Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Saturday October 1, 2011 - Vintages Release Report


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 Thanksgiving wines (THKS), wines that’ll make good additions to your cellar (CELL) or to start one, and some Syrah/Shiraz (SYSZ) wines make the scene.  As introduced last release I have made a few changes to the report: the addition of an “If You Can Afford It” section for expensive wines that are worth their price; I have removed the “red” and “white” labels in favour of just using colour to indicate type; and the Best Buy bargain section will just have ratings, no notes, if you’re a bargain hunter you’ll love these wines.

Argentina … 
Luigi Bosca 2008 Single Vineyard Malbec ($21.95 - #0074922) – plenty of rich juicy fruit. (****) - CELL
Nieto Senetiner 2008 Don Nicanor ($16.95 - #0640938) – cedar, blackberry with spiced-vanilla backing. (*** ½+)
Australia … 
D’Arenberg 2009 The Money Spider ($19.95 - #0656710) – quite a flavourful white with pear and lime zest notes. (*** ½)
Barossa Valley Estate 2008 Ebenezer Shiraz ($39.95 - #0971705) – chocolate-cherry smells and flavours with a lovely smooth mouthfeel. (**** ½) - SYSZ
Mitolo 2008 GAM Shiraz ($43.95 - #0596031) – rich flavours, a dark fruit dream on the nose with a red fruited raspberry-strawberry jam finish. (****+) - SYSZ
Mollydooker 2009 The Maitre D’ Cabernet Sauvignon ($34.95 - #0246629) – a fun label with big fruit and lots of alcohol yet with some nice spiced notes on the finish. (****+) - CELL
Canada …
(British Columbia)
Lulu Island 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.95 - #0254219) – smooth easy drinking Cab with a sweet blackberry middle. (*** ½+)
(Ontario)
Stoney Ridge 2009 Cranberry Wine ($16.95 - #0392191) – sweet and tart at the same time, they used to put a little apple juice in it to lighten it up a bit, I say they are still doing it. (*** ½)
Henry of Pelham 2009 Family Tree White ($17.95 - #0251116) - click for full review
(Quebec)
Pomme de Glace Original Ice Cider 2008 ($23.95/375ml - #0259275) – spiced apple with vanilla, this is what Quebec does best. (****)
Chile …
Perez Cruz 2009 Limited Edition Malbec ($19.95 - #0670547) – minty goodness with cream de cassis mixed in. (****+)
Perez Cruz 2009 Limited Edition Syrah ($19.95 - #0589812) – nice wine that’s easy on the palate. (*** ½) - SYSZ
Sol de Andes 2009 Reserva Chardonnay ($13.95 - #0254334) – fresh peaches coated in creamy vanilla. (*** ½)
France … 
Chateau Doisy-Vedrines 2007 Sauternes ($29.00 / 375ml - #0098418) – there are three French dessert wines in this release and this is the one you should be picking up, there’s a little spice around the sweetness that makes this one the go to sweetie. (****+)
(Beaujolais)
Chateau de Bellevue 2009 Morgon ($19.95 - #0240564) – spicy blackberry and some old leather. (*** ½+)
(Burgundy)
Domaine Bouchard Pere & Fils 2008 Beaune du Chateau 1er Cru ($36.95 - #0901199) – nice cherry fruit with good acid for balance. (*** ½+) – CELL
Chateau de la Saule 2009 Montagny 1er Cru ($24.95 - #0241273) – this is a good flavoured Chardonnay from the region that gets our gums a flappin’ about the grape. (*** ½)
(Loire)
Donatien Bahuaud 2008 Les Grands Mortiers Vouvray ($15.95 - #0140889) – there’s a touch of sweet honey amongst the sweet fruit flavours and hint of vanilla … but you have to like ‘em sweet cause this one is. (*** ½+)
Henri Bourgeois 2009 La Porte du Caillou Sancerre ($23.95 - #0244806) – I dug the flintyness amongst the citrus here, plus there is a nice weight to this wine. (****)
(Midi)
Lionel Osmin & Cie 2009 Malbec ($15.95 - #0247544) – the colour of this wine made me think of darkness on the edge of town and the flavours go on to match with lots of dark fruit and a rough leathery feeling on the tongue. (****)
(Rhone)
Domaine la Milliere 2008 Vieilles Vignes Chateauneuf-du-Pape ($47.95 - #0063396) – big flavour, big fruit, big tannins; you see where I'm going. (****) - CELL 
Germany …
Schloss Reinhartshausen 2002 Riesling Spatlese ($19.95 - #0129858) – floral, peach and mineral notes with a nice mix of sweetness and acidity that really grabs the tongue. (****) – CELL
Italy …
(Piedmont)
Marchesi di Barolo 2005 Barolo ($34.95 - #0168179) – lots to offer here with mocha, strawberry, dried raspberry and mucho tannins. (****) - CELL
(Veneto)
