Rogers & Company Chateau, Villa and Estate Wines

PRESENTS

Ancient Peaks Winery

August 2014

We couldn't be more excited to introduce our newest winery partner from up-and-coming Paso Robles to our catalogue - Ancient Peaks Winery!!

Grapes were first introduced to Paso Robles in the late eighteen century but until the late 1980's there were only a handful of wineries. Since then, more than 200 wineries have been founded. Located between San Francisco and Los Angeles, Paso Robles is located in the "Central Coast" region of California, just inland from Monterey and Santa Barbara Counties. Already there are 32,000 acres of wine grapes, with more than more than 40 varietals planted. We see both luxury and value-oriented wines coming from Paso Robles.

Ancient Peaks offers the best of both worlds. They are broadly recognized as a winery making good value wines, but these aren't simple, fruity wines. They express terroir, they provide ample structure and acidity to pair well with food, and most importantly, they over deliver on your dollar.

With value in mind, I've selected a number of other wines that also over-deliver, and prove that great wines can be had for under $35. We have plenty more wine that also would qualify, and to see these, please visit our website, or feel free to call me directly, 647 955 8872. Let's chat!

If you have friends or family that love wine as much as we do, please forward this newsletter along.

My thanks,

Chris.

Ancient Peaks
Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
$27.95 per bottle, 12 bottles per case

The estate vineyard, called Margarita Vineyard, lies 14 miles from the Pacific Ocean, just east of the Santa Lucia Highlands. Ocean fog rolls in in the evening and blankets the vineyard over night. This fog drops the temperature considerably and provides the grapes with a perfect environment for the acids to develop which is necessary to balance the intense flavours, tannins and sugars (potential alcohol) developed during the very warm afternoons.

The vineyard contains five different soil types - shales, granite, chalky calcareous, volcanic and sedimentary. By planting the same varietal on all five soils, the winemakers have a palette of which to "paint" the palate of the wine. This is a rare and special opportunity, as most vineyards are planted to prescribed soils - Cabernet in gravel, Chardonnay in chalk, Merlot in clay, etc.

Although the 2011 is not yet reviewed, Antonio Galloni said of the 2010, "A big, boisterous wine, the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon delivers tons of depth and richness in its price range."

In our market the most prominent wine from Paso Robles is J Lohr Cabernet Sauvignon. If you enjoy the J Lohr, perhaps Ancient Peaks is a wine for you to consider? I'm sure you would be very pleased (I know we are!).

La Giustiniana Gavi di Gavi "Lugarara" 2013
$25.95 per bottle, 12 bottles per case

This fine wine is by far my favourite Italian "bianco". La Giustiniana can boast an agricultural heritage dating over 1,000 years when Benedictine monks farmed this property in Piedmont with grapes and wheat.

Currently, the winery specializes in Cortese, the grape that brings us Gavi di Gavi, and they exploit the three distinct soil types found at the estate as three Cru bottlings.

The Lugarara vineyard produces a wine I can only describe as "Italian Chablis". It smell beautiful, like lemon meringue pie and a mountain stream, the acidity makes you crave another sip, and the fruit is gentle and beguiling.

If you can stash a few bottles for up to a decade you will be amply rewarded with an amazing, mature Gavi di Gavi, and that's a claim that most $26 white wines can't make.

Frog's Leap
Rutherford Sauvignon Blanc 2013
$29.95 per bottle, 12 bottles per case

Twenty thirteen was a wonderful growing season in Napa. Early rains and a warm, dry growing season pushed this Sauvignon Blanc to physiological ripeness in a hurry. The grapes were fully ripe without a lot of sugar, and therefore the wine is harmonious and balanced and delicious without much alcohol. In fact this wine can boast only 12.4%.

The result seems to be all the bright and balanced flavours found normally in a Frog's Leap Sauvignon Blanc, but with more weight and depth across the palate. We always think of food when we think of Sauvignon Blanc but particularly this year, it seems just fine all on its own!

"Bouncing in acidity, this crisp white offers nuttiness around a core of melon rind, citrus and herb...the relatively low alcohol offers weight on the palate to be companionable to appetizers laced with seafood, goat cheese and feta, or easily enjoyed on its own."

