Nicholas Pearce Wines Inc presents 4 new (and old) exciting releases in LCBO Vintages this weekend from the Cotes du Rhone – France, Adelaide Hills – Australia, Beaujolais, France and a 15 year old aged selection from Cotes de Nuits – Burgundy – France.
Three generations at Domaine Autrand, Aurelien and Christine Aubert and Christine’s father Louis Autrand. Their 2015 Cotes du Rhone is featured this week for only $13.95.
Domaine Autrand Grenache/Syrah Côtes du Rhône 2015 – $13.95
—VINTAGES#: 380675 | 750 mL bottle
What an amazing value in Côtes du Rhône! Plenty of dark fruit, red berries, licorice notes and balancing acidity here on a plush, easygoing frame. Pair with burgers or tourtière. (Vintages panel, Nov. 2016)
“A terrific little value here from the southern Rhône, well within regional/varietal idioms, delivering a ripe and fleshy mouthful at an attractive price. Tasted October 2017.” Value rating: *** John Szabo MS Winealign.com
Cotes de Rhones mostly are red blends based on Grenache or Syrah and the vineyards are planted on a variety of different soils. Production rules are not as strict as other levels but wines must have a minimum of 11% alc. and be made from the 21 sanctioned grape varieties. These wines are easy drinking, food loving wines that are perfect for everyday.
Monterra Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir 2015 – $19.95
—VINTAGES#: 522094 | 750 mL bottle
90 Points Winealign.com
The cool-climate Adelaide Hills is one of Australia’s best regions for growing Pinot Noir. This wine has a nice earthy-and-floral nose and a palate showing spice, red fruit and a touch of olive. Nice intensity and balance. Serious value. Pour with beef-and-mushroom stew and beetroot salad. (Vintages panel, April 2017)
Our estate vineyards are located on Monterra Road, at the southern end of the cooler Adelaide Hills, high above the outskirts of McLaren Vale. In contrast, the Fleurieu Peninsula vineyards enjoy a milder, maritime climate whilst the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale fruit is sourced from vineyards planted in the warmth of ancient soils in the heart of the valley floors. The vineyards are vastly different in their climate, topography, geology, elevation and aspect. This enables us to select those grape varieties that are best suited to the particular region and provides us with interesting diversity in our wine portfolio.
Maison Roche de Bellene Collection Bellenum Petite Chapelle Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru 2001 – $106.95
—VINTAGES#: 514257 | 750 mL bottle
95 Points Michael Godel Winealign.com
—VINTAGES#: 514257 | 750 mL bottle
95 Points Michael Godel Winealign.com
Potel finds gold in Gevrey-Chambertin with this extraordinary Petit Chapelle Premier Cru barrel. There is a level of ripeness and extraction that exceeds most of the rest in this magnificent négoce line-up and an aromatic sweetness sans apareil. Really fine and grainy tannins, more sweetness feigned and ropey fruit reigned in and fully completely surrounded. The tough partners have yet to relent. That and the whole distinction is nothing short of amazing. Drink 2017-2025. Tasted February 2017. Score – 95. (Michael Godel, winealign.com, June 7, 2017)
Stéphane Aviron Vieilles Vignes Moulin-à-Vent 2014 – $21.95
—VINTAGES#: 368134 | 750 mL bottle
94 Points Wine Enthusiast
Be grateful that Stéphane Aviron is an old-vine hunter. Serious tannins and concentration from 100-year-old vines give this wine its depth and richness. It has a great potential to age with black fruits, a mineral texture and acidity. This is an impressive cru wine, full of both fruit and density. Drink from 2019. Editors’ Choice. Score – 94. (Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast, March 1, 2017)
Here’s a firm and stony, traditionally-vinified Moulin-à-Vent (no carbonic maceration), complete with dusty-stemmy character and firm acids in line with the structured and ageworthy 2014 vintage. This is still not yet at prime in my view, though has already developed some fine floral-violet notes. Lovers of soft, plush wines need not apply, but fans of firm, savoury, old world wines will be more than happy with this at the price. Serve with duck in a cherry gastric, or similar, or cellar into the early-mid-twenties. Tasted October 2017. Value rating: **1/2 John Szabo MS www.winealign.com
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