours and went perfectly well with the beef tenderloin. The leftover tasted even better the next evening, suggesting that the large format was not ready for current consumption. With the regular bottle, it can be opened now or enjoyed in the next five years. There is ample supply in the liquor stores.