BUYING GUIDE
slight herbal aromas. The notes of vanilla from the oak are well integrated and add some complexity. Nice lingering finish with a mineral touch that leaves you wanting more. Delicious with roasted lemon chicken, coquilles St-Jacques or scallop risotto. What a gem. (MB)
RODNEY STRONG SONOMA COUNTY CHARDONNAY 2016, SONOMA ($23)
An earthy, barnyard bouquet of apple with a spicy oak note. It’s full-bodied, dry, with apple and toasty flavours accentuated by lemony acidity giving the wine a long, succulent finish. (TA)
RECOMMENDED UNITED STATES CASTELLO DI NEIVE LANGHE ARNEIS 2018, PIEDMONT ($32)
Fresh with notes of peach and a juicy salinity. A nice aperitif wine. Also tasted the 1999, which has held up remarkably well with no sign of oxidation, and still showing freshness, savoury notes and good length. The winemaker believes that 2018 will age as well as the 1999. (GB)
OVER $35 HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ITALY FRANCE MONTEZ LES GRANDES CHAILLÉES 2015, AC CONDRIEU ($46)
Clear medium gold. Powerful nose of pear, orange and butterscotch. Full-bodied, tasting of apricots with honey and crushed hazelnuts. Serve this on the cool side — otherwise the flavours can be overpowering. One of my favourite wines. Will improve to 2020, then age gracefully in a cold cellar for another 5 years. (RL)*
JADOT MORGEOT CHASSAGNE-MONTRACHET PREMIER CRU 2010 ($69)
Clear old brass. Big nose of orange marmalade drizzled with caramel, but also an interesting accent of porcini mushrooms. Full-bodied, nearly viscous, tasting of a pie made from bruised apples, also pears, with a long almond-bitter finish. Drink now. (RL)*
ITALY GIULIA NEGRI LA TARTUFAIA LANGHE CHARDONNAY 2016, PIEDMONT ($50)
As good as Giulia Negri’s Barolos are, her Chardonnay was an eye-opener. Almost stealthy in its approach with citrus and stone fruit flavours, great balance between richness and vibrancy, minerally and fresh, intense and finessed with a firm underlying structure and excellent length. A revelation. (GB)
VIGNETI MASSA DERTHONA STERPI 2016, PIEDMONT ($100)
Mineral, elegant, linear and creamy, with rich fruit, spice, complexity and structure, fresh acidity, incredible length and mineral on the finish. 100% Timorasso, a grape variety that likely still exists today because of Walter Massa. Try with both seafood and meat crudo. (GB)
VIGNETI MASSA DERTHONA COSTA DEL VENTO 2016, PIEDMONT ($100)
Rich and honeyed, with the opulence of an Alsatian Riesling but with focused acidity, peach and nectarine fruit. Fresh herbs, loads of mineral and spice, long, powerful, layered and complex, while still possessing finesse and gracefulness. 100% Timorasso. Pair with richer fish dishes, pork and even steak. (GB)
COLUMBIA CREST GRAND ESTATES CHARDONNAY 2015, COLUMBIA VALLEY ($35)
Opens with rich lemon citrus and subtle spice on the nose, expanding on the palate to citrus and green apple flavours richly rounded out with buttery, spicy and nutty overtones. Nutty butterscotch flavours linger on the finish. (SW)
RECOMMENDED UNITED STATES ITALY FORADORI MANZONI BIANCO FONTANASANTA 2017, TRENTINO ($40)
A cross between Riesling and Pinot Bianco created by Dr Manzoni, Manzoni Bianco is likely the most popular and successful of the Manzoni crossings. Delicately aromatic with fresh zippy acidity, spice, green apple, stone fruit, focused and linear. Pair with pork, shellfish and rich cheeses. (GB)
CHÂTEAU LATOUR-MARTILLAC 2014, PESSAC-LÉOGNAN ($52)
70% Sauvignon Blanc, 30% Semillon. Crisp with juicy notes of white peaches, passion fruit and pink grapefruit with discreet notes of well-integrated vanilla coming from new French oak. You could probably put this wine down for a few years but it’s so enjoyable to drink now while the fruit is vibrant and generous. Serve with simply prepared grilled white fish or fresh oysters. (MB)