Weekly offerings - Page 5 of 11 - The Small Winemakers Collection

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Richard Godin Weekly offerings Leave a comment August 13, 2021July 28, 2017

2015 Sinopie Chianti DOCG $16.30 btl / $195.60 cs (case of 12 x 750ml) The saying “you get what you pay for” usually holds true except for those rare opportunities when quality surpassing price. The 2015 Sinopie Chianti DOCG is a fresh, fruit forward and vibrant style of modern Chianti Rufina, made with grapes from Colognole’s younger vines. These young vines are approaching the 10 year mark and, although can be classified under Chianti Rufina DOCG, are leveraged to make wine under the generic Chianti appellation delivering structured wines with depth at a great value. Chianti Rufina is the most famous of the seven subzones that fall under Italy’s iconic Chianti DOCG. Located in the hills to the east of Florence, Rufina has a continental climate and higher altitude then the other subzones allowing Sangiovese to ripen while retaining acidity. There are only 25 wineries in Rufina, and almost 40% of total production is made by the large Frescobaldi company, which means that it is rare that Rufina wines are enjoyed by those outside of Italy. The vineyards of Colognole, lie at an altitude between 230 and 450 meters above sea level. They are positioned on the slopes of Mount Giovi where they get ideal sunlight, but also the soils get washed out by rain. The richer soil tend to accumulate along the banks of the Sieve River, while the land further up the hillside, where the vineyards lie, retain less nutrients. This is ideal for the vines as poor soil conditions result in wines with great elegance, fine tannins and aromatic, fruity notes. Additionally, the 2015 Tuscan vintage is of top-quality. After a wet, challenging 2014, Tuscan vintners wanted their sunshine back. Thankfully, they got it in 2015 and a warm, balanced summer and well-timed rains produced great quality Sangiovese. The 2015 vintage is being compared to the classic 2010 vintage which boasts elegance, structure and freshness. Price: Case of 12 at $195.60 ($16.30 per bottle) Reviews: “This is a vinous and fruit forward expression with loads of raw cherry and raspberry at the top. The 2015 Sinopie Chianti is very youthful and bright. The wine delivers a fresh, crisp approach and an informal, no-fuss attitude. Oak-aged Sangiovese (93%) is blended with 7% Merlot for extra softness and a richer fruit profile. This wine delivers simplicity, and aspires to little more.” Score 87, eRobertParker.com, Nov 2016. Drink: Now or over the next 18 months Type/Variety/Body: Dry red, 93% Sangiovese, 7% Merlot, light-medium bodied Service: Best served 14°C – 16°C Food Pairing: Grilled beef or lamb, tomato based dishes, spaghetti Bolognese, lasagna and pizza

Sauvignon Blanc for Savvy Wine Drinkers

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

2016 Appleby Lane Sauvignon Blanc $20.85 btl / $250.20 cs (case of 12 x 750ml) With oceans of this varietal out there, Sauvignon Blanc can be unremarkable. However, if you are a savvy Sauvignon Blanc drinker you know where to find the good stuff. The 2016 Appleby Lane Sauvignon Blanc by Te Mania from Nelson, New Zealand is located at the northern tip of the south island where the climate is ideal to produce aromatic, high-quality Sauvignon Blanc. The sunny days and cool autumn nights help intensify Sauvignon Blanc, bringing balance, depth and texture to the wine. Te Mania, a family-owned winery founded in 1990 is located near the beautiful coastline of Tasman Bay. The vines benefit from free draining, stony clay loam soils which have proved excellent for producing exceptional wine grape. Two-time winner of the prestigious Bragato Trophy, Te Mania has shifted to organic production practices, giving the true expression of “place” to their wines. Te Mania produces a full range of both red and white wines, with Sauvignon Blanc leading the way. The 2016 vintage was outstanding with high-quality fruit being picked across the region. Producers benefited from an excellent summer and early autumn weather, enabling full ripening and flavour development. This is an incredibly food-friendly wine and, when chilled nicely, is ideal for cottage sipping, picnics as well as long Sunday afternoons. Stock up today and enjoy it while the warm weather lasts. Price: Case of 12 at $250.20 ($20.85 per bottle) Drink: Now or over the next 3 years Type/Variety/Body: Dry white, 100% Sauvignon Blanc, medium bodied Service: Best served chilled 7°C Food Pairing: Oysters, goat cheese, terrines and pates, arugula based salads with fresh herbs, grilled fish, grilled chicken, barbecue pork

