Winetasters @Home
Episode 8 — June Tasting
Jadot Côte de Nuits 2009
Wednesday, June 23, 7:00 PM

Hedonists: please form an orderly line – our June @Home event is for you – a tasting of Louis Jadot 2009 Côte de Nuits!   This brings together 2009, an outstanding vintage rated 95 by Vinous and Maison Louis Jadot, one of Burgundy’s top Domaines.  If we had you at “Jadot”, then skip to our website to sign up!   Like all-out @Home events, this will be a Google Meet event.  Need more?  Read on …

Register for Jadot tasting here

Our line-up for this event is headed by two Grands Crus:  Clos de la Roche 2009 and Clos de Vougeot 2009.  Clos de La Roche is one of four Grands Crus in Morey St Denis, at the heart of the Côte de Nuits.  Often on the firmer side and more serious of the four, it is akin to Chambertin.   The commune of Vougeot is due south of Morey St Denis, next to Chambolle-Musigny.  Jadot’s Clos de Vougeot is even more structured with power and refinement and needs aging – we will be tasting this right in the zone.

These Grand Crus are supported by five 2009 1ers Crus from Côtes de Nuits – the full list is below.  As well as the seven Côte de Nuits wines, we are pouring a ‘ringer’, their Clos des Ursule’s Côte de Beaune 2009.   This vineyard was part of the original estate acquired in 1826.  Will you be able to spot it?

2009 was a ripe year in the Côte de Nuits, a hot, dry growing season and no hail.  While many wines are on the fleshy side, depending on when grapes were picked and the site, excellent delineated wines were also made.    Many 2009 wines were delicious early, but the good ones have the staying power.   These wines are absolutely hitting their stride in terms of drink ability.

It’s invidious to single out one wine, but John Gilman’s note on the Jadot Chambolle-Musigny, Les Fuées 1er Cru 2009 gives the flavor of what’s in store in this tasting. “The nose is flat out beautiful, as it offers up a beautiful blend of black cherries, plums, raw cocoa, a very complex base of soil tones, and a deft framing of vanillin oak. On the palate, the wine is deep, full-bodied, pure, and urgent, with a sappy core of very pure fruit, fine acids, beautifully integrated, suave tannins, and stunning length and grip on the flawless finish. A great bottle of Chambolle in the making. 93+” (Nov 2010)

Maison Louis Jadot has a storied history beginning in the early-mid 19^th century.  It has evolved and expanded over the decades and recently acquired land in Beaujolais and Macon.  It owns 60 hectares of mainly Grands Crus and 1ers Crus in Burgundy and controls (with close supervision) a lot more through contracts with other growers.

Their head winemaker, Jacques Lardière, is highly respected in Burgundy.  He has overseen their wine-making since 1970.  His philosophy is non-interventionist after a strict grape selection.   The wines are aged in barrel with about a third being new oak.  There is an interesting article here (albeit with a typ0, Korbrand is owned by the Kopf family, not the Koch brothers!)

Yes, the tasting will, as usual, be semi-blind, enabling you to make an unbiased assessment of the wines.  And we can have some fun trying to figure out which is which.

We are delighted to have Matt Woo lead us through the tasting. Matt has over 20 years of experience in the Service industry including 8 years at Angus Glen Golf Club, 5 years at The Drake Hotel, and another 5 years at Rodney’s Oyster House. He began taking wine courses in 2015 as a hobby, but it quickly sparked a new passion that has seen him travel to many of the world’s greatest wine-making regions such as Burgundy, Tuscany, and Champagne. He has most recently completed the IWEG’s Italian Wine Scholar program, earning top marks in his class. Matt now applies his passion for fine wine as a sales representative for Halpern Enterprises.

So, don’t miss this outstanding Burgundy event.  Members may experience this Google Meet event for $135 incl HST ($160 for non-members).   You can sign up here. Mark your calendar for Wednesday, June 23, at 7 PM.  Note that this event is limited to 70 tasting sets.

As before, the wines will come carefully decanted into 2 OZ bottles.  Beginning at 2 PM [?] on Wednesday, June 23, you will be able to pick up your tasting package either at the downtown location on Lombard St (Queen & Church) or at the uptown location at Avenue Road and 401 (just north of the 401).  Full details will be in the confirmation email.  For our repeat customers, we will again be recycling bottles.

While this is a tasting, not a dinner event, we will again offer a 3-course dinner option from Vintage Conservatory for those who do not wish to cook that night.  You will pick up the food at the same time (and place!) as the wines.  The main offers an unconventional homemade Hoisin sauce pairing that Chef Gregory says “is not your traditional overly sweet hoisin, and that it will be fantastic (like a trip around the world)”.   We can’t wait to try this!

Menu

Goat Cheese and Vidalia Onion Tart – tomato puttanesca concassé

Wild Scottish Salmon – house-made hoisin glaze & peanut crust,
creamed kale, hen-of-the-woods mushrooms

Sticky Toffee Pudding – port toffee sauce

The meal is ordered separately via Tock, here.
($50 + tax & tip)

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The wines

• Clos de la Roche Grand Cru – Jadot,  2009
• Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru – Jadot,  2009
• Chambolle-Musigny, Les Fuées 1er Cru – Jadot,  2009
• Gevrey-Chambertin, Estournelles St Jacques 1er Cru – Jadot,  2009
• Gevrey-Chambertin, Les Possenots 1er Cru – Jadot,  2009
• Nuits-St-Georges, Aux Boudots 1er Cru – Jadot,  2009
• Vosne-Romanée, Les Suchots 1er Cru – Jadot,  2009
• Beaune, Clos des Ursules 1er Cru Vielles Vignes- Jadot,  2009

Wine notes

2009 Jadot Clos des Ursules 1er Cru Vieilles Vignes Beaune FMV $100, 2019 vintage $110.

92 points Allen Meadows – Burghound
“ A relatively deeply pitched nose of ripe plum, warm earth, anise, and violet hints merges into vibrant, pure, intense, and softly mineral-infused medium-bodied flavors that display a distinct austerity on the tight, linear, and mouth coating finish. This is not really fashioned in the typical 2009 lush and opulent style as it’s as much 2008 as 2009. This clearly needs time because while it is much more harmonious than the markedly awkward cask sample, it nevertheless isn’t showing all of its considerable potential. Note that I would not suggest opening a bottle until at least 2016 or so. *Outstanding* “ (4/2012)

92 points Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar
“ Medium red. Slightly high-toned perfume of raspberry, mint, and blood orange. Concentrated, vinous, and firm, with excellent energy and a medicinal reserve to the nicely delineated red berry and mineral flavors. Stands out more for its juiciness than its fat, but there’s plenty of texture here. Finishes brisk, firm, and powerful, with enticing sweetness and complex saline soil tones. My bottle was still remarkably fresh after five days in the refrigerator. Winemaker Jacques Lardiere noted last year that he clearly preferred the Cote de Nuits in 2009, but this wine is a standout. (ST) “ (4/2012)

