I am using a 5-star 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
5 = Outstanding … 4.5 = Excellent … 4 = Very Good … 3.5 = Good … 3 = Average
Just like last release this one is about the “finest” wines and ones you will buy without any help from me … there are 157 wines in this release, I will stick with a world view of the release and basic info, or we’re never gonna get through this one together:
Argentina – Red …
Pascual Toso Alta 2007 Reserve Syrah ($29.95 - #0191601) – on the nose the fruit is dark and rich, the flavour follows from there. (****)
Australia – Red …
Marquis Philips 2008 Shiraz ($19.95 - #0017475) – such a sweet nose due in part to the 16% alcohol, but the fruit plays a part too. Chocolate covered black cherry, smooth and supple a real crowd pleaser, hedonistic with a great chocolaty finish. (****½)
Peter Lehmann 2008 Layers ($17.95 - #0138883) – raspberry, cherry, smooth, soft and easy; great for the party you’ll throw or the one you are going to attend. (****)
Shottesbrooke 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.95 - #0198275) – pretty minty nose with a rich dark fruit palate. (****)
Canada – Red …
(Ontario)
Stratus 2007 Red ($44.20 - #0131037)
Tawse 2007 Meritage ($57.95 - #0111963)
Canada – White …
(Ontario)
Organized Crime 2008 Riesling ($21.20 - #0213173)
Chile – Red …
Vina Casablanca 2008 El Bosque Carmenere ($14.95 - #0199836) – black fruit driven with mint and a juiciness on the palate. (****)
France – Red …
(Burgundy)
Jean-Claude Fromont Bourgogne 2009 ($17.95 - #0199521) – pretty nose of floral and cherry, palate delivers sour cherry and a little earthiness; dry on the tongue with a medium finish. (***½)
(Rhone)
Domaine Galevan Paroles de Femme 2007 Cotes du Rhone ($15.00 - #0125930) – good chocolate, cherry, raspberry, vanilla and a touch of spice; a little sour on the finish and quite dry. Good price. (****)
Domaine la Fourmone Tresor du Poete Vacqueyras ($24.95 - #0194704) – red fruit, dried cherries, spice, licorice and pepper. (****)
France – Sparkling …
(Midi)
Domaine J. Laurens Les Graimenous Cremant de Limoux 2007 ($17.95 - #0183608) – quite apple-y, this is a fresh, fun and fruity guzzly bubbly. (****)
France – White …
(Alsace)
Rene Mure 2007 Pinot Gris ($17.95 - #0597757) – nice spice, a bit soapy with sweet honeyed peach. (****)
(Burgundy)
Domaine Alain Chavy 2008 Puligny-Montrachet Les Folatieres 1er Cru ($64.95 - #0204628) – good fruit, hints of spice, nice use of wood, buttery with a backing of vanilla cream, very tasty, very good. (****)
Germany – White …
Schloss Schonborn 2008 Riesling Kabinett ($18.95 - #0070946) – lovely nose and taste, very Riesling-esque, fans will enjoy this beauty. (****)
Italy – Red …
(Tuscany)
Caparzo 2004 Brunello di Montalcino ($43.95 - #0579094) – this is a beauty of a Brunello. Spices, herbs, good fruit, some dried some fresh, and good tannins. (****½)
Casanova di Neri Sant’Antimo Rosso 2008 ($23.95 - #0204578) – oh boy, does this have a big hit of chocolate both on the nose and taste; elegant and dry. (****)
Fuligni 2005 Brunello di Montalcino ($53.95 - #0988808) – lots of stuffing here, big herbal note, touch of spice, a bit of earth and nice grippy tannins. (****½)
(Veneto)
Allegrini Palazzo Della Torre 2007 ($25.00 - #0672931) – chocolate, coffee, dark fruit, licorice with an enticing palate that delivers good sweet fruit and nice heft. (****½)
Monte Zovo Palazzo Mafei Ripasso 2007 ($13.95 - #0183426) – spice, chocolate and deep fruit flavours, smooth, supple and almost sweet from all the fruit … great price for this wine, great value. (****)
Italy – Sparkling Wine …
Ca’Dei Mandorli Brachetto D’Acqui le Donne Dei Boschi 2009 ($17.95 - #0030536) – sweet strawberry and cherries with nice flavours that linger a long time. This is a dessert sparkler with 5.5% alcohol, so it is light as well. (****)
New Zealand – Red …
Borthwick Vineyard 2008 Paper Road Pinot Noir ($24.95 - #0179770) – earthy and sour cherry lead the charge here with a good tannin backbone, in a few years it’ll be even better. (****)
Portugal – Dessert …
Quinta de Ventozelo Reserva Port ($15.95 - #0141028) – lovely dark chocolate, black cherry and spice; this one has a lot of substance. (****½)
Portugal – Red …
Quinta do Coa Tinto 2007 ($19.95 - #0182295) – lots of lush plush fruit with nice cocoa notes. (****)
South Africa – Red …
Robertson Winery 2007 Wolfkloof Shiraz ($17.95 - #0626341) – nice smooth red berries, slightly tarrish with some blackberry backing. (***½)
South Africa – White …
Delheim 2009 Sur Lie Chardonnay ($18.95 - #0956219) – nice and fresh with a bit of weighty vanilla on the palate and apple sauce notes. (***½)
Spain – Red …
Del Jalon Altos Las Pizarras 2005 ($18.95 - #0194746) – smooth, ripe blackberry and black cherry with a good mouthfeel. (***½)
Sierra Cantabria Seleccion 2008 ($13.95 - #0190520) – coffee and mocha take center stage here. (***½)
United States – Red …
(California)
Beringer 2006 Merlot ($29.95 - #0919647) – juicy and round, the kind of Merlot you know and love, ultimately sippable. (****)
Caymus 2007 Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon ($139.95 - #0711663) – really juicy blackberry with lots of chocolate, really nice. (****)
Macrostie 2007 Pinot Noir ($24.95 - #0674911) – nice fruit with spiced cherry and some wooden raspberries; tasty and enjoyable. (***½)
United States – Sparkling …
(California)
Mumm Brut Rosé ($29.95 - #0205641) – lovely tongue teaser with red fruit notes, good acidity; fresh and fruity, something great for celebrating the season. (****½)
United States – White …
(Chardonnay)
Matchbook 2008 Old Head Chardonnay ($17.95 - #0205492) – this is a one-night-stand Chardonnay: quick and easy. (***½)
Mer Soleil 2008 Chardonnay ($39.95 - #0958975) – sweet pear and apple with a decent hint of spiced vanilla. (***½)
Grape Guy Top 3 … what I’ll be lining up for on November 27, 2010:
Quinta de Ventozelo Reserva Port ($15.95 - #0141028) – Portugal
Marquis Philips 2008 Shiraz ($19.95 - #0017475) – Australia
Allegrini Palazzo Della Torre 2007 ($25.00 - #0672931) – Italy
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