I have gone to a stars rating system which appears at the end of each review; here’s the key to those stars:
5 = Outstanding … 4.5 = Excellent … 4 = Very Good … 3.5 = Good … 3 = Average
I’m always looking for good value and I’m not afraid to give or take away a half mark for it – I’ll let you know when I’ve done so.
5 = Outstanding … 4.5 = Excellent … 4 = Very Good … 3.5 = Good … 3 = Average
I’m always looking for good value and I’m not afraid to give or take away a half mark for it – I’ll let you know when I’ve done so.
The two focuses for this release are 90-point wines and Valentine’s Day … so here’s what’s good:
Wines for your Valentine …
Nothing is more romantic than opening a bottle of bubbly, it usually signifies something special, and for that I recommend the Pierre Sparr Brut Rosé Cremant D’Alsace ($18.95 - #0039016) with its nice raspberry-strawberry notes and light lemon citrus on the palate (****). Another bubble of note is the Piemonte Cantina San Pancrazio Brachetto 2008 ($16.95 - #0159566), Brachetto is very much like Moscato, light and fizzy with a little sweetness – lots of strawberry flavour and beautiful colour; perfect for this time of year (*****). Moving on to something red, nothing says “my sweetie” to your sweetie, like an actual sweetie: Stratus 2008 Red Icewine ($39.95 / 200ml - #0056689). If you’re looking for a dry red wine you can start your search with the Artesa 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon ($22.95 - #0909101), blackberry, black cherry with a touch of mocha and nice tannins (****). To some nothing says Valentine’s day like a boatload of cherries, and that’s exactly what you get in a bottle of Domaine des Darrezes Cuvee Tradition Saint-Amour ($16.95 - #0159673) from Beaujolais, there is also some floral and raspberry just to give it that little extra yum-factor (****).
90-Point Wines …
We’ll start this look at 90-point wines with a stunning white: Concha Y Toro 2008 Trio Reserva Chardonnay / Pinot Grigio / Pinot Blanc ($12.95 - #0433938), not only is it an exceptional value it tastes great too: lemon-lime, melon and mineral, exotic and tasty, buy it by the case (****½). Next up is the Thelema Sutherland 2007 Chardonnay ($19.95 - #0146423) – buttered toast with a nice nuttiness, full of hazelnuts and almonds (****). Another white of note is this one from Germany: Reinhold Haart 2007 Riesling Kabinett ($19.95 - #0727461) with its sweet peach and pear flavours, very easy to sip on (****). There are two wines from Argentina in this category: Bodega Norton 2006 Reserva Malbec ($17.95 – 0017061) with its mocha, bramble, blackberry, cassis, plum and black raspberry (****); and the Luigi Bosca 2006 Single Vineyard Malbec ($18.95 - #0074922), floral notes, blackberry, a touch of spice and elegance on the palate (****½). From Australia there’s the lovely Langmeil 2006 Blacksmith Cabernet ($22.95 - #0644039) with its black fruit and spice, big 15% alcohol and black fruited finish (****½). You just had to know that France is gonna factor in here somewhere and the Domaine Grand Nicolet Vieilles Vignes Cotes du Rhone-Villages Rasteau ($21.95 - #0155481) fits the bill nicely with its smooth mocha, black fruit and red berries, this one’s big and fruity with a real kick (****½). But if you can only pick up one French wine make it the Perrin & Fils Les Christins Vacqueyras 2007 ($22.95 - #0973453) this one is a real beauty, nice red fruit, sweet licorice and lovely chocolate note; smooth, supple and delicious (*****). Two more 90-pointers left to go, there’s one from Italy, the Remo Farina Montecorna Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2005 ($19.95 - #0056267) with layers of finesse, cherry, coffee, chocolate and a great smooth finish (****½). Finally, there’s the Cary Grant of wines: Buil & Gine Gine Gine 2006 ($17.95 - #0067843), blackberry, cassis on the nose, cherries and chocolate on the palate with a luscious red berry finish (****½), I’m giving it an extra half mark here for the price.
