Rogers & Company Chateau, Villa and Estate Wines

'Tis the Season
to Eat, Drink and be Merry

December 2014

Over the holidays we tend to need a lot of wine on hand; friends who are scheduled, neighbours who aren't and of course for our beloved family. You want to be confident that the top you unscrew or the cork you pull will release wine that over delivers on expectation. With that in mind here is a selection of our wines from $20 to $30 dollars that fit the bill.

We still have a few weeks before the holiday festivities begin, please let me know if you would like to order. If you already correspond with one of our other sales reps such as Mike Mueller in Kitchener/Waterloo and London or Malcolm Marshall in cottage country feel free to write or call either of us and we'll take care of you as quickly as possible!

Don't forget that every LCBO Vintages Essentials shelf they carry our "Meiomi" Pinot Noir 2013, Astrolabe Marlborough "Province" Sauvignon Blanc 2013, Mer Soleil Chardonnay "Reserve" 2012, Conundrum "White" 2013 and Christain Moueix Merlot 2010 with ongoing availability. Choose any of these and make your decisions to the LCBO a little easier!

Also, visit our website for our blog, catalogues and reviews. All prices listed here are taxes included, but exclusive of bottle deposit. We sell only by the unmixed case.

The team here at Rogers & Company wishes you and yours a safe and happy holiday season!

Sincerely,

Chris.

Domaine Roger Louquet

Cremant de Bourgogne Blanc de Blancs

Brut Non-Vintage

$24.95 per bottle, 12 bottles per case

Cremants may be the single-greatest deal in the world of fine wine. It is a sparkling wine made using the exact labourious and time-consuming method used to make Champagne, without the Champagne price tag.

We have been told several times that this Cremant from Burgundy has been confused with Blanc de Blancs Champagne. Produced from Chardonnay grown in St. Véran, this clean, attractive, yeasty Blanc de Blancs is offered at a remarkable price. It is a truly compelling alternative to many of the sparkling wines in the market.

This wine was awarded the 2009 Coup de Coeur by Hachette Guide (France). The wines considered for this award are tasted only by producers and negociants, and it is one of the highest honours awarded in France.

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

The Cortese grape is grown only in Piedmont and transmits the terroir of this region as Chardonnay does Chablis.

The Lugarara vineyard is calcareous, contianing lots of marine fossils, and imparts to the wine its characteristic minerality. Some aging on fine lees enhances the mid-palate and the lemon-meringue pie flavours stay light on the palate.

Not only is this deliciously complex now, and a thoughtful substitute for Chardonnay or Pinot Grigios, this matures finely as well, poised on its inherent acidity. I have had the pleasure to drink these at 8-10 years old and they age like fine Burgundy.

Cannonball Wine Company
Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc 2013
$21.95 per bottle, 12 bottles per case

Dry Creek Valley and the Sonoma Coast are the fruit sources for this lively and refreshing Sauvignon Blanc. Little manipulation of the fruit lets the flavours of guava, grapefruit and elderflower meld perfectly with a lively body and texture. The wine finishes with bright acidity, pleasing mouthfeel and a long, juicy finish.

Delicious on its own it also pairs beautifully with fish tacos, sushi and pasta with light sauces.

"Excellent and Highly Recommended"

90+ points, Ultimate Wine Challenge 2014

Grayson Cellars California Chardonnay 2013
$18.95 per bottle, 12 bottles per case

Grayson Cellar's entire lineup of wines defy their price points. This is what their reputation is built on - buying fruit in northern California, making wonderful wines and selling for a very nice price.

The man in charge of the winemaking is Larry Levin, one of California's most esteemed wine makers. For years he was Director of Winemaking for Icon Estates, which constituted Ruffino, Mt. Veeder Vineyards, Robert Mondavi and Ravenswood, among others.

We carry a Chardonnay, a Merlot, a Zinfandel and a Cabernet Sauvignon. All are $18.95 per bottle, twelve per case.

"The tropical fruit-scented and flavoured, elegant, mid-weight 2013 Chardonnay is a 25,000-case cuvée aged ten months in stainless steel and French oak. Drink it over the next year."

87 points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Nov 2014

Santa Barbara Winery
Santa Barbara County Chardonnay 2013
$22.95 per bottle, 12 bottles per case

This is a staff favourite - a fresh and fruity, slightly creamy glass of California sunshine.

The fruit comes from 6 vineyards, two-thirds of the fruit is fermented and aged in stainless steel. The other third is fermented and aged in oak barriques and undergoes full malo-lactic fermentation. The resulting blend is very complex and offers all the characteristics one looks for in Chardonnay in one glass!

It is great wine by itself or with soft cheeses, but really sings with lighter entrees like roasted chicken or lobster with drawn butter.

