6/6/19, 7:50 AM - It’s probably $40 Canadian on the Cellartracker site. Many Canadian users of CT don’t convert their price paid into USD. Which is about $32 US. Lots of oak exposure on this one. Try the 2015 if you can. Very good effort.
4/20/19, 6:08 PM - Your TN seems very positive on the wine but you rate it “flawed”. Is there something we’re missing in your assessment?
3/11/19, 11:49 AM - I agree that this is definitely in its peak form and should be consumed sooner than later. Two more bottles in my world!
3/8/19, 4:33 PM - Spot on tasting note. Definitely needs a couple of hours in the decanter or a couple of years more in the cellar!
3/5/19, 9:25 AM - Nota Bene, albeit the 2016, was in the same blind tasting in Nov. it did not impress or even suggest potential. This NR Rsv Meritage is the real deal and you have one in your six-pack!
2/14/19, 5:20 PM - Can you share more specifics? We're about to crack our first six-pack and want to know estimated decant time - one to two hours, maybe? Did you pair yours with anything ideal?
2/27/19, 10:45 AM - Thank you. Very helpful follow up. Will definitely decant for a couple of hours and report on the outcome.
2/21/19, 10:43 AM - I echo your tasting note. The '14 BH Syrah is a delight.
2/18/19, 12:03 PM - Bought at the winery in Paso Robles during our 2017 road trip. Stellar stuff. We also purchased their Mother of Exiles Bordeaux blend and will wait another year or two before opening that monster. I'll open it for one of our future tastings.
2/17/19, 5:28 PM - I agree with KJ, this is a terrific TN. This is a fantastic wine and has great potential for another 5-7 years. Great structure and complexity. One of our fave BC Syrahs.
2/18/19, 12:17 AM - KJ - I recommend Van Westen on Naramata Bench & Orofino in Similkameen. Both portfolios, red & white are stellar for quality & price. I’m waiting to see whether Peller leaves Black Hills autonomous or not.
2/11/19, 4:29 PM - Have any of you tried the Black Hills Pinot Noir? We haven't yet but curious. Just got back from the Anderson Valley in Northern California. Witching Stick & Lichen Estate are two wonderful producers of USD40-50 Pinots. I haven't figured out the hype surrounding Martin's Lane ever since it won some International Pinot competition a few years back... And yes, the '15 Nota Bene is going to have a number of years ahead of it. The 2011 has been terrific lately and that was a challenging year..
2/11/19, 7:25 PM - Y, the ML 2011 Pinot Noir won a bizarre award at the 2013 Decanter World Wine Awards competition in London for Best Pinot under £15 but the wine was never available directly to the public - only MH club members and select restaurants. Even members complained that the wine was never offered below CA$30 after discounts & pre-tax.
2/11/19, 7:29 PM - There are always new exciting reds in the province. We just opened one of our 2013 Blind Creek Consensus for wine friends in Silicon Valley and they were blown away by its quality and then I told them the price in USD - <35 and they wanted to know where they could buy it. Sorry, kids, all sold out but we have four more in the cellar. The 2015 shows similar potential.
2/11/19, 10:53 PM - Darren, just doing my part as a proud BC wine enthusiast and sharing the good drop with anyone I can.
1/24/19, 9:13 PM - Sadly, I haven’t had any of the amphora wines from LS. We should put the Syrah in the next tasting of that variety.
1/6/19, 11:11 AM - Very good TN detail however your Quality assessment of "outstanding" and your rating of 88 seems to be a bit of a disconnect. All due respect, but what elements were lacking for this wine not to achieve a mid-90s rating if the quality is outstanding?
1/2/19, 4:38 PM - Bonne Année, Francois! two terrific tasting notes to kick off the new year. I'm not surprised at your takeaways and rating of the '14 Oculus. We tasted (& judged) it blind at the Annual BC Iconic Reds Competition held this past November in Vancouver alongside 19 other premium BC reds. When the labels were revealed to coincide with the bottles poured - the Oculus ended up being my No. 2 wine of the evening after a very impressive CedarCreek 2014 The Last Word. Other impressive wines from that evening were the Blind Creek Collective 2015 Consensus and the Road 13 2016 Fifth Element. You should really try to make out this way in mid-November for the next Icon Red Competition. Its a blast!à votre santé,John
1/2/19, 6:19 PM - I agree, Darren. The competition was blind to price and label but I would definitely buy higher end Italians such as Oreno or WA state big red blends. The Last Word from CC and the Blind Creek Consensus are rock stars.