Australia – Red …
The Black Chook 2008 Shiraz / Viognier ($16.95 - #0066738) – floral and red fruit nose, sweet red fruit with raspberry and vanilla. (****)
Canada – Dessert …
(Ontario)
Muskoka Lakes Winery Red Maple ($18.95 - #0050039)
Canada – Sparkling
(British Columbia)
Sumac Ridge Tribute Private Reserve ($22.95 - #0169508) – fresh lively lemon with crisp apple, very nice bubble. (****)
Chile – Red …
Arboleda 2007 Merlot ($18.95 - #0045864) – sweet supple black fruit, chocolate, juicy blackberry, and nice tannins. (****½)
Chile – White …
Casa Lapostolle 2009 Sauvignon Blanc ($13.95 - #0396994) – nice melon, pineapple core and sweet grapefruit. (****)
France – Red …
(Beaujolais)
Louis-Jadot Combe aux Jacques 2008 Beaujolais-Villages ($9.95 / 375ml - #0005918) – be sure to chill this bottle of succulent cherry juice … made from grapes, honest. (****)
(Bordeaux)
Chateau Clerc Milon 2006 ($62.00 - #0564492) – dense black fruit with black currants and cedary notes. (****)
Chateau Grand Puy Lacoste 2006 ($85.00 - #0564302) – best Bordeaux of the release; beautiful red-fruited nose with nice red fruit, cedar, herbs and cassis in the mouth. Time will improve this one but it drinks nicely right now. (****½)
(Midi)
Le Secret des Capitelles Saint-Chinian 2007 ($14.95 - #0156299) – herbal nose with a red plum palate; I really liked this one for its balance and its price. (****½)
New Zealand – Red …
Sileni Cellar 2009 Selection Pinot Noir ($16.95 - #0694901) – sweet red cherry, a touch earthy along with a sweet cherry finish. (****½)
New Zealand – White …
Omaka Springs 2008 Pinot Gris ($17.95 - #0063347) – there’s a nice touch of pear sweetness here along with floral and cantaloupe/melon notes. (****)
Portugal – Dessert …
Justino’s Fine Rich Madeira ($14.95 - #0592600) – smells of toffee, almond and a bit of nuttiness; palate has burnt caramel and nutty qualities with a bit of orange peel; smooth and tasty. (****½)
South Africa – Red …
Flagstone 2007 Dragon Tree Cabernet Sauvignon / Shiraz / Pinotage ($15.95 - #0037549) – best use of Pinotage I’ve tried; nice blackberry and chocolate notes. (****)
South Africa – White …
Lammershoek 2008 Chenin Blanc ($18.95 - #0058206) – surprising and unexpected, you think it will be fresh and lively but instead you get woodsy characteristics: vanilla, lemon curd with a touch of butterscotch; more Chardonnay-like than Chenin but still quite good. (****)
Spain – Red …
Pagos del Rey Arnegui Crianza 2006 ($15.95 - #0146274) – red and black fruit mingle with hints of chocolate, dark plum and a good tannins grip on the finish; very well priced. (****)
United States – Red …
(California)
Gallo Family 2007 Frei Ranch Vineyard Zinfandel ($34.95 - #0555599) – plum, cherry, chocolate and some crème de cassis, quite a lovely Zin with an air of elegance. (****½)
United States – White …
(California)
Chateau Souverain 2008 Chardonnay ($24.95 - #0158600) – delicious with nice oak-vanilla, sweet buttered-vanilla-almond, and lovely pear notes on the finish. (****½)
Dry Creek Vineyard 2007 Fume Blanc ($13.95 - #0277715) – grassy and goosy (as in berry) notes with lots of grass on the palate, mid-weight and a log finish. (****)
Grape Guy Top 3 … what I’ll be lining up for on February 6, 2010:
Piemonte Cantina San Pancrazio Brachetto 2008 ($16.95 - #0159566) – Italy
Chateau Souverain 2008 Chardonnay ($24.95 - #0158600) – United States
Concha Y Toro 2008 Trio Reserva Chardonnay / Pinot Grigio / Pinot Blanc ($12.95 - #0433938) – Chile
Bonus Must Buy: Perrin & Fils Les Christins Vacqueyras 2007 ($22.95 - #0973453) - France
Happy Shopping.