90-92 points Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“ The 2009 Beaune Clos des Ursules is another terrific effort. Nothing in particular stands out, just the wine’s fabulous overall balance. A seamless, beautifully integrated red, the 2009 Clos des Ursules flows across the palate with layers of textured fruit. Silky tannins frame an exceptionally elegant and polished finish. (AG) “ (5/2011)

2009 Jadot Chambolle-Musigny, Les Fuées 1er Cru FMV $150 2019 vintage $175

93 points John Gilman
“ Normally I like the les Baudes at least as well as the les Fuées in the Jadot cellars, but this year the les Fuées is a step up in quality. The nose is flat out beautiful, as it offers up a beautiful blend of black cherries, plums, raw cocoa, a very complex base of soil tones and a deft framing of vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, pure and urgent, with a sappy core of very pure fruit, fine acids, beautifully-integrated, suave tannins and stunning length and grip on the flawless finish. A great bottle of Chambolle in the making. 93+ “ (11/2010)

92 points Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar
“ Medium red. Superb lift and verve to the aromas of raspberry, rose petal and spices. Juicy, intense, and sharply delineated if not especially fleshy or pliant. The flavors of dark raspberry, iron, and crushed stone are youthfully tight today, but this firmly tannic wine’s clarity and superb length suggest that it will reward time in the cellar. (ST) 92+ “ (3/2012)

92 points Wine Spectator
“ Supple and elegant, this raspberry- and currant-infused red has a vibrant structure lending support. Balanced and lithe, with a lingering aftertaste of fruit and mineral. Transmits its sense of place. (BS) “ (6/2012)

91 points Allen Meadows – Burghound
“ A highly perfumed and very Chambolle nose speaks of ripe yet cool mineral-laced red Pinot and plum suffused aromas that complement well the intense, delineated and refined middle weight flavors that display a dusty and mineral-inflected character on the mouth coating and mildly austere finish. I like the persistence and this is relatively tight in the context of the 2009 vintage. Moderate patience will be required. In a word, lovely. *Outstanding* “ (4/2012)

2009 Jadot Clos de la Roche Grand Cru FMV $350 2019 Vintage $350

92-95 points Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“The 2009 Clos de la Roche comes across as big, powerful and a touch heavy-handed. This shows tons of richness and depth but lacks the sheer excitement of the estate’s finest wines. The Clos de la Roche is made from purchased wine. (AG)” (5/2011)

91-93 points Allen Meadows – Burghound
“ A beautifully complex and overtly sauvage nose speaks of plum, red currant and red berry liqueur nuances that introduce delicious, round and quite supple middle weight flavors that possess reasonably good concentration, all wrapped in a dusty and moderately austere finish that delivers excellent length. “ (5/2011)

92 points Wine & Spirits
“ Tense with potential energy, this wine’s dark-fruited tannins carry scents of mushrooms and black cherry skins, the rosy fruit wrapped in a dramatic robe of cherry bark and tar. It feels heady and complete, set for long development in the cellar. “ (3/2012)

90-92 points Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar
“ Good medium red. Reticent nose dominated by oak today; comes off as a bit simple following the Grands-Echezeaux. Then supple, sweet and elegantly styled, with moderate complexity to the flavors of redcurrant and brown spices. Finishes with a fine dusting of tannins and enlivening minerality. This is purchased wine, from a single supplier in 2009. (ST) “ (1/2011)

2009 Jadot Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru FMV $175 2019 vintage $300

96 points Wine Spectator
“ Displays enticing aromas of flowers, cherry, strawberry and spice, with a hint of leather and licorice in reserve and a long, long finish. A wall of tannins shuts this down—at least for now. The aromas are worth the price of admission. (BS) “ (6/2012)

93 points Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“ The 2009 Clos Vougeot is remarkably polished and fine in this vintage. It may ultimately prove to be better than the 2010 given that the heat of the year has tamed the tannins to such a significant degree. Layers of red fruit built to the explosive finish in this huge, powerful Clos Vougeot. The 2009 is rich, round and totally sensual and impeccably finessed. I underestimated this wine from barrel. Today, it is brilliant. (AG) 93+ “ (4/2012)

92 points Decanter
“ In many ways 2009 is the antithesis to 2010, very warm conditions giving rich, lush wines. The nose is packed with generous raspberry fruit and a touch of mint. It’s rich and dense, burly and tannic, and although it lacks the finesse and intensity of 2010 it has power and heft. There’s even a slight rusticity as the tannins are less fine-grained than those in 2010 to 2015. Immense concentration means the palate is still sinewy. Long finish, but it lacks a little lift. (SB) “ (10/2017)

92 points John Gilman
“ The Clos Vougeot in 2009 was another wine that had an extremely late malolactic fermentation this year, and consequently we tasted this at the end of the extraordinary range of reds listed above. This is a superb bottle of Clos Vougeot in the making, but following hard on the heels of the ’09 Musigny is not the most propitious placement in the lineup. The nose offers up a deep and very promising blend of black cherries, black raspberries, cocoa, woodsmoke, game and complex soil tones. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and quite structured, with a fine core of fruit, ripe, substantial tannins, fine balance and excellent length and grip on the finish. A fine bottle. “ (11/2010)

91 points Allen Meadows – Burghound
“ A bright and unusually expressive nose, given the way this wine usually shows, offers up notes of warm earth and ripe red currants that give way to detailed, intense and moderately austere medium-weight flavors that at present display good but not truly special depth on the reasonably persistent and ever-so-slightly sweet and warm finish. This is not showing a great deal at present and while it’s not one-dimensional, it’s certainly not at the same level as the best of the grands crus. Indeed, it really hasn’t changed much at all since I last tasted it from cask and while it may still develop along the lines that it often does, for now I will remain cautious. On the plus side, there is fine underlying material but it remains to be seen whether it can develop the excellent depth that this wine is usually known for. “ (4/2012)

91 points Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar
“ Bright, deep red. Slightly high-toned aromas of crushed cherry, menthol, flowers and sweet oak. Sappy and savory on the palate, with a restrained sweetness to the dark fruit and licorice flavors and a complicating element of wild potpourri spices. This tactile, masculine Clos-Vougeot shows a lot of medicinal reserve today and should be forgotten for seven or eight years. (ST) 91+ “ (3/2012)

2009 Jadot Gevrey-Chambertin, Estournelles St Jacques 1er Cru FMV $150 2019 vintage $180

91-94 points Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar
“ Palish medium red. Perfumed aromas of cherry, redcurrant, licorice and crushed stone. Sweet, pliant and concentrated; at once very ripe and elegant, with lovely lift for the vintage. Wonderfully expressive, penetrating wine, finishing with tangy red fruits and minerals and a light touch. But will it top the 2008? (ST) “ (1/2011)

