WEEKEND WINE PICKS
Jacob’s Creek Chardonnay Pinot Noir Brut Cuvée N/V, Australia $12.99 | 87/100
UPC:
9300727839244
Dollar for dollar this sparkler is for those who want a dry but fruity sparkler without the aggressive acidity. The grape mix is Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The nose is a citrus affair, with soft red fruit flavours and a touch of yeast and crushed hazelnuts. The textures are creamy and soft. Hard to beat for the price.
Bottega Il Vino dei Poeti White Gold Pinot Nero N/V, Oltrepò Pavese, Lombardy, Italy $29.99 | 89/100
UPC:
8005829230470
The silver packaging of White Gold is as mesmerizing as this 100 per cent Pinot Noir sparkler. The bead of bubbles is tiny, causing a persistent ring at the rim of the glass. The bouquet is delicate with floral, white fruit aromas and flavours, with a pinch of dried fruits and nuts. Dry, fresh and persistent, the finish is as clean as the bottle. Excellent with jamon, olives, French bread, cheese, nuts, and more.
Blue Mountain Blanc de Blancs R. D. Méthode Traditionnelle 2009, Okanagan Valley
$39.90 | 91/100
UPC:
626452721098
A year ago, we reviewed the Blue Mountain Blanc de Blancs R. D. disgorged in late 2016. The winery held half the wine back to space out the supply and give it another year in bottle before releasing the rest in November 2017. If anything, it’s better than ever with its smoked stone, toasted nut and bright citrus notes further integrated into a mix of green Granny Smith apple flavour and a mix of toasted hazelnuts and almonds. Focus, purity and finesse makes this a market leader in British Columbia. Oysters and assorted West Coast shellfish are the match. First class.
Alma Gran Cuvée Bellavista Brut Franciacorta N/V, Lombardy, Italy $59.99 | 90/100
UPC:
8032685710020 Bellavista is considered among the finest of Italian sparkling wine producers and boasts 200 hectares of vineyard planted with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Alma Gran Cuvee is made in the traditional Champagne method where 15 per cent of the juice is fermented and matured for seven months in small oak barrels. The final assemblage includes six to nineyear-old reserve wine that spends 30 months on the lees. The result is a stylish bubbly with floral undertones, green fruits and dried herbs enveloped in a stream of acidity that runs from front to the back shaping a wellbalanced bottle. The blend is 80/19/1 Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Bianco. Private wine shops only.
Champagne Lanson Black Label Brut N/V, Champagne, France $59.99 | 92/100
UPC:
692743002863
Black Label is a 50/35/15 mix of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier blended with 30 per cent reserve wines spanning up to 10 vintages. It spends a full 36 months on its lees, with an additional six months following disgorging in bottle. Expect the unexpected: Power and elegance with a stream of freshness from front to back. Toasty, citrus, honeydew notes with a creamy, mineral, chalky, long finish awash in salinity. Perfect for tuna sushi or scallops in lemon cream sauce or roasted pheasant. A non-vintage champagne for aficionados.