Rogers & Company Newsletter
Six-Packs and Splits
October 2010
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Greetings!
For this month's newsletter I thought I'd write about our selection of six-bottle cases and our selection of 375ml bottle cases. Some people call them splits or '375 mills' or half bottles, but in any case they're a great size to be 'split' over dinner by two people.
We take great pride in the wide selection that we offer in these formats because both make it a little easier on the pocketbook than buying by the full sized bottles in a 12 bottle case. You may notice also that many of our premium priced selections come in six-bottle cases and I believe this is because 6 bottles is the perfect amount to buy if you'd like to cellar a wine and taste it along its evolution, maybe enjoying one bottle every year to year-and-a-half. Twelve bottles in a case almost implies that you won't be able to practice such restraint and so there is plenty to be drunk. I'm not sure if this is completely true, but it sounds logical to me.
My prices here are per bottle, everything in, except $0.20 bottle deposits. My catalogue is always available at our website.
This might be a good time to start planning ahead for holiday gift giving as the season will soon be here. If you do plan to send wine to your clients or friends, let me know what your plans might be and I'd be more than happy to offer some suggestions.
On another note, tickets are still available for the LCBO's tasting of Symington Family Ports on Mon, Nov 8th at The National Club. These houses represented include Warre's, Dow's, Graham's and the very special Quinta do Vesuvio. Rupert Symington will be in attendance and tickets are $99. Please click here for more information.
With best regards,
Chris.
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Champagne Gaston Chiquet "Blanc de Blancs d'Ay" Brut NV
[750ml/6 case] $54.95
 The holiday season will be upon us quickly, so here is an opportunity to grab a six-bottle case of some top-notch bubbly at a great price before its too late and all that's left on the shelves is a sea of predictable yellow labels.
"This is very discreet aromatically and requires 15 to 20 minutes for the nose to really get going, but when it does, it reveals fresh citrus and green apple notes that are trimmed in background nuances of freshly baked brioche and this character can also be found on the moderately effervescent, pure and intense flavours that are impressively refined and highly detailed. This is presently still very youthful and for my taste, I would suggest cellaring it for another 3 years or so. Those that enjoy very crisp and intense examples may find this to their taste however. 2012+"
91 points, burghound.com October 2009 |
Querciabella Batar IGT 2008 [750ml/6 case] $84.95
 Batar is truly a white "Super-Tuscan". This 50/50 blend of biodynamically farmed Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay transcends our ideas of what Italian white wines can be. It was born from dream to produce a wine that could rival the best whites from Burgundy, hence the relation of "Batar" to "Batard" as in "Batard-Montrachet".
Jancis Robinson has called it "truly extraordinary" (2000) and "perhaps the most ambitious Pinot Blanc on the planet" (2004) and Robert Parker has written "Sublime....not to be missed" (2007).
Querciabella recommends cellaring this wine for at least 4-5 years before drinking. They say that in its youth the wine is Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay, but once the varietals have come together and synergized, the wine has become "Batar". Vintages dating back to 1988 have shown that Batar is capable of maturing well for many years.
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Peay "Estate" Chardonnay 2008
[750ml/6 case] $77.95 (2 cases in stock)
 Undoubtedly this is one of California's most compelling wineries. Tiny production from a super-hip appellation, loads of critical acclaim, a winemaker with an amazing career (Mouton Rothschild, Peter Michael) and the 2009 San Francisco "Winery of the Year" honour I think says it all.
Consider decanting this Chardonnay before enjoying because its been bottled off the lees and may throw some sediment.
"Bright gold. Fresh Meyer lemon, orange zest, minerals and jasmine on the nose, with complicating notes of talc and anise. Plump and juicy on entry and through the middle, then tightens up on the back end, displaying potent citrus and honeydew character. Offers a compelling blend of fat and cut, and finishes spicy and very long. Decant this if you want to drink it now."
93 points, International Wine Cellar, May/June 2010 |
Flowers Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2008 [750ml/6 case] $69.95
 This wine continues to be a blend of three different clones of Chardonnay from several of Flowers' Sonoma Coast vineyards, including the famous Camp Meeting Ridge.
The fruit was rigorously hand sorted and gently whole cluster pressed. The juice was settled off heavy lees and put to barrel for fermentation. The cool fermentation using mostly native yeasts included stirring of light lees for 4 months in barrel to enhance flavours.