91-93 points Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“ The 2009 Gevrey-Chambertin Estournelles St. Jacques emerges from the glass with explosive dark fruit. This is an especially large-scaled, big style of Gevrey, but all of the elements come together nicely in the glass. The tannins turn incisive on the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2019-2029. I tasted an impressive range of wines with Jacques Lardiere and his successor Frederic Barnier, who is slated to take over when Lardiere retires at the end of 2012. Jadot makes a mind-bending number of wines, but I limited myself to the best 35 or so examples. In 2009 Jadot began harvesting on September 6. All of the reds were made from 100% destemmed fruit. Maceration times varied from wine to wine, but according to Lardiere all of the wines were made with essentially the same approach. Lardiere is another of the producers who compares 2009 to 1959, and believes the wines will age well because of their density of fruit and minerality. Many of the estate’s own vineyards are farmed biodynamically, but of course, Jadot also sources a significant amount of wine from other growers that is not necessarily from biodynamically farmed vineyards. (AG) “ (5/2011)

89-91 points Allen Meadows – Burghound
“ A notably ripe but bright and intensely mineral-infused red berry fruit nose leads to rich, detailed and energetic flavors that also evidence noticeable minerality on the naturally sweet yet very firm and focused finish. “ (5/2011)

Jancis Robinson
“ Meat, earth, iodine. Good pure fruit, light body and ripe fruit to finish. Firm but dainty. (RH) “ (1/2011)

2009 Jadot Gevrey-Chambertin, Les Poissenots 1er Cru FMV $130 2019 vintage $130

93 points Allen Meadows – Burghound
“ *Sweet Spot, Outstanding* Here the nose is much more reserved with ripe yet cool and airy black raspberry and red cherry liqueur aromas cut with distinct stony notes that also appear on the rich, intense and beautifully well-detailed flavors brimming with dry extract that renders the otherwise firm tannins almost invisible on the dusty, focused and impeccably well balanced finish. A first-rate Gevrey 1er of finesse and understatement. “ (1/2011)

2009 Jadot Nuits-St-Georges, Aux Boudots 1er Cru FMV $130 2019 vintage $170

An almost invisible touch of wood frames spicy and notably ripe dark berry and warm earth aromas that give way to rich, firm, intense and lightly mineral-suffused flavors that culminate in a persistent and mouth coating finish that evidences a subtle but not aggressive touch of austerity. I very much like the balance and in 2009 this is more Vosne than Nuits in character plus it should age impeccably well.92 points Burghound.com

The 2009 Nuits St. Georges Les Boudots is a big step up from the villages. It is a seamless, totally harmonious wine layered with dark cherries, licorice and spices. The fruit builds nicely towards the round, sensual finish, while the silky tannins add to an impression of considerable elegance. Les Boudots is on the border with Vosne-Romanee. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2019. 88-90 Points Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

2009 Jadot Vosne-Romanée, Les Suchots 1er Cru FMV $200 2019 vintage $200

93 points John Gilman
“ At the time of my visit the 2009 Suchots was really showing well. The nose is deep, pure and nascently complex, as it offers up a properly reserved blend of cassis, black raspberry, espresso, game, woodsmoke, very complex soil tones and vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, very pure and quite structured, with a rock solid core of fruit, superb length and grip and plenty of ripe, very suave tannins perking up the tangy finish. Suchots can often be a rather forward and flamboyant premier cru, and when it is reserved like the 2009 Jadot version, I always take this as a very, very positive sign for its future evolution. A superb premier cru in the making. “ (11/2010)

91-93 points Allen Meadows – Burghound
“ A highly spiced nose that is notably ripe but much fresher than that of the Beaux Monts features aromas of dark berry and plum that complement well the rich, supple and delicious medium-bodied flavors that possess well-integrated tannins on the complex, balanced and lingering finish. This is very Suchots in that there is a generosity to the velvety mid-palate yet this is a wine of admirable class and grace. *Outstanding* “ (5/2011)

91-93 points Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“ The 2009 Vosne-Romanee Les Suchots presents a more linear, mineral-driven voice of Vosne. This is quite a bit more taut and focused than the Beaux Monts. It is also less immediate, and will require a bit more patience. Floral notes meld into dark red fruit and anise in this structured yet feminine Burgundy. (AG) “ (1/2011)

92 points Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar
“ Very pure, liqueur-like aromas of red berries, botanical herbs, mint, spices and flowers. Dense, supple, sweet and concentrated, with a lovely pliant texture to the silky yet firm-edged flavors of strawberry, minerals and spices. Very ripe but not at all roasted. Finishes very long and perfumed, with a serious tannic spine and a light touch. (ST) “ (4/2012)

92 points Wine & Spirits
“ Les Suchots is located just north of Romanée-St-Vivant and Richebourg, where Jadot manages 0.75 acres of vines between 40 and 50 years old. The wine is long on floral fruit and silky layers of tannin, cushioned by its dark cherry fruit concentration into a firmness that still feels soft. There’s an earthy, rooty tension in the tannins that suggests this needs cellar time to grow expansive. “ (10/2012)

Resources

https://www.bbr.com/producer-831-louis-jadot

Sorry, we are sold out. If you would like to be put on our waiting list please send an email to services@winetasters.ca

Wednesday, March 25th, 2020 — We are excited to present this month a tasting of Dunn Vineyards Howell Mountain and Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon wines from the early 2000s.  These are the epitome of Napa Cabs, beginning to reach maturity, combining power and elegance without the excesses of alcohol and American oak that engulf many cult Napa “cocktail wines”. No Eagles are harmed in the production of these wines!

Register for this event

Dunn is one of the oldest Napa wineries.  Randy Dunn purchased his first vineyards to be the nucleus of his estate on Howell Mountain in 1978, just a couple of years after the famous “Judgement of Paris” tasting that served notice to the world of the quality of Napa  Cabs (and Chardonnays).  It truly was a different world back then.  This was no California lawyer vanity project; after graduating from UC Davis he learned winemaking at a number of top tier wineries particularly as winemaker at Caymus, but also at Pahlmeyer and La Jota before starting his own venture.

Randy Dunn’s philosophy is that wine should have a sense of place.  His regard for terroir shows in the bottle, as well as his management and preservation of his estates.  They own far more land on Howell Mountain than is planted to vines so as to protect the environment. This informative article has more information on the winery and Randy Dunn and his role in preserving Howell Mountain.

The first vintage from Dunn vineyards was 1981.  Over the years Dunn has established a stellar reputation.   For example, Parker gave the 2003 Howell Mountain Cabernet 95 points, writing “Rich with surprisingly soft tannin, this dense plum/ruby/purple-colored 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits lots of briary mountain fruit, blackberries, blueberries and cassis, outstanding purity, full-bodied power, and nicely integrated tannin. There is no evidence of toasty oak to be found in this beauty from Randy Dunn. Drink it now or cellar it for 15+ years. It finished at 13.8% natural alcohol.”   Parker’s notes on all the wines are reproduced below.

Another measure of the very high regard that collectors have for these wines is their current price.  Over the last decade and a half these wines have doubled in value, with Howell Mountain fetching over $200 Canadian (before taxes or shipping), and current releases are priced similarly.  Mid 2017 was the last time Dunn wines were offered through the LCBO. At that time, the 2013 Dunn Napa Valley sold for $160 per bottle and the 2013 Howell Mountain sold for $260 a bottle.

