What do Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc, French Champagne & Argentine Malbec have in common? They are all part of this Saturday’s VINTAGES release, and there’s good reason to get excited!
Churton’s Sauvignon’s are made in a different style than that which made New Zealand’s Malborough Sauvignon Blanc famous. Don’t look for the cat’s pee on a gooseberry bush here… the wines considerably more elegant than that. As noted by renowned wine-writer David Lawrason on WineAlign.com, “Churton is an organic property marching to a different drummer with a large hillside tract overlooking in the Southern Valleys,” as well as by John Szabo, MS, also on WineAlign.com, “Churton makes sauvignon in a style that’s outside of the Marlborough norm.” So if you are looking for something a bit different, give this wine a try. It’s great value, considering the quality, and the plethora of 90 point scores it’s been getting prove it!
This Champagne is the second release through VINTAGES this year from producer Gonet-Médeville, a family winery with a history in Champagne, as well as Bordeaux. You may recognize the family name as the owners of the famed Sauternes house, Château Gilette. This Premier Cru Champagne is a traditional blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and at $49.95 is another great find for this level of grower Champagne. Party season is upon us, stock up!
The third wine in this release is a Gran Reserva Malbec from boutique producer Ksana. Based out of Mendoza, Argentina’s Malbec mecca, Ksana produces premium wines from hand harvested, old vine Malbec. The 2007 Gran Reserva Malbec was sourced from a high altitude, single vineyard planted over 83 years ago. This is Malbec like you’ve never tasted and it received an incredible 93 points from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate! Unfortunately though, it was produced in minuscule quantities, and as such will only be available in select VINTAGES locations as an “In Store Discovery.” Please check the LCBO’s website to find out where this wine will be available.
Enjoy!
Sincerely,
Le Sommelier
416.603.7026
TASTING NOTES
Churton Wines Sauvignon Blanc Malborough 2011
Reviews:
“The 2011 Sauvignon Blanc shows aromas of fresh lemons, lime leaf and peach blossom with a pleasant undercurrent of yeastiness and a whiff of almonds. Light to medium-bodied with excellent vibrancy, it shows some complexity in the fruit, savory layers of flavor, racy acid and a long finish.”
Score: 90
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, MW, Wine Advocate, Oct 2012
“Cork-finished. Mostly hand-picked (70%), 12-14% barrel fermented in old demi-muids and puncheons, lots of lees contact, though there’s little notable lees aroma. Churton makes sauvignon in a style that’s outside of the Marlborough norm, riper yet still vivid and fresh. Flavours span the spectrum from citrus through to green apple, nectarine and greengage plum. Pure and nicely structured, bone dry, with low phenolic character. Low acid and low pH. Tasted February 2013.”
Score: 90
John Szabo, MS, WineAlign.com, Feb 2013
“Terrific balance! Great refreshment with some herbal and lifted lime notes but not too grassy. A nice richness that you often don’t see on sauvignon blanc from New Zealand. If you haven’t tried New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, start with this one. Sauvignon Blanc food pairings: chicken salad, pork tenderloin, linguine, avocado and papaya salad. A Natalie MacLean Plush Pork Wine”
Score: 90
Natalie MacLean, NatalieMacLean.com, Sep 2013
Varietal: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Malborough, New Zealand
Price: $23.95 (per bottle)
LCBO #159244
Click here to locate this wine at your local LCBO.
Ksana Wines Gran Reserva Mendoza 2007
Review:
“The opaque purple-colored 2007 Ksana Malbec Gran Reserva came from the same site as the Reserva but spent 24 months in new French oak. A glass-coating opaque purple color, it delivers an impressive bouquet of pain grille, pencil lead, exotic spices, violets, black cherry, and black raspberry. Medium-bodied and with a sense of elegance, this rich, satin-textured effort will reward 6-8 years of cellaring with a drinking window extending from 2016 to 2027.”
Score: 93
Jay Miller, Wine Advocate, Dec 2011
Varietal: 100% Malbec
Region: Mendoza, Argentina
Price: $42.95 (per bottle)
LCBO #272658
Click here to locate this wine at your local LCBO.
Champagne Gonet-Médeville Brut Tradition 1er Cru
Reviews:
“Here’s a tidy grower’s champagne from premier cru-rated vineyards, with fine complexity and traditional character as the label promises. There’s an appealing mix of wet chalk, honey, light barley sugar and hay alongside apple, pear, citrus fruit and lemon-cream notes – this is at a lovely stage of maturity. The palate is both creamy and fresh, with lively but gentle mousse and terrific length. Lovely stuff, ready to enjoy. Tasted August 2013. Value Rating: ***”
Score: 92
John Szabo, MS, winealign.com, Aug 2013
“Aromatic, with a dense, lightly wooly texture and notes of whole-grain toast, kumquat, white raspberry and raw almond. The rich finish is dry and persistent, delivering hints of honey and ground spice. Disgorged July 2011. Drink now through 2018.” 91 pts,
Score: 91
Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator, June 30, 2013
Varietals: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Region: Champagne, France
Price: $49.95 (per bottle)
LCBO #340117
Click here to locate this wine at your local LCBO.
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