LE CLOS JORDANNE LA PETITE VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2005
VQA Niagara Peninsula
33944
(XD) 750 mL $35
TASTING NOTE: The lightest of the single-vineyard wines from a sandier block east of the main holdings. Moderately deep, ruby-garnet colour. Nose is lifted, very spicy and savoury with ripe sour cherry (not big black cherry) and a touch of earthy beetroot character. Feels lighter to mid-weight, firm, almost tart and sour, with grip on the finish. There is considerable, slightly green tannin. Nice focus, some finesse; very good to excellent length. Sour. Best 2010 to 2013.
Score - 88.
(David Lawrason,
www.torontolife.com, Nov. 23, 2007)
LE CLOS JORDANNE LE CLOS JORDANNE VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2005
VQA Niagara Peninsula
33902
(XD) 750 mL $35
TASTING NOTE: This site is producing very elegant, quite powerful wines similar to Le Grand Clos if with less depth. Fairly deep colour—youthfully ruby. Quite ripe sweet cherry and raspberry, cedar, leather, smoke, and sour currant, cranberry, beetroot character. Medium-full weight, open entry with a some fruit sweetness, but generally quite tense, sour and tannic. Powerful. Excellent to outstanding length. Best 2011 to 2016. Score - 90.
(David Lawrason,
www.torontolife.com, Nov. 23, 2007)
LE CLOS JORDANNE LE GRAND CLOS PINOT NOIR 2005
VQA Niagara Peninsula
34553
(XD) 750 mL $60
TASTING NOTE: The step up in price is clearly measurable in the finesse and very long, lingering finish. And, this bottle is clearly the best of the vintage’s portfolio. This is a gorgeous pinot noir in waiting. Again, there is some sourness, but there is also a wonderful sense of finesse and completeness, with generous sweet aromas of black cherry, currant, cedar, meat, mint and some chocolate. Medium-full, smooth, vibrant, dense and elegant with fine, dry tannin and outstanding length. Best 2011 to 2020.
Score - 92.
(David Lawrason,
www.torontolife.com, Nov. 23, 2007)
LE CLOS JORDANNE LE CLOS JORDANNE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2005
VQA Niagara Peninsula
33910
(XD) 750 mL $35
TASTING NOTE: Quite a deep and intense yellow with a touch of gold. Shows a generous sweet, cool, fruit-oriented nose of peach-pear, cedar spice, hazelnut and a background of vanilla and smoke. Medium weight; creamy, mellow and elegant with a firm acid core that dries the finish with lemon and hazelnut. Some heat. Excellent length. You will enjoy it now, but another year will soften the finish a bit.
Score - 91.
(David Lawrason,
www.torontolife.com, Nov. 23, 2007)
LE CLOS JORDANNE LE GRAND CLOS CHARDONNAY 2005
VQA Niagara Peninsula
34561
(XD) 750 mL $55
TASTING NOTE: Lovely and indeed a grand chardonnay. Same bright yellow-gold colour of others in the portfolio. Very intense, gorgeous, sensuous and sweet, creamy nose of vanilla, peach-pineapple, hazelnut and peat smoke. Medium-full bodied; rich, seductive palate, with wonderful buttery crème brûlée flavours and smoothness. Finish slims down to vibrant acidity and minerality with lovely spice on the finish. Excellent to outstanding length.
Score - 94.
(David Lawrason,
www.torontolife.com, Nov. 23, 2007)
British Columbia
Red Wine
MISSION HILL FAMILY ESTATE OCULUS 2004
VQA Okanagan Valley
9316
(XD) 750 mL $70
TASTING NOTE: Dark in colour, the 2004 Oculus presents aromas of black currants and vanilla that surge from the glass. On the palate, this is a full and generous wine, with flavours of plums and currants. The notes of cedar and cigar box maintain Bordeaux lineage of earlier vintages. Yet without a doubt, this is the richest, most lush Oculus to date.
Score - 94.
(John Schreiner,
wine.appellationamerica.com, Sept. 3, 2007)
California
Red Wine
Arrowood Réserve Spéciale Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Sonoma County, Unfined and Unfiltered
64568
(XD) 750 mL $135
TASTING NOTE: Dick Arrowood does not receive the credit he deserves for his top-flight Cabernet Sauvignons from Sonoma, which are among the finest made in that county. The 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Speciale, which spent 23 months in French and American cooperage, reveals a dense ruby/purple color along with a classic nose of loamy soil, creme de cassis, vanilla, and spice. It possesses purity, grace, concentration, power, and finesse. Firmly structured and tannic, but rich and full, it needs another 2-3 years of bottle age, and should evolve for two decades. Score - 93.
(Robert Parker Jr.,
www.erobertparker.com, Dec. 2005)
Calera Jensen Vineyard Pinot Noir 2004
Mt. Harlan
968776
(XD) 750 mL $69
TASTING NOTE: This venerable winery, which has thirty years of history (long by California standards), has turned out a bevy of new releases. The dark ruby/purple-tinged, spicy, full-bodied 2004 Pinot Noir Jensen Vineyard reveals a stunningly complex nose of roasted meat, sweet red and black currants, cherries, earth, and spice. With excellent structure, acidity, and length, it should be another terrific example of this vineyard. Exceptionally long and rich, it should be cellared for 2-3 years and enjoyed over the following 15. Score - 94.
(Robert Parker Jr.,
www.erobertparker.com, Aug. 2007)
Calera Mills Vineyard Pinot Noir 2003
Mt. Harlan
716407
(XD) 750 mL $55
TASTING NOTE: Exhibits vivid dusty blackberry and wild berry fruit that's tight, focused and deftly balanced, revealing layers of concentration and complexity. Drink now through 2012.