1/6/19, 10:33 AM - Francois et Darren,Apologies fellow wine friends, we have house guests this weekend and I was offline & out-of-my-mind! So here are a collective number of responses & comments:BC Iconic Red Competition is open to the public but maxxes out at 108 people who are willing to pony up $89/pp (with a $20 purchase credit towards any of the wines in the competition - case discounts of 5% are also offered). It is held usually in the second week of November at the Sutton Place Hotel in Vancouver and is sponsored by Sutton Place Wine Merchants. It is a double blind tasting, only Simon Wosk, the organizer knows which wines are in which "numbered" bottles. There is an appy break in the middle and a little bubbly on offer to refresh the palate. It is both professionally rigourous and a communal blast to taste, albeit quite young, some of BC's best premium reds. I get an email notification from Simon in early October and will definitely give both of you a heads up because tickets sell out fast!
1/6/19, 10:47 AM - CedarCreek 2014 The Last WordFrancois, I stand by my recommendation on this wine. It is has big bones and terrific depth and very promising ageing potential. Opening a bottle now will require a solid 2+ hour decant with some big aggressive swirls for aeration (do not put thru an aerator - show this wine some respect). The magnums will last 12-15 years easy but you'll be tempted to open with good friends over rare standing rib roast and all the trimmings, including Yorkshire Pudding (just had this whole spread last weekend - with two vintages of the Blind Creek Consensus - But I digress!). Feel confident that The Last Word was a solid buy.
1/6/19, 10:50 AM - Totally support the Go Fund Francois campaign. Anything to get him back out here to help make a dent in the cellar. I will see if I can get my hands on some of the LVP Cab Franc....
12/13/18, 3:18 PM - Maxima, what a terrific side-by-side tasting of some young, muscular supertuscans! I like how the Sassicaia, WS's Top Wine in 2018, is in the bottom rung for this round. I will warn you that Flaccianellos are notorious for showing off early and then "shutting down" for a few years until they come back around. Our 2008's are just waking up from their cellar nap... Next time definitely include Sette Ponti's Oreno in the tasting mix!
12/6/18, 10:10 AM - Maxima, excellente note de dégustation. certainement du bacon, du saindoux et de la tapenade I can’t wait to open our first bottle this holiday season - a long decant, I trust.
12/4/18, 11:29 AM - we definitely have to have a Quintessential vertical. I have singles of 07, 08 & 09
11/27/18, 9:59 AM - One of our friends is a member and I split an order with her earlier this year. The Reserve 7 was so well received we’re gonna put it in the premium six-pack once I get the other allocations.
11/27/18, 9:57 AM - I couldn’t be more serious. The Allegrini was a bit atypical. It did not have either the unctuous weight or the classic depth of raisins and balsamic that Amarone tends to be. Also the 30 Bench was spot on!
11/12/18, 10:53 AM - You're correct, we had the 2004. It appears I entered my two bottles under 2005 because they have been wrapped ever since purchase at the cellar door in Barossa. We had also purchased two bottles of the 2005 Descendant at the time (unwrapped). Then when I joined CT and entered my inventory I must have thought the Runrigs were 2005 as well. I've now corrected that in CT.
10/23/18, 4:20 PM - The Van Westen V is a Bordeaux-style red blend (Merlot, Cab Franc, Cab Sauv, Malbec & Petit Verdot). Maybe you're referring to the "VD" Pinot Noir that Rob collaborated with Tom DiBello on?
10/23/18, 4:00 PM - Hey D - was that the event at Vessel? Did he have any favourite wines of late?
