Monday, September 12, 2011

Saturday September 17, 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 has a Pinot Noir throw-down between Oregon and France (PNTD) and a small New Zealand (NZ) focus in honour of the world cup.  The main focus is Bordeaux 2008 (BORD) … I have also 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 …
Santa Ana 2010 La Mascota Chardonnay ($14.95 - #0126870) – this is a decent Chardonnay that keeps its fruit along with some nice vanilla and caramel note. (*** ½)
Finca Flichman 2007 Paisaje de Barrancas ($17.95 - #0017129) – nice blend with chocolate, vanilla and spice notes, juicy dark fruit, the hint of tannins gives the finish some character. (****)

Australia … 
D’Arenberg 2008 The Custodian ($19.95 - #0713040) – key to this one is the big raspberry finish. (*** ½+)
Jip Jip Rocks 2009 Shiraz ($16.95 - #0673897) – has the pepper, spice and dark fruit you’ve come to expect from this Down Under style of Shiraz. (*** ½+)
Magpie 2008 The Schnell Shiraz/ Grenache ($19.95 - #0047662) – juicy, vanilla and raspberry with a touch of white pepper. (*** ½+)
Two Hands 2008 Bella’s Garden Shiraz ($63.95 - #0636407) – so dark you’d swear you couild paint with it, big alcohol (15.8%) so keep away from open flames, yet so delicious. (****+)
Two Hands 2009 Yesterday’s Hero Grenache ($31.95 - #0009506) – super sweet raspberry with cherry strawberry and spice. (****)

Austria …
Rabl 2009 Reserve Vinum Optimum Gruner Veltliner ($19.95 - #0216473) – green bean, ped pod and grapefruit pith, I swear its yummy. (**** +)

Chile …
Cartagena 2009 Sauvignon Blanc ($15.95 - #0246405) – more tropical but still manages to keep its grassiness. (*** ½)

France … 
(Bordeaux)
Chateau Beauregard 2008 ($57.95 - #0249003) – smells of coffee and chocolate, call it mocha; taste brings out the mocha wrapped dark fruit … nice delivery. (****) - BORD
Chateau des Moines 2008 ($22.95 - #0206789) – wood and dark fruit mix with good flavour and tannins. (*** ½+) – BORD
Chateau Fayan 2008 ($18.95 - #0243295) – already starting to throw sediment with pomegranate, strawberry, wood smoke and tannins with an earthy finish. (*** ½+) - BORD
Chateau des Moines 2008 ($22.95 - #0206789) – wood and dark fruit mix with good flavour and tannins. (*** ½+) - BORD
Chateau Haut Bergey 2008 ($44.95 - #0234799) – has a real richness of flavour and spice. (****) - BORD
Chateau Meyney 2008 ($47.95 - #0245811) – big structure with hard tannins but with fruit beginning to emerge. (*** ½+) – BORD 
Chateau Pontet Chappaz 2008 ($39.95 - #0243956) – smooth, supple and enjoyable, though there is some longevity here, say 5+ years. (*** ½+) - BORD 
Chateau Semonlon 2008 ($17.95 - #0244475) – smooth and accessible. (*** ½) - BORD 
Chateau St. Georges 2008 ($29.95 - #0960310) – sweet fruit nose with a palate that is quite juicy though grit from the tannins comes on subsequent sips. (****) - BORD
(Burgundy)
Domaine Besancenot 2008 Beaune-Bressandes 1er Cru ($32.95 - #0166181) – sour cherry and spice with a hint of earth. (*** ½) - PNTD 
Maison Roche de Bellene 2009 Vieilles Vignes Gevrey-Chambertin ($47.95 - #0240424) – at the high end of the Pinot world is where the French have all the finesse and goods; gritty, dark berries, spiced cedar and herbs; a Pinot worth its price. (**** +) – PNTD 
Vincent  de la Remondiere Cuvee Reserve Brut Cremant de Bourgogne ($18.95 - #0226274) – crisp yet creamy, nice little bubbly here. (*** ½+)
(Champagne)
Marc Hebrart Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne ($41.95 - #0231217) – biscuity with almond biscotti notes and hazelnut cream to top it off. (*** ½)
(Rhone)
Domaine Grand Veneur 2009 Clos de Sixte Lirac ($23.95 - #0076349) – rich plum, black cherry, chocolate, and mocha; lovely and delicious. (****+)

