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Rogers & Company
New Wineries and New Vintages
November 2011
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Greetings!
It's an exciting time of year here at Rogers & Company. Not only have we been receiving new vintages of some of our favourite wines, like Flaccianello, Continuum and Chateau Montelena "The Estate" Cabernet Sauvignon to name only a few, we're also very excited to announce the introduction of three more wineries!
First, we have Weingut Hirsch, our first producer from Austria - and what a winery to start with! Based in Kamptal, the finest region for Austrian whites, Johann Hirsch is a dynamic young man, a biodynamic farmer and a revolutionary in the Austrian wine scene. Austrian wine expert Terry Thiese has named Hirsch back-to-back "Winery of the Year" in 2009 and 2010, and Rajat Parr references him amongst the best Austrian producers in his book, Secrets of the Sommeliers.
Next we have Maison Alex Gambal. Alex left a career in real estate in the U.S. to pursue his dream of making wine in Burgundy. He worked with famed exporter/negociant Becky Wasserman while studying winemaking in Beaune. Through the acquisition of top-quality fruit, he has quickly established himself as a critically acclaimed producer on the rise. In 2011 he acquired vines in the Grand-Cru Vineyard Batard-Montrachet, becoming the first non-Frenchman in history to purchase vines in this storied area. Maison Alex Gambal now produces 60,000 bottles which can be found in fine dining establishments in over 20 countries.
And last, but by no means least, we have now partnered with Blue Mountain Vineyard & Cellars to distribute their beautiful Okanagan Valley wines here in Ontario. Blue Mountain is the iconic winery of the Okanagan, praised by collectors for their terroir-driven style and ageability.
Please visit our Rogers & Company website for more info, scores and reviews. As well, our price list is always available for downloading. As always, our prices are listed per-bottle, inclusive of HST, but not bottle deposit. We sell only in unmixed cases.
Most sincerely, Chris. |
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Weingut Johannes Hirsch Gruner Veltliner #1 2010
[750ml/12 per case] $20.95 per bottle
 How does Gruner taste you may ask? In my mind, a cross between riesling, pinot grigio and sauvignon blanc. This wine is medium bodied with fantastic acidity; the wine is dry, but rich on the mid-palate. In the last 2-3 years, this varietal has been embraced by sommeliers across North America for it's complexity and interesting flavours, which seem to compliment any number of dishes.
"Hirsch's 2010 Gruner Veltliner #1 (labeled "Trinkvergnugen #9 outside the U.S. and incorporating fruit from a fellow biodynamic grower just across the line into the Weinviertel) is lithe; brightly lime- and lemony; with pungent nips of cress and citrus rind balanced by nutty lentil-like undertones. Plan to enjoy it over the coming year.Johannes Hirsch claims not to have de-acidified even his least expensive 2010. "If you just waited to harvest and then waited to bottle," he insists, "nature took care of things," not only through precipitation of tartrates but "because these wines just have so much sheer extract," something I certainly thought palpable while tasting this terrific collection."
87 points, Wine Advocate, Oct 2011
"For the second year running, absurdly good. Aromatically, palate, finish - palate especially, which has a complex herbal note on its lentil and fava-bean body. In its echelon this is as complex, solid and focused as it gets - and this with 11.5% alcohol! It was not deacidified, and the acidity shows not as sharpness but as a chile note. There's a fair amount of hack stuff on the market now, trying to cash in on the cheap and cheerful "Groo-vay" thing, and I'm here to tell you there's no reason to settle when there's wines like this...." 1/3 stars, Terry Thiese, 2011 catalogue |
Ridge Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay 2009
[750ml/12 per case] $54.95 per bottle
 How excited we were to receive this review! The last time that this wine received 95 points (from Wine Spectator) it was named the #2 Wine of the Year for 2007. In certain years, the Chardonnay fruit from Monte Bello is divided into 2 wines, the Monte Bello Chardonnay and the Estate Chardonnay. In 2009 the Monte Bello was not produced and the Estate received all the top fruit.
