(Wednesday, January 23^rd, 2019) — When we start to build a cellar there’s always the issue of what to drink while the nascent super stars are slumbering away. Every two weeks the Vintages at the LCBO has a much-anticipated wine release. Many of these wines are for immediate consumption but there are a few gems in each release which, while they can be appreciated more or less right away, are also worthy of some maturation and will improve in the right cellar conditions. These wines can be the perfect solution to this problem. The buying committee has been planning this tasting over the last year featuring a selection of such wines that have impressed us. Furthermore, these are all on the affordable end of the spectrum.

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Looking at the tasting from another perspective, we have a terrific cross-section of different varietals, both familiar (Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Riesling etc) but also including a few that may be less familiar (Agliancio, Mencia). To highlight some examples, we will be pouring:

• 2010 Baron de Ley Rioja Gran Reserva – This is a fine example from a great Rioja vintage. Reserva and Gran Reserva Rioja are text book wines that are just about ready to drink off the shelf (due to the extended aging at the winery) but repay additional cellaring. Another plus is that the LCBO usually has at least a few selections in stock.
• Villa Cafaggio Cortaccio 2007 – this is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Tuscany wine region which is aging nicely, just showing some signs of maturity and it is quite elegant. Look for dried cherries, leathery notes, meat and spice on the palate.
• Taurasi – Fratelli Urciuolo 2011 – made from Aglianico, which is probably a less familiar grape to some of us, this wine hails from Campania. Wine Enthusiast gave it 94 points and described it thus “It is a simply fantastic expression of the grape, opening with alluring aromas of underbrush, ripe black-skinned fruit, leather, tilled earth and dark spice that carry over to the delicious full-bodied palate. Firm velvety tannins and fresh acidity balance the juicy fruit flavors. It’s already extremely tempting but hold for even more complexity.”

We are not ignoring whites, with two classic styles.

• Montmains Chablis 1er Cru Montmains 2014 from Olivier Tricon – Chardonnay of course. 2014 was a fantastic vintage for Chablis, the wines possess great verve and classic minerality. The 1er cru wines are just on the threshold of their drinking window which is typically 4 – 10 years and longer for the best examples.
• Schlumberger Kessler Riesling Grand Cru Alsace, 2015 – Schlumberger has the happy combination of high quality, affordability, and availability in Ontario. This is a fine example that also impressed Jancis Robinson who gave it 17.5 points (17 is ‘superior’), citing its pace, excitement, and energy. Delicious now, it will repay keeping for another decade.

To lead us through this tasting and explain how each wine would fit into a cellar program we are excited to have Leslie Harbinson, product consultant extraordinaire. She is a certified sommelier through the Canadian Association of Sommeliers. She has worked for many years as a product consultant and is presently located at the Summerhill Flagship store. Last Christmas she was one of the product consultants featured through LCBO for her picks over the holidays. She does talks for LCBO and has a special interest in Spanish wines.

This should be a fascinating tasting and especially useful to anyone starting a cellar, small or large.

List of wines

• Jansz Rose Sparkling wine NV
• Maison Olivier Tricon Montmains 1er Cru 2014
• Schlumberger Kessler Riesling 2015
• Baron de Ley Gran Reserva 2010
• Taurasi – Fratelli Urciuolo 2011
• Emiliana Coyam 2014
• Flavium Seleccion Mencia 2014
• Villa Cafaggio Cortaccio 2007
• Chateau L’Esperance 2010

Date: January, 23rd, 2019
Time: 6:45 p.m.
Limit: 66 people
Members: $60*
Guests: $80*

*Price including HST

North York Memorial Community Hall
5110 Yonge St. (under library)
North York Centre Subway

GST/HST account: 844742619 RT0001
Business Name: Winetasters Society of Toronto

Cancellations accepted up to January 15, 2019 — (Cindy Taylor, 416.458.3147 evenings only). No reservations by phone, please. No mail confirmations will be issued — you will be contacted only if we are sold out. First come basis.