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
It's the first Vintages release of the year and that means the "value wines" are coming out, many well under the $15 mark - the board calls them Smart Buys (SM). In years past this has been a real dumping ground for the shite the LCBO can't sell the rest of the year, but it would seem we have some real gems this time out. I will forgo the Best Buy part of the release report because, in theory, all the wines in this release are a “Best Buy”. So let’s get right to it …
Argentina …
Trivento 2009 Amado Sur Malbec/Bonarda/Syrah ($15.00 - #0037036) - smooth, supple, full of red cherry with lots of juiciness, sweet spice, vanilla, raspberry and a delicious finish. (****)
Urban Uco 2010 Malbec/Tempranillo ($13.95 - #0166397) - interesting blend, it's the tempranilla that gives the wine its interesting character. (*** 1/2) – SM
Australia …
Chapel Hill 2008 Bush Vine Grenache ($24.95 - #0262105) - plum and mocha driven wine with a little spiciness on the back palate, great finish and length. (****+)
Jip Jip Rocks 2009 Shiraz ($16.95 - #0673897) - full on Shiraz with lots of pepper and blackberry notes. (*** 1/2+) - SM
Canada …
(Ontario) - visit OntarioWineReview.com for full review
Calamus 2009 Cosmic White ($14.95 - #0255893) - SM
Coyote's Run 2009 Pinot Noir ($19.95 - #0053090) - SM
Hinterbrook 2010 Riesling ($17.95 - #0270512)
Rosewood 2009 Merlot ($21.95 - #0211896
Chile …
Koyle 2008 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($15.95 - #0256073) - this is a Chilean Cab with all the proper earmarks: juicy, minty and black fruited. (*** 1/2+) - SM
Loma Larga 2009 Chardonnay ($15.95 - #0257048) - butter, tropical fruit and vanilla, there's no doubt as to this being Chardonnay. (*** 1/2+)
Montes 2009 Limited Selection Pinot Noir ($14.95 - #0037937) - dark fruited, a touch leathery with some exotic spices. (*** 1/2)
France …
(Alsace)
Domaine Saint Remy 2009 Reserve Pinot Gris ($18.95 - #0016410) - sweet and dry clash in the glass and on the palate: bosc pear, melon rind, this one is really tasty. (****+)
Jean Geiler Letzenberg 2009 Lieu Dit Gewurztraminer ($17.95 - #0259713) - this is what Alsace means to me, fab floral, slightly soapy that sings with exotic spice in the mouth, yet there is a sight dryness that is left behind. (****+)
(Beaujolais)
Domaine du Roche Guillon 2010 Fleurie ($17.95 - #0269514) - lovely cherry and spice, there's also some grip here and it goes a long way to the enjoyment of this wine ... also for chilling. (****)
(Bordeaux)
Chateau de Lamarque 2006 ($29.95 - #0194159) - mix of the rustic and new world here with tannins and acidity blending with dark fruit: dense and delicious. (****)
Chateau Faizeau 2008 ($24.00 - #0136887) - blueberry, smoke and spice along with gripping tannins. (****)
(Burgundy)
Cave de Lugny 2008 Brut Cremant de Bourgogne ($19.95 - #0183764) - bread crust and lemonade aromas fill the nose a you'll find the same on the palate with a light touch of sweetness. (****)
Domaine du Chardonnay 2009 Chablis ($19.95 - #0183574) - crisp and well made, floral and mineral notes ... very nice. (*** 1/2) - SM
Jaffelin 2009 Bourgogne Passe Tout Grains ($14.95 - #0216648) - made with Pinot and Gamay, these two light grapes marry well for a light, spice and mineral concoction with sour fruit character. (*** 1/2)
(Loire)
Domaines Bonnard 2009 Sancerre ($21.95 - #0140525) - lovely citrus nose with a white grapefruit palate; crisp and lively. (****)
(Midi)
Hecht & Bannier 2009 Syrah/Grenache/Carignan ($15.95 - #0251587) - anise, leather, black cherry and cocoa nib. (****)
(Rhone)
La Ferme du Mont Premiere Cote Cotes du Rhone 2009 ($16.95 - #0251645) - loads of fruit and loads of flavour. (****)
Perrin & Fils 2009 Les Sinards Chateauneuf du Pape ($19.95 / 375ml - #0005975) - hefty with raspberry, strawberry liqueur. black currant and a raspberry cocoa finish; real ballsy. (****+)
