Report from ... Mark Anthony Brands Portfolio Tasting - November 5, 2013

With about 79 wines to taste you'd think it would be easy to pick out just a few for a best of list ... but at this Mark Anthony Brands Tasting, and in the end 27, or 34%, made my worth getting list, and one from Portugal was my ultimate buy, especially for the price ... see below for all the wines and their reviews:

Falesco 2010 Montiano ($44.95 - Consignment)
big and fruit driven, spicy and elegant (****)

Tenuta Sant'Antonio 2006 Campo Dei Gigli ($79.95 - LCBO Spring 2014)
rich, ripe and spicy with nice dark fruited on the nose;
palate is full of cassis, plummy and dark chocolate (****)

Tormaresca 2011 Neprica ($14.95 - Consignment)
blend of Negro Amaro, Primitivo and Cabernet Sauvignon (Ne-Pri-Ca)
plenty of plum and black cherry - pretty and pleasant (****)

Alois Lageder 2012 Lageder Porer Pinot Grigio ($27.95 - Private Order)
floral and pretty with mostly tropical and pineapple notes (*** 1/2+)

Eugenio Collavini 2009 Spumante Ribolla Gialla ($49.95 - Consignment)
interesting little bubble; pretty, fresh, crisp and fruity - 2nd ferment is 28 months in tank (*** 1/2+)

Eugenio Collavini 2006 Merlot dal Pic ($49.95 - Private Order)
juicy yet leathery with both blue and black berries; tannins present but not overwhelming (*** 1/2+)

Cavas Hill NV Cava Brut ($13.95 - LCBO Spring 2014) - traditional method, 12 months
almond, vanilla and bready aromas with touches of lime and bread crust on the palate (*** 1/2)

Schloss Johannisberg 2012 Grunlack Spatlese ($37.95 - Consignment)
oldest Riesling wine estate of world, est. 817
lovely sweetness, great acidity, and nice minerality; fresh and fruity (****)

Brumont 2002 Chateau Montus - La Tyre ($104.95 - Consignment)
100% Tannat - leathery black fruit and lots of spice (****+)

Mission Hill 2010 Perpetua ($30.99 - Consignment)
100% Chardonnay - butterscotch, buttery, vanilla, creamy and lush (****)

Mission Hill 2010 Oculus ($70.79 - Consignment)
Bordeaux blend, but not Petit Verdot
rich and ripe with fruit, white pepper and spice (****)

Mission Hill 2010 SLC Syrah ($32.79 - Consignment)
full on peppery Syrah with raspberry and blackberry; quite meaty (****+)

Dona Paula 2006 Yacochuya ($49.95 - #35964)
peppery with chocolate raspberries and strawberry, good anise finish (*** 1/2+)

Santa Rita 2010 Bougainville Petite Sirah ($99.95 - Consignment)
lots of raspberry and cherry fruit with a touch of white pepper (****)

Santa Rita 2009 Casa Real Cabernet Sauvignon ($61.95 - Consignment)
sexy and smooth with chocolate, raspberry and cherry (**** 1/2)

Long Shadows 2008 Pedestal Merlot ($57.95 - #64782)
blueberry and chocolate with elements of cherry - ripe and ready to drink (****)

Long Shadows 2007 Feather Cabernet Sauvignon ($57.95 - #64766)
cherry and raspberry take charge with a nice mineral chalkiness (*** 1/2+)

Adelsheim 2011 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir ($39.00 - Consignment)
Pinot Noir comes from multiple sites: strawberry and cherry,
nice hit of acidity with earthy backbone and a nice element of juiciness (*** 1/2+)

Adelsheim 2010 Elizabeth's Reserve Pinot Noir ($65.95 - Consignment)
selected blocks and barrels Pinot: elegant red fruit with strawberry and cran-cherry (*** 1/2+)

Adelsheim 2011 Ribbon Springs Pinot Noir ($80.45 - Private Order)
single vineyard Pinot Noir:  white pepper on the nose;
red and black fruit battle it out with some juiciness, great acidity and tannin balance (****+)

Sanford 2009 Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills ($54.95 - Private Order)
juicy cherry with plenty of other red berries and red licorice (*** 1/2+)

Tangley Oaks 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon ($25.95 - #104208)
chocolate, blackberry and black cherry - nice Cali-Cab (****)

Chimney Rock 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon ($79.95 - Consignment)
tobacco, blackberry, cassis and chocolate (*** 1/2+)

P + S (Prats & Symington) 2009 Chryseia ($74.95 - Private Order)
dark and plumy with nice chalkiness with tannins and minerality (****+)

P + S (Prats & Symington) 2010 Post Scriptum ($18.95 - Private Order)
and here it is, the best wine of the tasting: flavour but price:
juicy blackberry and cassis with mocha chocolate notes along with plum and other dark fruit (****+)

Graham's 2008 Late Bottled Vintage Port ($16.95 - #191239)
the acidity balances out the sweet cherry, chocolate and spice
great for after dinner (****)

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