I am now 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
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.
Two countries take the spotlight: the Aussies (Whites) and the French (Southern France) let’s take a taste …
Australian Whites …
Unfortunately, I did not find much to write about in this section. It’s not that there wasn’t anything good, just not much that really made me stand up and take notice, but I did find one good value, this Jip Jip Rocks 2009 Unoaked Chardonnay ($15.95 - #0175752), refreshing and clean with apple, pear and a hint of citrus at a decent price. (****)
Southern France …
We’ll start the French section off with some bubbles. This Domaine J. Laurens le Moulin Brut Blanquette de Limoux ($16.95 – 0108323) is a smooth creamy sparkle with lemon and apple notes, quite tasty (****). These whites from the South are quite nice: Chateau Dona Baissas Muscat de Riversaltes 2008 ($18.95 - #0175273) is a spiced Muscat with sweet ginger ale, along with hints of orange peel and peach through the mid-palate (****). Saint-Roch 2009 Grenache Blanc/Marsanne ($13.95 - #0175232) nice light white fruit with a delicacy on the palate, refreshing and tasty (****). Moving onto the reds there’s the Chateau de Pena 2006 ($13.95 - #0178392), a touch resiny, but there is black licorice, lots of tannins and some sweet juicy black currants to back it up (****). Chateau de Serame 2007 Reserve du Chateau Corbieres ($15.95 - #0175216), nice fruit, easy drinking with blackberry and black cherry (****). Last red, the Mas de la Deveze 66 2007 ($17.95 - #0065797) nice flavour, long finish – blackberry, chocolate with good mouthfeel (****½). Finally, let’s look at a rosé, Bieler Pere & Fils Sabine Rosé 2009 ($12.95 - #0071423) with its raspberry taste, hints of rhubarb, cherry and nice finishing acidity (****).
Australia – Red …
Claymore Walk on the Wild Side 2007 Shiraz/Viognier ($19.95 - #0166983) – this has a lovely violet and bacon with black currant and sweet pepper. (****)
Elderton 2009 Friends Shiraz ($17.95 - #0660480) – this wine has a lot of drink-now-ability with plum, vanilla and blackberry; look for the lovely red cherry finish. One to consume with, you guessed it, friends. (****)
St. Hallett 2008 Gamekeeper’s Shiraz ($14.95 - #0166991) – this wine is not only tasty with it’s berry fruit and cocoa/chocolate on the palate, and it’s easy sippability for those night around the bbq on the patio, but it’s also great value at this price you should pick up a half dozen or so. (****½)
Thorn-Clarke 2007 Shotfire Quartage ($19.95 - #0024091) – this is always a favourite of mine. Is it the fruit, the cedar, the vanilla or the touch of spice? Heck it’s all of the above. A good drinking, or short term cellaring, wine. (****½)
Canada – Red …
(British Columbia)
Tinhorn Creek 2007 Cabernet Franc ($19.95 - #0530717) – cherry notes with some tobacco, good flavour and decent length to the finish. (****)
Canada – White …
(Ontario)
Chateau des Charmes 2007 St. David’s Bench Vineyard Chardonnay ($19.95 - #0430991)
Flat Rock Cellars 2007 Chardonnay ($19.95 - #0681247)
France – Red …
(Rhone)
Chateau de Beaucastel 2007 Coudoulet de Beaucastel ($29.95 - #0048884) – sweet black cherry fruit, a touch smoky, juicy with a currant finish. (****)
Perrin & Fils 2007 Les Cornuds Vinsobres ($17.95 - #0566844) – red fruit dominated with licorice, white pepper and some smoked bacon. (****)
France – White …
(Alsace)
Cave de Turckheim 2007 Pinot Gris ($16.95 - #0034975) – nice palate with a certain thickness in the mouth, notes of apple sauce on the palate with a creaminess, there’s some real presence to this wine. (****)
(Loire)
Domaine de la Colline 2008 Sauvignon Touraine ($11.95 - #0169656) – stony, flinty and grapefruity. (****)
Greece – Dessert …
Cambas Mavrodaphne of Patras ($10.95 - #0178004) – a nice sweetie with a spicy kick, check out that price, worth a multiple purchase. (****½)
Greece – Red …
Lykos Kratistos 2005 ($16.95 - #0061473) – a pretty explosion of blackberry, plum and cocoa in the mouth along with a little seasoning of herbs and spice. (****)
Spain – Red …
Celler Pinol Ludovicus 2008 ($13.95 - #0067033) – black fruit, sweet red cherries and vanilla; really good value here. (****½)
Spain – Rosé …
Senorio de Sarria Rosado 2009 ($11.95 - #0168260) – there’s a little sweetness to this pink with red cherries, raspberries and strawberries; this is an easy drinking patio sipper that would be great with light summertime fare. (****)
United States – Red …
(California)
Lockwood Vineyard 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon ($15.95 - #0683110) – fruit forward red the delivers good value, drink up. (****)
Tres Sabores 2007 Porque No? ($29.95 - #0186551) – lots of Zinfandel notes like plum, black cherry and vanilla, big fruit, big alcohol, big taste, yum. (****)
(Washington)
Hogue 2006 Genesis Merlot ($19.95 - #0349415) – blackberry, white pepper with a hint of dark chocolate; lovely, smooth and enjoyable. (****)
United States – White …
Clay Station 2008 Unoaked Viognier ($16.95 - #0025411) – lovely fruit here, pineapple-citrus notes, nice acidity, all at a good price. (****½)
Grape Guy Top 3 … what I’ll be lining up for on July 24, 2010:
St. Hallett 2008 Gamekeeper’s Shiraz ($14.95 - #0166991) – Australia
Thorn-Clarke 2007 Shotfire Quartage ($19.95 - #0024091) – Australia
Cambas Mavrodaphne of Patras ($10.95 - #0178004) – Greece