Perrin & Fils 2009 Peyre Blanche Cairanne Cotes du Rhone Villages ($17.95 - #0650960) - black cherry, raspberry, sweet spice; a smooth, supple and succulent sipper. (****+)
Germany …
Anselmann 2009 Huxelrebe Auslese ($17.95 - #0681445) - lovely sweetness, interestingly exotic. (*** 1/2+)
Italy …
(Piedmont)
Bava Cocconato 2010 Moscato D'asti ($14.95 - #0712547) - I love asti any time of year so have a few on hand with its pineapple, lemon and hint of orange this is a delicious sipper - but don't hold forever, it's suppose to be drunk young and fruity. (*** 1/2+)
(Puglia)
Rivera 2005 Cappellaccio Riserva Aglianico ($18.95 - #0984120) - well balanced with a sweet herbal note. (*** 1/2) - SM
(Sicily)
Giordano Eventus Nero D'Avola 2008 ($16.95 - #0231662) - good structure, blackberry, chocolate, hefty tannins and lingering finish. (*** 1/2+)
(Tuscany)
Fattoria La Ripa 2007 Chianti Classico Riserva ($24.95 - #0984401) - strong, dark and spicy. (*** 1/2+)
Vicchiomaggio Ripa delle Mandorle ($15.00 - #0677930) - I'd call this "rippa stuff" but wrong country for that label, as it is it's full of delicious cherry, vanilla and a little cocoa ... really tasty. (****+) - SM
(Veneto)
Corte 2006 Grande Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore ($17.95 - #0059246) - plum, coffee, cocoa, cassis, blackberry all with a nice finish. (****)
New Zealand …
Hunter's 2009 Pinot Noir ($21.95 - #0586115) - earthy, sour cherry and good spice. (*** 1/2+)
Kim Crawford 2010 Unoaked Chardonnay ($17.95 - #0991950) - peachy and appley with hints of vanilla, but overpowering. (*** 1/2)
Portugal ...
Jose Maria da Fonseca & Van Zeller 2003 Vintage Port ($19.95 - #0638924) - the price will make you look again, the smell will make you sniff again and the taste ... well you get the picture; this is a delicious value. (****) – SM
Spain …
Sabor Real 2008 ($15.95 - #0172932) - juicy blackberry, creamy dark chocolate, supple tannins, one to lie down till BBQ season ... or enjoy now with something hearty. (****+)
United States …
(California)
Beringer 2009 Founders' Estate Pinot Noir ($19.95 - #0256628) - juicy black cherry, vanilla, cinnamon, clove, smoky tobacco with a nice finish. (****)
Brutocao 2007 Hopland Ranches Estate Zinfandel ($22.95 - #0259325) - this is finesse on the Zinfandel front: plum, chocolate, vanilla cola with spice and balancing acidity; a well made Zinfandel. (****+)
Diamond Ridge 2007 Merlot ($19.95 - #0913905) - a juicy black-fruited number with a melted dark chocolate finish with hints of anise seed. (****)
Murphy Goode 2009 The Fume Sauvignon Blanc ($18.95 - #0721092) - there's no truth is advertising here, no smoky or "fume" notes, but there is lots of pleasant tropical fruit. (*** 1/2)
Raymond 2007 Reserve Selection Cabernet Sauvignon ($35.95 - #0715979) - very juicy, very delicious; cherry, herbs and chocolate ... very tasty and lovely to sniff. (****+)
Vina Robles 2008 Huerhuero Red 4 ($17.95 - #0261628) - this is a cross of meaty and juicy with vanilla, spice and mocha; dark berries, and nice peppery finish. BBQ ready but also a good cold weather blend to warm the soul. (**** 1/2) - SM
(Washington)
Charles & Charles 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah ($14.95 - #0258178) - playful label for a playful wine, nicely smooth and enjoyble; great value. (*** 1/2+) - SM
Fall Line 2007 Artz Vineyard Red ($36.95 - #0237735) - good to see more of these juicy, well made Washington offerings at Vintages. (****)
Grape Guy Top 3 … what I’ll be lining up for on January 7, 2012:
Jose Maria da Fonseca & Van Zeller 2003 Vintage Port ($19.95 - #0638924) - Portugal
Vina Robles 2008 Huerhuero Red 4 ($17.95 - #0261628) - United States
Perrin & Fils 2009 Peyre Blanche Cairanne Cotes du Rhone Villages ($17.95 - #0650960) - France
Happy Shopping.