An Exotic Alternative to Sauvignon Blanc

Richard Godin Weekly offerings Leave a comment November 21, 2019June 20, 2017

2016 Zahel Grüner Veltliner $23.05 btl / $276.60 cs (case of 12 x 750ml) A single-vineyard offering from the premium Goldberg Vineyards located in Vienna’s city limits, which is one of the few capitals in the world that has vineyards within its city. This classic Grüner offers aromas of ripe green apple, lemon and green peppercorn. The palate is crisp, zesty with a clean finish. We rarely have it in stock! Grüner Veltliner is Austria’s most famous grape and was mostly consumed within Austria until the 1990s when top Sommeliers in New York City coined it “the next big thing” in the industry. In our market, Grüner is mostly found on wine lists at trendy restaurants because it is a varietal that is still under the radar, even though it has become more popular over the years. Indigenous to Austria and grown extensively throughout the country, this late ripening grape is ideal for cold climates and typically has a steely backbone of acidity which enables the best bottles to age gracefully. The grape’s natural acidity accompanied by its understated fruit characters makes it an ideal partner for food. A spectacular addition to your roster of summer sippers! The Goldberg Vineyards produces some of the most premium wines in all of Austria and the vineyards are some of the best sites in Deutschkreutz. They are located at the heart of a total of forty vineyard hectares of which has been yielding continuously since 1947. The reason these vineyards produce high quality fruit is due to their ideal west facing positioning on aspects which provides optimal sun exposure and protects the vines against winter frost. Price: Case of 12 at $276.60 ($23.05 per bottle) Drink: Now or over the next 5 years Service: Chilled at around 10°C Food Pairing: Asian food – anything from Vietnamese to Thai to spicy Chinese flavors, Salads with bitter greens, Seafood, Pork tenderloin

Amazing Deal on Super Tuscan from Top Producer

Richard Godin Weekly offerings Leave a comment December 6, 2019May 31, 2017

2014 Tua Rita Perlato del Bosco $36.95 btl / $221.70 cs (case of 6 x 750ml) Never let a good crisis go to waste, I always like to say. 2014 was cool and wet in most parts of Europe. Consulting a vintage chart for Tuscany will tell you it is a softer vintage meant for earlier consumption. As a result, Tua Rita’s American importer initially passed on their allocation of the 2014 Tua Rita Perlato del Bosco, because they believed consumers would be turned off by impressions of the vintage. However, they never tried the wine before making their decision! We knew that 2014 was cool and wet inland in Tuscany, but the coast was warmer, and Fall was beautiful. Those producers who gambled and left their grapes on the vine long enough were rewarded with lovely, complex and fully-ripened grapes. In fact, Tua Rita harvested their grapes almost two months later than normal, and they always make great wines regardless of the conditions, so we were keen to see the results. We also tasted the wine and were impressed with the quality. American consumers have begun clamouring for the 2015s, which the press deigned to be excellent. So, the winery was highly motivated to move its stock of 2014. And we struck a deal. We are very pleased to be able to offer this wine at $36.95 per bottle versus last year’s price of $55. The price will definitely increase for the 2015 vintage, so this is a rare opportunity to get a highly-rated Super Tuscan at almost one-third off. Eventually, James Suckling, the former Wine Spectator reviewer, gave this vintage a score of 92 points, and the Americans decided they wanted it. Too late — those polite but canny Canadians beat them to it! This underscores how vintage ratings can be misleading. There are nuances within a large region like Tuscany that vintage charts are not able to capture. And of course, great wine can be made in a bad vintage, while bad wine can be made in a great vintage. The most important thing is to know your producer. The 2014 Tua Rita Perlato del Bosco is artisanal Tuscan wine making at its best. Concentrated, dense, nearly opaque purple in color. It delivers aromas of blackberries, black cherries, currants, ripe plums, tea leaves, exotic spices, and leather. Rich, full-bodied and complex on the palate, this wine’s enticing fruit flavors are accompanied by notes of anise, violets, and peppery spice, all of which are framed by fine-grained tannins. We have two shipments of this wine — one here and another due late June. So we should be able to eventually fill most requests. Demand by restaurants has been strong, though, and it will not last long. Price: Case of 6 at $221.70 ($36.95 per bottle) Drink: Now or over the next 10 years Type/Variety: Dry red, 100% Sangiovese Maturation: 12 months in French barriques and 6 months in bottle before release Food Pairing: Grilled red meats, dishes with …

