WEEKEND WINE PICKS
CedarCreek Pinot Gris 2017, British Columbia
$18.99 | 87/100
UPC: 778913023095
The CedarCreek Pinot Gris is a 50/50 mix of 90 per cent estate fruit from south and north of Penticton, which no doubt helps with volume, if not the vitality of this wine. Winemaker Taylor Whelan uses 30 per cent neutral oak to add texture and mouth feel. The attack is a mix of ripe fruit salad notes with a hint of butter and spice. A midweek white for uncomplicated dishes or to serve with party appetizers.
Morande Pionero Pinot Noir Reserva 2017, Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, Chile
$12.99 | 87/100
UPC: 804449114372
The grapes come from the cool, marine-influenced, sandy clay soils of Belen Vineyard in Casablanca. The vineyard is high-density (10,000 plants/ hectare), the grapes are machine harvested (note the price), but there is a berry selection regime at the winery. There is a three-day cold soak followed by traditional gentle pumpovers to near dryness. It’s stored in stainless steel tanks with 25 per cent aged in used French oak barrels for three months. The nose is a mix of red fruits and tea with a whiff of dried herbs and forest floor. Light, fresh, and juicy this is fun to drink. Perfect with chicken or pasta dishes or a favourite Asian noodle dish. Only 13 per cent alcohol. Back up the truck.
Sunrock Vineyard Shiraz 2015, Okanagan Valley
$27.49 | 88/100
UPC: 063657030554
From a warm site in a warm year, this is well managed. The attack has a sense of freshness along with a signature savoury, peppercorn nose. It spends a year in French and American oak adding some extra weight and tannins, that at this point present a touch hard. The attack is rich in black fruit, be it cherries or raspberries, with some nervous acidity poking through the back end. Not as rich as you might expect, this will need time to shed some tannins before it’s fully ready to drink. Lamb would be an excellent choice if you must open it early.
Catena Malbec High Mountain Vines 2016, Mendoza, Argentina
$23.99 | 88/100
UPC: 7794450008053
This Malbec is a blend of four High Mountain Estate Vineyards from 920 metres to 1450 metres, overseen by Laura Catena and chief winemaker, Alejandro Vigil. Over the years Catena has shed some oak in favour of fruit and it looks good on this wine. In 2016, a short season plagued with rain brought many challenges, although a crop load that was half the normal kept quality in check and the cool weather in the end may be a blessing. At a mere 13 per cent alcohol, it’s a blast from the past, albeit a light one. The palate is a mix of floral (violet) hints and red plums. It’s a mid-weight year you can drink already, and that should be well suited to restaurants.
Villa Antinori Toscana Sangiovese-Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot-Syrah 2015, Tuscany, Italy $23.99 | 89/100
UPC: 8001935001522
The year 2015 was one of those when lesser labels shine given the overall quality of the fruit and that’s the case with this Toscana IGT, a mix of mostly Sangiovese with small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. The attack is richer the fruit darker than the norm yet still with enough red fruit brightness to keep it fresh. Juicy black cherries, dark plums and spicy vanilla give it a touch more heft in 2015, which should have wide appeal. That said the textures remain supple and it’s eminently drinkable. A good year to stock up on. Try this with a lamb sausage tomato sauce and pasta.