Weekly offerings - Page 4 of 11 - The Small Winemakers Collection

A Must-Have Vintage from the Heart of Châteauneuf du Pape

Richard Godin Weekly offerings Leave a comment January 13, 2023November 8, 2017

2015 Domaine Durieu Châteauneuf du Pape $52.95 btl / $317.70 cs (case of 6 x 750ml) Domaine Durieu is fast becoming one of the stars of Châteauneuf du Pape and with very impressive Parker reviews year over year this wine is without doubt an absolute bargain for the cellar. The 2015 vintage out of France’s Southern Rhône Valley was excellent. The weather was hot and dry and Grenache and Mourvèdre both ripened well and quality is great. This is a very serious vintage that produced ripe and powerful wines. The 2015 Domaine Durieu Châteauneuf du Pape is ripe and broad on the nose, displaying red fruit and floral scents with hints of white pepper. Fleshy, broad and warm on the palate, offering sweet red and dark berry flavors. Shows the ripeness of the vintage and has a long finish with good breadth. Only 2,000 cases were produced for world-wide distribution. Domaine Durieu began in the 1970s when Paul Durieu inherited a few hectares of vines from his mother, Lucille Avril, land which had been in the family since the 1500s. The vinyards have some very old vines of Grenache, some of which were planted over a hundred years ago. Paul built the winery and gradually expanded the family estate to their current 37 hectares in Châteauneuf du Pape, adding another 68 hectares in the Cotes du Rhone and Cotes du Ventoux. Today, Domaine Durieu is one of the most well-regarded in the region and has received many accolades. Since Paul’s retirement in 2004, the younger generation has taken over operations at Durieu, with son Vincent in charge of winemaking. Vincent, only in his 20s, has already been regarded as an upcoming superstar winemaker by top critics. Price: Case of 6 at $317.70 ($52.95 per bottle) Drink: Now or over the next 10 years Varietal/Body: 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre, 3% Cinsault and 2% Counoise, Full-body Vinification: 30 days maceration, aged in concrete tank for 18 months, bottling without fining and filtration. Reviews: “The reds from barrel include the 2015 Châteauneuf du Pape, which should end up being an outstanding wine. Offering textbook notes of black raspberries, roasted garrigue and tapenade, it’s full-bodied, upfront and soft, with tons of fruit and charm. It should drink nicely right out of the gate. I’ve had numerous splendid bottles from this estate over the past decade and I continue to love the wines from the young Vincent Durieu.”– Jeb Dunnuck, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, Oct 28, 2016 Food Pairing: Grilled steak with a dollop of herb butter, rack of lamb, duck confit, garlic or smoked sausage

A Luxury Napa Cab that Won’t Break the Bank

Richard Godin Weekly offerings Leave a comment January 13, 2023October 24, 2017

2013 Waterstone Cabernet Sauvignon $53.90 btl / $646.80 cs (case of 12 x 750ml) Waterstone has quickly become known for producing top-quality Napa Valley wines that delight the palate. The 2013 Waterstone Cabernet has a Bordeaux-like presence that is deep, rich, and lingering. Firm, integrated tannins frame the concentrated, dark fruit (currant, black cherry, wild berry, plum). Toasty oak and an earthy edge add to the wine’s great complexity. Only 5,000 cases were produced for world-wide distribution and only 25 cases remain in Ontario. Brent Shortridge, Owner of Waterstone Wine, is an accidental winemaker. With a biochemistry background and former aspiration of going to medical school, Shortridge had no intention of entering the wine business until a summer job at Sonoma’s Buena Vista Winery changed his life. “It was an accidental summer job. I had just completed my degree and was wanting to earn some money before med school, so I took a job as a lab intern at Buena Vista. André Tchelistcheff became a mentor during this stage. While unintended, this temporary position evolved into a vintage assessment and “year off” from schooling. The year off evolved into years off, as I had found a greater career interest.” Now 25 years in, Brent Shortridge has extensive hands-on experience in virtually every aspect of the wine industry, from the cellar to the boardroom. With the cost of Napa Cabernet rising on average of 10% year over year Waterstone was formed in 2000 with the simple concept of creating luxury wines at affordable prices. How do they do this? A concept known as a virtual winery that brings together established relationships with premium Napa Valley growers and vintners to develop balanced wines of varietal character through intelligent sourcing. Preferring to focus on the wine itself rather than the accumulation of land and facilities, Waterstone owns no vineyards, nor does it own the facility where their wines are made. Dedicated winemaking, strong relationships with top growers and long-term grape contracts are the keys to Waterstone’s quality and success. Price: Case of 12 at $646.80 ($53.90 per bottle) Drink: Now or over the next 10 years Varietal/Body: 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, Full-body Vintage: 2013 was nearly an ideal season in Napa, with moderate temperatures and no rain or heat extremes Vinification: 22 months in French oak, 80% new Accolades: 92 points – 2012 Vintage “Subtle blackberry, black currant and hints of wood. Full to medium body, firm tannins and a fresh finish. Drink or hold.”– James Suckling, July 2015 Food Pairing: Grilled steak, red meat and aged cheddar cheese