Showing balanced depth and complexity, it has a light straw to golden colour. White peach and lime citrus aromas. A clean wine with lean acidity which is refreshing on the palate. Stone minerals and luscious melon equally contend for attention in this mouth filling, delicious wine. It is showing very well now and will continue to gain complexity for 1 - 3 years. |
Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco 2005 [750ml/6 case] $50.95
 This is a perfect wine for Autumn. The gentle, floral nose is almost Pinot noir-like but the weight of the wine belies the power in the finish. It is very gentle and seductive, but that finish is very dry and very, very long.
In the current LCBO Classics catalogue three of the Riservas from 2005 are also offered, the Montestefano, the Ovello and the Rio Sordo vineyards. All are wonderful wines at great prices, which can age while you enjoy this normale.
"Once again, the Produttori have turned out a gem in their 2005 Barbaresco. A beautiful, perfumed Nebbiolo, the wine flows effortlessly from the glass with captivating notes of crushed flowers, raspberries, sweet herbs and spices. This classic, mid-weight Barbaresco possesses plenty of clean, bright fruit framed by elegant tannins, showing notable harmony. Simply put, this is a classic wine Piedmont lovers won't want to miss. Ideally, the wine should be cellared for a few years, but readers will have a hard time exercising such patience. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025."
91 points, Robert Parker, October 2008 |
Querciabella "Camartina" 2007 [750ml/6 case] $117.95
 What a year for the Camartina! Not only will it be receiving its ninth Three Glasses award from Gambero Rosso later this year when the 2011 list is published, but it received the Three Glasses Plus award, reserved for only 32 of the 20,000 wines reviewed! The Plus award winners are singled out as personal favourites of Gambero Rosso's Director Daniele Cernilli, which he called "magnifico" in his personal congratulatory letter to the winery. The 2007 also received the Three Green Glasses award for excellence in biodynamic practices. Querciabella is the only winery to earn all three awards this year.
This year also marks the arrival of Slow Wine, the Slow Food association's guide to Italian Wine. Once again, 2007 Camartina has received the highest honours, the Grande Vino classification, presented to only 200 of the 20,000 wines judged. In addition, they received the Bottle award for the superior quality demonstrated across the board during tastings of Querciabella's full range of wines.
If that isn't enough, the upcoming edition of Duemilavini, published by the Italian Sommelier's Association (AIS) awards 2007 Camartina the prestigious 5 Grappoli or clusters, making this the eighth vintage to receive such supreme acclaim from this authoritative wine guide.
If you prefer reviews from closer to home, Mr. Parker hasn't published his critique yet, but the 2004 and 2006 both received 95 points and it seems that the 2007 may do even better.
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Duckhorn "Howell Mountain" Merlot 2001 [750ml/6 case]
ETA end of November estimated $99.95 Reserve yours now!
 It is with great pleasure that we can offer this tremendous wine which has been cellared at the winery since its release in 2005. The Howell Mountain bottling is always built to last, with beautiful palate texture and a floral/crushed stone character. 2001 was a great vintage and this is starting to drink as a mature wine right now and will continue to do so for at least 5-6 more.
"Wow, what a wine. Tremendous, focused and intense. This Merlot is massive in cassis and black currant flavours, and very well-oaked. Most notable are the tannins. They're powerful and insistent, yet so smooth, so finely knit that they're totally drinkable now, although you may want to give the wine until 2006 to settle down."
93 points, Wine Enthusiast, December 2005
"Wildly fragrant aromas of freshly crushed blackberry, cocoa, dried sage and a hint of mint. Complex and richly textured with medium-full, integrated tannins, this powerful yet harmonious Merlot offers a deep core of blackberry-cassis fruit tinged with bright raspberry enhanced by nutmeg, bittersweet chocolate and creamy oak. A touch of dried sage emerges in the finish."
The Wine News, "Best Wines of 2005 and Top 10 Merlots", December 2005
I also will have availability of one of Duckhorn's rarely offered single-vineyard Cabernets, the "Monitor Ledge" 2006, packed in cases of six, at approximately $100 per bottle. A very "Bordeaux" style of Napa Cab, the well drained, cobblestone-covered volcanic soil of this vineyard produces a cedar and licorice scented wine that is firm and structured and will drink well for a decade at least. They should be in stock in late November as well.
