Trio l'infernal : Combier-Fischer-Gerin Riu Priorat 2014

The Priorat is located a short drive away from Barcelona, Spain.  Upon arrival, the steep slopes and sharp turns on the road is enough to take your breath away, and the wines even more so.  The growers and producers here know this place is something special.  The dry climate, rolling hills and poor soil make it very hard for anything to grow, but vines do, and that is all that matters. 

The Priorat is famous for its llicorella soil.  Crumbling bits of laminated slate that are almost dark copper in colour.  Vines dig deep to find moisture, water and nutrients in order to thrive.  This hard work reflects in the beauty of the wine, which has concentrated depth, intensity and complexity. 

The Trio Infernal of Riu is a partnership between Laurent Combier of Crozes Hermitage, Peter Fischer of Provence, and Michel Gerin of Côte Rotie, who come together to make top quality wines in the Priorat.  The wine is wonderfully crafted, powerful and captivating.  This has got to be one of the most alluring wines I have tasted this year.  Here’s why….

This is a bland of 33% Garnacha, Carignan, and Syrah aged 12 months in new French oak.  The wine has a fruit forward excitement of modern wine making with the complexity and fierceness of old vines.  There is structure, depth, and rustic elegance that instantly teleports you to the Priorat.  This cuvee retains all the beauty and power that the wines from this region are known for…but also with a welcoming freshness and vibrancy that leaves a lasting impression. 

Bold and beautiful fruit, showing blackberries, blueberries, and dark cherries with bits of spice and earth.  Intense flavour with excellent acidity and soft tannins leading to an elegant finish composed of dark dark fruit with a good streak of minerality.  Gorgeous wine.  Outstanding quality to price ratio.  Drink now, or within the next 4 -5 years. 

SAQ: 12134170  $34.25

To find a bottle near you check out:
http://bit.ly/CFG_RIU

Anthony Carone: Pioneer of Quebec Pinot Noir

There is a lot of buzz about wineries in Quebec. Professionals and consumers alike have been recently pondering whether or not this is a place that can make good wine, or if terroir can even exist here?  These are not new debates, and it is worth mentioning that in any wine region, new or old, we are always learning, evolving, and experimenting.

To get a better understanding of wine in Quebec, the best person to paint a clear picture is someone who has been in the wine industry for the past 20 plus years, and who has a keen and clear vision of where they want their wines to go.  A pioneer, who has taken the all of the risk to plant European wine grapes in one of the most exciting regions of Quebec- that person is  Anthony Carone from the Lanaudière region of Quebec.

In 1990, Anthony left his desk job to undertake the risky initiative of making wine in Lanoraie, just northeast of Montreal.  To say he is experienced is an understatement. He was the very first to plant Pinot noir, one of the most difficult and finickiest wine grapes to grow in the 1990’s.  Since then, he has been experimenting with the different expressions of Pinot Noir, and one of his first cuvees was launching the VENICE brand; an elegant and structured Pinot Noir with some oak aging.  After gaining numerous awards and high scores from top wine critics, he launched the VERITÀ label; a fresh and pure expression of Pinot Noir, aged 100% in stainless steel. 

An opinionated person, you cannot help but be drawn to his honesty and his passion for wine making.  Stepping out of his comfort zone, he most recently launched  a 100% Pinot Noir called Apex -  a natural wine with minimal intervention and made following his family's traditional process.  This special parcel of Pinot Noir grapes had no chemicals added during the growing season and wine making process. Anthony is constantly pushing the limits and his love for Pinot Noir grown in Quebec and his vineyard boasts approximately one third planted with Pinot Noir grapes and the following trio of wines are estate grown on his Lanoraie vineyard.  

All three wines are an incredible example of the different expressions of Pinot Noir grown on Quebec soil.  At the moment, there is a rare opportunity whereby all three styles of Pinot Noir available at the same time.  These wines are available exclusively at fine grocers and online at www.bonjourcarone.com. 

Venice Pinot Noir 2015  $35

Coming from sandy loam soils, this Pinot Noir was aged 8 months in oak barrels, 75% in used American and 25% in New French oak.  Very fresh in style, there is an added complex notes of cloves, cedar, tobacco and earth.  There is a harmonious balance of acidity and fruit intensity with supple tannins that add just the right amount of texture.  An incredibly structured wine, with elegant style and a long, soft finish.  Drink now or in the next 5-6 years.

