Saturday July 9, 2011 - Vintages Release

 

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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

Today’s release looks at Sparkling Wine (SPARK), and wines that have scored over ninety points (90+); below are my selections of each and, of course, for the rest of the world … In addition to the "what I'll be lining up for" section at the bottom, I have also added a feature for you bargain seekers:  Best Buys - this week you'll find four bargains under $17 that over deliver at that price point …

Australia … 

Red –

Dandelion Sister’s Run God’s Hill Shiraz 2008 ($15.95 - #0222018) – lovely raspberry finish, and that’s where this wine starts; nice elegant Shiraz with raspberry on the palate and that raspberry flavour just keeps coming back for more. (****+)

Saltram 2008 Mamre Brook Shiraz ($24.95 - #0032227) – wine is black as pitch but it’s tasty as anything you’ve ever tasted: mint, blackberry, spice and vanilla and it keeps on giving. (****)

Schild 2007 Shiraz ($27.95 - #0066555) – lots of chocolate and blackberry fruit, lush and lovely. (****) – 90+

Thorn-Clarke 2008 Shotfire Shiraz ($21.95 - #0018796) – always a fan of these elegant wines and the ’08 Shotfire is no different. (**** ½) – 90+

Valletta 2005 Grenache/Shiraz ($37.95 - #0225136) – this has got nice fruit and spice; smoke, plum and blackberry, it's very pretty. (**** ½) – 90+

Canada … 

Red -

(Ontario)

Reif Estate 2007 Reserve Merlot ($19.95 - #0935676)

Rosé –

Wildass Rosé 2009 ($1995 - #0071712)

Sparkling –

(Ontario)

Mike Weir 2008 Sparkling Wine ($24.95 - #0187294) - SPARK

White – 

(Ontario)

Megalomaniac 2009 Narcissist Riesling ($17.95 - #0067587)

Chile …

Red -

Concha Y Toro 2008 Marques de Casa Concha Syrah ($19.95 - #0019042) – juicy and peppery at the same time; blackberry and somewhat meaty. (****) – 90+

Morande 2009 Reserva Carmenere ($13.95 - #0059436) – lots of cocoa, black cherry, vanilla and plum. (*** ½)

White –

Agustinos 2009 Reserva Sauvignon Blanc ($12.95 - #0213595) – pure Savvy B nose with flavours of tangerine; fun and flavourful. (*** ½)

France … 

Red – 

(Bordeaux)

Chateau Hourbanon 2003 ($21.95 - #0125922) – smooth, supple and ready to drink: tobacco, black cherry and aged nicely, notice it is already 8 years from vintage date … this is what I call a lost in the warehouse selection; well priced. (*** ½+)

Chateau Pipeau 2007 ($28.00 - #0102756) – smoke and coffee bean with an almost South African earthy taste. (*** ½+)

(Beaujolais)

Dominique Piron 2009 Cuvee Les Pierres Morgon ($22.95 - #0231969) – holy black cherry Batman this is not you mama’s Beaujolais with a mineral-earthy backbone that’s also got some smoky-vanilla and meatiness on the finish. (**** ½) – 90+

(Midi)

Domaine Boudau 2009 Le Clos ($16.95 - #0149989) – nice black fruit with chocolate cream and light spice on the finish. (****)

(Rhone)

Aubert Visan 2009 Cote du Rhone-Villages ($12.95 - #0224915) – this is a drink now kind of Cote du Rhone with lots of raspberry and hint of spice. (*** ½).

Domaine des Bosquets 2007 Gigondas ($31.95 - #0209718) – the lure of the nose is only outshone by the loveliness of the palate, great flavours. (**** ½) – 90+ 

Domaine Duseigneur 2007 Antares Lirac ($19.95 - #0213082) – this has got some real stuffing for an organic wine, nice spicy finish. (****) – 90+

Rosé –

Domaine des Carteresses 2010 Tavel Rosé ($15.95 - #0739474) – all the typical stylings of southern France: dry, pink and subtlety of flavour. (*** ½+)

White – 

(Burgundy)

Domaine des Malandes 2008 Vieilles Vignes Montmains Chablis 1er Cru ($29.95 - #0016626) – mineral pops on the nose while on the palate mineral mixes with fruit in a delicious display of tastiness. (****+) – 90+

(Loire)

Chateau Gaudrelle Sec Tendre Vouvray ($18.95 - #0228924) – nice flavour and easy drinking, creamy texture with apple and pear puree. (*** ½+)

Germany …

Sparkling –

Josef Drathen 2009 Riesling Sekt ($13.95 - #0226258) – mineral and apple leads the charge, nice flavour and persistent linger on the finish. (****) - SPARK

White –

Dr Pauly-Bergweiler 2009 Riesling ($12.95 - #0596601) – subtle yet sweet with all kinds of white fruit and floral notes; simple yet supple, worth an afternoon of your time, or at least an hour. (****)

Italy …

Red – 

(Piedmont)

Terre del Barolo 2004 Monvigliero Barolo ($33.95 - #0097535) – nice spice with sweet spiced fruit, ready to drink now. (*** ½)

(Puglia)

Paolo Leo 2006 Riserva Salice Salentino ($14.95 - #0214700) – rich and juicy with creamy vanilla and lovely red berry fruit, and there’s just a touch spice backing. (****)

(Tuscany)

