I have gone to a stars rating system which appears at the end of each review; here’s the key to the 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.
Burgundy and Rosé is this week’s spotlight, let’s take a look …
Burgundy …
You’ll find Chardonnay and Pinot Noir here because those are the grapes Burgundy is known for.
Bubbles …
Bailly Lapierre Reserve Brut Crement de Bourgongne ($17.95 - #0991562) – nicely toasty and bready with minerals notes and Mac apple flavours. (****)
White …
I found many of the Chardonnays in this release lacking what I like in a Chardonnay but if you are looking for one to serve might I suggest the Roux Pere & Fils Clos des Mollepierres Rully 2007 ($23.95 - #0169193), it shows quite a bit of oak notes like buttery toffee – pleasant enough, and ready to drink now or within the next year or two. (***½)
Red …
There are some nice Burgundies but none as nice as the Domaine Daniel Rion & Fils 2007 Les Grandes Vignes Nuits-St-Georges ($44.95 - #0981548) which is a good ageable Pinot, black cherry, good fruit, tannins, hint of vanilla, tobacco, a little earthy and good acid on the finish. (****½)
Rosés …
They’re pink and they’re proud, they’re also very good and great for summer sipping.
From Ontario there’s the Southbrook 2009 Cabernet Rosé ($18.95 - #0168492).
From Provence, France try Chateau La Tour de L’Eveque Rosé 2009 ($18.95 - #0319392) – with serious strawberry and good acidity. (****)
And finally from the Rhone, France there’s this delicious beauty that’s also well priced and ready for summer sipping: Perrin 2009 Reserve Rosé ($15.95 - #0719062) – this one is ripe and juicy with lots of cherry, it’s a virtual berry bowl of flavour that’ll keep you sipping the day away, also has a very pretty colour. This is one you should be serving in the backyard this summer. (****½)
Argentina – Red …
Finca Flichman 2008 Expressiones Reserve Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon ($15.95 - #0017111) – sweet black fruit and black cherry. (****)
Argentina – White …
Alta Vista 2008 Premium Torrontes ($13.95 - #0037127) – watch out, a good Torrontes might be your next summery white, and this one fits the bill nicely. Big perfumed note, almost Gewurztraminer-like with tangerine, a little lemon and some floral flavours. Good price to give this grape a go. (****)
Australia – Red …
Evans & Tate 2007 Shiraz ($19.95 - #0606905) – blackberry and chocolate lead the way, this one has a bit of elegance that’s very welcome in Shiraz, you’ll also fine nice tannins here. (****½)
Kaesler 2007 Stonehorse Shiraz/Grenache/Mourvedre ($23.95 - #0006551) – lots of fruit here, both red and black, plum, spice and chocolate. Very juicy. (****½)
Skillogalee 2006 Basket Press Shiraz ($24.95 - #0165753) – always worth the price, this Shiraz has delicious mineral and black fruit on the palate, very good structure. (****)
Yalumba 2008 The Scrambler ($21.95 - #0165811) – blackberry, spice and chocolate, quite dry on the palate. (****)
Canada – Red …
Jackson-Triggs 2007 Proprietors’ Grand Reserve Merlot ($19.95 - #0563197)
Vineland Estates 2007 Elevation Cabernet ($25.00 - #0173609)
Chile – Red …
Botalcura 2007 Reserve El Delirio Syrah/Malbec ($13.95 - #0018630) – this one is very minty with nice blackberry fruit. (****)
Chile – White …
La Joya 2008 Viognier Reserve ($13.95 - #0168542) – the nose of this wine is full of tropical and apricots while the palate is pineapple, sweet pear and peach pit. Another good value white. (****)
France – Red …
(Bordeaux)
Chateau la Confession 2006 ($62.00 - #0563684) – for sixty-two bucks it better be good; with mocha, blackberry, cinnamon, spice and still a touch woody. Good wine for the cellar (****)
Germany – White …
Darting 2008 Gewurztraminer Kabinett ($16.95 - #0944181) – this one starts off nice and gets better. Floral, spice and apricot on the nose, the flavours fill the mouth with a deliciousness that keeps you coming back for more and then there’s that lovely finish. Very nice wine; for those who like Gewurztraminer this one’s a definite pick-up. (****½)
Italy – Red …
(Tuscany)
Elisabetta Geppetti Pelofino 2008 ($16.95 - #0164665) – sweet strawberry jam nose, the strawberry follows onto the palate, simple yet tasty. (****)
Querciabella 2007 Chianti Classico ($34.95 - #0728816) – chocolate, mocha and black fruit lead the way with a touch of herbaceousness and spice. (****½)
(Veneto)
Villa Girardi Blure Alto Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2007 ($17.95 - #0161844) – plum and chocolate on the nose, the flavours are mouth filling and tasty with hints of mocha and a nice finish. (****½)
Zonin Amarone Della Valpolicella 2006 ($39.95 - #0086207) – this is a good price for an ageable wine of this quality. Plum and chocolate lead the way with good acidity and a smooth palate, there’s even a yummy vanilla chocolate plum and cherry finish. (****)
Italy – White …
(Piedmont)
Cristina Ascheri Moscato D’Asti ($17.95 - #0746479) – this is typical and simple, what makes moscato d’asti lovely to sip on, a low 5.5% alcohol with ginger ale, floral and grapy notes. (****)
Portugal – Dessert …
Delaforce Fine Ruby Port ($12.95 - #0164608) – a great price for a delicious Ruby, this one is pretty smooth with a red fruit finish, lots of cherry and chocolate notes. (****)
United States – Red …
(California)
Cline Cellars 2007 Cashmere ($18.95 - #0161539) – a Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre blend is not surprisingly silky smooth but leaves no fuzzies on the tongue – good finish, though it is a little shorter than I would have like.. (****)
Renwood 2005 Sierra Foothills Red Label Syrah ($15.95 - #0588095) – big on red berries with decent acidity and lovely pluminess. (****)
Sebastiani 2007 Pinot Noir ($19.95 - #0014233) – lots going on here with raspberry, vanilla and sour cherry, there’s even a bit of chocolate here which I find interesting in a Pinot Noir; but it’s very drinkable and sniffable – not typical, but still nice to sip on. You might even find some sweet black licorice and cassis liqueur hanging out in this one. (****)
United States – White …
(California)
Lander-Jenkins Vineyards 2008 Spirit Hawk Chardonnay ($17.95 - #0162651) – lovely fruit with pear, white peach, honeydew melon and vanilla, nice flavours good wine. (****)
Grape Guy Top 3 … what I’ll be lining up for on May 15, 2010:
Evans & Tate 2007 Shiraz ($19.95 - #0606905) –
Australia Kaesler 2007 Stonehorse Shiraz/Grenache/Mourvedre ($23.95 - #0006551) – Australia
Perrin 2009 Reserve Rosé ($15.95 - #0719062) – France
Happy Shopping.
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