Canadian Wine Guy

Vinexx hosted a tasting event at Martini house in Burlington. This wine is on their by the glass menu at $10 for a 6 oz pour so I thought I’ve give it a whirl. Dark in color with a lovely nose of red berries, mostly cherry. On the mid pallet this wine is a fruit forward California style Cab with Cherries abounding. The wine is medium in length on the finish with some tannins and a smooth flavor that builds nicely in the mouth. I was shocked to discover the wine is only $12.95 a bottle available from Vinexx in cases of 12. A very nice wine. I would give it an 89 or so. I would not expect this to age all that well. More of a drink now feel to it.

From Vinexx’s page:
2010 Cabernet Sauvignon
Region/Appellation: California
Alcohol: 13%
Tasting notes
The Canyon Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon offers fresh fruit aromas of cassis, mint and ripe berries. These same fruit characteristics explode on the pallet. Extensive aging on Oak adds complexity to this exceptional wine. Soft, supple tannins lead to a long smooth finish.
Case configuration: 12 X 750ml
Product number: Consignment
Distribution: Consignment
Price: $12.95

Dark in color with a dark berries nose. On the first sip right out of the bottle the wine first starts out on the front of the mouth as having some deep rich red berries which your just starting to appreciate and then bam right on the back of the mouth are some strong firm acidity. Almost to the point of being bitter. On the finish there are some tannins and some nice dryness but the acidity is the overwhelming presence in the mouth. If your going to buy this one, for my tastes, you need to either plan to breath it a minimum of an hour or plan on aging it. The LCBO site says it will keep until 2016 and I can believe that one no problem. After an hour of breathing the bitterness had passed and left you with the dark berries, in the mouth. The tannins become velvety and smooth and they build very nicely in the mouth and some nice dryness. We paired it with a striploin on the BBQ and it held up very well. I would give this an 89. For now the firm acidity is quite overwhelming. The fault here is mine, I did not leave enough time to properly breath this wine.

From the LCBO web site:
CHATEAU SMITH CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2009 VINTAGES 280107 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 24.95
Made in: Washington State, USA By: Charles Smith Wines
Release Date: May 26, 2012

Wine, Red Wine 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Sugar Content: 5 g/L Sweetness Descriptor: XD – Extra Dry

Tasting Note
Supple and inviting, with complex flavors of dark berries and plum shaded with hints of bacon and star anise. The finish rolls along unimpeded by the polished tannins. Drink now through 2016. Score – 91. (Harvey Steiman, winespectator.com, Dec. 15, 2011).

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Back in 2008 I decided to try a little experiment. I put away a couple California style chards to test aging. I got the idea from a Global Wine Tour’s tasting event where they featured an aged Chard. Something I would not have thought of trying. So in the spirit of a wine is ready to drink when you can’t wait any longer 🙂 I decided it was time to give this a whirl. Over 3 years in the making. The wine was stored in a white wine fridge meaning it was colder. Golden in color with a mild but subtle varietal chard nose. On the mid pallet the wine displays classic California style chard flavors. Slightly buttery, slightly creamy some vanilla and a hint of butter scotch. The wine is medium in length on the finish building nicely. There a hint of syrup like texture and flavor. If I was to compare this to the unaged the color has darkened and the wine has become smoother, but the fruit flavors have subsided. I would give the wine a solid 90-91. I would say it has improved. I think I kept it a little too long but that was the experiment. Have a cellar you need help with? Want to start one? Planning a party and not sure what wine to serve? I’ve started offering personalized wine consulting services. Click here if you want more info.

From the LCBO web site for the current vintage:
KENDALL-JACKSON VINTNER’S RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2010 VINTAGES 369686 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 19.95

Made in: California, USA By: Jackson Wine Estates International
Release Date: May 12, 2012

Wine, White Wine 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Sugar Content: 9 g/L
Sweetness Descriptor: D – Dry

Description
One of the best values in Cali Chardonnay. Sourced from K-J’s estate vineyards across the Golden State, this is an ensemble cast working in perfect concert.

Check LCBO stock for the current vintage.

We had this one as the reception wine at the Society for American Wines George Restaurant tasting! Golden in color with a lovely rich chard nose. Some nice butterscotch. On the mid pallet this wine has lovely varietal California style all over it. Lovely butterscotch and vanilla. On the finish the wine has absolutely no bitterness. The Oak is well under control and the finish is medium in length and builds nicely in the mouth. This is a lovely chard for the price. I would give it a solid 90 and right up my alley. Yumm!

From the LCBO web site:
ST. FRANCIS CHARDONNAY 2009 VINTAGES 317131 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 19.95

Made in: California, USA By: Kobrand Corporation
Release Date: Apr 14, 2012

Wine, White Wine 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Sweetness Descriptor: XD – Extra Dry

Tasting Note
Fresh peach, apple and pineapple flavors, accented with white fig and plenty of creamy, toasty, lightly buttery oak on the spice-laced finish. Ready to drink now. (Robyn Tinsley, wineskinny.com, April 22, 2011)

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I’ve had this one in my cellar since 2008 and my records showed it was time to give it a try. One of the things that is important to having is cellar is record keeping. What a shame it would be to miss a wine’s peak or even worse open it to find it well past it’s prime. If your looking for help with your cellar I am offering wine consulting services to help setup cellars or manage existing ones. I can also help with party planning. Want more info?

Dark in color with a deep rich cherry nose. On the mid pallet this wine displays the same deep rich cherry and cassis that came through on the nose. On the finish this wine still has some firm tannins and bright acidity. This wine has kept very well. Some brief breathing eased the sharpness on the finish. The finish is medium in length. This is a meaty cab. I would give this a solid 89. We paired it with steak and it held up well and I used the wine as marinade for the steak.

check lcbo stock for a different year.

Another one from the California wine show. Garnet in color with a lovely rustic, varietal pinot nose. On the mid pallet this wine is a spot on Pinot with strawberries coming through. On the finish the wine is well balanced with light tannins. I would give it an 88-89. At $18.95 it’s a pretty good deal. Unfortunately not in the LCBO right now but available from Vinex by the case.

I tasted this one at the California wine show. This is a wine I’ve enjoyed for a while. Golden in color, with a lovely rich nose of butterscotch. On the mid pallet the wine matches the nose with a smooth easy California style chard with some butterscotch. On the finish the wine has some strong tartness and acidity. I think it might be a little young and little too cold. As it was I would give it an 88.

From the LCBO web site for a different year:
KENDALL-JACKSON VINTNER’S RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2009 VINTAGES 369686 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 19.95
Wine, White Wine 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Sugar Content : XD

Made in: California, USA By: Jackson Wine Estates International
Release Date: Oct 1, 2011

Tasting Note
There are several million cases of the 2009 Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay (100% estate grown Chardonnay that is, remarkably, 100% barrel fermented), which comes primarily from Jess Jackson’s coastal properties in Monterey and Santa Barbara. Winemaker Randy Ullom told me he manages to stir the lees on all the barrels once a month, which is astonishing. Abundant aromas of white peach, honeysuckle, green apple skins and a hint of tropical fruits jump from the glass of this medium-bodied, crisp, dry, fruity, well-made Chardonnay. It is a sensational bargain. Kendall-Jackson enjoys a well-deserved reputation for over-delivering quality vis a vis price for its wines. , , Score – 89. (Robert Parker Jr., erobertparker.com, Feb. 2011).

Check LCBO stock for a different year.