10/3/18, 2:19 PM - Maybe I've taken a break in writing about wine but definitely not stopping the consumption of the juice! Have just returned from France trip and there was plenty to sample at really affordable prices - grocery shelf Crozes Hermitage (2016) for just 9 euros and it was terrific! I'll get back on the TN horse very soon! I really want to hear about the Francois tasting...
9/28/18, 8:27 AM - VG TN! Just got our first case and will dig out the PF this coming winter. A votre sante!
7/8/18, 1:19 PM - Coincidentally, last night we had a 2003 Bordeaux as well. We opened (BYO'd to local Keg that has a serious sommelier on staff!) a 2003 Ducru Beaucaillou and while we found the wine a true delight now it is definitely at its peak and the acidity was low to begin with and with all the tertiary fruit we felt it may begin to disintegrate in a few years. It was a damn hot year... hopefully you're staying cool in stifling Quebec!
7/8/18, 4:40 PM - Do you know your Sep dates yet for Victoria? We have a trip tentatively booked for NYC in the middle of the month so hopefully we don’t miss you.
7/8/18, 6:10 PM - Very good. We should be back by the 19th. Would love to host you and Darren for a tasting evening one of those nights. Let us know when your dates are firmed up.
9/12/18, 5:56 PM - Francois, I’m really sad that I will miss the opportunity to share wines with you and DV. I will be dropping off a bottle for you to pop&pour in my absence. I’ll be there in spirit and definitely want to meet next time you’re on the Island or I’m in Old Hochelaga! A votre sante et a bientot! - John
9/5/18, 11:36 PM - It’s not whether the currency is weak. I’ve normalized the currency difference. The fact is that the duties and the taxes are prohibitively higher in this province which starts to make Ridge, and Turley for that matter (2015 versions of Juveniles and Old Vine are approx 45USD up here) over-priced for what’s in the bottle.
8/22/18, 10:59 PM - KJ, why only 86 when your TN seems relatively positive? Is it because it’s too new world for a typically old world Chianti producer?
8/3/18, 9:43 AM - Agreed, D. This '15 Syrah will be lovely in a couple of years. In the meantime source and drink as much Orofino Syrah for 2/3 the price!
8/4/18, 10:22 AM - The Strath had the ‘15 Daydreamer Syrah. Maybe they’ll bring in the ‘16 vintage.
8/3/18, 9:26 AM - Very helpful review SRH. We've been waiting for this vintage to be released in the BC market and the price up here will be close to USD50. As for the wide price range on WineSearcher, I suspect some retailers are entering the entry-level Chianti Classico under the Gran Selezione title and even loading the image from that mass-produced bottle.
8/3/18, 9:17 AM - This is definitely in its drinking window. This is from a production period where BOV over-delivered on price. RR was generous enough to offer me a glass. Thank you!
6/21/18, 11:52 AM - SRH, very helpful note. Up here in BC Canada this runs the equivalent of USD32 after taxes almost two bottles worth in San Diego! Will definitely lay it down through 2019 - its in angular chunks right now.
4/20/18, 3:12 PM - Very helpful TN. We plan on cracking our 6-btl OWC in 2020 to sample the first bottle. I promise to give a worthy assessment at that time and see if the "giant" is rousing by then on the palate!
4/13/18, 12:27 PM - Dear MacauJames, it appears you've taken one for the team. Thank you for that! Yes, the Cantemerle is good value but requires patience. We plan on opening our first bottle in 2020 but you've made me even question that decision! The 2005 is tasting wonderful now.
4/8/18, 4:43 PM - Intriguing TN. First time I've ever come across "crisp blood" as a palate descriptor but your other assessments seem to be on the money from a trade tasting I had a couple of months back. I find the 2015 is a tad backward right now. Should settle down and integrate. I found a two-hour decant has helped on previous vintages but I haven't opened my '15s as of yet. It is unfortunate that the second day tasting lacked any fruit. I'm with you, the critics are a bit too enthusiastic and aspirational for this version and this vintage in general. Could be the power of the Jaboulet "lobby", Non? Cheers!
2/19/18, 4:47 PM - Excellent tasting note on a mainstream yet more-and-more a mediocre wine. Concise yet thorough and a bit of humour. Well done!