Why is Luigi Righetti Pinot Grigio so Popular?

Richard Godin Weekly offerings Leave a comment January 13, 2023October 18, 2017

2016 Luigi Righetti Pinot Grigio IGT $15.65 btl / $187.80 cs (case of 12 x 750ml) Last year, the Luigi Righetti Pinot Grigio was a few cases shy of being our top seller coming second to the Luigi Righetti Campolieti Valpolicella. One reason as to why these wines are so popular is that Luigi Righetti is the first winery that The Small Winemakers Collection represented in Ontario 26 years ago, and the first order was just 3 cases. That relationship grew every year after that. Today, The Small Winemakers Collection imports more cases then Luigi Righetti’s annual production back then. Angelo Righetti first earned a reputation as an outstanding winemaker in the early 1900s, and since then the family has continued to focus on producing quality wines offering extremely good value. Unlike many Pinot Grigios, the 2016 Luigi Righetti Pinot Gorgio shows good mid-palate weight and fruit concentration. It is has a youthful nose of lemon peel, honeysuckle and yellow pear. The palate is dry and light-bodied with crisp acidity and the floral and citrus characteristics from the nose come through nicely. The finish is clean but the fruit flavours linger. The vineyards are located in Valgatara, in the heart of Valpolicella Classico, and the estate is a small to mid-sized, family run winery and the wines exhibit an exceptional balance between fruit, acidity and alcohol. The result in wines that have good aging potential, but are available for early consumption as well. Gian Maria Righetti is the fifth generation within the Righetti family to carry on the family, wine-making tradition. Gian Maria’s father, Luigi, took over winemaking in the 40’s and was the first in the family to consider production beyond supply of local demand. Today, he is still active in the estate’s day to day operation. Gian Maria, who took over winemaking responsibilities in 1985, has broadened the line to include single vineyard offerings and wines with international appeal. Price: Case of 12 at $187.80 ($15.65 per bottle) Drink: Now or over the next years Varietal/Body: Pinot Grigio, Dry, Light-body Food Pairing: Grilled fish or chicken, seafood, spaghetti carbonara, dishes with cream or lemon based sauce

Is Sicily the Unsung Star of Italian Wine?

Richard Godin Weekly offerings Leave a comment June 24, 2022October 4, 2017

When most people think of Italian wine Sicily is probably not the first region that comes to mind. Although Sicily’s reputation as a food and wine paradise has remained intact for more than 3,000 years it is only in the past decade or so Sicilian winemakers have focused on lower yield, higher quality wines with character. Sicily’s dry, well-structured red and whites are a far cry from the sweet Marsala and Moscatos of the past. The demand internationally for Sicilian wine has skyrocketed with exports increasing by more than 60% in the past 3 years. Today’s offer is from Nicosia, founded at the end of the 19th century by Francesco Nicosia, still run by his great-grandson Carmelo with his sons Francesco and Graziano today. The 2015 Nicosia Etna Rosso Vulka is composed of 80% Nerello Mascalese and 20% Nerello Cappuccio, both indigenous varietals of the region. The volcanic, mineral soils impart a richness to the wine and the altitude provides lower temperatures leading to a fresh, elegant profile. The ruby red colour with faint purple is typical of this variety and the bouquet offers lovely hints of red berries, morello cherry and black cherry. On the palate you will experience balanced tannins and a surprising fullness, flavour and persistence. Price: Case of 12 at $268.80 ($22.40 per bottle) Drink: Now or over the next 5 years Varietal/Body: 80% Nerello Mascalese, 20% Nerello Cappuccio, Medium Accolades: 2014 vintage received 90pts from Decanter’s tasting panel Food Pairing: Pairs well with a variety of dishes from vegetarian pasta, seafood, chicken, turkey, braised beef, grilled pork chops as well as spicier cuisines such as Indian or Mexican To place an order please email alidad@smallwinemakers.ca or call 416-463-4677