Score - 92.
(James Laube,
www.winespectator.com, Sept. 30, 2007)
TASTING NOTE: Medium red. High-pitched cherry and licorice scents are impressively pungent and focused. Suave red fruit flavors are gently supported by silky tannins and carry through the finish with excellent persistence. Leaves a sappy, sweet impression but retains focus and energy. Score – 90. (Josh Raynolds, International Wine Cellar , Nov./Dec. 2007)
Calera Reed Vineyard Pinot Noir 2004
Mt. Harlan
58958
(XD) 750 mL $59
TASTING NOTE: Medium red. Exotic, herbal red berry and bitter cherry aromas offer great floral complexity and focus. Tart berry and licorice flavors are juicy and dry but filled in; finishes with excellent grip and lift. I like this pinot's complexity and grown-up personality. Score - 91.
(Josh Raynolds,
International Wine Cellar, Nov./Dec. 2007)
Calera Ryan Vineyard Pinot Noir 2004
Mt. Harlan
58966
(XD) 750 mL $55
TASTING NOTE: Light-medium red. Oak-spiced red berry and pomegranate on the nose, with a kiss of exotic orange peel. Sharply focused and bright, offering energetic raspberry and tangy cherry flavors and finishing with fine-grained tannic grip. Grew sweeter with air but maintained admirable focus. Pretty suave stuff. Score - 90.
(Josh Raynolds,
International Wine Cellar, Nov./Dec. 2007)
Chimney Rock Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Stags Leap District, Napa Valley
70789
(XD) 750 mL $99
TASTING NOTE: A great Cab showcasing everything good about Napa’s fabulous ’01 Cabs. It’s rich, vibrant and complex, with layers of cassis, cocoa and roasted coffee flavors, and a deft touch of smoky oak. The tannins are sweet, ripe and subtle. Doesn’t clobber you sideways with fruit, but offers elegant, sophisticated drinking. Score - 93.
(Steve Heimoff,
Wine Enthusiast, July 1, 2005)
Janzen Estate To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Napa Valley
55715
(XD) 750 mL $99
TASTING NOTE: A sleeper selection from Claus Janzen is his 300-case cuvee of 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Janzen To-Kalon Vineyard, a beautifully opulent wine displaying the wonderful cedar, spice box, black currant, and earthy personality of an Oakville Cabernet. Flashy, rich, full-bodied, pure, and deep, it should drink well for 10-15 years. Score - 93.
(Robert Parker Jr.,
www.erobertparker.com, Dec. 2006)
Rosenblum Monte Rosso Vineyard Reserve Zinfandel 2005
Sonoma Valley
55665
(D) 750 mL $59
TASTING NOTE: The outstanding, deep ruby/purple-tinged 2005 Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard possesses a beautiful minerality along with loads of crushed pepper, raspberry, black cherry, loamy soil, and graphite characteristics. This deep, rich, full-bodied, impressive 2005 can be enjoyed over the next 3-4 years. Score - 90.
(Robert Parker Jr.,
www.erobertparker.com, Dec. 2007)
Rosenblum Snows Lake Vineyard Zinfandel 2005
Lake County
55301
(D) 750 mL $45
TASTING NOTE: An impressive effort is the 2005 Zinfandel Snows Lake. A blend of 87% Zinfandel, 9% Petite Sirah, and 4% Syrah from, of all places, Lake County, it boasts a dark ruby/purple hue along with floral, blueberry, and boysenberry characteristics interwoven with black currant, camphor, earth, and oak notes. With crisp acidity, sweet tannin, and a long, heady finish, this elegant beauty is filled with substance. Drink it over the next 5-7 years. Score - 91.
(Robert Parker Jr.,
www.erobertparker.com, Dec. 2007)
Whitehall Lane Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2003
Napa Valley
55541
(XD) 750 mL $85
TASTING NOTE: Toast, nutmeg and cinnamon spice. Rich, dark berry fruit, fresh attack, rounded tannins. Intense dark fruits, extra long finish. Drink 2009-12. Score - (out of 5).
Decanter, 2005)
Arrowood Réserve Spéciale Chardonnay 2004
Sonoma County, Unfined
64543
(XD) 750 mL $55
TASTING NOTE: Arrowood’s top Chardonnay, the 2004 Reserve Speciale, is a 357-case offering that represents a selection from three separate vineyards, and receives the same treatment as the Alary Vineyards cuvee. Copious quantities of orange blossom, pineapple, and other tropical fruits are accompanied by good definition, refreshing acidity, and a full-bodied, concentrated mouthfeel. Score - 92.
(Robert Parker Jr.,
www.erobertparker.com, Dec. 2006)
Calera Viognier 2006
Mt. Harlan
968875
(XD) 750 mL $35
TASTING NOTE: Bright golden straw color. Ripe nectarine and Meyer lemon aromas follow through to a silky entry and a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with a subtle creamy vanilla note. Tangy ripe citrus finish with a touch of peppery spice and slate. Nice texture and acidity for the table. Score - 89.
www.tastings.com, Oct. 3, 2007)
Robert Young Chardonnay 2005
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County
670430
(XD) 750 mL $45
TASTING NOTE: From the famed Robert Young Vineyard in the Alexander Valley (the basis for so many great Chateau St. Jean Chardonnays), this estate wine shows a nice buttery, white currant note intermixed with some honeyed citrus, roasted nuts, and a touch of smoky oak. The wine is medium to full-bodied and shows good weight, richness and depth. Drink it over the next 2-3 years. Score - 89.
(Robert Parker Jr.,
www.erobertparker.com, Dec. 2007)
