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
    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: 4.5 stars

  • 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: 4.5 stars
  • 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: 4.5 stars
  • Poderi dal Nespoli Nespolino Bianco 2014
    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: 4.5 stars

  • 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: 4.5 stars
  • 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: 4 stars

Red Wines

  • Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec 2012
    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: 4 stars

  • 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: 4 stars
  • 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: 4 stars
  • Chalk Hill Pinot Noir 2013
    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: 4 stars

  • 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: 4 stars
  • 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: 4 stars

Here is a link to my notes from Select Wines portfolio tasting from last year.  It is always interesting to see if anything is recommended in subsequent years.  Cheers.

Author: mywinepal
Drink Good Wine. That is my motto and I really want to help you drink good wine. What is good wine? That can be a different thing for each people. Food also loves wine so I also cover food and wine pairings, restaurant reviews, and world travel. Enjoy life with me. MyWinePal was started by Karl Kliparchuk, WSET. I spent many years with the South World Wine Society as the President and then cellar master. I love to travel around the world, visiting wine regions and sharing my passion for food & wine with you. Come live vicariously through me, and enjoy all my recommended wines.