90 points, Wine Enthusiast, Oct 2014

Grayson Cellars California Chardonnay 2012
$18.95 per bottle, 12 bottles per case

"Best of California, Best of Class of Region"

98 points, Double Gold, California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition 2014

That's not a typo, 98 points. Grayson Cellars over delivers with every varietal including Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Merlot. They take advantage of available fruit to purchase in Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino Counties and pass the savings onto you.

Helmed by Larry Levin, who is as accomplished a winemaker as any in California. In a previous career Larry was Head of Winemaking at Icon Estates where he oversaw the Franciscan, Mt. Veeder, Robert Mondavi, Estancia, Ravenswood, Quintessa and Ruffino brands. Larry also consults for wineries in the Stag's Leap and Oakville districts in Napa and Sonoma.

"It's about time Grayson Cellars receives recognition for the extraordinary bargains it is creating. There is a lot of high quality fruit available for buying and turning into wine given the hard economic hit vineyards of California have absorbed, and Grayson Cellars appears to be exploiting that to their advantage as well as to that of consumers. Winemaker Larry Levin is doing some remarkable work here, turning out wines that defy belief given their price points. Kudos to him and the owner of Grayson Cellars."

Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate Feb 2010

Mer Soleil "Silver"
Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay 2012
$29.95 per bottle, 12 bottles per case

Farmed in the Mer Soleil vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, "Silver" is the unoaked version of Mer Soleil Reserve, Caymus' super-popular Chardonnay. The Reserve is now a Vintages Essentials listing - available at many LCBO Vintage sections.

The same climatological effects that benefit the Ancient Peaks Margarita vineyard benefits this vineyard. It is located on southeast facing slopes, which enjoy the "fog effect" as well as blustery coastal winds that cool the vines during Monterey's hot afternoons. It is a rare region where one is very hot and very cold at the same time. This is Chardonnay paradise.

"The distinctive silver-coloured, ceramic bottle will attract attention on the shelf and when displayed with a single red rose in your home. Distinctive aromas of almond, honeyed apple and beeswax precede a tang-infused streak of lime cordial, lemon curd and crisp green apple on the palate, replaying on the racy finish. It's mid-full weight with a hint of grapefruit pith on the finish."

4/5 stars, winecurrent.com, June 2014

Volpaia Chianti Classico 2010
$28.95 per bottle, 12 bottles per case
only 4 cases of the 2010 remain!!

Volpaia is a staff favourite. The vineyards are the highest in the Chianti Classico region, and are composed of decomposing sandstone. These two factors contribute to the elegance and gentle texture of their wines. Furthermore, this wine ages in neutral Slavonian oak casks, so the finished wine is all about purity and terroir.

"Castello di Volpaia is one of the banner estates of the Radda in Chianti subzone of Chianti Classico in Siena province. It is managed by the Mascheroni Stianti family: Giovannella, Carlo, Nicolo and Federica. Thanks to high-elevation vineyards, Volpaia's wines are celebrated for their freshness and finesse."

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Aug 2013

Although both Wine Spectator and International Wine Cellar awarded 90 points, Wine Advocate's 89+ point tasting note is more descriptive:

"The 2010 Chianti Classico is quite pretty in this vintage. Sweet dark cherries, mint, wild herbs and licorice are some of the many layers that emerge from this finely-knit Chianti Classico. The 2010 reveals the aromatic profile typical of this high-altitude site, but with more concentration of fruit than is typically the case in a cooler year such as 2010. The Chianti Classico is 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot and Syrah, aged for 12 months in cask. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2020."

89+ points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, June 2012

Falchini "Paretaio" IGT 2009
$30.95 per bottle, 6 bottles per case

Undoubtedly, one of the best values in the somewhat over-supplied "Super Tuscan" market is Falchini's single vineyard "Paretaio". A blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot, aged in Slavonian oak casks, it is a perennial 91-94 point wine. Falchini's consulting enologist is Giacomo Tachis, creator of Tignanello, Sassicaia, Ornellaia, Solaia, and other great Italian wines.

"Falchini's 2009 Paretaio (Sangiovese 95% and 5% Merlot) is rich, deep and powerful. Layers of black fruit, grilled herbs, tobacco, smoke and graphite emerge from a big, broad-shouldered frame as the wine opens up in the glass. Sweet floral notes appear later, adding an element of lift that complements the generally dark aromas and flavours. The 2009 can be enjoyed today with some air, but it is best cellared for another few years."