Pra 209 Soave Classico ($17.95 - #0074534) – decent citrus with hints of peach on the mid-palate. (*** ½)
New Zealand … 
Babich 2010 Black Label Sauvignon Blanc ($17.95 - #0009142) – very New Zealand in style but it shows some restraint. (*** ½+)
Wild Rock 2008 Gravel Pit Red ($17.95 - #0163600) – meaty with dark berries. (*** ½+)
Portugal …
Quinta de Gomariz 2010 Grande Eschola Vinho Verde ($14.95 - #0245902) – pretty wine which is dominated by grapefruit cocktail flavours. (*** ½)
Quinta da Rigodeira 2005 Baga ($13.95 - #0219121) – nice little black fruited number yet with a cheery feel; I’ve had smoother wines made from the Baga grape but this is a nice introduction if you’ve never had any before. (*** ½)
South Africa ...
Fleur du Cap 2008 Noble Late Harvest ($20.95 / 375ml - #0173781) – this is just an outstanding wine that you must have around this holiday season for dessert; flavours reminiscent of honey smothered apricots and rum soaked pears – run to the LCBO and get some before your neighbour buys it all. (*****)
Goats do Roam 2009 The Goatfather ($14.95 - #0011072) – a fun-ly named wine with a little of that South African funk on the nose and palate: leather and gamy dark berries, there’s also a little bit of grit on the tongue.  Give it a couple of years to mellow. (*** ½+)
Post House 2008 Penny Black ($19.95 - #0148619) – there’s a sweetness to this fruit along with mocha, coffee and leather. (****)
United States … 
(California)
Fess Parker 2007 The Big Easy Syrah ($34.95 - #0083212) – this one should be called the Big and Easy Syrah, the highlight: chocolate. (****) – SYSZ
Francis Coppola 2009 Diamond Collection Ivory Label Cabernet Sauvignon ($23.95 - #0521021) – dark fruit, cassis and spiced strawberry; very easy to drink. (*** ½+)
Frank Family 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon ($46.95 - #02446900) – black fruited and spicy. (****+)
Hahn 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon ($17.95 - #0057877) – succulent and smooth with lovely black fruit and a sweet licorice finish; all at a decent price. (****+)
JC Cellars 2006 Rockpile Vineyard Haley Syrah ($64.95 - #0236083) – I can hope for a good price on this one because at my tasting there were no prices marked on this wine; it’s really fruity, wrongly named as Syrah, but it’s rightly delicious; if $34 or under it’s a must buy, over $35 think on it. (****+) [ed note. - still delicious, just quite pricey] – SYSZ
Robert Mondavi 2008 Pinot Noir ($29.95 - #04438697) – nice blueberry, blackberry and black cherry with some spiced notes, subsequent sips show off even more spice. (****)
Stags’ Leap Winery 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($29.95 - #0996405) – quite a weighty Cab that grabs you by the tongue and won’t let go. (****+)
Iron Horse 2007 Wedding Cuvee ($21.95 - #0707836) – this is a pretty little something for your sweetie: strawberry, lime and kiwi greet the nose with a drier than expect mouth-feel doling out citrus and raspberry notes ... by the way, it's a bubbly. (****+)
Kendall-Jackson 2009 Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay ($19.95 - #0369686) – quite the easy drinking Chardonnay with things you want from your Cali-Chard mainly vanilla and apple puree at a decent price. (*** ½+)
Treana 2008 White Viognier/Marsanne ($29.95 - #0011247) – a tropical fruit nose with a lush big palate full of vanilla, spice and tropical fruit along with a hint of melon rind. (****+)
(Oregon)
Elk Cove Vineyards 2008 Pinot Noir ($36.95 - #36.95) – black cherry with cinnamon spice. (*** ½+) - THX
If You Can Afford It (they’re pricey but worth it) …
Elderton 2007 Command Single Vineyard Shiraz ($93.95 - #0716142) - **** ½ … SYSZ 
Dow’s 1997 Vintage Port ($84.95 - #0546788) – CELL
Tenuta dell’Ornellaia 2008 Ornellaia ($184.95 - #0722470)
Best Buys (wine that over delivers for its price) …
Hickinbotham 2009 Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon ($15.95 - #0159632) - *** ½
Thorn-Clarke 2009 Terra Barossa Shiraz ($16.95 - #0595306) - ****+
Grape Guy Top 3 … what I’ll be lining up for on October 1, 2011:
Hahn 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon ($17.95 - #0057877) – United States
Perez Cruz 2009 Limited Edition Malbec ($19.95 - #0670547) – Chile
Fleur du Cap 2008 Noble Late Harvest ($20.95 / 375ml - #0173781) - South Africa

Happy Shopping.



