Weekly offerings - The Small Winemakers Collection

A Powerful Cabernet from Chile’s Napa Valley

Richard Godin Weekly offerings Leave a comment September 19, 2022September 10, 2018

2015 TerraNoble Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva $17.90 btl / $214.80 cs (case of 12 x 750ml) 2015 was a textbook vintage out of Chile, with a hot and very dry growing season. Grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon strived delivering juicy and powerful wines. Today’s offer is from the Colchagua Valley, located in the Entre Cordilleras Area, land sandwiched between the coastal range and the Andes. This positioning encourages diurnal variation in temperature coupled with elevation which helps Cabernet Sauvignon ripen while retaining acidity even in very hot vintages. The result is a wine with a wonderful richness, concentration and complexity. The 2015 TerraNoble Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva is aged for 9 months in French and American oak then 8 months in bottle before release contributing to the dark ruby color and a nose that is fresh yet intense. Bursting with aromas of red berries, smoke, chocolate and pure fruit there is remarkable depth to this a wine. The palate mirrors the nose and offers round tannins with a slight spiced and smoky finish. It is an easy to drink, balanced Cabernet Sauvignon, perfect for the kick off the fall season. Despite Chile’s fame for predictable and vine-friendly weather, El Niño has thrown a monkey wrench in recent Chile vintages. This does not mean that quality has decreased. In fact, the quality of Chilean wine has skyrocketed in the pat decade. A ton investment and focus in discovering new vineyard sites as well as investment in technology has helped offset unpredictable weather conditions. Many Chilean winemakers have dedicated their careers to the premiumization of Chilean wines, and the world has taking notice. Chile is now the 4th largest wine exporter in the world after France, Italy and Spain. Price: Case of 12 at $214.80 ($17.90 per bottle) Drink: Now or over the next 3 years Varietal/Body: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, Full-body Food Pairing: Barbecue red meats, steak with sweet potato puree, pasta with hearty ragùs, aged cheddar

Delicious Bubbles Are Not Just For Celebrations

Richard Godin Weekly offerings Leave a comment September 19, 2022August 8, 2018

nv Anna de Codorniu Brut Reserva Cava $19.05 btl / $228.60 cs (case of 12 x 750ml) The idea that sparkling wine is only for celebrations or special occasions, is passé. There is no doubt that this Spanish Cava should be your go to bubbles for all things celebratory, however, to us, simply enjoying this delicious fizz on a hot summer day with a wheel of brie cheese also sounds magical. The Anna de Codorniu Brut Reserva Cava is truly a bang for your buck wine, made in the “traditional method” you get the creamy, complex palate one would from much more expensive sparklers, such as Champagne. Aged for at least 15 months on lees, makes this a Reserva Cava. Brilliant yellow colour with green reflections. Fine, persistent bubbles forming continuous beads. On the nose, it displays citrusy and tropical fruit notes along with more complex aging aromas (toast & brioche) that enrich the range of aromas. On the palate, it is creamy, wide and long-lasting. The result is a highly versatile wine, pairable with a great variety of food. The Chardonnay comes from the Codorníu’s own vineyards in Lleida, the most continental climate in DO which gives the grapes optimum concentration, lower acidity, and greater body and intensity. The other grapes used are the traditional grapes that typically make up cava, Macabeo and Parellada varieties and are sourced form vineyards across the Penedés area. These grapes guarantees a good level of acidity, freshness a vibrancy making this a great wine to start the evening. The Codorníu Raventós Group is the oldest family company in Spain an the 7th oldest in the world. More than 460 years of history dedicated to the elaboration of wines and Cavas of great value have led them to build 10 cellars in one of the best wine-growing areas of the world. They are one of the respected world leaders in viticulture and oenological knowledge. To date, the Codorníu Raventós group has more than 3,000 hectares of vineyard owned, which makes it the largest vineyard owner in Europe. Price: Case of 12 at $228.60 ($19.05 per bottle) Drink: Drink now Variety: Blend of 70% Chardonnay, 15% Macabeo, 15% Parellada, Light/medium bodied Food pairing: The freshness and delicacy of the Brut makes it an ideal aperitif. It also goes well with shellfish and white fish. Suitable for sushi, sashimi or lightly spiced carpaccio. Spanish cheeses such as Manchego. Cream based mains. Third Party Reviews “This has become the flagship Cava of Codorniu. It is wildly popular in Spain, and quickly catching on in the U.S. It is fresh and crisp, with lots of acidity (8-10 gms/liter) and it is extremely dry (only 1.3 g/l dosage of residual sugar). Anna de Codorníu, made from 70 percent Chardonnay and the reminder Parellada and Macabeo (indigenous varieties known for its acidity), is my candidate for the world’s best value sparkling wine.” Score 90, www.winereviewonline.com June 2013