New World Sauvignon Blanc That is Off the Charts

Richard Godin Weekly offerings Leave a comment January 13, 2023May 26, 2017

2016 Casa Marín Cartagena Sauvignon Blanc $19.65 btl / $235.80 cs (case of 12 x 750ml) Casa Marín’s story began with all odds stacked against it but is now one of the most renowned wineries in Chile. The dream of its incredible founder, owner and winemaker, María Luz Marín, was to “make wines that were not necessarily for the market but that communicated a clear sense of place.” Her goal to create a unique winery that produces high-quality and exclusive wines in an unknown region changed people`s perceptions of Chilean Sauvignon Blanc for the better. In 2000, against the advice of her colleagues and industry experts María decided to establish her winery in Lo Abarca, a small town just 4 kms from the Pacific Ocean in the San Antonio Valley, Chile`s youngest winemaking region. Despite the region`s challenging cooler climate, susceptibility to fog and vigorous winds, María discovered that with the right winemaking approach these conditions produce superior quality Sauvignon Blanc compared to other valleys in Chile with higher temperatures and bigger yields. The harvests in San Antonio Valley are not abundant, but the vines that grow there are strong and produce grapes with greater flavor and mineral concentration that add unique qualities and character to the wines. The 2016 Casa Marin Cartagena Sauvignon Blanc is fresh and bright on the nose with distinctive melon, kiwi and grassy notes. On the palate it is clean and beautifully structured with hints of citrus and honey and fine balanced acidity. An admirable effort! Price: Case of 12 at $235.80 ($19.65 per bottle) Drink: Now or over the next 2 years Type/Variety: Dry white, 100% Sauvignon Blanc Service: Chilled at 7 to 13 degrees Celsius Food Pairing: Grilled shrimp and fish, seafood risotto or pasta, goat cheese Accolades: Robert Parker Wine Advocate refers to Casa Marín as“a name to follow” and Decanter Magazine recognizes their Sauvignon Blanc as “consistently one of Chile`s most outstanding Sauvignon Blancs”

