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
Key: Wine colour indicators - Red are red wines, Yellow are whites, etc.
This release is all about Father's Day (FD), Chile (CH) and Southern France (SF) ... Fathers seem to like a lot of boozy stuff (read: whiskey) and expensive wines ... the rest of this release is pretty self explanatory. Also look for the Best Buys (wines that deliver real value for their price - BB).
Argentina ...
Altos Las Hormigas 2008 Reserva Malbec ($27.95 - #678987) - very dark brambly fruit with spice, lots of plum. (****)
Durigutti 2008 Bonarda ($17.95 - #275164) - super juicy with red raspberry, loads of easy drinking flavour. (*** 1/2+)
Kaiken 2011 Malbec Rose ($14.95 - #169375) - nice red raspberry, cherry flavour with decent acidity on a finish with bite and spice. (*** 1/2)
Zuccardi 2008 Q Tempranillo ($19.95 - #973503) - shows some real chocolatey layers. (*** 1/2+)
Australia ...
D'Arenberg 2010 The Hermit Crab Viognier/Marsanne ($17.95 - #662775) - a very appealing pineapple note. (*** 1/2+)
Mitchell McNicol Shiraz 2003 ($45.95 - #278572) - real red fruit, juicy with a touch of red licorice and cocoa. (****)
The Lackey 2009 Shiraz ($17.95 - #005199) - good value, thoroughly enjoyable Shiraz. (*** 1/2+)
Canada ...
(British Columbia)
Sandhill 2010 Small Lots Viognier ($24.95 - #126862) - floral, apricot and pineapple; juicy and lovely. (*** 1/2+)
(Ontario) - click on wine for full review
Coyote's Run 2010 Black Paw Vineyard Chardonnay ($21.95 - #049775)
Henry of Pelham 2011 Pinot Blanc ($14.95 - #618827) - *** 1/2+
Hinterbrook 2011 Rose ($16.00 - #275818) - *** 1/2+
Inniskillin 2010 Winemaker's Series Barrel Aged Pinot Gris ($19.95 - #177766) - *** 1/2+
Lakeview 2007 Reserve Syrah ($19.95 - #264150) - ****
Malivoire 2010 Guilty Men Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot ($19.95 - #186247) - *** 1/2+
Chile ...
Altair 2007 Sideral ($26.95 - #660837) - very minty, cinnamon role, juicy and jammy; just plain yummy. (****) - CH
Anakena 2010 Single Vineyard Pinot Noir ($15.95 - #208439) - black cherry, boysenberry, clove, mocha and quite juicy with a coffee-raspberry finish. (*** 1/2+) - CH
Caliterra 2011 Tributo Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc ($14.95 - #283648) - nose is typical but with a softer palate of grapefruit which gives way to tropical notes, a real palate pleaser. (*** 1/2+) - CH
Casas Patronales 2009 Reserva Privada Cabernet Sauvignon ($16.95 - #274134) - brambly black fruit and elegant spice, a steal at this price. (****) - CH
Concha y Toro 2009 Marques de Casa Concha Merlot ($19.95 - #939827) - more mocha-esque than fruit, but still juicy and enjoyable. (*** 1/2+) - CH
Concha y Toro 2009 Terrunyo Vineyard Selection Cabernet Sauvignon ($29.95 - #562918) - a real winner with concentration of fruit, sweet raspberry, cherry, sandlewood and smoke; nice super-juicy finish. (****+) - CH
Concha y Toro 2011 Trio Reserva Sauvignon Blanc ($13.95 - #678656) - soft yet juicy, think Sauvignon Blanc on downers but still lots of fun. (*** 1/2) - CH
Cono Sur 2008 Limited Edition 20 Barrels Chardonnay ($24.95 - #127498) - finesse and fruit with good acidity and nice texture. (*** 1/2+) - CH
Emiliana 2010 Signos de Origen La Vinilla Chardonnay/Viognier/Marsanne/Rousanne ($19.95 - #063909) - shows some interesting creaminess with honeysuckle and nice spice and a full mouth feel. (*** 1/2) - CH
Maycas de Limari 2008 Reserva Especial Syrah ($19.95 - #269423) - incredible elegance, juicy, tasty, lots of lovely fruit and good acidity. (****+) - CH
Maycas de Limari 2010 Reserva Especial Chardonnay ($19.95 - #162040) - pretty Chardonnay with a nice balance of fruit and wood character: vanilla oomph with spices, baked apple and peach. (****) - CH
Oveja Negra 2008 The Lost Barrel ($24.95 - #273979) - an interesting blend that proves very herbal in the mouth. (*** 1/2+) - CH
Perez Cruz 2010 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon ($14.95 - #694208) - minty, jammy and juicy; very Chilean in style. (*** 1/2+) - CH
Potro de Piedra Family 2008 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc ($24.95 - #273995) - smoky black fruit at the beginning, continues on the palate with a nice sweet tobacco finish. (****) - CH
France ...
