Rogers & Company Chateau, Villa and Estate Wines

Cottage Season!

May 2015

With the first long weekend of the summer in the rearview mirror, cottages are opened for the season, pools will be in use soon and wine fridges and cellars will need to be replenished. With this in mind, here is a selection of wines that we think represent true value. This includes some of the under-the-radar gems from our catalogue.

You can always visit us on the web to access our most recent catalogues, and all the reviews and new releases.

If you have friends or family who also love wine, please forward this along.

All my best,

Chris

Nino Franco
Prosecco di Valdobbiadene
'Primo Franco' 2013
$25.95 per bottle, cases of 12

The 2013 "Primo Franco" Prosecco di Valdobbiadene's aromas of crisp green apples, bartlett pears, flowers and spices leap from the glass. On the palate they come together with lovely richness and complexity. The wine possesses gorgeous textural finesse, just a hint of sweetness and a creamy, refreshing finish.

"World Champion Prosecco"
2014 Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships

Cannonball
Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc 2013 $21.95 per bottle, cases of 12

The 2013 vintage produced wines with outstanding density and concentration, producing wines that are complex and rich. The grapes are sourced from cool Sonoma Coast vineyards and vineyards in the warm Dry Creek Valley.

This vintage has aromas of apple, citrus, pineapple and honeysuckle. 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 it's own, or enjoy with seafood, grilled vegetables and poultry.

"Excellent and Highly Recommended"

90+ points, 2014 Ultimate Wine Challenge

Falchini Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG
"Vigna a Solatio" 2014
$20.95 per bottle, cases of 12

Back by popular demand!

Vernaccia is an historic grape, with records of its viticulture dating to the 13th century, but during the industrialization of grape growing following WWI and WWII it lost vineyard land to Trebbiano and Malvasia, two grapes that produce more tonnage and frankly, blander wines.

It's lucky for us that the late Riccardo Falchini did not feel that volume meant more than quality. This is light, dry and very crisp, with a powdery minerality and a slightly bitter finish. I can't think of a more refreshing all-around fun white to sip during the summer. It pairs nicely with salads (a rare occurrance) as well as with charcuterie and seafood.

Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay
$77.95 per bottle, cases of 6

"You know you're doing something right when, after 45 years of Chardonnay winemaking, they name a California Chardonnay style after your winery, the "Montelena style." In short, it means a non-malolactic, minimally oaked Chardonnay. This estate has long made one of the best examples of a quiet, restrained Chardonnay that ages for 20 or more years"

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Oct 2014

"Bright yellow. Rather Chablis-like aromas of apple and resin, plus a hint of honey. Sweet and ripe in the nature of the vintage, offering a touch of creaminess to the flavours of fresh peach, apple, herbs and spices. Shows a broad spectrum of ripeness without any obvious extremes. A very successful vintage for this wine."

92 points, International Wine Cellar, May/June 2014

Angels & Cowboys
Sonoma County Rosé 2014
$22.95 per bottle, cases of 12

From the makers of Cannonball comes this amazing rosé and like the Cannonball wines, this really over-delivers. It is nothing like the off dry white Zinfandels that California has become infamous for, rather this is classic rosé in the French style - dry, citrusy and red-fruited with hints of natural spice. It is a blend of Grenache, Malbec, Pinot Noir, Tempranillo sourced from Carneros, Alexander Valley & Dry Creek Valley, so the AVA is Sonoma County.

The colour is a light pale pink. The aromas are bright, mineral and ethereal with hints of pink grapefruit, white peach and spicy floral notes.

The wine is lively and racy with flavours of citrus blossoms, pink grapefruit and mineral. On the palate it is vibrant with acidity, with deliciously great length and just enough texture to enjoy with or without food. It is a great vintage and a really delicious wine.

Hunter's Marlborough Pinot Noir 2012
$23.95 per bottle, cases of 12

Ernie and Jane Hunter planted grapes in Blenheim over 30 years ago and in the decades to follow Hunter's has grown to become an industry leader and style reference for the region.

Rich ripe plum, berry and subtle forest floor aromas marry together for a smooth medium bodied Pinot Noir. The palate shows persistent rich cherry/plum flavours and mild spicy oak making an enjoyable and easy drinking wine.

SILVER MEDAL - San Francisco International Wine Competition 2014

SILVER MEDAL - Spiegelau International Wine Competition 2014

Capiaux
"Chimera" Sonoma County Pinot Noir 2013
$51.95 per bottle, cases of 12

Chimera is a blend of Pinot Noir from select vineyards, as the mythological creature is a combination of lion, eagle and snake. Predominantly Sonoma County and Russian River Valley vineyards are used, but there is a dash of Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir here as well to just add a hint of intensity to the core of the flavour spectrum.