2 comments:

Dean Tudor said...

My take...

TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Coyote’s Run Red Paw Vineyard Pinto Gris 2009 Four Mile Creek
Niagara: succulent and rich, 12.5% ABV, twist top, good finish.
+116582, $17.95, QPR: 89.
2. Cicchitti Torrontes 2010 Mendoza: another best value aromatic
Argentine wine, useful if there is a heat wave in October. 13% ABV,
succulence. +243204, $11.95, QPR: 89.
3. Valdivieso Reserva Chardonnay 2010 Leyda Valley: balanced wood
flavours after nine months in French oak barrels, lovely chardonnay
charmer, smooth despite 14% ABV. +981621, $14.95, QPR: 89.
4. Babich Black Label Sauvignon Blanc 2010 Marlborough: good lingering
complexity, full of body and elegance. 14% ABV. +9142, $17.95, QPR: 90.
5. Villa Maria Private Bin Pinot Gris 2008 East Coast NZ: ripe and
richer tones, more succulence., 13.5% ABV. +727255, $13.95, QPR: 90.
6. Dourthe La Grande Cuvee Sauvignon Blanc 2010 Bordeaux: not an
intense savvy but a useful representation of white Bordeaux at its
finest. Crisp finish. +159640, $14.95, QPR: 89.

TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Perez Cruz Limited Edition Syrah 2009 Maipo: a major Rhone-type
blockbuster, 14.5% ABV, lots of spices and earth. +589812, $19.95, QPR:
89.
2. Domaine Les Yeuses Les Epices Syrah 2008 Vin de Pays d’Oc: an even
better wine, delicious Rhone MVC, yet some aromatics too. +177584,
$14.95, QPR: 90.
3. Hahn Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Central Coast: juicy, traditional MVC
for California cab mainly from Monterey. 14.5% ABV. +57877, $17.95,
QPR: 89.
4. Lamadrid Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Mendoza: great cab
presence, MVC, cassis all round, 13.7% ABV. +234518, $13.95, QPR: 89.
5. Zolo Malbec 2010 Mendoza: delivers value MVC for Argentine Malbec,
useful at Fall BBQs, 13.8% ABV. +183905, $12.95, QPR: 89.
6. Hickinbotham Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 South Australia:
unfiltered, 14.5% ABV, thick, unctuous deep red wine full of flavours.
+159632, $15.95, QPR: 89.
7. Wild Rock Gravel Pit Red 2008 Gimblett Gravels Hawkes Nay: great
tasting blend of merlot, malbec and cab franc, 14% ABV, twist top.
+163600, $17.95, QPR: 89.
8. Remo Farina Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2009: not the 2008 as
stated in the Vintages catalogue, so it is not as well-aged. At 13.5% ABV, it's the
"Ripasso of the Month" at the LCBO. +999946, $16.95, QPR: 89.

VALUE: “RESTAURANT READY” or “BRING YOUR OWN WINE BOTTLE” over $20
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

1. Le Clos Jordanne Talon Ridge Vineyard Chardonnay 2009 Vinemount
Ridge Niagara, +143974, $40 retail.
2. Yalumba FDW 7C Chardonnay 2008 Adelaide Hills, +244384, $23.95.
3. Domaine Les Vieux Murs Poully-Fuisse 2008, +241117, $23.95.
4. Henri Bourgeois La Porte du Caillou Sancerre 2009, +244806, $23.95.
5.Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino 2005, +579094, $38.95
6. Wolf Blass Gold Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Coonawarra, +606939,
$27.95.
7. E. Guigal Crozes-Hermitage 2007, +704908, $24.95 retail.
8. Rosehall Run Cold Creek Cabernet Franc 2008 Prince Edward County,
+149039, $22.95.
9. Frank Family Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Napa, +246900, $46.95.
10. Robert Mondavi Pinot Noir 2008 Carneros Napa, +438697, $29.95.
11. Chateau Moulin de Sales 2003 Lalande de Pomerol, +245845, $29.95.

Gabe said...

Inquiry and Response Thread
Response (Theodora) 10/04/2011 04:58 PM
Hello Gabe,

Thank you for contacting LCBO Contact Centre about POST HOUSE PENNY BLACK 2008 VINTAGES 148619

Unfortunately the Post House Penny Black 2008 VINTAGES 148619 has failed Lab testing.

If we have not fully addressed your question, please reply to this email leaving the subject line intact, or follow this link "http://service.lcbo.com/app/answers/contact" for numbers to call a Contact Centre Agent .

Best Regards,

Theodora
LCBO Contact Centre