Verità Pinot Noir 2015  $28

Coming from sandy loam soils, this is a very fruit forward style of Pinot Noir.  Delicate and delicious notes of cherries, blackberries and dried cranberries on the palate with added spice and cloves.  The acidity is spot on, very refreshing with finely integrated tannins and soft mouthfeel.  The finish is fruity and fresh.  It is a very approachable and thirst quenching wine.  Drink now or in the next 2-3 years. 

Apex Vin Nature Pinot Noir 2017 $22

Made with indigenous yeasts, fermented on skins (70% stems)  for 12 days with manual punchdowns throughout,  no enzymes, gravity filtration, nothing added – nothing removed.  Aged in stainless steel tanks, this is the very first vintage of Apex and it is outstanding.  This is if very fruit forward, with finesse and freshness.  Crunchy, bright red fruit like strawberries, cherries, and red currant. Spice and earth framed by an incredible acidity and raspy tannins.  APEX is extremely well balanced and incredibly easy to drink.  Finish is all about the delicious and bright fruit.  Drink now. 

Marchesi Antinori : 600 Years of Winemaking History

When a family has been in the business of making wine since the 14^th Century,  it can be considered one of the most important in Italy, and Marchesi Antinori has been making some of the finest.  In 1966, Pierro Antinori took the reigns in the family business and since then has been full force into improving and striving for excellence in his wines.  This same passion and drive is now in the hands of his three daughters Albiera, Alessia and Allegra.  Their portfolio of wines show the many faces of what Tuscany and Umbria have to offer, at all different price points. 

I was recently invited to a tasting hosted by Mark Anthony Wine and Spirits, where  I was able to taste through a wine range of their products.  All the of the wines listed below are my favorites from the tasting, and I think they best represent the passion and love that the Antinori family has for their winemaking. 

Photo: Wine Spectator

Villa Antinori Bianco 2016

SAQ: 12392574  $17.80

This is a blend of Trebbiano (80%) and Malvasia (20%) showing lots of lemon and grapefruit with a palate cleansing acidity.  A nice mineral streak, very balanced and uncomplicated wine making for easy and enjoyable wine. Drink now. 

Pèppoli 2016

SAQ : 10270928  $20.00

Dark cherries and blackberry fruit dominate with soft and silky tannins.  Dusty earth and violet makes it way around the palate, as does the vinrant acidity.  The wine finishes some plum and vanilla.  Drink now or in the next 4-5 years. 

Il Bruciato Tenuta Guado al Tasso Bolgheri

SAQ: 11347018  $24.95

Cherry, blackberry and black current shows a lot of volume supported by a nice acidity. The fruit has a baked quality, as is the wine is soft with a nice persistent and concentrated finish.  The oak is coming through but ever so elegant and balanced.  Excellent quality for the price.  Drink now or in the next 5-6 years.

Badia a Passignano  Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

SAQ: 403980  $54.25

Using only the best grapes, this wine has notes of blackberry, plums, and dark cherries with balsamic and vanilla notes that make the palate round, smooth and very elegant.  Tannins are soft grained with an acidity is still holing on and very vibrant.  This wine has still a great margin for further development.  Drink in the next in 10-12 years. 

Guado al Tasso Matarocchio 2013

SAQ: 1369297  $451.00

This is an absolutely stunning wine.  It’s the kind of wine that sort of stops you at first sip and carries you off somewhere.  Made with 100% Cabernet Franc grapes, there is an incredible concentration of blackberries, cherries and plum with bits of undergrowth and leather.  It has a super fine palate, plush, elegant and soft fruit with the perfect amount of dark chocolate and cloves. Tannins are ripe and smooth, but still plenty of kick to carry along the aging process…and all of this balanced by an incredibly bright acidity.  Elegant and classic finish. Absolutely beautiful. Hold on to this one for at least another 8-12 years.

A very special thank you to Francesco Visani, commercial director of Antinori and Mark Anthony Wine and Spirits Quebec for the incredible tasting and opportunity.  

Once again, the delicious meal at Le Muscadin was outstanding.  Not only was the food impeccable, but the warm welcome was especially appreciated.  You walk into the restaurant and are treated like family.  If you ever in Old Montreal, do not miss this place.  I highly reccomend the grilled steak, which melts in your mouth....such incredible flavour.  Thank you to Le Muscadin for a memorable dining experience.  

Wine Shots: saq.com