13
Nov
2018
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Category: On the Road with the Grape Guy
It would seem New Zealand took a lot of my time in 2018 and once again I tasted their wines at this year’s New Zealand wine fair – the stand outs and tastiest wines are below – some with just scores, and some you can link through to for a full review … interesting to note that no Sauvignon Blancs were harmed during my tasting:
Astrolab 2015 Pinot Noir, Marlborough … *** ½+
Babich 2016 Black Label Pinot Gris, Marlborough … *** ½
Babich 2017 Black Label Pinot Gris, Marlborough … *** ½+
Babich 2016 Black Label Pinot Noir, Marlborough … **** (full review)
Forrest Wines 2017 The Doctor’s Rosé, Marlborough … *** ½
Giesen Estate 2017 Pinot Gris … *** ½+
Greywacke 2015 Pinot Noir, Marlborough … **** (full review)
Kim Crawford 2012 Small Parcels Fizz Sparkling, Marlborough … **** (full review)
Kim Crawford 2016 Chardonnay (unoaked), Marlborough … *** ½
Loveblock 2014 Pinot Gris, Awatere Valley … *** ½+
Loveblock 2014 Pinot Noir Bendigo, Central Otago … *** ½
Te Awanga Estate 2014 Syrah, Hawke’s Bay … *** ½+
Sacred Hill 2016 Orange Label Pinot Noir … *** ½
Toi Toi 2016 Clutha Pinot Noir, Central Otago … *** ½+
Whitehaven 2017 Pinot Rosé … *** ½+
Whitehaven 2014 Pinot Noir, Marlborough … **** (full review)
02
Oct
2018
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Category: On the Road with the Grape Guy
On September 25, 2018 I attended the Wine Writers' Circle of Canada annual Sparkling Wine Tasting ... below are my findings from the 55 wines tasted / 22 were scored - plus my top sparkling wine from both Canada and Internationally
Top International Sparkling Wine …
Sieur D'Arques Sas NV Grande Cuvee 1531 De Aimery Cremant De Limoux ($18.95 - #428086) – France … ****
Top Canadian Sparkling Wine …
Featherstone Winery 2013 Cuvee Joy ($34.95 - #310334) – Canada … **** ½
The Other Sparkling Wines that Made the Grade (International) …
Araex NV Villa Conchi ($17.95 - #577148) – Spain … *** ½
Bottega 2017 Bottega Vino Dei Poeti Prosecco ($15.00 - #897702) – Italy … *** ½
Freixenet S.A. NV Cordon Negro ($15.00 - #261945) – Spain … *** ½
Sartori NV Prosecco Brut ($14.95 - N/A) – Italy … *** ½
Segura Viudas NV Brut Reserva Cava ($15.95 - #216960) – Spain … *** ½
Trapiche NV Trapiche Extra Brut Sparkling ($13.90 - #262261) – Argentina … *** ½
Villa Sandi NV Prosecco Il Fresco ($15.95 - #394387) – Italy … *** ½
Vina Casal S.A. NV Fresita ($14.95 - #216887) – Chile … *** ½
Pierre Sparr NV Cremant D'Alsace Brut Reserve ($19.95 - #388603) – France … *** ½+
Pierre Sparr NV Cremant D'Alsace Brut Rose ($19.95 - #39016) – France … *** ½+
La Gioiosa NV DOC Treviso Brut ($14.95 - N/A) – Italy … ***+
Wagner Family of Wines 2016 Conundrum Blanc de Blanc ($24.95 - #497735) – USA … ***+
The Other Sparkling Wines that Made the Grade (Ontario) …
click on the wine name for full review
Trius Winery NV Brut ($29.75 - #284539) – Canada … ****+
Château des Charmes 2014 Rosé ($34.95 - #78055 – Canada … ****
Henry of Pelham NV Cuvée Catharine Brut ($29.95 - #217521) – Canada … ****
Trius Winery NV Brut Rosé ($32.75 - #184309) – Canada … ****
Château des Charmes NV Brut Sparkling ($25.95 - #224766) – Canada … *** ½+
Henry of Pelham NV Cuvée Catharine Rosé Brut ($29.95 - #217505) – Canada … *** ½+
Featherstone Winery 2016 Cuvee Joy Rosé ($29.95 - #450700) – Canada … *** ½+
PondView Estate Winery 2017 Lot 74 Sparkling ($24.95 – Winery Only) – Canada … *** ½