Blue Mountain Vineyards Pinot Gris 2013
$23.95 per bottle, 12 bottles per case

A perfect pairing with west coast oysters, this wine comes from the magnificent estate vineyards near Okanagan Falls. The weather here is quite dry because of the mountains to the west and this dry environment provides an Alsace-like growing season. This Pinot Gris is quite rich and dry, in an Alsatian vein, with rapier-like acidity.

The 2013 Pinot Gris has a citrus, mandarin, orange nose with rich dense orange and lemon flavours across the palate with notes of orange peel and spice on the finish. The structure of the wine will allow it to age beautifully for 4-6 years.

Volpaia Chianti Classico 2011
$28.95 per bottle, 12 bottles per case

Castello di Volpaia is one of Tuscany's greatest estates. Located on a hilltop in Radda, it is the highest estate in Chianti Classico, and this elevation produces concentrated yet elegant Sangiovese, which is handled with care, raised in Slavonian oak casks. A small amount of Syrah and Merlot intensify the mid-palate. If any Chianti could be described as "Burgundian" it would be Volpaia's.

"Violet, iris, red berry and spice scents take centre stage in this delicious blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot and Syrah. The bright, fruity palate delivers wild cherry, black pepper and cinnamon spice notes alongside assertive tannins and freshness."

90 points, Wine Enthusiast, April 2013

Foppiano Vineyards
"Lot 96" Sonoma County Petite Sirah 2012
$20.95 per bottle, 12 bottles per case

Foppiano Vineyards has been growing grapes in Sonoma County's Russian River Valley since 1896, and Lot 96 celebrates this long-term legacy. The Foppianos are the most prolific growers of Petite Sirah in Sonoma.

On the nose, blueberries, dark chocolate and black cherry are the predominant aromatics with a touch of floral and spice. In the mouth, Lot 96 tastes smooth, fruity and is very approachable with ripe blackberry, plum, blueberry and red cherry. It features well-integrated, supple tannins balanced with a strong backbone of acidity and fruit. The finish of blackberry and vanilla lingers for minutes.

Enjoy this very complete and harmonious wine with grilled meats and hearty, aged cheeses.

Angeline
"Reserve" Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
$21.45 per bottle, 12 bottles per case

We introduced Angeline to Ontario only two months ago, and what a reception it has been! I have had numerous compliments from clients and sommeliers as to how much they're enjoying these wines.

Made by Martin Ray Winery, Angeline is a line of less expensive, "everyday" wines that deliver top quality for the dollar. The Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is dark and savoury, round and so easy to drink.

Martin Ray Winery was recently named one of the Top 100 Wineries of the Year by Wine & Spirits Magazine in the "Buying Guide" for 2015.

Angeline California Pinot Noir 2013
$21.95 per 750ml bottle, 12 per case
$13.45 per 375ml bottle, 12 per case

Located in Sonoma's Russian River Valley Angeline (Martin Ray Winery) enjoys prime Pinot Noir territory from which to buy grapes for this blend.

Dan Goldfield of Dutton Goldfield, one of the regions top producers, is a consulting winemaker. It takes a deft hand and palate to produce wines of top quality for as low a price as possible, and his incredible expertise is on display in this crowd pleaser.

This Pinot Noir shows a lively garnet colour with aromas of intense fruit, luscious vanilla and spice. Bright fruit flavours of fresh strawberry, cherry, raspberry and ripe plum are layered with creamy vanilla, earthy overtones, tea spice and sweet toasty oak on the finish.

Duckhorn "Decoy" Merlot 2012
$32.95 per bottle, 12 bottles per case

The name Duckhorn is synonymous with Merlot from Napa Valley. The development of their "Decoy" line of wines has led them naturally to a Merlot bottling, and they have sourced the fruit from the hills and mountain vineyards of Sonoma County.

Like the "Decoy" Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 ($31.95 per bottle, cases of 12) this wine "tastes like Duckhorn" but requires no ageing and costs almost half of the Napa Valley Merlot 2012 ($62.95, cases of 6).

"This 2012 is fleshy and ripe, with a lovely slightly bitter cherry note in the finish. Polished tannins make it delightful to drink now."

90 points, Wine Review Online, March 2014

Cannonball Wine Company
Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
$23.95 per bottle, 12 bottles per case

Yoav Gilat and Dennis Hill produce fantastic wines year over year and in 2012 they may have made the best Cannonball Cabernet yet.

Ample at its core with flavours of cherry flambé, Oaxacan chocolate and roasted hazelnut, all contribute to tremendous depth, leading to a long and smooth finish. It pairs beautifully with lamb chops, roasted duck, cassoulet, black and bleu burger, grilled eggplant, Stilton and dark chocolate chip cookies!

We also carry the 2013 Sonoma County Merlot at $23.95 and the 2013 Sonoma County Chardonnay at $21.95.

Chris McLean

direct: 647 955 8872
office: 416 961 2294