WEEKEND WINE PICKS
Chateau St. Jean Chardonnay 2015, Sonoma County, California $18.49 | 89/100
UPC:
089819055098
Always a safe choice, we think CSJ has upped the ante a bit in 2015 going a little more juicy and fresh. Still attractive, with a ripe, lemon, honey, spicy lees nose but on the palate, it is fresher with more citrus, red apple pear fruit with just enough well-managed oak to let you know it’s there but without interfering in the finish. Perfect for crab, scallops or seafood pasta dishes. Let’s hope the style continues to evolve in this direction.
Kung Fu Girl Riesling 2015, Columbia Valley, Washington $19.99 | 90/100
UPC:
1847450004443 Evergreen Vineyard was planted in 1998 and stretches along steep cliffs above the Columbia River in the state’s newest AVA, Ancient Lakes. This wine is consistently well made but I must say the 2015 is even better. It’s both fresh and tangy with a very pure fruit nose with fine minerality and fresh apple/nectarine skin aromas. The palate is equally lively with plenty of acidity to carry the fruit and define the wine’s edges in the mouth. Apples, pears and limes dominate its sweet fruit flavours. Best with a favourite curry or barbecue ribs.
Altos De Torona Triple Varietal Albarino-Loureira-Caino Blanco 2016, O Rosal, Rias Baixas, Galicia, Spain
$28.99 | 89/100
UPC:
8437003519079
The soils of Rias Baixas are mostly uniform in profile, based on granite. The cool wet, coastal climate also supports a mineral-rich combination of clay, silt, sand and gravel with limited amounts of organic material and extremely elevated levels of minerality. The Altos di Torona Rosal is a mix of three grapes — Albarino, Loureiro and Caino Blanco — harvested separately and matured over their fine lees post ferment for 120 days. The nose is quietly aromatic, with notes of stone fruits mixed with tropical melon fruits. Fresh and lively, the palate is all citrus with nectarine, chalky, and ginger notes. I love the delicate styling and intense flavours that cry out for roasted chicken, sushi or spicy food.
Robin Ridge Pinot Noir 2014, Keremeos, Similkameen Valley $21.90 | 89/100
UPC:
0626990196167
Each year this wine has improved, shedding the sum of its parts and revealing its home in the Similkameen. Refined and subtle on entry, the textures are silky, the flavours spicy sweet cherries with a strong undercurrent of sage (brush). Elegant and ready to drink it has all you could want in an elemental Pinot Noir. A fine improvement in style and substance. Try this with salmon sushi rolls. Good value. Winery direct, grocery, private wine shops.
Paux-Rosset Gros La Condamine Paulignan 2013, Minervois, Languedoc, France $22.99 I 89/100
UPC:
3760102322918
The mix is Syrah, Grenache, Carignan and Cinsault, all grown on the clay limestone terroir of Siran and La Liviniere. The fermentation spreads over 15 to 40 days. The nose has an alluring fragrant note of red and black fruits. The palate is equally rich and spicy but with balance and length that matches the intense fruit, finishing long and supple. Rabbit is the match.