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Wine Spectator's "Wine of the Year" 2012
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Greetings!
This past weekend Wine Spectator magazine released the Top 100 Wines of the Year 2012 and we are extremely pleased to announce that six of our wines made the list including the Wine of the Year for 2012 - Shafer "Relentless" 2008!
This luxurious blend of Syrah and Petit Sirah is "named" for Shafer's longtime winemaker Elias Fernandes whose relentless pursuit of perfection has pushed Shafer's wines to greater and greater heights. It is the seventh Napa Valley wine to win this prestigious award.
We sold through the 2008 last year, but currently have the 2009 available. We also have available Shafer's top wine the 2008 "Hillside Select" Cabernet Sauvignon. This 100% Cabernet from Stags Leap District is one of Napa's top wines, it has received multiple 100 point reviews in its 27 vintages and is one of Napa's truly collectable wines. One taste of "Hillside" and you'll never forget this wonderful wine.
At number 25 is Fontodi "Flaccianello della Pieve" 2009. This amazing 100% Sangiovese is no stranger to this list, having been named #8 in 2010, #8 in 2009 and #10 in 2004. We currently have some of the 2008 available for sale, which received 97 points from James Suckling, the former Italian critic for Wine Spectator.
The 2009 Flaccianello arrives in 2013 and has already been awarded 96 points from Wine Spectator, 95 points from James Suckling and 94+ points from International Wine Cellar.
The number 59 wine is Astrolabe "Province" Sauvignon Blanc 2011, our flamboyant and exotic beauty from Marlborough, New Zealand. I still have plenty in stock, half-bottles as well!
Number 77 is Belle Glos "Clark & Telephone" Pinot Noir 2010, one of three single-vineyard Pinot Noirs (soon to be four - stay tuned for exciting news!) produced by the Wagner family of Caymus and Mer Soleil fame. This wine was in LCBO/Vintages in October, but quickly sold out. It is grown in a sandy vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley and produces a distinctly baking-spicy style of Pinot Noir. The other two single-vineyard bottlings are Taylor Lane from the Sonoma Coast, and Las Alturas from the Santa Lucia Highlands. Both of these wines received similar scores to the Clark & Telephone in this vintage and easily could have replaced it in the Top 100. I still have some 2010 Las Alturas available in late December in cases of six at $44.95 per bottle.
At number 92 we have Altamura Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 which was the #5 Wine of the Year in 2010. I have my next shipment of this arriving the first week of December.
Finally, number 94 is Ridge Monte Bello 2009, in my opinion one of the greatest Cabernet Sauvignons produced in the United States, maybe anywhere. This wine has come and gone in the LCBO, but if you act fast we may be able to find some half-bottles for you. Few wines of this quality level can be found available in 375ml bottles, the perfect size for two to share over dinner.
Below you'll find the wines available to order now. Prices are per-bottle, inclusive of taxes but exclusive of the bottle deposit. Please visit us on the web for more information, our blog and price lists. All the best,
Chris.
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Shafer "Relentless" 2009
$85.95 per bottle, cases of 12
"The 2009 offers dense, enticing aromas and flavours of purple/black fruit, smoked meat, spice, incense, black plums and berry. Even at this young age it offers elegance wrapped in extract, with ripe tannins and good structure for aging. In the mouth it's full and rich from the first taste through the long finish," winemaker Elias Fernandez.
We understand that the 2009 has recently been reviewed by Wine Spectator and will be receiving a score similar to the 2008. |
Shafer "Hillside Select" Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
$284.95 per bottle, cases of 6
"The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is quite structured. Even with its firm tannins, though, the wine shows gorgeous depth and sheer power. The 2008 isn't a wine with early appeal, but it shows off tons of muscle and sheer depth. Dark fruit, leather, licorice, spices and tar inform the muscular, virile finish. The 2008 will require patience but its explosive personality virtually ensures it will be a rock star in a few years' time. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2028."
96 points, Wine Advocate, Dec 2011
"Muscular and tightly wound, yet beautifully focused and proportioned, dense and chewy, with rich layers of dried currant, blackberry, spice and licorice flavours. Demands cellaring. Best from 2014 through 2028."
96 points, Wine Spectator, Oct 2012 |
Fontodi "Flaccianello della Pieve" 2008 IGT
$99.95 per bottle, cases of 6
"The pureness of fruit is so intense here. It's also so clean and beautiful. The wine shows fabulous aromas of flowers, blueberries, and raspberries. It's full-bodied, with chocolate, licorice, and plums. The texture is very velvety. This is a wine in near perfect proportions."
97 points, JamesSuckling.com, Sept 2011
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Astrolabe "Province"
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2011
$23.95 per 750 ml bottle, cases of 12
$14.95 per 375 ml bottle, cases of 12
"Delicious Sauvignon that's an appealing medley of predominantly ripe passion fruit and red capsicum flavours with underlying gooseberry and grapefruit. The wine has a wonderful ethereal texture and lengthy finish. A fine example of what Marlborough Sauvignon should be but seldom is. "
93 points, Bob Campbell MW, Jan 2012
"This bright, juicy white delivers succulent notes of passion fruit, honeydew melon, Key lime and Asian pear, which together make a clear, focused and intense chorus that persists on the long finish. Drink now. 27,000 cases made."
91 points, Wine Spectator, June 2012 |
Belle Glos "Las Alturas" Santa Lucia Highlands
Pinot Noir 2010
$44.95 per bottle, cases of 6
"Smooth, rich and layered, with rich blackberry, wild berry, cherry and raspberry flavours, shaded by light toasty oak and ending with a long, full, saturating finish. Drink now through 2013. 833 cases made."
92 points, Wine Spectator, Sept 2012
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Altamura Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
$116.95 per bottle, cases of 12
"Striking, rich and opulent, elegant and refined, with ripe, dense blackberry, melted black licorice and touches of cinnamon and baking spice. Ends with fine-grained, detailed tannins. Best from 2013 through 2027. 3,500 cases made."
94 points, Wine Spectator, web only 2012
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Chris McLean
416 961 2294 x 29
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