The focus of the winery is almost entirely on Cabernet Sauvignon, with two principal cuvées: Howell Mountain, and Napa Valley; both are 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.  The former is the flagship, exclusively from their own estate and built for aging, the latter includes about 15% fruit from Napa Valley floor, giving a softer style that is accessible earlier – although it’s definitely age-worthy as well.

This being Toronto Winetasters, we will, of course, be pouring both cuvées – from 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 vintages.   All four were excellent in Napa, Berry Bros rating them 8/10 and Parker gave the Howell Mountain 89, 95, 94 and 94 points respectively in those years.   The wines are entering their mature phase and will be revealing their true magnificence while still having many years ahead of them.

One of our Directors, Victor Rudik, assisted by Kim Berdusco, will lead through this exciting tasting.

To kick the evening off, we will, in addition, be pouring a reception wine, Domaine Chandon Brut (keeping the California connection), which will give everyone a chance to mingle before the tasting proper.

This should be an excellent tasting of iconic wines.  If you love classic Napa Cab you cannot miss this tasting!  If you are new to Napa Cabs and want to learn what they are really about, you cannot afford to miss this tasting!

Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2020
Time: 6:45 p.m.
Limit: 120 people
Members: $150 including HST of $17.25*
Guests: $200 including HST of $23.01*

*Also includes Eventbrite processing fee of 2% + C$0.59 per ticket

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

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

Refunds net of Eventbrite fee up to 7 days before the event. Inquiries, cancellations — (Cindy Taylor, 416.458.3147 evenings only). No reservations by phone, please. First, come basis with a priority for members.

Here are Robert Parker’s notes on these wines:

2002 Dunn Vineyards Napa Valley

The 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa reveals muted aromatics of mossy earth and herbs. In the mouth, the wine is medium-bodied and well-balanced with crisp acidity, but it does not possess the depth or richness one expects from top vintages of this iconic brand. The Napa Cuvee will last for another decade, but I do not believe it will improve. Robert M. Parker, Jr. 86 points

2003 Dunn Vineyards Napa Valley

The 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa, which all comes from Howell Mountain, possesses deep, dark, primordial, blackberry and cassis fruit intermixed with notes of flowers and minerals. It is impressively built, rich, and intense with the gorgeous fruit purity evident in all the Dunn Cabernets. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2020+. Robert M. Parker, Jr. 90-92 points

2004 Dunn Vineyards Napa Valley

I don’t know whether it’s me, the vintage character, or whether Randy Dunn and his son have intentionally softened their wines, but these 2004s are more opulent and up-front than previous renditions. Yet, they lack neither concentration nor richness. Those of us who have been cellaring Dunn’s wines for twenty years, waiting for them to reach maturity should be thrilled by this new development. The Howell Mountain is denser and richer with blacker fruits as well as more body. Both are full-bodied, powerful Cabernets very much in keeping with his style. However, the tannins are softer and the wines reveal surprisingly developed aromatics. Look for the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa to drink well for 15 years. It is a brilliant achievement. Robert M. Parker, Jr. 91 points

2005 Dunn Vineyards Napa Valley

The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is gorgeous. It is a soft, caressing wine laced with expressive dark fruit, blackberries, spices, leather, and flowers, all of which come together beautifully in the glass. This is a surprisingly soft, open young wine with lovely inner perfume and a mid-weight structure that makes it approachable, even today. It is a great starting point for readers who are new to the Dunn wines. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2025.

I tasted a large number of wines with Randy Dunn this year. These are some of the most powerful, age-worthy Cabernets being made in Napa Valley today. Dunn is very much an iconoclast who follows his own convictions. Picking is a bit earlier here than elsewhere throughout the valley. Dunn isn’t too concerned if stems occasionally make it into the fermenter. A fervent advocate of lower-alcohol wines, Dunn makes no apologies for removing alcohol from his wines if they come in above 14%. Personally, that strikes me as a totally unnecessary intervention, but it’s hard to argue with the quality of what is in the bottle, and ultimately that is what counts most. The Napa Valley bottling includes purchased fruit from the valley floor and is typically a slightly more accessible wine, while the Howell Mountain is a much tougher wine that typically demands 20 years to enter its early peak. These Cabernets are for the patient, but make no mistake about it, in top vintages the Howell Mountain is one of the great wines, not just of California, but of the world. Readers who want to explore these wines without waiting several decades may want to start with the 2005 or 2007 Napa Valley bottlings, both of which are somewhat accessible at this stage. Antonio Galloni 92 points

2002 Dunn Vineyards Howell Mountain

I liked the 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain slightly more when I tasted it from the barrel. It appears to be fully mature, which is atypical of Dunn Cabernet Sauvignons. I even purchased another bottle at a local wine shop in St. Helena, and it was no different. As a huge fan of Dunn Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, I have reviewed over two dozen with many meriting ratings in the high nineties. The 2002 exhibits a deep ruby/purple color, medium body, and a shallow, superficial style without the concentration and intensity one would expect from this producer. It needs to be consumed over the next 5-10 years. (Amazingly, I recently had a bottle of the 1982 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain, which tastes younger than 2002. Go figure?) Robert M. Parker, Jr. 89 points

2003 Dunn Vineyards Howell Mountain

Rich with surprisingly soft tannin, this dense plum/ruby/purple-colored 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits lots of briary mountain fruit, blackberries, blueberries and cassis, outstanding purity, full-bodied power, and nicely integrated tannin. There is no evidence of toasty oak to be found in this beauty from Randy Dunn. Drink it now or cellar it for 15+ years. It finished at 13.8% natural alcohol. Robert M. Parker, Jr. 95 points

2004 Dunn Vineyards Howell Mountain

Reticent but promising blackberry and black currant fruit, as well as licorice aromas, jump from the glass of this inky/purple-colored 2004. Rich and broad with sweeter tannins than one expects in a ten-year-old Dunn Cabernet, it reveals impressive richness, power, and purity, but is still an adolescent in terms of its evolution. Slightly more evolved than the Dunn Cabernets of the early and mid-1980s, it can be drunk now or cellared for another 20-25 years. Robert M. Parker, Jr. 94 points

2005 Dunn Vineyards Howell Mountain

This iconic wine, consistently made since it was first released in 1979 by Randy Dunn, is always aged 30 months in barrel and then an additional six months in bottle prior to being released. It is always 100% Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon. Randy Dunn is one of the first advocates of alcohol levels under 14%. (This one is listed at 13.8%.) I just can’t comprehend the obsession and polemics about alcohol. Unless the wine lacks balance and character, it is rarely even a legitimate issue. Anything between 12.5% and 15.5%-16% can work well, and even some higher ones seem to carry their alcohol extraordinarily well, especially if they are made from grapes such as Zinfandel or Grenache.