Germany …
Schloss Schonborn Klaus Riesling Kabinett 2009 ($18.95 - #0239905) – mineral, peach and apple; hits all the right notes. (*** ½)

Italy …
(Tuscany)
Lamole di Lamole Riserva Chianti Classico 2007 ($36.95 - #0231241) – sweet fruit nose follows onto the palate, not your usual rustic Chianti, this one tastes modern and fresh. (****)

New Zealand … 
Millton 2009 Crazy by Nature Dry Flint Chenin Blanc ($18.95 - #0214429) – well named wine with its flinty and tropical notes that play off each other leading to a slightly honeyed finish. (*** ½+)
Churton 2008 Pinot Noir ($36.95 - #0237164) – very pretty on both the nose and palate, lots of black and sour cherry notes with a touch of the herbal. (****) - NZ

Portugal …
Quinta de Santa Eufemia Fine White Port ($13.95 - #0223867) – toasted nuts and caramel with ust the right amount of spice and acidity. (*** ½+)

Spain …
Torres Floralis Moscatel Oro ($16.95/500ml - #0642173) – absolutely stunning with spiced orange peel, cinnamon and bosc pear with a slight poaching, sweetness is perfectly balanced with acidity; a lovely after dinner sipper. (**** ½+)
Arrocal 2008 ($16.95 - #0067868) – killer bottle for $17; vanilla, mocha, kirsch notes, juicy and delicious with hints of leather, licorice that keep things in balance. (**** ½)
Lan Gran Reserva 2003 ($26.95 - #0928622) – 8 years old and drinking well right now; smooth with spice and red berries, good long finish. (****+) 

United States … 
(California)
A By Acacia 2008 Pinot Noir ($16.95 - #0118927) – sweet cherry with nice herbs, juicy but still with enough dryness; good beginners Pinot. (*** ½)
Grgich Hills Estate 2007 Merlot ($49.95 - #0020313) – plum, blueberry and chocolate, quite juicy in the mouth. (****)
Seghesio 2009 Home Ranch Zinfandel ($49.95 - #0070391) – plum, vanilla, strawberry, cherry and cola, this is always a well made yet playful Zin which finishes with spice and finesse. (**** ½)
(Oregon)
Clawson Creek 2008 Angela Pinot Noir ($49.95 - #0254177) – big fruit almost juicy, with dark cherry and a touch of grit. (*** ½) - PNTD
Red Shot Lane 2009 Pinot Noir ($18.95 - #0242560) – nice bite from the sour cherry, but there is also some sweet cherry and a nice hint of spice, easy to drink Pinot at a good price, chill and enjoy. (****) - PNTD

If You Can Afford It (they’re pricey but worth it) …
Kistler 2009 Les Noisetiers Chardonnay ($64.95 - #0251223) - ****

Best Buys (wine that over delivers for its price) …
Michel Torino 2009 Don David Reserve Malbec ($12.95 - #0064998) - *** ½+
Sister’s Run 2009 Gomersol Cabernet Sauvignon ($15.95 - #0222026) - *** ½+
Thorn-Clarke 2008 Terra Barossa Shiraz/Cabernet/Petit Verdot ($14.95 - #0684357) - ****
Mount Riley 2010 Sauvignon Blanc ($15.95 - #0981670) - ****

Grape Guy Top 3 … what I’ll be lining up for on September 17, 2011:
Finca Flichman 2007 Paisaje de Barrancas ($17.95 - #0017129) - Argentina
Torres Floralis Moscatel Oro ($16.95/500ml - #0642173) - Spain 
Arrocal 2008 ($16.95 - #0067868) - Spain

Happy Shopping.