Chilean Sauvignon Blanc Making a Mark in the Wine World

Richard Godin Weekly offerings Leave a comment September 19, 2022August 2, 2018

2017 Vinedos TerraNoble Sauvignon Blanc Reserva $16.45 btl / $197.40 cs (case of 12 x 750ml) In the wine world, “Chilean” used to be code for “good everyday wines for a steal.” Although this is still true, in the past decade there has been a lot of investment and focus in discovering new vineyard sites. This has led to better understanding Chile’s vast terrior and has helped winemakers determine the grape compatibility to the land and the impact to the character and quality of the wine. Casablanca Valley on the coast, located 100km north-west of Santiago the country’s capital, is an example of the benefits of this investment. It is one Chile’s youngest and fastest growing wine regions and boasts a large number of modern cellars with the highest wine making technology, many of them boutiques wineries. Despite its late start, the Casablanca Valley has gained worldwide recognition, in particular, for the white wine production of splendid crisp Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, but also for some stunning reds. Casablanca Valley, cooled by the Humboldt Current from the Pacific Ocean, is certainly one of the cooler wine regions in Chile. Sauvignon Blanc thrives in cooler climates, as hotter regions would compromise its acidity structure, which makes this grape so fantastic. Chilean Sauvignon Blanc has become so popular it is now the most important white grape variety in terms of national planning, surpassing Chardonnay in 2010, and is only second to Cabernet Sauvignon in overall production. The 2017 Vinedos Terranoble Sauvignon Blanc Reserva is a must buy for this time of year. Chilean Sauvignon Blanc shows more topical aromatics than its New Zeland counterpart, but still has that zippiness and zing Sauvignon Blanc is known for. Aromatics to expect from is wine vary from tropical fruits such as pineapple and white peach to lime, grapefruits and subtle notes of asparagus. On the palate, it has a fresh and balanced acidity, with flavors of citrus fruits with herbal notes. A fresh wine, with a medium structure and a lingering finish. Price: Case of 12 at $197.40 ($16.45 per bottle) Type/Variety/Body: Dry white, 100% Sauvignon Blanc, Light/Medium body Drink: Now or over the next year Food Pairing: Grilled fish, shellfish, creamy seafood pasta, veal scaloppini

Our Restaurant Clients are Loving the Septima Malbec, So Will You!

Richard Godin Weekly offerings Leave a comment January 13, 2023July 25, 2018

2017 Septima Malbec $16.80 btl / $201.60 cs (case of 12 x 750ml) Over the past decade, Malbec has quickly become popular due to its easy drinking nature with tons of juicy fruit flavours. A good Argentinian Malbec is deeply coloured, fruit forward with an exuberant juiciness and a velvety texture. We added the Septima Malbec to the portfolio just over a year ago and it has been extremely popular amongst our restaurant clients. We are confident that it will be wildly enjoyed by New World wine lovers. Made with high quality grapes from the prominent Valle de Uco and Agrelo in Mendoza, Argentina, the vineyards are over 3,400 feet in elevation and the region’s ideal micro climate coupled with the sustainable farming practices of Bodega Septima produces wine of great quality and refined elegance. Kept for 6 months in American oak barrels, this Malbec is fruit forward offering black plum, fresh black cherry and blackberry along with toasty and vanilla notes with an optimal balance of acidity and alcohol delivering soft and delicate tannins with a long finish. Malbec is originally from south-west France, but today is the crown jewel of Argentina. Better known then as Côt, it was the most commonly planted vine throughout south-west France, including Bordeaux, where it was primarily used as a blending grape. It was widely grown there until the severe winter of 1956 killed many of the vines. The roots of the Malbec vines did not respond well to a French climate, rotting easily, and there were often risks that entire crops were lost before harvest. Winemakers decided to leverage this precious land by replanting with varietals such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir because they were less susceptible to disease and rot. The good news was that Malbec was taken to Argentina in the mid-19th century, possibly via the cuttings imported into Chile from Bordeaux, and has adapted itself so stunningly to Argentina’s local conditions. Price: Case of 12 at $201.60 ($16.80 per bottle) Type/Variety/Body: Dry Red, 100% Malbec, Medium-Full Drink: Now or over the next 5 years Food Pairing: Braised Short Ribs, Rack of Lamb, Peppered Sirloin Steak, Meaty Lasagna

A Juicy Cabernet from one of California’s Most Exciting Wine Destinations

Richard Godin Weekly offerings, Featured Leave a comment December 6, 2019July 18, 2018

