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Sauvignon Blanc Doesn't Just Come From New Zealand tasting - May 31, 2016

Posted on June 3, 2016

GINO FURANO
TUESDAY MAY 31, 2016


I consider myself generally a red wine drinker but over the years, I have become highly appreciative of white wines.  I have my favourites and only recently have I come to love Sauvignon Blanc.  I went to New Zealand recently and spent time at a few wineries where I participated in the harvest.  At the end of each day (I mean a LONG day – 12+ hours) everyone would gather and eat…what else would you do at the end of a great day of hard work?   On some occasions, there would be a special wine tasting.   It would consist of Sauvignon Blanc from all over New Zealand and the world (upwards of 12 wines) and the discussion would begin.  Going through the wine tasting with world class winemakers where you get to participate and listen about the nuances of the Sauvignon grape was amazing!  Here is my recent tasting of Sauvignon Blanc; I hope you enjoy these as I did with the attendees.

Mayu Sauvignon Blanc, Elqui Valley, Chile
This Sauvignon Blanc is from a vineyard in the Elqui Valley north of Santiago where there’s an astrological observatory and the wine is both showy and restrained, with piercing herbal aromas and a mineral feeling.  The palate is clean and delineated, with moderate acidity and good freshness. This one is a great value and was given 89 points by Robert Parker. $16.99

Miquel Jane Sauvignon Blanc, Penedes, Spain
Deep in the heart of the Penedes (an area near Barcelona), you'll find the delightful family run winery and vineyards of J. Miquel Jane. This Sauvignon Blanc is a very pretty lemony-green colour, with a complex nose and typical aromas of lychee, passion fruit, stone fruits and lovely floral notes.  The palate shows a fruit character that is further pronounced with a silky mouth feel and good structure.  It is lovely to sip or enjoy with vegetarian fare. $20.99

Hansel Estates Sauvignon Blanc, Lake County, California
A delicious KWM favourite, and an exclusive!  Aromas of citrus, dried flowers and herbs, with a subtle ginger overtone. It is fleshy but dry and focused, offering bitter lemon and pear skin flavors and a touch of tarragon. It closes on an intense white pepper note, with building spiciness and good bite.  The vineyards are located in Lake County (north of Napa/Sonoma). $30.99

Tiare Sauvignon, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy
A crowd favourite at the tasting.  Brillantly made!  Roberto’s obsession with Sauvignon Blanc shows through.  It has perfect balance with fruit, acidity and the malolactic fermentation that is partially done comes through providing a nice subtle texture and creaminess.  The palate is refreshing and nicely balanced, exhibiting fine structure and minerality on the finish.  A Sauvignon Blanc that must be consumed by SB lovers! $46.99

Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blan...

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Is Barolo still Italy’s greatest wine? - Tasting April 28, 2016

Posted on May 10, 2016

Is Barolo still Italy’s greatest wine?
Your Guide:  Gino Furano
April 28, 2016


Just recently, I did an Amarone tasting and wow was it amazing.  So with keeping to my roots, I thought…Why not do the King of Italian wines, Barolo?  These six Barolos showed beautifully and the guests at the tasting choose the last three in the list as the best for the tasting.  I want to also mention, the pricing of the first two from the “top three choices” Manzone Bricat and Manzone Castelletto are a deal for Barolo.  The only thing we were missing on this evening was some Osso Bocco to go along with these treats.  Hope to see you at the next great Italian tasting…I’ll have to keep the bar high after this one.  Saluti!


Cogno Barolo "Cascina Nuova" 2009, $61.99
100% Nebbiolo from the Elvio Cogno Estate which produced its first vintage in 1961.  The 2009 is rated 90 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate! The review: "Raw cherries and ripe blackberries dominate the wine’s petite frame.  Surely, that adolescent awkwardness will evolve into something more promising in a few more years”. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2022.

Azelia Barolo, 2011, $64.99
Azelia is still something of a Barolo lover's secret. Though the estate is not a high-profile one, Luigi, his wife Lorella and son Lorenzo Scavino own and maintain 16 hectares of vines in Castiglione Falletto, Serralunga d'Alba, San Rocco and Montelupo Albese.  Look for a sweet nose, with hints of cherry, black currant and licorice. The wine is aged for two years in large casks producing fruity tannins. Lovely depth of dried-berry and lemon-rind characteristics. Full to medium body, this beauty will pair well with grilled meats or hearty pasta and tomato dishes.