(Alsace)
Jean Geiler 2010 Reserve Particuliere Gewurztraminer ($17.95 - #106864) - delicious, just like Alsace makes them with floral, lychee and hints of sweetness on a medium finish. (****)
(Bordeaux)
Chateau le Conseiller 2008 ($25.00 - #135731) - smoky red berries along with currants and all spice. (*** 1/2)
(Burgundy)
Domaine de Fussiacus 2009 Vieilles Vignes Pouilly-Fuisse ($23.95 - #276444) - quite the oak bound number, creamy-vanilla, and nice fruit cream, lovely finish. (****)
(Midi)
Domaine Piquemal Tradition 2009 ($15.95 - #272419) - sweet fruit, sweet spice. (*** 1/2+) - SF
Foncalieu 2009 Reserve du Sud Languedoc ($15.95 - #272443) - slight tang where smoke and blackberry dominate. (*** 1/2) - SF
Gerard Bertrand 2009 Grand Terroir Grenache/Syrah ($18.95 - #147983) - a dichotomy of herbal, floral, spicy and fruity; very interesting. (*** 1/2)
Hegarty Chamans No. 2 Grenache/Mourvedre Cinsault 2009 ($21.95 - #277061) - smoky and sweet spiced, dried cherry sweetness on the finish. (****) - SF
Les Piliers 2010 Viognier ($15.95 - #669531) - definitely refreshing, nice grapefruit pith linger on the finish. (*** 1/2)
Mont Tauch 2009 Le Tauch Fitou ($19.95 - #272484) - juicy raspberry, blueberry, white pepper and spice. (****) - SF
(Rhone)
Chateau du Trignon Gigondas 2006 ($29.95 - #681817) - supple and smooth, easy drinking, black fruited and plumy. (*** 1/2+)
Domaine des Fees Cotes du Rhone ($14.95 - #272450) - juicy, jammy, red and black fruit with herbal undertones. (*** 1/2+)
Famille Perrin 2011 Tavel Rose ($19.95 - #680801) - deep pink colour, deep pink taste with strawberry as the dominant fruit. (*** 1/2+)
Romain Duvernay Vacqueyras 2009 ($24.95 - #280966) - sweet red fruit with chocolate, blackberry and licorice; nice concentration of everything. (****)
Germany ...
Lingenfelder 2010 Bird Label Riesling ($13.95 - #568634) - always good value in a very summery beverage. (*** 1/2+) - BB
Italy ...
(Piedmont)
Enrico Serafino 2011 Moscato D'Asti ($15.95 - #134833) - typical Moscato but still very yummy. (*** 1/2+)
Pio Cesare 2010 Barbera D'Alba ($19.95 - #938886) - black raspberry, blackberry, black cherry and smoke. (*** 1/2+)
(Puglia)
Masserie Pisari Primitivo 2010 ($14.95 - #270306) - plumy, cherry cola, sweet fruit, this is a Zin-lovers Primitivo (*** 1/2) - BB
(Trentino)
Bollini 2011 Pinot Grigio ($16.95 - #951319) - sweet lemonade with a good finish. (*** 1/2)
(Tuscany)
Giacomo Mori Castelrotto Chianti Riserva 2008 ($25.95 - #180026) - rustic black cherry, blackberry, spice and tannins. (*** 1/2+)
(Veneto)
Valpantena 2009 Torre del Falasco Ripasso Valpolicella ($16.95 - #642421) - good plum, cocoa and dried cherry with spice. (*** 1/2+)
New Zealand ...
Hunter's Jane Hunter Sauvignon Blanc 2011 ($19.95 - #280271) - grapefruit on the nose but the palate is something a little more interesting: grapefruit cocktail, lime pith, guava nectar and nectarine, all balanced with good acidity on the finish. (****)
Portugal ...
Cabriz 2011 Rose ($11.95 - #030445) - candied red berries. (*** 1/2)
Fonseca Bin No. 27 Reserve Port ($15.95 - #156877) - spicy plum and cherry, rich and succulent finish. (****)
Spain ...
Codorniu Pinot Noir Brut Rose Cava ($17.95 - #665372) - very berry, very tasty. (*** 1/2+)
Fernandez de Pierola Reserva 2004 ($25.95 - #270579) - sweet, supple with both dried and fresh fruit along with mocha and spice with grippy tannins. (*** 1/2+)
United States ...
Easton 2004 Estate Bottle Zinfandel ($39.95 - #281501) - absolutely Zinfandel from nose to taste from the15.1% alcohol to the sexy palate, a real pleasure. (****+)
J. Lohr 2007 Hilltop Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ($38.95 - #686584) - juicy blackberry, black cherry and heavy tannins. (*** 1/2+) - FD
McManis 2010 Chardonnay ($19.95 - #265983) - shows a nice balance of fruit, oak and other flavours, vanilla cream and lemon meringue finish; well-priced for Cali-Chard. (*** 1/2+)
Simi 2009 Russian River Valley Reserve Chardonnay ($31.95 - #200881) - buttery, oaky, butterscotch and spice; this one's for you oaky Chardonnay fans. (*** 1/2+)
Van Ruiten 2009 Old Vine Zinfandel ($23.95 - #058685) - juicy, blackberry, plum, cherry with spice on the finish. (*** 1/2)
(Washington)
Chateau Ste. Michelle 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon ($NA - #269357) - irresistible wine from Washington which drinks well right not, full of fruit and full on flavour. (****)
If You Can Afford It ... wines that deliver even for their price point
Barone Ricasoli Castello di Brolio Chianti Classico 2008 ($59.95 - #942607) - prety hefty stuff (****) - FD
Mitolo 2008 Savitar Shiraz ($54.95 - #659581) - super rich mocha-plum and spice. (****)
Shafer 2009 Merlot ($59.95 - #346262) - the juiciness of Merlot is in this bottle. (****) - FD
What I'll Be Lining Up For ...
Maycas de Limari 2008 Reserva Especial Syrah ($19.95 - #269423) - Chile
Happy Shopping
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