"Bright cranberry, spice, red cherry, mint and cinnamon lift from the glass in the 2013 Chimera. The flavours are bright, high-toned and lifted throughout, with lovely energy and tension throughout. This is a terrific introduction to Sean Capiaux's wines. The Chimera is raised in 350 litre, thick-staved barrels, which naturally allows for less exchange with oxygen than standard barrels. 2015-2020."

90 points, Antonio Galloni vinous.com, Jan 2015

Martin Ray Winery
Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2013
$29.95 per bottle, cases of 12

This is a classic Russian River Valley Pinot Noir with bright acidity and fresh fruit balance. Mouthwatering aromas of strawberry, black cherry, toffee and Asian spices give way to a silky, juicy mouthful of cherry, cranberry and spice flavours.

"Black cherry, dark plum, light caramel, and exotic spice aromas, over smoky oak and light mocha notes. Bold on the palate, with red and black summer fruit compote, cola-berry, licorice, toffee and hints of sandalwood and cassis. Silky tannins on the soft finish."

Sante Magazine, Holiday issue 2014

GOLD MEDAL - Sonoma County Harvest Fair Wine Competition 2014

Beran California Zinfandel 2012
$27.95 per bottle, cases of 12

A new addition to our catalogue is the Beran (pronounced Baron) Zinfandel from Copper Cane - the same winery that produces Meiomi Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, which itself was born out of Belle Glos.

Joey Wagner, son of Chuck Wagner of Caymus fame, sources old-vine and newly planted Zinfandel vineyards across California (Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino and Sierra foothills) to blend this full-throttle, dark and spicy, big red.

A deep, dark red wine leads with smokey, sweet, cedar vanillin notes, cassis, cranberry, sweet tobacco and cooked dark fruits like warm Blackberry pie. On the palate flavours of red licorice, dried cherry and ripe dark berry fruits are complexed by hints of sweet tobacco and a slight dustiness. The tannins are very soft and there is a nice balancing acidity.

Castello di Volpaia Chianti Classico 2011
$28.95 per bottle, cases of 12

Volpaia's vineyards in Radda are the highest in Chianti Classico. The combination of extra UV and cooler temperatures produces Sangiovese with brilliant phenolics and perfectly ripe tannins. This and the use of only seasoned Slavonian oak is the reason that Volpaia's Chianti Classico is famed for its elegance and poise.

"A juicy red with plum and cedar character plus hints of walnut. Medium to full body, fine tannins and a fruity finish. Made from organically grown grapes. A bright and vivid Chianti Classico. Drink now."

91 points, JamesSuckling.com, Sept 2013

Ancient Peaks Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
$27.95 per bottle, cases of 12

"At Ancient Peaks Winery...the perfect location has given way to some of the best wines coming out of Paso Robles."

The Tasting Panel Magazine

Along the southernmost reaches of Paso Robles lies Margarita Vineyard, cradled by the Santa Lucia mountains just 14 miles from the Pacific Ocean. There are no other vineyards in the vicinity, so Margarita Vineyard stands alone in benefiting from the remarkable growing conditions of the surrounding Santa Margarita Ranch AVA.

Here, the vines unfold along a rare diversity of five soil types-ancient sea bed, shale, rocky alluvium, granitic and volcanic-amid one of Paso Robles' coolest growing environments. The sense of place here is vivid, and it comes through in the wines.

The 2011 Cabernet shows the lushness that a long growing season provides, balanced by the tactile minerality of the vineyard. The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon opens with generous aromas of black fruit, toasty oak, caramel and cedar. The palate is elegantly layered with flavours of plum, cherry and blackberry, followed by trailing notes of black olive and cocoa. Fine tannins linger on a juicy, structured finish.

Ralph Fowler Mt. Benson Shiraz 2010
$26.95 per bottle, cases of 12

Mt. Benson is located on the Limestone Coast, north of the Great Australian Bight. Broiling Australian temperatures are buffeted by Antarctic winds, making for grape paradise.

The 40 year old vines from which these grapes are sourced yield a miserly 1.1 tons per acre. After a slow and patient whole berry fermentation the wine was allowed to sit on skins for 3 weeks before old-fashioned basket pressing and running into French oak barriques, 20% of which are new. The wine was matured in these barrels for 2 years before blending and bottling.

The wine is rich and creamy and shows all the the ripe berry fruits and exotic spices that one finds in premium (collectable) Australian Shiraz, at a fraction of the price.

Chris McLean

direct: 647 955 8872
office: 416 961 2294