2016 James Mitchell Cabernet Sauvignon $20.15 btl / 246.00 cs (case of 12 x 750ml) Tucked between the San Francisco Bay and Sierra Nevada mountain range is Lodi, an American viticultural area located in the Central Valley of California. Lodi is quickly emerging as one of California’s most exciting wine destinations that offers great-value wines along with gorgeous California settings. The 2016 vintage was another fantastic vintage in Lodi. Fruit looked exceptional at harvest, crop was clean and the wines came out beautifully. This makes the 2016 James Mitchell Cabernet Sauvignon from Lodi, California a smart buy. Full-bodied with fruit flavors and aromas. Black cherry dominates on the palate, with a touch of warm spice, smoky mocha and vanilla from oak aging on the finish. Medium tannins. A big and bold wine perfect for juicy reds meat off the BBQ. Price: Case of 12 at $246.00 ($20.50 per bottle) Drink: Now or over the next 5 years Food Pairing: Steak, barbeque ribs or juicy beef hamburgers More about Lodi 40 years ago the California Central Coast, where Lodi is located, had yet to emerge as one of North America’s world-class winegrowing regions even though grape vines are over 150 years old. Between the 40s-60s, Lodi produced sought-after dessert wines alongside some Zinfandel. Between the 60s-90s, as consumer tastes shifted from sweet wines to dry table wines the demand for premium varietal wines increased and Lodi progressively transitioned into a source for premium grapes. However, at that time, planting on the Central Coast was a risk many winemakers did not want to take. One of the early pioneers, Jerry Lohr of J. Lohr Vineyards and Winery was among the first to realize the vast, untapped potential of this now-acclaimed region. Today, Lodi is predominately a red winegrowing region, with approximately two-thirds of the acreage dedicated to red varieties and is home to all of California’s leading varieties. It is a region known as California’s best kept secret for Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc. However, with over 100 varieties now in production, Lodi offers a vast portfolio of diverse and interesting wines. Lodi has a Mediterranean climate with warm days and cool nights. The soil, unlike many other appellations, varies within the AVA, though in most places it is a deep loam that occasionally is covered with large rocks, similar to Chateauneuf du Pape.

A Red and a White Perfect for Cottage Season

Richard Godin Weekly offerings Leave a comment September 19, 2022July 12, 2018

Today’s offer is a white and a red that are not only delicious, but are perfectly priced for summer sipping. The Righetti family has continued to focus on producing quality wines offering extremely good value for over a century. These wines are reliable go-tos for dinner parties, cottage life and backyard BBQing. 2017 Luigi Righetti Pinot Grigio $16.25 btl / $195.00 cs (case of 12 x 750ml) The Luigi Righetti Pinot Grigio is one our top sellers because, unlike many Pinot Grigios, Righetti’s shows good mid-palate weight and fruit concentration. It has a youthful nose of lemon peel, honeysuckle and yellow pear. The palate is dry and light-bodied with crisp acidity and the floral and citrus characteristics from the nose come through nicely. The finish is clean but the fruit flavours linger. Food Pairings: Grilled fish or chicken, seafood, spaghetti carbonara, dishes with cream or lemon based sauce 2016 Luigi Righetti Valpolicella Classico $15.35 btl / $184.20 cs (case of 12 x 750ml) Valpolicella is the quintessential pizza and pasta wine, made with the Corvina grape from Veneto, just north of Verona in Italy. We drank a lot of this during our last trip to Italy because it is light-medium bodied with delicious red fruit aromas and juicy acidity making it very food friendly. Typical aromatics include cherry, raspberry, cranberry as well as florality and light spice notes. Righetti’s shows unusually good fruit concentration for Valpolicella, with lovely cherry as well as violets and hints of white pepper. Serve slightly chilled and refresh your palete on a hot summer day. Food Pairings: A variety of pizzas, pastas, grilled white meats, grilled pork chops, antipasti platters (cheese, charcuiterie, olives etc.)