Dense purple in color and still looking like a barrel sample, the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain has a nice, cedary, new saddle leather-infused blackcurrant richness, outstanding purity, medium to full body, sweet tannin and layered, lush texture. The level of concentration is impressive. I don’t think there’s a wine taster that could tell whether this is 13.8% or 15.8% alcohol, given this level of richness. This wine is certainly accessible, but probably won’t hit its prime for another 5-7 years, and like most Dunn Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignons, it will have a good 30+ years of longevity. (Keep in mind that his 1982 is just now hitting that peak of quality to my palate.) Robert M. Parker, Jr. 94 points

Wednesday, February 26th, 2020 — Toronto Winetasters has a long tradition of Port tastings in February and, even though at the time of writing it doesn’t look like the usual Ontario winter here, we are happy to say we are continuing this tradition.  We will be pouring a selection of ports from classic declared vintages in the 60s and 70s.  (This being port, we should clarify what we mean the 1960s and 1970s!).  And we are covering six houses – Graham, Dow, Cockburn, Taylor, Croft, and Warre –  so you will have a great opportunity to compare the house styles.  These are top tier houses – all of the wines in our tasting are 90 points or over in Wine-Searcher.

Register

The vintages are 1963, 1966, 1967, 1970 and 1977.  Here are Decanter notes on them:

• 1963:  5/5   A post-war classic. Superb wines, wonderful to drink now and many with a long life ahead. The best will last a lifetime.
• 1966:  5/5  Some outstanding wines, combining power and elegance, the best on par with 1963. No hurry to drink, some wines will last a lifetime.
• 1967:  Many houses did not declare, but Two leading shippers (Cockburn and Martinez) declared 1967 in preference to 1966
• 1970:  5/5  Classic, tight-knit wines, some outstanding, that will last a lifetime. Drink now to 2030+.
• 1977:  4/5  Highly rated at the outset – and widely declared – these wines have developed faster than expected.   Drink now – 2030.

The houses we will pour are, Graham (’63 and ’66), Dow (’66 and ’70), Cockburn (’67), Taylor (’66), and Croft and Warre (both ’77).   So we have three different takes on ’66, and two on ’77.  This will be one of those tastings you can slice in multiple ways.

These are all excellent, storied, port houses.  Graham is renowned for producing one of the densest and sweet styles of vintage port. The richness and sumptuous character are the hallmarks of Graham.  Taylor is made from a blend of Quintas Vargellas and Terra Feita with a little addition from Quinta do Junco. It is often the most intellectually satisfying of all of the Vintage Ports and one with the greatest aging potential.  Warre is the oldest British Port house (over 200 years old) its wines often have a floral elegance.  Dow is another old port house whose wines have an attractive drier finish.  Croft was recently acquired by Fladgate Partnership a few years ago makes long-lived wines.  Cockburn’s ports are known for their combination of power and elegance.

All of these wines are in the zone, most with plenty of life ahead (eg Graham ‘63).  About the Graham ’63, Jancis Robinson wrote:

“Pale ruby. Haunting and again, so direct and transparent. Gorgeous, ethereal, light, heady and lifted. Jewel of a wine. Long and powerful, although over time in the glass it became a little spirity – as well it might at 55 years old.”, awarding it 19 points (“humdinger”)!.

For wines of this quality and age prices are very reasonable, in the $100 – $200 range per bottle in the market today (Graham ’63 is rather more at $330).

We are very pleased to have Sharon Giffen lead us through this tasting.  A former director of Toronto Winetasters, she is a port enthusiast and you can look forward to an ‘interactive’ evening.

This tasting is a terrific opportunity to taste a range of classic mature vintage port and perhaps you will be inspired to hunt down some of these wines!

Date: Wednesday, February 26yh, 2020
Time: 6:45 p.m.
Limit: 40 people
Members: $95 including HST of $10.93*
Guests: $120 including HST of $13.80*

*Also includes Eventbrite processing fee of 2% + C$0.59 per ticket

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

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

Refunds net of Eventbrite fee up to 7 days before the event. Inquiries, cancellations — (Cindy Taylor, 416.458.3147 evenings only). No reservations by phone, please.  First, come basis with a priority for members.

Wednesday, January 22, 2020 —The early start to winter makes the wine lover’s thoughts turn to hearty wines like Shiraz. And where better to look for stellar Shiraz than Australia’s Barossa & McLaren Vale. Register now

We are delighted to offer this tasting of rising legend Two Hands winery’s Shiraz. It is a highly acclaimed winery rooted in Borassa and McLaren. Originally founded just before the turn of the 21st century by Michael Twelftree and Richard Mintz, success came quickly at home and abroad. The winery has also spread its wings beyond Barossa & McLaren Vale across the wine regions of South Australia.

Numerous accolades continued, including Robert Parker famously naming Two Hands “the finest négociant south of the equator’’, and demand around the world surged as the wines expanded into export markets throughout Europe, Asia, North America and, of course, at home in Australia. In November 2012, Two Hands was named in the Wine Spectator’s annual Top 100 for the 10th consecutive year, an achievement apparently without equal.

Shiraz was their initial focus and remains their core today. The wines are not for the faint of heart – these are big, even massive, wines (can exceed 15% alcohol), but with the polish to attract high Parker scores.
Their many offerings are grouped into four quality ‘tiers’. Our tasting will cover the top three tiers. With one exception all the wines are from the 2007 vintage.

At the pinnacle is Ares. This is a special, limited, selection of what they consider to be the finest of all their barrels Barossa & McLaren vale Shiraz. Originally 100% Barossa, since 2005 the selection includes McLaren vale fruit. We are pouring 1999 (100% Barossa) and 2007 (67% Barossa) which will give some insight into the evolution of this iconic wine.

The second tier is the ‘Block’ series – single vineyards. We have Barney’s Block (McLaren), and Zippy’s Block (Barossa). Parker’s note on the latter can serve as an exemplar for the wines as a whole:

“a brooding, burly wine; splendid nose of plum, tar, licorice, smoke, game, blueberry; palate surprisingly restrained, bordering on elegant; savory, ripe, medium-long; approachable in 1-2 years (from 2009) and will drink well for a decade thereafter; 93 pts“

The third tier is the ‘Garden’ series, one from each of the six top Shiraz regions. You will be tasting Lily’s Garden (McLaren Vale), Bella’s Garden (Barossa), Max’s Garden (Heathcote), and finally Harry & Edward’s Garden (Langhorne Creek), the latter no longer being made.
So for Barossa & MClaren Vale all of the top three tiers are represented.

This tasting gives a unique opportunity to taste the different tiers, as well as a comparison of the four regions represented in the Garden series. Sign up now and come on out for a tasting of some of the best of Australian Shiraz.

By the way, if these wines are ringing a bell with you, you aren’t mistaken. This was a very successful tasting a few years back and we are fortunate to be able to present it again, for the benefit of those not able to attend then, as well as those who are interested in the wines’ evolution.

Register now

Date: Wednesday, January, 22nd, 2020
Time: 6:45 p.m.
Limit: 66 people
Members: $85 including HST of $9.77*
Guests: $105 including HST of $12.08*

*Eventbrite processing fee of 2% + C$0.59 per ticket

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

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

Refunds net of Eventbrite fee up to 7 days before the event. Inquiries, cancellations — (Cindy Taylor, 416.458.3147 evenings only). No reservations by phone, please.  First, come basis with a priority for members.