"The 2009 Chardonnay Estate is an impeccable, classy wine layered with bright citrus, flowers and just a touch of sweetness from the oak. Crushed rocks and lime peel add complexity on the textured, long finish. In 2009 none of the blocks were designated for the Monte Bello bottling, all of the fruit went into the Estate. This is a stunningly pure wine from Ridge. I came back to the 2009 Estate after having tasted all of the reds and the wine showed beautifully. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2019."
95 points, Wine Advocate, August 2011
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Maison Alex Gambal Meursault 1er Cru "Les Genevrieres" 2009
[750ml/6 per case] $106.95 per bottle
 "Generous oak influence that will likely moderate with a year or two in bottle presently fights somewhat with the spicy white peach and lemon rind-infused aromas that are followed by sappy and relatively powerful medium weight flavours that possess plenty of mid-palate fat before delivering a beautifully complex, balanced and long finish. As I noted, this is on the oakier side at the moment but there is sufficient underlying material to suggest that the wood will be successfully absorbed in due time. Sweet spot outstanding. Drink 2016+" 90-93 points, www.burghound.com, February 2011 |
Maison Alex Gambal Vosne-Romanée Vielles Vignes 2009
[750ml/6 per case] $82.95 per bottle
 Vosne-Romanée, the most famous of all Burgundy villages contains many legendary vineyards. This wine is sourced from lieu-dits Audessus de la Riviere and Vigneux. Very little new oak is used to mature the wine, providing clarity of terroir and purity of fruit flavours.
"Smokey aromas introduce a wine that is structured and concentrated, with intense fruit and acidity. Firm tannins, a subtle touch of wood and fine richness all combine mellifluously." 91 points, Wine Enthusiast, September 2011
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"Querciabella "Mongrana" IGT Maremma 2009
[750ml/12 per case] $24.95 per bottle
 "Querciabella's wines carry an increasingly deep, fascinating territorial stamp." Gambero Rosso 2010
Mongrana is Querciabella's "everyday" Tuscan blend, sourced from the rolling coastal hills of Maremma, to the west of Chianti Classico. The blend is Sangiovese, with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, This wine offers tremendous value year after year.
"The 2009 Mongrana shows off an attractive pliancy and radiance to its red fruit that makes it an excellent choice for near-term drinking. Sweet floral and spice notes add an attractive brightness to the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2014." 88 points, Wine Advocate, August 2011
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Jasmin Côte Rôtie 2009 [750ml/6 per case] $72.95 per bottle
 A late arrival to Ontario from the legendary 2009 vintage in the Rhône Valley, this has been called, "One of The Appellation's Most Profound Wines" by Robert Parker (Wine Buyer's Guide #7, 2008).
"Glass-staining purple. Deep, pungent nose combines black raspberry, Asian spices, flowers and cola. Sappy, seamless and sweet, with lively mineral character and sweet dark fruit and violet pastille flavours. This focused, youthful wine is quite elegant, finishing with appealing spiciness, a dusting of silky tannins and a distinct floral element." 91-93 points, International Wine Cellar, Jan/Feb 2011
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Cannonball Napa Valley Merlot 2007
[750ml/12 per case] $22.95 per bottle
 The 2007 Cannonball Napa Valley Merlot is a wonderful wine. Just as the Cab is sourced mainly from Alexander Valley and Dry Creek Valley, two regions renowned for Cabernet in Sonoma, the 2007 Merlot comes mainly from Oak Knoll District, Napa's main production zone for high-end Merlot.
The colour is deep garnet with a bright halo of ruby. The aromas reveal slowly and you will find layers of cherries, flowers and vanilla-creme with a hint of red spice and walnut. In the mouth, the entry shows flavours of cherry, pomegranate, dark berries, and toasty flavours. The body is full and rich, threaded with fine textured tannins, outstanding length and bright finish. |
Chateau Montelena "The Estate" Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
[750ml/6 per case] $124.95 per bottle
 The Montelena Estate is one of Napa's legendary wines and 2007 is regarded as one of the best vintages in Napa in recent memory. What a combination!