Exceptional Value From Southern Rhône

Richard Godin Weekly offerings Leave a comment November 26, 2019May 18, 2017

2012 Vidal-Fleury Cairanne $23.85 btl / $143.10 cs (case of 6 x 750ml) Today’s offer is not only ideal to enjoy over the long weekend but comes from Vidal-Fleury, the oldest firm in the Rhône Valley. If you are familiar with the Côtes du Rhône you have probably come across this highly reputable Rhône house. Vidal-Fleury has been in the business for centuries and is considered one of the greatest wineries in the region with an impressive portfolio spanning from north to south. Cairanne is a hillside village in Southern Rhône, formerly part of the Côtes du Rhône appellation. Recognized for their superior quality, the wines are now labelled with the village name, setting them apart from lesser wines from the rest of the region. The 2012 Vidal-Fleury Cairanne was produced in very limited quantities with only 2,200 cases made and is a beautifully, well-made wine and is one of the greatest values and most reliable Rhône villages. The high percentage of Grenache delivers bright red fruit and freshness, while Syrah and Mourvèdre contribute some punch with black pepper and structure. On the nose expect dense red cherry along with aromatic sweet prunes, raspberry compote and hints of toast. The palate is equally fruit-driven, with robust tannins and a peppery long finish. Price: Case of 6 at $143.10 ($23.85 per bottle) Drink: Drink now or over the next 5 years Variety: 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre, 5% Carignan Service: Best served at a temperature of 18°C. Decant 1 hour before tasting Accolades: Silver at the 2014 Decanter World Wine Awards and scored 16.5 out of 20 from Jancis Robinson: “Very charming, well-priced blend that is drinking beautifully now – and is not expensive for a four year-old wine. Vines, at 200-300m on the slopes of those beautiful Dentelles de Montmirail, date from 1967 apparently. A little large oak came into play but probably didn’t really need to. Impressive length. Rich fruit on the palate but bracketed by freshness on the nose and finish – a characteristic of the vintage here. I wish more producers would release wines when they were ready to drink.” Food Pairing: Lamb or roasted duck, meaty pizza, barbecue, hearty pasta dishes, cheeses and charcuterie

Cabernet Perfection from McLaren Vale

Richard Godin Weekly offerings Leave a comment January 28, 2021April 26, 2017

2014 Dowie Doole Estate Cabernet Sauvignon $22.40 btl / $268.80 cs (case of 12 x 750ml) Although Shiraz is the most recognized grape from this region, great success has been seen with Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and a number of Italian varietals. Cabernet Sauvignon is typically harvested in late March and displays the rich, ripe characters that typify wines from this region. On offer this week is the 2014 Dowie Doole Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. The fruit comes from two distinct vineyard locations: the California Road Vineyard owned by Norm Doole and the Tintookie Vineyard owned by Drew Dowie. These vineyards produce very distinctive fruit that complement each other when blended. Enjoy a deep, rich purple colour with a complex nose of ripe, sweet dark berries, licorice, black currants and a touch of vanilla and coffee from the oak maturation. The palate is rich and full, with dark berry and blackcurrant characters. It has a rich and round mouth-feel with bold tannins that will soften further with bottle age. This is another wine that you should not miss as it is a tremendous value. If you enjoy Cabernet from California but have not enjoyed the significant price increase over the years this wine may just be what you have been looking for. Price: Case of 12 at $268.80 ($22.40 per bottle) Drink: Now or over the next 10 years Type/Variety/Body: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon Food Pairing: Rabbit ragu, braised lamb shanks, grilled meats, flank steak or pulled pork tacos, osso bucco, aged cheddar Accolades: 94 points James Halliday – www.winecompanion.com.au “A no-frills, yet nigh-on perfect example of McLaren Vale cabernet, which gives equal time to the expression of place and of variety in a generous medium-bodied frame. Blackcurrant, dark chocolate, black olive, a splash of oak and supple tannins all contribute.” Dowie Doole came to fruition in 1995, when architect Drew Dowie joined forces with international Canadian banker Norm Doole and Leigh Gilligan, grape grower and veteran wine marketer. They realized from the start that the strength of Dowie Doole was the collection of widely-varying premium vineyards in the region. We have been proudly representing their wines in Ontario since the very beginning. McLaren Vale, in the north-west of Fleurieu Peninsula, is located approximately 35km south of Adelaide. One of the most renowned grape growing regions throughout Australia and the world grapes have been grown in this region since the arrival of the first settlers. Pioneers such as Thomas Hardy and John Reynella, both iconic names in the Australian wine industry, are credited with having realized the region’s potential in the early 19th century when the first vines were planted. McLaren Vale has come a long way since then and is home to some of Australia’s most highly regarded wine producers, including Dowie Doole. Within McLaren Vale you the will find Dowie Doole’s vineyards located from the coastal south-east of the prime Willunga Basin, through Blewitt Springs, onto the cooler Willunga escarpment, and right into the higher country over the ridge. These locations …