Wines for your Valentine …
Nothing is more romantic than opening a bottle of bubbly, it usually signifies something special, and for that I recommend the Pierre Sparr Brut Rosé Cremant D’Alsace ($18.95 - #0039016) with its nice raspberry-strawberry notes and light lemon citrus on the palate (****). Another bubble of note is the Piemonte Cantina San Pancrazio Brachetto 2008 ($16.95 - #0159566), Brachetto is very much like Moscato, light and fizzy with a little sweetness – lots of strawberry flavour and beautiful colour; perfect for this time of year (*****). Moving on to something red, nothing says “my sweetie” to your sweetie, like an actual sweetie: Stratus 2008 Red Icewine ($39.95 / 200ml - #0056689). If you’re looking for a dry red wine you can start your search with the Artesa 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon ($22.95 - #0909101), blackberry, black cherry with a touch of mocha and nice tannins (****). To some nothing says Valentine’s day like a boatload of cherries, and that’s exactly what you get in a bottle of Domaine des Darrezes Cuvee Tradition Saint-Amour ($16.95 - #0159673) from Beaujolais, there is also some floral and raspberry just to give it that little extra yum-factor (****).
90-Point Wines …
We’ll start this look at 90-point wines with a stunning white: Concha Y Toro 2008 Trio Reserva Chardonnay / Pinot Grigio / Pinot Blanc ($12.95 - #0433938), not only is it an exceptional value it tastes great too: lemon-lime, melon and mineral, exotic and tasty, buy it by the case (****½). Next up is the Thelema Sutherland 2007 Chardonnay ($19.95 - #0146423) – buttered toast with a nice nuttiness, full of hazelnuts and almonds (****). Another white of note is this one from Germany: Reinhold Haart 2007 Riesling Kabinett ($19.95 - #0727461) with its sweet peach and pear flavours, very easy to sip on (****). There are two wines from Argentina in this category: Bodega Norton 2006 Reserva Malbec ($17.95 – 0017061) with its mocha, bramble, blackberry, cassis, plum and black raspberry (****); and the Luigi Bosca 2006 Single Vineyard Malbec ($18.95 - #0074922), floral notes, blackberry, a touch of spice and elegance on the palate (****½). From Australia there’s the lovely Langmeil 2006 Blacksmith Cabernet ($22.95 - #0644039) with its black fruit and spice, big 15% alcohol and black fruited finish (****½). You just had to know that France is gonna factor in here somewhere and the Domaine Grand Nicolet Vieilles Vignes Cotes du Rhone-Villages Rasteau ($21.95 - #0155481) fits the bill nicely with its smooth mocha, black fruit and red berries, this one’s big and fruity with a real kick (****½). But if you can only pick up one French wine make it the Perrin & Fils Les Christins Vacqueyras 2007 ($22.95 - #0973453) this one is a real beauty, nice red fruit, sweet licorice and lovely chocolate note; smooth, supple and delicious (*****). Two more 90-pointers left to go, there’s one from Italy, the Remo Farina Montecorna Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2005 ($19.95 - #0056267) with layers of finesse, cherry, coffee, chocolate and a great smooth finish (****½). Finally, there’s the Cary Grant of wines: Buil & Gine Gine Gine 2006 ($17.95 - #0067843), blackberry, cassis on the nose, cherries and chocolate on the palate with a luscious red berry finish (****½), I’m giving it an extra half mark here for the price.
