Tasting note: Langmeil "Three Gardens" SMG 2009

Here is a nice wine that shows the strength of blending.

I am a big fan of grenache blends and this is a good one.

It comes from Langmeil Winery in the Barossa.  Three different vineyards are used, combining the assets of these sites into a savoury, interesting wine.

It isn't too hard on the pocketbook, and is available at BC Liquor Stores and some private outlets as well.

"Medium garnet color.  Meaty, earthy aromas combine with roasted plum and raspberry jam scents on the nose.  Medium bodied, showing bright acidity right away, with raspberry and plum again revealing themselves, all flowing into a spicy finish.  Still young and tight, but opens up nicely with time in the glass. Very tasty, indeed.  Highly recommended."  14.5%, Stelvin, $28.

www.langmeilwinery.com.au

-Randy Saunders

Guest registration now available for Wolf Blass Dinner

UPDATE: We are now sold out for the Wolf Blass Dinner!

See you at the Listel!

Tasting Note: Vinaceous "Raconteur" Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Vinaceous Raconteur Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa 2009

Here is an interesting new release available in the BCLDB.  

This wine must have one of the most whimsical labels to come from Australia in a long time.  The wine in the bottle, however, is serious stuff.

Vinaceous is the relatively new venture of Michael Kerrigan of Hay Shed Hill and Nick Stacey of West Cape Howe, both in Western Australia.

The Vinaceous wines, however, are from various places across South Australia, selected as "the best regions suited to the chosen varietals".

Vinaceous "Raconteur" Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 is a full-throttle Barossa Cabernet, a pleasurable wine at a price that isn't too hard on the wallet.

"Deep garnet color.   Rich nose shows ripe cassis, vanilla, and baking spices.  Very fresh, plush, and ripe on entry; sweet fruit flows over the palate, with dark chocolate appearing on the long finish.  Fuller bodied, but not jammy or hot - has decent balance, with mild acid and tannins.  A delicious, fruit forward, "Drink Me Now" style.  Very tasty."  Recommended.  14.5%, Stelvin, and only $22 at BC Liquor Stores.

Check out the website at www.vinaceous.com.au, it's just as whimsical as the labels.

-Randy Saunders

100% Official - "Howl with Wolf" on September 24th

Wolf Blass in his element

Well, it is 100% official - the dinner with Wolf Blass is definitely on!

This will probably be his last visit to Canada - this dinner is not to be missed.

It is being held at the Listel Hotel in the Impressionist Gallery on September 24th.

Executive Chef Chris Whittaker has put together another fantastic pairing dinner for us, to compliment the fabulous wines.  (Recently, AWAS did a wine dinner at the Listel with 4 wine Principals from NZ, and one of them said it was "the best wine dinner I have been to all year!".  That says a lot!)

Registration is now available online at Karelo by clicking here.  This event will sell out fast, so don't wait.  Seating is limited.

If you want more information, including the food and wine pairings, it is available by clicking HERE.

See you there!

-Randy Saunders

Newsflash - Wine Dinner with Wolf Blass

Wolf Blass' Biography
"Behind the Bow Tie"

We haven't even got to the official start of the 2011/2012 season and we're already changing the calendar!

Wolf Blass, renowned wine maker and bigger-than-life Australian, is coming to Canada for his final visit, and has put aside Saturday, September 24th for a fabulous dinner with us.  We're working to finalise the menu and wines for this event as quickly as we can, but wanted to give you a heads-up now so you can put aside the date. 

Yes, we aren't kidding.  Yes, THAT Wolf Blass!  What a way to start our 30th anniversary season!

Seating for this dinner will be limited, so you should act quickly once the event notice arrives and reservations open.  We hope to have the notice out to you next week.  We don't have the pricing set yet, but expect it to be in line with our gala-type dinners.

As a result of the dinner with Wolf Blass in September, we will be rescheduling the “Blends & Beyond” tasting for Spring 2012.

- Sean Haffey

Tasting Note - Bleasdale "The Old Press" Cabernet Malbec 2006

The Potts family has been making wine in the Langhorne Creek region of South Australia since the 1860's, making Bleasdale the second longest running family owned winery in Australia, after Yalumba.

Their wines always seem to provide excellent value for money, and this wine continues that tradition.

Cabernet and Malbec have been blended together for some time in Australia, particularly in this region and also in the Clare Valley.  Bleasdale "The Old Press" Cabernet Malbec Langhorne Creek 2006  shows the brilliance of this combination.  I highly recommend it.

"Deep garnet color.  High-toned aromas of cassis, smoke and blueberry preserves on the nose.  Medium bodied, with good fruit concentration.  Provides a very polished and silky feeling on the palate, showing flavors of dark fruits with a hint of minerality.  Chocolate comes through on the long, refreshing finish.  Wonderful blend, tastes really great.  Ready to go right now."  76% Cabernet, 24% Malbec.  14.5%, Stelvin.

Available at Kitsilano Wine Cellar for the extremely fair price of $23.

www.bleasdale.com.au

-Randy Saunders

"A Spring Walkabout" - Held March 8th, 2011

(This post is part of our ongoing review of events from the 2010/2011 season.)

This event just gets better and better every year!  We enjoy putting on a walk around tasting each Spring to showcase affordable wines that our members and friends are likely to enjoy for everyday drinking.  

Through the generosity of the Agencies in BC, we were able to amass 38 wines from 18 agents for the enjoyment of everyone involved.  We appreciate the help of the agents, without whom this event would not have been possible.  Many, many thanks to all who contributed wines for the tasting.

Talk about value - 38 wines for $40, including an excellent cheese plate for each participant!  We were proud to be able to do this, and the full tasting room was proof positive that this level of value was appreciated by all.

The tasting was focused on value-priced wines, with a nod to quality.  The one thing clearly evident was just how good a job Australia and New Zealand still do providing amazing value, even at lower price points.  Most of the wines had retail prices under $25 yet still showed tremendous quality.  Better yet, a large number were single region wines and they did a great job of showing the typical regional characteristics we would expect.

Overall quality was excellent, but here are a few to remember:

Standout Wines:

- Chapel Hill "The Parson's Nose" Shiraz McLaren Vale 2009

- Evans and Tate Chardonnay Margaret River 2009

- Peter Lehmann "The Futures" Shiraz 2006

- Tyrrell's "Rufus Stone" Shiraz Heathcote 2006

- Cooralook Pinot Noir 2008

- Xanadu "Next of Kin" Cabernet Sauvignon Margaret River 2008

- Taltarni Brut Tache 2008

- Some Young Punks "Battle Island" Shiraz/Cab Clare Valley 2009

- Digger's Bluff "Stray Dog" GSM Barossa 2006

- Kim Crawford Pinot Gris Marlborough 2009

- Greg Norman Sparkling Chardonnay/Pinot Noir NV

-Randy Saunders