A Gem Discovered in the Valpolicella Hills

Richard Godin Weekly offerings Leave a comment September 19, 2022April 13, 2017

2013 Luigi Righetti Campolieti Valpolicella Ripasso $20.15 btl / $241.80 cs (case of 12 x 750ml) 26 years ago a naive young Canadian man ventured into the Valpolicella hills in search of great wine. At the time, he had no experience importing international wine into Ontario, but hoped he would stumble upon a winery that would believe in his vision and ambition. He drove for hours through the Valpolicella hills, not finding what he was looking for, and after making a wrong turn he stumbled upon a small winery. As he approached he prepared his pitch, using every bit of Italian he knew. He was greeted by a young Italian man who was skeptical with his story, but nevertheless invited him in. They sat him down at their kitchen table as the entire family looked on with confused expressions. He tried the full range of wines and was blown away with the quality and value. He asked if he could import their wines into Ontario. The family disappeared into the back room leaving the young Canadian man alone in the kitchen. After many minutes the family emerged this time with an older Italian man who merely looked at and nodded to the young Canadian. This was the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship where both parties have been a significant contributor to each other`s success over the years. You may have guessed that the young Canadian man is Peter Wearing and the older Italian man is Luigi Righetti. This is the first winery The Small Winemakers Collection represented 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. Today’s offer is the 2013 Luigi Righetti Campolieti Valpolicella. Valpolicella wines generally lean towards the lighter end of the scale, but local winemakers have employed various techniques to improve the depth and complexity of their cuvees. The ripasso method, whereby the young Valpolicella wine is given a second fermentation through contact with the leftover grape skins of Amarone, preserves the pleasant strawberry, cherry and plum aromas, but adds complex notes such as hints of leather, autumn leaves and spice. The palate is vibrantly fruity with light to medium tannins. Campolieti means “happy fields” and refers to the vineyards from which the grapes are harvested. Price: Case of 12 at $241.80 ($20.15 per bottle) Grapes varieties: Blend of Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara Drink: Now or over the next 3 years Food Pairing: Roast or stewed red meat, a variety of pasta dishes, mushroom risotto, fried calamari and antipasto

GAIA Estate: The Greek Wine Boom (only 10 cases left)

