A Few Portfolio Gems from Select Wines Portfolio Tasting

It is always a special time when a wine agency opens their portfolio of wines for you to taste, review, and recommend. This past week I had a chance to try the wines from Select Wines’ annual portfolio tasting. With any tasting of this magnitude there will always be more wines than time to taste them. I try my best to visit a few of my standards and then to branch out to new wines from an agent’s portfolio. Below are a few gems that I have selected for you. Enjoy.

White and Sparkling Wines

Champagne Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve and Brut Cuvee

Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve NV, France ($60.99) – Light apples and toast notes on the nose. Light body with very tiny bubbles. Nutty, lemon and apples share equal stage in your mouth, followed by tasty creme brulee flavour. A really nice Champagne. Rating:
Charles Heidsieck Brut Cuvee NV, France ($57.99) – Light toasty citrus and apple aromas in the glass. Medium body, dry with tiny bubbles. Mainly nutty flavour followed by apples later. Very good. Rating:
Domaine Laroche Chablis 1er Les Vaudevey 2009, France (SPEC – $35.99) – This Chablis, made from Chardonnay grapes, had a light stone fruit nose. Medium body, dry, with a calcium shell and stone fruit flavours on the palate, with lees in the background. It has a bit of roundness to it. An elegant wine. Rating:
Poderi dal Nespoli Nespolino Bianco 2014

Poderi Dal Nespoli Nespolino Bianco 2014, Italy (SPEC $8.99) – If you can buy this wine, don’t hesitate. It is a blend of Trebbiano and Chardonnay. It has a light apple and oak nose. Dry, medium body and soft with a mineral streak through it. Ripe pears, and apples with citrus and a hint of flowers. Tasty. Rating:
Chalk Hill Estate Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2013, California (SPEC – Coming soon) – Tropical fruit and caramel on the nose. Fuller bodied, dry and round. A bit of a heavier, viscous mouth feel. Caramel and tropical fruit on the palate. A Quality wine. Rating:
Luna Argenta Prosecco Treviso DOC, Italy (SPEC $16.29) – I was told that this is one of the best selling proseccos in BC. It has a round stone fruit nose. Light and crisp bubbles. Ripe apples, citrus and citrus rind on the palate. Dry, medium minus body. A nice sipper. Rating:

Red Wines

Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec 2012

Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec 2013, Argentina ($20.79) – This wine is always one that is good every year. It has a medium intensity purple fruit nose, with the purple fruit continuing onto the palate. Medium body and medium tannins. Round mouth feel. Together with the purple fruit there is light vanilla, and it gets peppery toward the finish. Bring this wine to a party with friends. Rating:
Vina Maipo Vitral Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Chile ($14.49) – Really deep garnet colour. Ripe cassis fruit nose. Full body, with flavours of ripe cassis, and light apples, with apples in the background. Medium length. Rating:
Villa Cerna Chianti Classico Riserva 2010, Italy (SPEC $29.79) – Nice sweet cherries and Old World woody nose. Medium body, soft and silky. Red cherries and light woodiness on the palate, with bruised apples starting mid-palate. Fine tannins. A very nice Chianti. Rating:
Chalk Hill Pinot Noir 2013

Cesari Mara Valpolicella di Ripasso Superiore 2012, Italy (SPEC $24.39) – Deep ruby in colour. Sweet, ripe dark fruit and apples on the nose. Dry, medium plus body, but light mouth feel. Candied cherries, bruised apples, sweet spices and black pepper on the palate. Rating:
Chalk Hill Estate Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2013, California (SPEC – Coming soon) – Light garnet in the glass, with cranberries on the nose. Medium plus body, dry, with medium tannins. Violets, cherries, plums and black pepper on the palate. Very good quality. Rating:
Poderi Dal Nespoli Borgo dei Guidi Forli Rosso IGT 2011, Italy (SPEC $23.99) – Garnet with orangy bricking in the glass. Nice red cherry and woodiness on the nose. Medium body with light red sour cherries, woodiness and apple flavours. Softer tannins and a light mouth feel. Nice. Rating: