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
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.