Richard Godin Weekly offerings 1 Comment January 13, 2023April 7, 2017

2013 GAIA Estate $47.90 btl / $287.00 cs (case of 6 x 750ml) Last week, we had the honour of hosting Yiannis Paraskevopoulos in Toronto, co-owner and winemaker at GAIA Wines. Despite his humble nature Yiannis is one of the key influencers in creating a profound change within Greece’s wine industry and has many accolades behind his name including a PhD in Enology from the University of Bordeaux and Professor of Enology at the University of Athens, to name a few. We highly enjoyed the 2013 GAIA Estate, made from the indigenous Greek grape, Agiorgitiko, grown almost exclusively within Nemea, the largest PDO appellation of Greece located in northeast Peloponnese. Yiannis confirmed that the 2013 vintage of Agiorgitiko is worth investing in: “When I don’t like the grapes, I don’t make the wine and when it is an average vintage I say so. 2013 was an outstanding vintage along with 2012 and 2007.” The vineyards in Nemea are situated at a high altitude producing a complex and aromatic red wine that has tremendous aging potential. “When people think of Greece they imagine white houses, sandy beaches, hot weather and this is the image that is projected onto the rest of the world, but a lot of the country is composed of high mountains. Many of our highly regarded vineyards are at the top of these mountains. Greece has the same latitude as Napa Valley, but the advantage we have is that we have the altitude as well. This creates high alcohol wines, but the heat of the alcohol is masked by the intense fruit aromas and great acidity within the wines.” 2013 GAIA Estate has a deep red-black colour with notes of both red and black fruits, great structure and balance. Maturation occurs for at least 14 months in new small French 225 liter barriques and is bottled directly from the cask without prior treatment such as chilling or filtration in order to preserve the best of all its essential elements. Under proper cellar conditions it continues to evolve into an even better and more highly structured wine for at least a decade. Please note, only 20 cases available. Price: Case of 6 at $287.40 ($47.90 per bottle) Grapes varieties: 100% Agiorgitiko (red grape) Drink: Now or over the next 10 years Food Pairing: Rack of lamb and any roasted/grilled red meat GAIA Wines, founded in 1994 by Leon Karatsalos and Yiannis Paraskevopoulos began production with 9,800 bottles of Thalassitis white wine, which quickly became established in Greece and abroad as an example of unique Santorini wines. Today, GAIA operates two wineries: one in Koutsi, Nemea, which is the heart of the company, and one in Exo Gonia, Santorini. GAIA’s goal has been and still remains today to expand and highlight the quality characteristics of the native Greek grape varieties and to achieve their recognition in international markets. By expanding the potential of the Nemea Agiorgitiko and the Santorini Assyrtiko over the years, Gaia has created a line of wines …

The Grape That Was Made for Down Under

Richard Godin Weekly offerings Leave a comment June 24, 2022March 29, 2017

2014 Dowie Doole Shiraz $26.90 btl / $322.80 cs (case of 12 x 750ml) McLaren Vale’s hot climate is perfect for bringing out the best traits in Shiraz producing a seductive and delicious wine. Dowie Doole’s Shiraz is classic with a rich crimson colour and notes of dark plum, black cherry, spice and smoke on the nose. The palate reveals excellent integration of fruit and smoky oak and full-bodied, mouth-filling flavours. Excellent structure with flavours of sweet cherry, plums, spice and liquorice lingering on the long, savoury palate, leading to a smooth fine-grained tannin finish. Price: Case of 12 at $322.80 ($26.90 per bottle) Grapes varieties: 100% Shiraz Drink: Now or over the next few years Food Pairing: Herb roasted rack of lamb or roast fillet of beef, aged cheddar Dowie Doole came to fruition in 1995, when architect Drew Dowie joined forces with international Canadian banker Norm Doole and Leigh Gilligan, grape grower and veteran wine marketer. They realized from the start that the strength of Dowie Doole was the collection of widely-varying premium vineyards in the region. We have been proudly representing their wines in Ontario since the very beginning. McLaren Vale, in the north-west of Fleurieu Peninsula, is located approximately 35km south of Adelaide. One of the most renowned grape growing regions throughout Australia and the world grapes have been grown in this region since the arrival of the first settlers. Pioneers such as Thomas Hardy and John Reynella, both iconic names in the Australian wine industry, are credited with having realized the region’s potential in the early 19th century when the first vines were planted. McLaren Vale has come a long way since then and is home to some of Australia’s most highly regarded wine producers, including Dowie Doole. Within McLaren Vale you the will find Dowie Doole’s vineyards located from the coastal south-east of the prime Willunga Basin, through Blewitt Springs, onto the cooler Willunga escarpment, and right into the higher country over the ridge. These locations provide a range of flavours and ripening timeframes that are second to none in this beautiful region. The climate is Mediterranean with hot dry summers and mild winters. The Gulf Saint Vincent lies just west of the vineyards and the fresh sea breezes coming off this large body of water help to moderate temperatures during the growing season. Winds from the hills also cool the grapes on specific sites, helping to retain acidity and structure. The summers and most of the autumn season are dry, which keeps vine diseases at bay. McLaren Vale also boasts a wide range of soil types, with localized specialties. Shiraz leads the region’s list of award-winning wines, making McLaren Vale a favourite place to grow this grape.