93 pts Outstanding Rioja Gran Reserva

Richard Godin Weekly offerings Leave a comment November 21, 2019July 5, 2018

2010 Bodegas Bilbainas Viña Pomal Gran Reserva $59.95 btl / $359.70 cs (case of 6 x 750ml) This is a must buy for those of you who enjoy full-body reds. Spain’s La Rioja Alta is famous in Europe and loved by wine connoisseurs from around the world. If you have not yet explored this region — now is the time. Bodegas Bilbainas is not only the oldest bottling firm in Rioja but one of the most renowned wineries in the region. The Viña Pomal Gran Reserva is their “king” wine and is exceptional, only made in the best years. To label a wine Gran Reserva the winemaker must age the wine for at least 5 years before release, with a minimum of 2 years in oak. The 2010 vintage has been rated excellent, one of the best vintages out of Rioja in over a decade. The quality of the vintage has been attributed to favourable weather conditions throughout the growing season, with vines showing excellent health. The nose is elegant and complex with hints of red fruits and notes of liquorice along with toasty and balsamic aromas from the aging in barrels. The mouthfeel is supple, elegant and balanced, with baked berry flavors augmented by chocolate and spice notes. Complexity builds as age begins to bring out tertiary aromas of cured meats and smoke. It is dense and chewy ending in long persistence. Although ripe, this wine has great acidity making it outstanding and has impressive cellaring potential. The Bilbaínas Winery is over 100 years old and remains true to the philosophy of its founder, Santiago de Ugarte, when it was founded in 1904. Bilbaínas Winery has the greatest surface area of underground cellars (3,400 m2) and with the greatest surface area of vineyards in the municipality of Haro, the emblematic capital of La Rioja Alta. Together, there are 250 hectares of vineyards of utmost quality which are filled with grapes owned by the winery to ensure quick processing without the loss of quality. Truly an exceptional estate producing some of the best wines in the region. Price: Case of 6 at $359.70 ($59.95 per bottle) Drink: Now or cellar over the next 15 years Blend/Body: 90% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano Vinification: Part aged in new French oak, part in one-time use American oak Accolades: “Balsamic berry aromas are heady and include tones of tobacco, cigar box and maple. This gran reserva from a fabulous vintage is solid and chewy, with ripe tannins that are firm but not too harsh. Baked berry flavors are augmented by chocolate and spice notes. It’s dense and chewy on the finish, with just enough acidity to ensure balance and longevity.” Michael Schachner for Wine Enthusiast, 93 points “The savory 2010 Viña Pomal Gran Reserva had aromas of iodine, smoke, spices and cured meat—complex, tertiary and developed. The palate was polished and sleek, with some rusticity that would welcome food. This is ready but should be able to develop slowly in bottle.” Luis Gutiérrez for The …

Beat the Heat with this Exceptional Marie Justine Rosé

Richard Godin Weekly offerings Leave a comment December 6, 2019June 27, 2018

2017 Baudry Dutour Marie Justine Rosé $20.15 btl / $241.80 cs (case of 12 x 750ml) The 2017 Baudry Dutour Cuvee Marie Justine Rosé is an exceptional rosé ideal for sipping over the Canada Day long weekend. Christopher Baudry named the wine after Marie and Justine, his only two daughters, which is a testament to the thought that went into the production. Specific vineyard parcels in Chinon’s Loire Valley are selected to cultivate Cabernet Franc that deliver a fresh and crisp rosé. The direct press method contributes to the elegance giving it a sophisticated salmon-hued colour. On the nose expect exotic fruits with aromas of peach and citrus. Dry with mouth-watering fruit concentration, this crisp and refreshing yet complex rosé serves to elevate the experience of white wine drinkers and to convince red wine drinkers that they should expand their horizons! Rosé wine is believed to be the oldest style of wine in the world, and were the drink of the rich, powerful and the aristocracy in the late 18th century. Recently, rosé has resurfaced in North American exploding onto the scene in the past decade. In France, it now surpasses the sale of white wine and in the US it is no longer considered a seasonal wine with sales going strong all year long. Price: Case of 12 at $241.80 ($20.15 per bottle) Drink: Now or over the next 2 years Type/Variety/Body: Dry, 100% Cabernet Franc, light/medium bodied Service: Best served chilled 7°C Food Pairing: Oysters, grilled shrimp, grilled or roasted chicken, summer salads, mild flavoured cheeses and charcuterie, grilled pork