Ripe and Juicy Pinot Noir Perfect for Turkey Day

Richard Godin Weekly offerings Leave a comment August 13, 2021September 26, 2017

Pinot Noir is dangerously drinkable, highly addictive, and an ideal pairing for a Thanksgiving feast. Today’s offer is from Alta Maria Vineyards located in Santa Barbara County at the southern end of California’s Pinot Noir region. There you will find exceptional and extremely affordable Pinot Noir, which is a testament to the quality of the growing region and diversity of soil and climate. Alta Maria is a small, artisan winery focusing on producing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the cold and oceanic Santa Maria Valley appellation in Santa Barbara County. Founded by 9th Generation Californian James Ontiveros, and Winemaker and long-time college friend Paul Wilkins, Alta Maria’s wines are excellent examples of a California-style Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that are balanced and complex. In 2015, Joe Wagner, son of Chuck Wagner of Caymus Vineyards and Owner/Winemaker of Copper Cane Wine & Provisions which includes Belle Glos, began collaborating with James Ontiveros after selling the famous brand Meomi, which put Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara on the map. The two agreed to work in tandem on all future Alta Maria wines, beginning with the debut of the 2014 Alta Maria vintage. Both Wagner and Ontiveros have longstanding roots to California wine country tracing back generations, with the Wagner family in Napa Valley and the Ontiveros family in Central Coast California. “After working with each other for over a decade, I’m thrilled to be partnered with James for the production of these very special Santa Barbara County wines,” said Joe Wagner. The 2014 Alta Maria Pinot Noir is not your typical Pinot. Medium-bodied, ripe and opulent showing a deep ruby colour, intense ripe red berries and cola with hints of spice, smoke and cedar. Price: Case of 12 at $241.80 ($20.15 per bottle) Drink: Now or over the next 3 years Food Pairing: Roast turkey, chicken or duck with the traditional Thanksgiving fixings, Asian dishes with a touch of spice, mushroom risotto or pasta

Arguably the Most Noteworthy Beaujolais Cru

Richard Godin Weekly offerings Leave a comment September 19, 2022September 21, 2017

Moulin-a-Vent is arguably the most noteworthy of the ten Beaujolais crus, located in the north of Beaujolais. Made from Gamay, these wines are known for being some of the most concentrated and tannic made in this region, a far cry from the light, simple Beaujolais Nouveau wines. It is one of the few crus not named after a specific village, instead being named for the famous local windmill. It is also generally regarded as one of the longest lived crus, and can drink well for up to ten years after harvest. The 2015 Domaine de la Ranche – Moulin-a-Vent has a deep purple colour, fairly intense aromas of black fruit such as mulberry or black cherry, with slight chocolatey notes. Palate is rich yet fresh, with good firm tannins and notes of wet stone. Good weight and length. There were just 4,000 cases made. Domaine de la Ranche is located in the village of Chenas in the heart of the Beaujolais wine region. In the 50s, Claude Chevalier bought this property and today Alexis is the 3rd generation winemaker of the Chavelier family to work the vineyards. The domaine has two separate vineyards; one in the village of La Ranche, on east-facing slopes in Chénas on soils composed of pink granite, and another vineyard at “Pérelles” in the commune of Romanèche also facing east just below the famous windmill of the Moulin-a-Vent appellation composed of pink limestone. The 12 hectares are harvested manually with a 12 to 14 day vinification depending on the vintage. The wine is aged in stainless steel vats to let the Gamay express the best of its fruit forward characteristic. Price: Case of 12 at $261.00 ($21.75 per bottle) Drink: Now or over the next 8 years Food Pairing: Roast chicken, seared duck breast with fruit compote made with cherries or figs, classic French dishes in a creamy sauce, kidneys with mustard sauce and boeuf stroganoff

A Modern Twist on a Cabernet/Merlot Blend

Richard Godin Weekly offerings Leave a comment December 3, 2019September 12, 2017

