Donnafugata's Sul Vulcano Etna Bianco DOC highlights the incredible minerality and texture this volcanic region is renowned for. The nose shows ripe citrus, fragrant floral blossom, and a very inviting sea breeze salinity. The palate is refreshing with a creaminess and pronounced minerality on the long finish. Enjoy with seafood, creamy pasta, BBQ shrimp, or your favourite hors d'oeuvre. Tasted March 2023. 92 points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca
wine review: O’Rourke Twisted Pine Chardonnay 2020
O'Rourke Twisted Pine Chardonnay 2020 14% abv - $80 - Sourced from Block 4, by the Estate's 'twisted Pine tree', where four clones of Chardonnay form this block. The nose shows honey, nutty characteristics, hay, and some tropical fruit. Medium-full bodied with great texture, its elegant and layered, showing impressive complexity for such a youthful vineyard. Keep your eyes on this one over the next decade, it's destined to become a Lake Country icon.
wine review: Culmina Decora Riesling 2020
Culmina’s Decora Riesling shows great varietal characteristics with lively acidity and impressive minerality making this an exceptionally fresh and energetic wine. Crisp orchard fruit, honey, and minerality on the nose and palate. Enjoy with spicy cuisine, bratwurst, schnitzel, and Autumn soups. Enjoy 2022-2026. Tasted Fall 2022, 90+ points.
wine review: La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2020
: Seductive and smooth, La Crema's Sonoma Coast Pinot shows ripe raspberry, plum, sweet spices and a hint of cedar on the nose. The palate highlights La Crema's softly textured style with layers of refreshing raspberry, dark cherry , and vanilla persisting on the finish. Enjoy this versatile Pinot with bacon-wrapped California Medjool dates, BBQ'd pork tenderloin with a cherry compote, beet salad with goat cheese, or lamb chops. All great pairings with this smooth and inviting Sonoma Coast Pinot. Tasted February 2023. 91 points. Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca
wine review: 2018 Zymé Amarone della Valpolicella Classico (barrel sample)
2018 Zymé Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico (barrel sample)– Big and bold, deeply coloured, the nose shows rich dried red and dark fruits, with fragrant balsamic and tobacco notes. Fresh with great intensity of flavours, the palate is loaded with delicious dried fruit, raspberry, Fragrant nose showing dark fruits, roasted beets, sweet spices, herbs. Full bodied, with lively youthful tannis, there’s a remarkable freshness with dried dark fruits and raspberry notes persisting. An great wine from an iconic producer, and a wine you’ll want to enjoy over the next few decades. Drink 2028-2048+. 94-95+ points.
wine review: 2018 Domini Veneti Jago Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
2018 Domini Veneti Jago Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG – From the renowned Valpolicella Cru vineyard, Jago, in the Classico region, Domini Veneti’s Jago Amarone shows impressive dried dark fruits, spice, balsamic and tobacco notes on the nose and repeating on the palate. Simply delicious, with a harmonious texture and balance, dried dark fruit, currants, and sweet spices persisting on the long finish. 93 points.
wine review: 2018 Villa San Carlo Amarone della Valpolicella (barrel sample)
2018 Villa San Carlo Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG (barrel) – When tasted during the Anteprima tasting, it showed wonderfully. Very fresh, impressive complexity with spices, menthol, prunes, herbal, balsamic and dried cherry notes. Youthful fine-grained tannins, the palate shows refreshing bright cherry and dried fruits, some citrus and dark chocolate notes persisting too. An impressive preview of a wine that will be hitting markets in the near future, and one that will be enjoyed in the short, medium, and long term. Enjoy 2024-2035+. 93 points.
wine review: 2018 San Cassiano Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
2018 San Cassiano Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG – Deep colour with a midnight black/completely opaque core. The nose is inviting with dried dark fruits, plum, prunes, tobacco and herbs. Great texture, balance, and length in this youthful Amarone. Enjoy 2025-2035+. 93 points.
wine review: 2018 Vigna ‘800 Virgo Moron Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva (organic)
2018 Vigna ‘800 Virgo Moron Classico Riserva (organic) – Fresh and elegant, this Classico Riserva greets you with inviting dried red berries, sweet spices, espresso and leather. Beautifully balanced, complex with great length on the finish. Another Amarone that consistently impresses with each vintage. 94 points.
wine review: 2018 Terre di Leone Il Re Pazzo Armani Amarone della Valpolicella Classico (barrel sample)
2018 Terre di Leone Il Re Pazzo Classico (barrel) – Complex bouquet showing dried cherry, raspberry, menthol and balsamic evergreen notes. Lovely Classico expression – great freshness and beautifully balanced with fine textured tannins and bitter chocolate persisting on the finish. Enjoy over the next two decades. 92-93 points.