A delicious Syrah from oldest winery in Morocco

Richard Godin Weekly offerings 1 Comment September 19, 2022June 19, 2018

2015 Domaine Ouled Thaleb Syrocco $29.15 btl / $349.80 cs (case of 12 x 750ml) Syrocco would fool most people who would think it’s from southern France. Legendary vigneron Alain Graillot, considered to be one of the most highly sought-after producers in the Northern Rhône, stumbled upon these vineyards while bicycling in the Zenata region of Morocco. Graillot was drawn by the potential of this dry, coastal region, located on the Atlantic side of the country just south of the city of Rabat. Although the daytime temperature is very hot, the evenings are cool, allowing grapes to ripen and build both acidity and complexity. The alluvial/limestone soils are similar to his native Rhône soils, where Syrah vines thrive. This gorgeous area is also an organic dream because it has no polluting industries in the area. Truly an ideal area to produce high-quality wine. Grapes are harvested by hand from selected parcels of Syrah vines, some 48 years old. Syrocco has a deep ruby colour with an expressive nose, excellent balance and complex aromatics. Plenty of ripe purple black fruits and dried red cherry followed by hints of sandalwood, herbs, and spice. The finish is dry, long, and similar to classic Syrah. An excellent wine for a BBQ feast! Only 35 cases available. Morocco is considered by many to be a “new-old” wine producing country. The history of wine in this country is very old – over 4,000 years and has an ideal climate and soil composition for wine making. Over the centuries, vineyards periodically appeared and disappeared, but the immigration of French wine-growers in the 1880, due to phylloxera in France, brought about a re-birth and expansion of Morocco’s vineyards. One of the best areas for making wine in Morocco is the Ouled Thaleb Estate, the oldest continually operating winery in Morocco. The Syrocco line is a fascinating collaboration between Alain Graillot and Jacques Poulain, former Bordeaux wine specialist, now head winemaker at Domaine Ouled Thaleb. Working alongside one another their mission is to bring the best of the Moroccan terroir to your table. Moroccan wine has finally made it across the Atlantic, but with 95% of it consumed domestically, this is a rare opportunity to add something unique and delicious to your wine collection. Price: Case of 12 at $349.80 ($29.15 per bottle) Drink: Now or over the next 5 years Variety/Body: 100% Syrah, medium-full body Food Pairing: Grilled lamb chops, grilled spicy lamb or pork sausage, BBQed beef/pork ribs or brochettes with a hummus or tahini sauce, beef fajitas

95 pt Superstar Super Tuscan from Montepeloso

Richard Godin Weekly offerings Leave a comment September 19, 2022June 12, 2018

2015 Montepeloso Eneo $65.95 btl / $395.70 cs (case of 6 x 750ml) 2015 is a spectacular vintage for Super Tuscans. On the Tuscan coast it was a warm and generous growing season that produced ripe and juicy grapes. The reds are fruity forward yet maintain tannin tension and backbone. Approachable now, but can be cellared for years to come. Montepeloso is a small 15-acre estate on the windy site siting above the famous Tua Rita estate in Suvereto producing red wines that are among the region’s most sought after. The Eneo is Montepeloso’s “grand vin”, and produces a truly distinctive wine from native varieties which expresses the particular qualities of the Montepeloso terroir. This assemblage of Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Alicante Bouche, Malvasia Nera is matured for 15 to 18 months in neutral French oak barrels, to preserve the fruit character, and then for a further 18 months in the bottle. Annual production is very small at 4,330 cases. The colour is dark and dense and has a beautiful and opulent nose of rich red fruit, spice, smoke and minerality. The palate is powerful. Darker red fruit comes through, yet it’s silky with soft tannins, great acidity and is well balanced with an extremely long length. This is a wine fit for a gastronomic meal! Price: Case of 6 at $395.70 ($65.95 per bottle) Drink: Drink now or cellar for up to 12 years Variety/Body: Blend of 45% Sangiovese, 35% Montepulciano, 15% Alicante Bouschet, 5% Malvasia Nera, full-body Service: Best served at a temperature of 18°C. Decant for at least 1 hour before tasting Reviews: 95 points, Monica Larner, Nov 2017 for RobertParker.com: “The 2015 Eneo is a beautifully saturated and concentrated wine. The unusual blend used here is Sangiovese with Montepulciano, Malvasia Nera and Alicante Bouschet. The bouquet is profoundly bold and exuberant, with generous integration and beautiful power. The warmth of the vintage further adds to the overall intensity of this carefully crafted red wine. The mouthfeel is seamless and soft.” Food Pairing: Grilled meats, aged cheeses, robust pasta dishes Why are Montepeloso’s wines so good? We can thank Fabio Chiarelotto for the beautiful wines of Montepeloso. With a PhD in history he has lived all over the world teaching and conducting research. His love for food, wine and the region (his mother is from Suvertos) brought him to visit Montepeloso in 1998. He fell in love, and within a month purchased the winery from the previous owners. His initial intent was to put the money earned from the winery towards funding his academic research, but he quickly learned that winemaking is a labour of love, and not necessarily a major money maker. When he took over the winery in 1998, great things began to happen. It wasn’t easy, for many long and hard years Fabio painstakingly reshaped the estate’s vineyards. Retraining, pruning, and even re-grafting many vines, Fabio was committed to perfection, pulling up thousands of low quality vines and replacing them with varietals more suited to the …