2014 Dowie Doole Hooley Dooley Red $21.30 btl / $255.60 cs (case of 12 x 750ml) Cabernet, Syrah (or Shiraz) and a Merlot blend incorporate some of the world’s most popular red wine grape varieties, each of which are grown in almost every wine-producing country on earth. The Cabernet grapes (Cabernet Sauvignon and, to a lesser extent, Cabernet Franc) are both classic blending partners for Merlot, and are in fact the core ingredients of the traditional Bordeaux blend. Less traditional, but increasingly common, particularly in the New World, is to add a component of Syrah, or Shiraz, to the mix. Australians are passionate about the quintessential Australian blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Merlot which produces ripe, rich full-bodied styles of wine. Cabernet lends its structure and body, Shiraz gives the wines spicy, fruity overtones and Merlot adds a round, juicy mouthfeel. This modern twist of the CSM blend incorporates a small, but significant, amount of Petit Verdot that adds further complexity to this classic Australian CSM. The 2014 Dowie Doole Hooley Dooley is a rich, deep crimson with ruby hue with a beautiful Cabernet bouquet of blackcurrant and mint with dark berry fruits, spicy Shiraz notes and soft red fruits from the Merlot. The palate is soft and juicy exhibiting flavours of blackcurrant, blackberry and plum with a touch of nutmeg spice. The tannins which are further enhanced by the Petit Verdot component are fine, long and soft, making it ideal for early drinking and short term aging. Fun fact, Hooley Dooley is an Australian expression “of surprise and awe, tinged with amazement“. It is exactly what winemaker Chris Thomas would like you to exclaim the first time you taste this seamlessly blended red wine. Price: Case of 12 at $255.60 ($21.30 per bottle) Drink: Now or over the next 3 years Food Pairing: A wide a range of rich, full-bodied foods particularly roasted meats, hearty stews and casseroles Third Party Reviews: 89 points – James Halliday “51.5% cabernet sauvignon, 42.6% shiraz, 4.7% merlot and 1.2% petit verdot from Langhorne Creek and McLaren Vale, each parcel separately vinified and matured, 60% in used hogsheads for 19 months, the remainder held in tank until blending. This is an archetypal Aussie red, brimful of confidence and flavour, ready for whatever you throw at it.”

Great-Value Tempranillo from Spain’s Top Wine Region

Richard Godin Weekly offerings Leave a comment February 14, 2023August 29, 2017

2014 Viña Pomal Crianza $17.60 btl / $211.20 cs (case of 12 x 750ml) The 2014 Viña Pomal Crianza has been produced in Rioja, Spain for over 100 years and is the flagship wine of Bodegas Bilbaínas. The winery had a bottling plant near London’s Charing Cross in the 1940’s, and Viña Pomal was reputed to be a favourite of Winston Churchill. The wine is ruby with violet hues with an intense nose dominated by floral, black fruity, liquorice, vanilla and toasted aromas. The palate is balanced, soft and fresh. Shows good structure and soft tannins. The Bilbaínas Bodegas winery was founded in 1901, thanks to a group of Bilbao businessmen. The climate in this area is moderately continental with a very subtle Cantabrian influence as the Sierra de Cantabria acts as a natural barrier against the cold north winds. This wine is 100% Tempranillo from 90 hectares of vineyards located in the town of Haro. The vineyards are planted between 380 and 500 meters above sea level, providing grapes ideal sun exposure. Viña Pomal Crianza is made with a traditional winemaking process where it spends 12 months in American oak barrels and a minimum of 6 months in the bottle before it is released. In Spain, Rioja is synonymous with wine. The denomination of origin spreads along some 54,000 hectares around three different communities; La Rioja, Basque Country and Navarre. Rioja wines are a blend of several grape varieties. There are 4 red varieties and 3 white varieties allowed in the Rioja DOC. Tempranillo clearly takes center stage, followed by Garnacha (Grenache) which is sometimes added for body, then Graciano and Mazuelo (Carignan). The region also makes some great rosés and whites from indigenous grapes. Price: Case of 12 at $211.20 ($17.60 per bottle) Drink: Now or over the next 3 years Type/Variety: Dry red, 100% Tempranillo Food Pairing: Grilled red meats, rice dishes such as paella, cheese and charcuterie Accolades: 91 — Ultimate Wine Challenge — February, 2015 90 — Wine Spectator — May, 2015 90 — eRobert Parker — April, 2015