2/19/18, 4:39 PM - DarrenV, a spot on TN. Better value for the money out there at half the price! Good dinner, thanks!
12/31/17, 1:15 PM - Francois, by saying the magnum format was "probably at its peak", would you suggest we open our last 750ml of '08 Maestoso sooner than later? Always looking for a "peaking" excuse to pop the cork. Also, was there a lot of sediment in the magnum? We'll definitely decant to pour the wine off the sediment.
12/28/17, 1:13 PM - I take all your points around giving this wine more time but at the core of my comments is this Brunello is atypical for what we've come to enjoy from Montalcino. There should be a depth of colour here not a paleness. The alcohol is providing most of the body. Its almost as if the oak program stripped any fruit complexity. I was given two bottles as a gift so we'll try the second in maybe a year or so. For this price point I'd personally chase down Gran Seleziones.
12/19/17, 11:22 AM - Bonjour Francois! It was a 2009 VW Voluptuous - two bottles opened of each in the blind Merlot tasting and the Van Westen surpassed the '11 Maestoso. Obviously different expressions of Merlot (and the former has 1/3 Cab Franc in the mix) and very different vintages. But one can't ignore the massive price differential. Next time we'll plan to have a Meritage blind tasting when you come out to Victoria - you can put a couple of bottles of Nota Bene in the mix and we'll see how it goes.
12/26/17, 10:50 AM - Francois, all due respect to my friend, Darren, but please feel free to bring a bottle or two when you come out to Victoria this year. Would love to try the Addendum up against other meritage offerings. We'll prepare some simply roasted spring lamb with new vegetables, etc. Have a happy and prosperous new year ... à votre santé!
12/18/17, 2:44 PM - Darren, I agree. Guado Al Tasso for "value" at that price level. There is a lone 2009 GaT sitting up on a shelf in Spinnakers Vic West tempting me to scoop it up... I just wonder about storage quality....
12/19/17, 11:25 AM - Darren, I'll scoop up the other bottle of the '09 GaT and we'll include it with yours in a Meritage blind tasting. Francois can bring his favourite vintage of BH NB and put it in the mix as well.
12/4/17, 12:28 PM - Bandreas, love to see Canadian reds getting down to the DC area. Have you ever been out to Okanagan Valley in BC? There are some terrific wines out here. Let me know if you ever want some winery tips if you're planning a visit. Cheers, JP
11/21/17, 4:28 PM - darrenv you're gonna love that Hourglass when you open it. I'm trying to get more from the winery but no response yet.
10/14/17, 2:38 PM - spot on tasting note! I would only add that it could benefit from a little more lay down (2-3 years) and the acidity settles down to reveal the spice and creaminess that is there under the surface. Cheers!
6/15/17, 8:34 AM - I agree with you that after a 1hr decant - this wine is great for the price. Too many folks are popping n pouring and the tannins need air and the alcohol needs to settle down so the full bouquet can show up. Cheers!
4/26/17, 4:46 PM - Our provincial taxes applied to alcoholic beverages are high in most parts of Canada. When combined with federal import duties and taxes it doesn't take much to double the price of a wine from the USA. So you've got to really like it to buy it.
4/12/17, 3:30 PM - DarrenV, couldn't agree more. We opened a 2013 PR Syrah for a couple of British wine enthusiasts this past weekend and they were blown away. They had no concept that we can produce such world-class Syrah in this province. Interestingly, they guessed Hermitage (a rustic one!) before I revealed the label.
11/23/16, 5:21 PM - I agree with you DarrenV. the '12 is drinking fine now and has some structure to reward later. Still not at the '09 calibre. We're big fans of Rob and his wine.
10/18/16, 1:31 PM - Merci Francois! Its good to know that we can actually produce substantial, age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon here in BC. Have you had any other BC Cabs or Cab blends that have this level of potential? I must say we were impressed with a Church & State '07 Quintessential earlier this year. We have one more bottle of that in the cellar.
7/8/15, 4:31 PM - Thanks RustyRudy! Any other wines you've sampled recently that are in this category of overall enjoyment?
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