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
Another three things have caught the eye of the LCBO for this weekend's release. ONe is Whiskey, which I have to admit I am no expect on. The other two: Argentina (ARG) and a Tuscan/Piedmont (T/P) split, takes up the rest of the releases features. As introduced a few releases ago 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 …
Catena 2009 Alta Chardonnay ($39.95 - #0959973) – almost Californian in style with lots of wood and with sweet fruit notes poking through all this rides on the tail of vanilla, caramel and spice. (*** ½) – ARG
Catena 2008 Alta Malbec ($49.95 - #0982355) – stunning Malbec, always loaded with flavour. (****+) – ARG
Luigi Bosca 2008 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon ($17.95 - #0128629) – lovely nose and palate, full of dark fruit, blueberry, chocolate and spice. (*** ½+)
Riglos 2007 Gran Corte ($37.95 - #0243501) – mocha and chocolate wrapped around deep dark fruit. (****) – ARG
Viniterra 2005 Select Malbec ($21.95 - #0177964) – sweet fruit: cherry along with sweet spices, this really delivers on flavour. (****) – ARG
Australia …
Josef Chromy 2010 Pepik Pinot Noir ($26.95 - #0162990) – Pinot Noir from Australia is mostly a jammy affair, but the Chromy wines have true cool climate character; lovely strawberry with an earthy quality and just the right amount of spice and acidity on the finish. (****+)
Tait 2007 The Wild Ride Shiraz ($19.95 - #0243584) – lots of chocolaty flavour with hints of pepper mixed in. (*** ½)
Two Hands 2010 Brave Faces Grenache/Shiraz/Mataro ($33.95 - #0660035) – lot of big dark fruit with raspberry, cherry and chocolate. (****)
Two Hands 2008 Sophie’s Garden Shiraz ($46.00 - #0062380) – eucalyptus, chocolate and blackberry with a whopping 15.8% alcohol content, even the spice seems big. A little hot on the finish which downgrades the mark by half a point. (****)
Austria …
Glatzer 2008 Riedencuvee Zweigelt ($15.95 - #0221051) – laid back style with a goodly amount of fruit and spice. (*** ½)
Canada …
(Ontario)
Fielding 2010 Pinot Gris ($21.95 - #0251108)
Peller Estates 2010 Private Reserve Sauvignon Blanc ($18.95 - #0692631)
Inniskillin 2008 Winemaker’s Series Three Vineyards Pinot Noir ($22.95 - #0175174)
Le Clos Jordanne 2009 Le Clos Jordanne Vineyard Pinot Noir ($45.00 - #0033902)
Reif 2009 The Magician Shiraz/Pinot Noir ($19.95 - #0246413)
Southbrook 2007 Whimsy! Cabernet Sauvignon ($33.95 - #0260281)
The Foreign Affair 2008 The Conspiracy ($19.95 - #0149237)
Chile …
Morande 2010 Reserva Sauvignon Blanc ($12.95 - #0252346) – soft acidity with tropical fruit through the mid-palate and then kicks in with some grapefruit on the finish. (*** ½)
France …
(Alsace)
Pierre Sparr 2009 Reserve Gewurztraminer ($17.95 - #0747600) – lovely rose petal nose which follows onto the palate, delicate and delicious, just what you want in a G-wine. (****+)
(Beaujolais)
Domaine J. Boulon 2009 Morgan ($19.95 - #0241166) – black cherry and spice with a hint of raspberry and toast. (*** ½+)
(Burgundy)
Michel Picard 2009 Clos Paradis Mercurey 1er Cru ($28.95 - #0086603) – my favourite region of Burgundy and this is a good representation: spiced-strawberry with good tannins. (*** ½+)
(Loire)
Andre & Edmond Figeat 2010 Les Chaumiennes Pouilly-Fume ($21.95 - #0196659) – vanilla smokiness amongst a citrus backdrop with nice acidity on the finish. (****)
Greece …
Skouras 2008 Saint George Aghiorghitiko ($16.95 - #0162321) – good fruit, silky tannins, nice finish, very drinkable. (*** ½)
Italy …
(Piedmont)
Giacomo Fenocchio 2005 Bussia Barolo ($42.95 - #0232421) – between the fruit and spice and the dried nature of both this wine really delivers. (****) – T/P
(Puglia)
Masseria Altemura Sasseo Primitivo 2008 ($16.95 - #0230573) – nice Zinfandel alternative with plum, ripe black cherry, and raspberry-cherry compote on the finish. (****)
(Sicily)
Case Ibidini 2010 Insolia ($13.95 - #0211839) – citrus aromas with grapefruit pith linger and some lime as it makes its way across the palate. (*** ½)
(Tuscany)
Cordella 2009 Rosso di Montalcino ($19.95 - #0251462) – a light, fruit-driven, easy drinking red. (*** ½) – T/P
Marchesi de’Frescobaldi 2009 Terre More Dell’ Ammiraglia ($19.95 - #0239889) – hot damn, what a nose and palate this wine really delivers the goods, another winner from Frescobaldi. (****+) – T/P
Poggio Verrano Chance 2005 ($33.95 - #0239707) – at first this one was hard to get into, but then the wine grabs you on the palate with smoky-wood notes, dark fruit, licorice and mocha. (*** ½+) – T/P
Poliziano 2007 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano ($25.95 - #0988055) – leathery, chocolate, blackberry, cassis and spice. (*** ½) – T/P
San Felice Campogiovanni Brunello di Montalcino 2005 ($44.95 - #0991075) – quite fruity but with a nice dry finish. (*** ½) – T/P
Volpaia 2008 Chianti Classico ($21.95 - #0953828) – straddles the line between rustic and fruity, seems to change right before your eyes … or should I say palate … drinks well now. (****) – T/P
Romania …
Livia Feteasca Neagra 2009 ($16.95 - #0244392) – sweet strawberries dominate, nice little wine here. (*** ½+)
South Africa ...
Graham Beck 2010 Sauvignon Blanc ($13.95 - #0948620) – very goosy and grassy with a fresh grass linger. (*** ½)
United States …
(California)
Acacia 2009 Chardonnay ($27.95 - #0080556) – a woody, vanilla and caramelly treat, pure California here with a hint of oak spice on the finish. (*** ½)
Domaine Napa 2008 Chardonnay ($23.95 - #0244483) – lovely vanilla and peach fruit with a vanilla cream finish. (*** ½+)
Liberty School 2008 Zinfandel ($18.95 - #0041095) – this is pretty much standard issue Zinfandel, but good standard issue Zinfandel, with a nice raspberry finish. (*** ½)
Pazzo 2007 Call Me Crazy Proprietary Red ($31.95 - #0677708) – this is a Sangiovese from California, interesting wine with dark fruit and white pepper. (*** ½+)
Peju 2006 Merlot ($44.95 - #0147322) – a good drinking Merlot with blue and black berries and hints of vanilla. (*** ½+)
Ridge 2009 Geyserville ($42.95 - #0723072) – a wicked blend that’s Zinfandel based, far from the ordinary and worth tasting. (****)
(Oregon)
Kings Ridge 2009 Pinot Noir ($21.95 - #023776) – quite fruit driven with blackberry, strawberry and cassis with touches of earthiness and spiced cinnamon. (****)
Best Buys (wine that over delivers for its price) …
Korta 2009 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($13.95 - #0236034) - *** ½
Montes 2010 Limited Edition Selection Cabernet Sauvignon/ Carmenere ($14.95 - #0016071) - ****
SXS 2008 Step Two Shiraz ($14.95 - #0246645) - ****
Girolamo 2008 Vendemmia Tardiva Primitivo ($14.95 - #0224667) - ****+
Vinea 2007 Corvina ($12.95 - #0230649) - *** ½
If You Can Afford It (they’re pricey but worth it) …
Shafer 2007 One Point Five Cabernet Sauvignon ($79.95 - #0045476)
Finca Los Nobles 2005 Cabernet/Bouchet ($63.95 - #0175547) - ARG
Chateau Troplong Mondot 2007 ($115.00 - #0102715)
Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe 2008 La Crau Chateauneuf-du-Pape ($72.95 - #0951475)
Antinori 2005 Pian delle Vigne Brunello di Montalcino ($59.95 - #0651141) – T/P
Luce Della Vite Luce 2008 ($99.95 - #0685263) – T/P
Grape Guy Top 3 … what I’ll be lining up for on October 15, 2011:
Pierre Sparr 2009 Reserve Gewurztraminer ($17.95 - #0747600) – France
Marchesi de’Frescobaldi 2009 Terre More Dell’ Ammiraglia ($19.95 - #0239889) - Italy
Josef Chromy 2010 Pepik Pinot Noir ($26.95 - #0162990) – AustraliaHappy Shopping.