Now open to non-members a member prices

Wednesday, November 13, 2019 — Winetasters is excited to invite you to our members-only Fall dinner. We have decided to offer members a fine-dining experience, with dishes specially prepared to pair with five wines selected from the club’s cellar. Two executive chefs from the Vintage Conservatory (VC) are busy drafting the menu for a five-course tasting menu that will take you on a wine and culinary journey. The menu will be finalized and posted next week.

A few words about the VC before telling you about the wines we selected. The VC opened in 2010 and it is a private club for “people who collect wine and like to entertain or do business with bottles from their own collections.” The VC expanded this year and on October 1 opened the marvelous Yorkville location, where we will host this special evening.

Register now

Now onto the wines (tasting notes appear below). You will start the evening with a reception wine that you will enjoy while meeting your fellow diners. For fun, we will not reveal the identity of this wine at this time. Think of it as the evening’s mystery wine.

The dinner wine you will enjoy with your first course will be the 2016 Grüner Veltliner from Pichler-Krutzler, one of Austria’s premier producers, a wine with lots of minerality and elegance.

Next, you will travel from the Wachau valley to Southern Rhone to enjoy a classic Châteauneuf du Pape from a world-class terroir. You will find that the “rugged yet juicy” 1995 La Crau – Vieux Télégraphe is nicely matured and ready to be enjoyed. 1995 was a terrific year in the Southern Rhone, with ripe concentrated reds.

The next step in your journey will find you 300 KMs west of the Rhone River in the wine region of Cahors. Cahors is a place where they have made wine for centuries from the grape the locals call Auxerrois and one that is better known as Malbec. The “black wines of Cahors” have firmly structured tannins and need time in the bottle to develop balance and elegance. Luckily, in Wine Tasters’ extensive cellar we located several bottles of 1998 Chateau Lagrezette, one of the region’s top estates. Lagrezette is known for wines having sufficient acidity to pair with food and the 1998 vintage is wonderfully mature and ready for you to enjoy.

Your next stop is in Pauillac, some 200 KMs west of Cahors. Winetasters’ members love their Bordeaux and also know that Château Lynch-Bages ranks among the best in the appellation. Lynch-Bages’s grand vin (made predominantly from Cabernet Sauvignon) is known for its structure and intensity and has been dubbed “the poor man’s Mouton” (At today’s prices, ‘poor’ is a relative term!). At 16 years of age, the 2003 vintage is mature and ready to savor.

Your journey will end after leaving Bordeaux and heading south to Portugal’s Douro valley. The chilly November weather calls for Port so what better way to end your evening than with a glass of mature Port (1992 vintage) from Smith Woodhouse.

You will enjoy six 3 OZ (94 ML) servings of wine at this event. Using public transit is strongly encouraged. The all-in price of this member-only event is $290 and seating is limited to 32 people. We expect that the seats will sell out quickly so register early to avoid disappointment. A vegetarian option will be available and food allergies will be accommodated.

Date: Wednesday, November 13, 2019
Time: 6:30 for 7:00 PM
Limit: 32 people
Where: Vintage Conservatory – Yorkville Village, 55 Avenue Rd, Toronto, ON M5R 3L2. The VC’s entrance is located by the escalator to Wholefoods.
Price: $290 per person, members only. The price includes dinner, wines, service, and tax.

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

Refunds net of Eventbrite fee up to 7 days before the event. Inquiries, cancellations — (Cindy Taylor, 416.458.3147 evenings only). No reservations by phone, please.  Members-only, no guests.

Tasting Notes

2016 Pichler-Krutzler Loibner Ried Loibenberg Grüner Veltliner

Fermented in a large oak Fuder, the 2016 Loibner Grüner Veltliner Ried Loibenberg was picked very early (around the 10th of October), far earlier than its peers. Bottled in June, this is a beautifully precise and elegantly flavored Veltliner that is much more terroir-driven than fruit-driven. The wine shows a ripe but flinty flavored nose that indicates great purity. On the palate, this is a full-bodied, elegant and enormously salty Loibenberg with great intensity but also tension, finesse, and purity. This has fine tannins and a stunningly complex finish – one of the very best Loibenbergs of the vintage. Only 1,200 liters produced. Drink Date: 2021-2036. Score – 94. (Stephan Reinhardt, robertparker.com, Aug. 31, 2017)

1995 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, La Crau – Vieux Télégraphe

Rugged and juicy at the same time, with hickory-smoked game, dried blood orange, briar, black currant, bittersweet cocoa and coffee flavors. This offers the classic profile of Châteauneuf, with complexity and length bred by world-class terroir. (JM) (3/2006) 95 points Wine Spectator. A tasting note from 2012 described this wine as having “fine aromas of aged Châteauneuf: undergrowth, olive, polished wood. Lovely freshness and so finely balanced with the aging fruit flavors filling out the dry but fully resolved tannins.”

1998 Cahors – Lagrezette

Wonderful mature wine. Ripe cherry and raspberry, black pepper. Balanced and long. In a great place. (Cellar Tracker user tasting note)

2003 Château Lynch-Bages

A healthy, youthful dark plum/ruby/purple color is followed by a bouquet of smoke, barbecued meats, black currants and new saddle leather. With full body and sweet tannin, this 2003 is strutting its stuff. Although it is not as fine as 1989, 1990, or 2000, it is a complex, classic Pauillac to enjoy over the next decade. 94 points Robert M. Parker Jr.

1992 Vintage Port – Smith Woodhouse

Slightly muddy dark crimson. Rich, savory nose – intriguing. Warm, round, very sweet and quite developed. Not the most concentrated fruit but with very inky tannins. Not the most harmonious balance but competent in a dried prune sort of way. The fruit is very slightly dried out. 16 points Jancis Robinson (tasting note from 2004)

Tasting Menu

Wednesday, October 23, 2019 — The 2007 vintage in the Southern Rhône was widely acclaimed at the time, especially by Robert Parker Jr.  A very wet spring was followed by a hotter and dryer summer and autumn than the rest of France, leading to generally powerful wines.  Berry Bros wrote “The resulting wines have an incredible depth of fruit, great color and are marked by tannins that are both supple and firm. In terms of recent vintages, 2007 combines the finesse of 2006 with the power of 2005…”.   Wine Spectator summed it up thus: “[The] Best are hedonistic delights; though some are over-the-top”.

Register for Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2007 online

Hugh Johnson describes classic Châteauneuf-du-Pape as “wine of finesse, pedigree, suave tannins, floral wisps, with notes of cedar, Provençale herbs…” (and notes that some producers are now returning to this style).  With a large number of producers in the appellation, there is a variety of styles and quality (HJ says puts it as 50 very good domaines and 80 that are inconsistent to poor).   We have carefully selected the wines for this tasting.

Thirteen grapes are permitted in the red wines of this appellation as of 2007 (it was later increased), but Grenache is usually dominant, which can give the wines a big flavor profile with low acid and high alcohol (up to 16%); other grapes are blended in to add complexity.  The best examples can age for a couple of decades.

This month’s tasting gives you a chance to see how this vintage has evolved.  All our wines are fully mature and are from leading producers.