Australia – Red …
The Black Chook 2008 Shiraz / Viognier ($16.95 - #0066738) – floral and red fruit nose, sweet red fruit with raspberry and vanilla. (****)
Canada – Dessert …
(Ontario)
Muskoka Lakes Winery Red Maple ($18.95 - #0050039)
Canada – Sparkling
(British Columbia)
Sumac Ridge Tribute Private Reserve ($22.95 - #0169508) – fresh lively lemon with crisp apple, very nice bubble. (****)
Chile – Red …
Arboleda 2007 Merlot ($18.95 - #0045864) – sweet supple black fruit, chocolate, juicy blackberry, and nice tannins. (****½)
Chile – White …
Casa Lapostolle 2009 Sauvignon Blanc ($13.95 - #0396994) – nice melon, pineapple core and sweet grapefruit. (****)
France – Red …
(Beaujolais)
Louis-Jadot Combe aux Jacques 2008 Beaujolais-Villages ($9.95 / 375ml - #0005918) – be sure to chill this bottle of succulent cherry juice … made from grapes, honest. (****)
(Bordeaux)
Chateau Clerc Milon 2006 ($62.00 - #0564492) – dense black fruit with black currants and cedary notes. (****)
Chateau Grand Puy Lacoste 2006 ($85.00 - #0564302) – best Bordeaux of the release; beautiful red-fruited nose with nice red fruit, cedar, herbs and cassis in the mouth. Time will improve this one but it drinks nicely right now. (****½)
(Midi)
Le Secret des Capitelles Saint-Chinian 2007 ($14.95 - #0156299) – herbal nose with a red plum palate; I really liked this one for its balance and its price. (****½)
New Zealand – Red …
Sileni Cellar 2009 Selection Pinot Noir ($16.95 - #0694901) – sweet red cherry, a touch earthy along with a sweet cherry finish. (****½)
New Zealand – White …
Omaka Springs 2008 Pinot Gris ($17.95 - #0063347) – there’s a nice touch of pear sweetness here along with floral and cantaloupe/melon notes. (****)
Portugal – Dessert …
Justino’s Fine Rich Madeira ($14.95 - #0592600) – smells of toffee, almond and a bit of nuttiness; palate has burnt caramel and nutty qualities with a bit of orange peel; smooth and tasty. (****½)
South Africa – Red …
Flagstone 2007 Dragon Tree Cabernet Sauvignon / Shiraz / Pinotage ($15.95 - #0037549) – best use of Pinotage I’ve tried; nice blackberry and chocolate notes. (****)
South Africa – White …
Lammershoek 2008 Chenin Blanc ($18.95 - #0058206) – surprising and unexpected, you think it will be fresh and lively but instead you get woodsy characteristics: vanilla, lemon curd with a touch of butterscotch; more Chardonnay-like than Chenin but still quite good. (****)
Spain – Red …
Pagos del Rey Arnegui Crianza 2006 ($15.95 - #0146274) – red and black fruit mingle with hints of chocolate, dark plum and a good tannins grip on the finish; very well priced. (****)
United States – Red …
(California)
Gallo Family 2007 Frei Ranch Vineyard Zinfandel ($34.95 - #0555599) – plum, cherry, chocolate and some crème de cassis, quite a lovely Zin with an air of elegance. (****½)
United States – White …
(California)
Chateau Souverain 2008 Chardonnay ($24.95 - #0158600) – delicious with nice oak-vanilla, sweet buttered-vanilla-almond, and lovely pear notes on the finish. (****½)
Dry Creek Vineyard 2007 Fume Blanc ($13.95 - #0277715) – grassy and goosy (as in berry) notes with lots of grass on the palate, mid-weight and a log finish. (****)
Grape Guy Top 3 … what I’ll be lining up for on February 6, 2010:
Piemonte Cantina San Pancrazio Brachetto 2008 ($16.95 - #0159566) – Italy
Chateau Souverain 2008 Chardonnay ($24.95 - #0158600) – United States
Concha Y Toro 2008 Trio Reserva Chardonnay / Pinot Grigio / Pinot Blanc ($12.95 - #0433938) – Chile
Bonus Must Buy: Perrin & Fils Les Christins Vacqueyras 2007 ($22.95 - #0973453) - France
Happy Shopping.
No comments:
Post a Comment