92 points, Antonio Galloni, Aug 2013

Lafond Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2012
$32.95 per bottle, 12 bottles per case

Pierre Lafond founded Santa Barbara Winery in 1962, long before the movie Sideways brought droves of vinophiles to this beautiful part of California. The wines bottled under the Lafond label represent some of the best vineyards and small production runs. You could call them artisan. In fact only 2,500 cases of this wine are produced in a bumper crop!

The Santa Rita Hills is an exciting and tiny AVA in the western part of the Santa Ynez Valley, where Burgundian and Rhone varietals thrive side by side. Prominent wineries include Sea Smoke, Loring and Babcock. The style here is decidedly "Californian" - ripe, exotic, complex.

"Fairly lively and pert as Pinots from its provenance are wont to be, Lafond's latest SRH bottling is a vigorous, somewhat compact version whose ample young fruit is presently bound by evident acidity. That said, the wine shows a good sense of depth and is certain to unfold with additional time on cork, and, while we would lobby for at least two or three years of age, it could grow for a half-decade or more."

88 points, Connoisseur's Guide to California Wines, June 2014

Foppiano "Lot 96" Petite Sirah 2011
$20.95 per bottle, 12 bottles per case

Foppiano is undisputedly the leader in Petite Sirah production in California. The Foppianos have been growing grapes in Sonoma County's Russian River Valley since 1896, and Lot 96 celebrates this long-term legacy.

It's interesting to me that a grape that failed so miserably in France (known as Durif) has flourished in the Mediterranean climate of Northern California. It produces a super-complex wine that is rich in blueberry, cherry and blackberry flavours, notes of chocolate, white pepper and vanilla. It has reasonably high acidity for a full bodied red and has ample, but refined tannins. It is an all-around very delicious wine and a steal at $21!!

Duckhorn "Decoy"
Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
$32.95 per bottle, 12 bottles per case

Duckhorn's Napa Valley wines are as famous as any, regularly appearing on elite wine lists across North America. The "Decoy" brand represents what they call "an everyday wine for the well-informed." The same care and dedication goes into Decoy as into the Duckhorns, but the wines are ready-to-drink now, no cellaring required.

As of this vintage, Decoy Cabernet is sourced from the newly acquired Ridgeline Vineyard in Alexander Valley. This sub-appellation of Sonoma County is the most important region for Bordeaux varietals in Sonoma. Volcanic soils and extreme day-to-night temperature swings provides a perfect environment to develop the rich Cabernet flavours that Duckhorn is known for.

"A lifted nose of dark berry fruit, black plum compote and mixed spice presage a balanced and stylish surge of black currant, black berry jam and black Bing cherry robed in roasted herbs and toasty, smoky oak. It's mid-full bodied with good mouth feel and lengthy finish, replaying palate flavours with a supple tannin underpinning. A lovely California Cab with structure and complexity."
4.5/5 stars, winecurrent.com

Blue Mountain
Okanagan Valley Pinot Noir 2012
$29.95 per bottle, 12 bottles per case

In the last decade Pinot Noir demand has exploded, and with this the supply has become increasingly "manipulated" to appeal broadly. But the thing is, Pinot Noir isn't Cabernet - a wine that's easy for everyone to appreciate. Pinot Noir is seductive, it is medium bodied, its terroir-backed and fruity without being "fruit punch-y".

When one finds a pure, beautiful Pinot Noir that's not manipulated; shows clean, clear flavours and the hallmark perfumed spice, one should enjoy it at all opportunities. Blue Mountain's is just this kind of wine - grown in a granite-rich vineyard in Okanagan Falls, BC, this Pinot over delivers "pure Pinot" for the price. It's no wonder that Blue Mountain is among the most in-demand and collectable wineries in the country.

"This is a seductively pretty wine, silky in texture, with notes of strawberry, cherry and a spicy toast gained from 10 months aging in French oak. This is a very complex wine, involving six clones of Pinot Noir - the vines are between six and 28 years old. The lightly crushed grapes, along with some whole clusters, were given 16 to 20 days maceration on skins in open top fermentation tanks. Half the wine was fermented with wild yeast native to the vineyard. The winery suggests this vintage will age six to seven years."

91 points, Johnschreiner.blogspot.com, March 2014

Chris McLean

647 955 8872
416 961 2294 x 29