It is renowned for its longevity, and Wine Advocate's review below predicts 30 or more years of beautiful drinking.
"A great wine in the making, the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate (just under 10,000 cases produced) possesses a fragrant bouquet of sweet black currants, crushed rocks, earth and background oak. Full-bodied and dense, with Montelena's typical power, tannin and reserved nature, this is a big, rich, formidably endowed red that requires 4-5 years of cellaring. That in itself is atypical of this exuberant, flamboyant vintage. Given this cuvee's past history, this 2007 should age for 30+ years." 94+ points, Wine Advocate, December 2010
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Fontodi "Flaccianello della Pieve" 2008
[750ml/6 per case] $99.95 per bottle
 Flaccianello is the only wine to be named to "Wine Spectator's Top 10" three times in the last six years. The 2007, 2006 and 2001 vintages were #8, #8 and #10 respectively. No other winery can claim achieving this in even a decade. I believe that this establishes Flaccianello as Tuscany's best 100% Sangiovese, and arguably its most consistent collectable wine.
The 2008 vintage is a bright and dense wine that is showing some exciting flavours at this early stage. I suggest giving it 2-3 more years and enjoying it over the next 20.
"The 2008 Flaccianello (Sangiovese) emerges from the glass with attractive dark red fruit, tobacco, licorice, sweet spices and new leather. It is interesting to compare the Flaccianello with the Vigna del Sorbo. Here the oak influence is greater, which flattens some of the aromatic complexity, at least today, in favour of more textural sweetness and softness. The 2008 possesses terrific overall balance, length and harmony. This is a mid-weight style of Flaccianello with excellent acidity and bright prospects for developing in the bottle. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2028." 92 points, Wine Advocate, August 2011 |
Continuum 2008 [750ml/6 per case] $191.95 per bottle
 Continuum is one of Napa Valley's recent success stories. Tim Mondavi, son of the late Robert Mondavi was head winemaker for their family's winery and more importantly of the Mondavi Reserve program for many years.
When the Robert Mondavi Winery was sold, he took time off to establish this new venture with his family. Originally sourced from To Kalon Vineyard, Continuum has recently purchased and developed vineyards near Pritchard Hill, facing west overlooking Oakville.
In its first four vintages, this wine has only received a score lower than 95 points once from Wine Spectator or Wine Advocate (in 2003, 93 pts from WS) . This is truly one of Napa's most collectable wines and will be for years to come.
"A remarkable effort, offering riveting, expressive aromas of mocha, currant, mineral, herb, black licorice, tar and pebble, this is intense, structured, balanced, nuanced and firm, finishing with a gutsy richness and sophistication. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Merlot. Best from 2013 through 2023. 2,200 cases made." 96 points, Wine Spectator, July 2011 |
Blue Mountain Vineyards & Winery
We're very proud to announce another first for Rogers & Company - our first winery from British Columbia!
Blue Mountain Vineyards was established in 1971 by the Mavety family, the vineyards overlooking Vaseaux Lake in the southern Okanagan Valley. They supplied high-quality grapes to wineries for 20 years, and in 1991 started to produce wine themselves. They grow only Burgundian and Alsatian varietals, in a terroir-centric style that emphasizes texture, balance and minerality. We offer four wines at this time; a traditional method brut sparkler that's perfect for the holidays, a Maconnais-like Chardonnay, a dry Pinot Gris, with beautiful tangerine and spice notes and a succulent Pinot Noir, reminding me of Nuits-Saint-Georges or Willamette Valley Pinot. We feel, given the prices below, that these offer exceptional value for Okanagan Valley wines. All are packed in 12's and the prices per bottle are: Non-Vintage Brut [750ml/12cs] $27.95 Chardonnay 2009 [750ml/12cs] $24.95
Pinot Gris 2009 [750ml/12cs] $24.95
Pinot Noir 2009 [750ml/12cs] $29.95 |
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Chris McLean
416 961 2294 x 29 |
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