Leading the charge, we have Domaine La Millière.  Jancis Robinson gave this wine 18 points, a high score for her, concluding her comment with “Good balance and a wine with a beginning, middle and end.”    Following along we have Domaine La Roquete, which Jancis gives 17 pts, “… a more interesting wine than most”.  The line up continues with Domaine de Cristia Renaissance, Domaine La Solitude and a pair of wines from Patrick Lesec.  His Cuvée Bargeton earned 96 points from Robert Parker Jr, and we are also pouring Les Pierres Dorées.   The two wines have a broadly similar élevage, but the Bargeton is completely destemmed while the Les Pierres Dorées, the larger production wine (1100 cases vs 550), is not.  Completing the line up we have the Privilège cuvée from Domaine des 3 Cellier and Cuvée du Baron – Château Fortia.   Wine Advocate notes follow.

There will, of course, be a mystery wine, about which all we will say is that it will be red, and may, or may not, relate to the featured wines.    You can have fun trying to identify it.

So, indulge your inner hedonist and come and enjoy this great tasting!

 2007 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Cuvée Bargeton – Patrick Lesec

The super-star of the Chateauneuf du Papes is the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Bargeton. Made from 80% tank-aged Grenache (nearly 100-year-old vines) and the rest barrel-aged Syrah and Mourvedre, this cuvee comes from the famed Galets Roules of the renowned sector of Chateauneuf du Pape called La Crau. A dense plum/purple color precedes notes of roasted herbs, licorice, smoked duck, soy, blackberries, cassis, and plums. Fabulously pure fruit, a full, layered texture, and a finish displaying exceptional intensity, purity, and length (50 seconds) suggest this superb Chateauneuf du Pape may be the finest effort Patrick Lesec has yet fashioned. It should drink well for 12-14 years.

96 Points Robert Parker Jr.

2007 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Pierres Dorées – Patrick Lesec

The 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Pierres Dorees is composed of 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, and 15% Syrah that spends time in used, 1- to 4-year-old Burgundy barrels. Only 10% of the blend is aged in steel. It also includes a lot of stems during fermentation, but that is certainly not noticeable in either the aromas or flavors. Its dense purple color is followed by a sweet, floral-dominated nose of incense, soy, licorice, black fruits, meat juices, and bouquet garni. Deep, full-bodied and powerful as well as silky-textured, layered, and long, this beautiful wine should evolve for 10-15 years.

94 Points Robert Parker Jr.

2007 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Vieille Vignes – Domaine La Millière

This reliable Chateauneuf du Pape producer has also fashioned two very fine cuvees of Cotes du Rhone. Both are admirable efforts displaying loads of red and black fruit, spice box, earth, and pepper notes. Sexy and seductive, they deliver all that wines from this category should. In fact, they over-deliver. Both are sleepers of the vintage. Enjoy them over the next 2-3 years.

Young proprietors Aime and Michel Arnaud continue to turn out forward, complex, seductive Chateauneuf du Papes.

88 Points Robert Parker Jr.

2007 Châteauneuf-du-Pape – Domaine de la Solitude

A rocking base cuvee, the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape offers a ripe, sexy, concentrated and full-bodied style to go with classic notes of fresh black fruits, roasted herbs and hints of crushed rocks. I love its mid-palate, and it’s going to keep for another 10-15 years.

93 points Jeb Dunnick

2007 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Renaissance – Domaine de Cristia

I find the 2007 vintage to be one of the most distinctive vintages in the past two decades, and Cristia’s 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape has the classic incense, lavender, flowers and spice characteristics of the vintage in spades. Full-bodied, decadent, layered and sexy, it’s one seriously hedonistic wine that has no hard edges, a full, ripe mid-palate, and a great finish.

92 points Jeb Dunnick

2007 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Privilège – Domaine des 3 Cellier

The 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Privilège (40% Grenache and the rest 20% each of Mourvèdre, Syrah and Vaccarèse) is a sweetly fruited, sexy and nicely concentrated red that gives up lots of licorice, ripe black cherries, new leather and hints of iodine. Drink it over the coming 3-5 years.

88 points Jeb Dunnick

2007 Châteauneuf-du-Pape – Domaine La Roquète

The finest tradition cuvee yet made, the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape (70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 10% Mourvedre aged in foudre and concrete tanks) possesses a deep ruby/purple-tinged color as well as a bouquet of black currants, black cherries, garrigue, pepper, and lavender. It is a full-bodied, ripe, exceptionally elegant, pure wine to drink now or cellar for 12-15 years.

Shrewd connoisseurs of Chateauneuf du Pape should be paying attention to what is taking place at La Roquete. This property was acquired by the Brunier family (who also own Vieux Telegraphe) in the mid-eighties, and over the last 4-5 years, they have made successful efforts to upgrade the quality dramatically.

93 Points Robert Parker Jr.

2007 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Cuvée du Baron – Château Fortia (375 ml)

The light-medium ruby-colored 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee du Baron exhibits bubble gum-like, washed-out cherry and strawberry fruit, and hints of herbs and spice. Drink it up.

One of the most historically important estates of the appellation, Chateau Fortia has been making wines since the late 1700s. It is well-known in French winedom that the owner of this property, Baron Pierre Le Roy, first promulgated very strict regulations under which Chateauneuf du Pape could be produced, This doctrine became the founding principles of the entire French appellation system in 1936. Fortia produces three cuvees from their 70+ acres of vines.

85 Points Robert Parker Jr.

Date: Wednesday, October, 23th, 2019
Time: 6:45 p.m.
Limit: 66 people
Members: $85 including HST of $9.77*
Guests: $105 including HST of $12.08*

*Eventbrite processing fee of 2% + C$0.59 per ticket

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

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

Refunds net of Eventbrite fee up to 7 days before the event. Inquiries, cancellations — (Cindy Taylor, 416.458.3147 evenings only). No reservations by phone, please.  First, come basis with a priority for members.

Wednesday, April 24th, 2019 — This tasting will be a treat for Nebbiolo lovers. Barolo and Barbaresco are the premier wine DOCGs for Nebbiolo, located in the Langhe region, which is part of Piedmont.

Register online

Nebbiolo is a stand-out grape with a dramatic flavor profile – “tar and roses” is the headline. Its rich flavor profile also includes anise, spices, cherries plums. As it ages, tertiary flavors evolve with prunes, leather, dried flowers, and menthol.  Barbarescos are made on land that has a lower elevation and are produced in an area closer to the river.  For both of these reasons, the growing conditions are warmer than those of Barolos.  As a consequence of this warmer environment, the aging requirements are less (2 years instead of 3) as they do not need as long to mature before they are ready to drink.

Historically, these wines were sometimes referred to respectively as the King and Queen of Nebbiolo. More recently, dedicated growers in Barbaresco have upped the ante and the wines can stand on a more equal footing with Barolo. You can judge that for yourself at the tasting.

Our wines are all from the 2006 vintage. Jancis Robinson wrote that it was a cooler summer followed by an Indian summer punctuated by some rain, but the grapes were healthy enough to withstand that; she rated the vintage as promising. Berry Brothers currently rate it a 10 (out of 10) and “drink or hold”. Robert Parker classifies the 2006 vintage as “extraordinary”.