Montezemolo Barolo Monfalletto, 2010, $68.99
A mighty impressive 93 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate! - "The 2010 Barolo Monfalletto is a gorgeous wine (and a superb value) with a rich and opulent feel that wraps seductively over the palate. The wine imparts a long succession of aromas including cherry cola, licorice, mint and white truffle.”  It is aged in oak barrel of various sizes and provenances and boasts an impressive level of silkiness and complexity as a result. Drink: 2016-2028.

Manzone Barolo Bricat, 2009, $69.99
Giovanni Manzone started the winery in 1925.  Today Giovanni (II) and his son and daughter run the winery.  This wine rated 91 points from Wine Spectator - "Elegant, offering focused flavors of cherry, strawberry and eucalyptus. Compact, solid and balanced, with the long finish leaning toward the spicy and savory side.” Best from 2016 through 2027.

Manzone Barolo Castelletto, 2009, $69.99
100% of the grapes come from this vineyard (Castalleto).  90 points from Wine Spectator for th...

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Scotch Malt Whisky Society May 2016 Outturn

Posted on May 9, 2016

 
The May 2016 Outturn was another smash hit at Kensington Wine Market. This month we launched 6 new whiskies and re-released a 7th which we felt didn't quite get a fair showing in January. The re-release, 66.62: Classic Caesar Cocktail, a peated 16 year old Highlander, was very well received and one of the top sellers at the 4 Calgary tastings. At the time of writing we have just 7 bottles left! We also had a .1 bottling... the first ever Scotch Malt Whisky Society bottling from the closed distiller the Society has given the number G14 to. G14.1: East meets west was a hit, as were 1.179: In the artist's studio and 29.174: Shetland ponies at the seaside. The other 3 showed well too, especially 121.88: Licking the wooden spoon, who's distillery is becoming a Calgary member favourite!


46.29: Shaken, not stirred - 59.1% - 14 Year -Refill Hogshead - Speyside - Flavour profile: Young & spritely - Outturn: 272 bottles - Panel's tasting note: "Young Bond prepared the ingredients for his cocktail: bruised mint, Gomme syrup, pink peppercorn and aromatic cherry and violet. As he mixed his ingredients for this Old Fashioned together he scanned the scene, it was a bit of a mystery. A large arrangement of flowers was the first observation. A table set with a curious collection: hard mint candies, chocolate chip ice cream, raspberry jam cookies and salted limes. He sipped his cocktail and enjoyed its sprightly kick. The perfumed scent of some exotic beauty lingered. He investigated further finding cream soda, marshmallow and Andes chocolate mints. What did it all mean?" Drinking tip: "When you're saving the world." - $157.99
58.17: Not shaken, not stirred - 60.4% - 10 Year - Refill Barrel - Speyside - Flavour profile: Spicy & dry - Outturn: 201 bottles - Panel's tasting note:  "We all stepped into an old-fashioned candy shop; plenty of dust but the floor was recently spring cleaned with bleaching powder and chlorinated lime. When we left we strangely bought pancetta, prosciutto, freshly ground coffee and Amontillado Sherry. The taste neat was like an erupting volcano with the lava flowing into the sea and causing a sizzling hot spray – exhilarating! Water calmed the scene and fruity aromas of apples, pears, plums and grapes appeared out of nowhere with the refreshing sparkle of a white grape and raspberry juice on the palate and a perfect Martini in the finish." Drinking tip: "In a moment of exhilaration."$134.99
1.179: In the artist's studio - 47.2% - 27 Year - Refill Hogshead - Speyside - Flavour profile: Sweet, fruity & mellow - Outturn: 201 bottles - Panel's tasting note: "The panel had a collective memory of an artist’s studio with aromas of wooden easels, paintbrushes, linseed and canvas. Our painter had arranged white lilies in a pewter jug. While he contemplated his subject he enjoyed a slice of toffee sponge cake and a cup of sweetened esp...

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Shiraz, Shiraz, Shiraz - Friday April 15, 2016

Posted on April 21, 2016

Shiraz, Shiraz, Shiraz
Friday April 15, 2016
Grant Graves






The wizards from OZ can sure create some magic with their wine making skills. We sampled 6 different Shiraz from 6 different producers from 6 different districts in South Australia. While the base is similar, each products had its own unique character and tastes. These wines exhibited the terroir and wine making skills Australia wants its reputation to be built upon.
Good on ya mate.







