Fall 2009 Vancouver - Best Tastings
 

Fall is busy in this city we call Vanhattan.
Part of that reason is that it's the perfect time for wine producers and vintners from the Southern Hemisphere to visit as they are just coming out of their winter season and vines are still in the early stages of budding.
But it's not just those from down below who visit...

Read accounts and wine reviews of visits from Vina Errazuriz, Peter Lehmann and more soon.

Vina Errazuriz


Don Maximiano Estate and the iconic Sena Vineyard in Aconcagua Valley Chile at sunset

Edgard Carter, who is a winemaker at Chile's historic Vina Errazuriz popped into town on a blustery October day on the last leg of his Canadian tour. I had visited Vina Errazuriz less than a year before and had the opportunity to travel high above the iconic and biodynamic Sena Vineyard in Edgards beat-up white truck, just in time to see the sun set.
(Read about Vina Errazuriz and the Aconcagua Valley here)

Best drops

Errazuriz Wild Ferment Chardonnay,  Aconcagua Chile, 2007 uses wild yeasts to add complexity to this fantastic Chardonnay. On the nose, expect loads of citrus, warm apple pie, toast and spice. The palate pops with sweet tropical fruit, it has lovely complexity and loads of zippy citric flavours, the finish is long and spicy.
$21.99 +545392

Errazuriz Wild Ferment Pinot Noir, Casablanca Valley, Chile 2006 is a glorious example of Casablanca's cooler climate capabilities. Fragrant floral and warm raspberry aromas, compost-y, forest floor and savoury undertones. The palate is juicy, it has plenty of berry fruit, sweet spice and leather with a long, elegant finish.
$23.00

Max Reserva Shiraz, 2006 read review on WineScores.ca here

Errazuriz Max Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, Aconcagua Valley Chile, 2007 adds 6% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Syrah to the Cabernet Sauvignon. Gobs of juicy cassis, herbal-minty tones, cocoa and sweet undertones of raspberry and blueberry. The palate is plump with layers of ripe fruit, cedar, spice and leather, tobacco hints linger. A lovely balance of acid, fruit and smooth tannins.

Errazuriz Don Maximiano, Aconcagua Valley Chile, 2006 This is the stunning example of premium world class wine. It doesn't matter where these wine hails from, old world or new, the point is they deserved to be lauded and recognized. The nose is concentrated -sun-warmed berry fruit, balsamic and dried cherries, sweet floral notes and leather with savoury undertones at the core. The palate is opulent, laden with dark fruits, spiced tobacco and chocolate. Structured and still bright with a supple finish.
A blend of 82%Cabernet Sauvignon, 9%Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Syrah
 

20 year Vertical of Peter Lehmann's iconic Stonewell Shiraz

One of my favourite Aussies, from the Barossa Valley, Phil Lehmann
(son of the legendary Peter Lehmann) arrived in town with a 20 year vertical of the iconic Stonewell Shiraz in October. It was enough to have most wine geeks swoon at the chance of an invite.
I visited Peter Lehmann earlier this year (read here) and was impressed with the growers Lehmann has supported in his many years of winemaking.

Right: Phil Lehmann

The Stonewell Shiraz tasting on October 22 began with the 1987 vintage. This first Stonewell vintage shows its 20year age, but it still has plenty of acidity, red fruits, fleur de sel and cedar. The finish is impressively long.
Chocolate and hazelnuts were the primary aromas in the 1988 followed by earth and tobacco, the texture was thicker  than the 1987 but I found it to be quite astringent.
The 1989 has lovely red fruit and cocoa on the nose. The palate weight really stands out - rounded with a slick texture and plenty of cigarbox, spice and tobacco flavours, the tannins are still present and powdery.
Initially closed, the 1990 came around to show its elegance. Good red fruit, subtle earthy, leathery aromas with some forest floor notes. The palate is still really bright  with hints of dried fruits and fine tannins still linger. The1991 has primary prune aromas and the body is fantastic. Flavours of stewed fruit and spice with balanced acidity/tannins and a long smooth finish.
1992 impressed me with its sweet, bright berry fruit and herbal, eucalypt aromas. The sweet fruit expression reappears on the palate it has lively acidity, supple tannins and a lovely long finish.
The 1993 came across as somewhat dusty, it's earthy with char and fine spice on the nose. The palate follows suit but also pops with sweet, ripe fruit. It has very good structure still. Big, is the note I circled in the margin of my notebook beside the 1994 review. Concentrated black fruit and brooding aromas. The palate says 'yum', bursting with juicy berry fruit, fine spice and tobacco. A full rounded palate and the tannins are still grippy.
Following suit, the 1995 is still a big wine, the aromas show raisins, sweet spices, prunes and leather. Fleshy on the palate, still bright, with lingering tannins.
In my books, 1996 is a standout. It shows its "Shirazness" with dark rich blackberry and blueberry with peppery herbal notes. The palate is voluptuous, an almost glycerol texture with brooding fruit. Lots of complexity and concentration with a granular finish.
The nose on the 1997 made me swoon, violets and sun-baked earth with vibrant purple berry fruits. The palate had gobs of juicy dark berries, spice and leather with a peppery finish and fine tannins. Youthful aromas impress on the 1998, potent blackberry, pepper, chocolate and meaty aromas. The palate is plush with ripe fruit and a powerful finish with firm tannins.
An interesting change from the previous two vintages, the 1999 shows red cherry, cedar chips and spice with blackberry undertones. It has good concentration, leads of spice and cedar, bright acidity and plenty of powerful tannins.
For something completely different the 2000 almost attacks with meaty, bacon fat aromas red berries and then cassis. Fleshy and concentrated with substantial saline on the palate and a long smooth finish. The 2001 blends dark and earthy aromas with fragrant violets and dusty cocoa. Plush and smooth on the palate well formed and integrated with plenty of spice on the finish. The tannins are powdery. Opulent is what I would call 2002. Sweet blackberry and black cherry aromas, eucalyptus and baking spice aromas. The palate is liqueur-like, mint tea leaves and blueberry with sweet spices, generous and powerful with bright acidity and an impressive finish. Fantastic!
2003 show a bit more age than 2002 with dried cherries and chocolate, cloves and vanillin oak, hints of prune and sweet spice. The palate is supple, flavours of chocolate and espresso, black fruits and fleur de sel. A fantastic texture, good power and surprising elegance.
2004 impressed me with its almost delicate restraint. Red currents and sweet berries, crushed flowers and cola spices. The sweet spice comes through on the palate, plush dark fruit and a firm texture. Meanwhile the 2005 is brooding, laden with dark fruit, spice, mint  and concentrated espresso aromas, the tannins are ripe and full. The 2006 is a powerhouse with aromas of chocolate mint patties, blackberry and raspberry, spiced cedar and espresso liqueur. The palate is generous, bittersweet chocolate, licorice, eucalyptus, plums and black fruit with fine spice. The tannins are big but ripe - this one looks great for future Stonewell tastings!

Coming next

Côtes du Rhône France
Ehlers Estate - Napa Valley
Rodney Strong and Davis Bynum of Sonoma County