We have four wines from each DOCG (plus our mystery, of course, which could be just about anything, so you can have fun identifying it). The line up includes top producers like Paolo Scavino (Cannubi) and Azelia (Bricco Fiasco) in Barolo and Marches di Grésy (Martinenga) in Barbaresco. The full list of wines is below.

These are serious wines and this should be a stunning tasting. For example, The Cannubi was given 17.5 points in 2016 (‘above superior’) on Purple Pages “On the palate, there is the perfect balance between fruit, coating tannins, and melting acidity, but on the whole, this is still very closed. Built for eternity? Elegant mid-weight palate. Drink 2018-2036”. Another measure of the wines’ quality is that their prices have more than doubled since we acquired them (mostly in 2011). All of these wines are at or close to the point of being ready to drink, but still with plenty of life ahead of them.

List of wines

• Barolo, Cannubi – Paolo Scavino 2006
• Barolo, La Serra – Marcarini 2006
• Barolo, Bricco Fiasco – Azelia 2006
• Barolo, Brunate – Andrea Oberto 2006
• Barbaresco, Froi Riserva – Massimo Rivetti 2006
• Barbaresco, Chiaramonte – Ca’ Rome 2006
• Barbaresco, Rombone – Nada Fiorenzo 2006
• Barbaresco, Martinenga – Marchesi Di Grésy 2006

Date: April, 24th, 2019
Time: 6:45 p.m.
Limit: 60 people
Members: $85*
Guests: $99*

*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 April 19, 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.

Wednesday, March 27th, 2019 — This is really two tastings in one. We have a comparison of two landmark Burgundy communes: Meursault & Chassagne-Montrachet combined with a survey of Henri Boillot’s winemaking across three vineyards from each commune, plus the village wines. The wines are listed below.

Register online

Meursault is typically known for its rich and savory whites, with nutty, honeyed hints and buttery, vanilla spice from judicious oak. Ironically, while Chassagne is separated from Meursault by Puligny, flavour-wise it is Chassagne that is midway between Puligny and Meursault – less fine than Puligny and less rich than Meursault – but containing elements of both.

Chassagne is minerally yet succulent, and often floral with hints of hazelnuts (similar to Chassagne). Chassagne is usually the (relative) value play compared to Puligny or Meursault. So there will be similarities, and differences, in the wines. It will be fun figuring out which is which!

Henri Boillot is one of the top producers in Burgundy. Based in Meursault, he makes wine from Meursault, Puligny, Chassagne and Volnay (Pinot). The family started making wine at the start of the twentieth century. Henri opened a négociant business in 1995 to supplement the wines from their holdings in Puligny. He bought out the family in 2005 to keep the domaine whole. Our wines in this tasting are all “Henri Boillot Maison”. However, this is no ordinary négociant. As Berry Bros puts it

…although Henri does not own the vineyards from which these grapes are sourced, he farms them as meticulously as if they were his own.

2009 was an excellent year. Warm conditions and fairly large yields gave balanced grapes, and most agree 2009 whites are at least on a par with 2005. Last May, Jancis Robinson had this to say about the vintage

…. 2009 white burgundies, from a relatively low-acid vintage that one might have expected to have aged rather fast. In the event, the successful wines in this collection of 29, tasted in the cellars of Justerini & Brooks with fellow wine professionals with a particular interest in Burgundy, were still admirably refreshing and the best, several of which came from Chassagne, seemed to have quite a bit of potential for enjoyment.

Our tasting offers a terrific opportunity to taste top quality white Burgundy that is entering its mature phase.

Our speaker is Lloyd Evans.

List of wines:

• 2009 Meursault 1er cru les Poruzots – Boillot
• 2009 Meursault 1er cru les Perrieres – Boillot
• 2009 Meursault 1er cru les Cras – Boillot
• 2009 Chassagne-Montrachet – Boillot
• 2009 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er cru Embrazées – Boillot
• 2009 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er cru Les Chenevottes – Boillot
• 2009 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er cru Les Chaumées – Boillot

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 March 22, 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.

(Wednesday, September 26, 2018) — Throughout history, celebrating and champagne have been synonymous.  It seems fitting therefore that we celebrate the 40^th Anniversary Party of The Winetasters of Toronto Club in sparkling fashion!   Please join us as we delve into the world of grower champagne interspersed with some champagne from some of the grand Champagne houses.

Register online

Historically, most champagne was produced by negociants who purchased grapes from a number of growers.  Today, many of these growers have started to produce their own champagnes from grapes grown on their land.  Although the numbers of these growers remain small in terms of market share, their impact has been significant.  Not having to adhere to a specific brand style, these grower champagnes show a diverse range of styles and a wide spectrum of expressions.  Grower champagne is an artisanal product and we are excited to show you a selection of 9 grower champagnes along with champagne from 3 traditional producers.  We will also have a selection of Hors d’oeuvres and appetizers to pair with these exquisite champagnes.

We will have an introduction from Stephen Cohen whose agency, Groupe Soleil, imports an impressive array of grower champagnes.

• CEDRIC BOUCHARD – ‘Cote de Val Vilaine’ Brut Blanc de Noirs NV (2014 base)
• ULYSSE COLLIN – ‘Les Maillons’ Extra Brut Blanc de Noirs (2013 base)
• R.H.COUTIER Brut Rosé Grand Cru NV
• DIEBOLT-VALLOIS 2008 Brut Blanc de Blancs
• BERNARD GAUCHER 2008 Brut ‘Prestige’
• PIERRE PETERS Cuvée de Reserve Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru
• JACQESSON Cuvee 741 (2013 Vintage)
• BERECHE Reserve Brut NV
• PASCAL AGRAPART Terroirs Extra Brut NV

• Bollinger Special Cuvee Brut Champagne
• Moet & Chandon Brut Rose Champagne
• Veuve Cliquot Brut Champagne

For this special occasion we are returning to Osgoode Hall where, in the upstairs rooms, we will be able to enjoy the wine and food while mingling with our fellow wine enthusiasts.  It will truly be an evening not to be missed!

We encourage you to bring your friends!  When members bring 3 or more guests each may attend at the member price. We are limited to a maximum of 120 attendees, so book early!

Osgoode Hall is conveniently located at the west side of City Hall and a short hop from the Queen Street subway. Entry to the event is at the east entrance facing City Hall.  You will need to pass a security check to gain entry and we strongly recommend travelling by TTC.

Cancellations accepted up to Friday September 21, 2018 — (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.

As always with tastings, please ask your guests not to wear aftershave, cologne or perfume. We do get many first-timers at our event who may not be familiar with our etiquette. A scent-free environment ensures we all get to fully experience this exceptional assembly of wines.

Date:  Wednesday, September 26^th, 2018
Location: Osgoode Hall 130 Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario (at University), Toronto
Time:  7:00 p.m.

Members @ $130.00 each (incl. HST)
Guests @ $145.00 each (incl. HST)