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.
This Saturday, as usual on a Vintages release day, you’ll see new wines from all over the world. The focuses are on the wines from the Loire Valley, France, and the most popular wine region these days, Argentina – what follows are my favourites being released today …
Argentina …
White …
Catena 2008 Chardonnay ($19.95 - #0918805) – the nose doesn’t give much up here but that’s okay cause the palate does all the talking: sweet delicious apple fruit, a nice creamy mouth feel with vanilla and spice. (****)
Red …
Finca El Origen Gran Reserva Malbec 2008 ($19.95 - #0065425) – deep purple colour, chocolate and juicy blackberry flavours along with cassis and black raspberry, good spice, vanilla and cinnamon. All packaged in a use-as-a-door-stop-when-it’s-empty bottle. (****½)
La Posta Pizzella Family Vineyard Malbec 2008 ($15.95 - #0166298) – sweet black fruit, juicy palate, like liquid chocolate in the mouth; well priced for a multiple purchase. (****½)
Luca Laborde Double Select Syrah 2008 ($23.95 - #0167346) – violet, floral and milk chocolate, full of fruit like blackberry, very smooth and easy drinking, tasty and a really long finish. It’s definitely one for drink now enjoyment. (****½)
Loire Valley …
White …
Chateau Soucherie Cuvee S Coteaux du Layon 2002 ($18.95 - #0952069) – a nose of sweet apple and pear, the palate has a nice fruit sweetness with a pineapple finish. (****)
Domaine Lecomte Quincy 2008 ($18.95 - #0172528) – clean, crisp wine with plenty of classic Sauvignon Blanc aromas and flavours along with a touch of mineral. (****)
Jean-Michel Sorbe Reuilly 2008 ($17.95 - #0168898) – pretty nose with the subtly of grapefruit and grass, delicate and delightful on the palate with good acidity. (****½)
Red …
Domaine Bois Maynaud Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil 2008 ($15.95 - #0168971) – nice dark fruit, smoke and toasted notes, on the palate there’s some herbal mixed in with the nice fruit and drying tannins. (****)
Australia – Red …
Fool’s Bay 2008 Dirty Bliss Grenache/Shiraz ($19.95 - #0165787) – minty notes with crème de cacao on the nose; palate is juicy with some alcohol heat (15.5%) spice and very juicy raspberry. (****½)
Chile – Red …
Santa Carolina 2008 Barrica Selection Merlot ($14.95 - #0027276) – minty blackberry that’s smooth with a touch of vanilla and spice. (****)
France – Red …
(Rhone)
Domaine Calvet-Thunevin Cuvee Constance 2007 ($16.95 - #0168690) – clean, smooth and red fruited with nice spice and vanilla wood there’s also a touch of cocoa. (****)
Ferraton Pere & Fils Samorens Cotes Du Rhone 2007 ($14.95 - #0168708) – this is a solid wine with nice dark fruit and cocoa notes, big 14.5% alcohol with gritty tannins on the finish. (****)
Germany – White …
Dr. Loosen 2007 Blue Slate Riesling Kabinett ($20.95 - #0160846) – tangy, citrus fruit with mineral notes, interesting and flavourful with a medium length finish and a fair bit of tingle on the tongue. (****)
Italy – Red …
(Tuscany)
Volpaia 2007 Chianti Classico ($22.95 - #0953828) – Sweet red fruit, smooth on the palate with herbaceous and mineral notes also a bit of floral; good dry finish. (****)
(Veneto)
Remo Farina Montefante Reserva Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2003 ($59.95 - #0063636) – plum, chocolate, black cherry, smooth and delicious with nice juicy flavours and good acidity. (****)
Mexico – Red …
L.A. Cetto 2004 Private Reserve Nebbiolo ($17.95 - #0590182) – this is an interesting wine made from an Italian grape grown in Mexico. Plum, chocolate with a touch of spice, there’s a parallel to Zinfandel on the palate with cherry and raspberry notes. Not what you expect from the Nebbiolo but interesting non-the-less. (****)
New Zealand – Red…
Matua Valley 2008 Shingle Peak Pinot Noir ($19.95 - #0032441) – earthy with black and sour cherry notes, good acidity. (****)
Portugal – Dessert …
Graham’s 2007 Vintage Port ($85.00 - #0140202) – if you collect Vintage Ports then you will want to pick this one up. (****½)
Portugal – Red …
Cabeca de Toiro Reserva 2007 ($19.95 - #0168856) – spice and chocolate, plum and exotic notes that’ll have you guessing for the length of the glass. (****½)
Churchill’s Estates Vinho Tinto 2007 ($22.95 - #0166561) – Port nose, port flavours. Dry yet juicy. (****½)
Morgado de Silgueiros Vinho Tinto 2005 ($11.95 - #0166439) – cherry liqueur and plum, with blueberry and a nice smooth palate; easy drinking at a good price. Extra half mark for value. (****)
Vinha D’Ervideira Colheita Seleccionada 2007 ($15.95 - #0168773) – plum, cherry, chocolate with a nice sweet mid-palate, smooth and lush. (****)
Spain – Red …
Lan Gran Reserva 2003 ($28.95 - #0928622) – spicy black fruit with a slight plum note, very flavourful. (****)
Navarrsotillo Magister Bibendi Crianza 2005 ($15.95 - #0118125) – supple, soft leather, red berries, namely strawberry, some cassis and lovely fruit in the mouth, more red than black. (****)
Grape Guy Top 3 … what I’ll be lining up for on May 29, 2010:
Finca El Origen Gran Reserva Malbec 2008 ($19.95 - #0065425) – Argentina
La Posta Pizzella Family Vineyard Malbec 2008 ($15.95 - #0166298) – Argentina
Churchill’s Estates Vinho Tinto 2007 ($22.95 - #0166561) – Portugal
Happy Shopping.
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