Happy Shopping.
1 comment:
My take...
TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Calamus Cosmic White 2009 VQA Niagara: here is the latest Ontario
white blend, with riesling, chardonnay, and gewurztraminer. Off-dry and
balanced. 12.4% ABV. +255893, $14.95, QPR: 89.
2. Hinterbrook Riesling 2010 VQA Niagara Lakeshore: semi-dry, very rich
tropicality, better as a sipper. 12.4% ABV. Gold Medal All Canadian
Wine Championship. +270512, $17.95, QPR: 89.
3. Konzelmann Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2009 VQA Niagara: more a sipper,
aged nicely. California style, with body, grass, some veggie tones.
13.5% BV. +257790, $12.95, QPR: 89.
4. Sue-Ann Staff Semi-Dry Riesling 2008 VQA Niagara: German mode, more
off-dry than semi-dry with balancing acid, 10% ABV. +258632, $14.95,
QPR: 89.
5. Stellar Running Duck Fair Trade Organic Chardonnay 2010 WO Western
Cape: rounded, oak tones, vanilla. Good body, long food finish. 13%
ABV. Great price. +149856, $12.95, QPR: 91.
6. Mont'Abano Pinot Grigio 2010 Friuli Grave: tasty, some body, citric
and flowers in finish. +249532, $16.95, QPR: 89.
TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Coyote's Run Pinot Noir 2009 VQA Niagara: strong burgundian
character, m & m's (mocha and mushrooms), some underbrush. 13% ABV.
+53090, $19.95, QPR: 89.
2. Jip Jip Rocks Shiraz 2009 Padthaway: delicious shiraz components,
oaky black fruit, 14.5% ABV. Top medalist winner. +673897, $16.95, QPR:
90.
3. Small Gully The Formula Robert's Shiraz 2006 South Australia: the
juicy mocha sings here, tasty, depth, 15.9% ABV. Twist top. +142935,
17.95, QPR: 90
4. Chateau Tour Bicheau 2008 Graves: very god presence and value,
cassis and tones of age, good price. +226092, $17.95, QPR: 89.
5. Perrin & Fils Peyre Blanche Cairanne Cotes du Rhone Villages 2009: a
stylish southern Rhone, lots of black fruit, length and depth, 14% ABV.
+650960, $7.95, QPR: 89.
6. Rivera Cappellaccio Riserva Aglianico 2005 Castel del Monte Puglia:
deliciously well-aged, meaty, herby, and with great fruit showing.
+984120, $18.95, QPR: 90.
7. Conte Contini Bonacossi Capezzana Barco Reale di Carmignano 2008:
chianti-style with allowable cabernet sauvignon, an affordable food
wine, 13.5% ABV. +508531, $15.95, QPR: 89.
8. Campina de Toro Sabor Real 2008 Toro: a delicious food wine, crafted
from 70 year old Tempranillo vines. 14.5% ABV. +172932, $15.95, QPR:
89.
VALUE: "RESTAURANT READY" or "BRING YOUR OWN WINE BOTTLE" over $20
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Restaurants should consider offering these FINE VALUE wines at a $10
markup over retail; the wines are READY to enjoy right NOW. Consumers
should buy these wines to bring to restaurants with corkage programs.
1. Laguna Ranch Chardonnay 2008 Russian River Valley, +544981, $32.95
retail.
2. Domaine Carrette Chardonnay Pouilly-Fuisse 2009, +264481, $21.95.
3. Domaine Bonard Sancerre 2009, +140525, $21.95.
4. Red Mountain Fall Line Artz Vineyard Red 2007 Washington State,
+237735, $36.95.
5. Chateau de Lamarque 2006 Haut-Medoc, +194159, $29.95.
6. Domaine du Grand Montmirail Vacqueyras 2009, +251579, $24.95.
7. La Pieve Barolo 2007, +213132, $28.95.
8. Rosewood Merlot 2009 VQA Niagara Escarpment, +211896, $21.95.
9. Domaine Machard de Gramont Pommard Clos Blanc 1er Cru 2008, +189779,
$43.95.
Chimo! www.deantudor.com AND http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
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