Henry’s Drive H Syrah 2012 Padthaway, South Australia
91 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate for the 2012 vintage! The review: "Replacing the “Dead-letter Office” label, the deep garnet-purple colored 2012 “H” Syrah has pretty, lifted black cherry and crushed blackberry aromas dotted with hints of anise, mocha and baking spices. Big and voluptuous in the mouth with a nice structure of medium to firm, grainy tannins and refreshing acid, it finishes long. Drink it now to 2020." This is an aromatic wine, showing fresh blueberry, fragrant violet and underlying earthy spice notes. The palate is finely structured showing delicacy; vibrant rhubarb and blueberry characters are mixed with hints of anise and lavender. The flavours lingers and the wine finishes with delicate fine tannins.  $24.99

Heartland Shiraz 2013 Langhorne Creek, South Australia
The dark colour preempts a wine of dense, layered black fruit.  The aromas of anise and cracked pepper are enveloped in classic blackberry.  The glass coating texture gives way to freshness on the finish resulting in a fine balance.  The structure imparted by oak and skin contact integrates well with the bright, but intense fruit.  $19.99



Mitolo Jester Shiraz 2013 McLaren Vale, South Australia
89 points from Robert Parker for the 2012 vintage! The review: "Deep garnet with a hint of purple to the color, the 2012 Jester Shiraz displays pronounced nose redolent of spice cake, cinnamon stick and preserved plums with underlying blackberry compote and star anise nuances. Medium to full-bodied with plenty of warm blackberry and baking spice flavors on offer in the mouth, the flesh is nicely framed with a medium level of velvety tannins and refreshing acid. It finishes with good persistence”.  $21.99

Maverick Breechens Shiraz 2013 Pewsey Vale, Eden Valley, South Australia
This scarlet and warm brick colored beauty has aromas of sweet black fruit, some dark spices and subdued flashes of oak.  The palate is silky and supple, balanced and moderately weighted with good flesh. It finishes soft, clean and dry with a strong persistence of boysenberry and blackcurrant flavours.  $30.99



Rolf Binder Heysen Shiraz 2009 Barossa Valley, South Australia
The o...

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What's next? Beer and Cheese! - April 14th, 2016

Posted on April 21, 2016

What's next? Beer and Cheese!
April 14th, 2016
Shawn Young
This was my second time doing the beer and cheese class and I have to say I was excited. I've had some amazing beers in the shop lately and I was eager to open some of them up! So mid day Thursday I picked out a handful of my most interesting brews and brought them next door so Crystal could start the oh-so-rough job of tasting and picking suitable cheeses to match them. Here's what her hard work conjured up!



Big Wave golden ale by Kona brewing: This Hawaiian born golden ale is as crisp as can be, with light citrus and tropical hop notes. A beer this delicate needs to be paired with an equally delicate cheese. Le Dauphin was chosen for its soft, buttery texture and light creamy flavours. A hot weather pairing if I've ever had one! ($19.99 for a 6-pack of bottles)

Citrusinensis by Lagunitas brewing: On to something much fruitier, this pale ale is made with blood orange juice. The fruity, hop heavy pale has a bright and slightly tart acidity to accompany the full orange flavours. The semi-firm Catalan goat cheese Garrotxa, with its silky texture and mild flavours were the perfect match for the vibrant fruit and acidity of the beer. ($23.29 for a 6-pack of bottles)

Humulus Terreux by The Bruery: Just like every tasting, I have to put in a beer or two with wild yeasts. Whether it be sour or not, I feel it's important to include the funkier beers to the party. Humulus Terreux is a pale, wild fermented beer with New Zealand Motueka hops. The tropical fruit aromas of the hops combine with the tropical fruity notes from the Brettanomyces yeast to make one potent and flavourful beer. The Spanish sheeps milk cheese Idiazabal was paired, and its fresh and nutty character went exceptionally well with the fruity tones of the beer. ($18.29 for a 750mL bottle)

Ondineke Tripel by De Glazen Toren: A beer and cheese tasting just isn't complete without stepping into Belgium. De Glazen Toren is a boutique brewer of sorts. Though neither as big, or as old as many of your Belgian favourites, these guys are quickly becoming some of my favourite Belgian brewers.  This Tripel is a little light compared to its more holy brothers, but is still packed with bready, fruity flavours with that fruity Belgian yeast kick. The equally fruity Etivaz was picked, and it did not disappoint, complimenting all the fruit, with a touch of sweetness.  ($15.59 for a 750mL bottle)

Jubel by Deschutes brewing: I`ve been waiting for an excuse to open this beer! One of the few Deschutes reserve we`ve stocked that`s actually ready to open according to the "enjoy after" date. An American strong ale partially aged in Pinot Noir barrels! It was full of rich toffee, molasses, and dried fruit with balanced oak notes and a hint of wine character. Cornish Yarg was picked for this beer, with its lemony flavour and nettle wrapping....

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