Sancerre, Oregon, South Africa and the Blonde Demon are in the spotlight. Beautiful bottles to enjoy with friends on Saturdays!
Drink less. Drink better.
Jean-Max Roger, Les Caillottes 2022, Sancerre, France
$36.75 – SAQ code
12880957 – 12.5%
The Roger family comes from a long line of winemakers from the village of Bué, dating back to the early years…1600! At the beginning of the 1970s, Jean-Max Roger took over the four hectares left by his parents and expanded the property. Today his sons Étienne and Thibault work with him on more than 26 hectares in Sancerre and 5 hectares in Menetou-Salon. The “Caillottes” vintage comes from limestone soils, which gives the wine a “verticality” – compared to the vines that grow on Kimmeridge marl soils and produce more “horizontal” wines. Floral, lemon, apple and chalk tones. On the palate it is quite straightforward and supported by a lively acidity with quite lush substance and a chalky finish. We would have liked a little more complexity, but it remains very pleasant.
★★★ $$$
Portlandia, Pinot Noir 2021, Oregon, United States
$34.75 – SAQ code
14274774 – 13.5%
Delightful Pinot Noir, whose grapes come from the cooler locations of the Willamette Valley, the wine-growing center of Oregon. Nice smelling with notes of cherry, raspberry, plum, lavender and a hint of pipe tobacco. Low acidity with delicate material. Light and good with silky tannins, very easy to drink. Very good and easily compares with several good Burgundies that sell at a higher price. For best results, serve somewhat chilled.
★★★ $$$
Lomond, Belladonna 2019, Cape Agulhas, South Africa
$33.25 – SAQ code
15169685 – 14%
The Lomond producer is located on the Agulhas Plain, near the southernmost tip of Africa, at Cape Agulhas – the meeting point of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans – allowing for a fairly cool marine climate. Shiraz (80%) is vinified in stainless steel tanks and then aged in American and French barrels, while Mourvèdre (15%) is vinified and aged in oak barrels and Viognier (5%) is vinified in vats and aged in neutral barrels. Everything is then assembled. This creates an explosive wine with aromas of black fruits, cocoa, rose and steak spices. A modern, gourmet and generous style that still remains elegant and has well-integrated tannins.
★★★ $$$
Guy Lafleur, Signature Cabernet Franc 2019, Niagara Peninsula, Canada
$40.00 – SAQ Code
14363507 – 13%
The late Guy Lafleur was quick on his skates and knew how to handle the puck like no other. He also took care to collaborate with Gilles Chevalier, a passionate connoisseur, to release a wine in his image: the best! This Cabernet Franc comes from Tawse in the Niagara Region of Ontario and could easily pass for a Grand Chinon or Grand Saumur. A ripe and nutritious fruitiness, finely finished in the cask, which brings out notes of smoke, grilled pepper and blackcurrant. Nice texture on the palate with quality tannins, length and great flavor on the finish. There are only a few left on the SAQ network, so hurry!
★★★★ $$$ 1⁄2
Legend
★ Correct
★★ Good
★★★ Very good
★★★★ Excellent
★★★★★ Exceptional
More stars than dollars: worth the price.
As many stars as dollars: worth the price.
Less stars than dollars: wine is expensive.