Happy New Year!  I don’t know about you, but I always “wax nostalgia” this time of year…thinking about what I accomplished in this past year, and what is yet to come.  How will 2015 be better, and how can I make it better!

I always wish I had taken better notes of the wines I’ve tasted…with the store being opened and sourcing wines, there were a LOT of wines tasted, I can’t even begin to count!  Perhaps this year, I will at least COUNT how many wines I’ve tasted.  At least that’s something right?

We’re always getting new wines here in the store.  Every week there is something new.  Even though we are at the point of repleneshing some of the wines on the shelf because we have sold out not once, but twice or even three times, there will always be something new! Come on into the store and see what we have!  Here are just a couple of “newbies” that you might like to try over the next coming weeks.

Quinta de Ventozelo – From one of the oldest quintas, as well as one of the biggest and best locations, I had the opportunity to taste this wine with a tasting group that I’m a part of.  100% Touriga Nacional from the Douro region of Spain, this wine showed great value and great potential to age.  Unfortunately, they are not making it anymore, but they have other wines from this Bodega that have been brought into the store.

2005 Ventozelo Touriga Cabernet – blending two of my favourite varietals from one of my favourite countries, and I think we have a match made in heaven!  Already 10 years old, this wine is approachable now, but can also benefit from patient cellaring.  This wine is clean, bright with a deep dark purple colour. Lucious blackcurrant and blackberry jam notes, with a touch of smoke and dark chocolate on the nose along with vanilla and coffee brought from ageing in new barrels.  Very well structured, intense ripe blackberries and chocolate that is well balanced with a long lasting finish.  Already 10 years old!  For a wine of this quality and age, a real steal at $38!!

2012 Septima Gran Reserva – out of Mendoza, Argentina, this blend combines Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Tannat, sourced from the best vineyards in the region.  Aged for 18 months in a combination of French and American oak, this wine offers great value for quality! Oh. My. Goodness…this is an AMAZING wine!  I opened it for my staff, subsequently sampled it for a customer, and just like that, three bottles walked out the door!  Incredible aromas of blackberries, plums, wet leaves, tar and roses, the palate screamed of black fruit integrated with a subtle earthiness and a touch of tar and roses.  Full bodied with great balance and a beautiful long finish.  $32 on the shelf for this little beauty and two more 6-packs on order!

Tis the season for full bodied red wines…it IS cold after all!  These wines would be a GREAT choice for a snow day by the fireplace.  Cheers!