From Fashion Model to Winemaker

Richard Godin Weekly offerings Leave a comment November 26, 2019August 23, 2017

2015 Graceland Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon $31.40 btl / $376.80 cs (case of 12 x 750ml) Having friends in high places sometimes leads to great wine. Peter Oliver of Oliver and Bonacini Restaurants introduced The Small Winemakers Collection team to Paul and Susan McNaughton, owners and operators of Graceland Vineyards in Stellenbosch, South Africa in 2001. Peter and Paul were classmates and best friends in Cape Town, South Africa, where Peter Oliver is originally from. They went their separate ways when Peter moved to Montreal to attend McGill University, later becoming one of Canada’s most successful restaurateurs, while Paul stayed in South Africa and married Susan, a former fashion model. They purchased Graceland Vineyards, an 18 hectare farm on the slopes of the Helderberg, known as the red wine zone of Stellenbosch, in 1990. Graceland is a small winery where the entire family plays a role: Susan has been the driving force as viticulturist, winemaker and marketer; Paul attends to the finances and administration and everyone, even the children lend a hand in the cellar. When the dogs start to eat the grapes off the vines, they know it is time to pick. Susan took over the role of full-time winemaker in 2002. She is directly involved in every aspect of the winemaking process. The wines from Graceland Vineyards are truly hand-crafted, with Susan’s personal touch in every bottle – including hand wrapping in tissue paper! This is artisanal wine at its finest. The McNaughtons decided to incorporate Baron Jean Baptiste Regnault’s famous painting of the tastefully intertwined ‘Three Graces’ from the Louvre on the front of the bottle. Legend has it that they were the physical embodiment of Beauty, Joy and Charm which symbolize the essential characteristics of Graceland wine. The 2015 Graceland Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon is elegant and mouth-filling with notes of blackcurrant, cranberry, cassis, spice, layers of chocolate, pleasant fine tannins with understated structure. This is a well-defined, European style Cabernet. The wine spends 22 months in barrel, 30% new oak, bottled unfined; unfiltered. Harvested from vineyards at differing elevations, vineyard ages and soil structures enhances the wine’s complexity. Price: Case of 12 at $376.80 ($31.40 per bottle) Drink: Now or over the next 10 years Type/Variety/Body: Dry red, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, Full-body Food Pairing: Rack of lamb, steak, roasts, hearty stews, grilled burgers with aged cheddar

Simply Brilliant Australian Shiraz

Richard Godin Weekly offerings Leave a comment August 13, 2021August 21, 2017

2015 Kingston Estate Shiraz $17.40 btl / $208.80 cs (case of 12 x 750ml) Kingston Estate embodies accessible luxury that can be enjoyed any night of the week. On offer today is the impressive 2015 Kingston Estate Shiraz which over delivers at this price point. South Australia’s 2015 vintage produced outstanding fruit showing intense tannins, deep colors with good cellaring potential. Grapes carefully selected from Kingston Estate’s Limestone Coast vineyards produces Shiraz with brilliant crimson and purple hues coupled with lush dark berry and plum fruit on the palate that meld elegantly with spice. Hints of smoky oak balance well with soft tannins and a smooth finish. A perfect wine for the ultimate backyard BBQ feast! The Limestone Coast is one of the most significant wine zones in Australia, producing nearly one-third of South Australia’s quality wines – some of which are the most highly acclaimed in Australia. The zone is regarded as geologically unique and the feature responsible for producing such high-quality wines is its soil. As the name suggests, limestone forms the basis of the soil in the region and are well-draining, rich in nutrients, with a healthy water table beneath the sub-soil – unlike many other South Australian wine producing areas. This means that most irrigation needs are taken care of, which is vital in the dry ripening season. The vines are cooled by sea breezes during summer, resulting in cool to mild growing conditions with a slow and long ripening process. This extended hang time assists in the development of intensity in the grape’s flavours. Red wines are of particular importance here especially Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Merlot. Price: Case of 12 at $208.80 ($17.40 per bottle) Drink: Now or over the next 5 years Type/Variety/Body: Dry red, 100% Shiraz, Full-body Food Pairing: Richly flavoured barbecued meats such as slow roasted BBQ pork, braised lamb, game meats such as kangaroo or venison, veggies with high umami factors such as mushrooms or sundried tomatoes, smoked and rich cheeses Accolades: 94 points, Ultimate Wine Challenge 2016 (2014 vintage) Mundus Vini, 2016: Silver Vinalies Internationales, 2016: Silver Decanter World Wine Awards, 2015: Commended International Wine Challenge, 2015: Commended International Wine & Spirit Competition, 2014: Bronze