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Frog's Leap "Rutherford" Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
[750ml/6 case] $109.95 (3 cases in stock)
 Frog's Leap's luxury Cabernet is like a lesson in terroir. Old vines produce a gentle, elegant Rutherford Cab, chock full of dark figgy fruit. An herbal freshness brings harmony to the synergy of oak and fruit. The signature "Rutherford Dust" is evident in its cocoa-powder like tannins.
The alcohol is rather moderate for a Cabernet of this quality from the heart of Napa and it is impeccably balanced.
Like the legendary Cabernets of the 1950's and 60's made by Inglenook and Beaulieu that define Napa Cab, this is not a powerhouse, but rather a food friendly, extremely complex wine that will provide decades of pleasureful drinking.
"Fragrant eucalyptus and figs then a full, rich palate of cherry fruits and ripe tannins."
Decanter World Wine Awards, October 2010 |
Astrolabe Sauvignon Blanc 2009 [375ml/12 case] $14.45
 Just in! We're very happy to now be able to provide our super-popular Astrolabe Sauvignon Blanc in half-bottle format. This is a really flamboyant style of Kiwi Sauvignon, with great palate texture. Citrus marinated seafood of any kind, like ceviche or marinated salmon, would be a worth adversary for the flavours of this beauty.
"This must be Astrolabe's best Sauvignon Blanc to date - it's certainly a long way ahead of the 2008. A mix of Awatere with Wairau Valley fruit it's a very powerful statement about the Marlborough style. Concentrated wine with a mix of passion fruit, mineral and tomato leaf flavours. Impecably balanced and with a lingering finish that won't quit."
95 points, Bob Campbell MW, bobswinereviews.com December 2009 |
Avignonesi Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2007
[375ml/12 case] $19.95
 The "Noble wine of Montepulciano" is actually Prugnolo Gentile, the local clone of Sangiovese. Avignonesi crafts a "traditional" styled wine with bright acidity, floral aromatics, and dark, savoury fruit flavours. The wine is matured in seasoned barriques to soften but not overtly flavour the wine. The finish is quite long and really nice and dry. It is a perfect match to Tuscan specialties such as bisteca alla Fiorentina or grilled eggplant with seasalt.
Wine Spectator recently awarded it 90 points and included it in their list of "Tuscan treasures" (Oct 31, 2010) Here is the brief review "Lively; berry, cherry, spices. "
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Château Fortia Châteauneuf-du-Pape "Cuvée du Baron" 2007
[375ml/12 case] $20.95
 Here is a wonderful wine from the highly regarded 2007 vintage that should provide delicious drinking for many years - if you can keep your hands off of it! Built on a foundation of old-vine Syrah fruit, this Châteauneuf-du-Pape is complex and full bodied and perfectly suited to a grilled hangar steak with fried shallots and red wine reduction.
"Medium red. Alluring bouquet of fresh red berries, kirsch, minerals and rose. Elegant, delineated red fruit flavours are firmed by tangy minerals and framed by dusty tannins. Becomes spicier on the focused, long finish. This will age on its balance."
91-94 points, International Wine Cellar, Jan/Feb 2009 |
Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon "One Point Five" Stag's Leap District 2007 [375ml/12 case] $49.95
 As usual, Shafer has turned out a tremendous effort in 2007. Shafer's Cabernets epitomize Stag's Leap District - a steel fist in a velvet glove. The tannins are refined and soft, but the wine is rich and fragrant and long on the finish.
"The dense ruby/purple-tinged 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five (includes 1% Petit Verdot) offers up juicy red and black fruit notes intermixed with licorice, coffee beans, and camphor as well as an impressive, full-bodied texture, good elegance, and floral undertones. With a savory, broad texture, this beauty can be drunk now or cellared for 15-20 years."
93 points, Robert Parker, December 2009
"Elias Fernandez blends this wine from Shafer's vineyards unde the Stag's Leap escarpment and the family's Borderline Vineyard two miles south. It has the balance of freshness and intensity that the best Napa Valley 2007s can claim, a supple and delicious red with complexity riding beneath lush cherry fruit. Scents of mineral tannins, mesquite and tobacco hint at the development that will come with eight to ten years in bottle."
93 points, Wine & Spirits, October 2010 |
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Chris McLean
phone: 416 961 2294x 29 |
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