Tenuta di Ghizzano 2007 Veneroso ($29.95 - #0103218) – big, rustic and leathery. (*** ½+) – 90+

Viticcio Bere 2007 ($17.95 - #0224311) – dark berries with a slight chalky sensation. (*** ½+) – 90+

(Veneto)

Cantine Riondo Palazzo dei Signori Amarone Valpolicella 2006 ($37.95 - #0218446) – fig, blackberry, cherry and chocolate; dry and well balanced. (****+)

Le Tobele 2008 Valpolicella ($15.95 - #0106914) – good fruit, red and black cherry with a touch of chocolate, very sippable, there are even some attractive spice notes. (*** ½+)

Zenato 2007 Cormi ($17.95 - #0108282) – smooth, luscious and easy drinking with chocolate-strawberry nuances. (****)

Zenato 2007 Ripassa Valpolicella Superiore ($14.95 / 375ml - #0043547) – nice compact flavour is a small bottle; ripe red fruit with lovely cherry and chocolate. (****+)

Sparkling –

Carrino Brich Menu Moscato D’Asti 2010 ($13.95 - #0159822) – a simple asti with all the sweetness and flavour, nice balance of acidity and bubble; great little summer sipper with a ginger ale finish. (****) - SPARK

Bellenda San Fermo Brut Prosecco Superiore 2010 ($17.95 - #0082347) – nice mousse and a creamy lemon curd mouthfeel. (*** ½+) - SPARK

White -

(Friuli)

Attems 2010 Pinot Grigio ($19.95 - #0707950) – nose of grapefruit rind and lemon peel, palate is also very citrus oriented. (*** ½)

New Zealand …

White -

Spinyback 2009 Pinot Gris ($14.95 - #0214569) – grapefruit cocktail with some peach, good length on the finish. (****)

Summerhouse 2009 Sauvignon Blanc ($19.95 - #0218305) – very New Zealand in style, nice acidity with a pleasant mouthfeel, good citrus, melon and gooseberry. (****)

Portugal …

Red –

Ramos Pinto Duas Quintas Reserva 2007 ($21.95 - #0951301) – this is a pretty wine with plum and floral notes along with red cherry, vanilla, smoke and a touch of spice. (****+) – 90+

South Africa …

Red –

Lomond 2008 Syrah ($19.95 - #0146464) – has a slightly off-putting nose but the pepper, blackberry flavour keeps you sipping and sipping and sipping; a really nice wine indeed, especially for the taste-buds. (****) – 90+

Spain …

Red -

Arrocal 2008 ($16.95 - #0067868) – a real beauty with black cherry, vanilla, plum … loads of cherry appear with each sip. (****+) – 90+

Pago de San Gabriel Zubiolo 2007 ($20.95 - #0242438) – coffee and mocha, perfect breakfast red all it needs is some cinnamon. (****)

Sparkling –

Ferre I Catasus Brut Reserva Cava ($16.95 - #0224717) – quite toasty with bruised apple and peach pit, sweet kinda toffee note to the finish. (*** ½) - SPARK

United States … 

Red – 

(California)

Bonny Doon 2009 Contra Red ($19.95 - #0247031) – nice and fruity, very consumer ready. (*** ½+)

Gnarly Head 2009 Old Vines Zinfandel ($16.95 - #0678698) – typically good, flavours are right down the Zinfandel line with plum, vanilla and strawberry; sweet, supple and sippable. (*** ½+)

Grove Street 2008 Pinot Noir ($17.95 - #0231613) – juicy and tasty with a very complex finish of spiced herbs and coffee-cocoa. (*** ½+)

Oakville Ranch 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($37.95 - #0674952) – full bodied with good fruit and nice spice. (****) – 90+

Rodney Strong 2007 Merlot ($19.95 - #0497933) – this is a mellow and juicy Merlot. (*** ½+)

Siduri 2009 Pinot Noir ($37.95 - #0159293) – juicy upon entry then turns to sweet black fruit with cinnamon and spice. (*** ½)

Rosé – 

Fleur de California 2010 Pinot Noir Rosé ($17.95 - #0229674) – retains its earthy and strawberry notes along with a little pepper … nice. (*** ½)

White – 

(California)

Groth 2008 Chardonnay ($37.95 - #0225672) – vanilla and apple on the nose with a nice creamy mouthfeel and good acidity on the finish. (****) – 90+

(Oregon)

Firesteed 2009 Pinot Gris ($14.95 - #0568071) – dry pear with a touch of something nutty, a little mineral with acid bite on the finish. (*** ½)

Grape Guy Top 3 … what I’ll be lining up for on July 9, 2011:

Dominique Piron 2009 Cuvee Les Pierres Morgon ($22.95 - #0231969) – France

Dandelion Sister’s Run God’s Hill Shiraz 2008 ($15.95 - #0222018)

Thorn-Clarke 2008 Shotfire Shiraz ($21.95 - #0018796)

Best Buys (wine(s) that over deliver at their price) …

Arrocal 2008 ($16.95 - #0067868)

Dr Pauly-Bergweiler 2009 Riesling ($12.95 - #0596601)

Dandelion Sister’s Run God’s Hill Shiraz 2008 ($15.95 - #0222018)

Josef Drathen 2009 Riesling Sekt ($13.95 - #0226258)

Happy Shopping

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