1 comment:

Dean Tudor said...

My take on Sept 17 Vintages...


TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. EOS Chardonnay 2008 Central Coast: expect some elegance, burgundian
style. Notes of vanilla and cream although the back label does not
mention use of oak. 13.5% ABV. +955914, $18.95, QPR: 89.
2. Santa Ana La Mascota Chardonnay 2010 Mendoza: rich, ripe and full,
somewhat fleshy, some barrel aging. 14% ABV. +126870, $14.95, QPR: 89.
3. Mount Riley Sauvignon Blanc 2010 Marlborough: straight-forward NZ
savvy, good zesty finish, 13.5% ABV. +981670, $15.95, QPR: 89.
4. Spice Route Sauvignon Blanc 2010 WO Darling South Africa: impressive
body and concentration and zest for the price, twist top, 13.5% ABV.
+235895, $14.95, QPR: 90.
5. Joseph Cattin Gewurztraminer 2009 Alsace: off-dry in texture,
significant mouthfeel, nicely bitterish, Gold Medal winner. Phenomenal
price. +224626, $16.95, QPR: 90.
6. Terra d’Alter Reserva White 2010 Alentejano: partially fermented and
aged in oak, indigenous grapes plus viognier, all combine for a creamy,
vanilla tone. 13.5% ABV. +219212, $13.95, QPR: 89.

TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. A by Acacia Pinot Noir 2008 California: basic MVC but delicious –
with body, substance and flavours. 13.5% ABV. +118927, $16.95, QPR: 89.
2. Michel Torino Don David Reserve Malbec 2009 Cafayate Valley
Argentina: black juicy fruits, some tightness that needs opening up,
long food finish. +64998, $12.95, QPR: 89.
3. Jip Jip Rocks Shiraz 2009 Padthaway: full black flavours, minty,
several gold medals. +673897, $16.95, QPR: 89.
4. Thorn-Clarke Terra Barossa Shiraz/Cabernet/Petit Verdot 2008
Barossa: a powerful hit at 15% ABV, creamy oak, blessed by a high
Parker number. +684357, $14.95, QPR: 89.
5. Slowine Shiraz 2009 WO Overberg South Africa: engaging wine hits all
the notes of smoke, pepper, fruit, twist top, 14.5% ABV, and priced to
move. +96503, $13.95, QPR: 89.
6. Chateau Landonnet 2008 Bordeaux: one of your more modestly priced
Bordeaux, delicious fruit, long finish, 13% ABV. +243931, $13.95, QPR:
89.
7. Chateau Le Grand Moulin Cuvee Collection 2008 Premieres Cotes de
Blaye: needs time for tannins to resolve but it is all there, great
price, 13% ABV, Gold Medalist, great MVC. +245357, $15.95, QPR: 89.
8. Rivera Violante Nero di Troia 2008 Puglia: tasty, earthy and dark
cherries, good finish, 13.5% ABV. +583435, $15.95, QPR: 90.

VALUE: “RESTAURANT READY” or “BRING YOUR OWN WINE BOTTLE” over $20
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. J. Lohr October Night Chardonnay 2007 Arroyo Seco, +225375, $24.95
retail.
2. Kistler Les Noisetiers Chardonnay 2009 Sonoma Coast, +251223,
$64.95.
3. Clairaut Estate Chardonnay 2008 Margaret River, +246892, $39.95
4. Wolf Blass Premium Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 South
Australia, +321927, $22.95
5. Wynns Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, +84996, $24.95
6. Chateau Lacoste Borie 2008 Pauillac, +249011, $39.95
7. Chateau Pontet Chappaz 2008 Margaux, +243956, $39.95
8. Domaine Du Haut des Terres Blanches Chateauneuf du Pape 2007,
+177618, $37.95
9. LAN Gran Reserva 2003 Rioja, +928622, $26.95

Chimo! www.deantudor.com AND http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com