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
The skinny: lots of good values, but very few outstanding wines.
This week's two releases focus is New Zealand whites (NZW), mostly Sauvignon Blanc, and Veneto (VEN) ... I have - and always have had - a special place in my heart for the wines of the region.
Argentina ...
Mendel 2009 Malbec ($24.95 - #108225) - cocoa, black cherry and spice; shows some elegance in the mouth and on the finish. (****)
Australia ...
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| Gnarly Dudes 2010 |
Majella 2008 Shiraz ($29.95 - #269308) - chocolatey, blackberry and a shot of mocha-espresso; nice finish of spice and good acidity. (****)
Saltram 2008 Mamre Brook Cabernet Sauvignon ($24.95 - #0048579) - lots of blackberry along with some red berries and chocolate. (*** 1/2)
Sister's Run 2008 Epiphany Shiraz ($15.95 - #269464) - good value in a juicy jammy Aussie Shiraz, full of fruit and flavour, nicely spiced-pepper finish. (*** 1/2+)
St. Hallett 2009 Gamekeeper's Shiraz ($15.95 - #166991) - another good value in what is basically raspberry jam boozey juice. (*** 1/2)
Two Hands 2010 Gnarly Dudes Shiraz ($29.95 - #660043) - the quintessential Aussie Shiraz. (**** 1/2)
Canada ...
(Ontario)
Colchester Ridge 2007 CREW Meritage ($19.95 - #280990) - *** 1/2
Equifera 2009 Riesling Icewine ($59.95 / 375ml - #274472) - *** 1/2
Flat Rock Cellars 2010 Riesling ($16.95 - #0043281) - ****
Le Clos Jordanne 2009 Le Clos Jordanne Vineyard Chardonnay ($40.00 - #0033910) - ****
Malivoire 2010 Riesling ($15.95 - #277483) - ****
Pondview 2010 Chardonnay ($16.95 - #271155)
Chile ...
Calina 2010 Chardonnay ($14.95 - #640912) - tropically tinged, very vanilla with hints of pineapple core and peach pit. (*** 1/2+)
Ninquen Antu 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon / Carmenere ($16.95 - #0059329) - mint, cassis, black fruit with nice sweet fruit and a little spice; great BBQ red. (****)
France ...
(Bordeaux)
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| 2008 Esprit de Pavie |
Chateau Bertin 2006 ($17.95 - #244046) - ready to drink; soft cassis, blackberry, touch of bittersweet chocolate and spice on the finish. (*** 1/2+)
Chateau Fonreaud 2005 ($29.95 - #243311) - licorice, earth, strawberry, blackberry and cassis. (*** 1/2+)
Chateau Sainte Barbe 2008 Les Arglies ($14.95 - #244681) - a well-priced basic Bordeaux. (*** 1/2)
Esprit de Pavie ($32.95 - #244020) - pretty cherry and violet notes on the nose; with coffee, vanilla and cocoa powder through the palate. (****+)
(Loire)
Chavet & Fils 2010 La Dame de Jacques Coeur Menetou Salon Blanc ($19.95 - #525048) - citrus, gooseberry, melon and a touch of tangerine. (*** 1/2+)
Henri Bourgeois 2010 Petit Bourgeois Sauvignon Blanc ($14.95 - #672345) - grassy and fresh with nice acidity and a hint of asparagus. (*** 1/2)
(Midi)
Chateau des Aladeres 2008 Corbieres ($16.95 - #276063) - black fruit, black spice along with licorice notes. (*** 1/2)
(Rhone)
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| Arnoux & Fils Vacqueyras |
Arnoux & Fils 2009 Vacqueyras ($19.95 - #264663) - ripe fruit jumps out of the glass, juicy red fruits with the right amount of peppery spice and acidity ... a lovely BBQ wine. (****+)
Chateau Signac 2009 Cuvee Tradition Chusclan Cotes du Rhone Villages ($16.95 - #252288) - lots of lifted red and black fruit, quite fruit-driven. (*** 1/2+)
Le Gravillas 2009 Plan de Dieu Cotes du Rhone Villages ($14.95 - #264648) - good dark fruit in this drink now style wine. (*** 1/2)
Perrin 2011 Reserve Rosee ($15.95 - #719062) - a dry rosee with strawberry pith and raspberry nuances; perfect for those patio lunches. (*** 1/2)
Germany ...
Winzergenossenschaft Konigschaffhausen 2011 Pinot Noir Rosee Trocken ($11.95 - #168237) - big strawberry, hint of cherry on both the nose and flavour; this is a berry bowl turned liquid form with an almost sweet finish. (*** 1/2+)
Greece ...
Tselepos Driopi Agiorgitiko 2008 ($18.95 - #269043) - soft red and black fruit, smooth with good spice on the lingering finish; drink now. (*** 1/2)
Italy ...
(Piedmont)
Marziano Abbona Terlo Ravera Barolo 2006 ($42.95 - #0067918) - the spices aren't overpowering, it's smooth and elegant with a great mouthfeel. (****+)
(Tuscany)
Canonica a Cerreto 2007 Chianti Classico Riserva ($17.00 - #275867) - chocolate, strawberry, hints of herbs and spice, approachable and elegant. (****+)
Isole e Olena 2008 Chianti Classico ($26.95 - #704346) - nice sweet fruit, cherry liqueur, spices, violets and cinnamon; nice balance between the rustic and modern. (****)
(Veneto)
Brigaldara 2010 Valpolicella ($14.95 - #917864) - best described as wood smoked cherries. (*** 1/2+) - VEN
Farina 2008 Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico ($34.95 - #995910) - cherry, plum, chocolate and spice; sweet fruit on the palate. (*** 1/2+) - VEN
Nino Franco Rustico Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore ($17.95 - #277574) - deliciously fresh-fruited with apple and a hint of lemon, a nice hot day sipper. (*** 1/2+) - VEN
San Cassiano 2009 Valpolicella ($14.95 - #277509) - sweet and tart cherry liqueur with good acidity. (*** 1/2) - VEN
Tommasi 2008 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico ($49.95 - #356220) - sweet fruit, delicate spice: plum, cherry, blackberry with hints of blueberry and spice cake. (****) - VEN
Vinea 2010 Garganega ($13.95 - #230656) - nice peach linger to this wine and that makes it quite approachable. (*** 1/2) - VEN
New Zealand ...
Dog Point 2009 Chardonnay ($39.95 - #238568) - Chardonnay-esque nose with a creamy mouthfeel and big acidity on the finish, creamed grapefruit rind. (*** 1/2+) - NZW
Eradus 2010 Sauvignon Blanc ($17.95 - #225557) - full on grapefruit in all its glory. (*** 1/2) - NZW
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| Two Rivers Savvy B |
Momo 2009 Pinot Noir ($19.95 - #163972) - delicate baking spice with nutmeg and cinnamon with the right amount of dirty strawberry and acidity. (****+)
Spy Valley 2011 Pinot Gris ($19.95 - #277723) - here's a grape variety that New Zealand is doing well with, there's a little sweetness and good fruit with a hint of ginger spice to round it out. (****) - NZW
Two Rivers of Marlborough 2011 Convergence Sauvignon Blanc ($29.95 - #277707) - this high-end Sauv Blanc shows that its not all about grapefruit and over the top grass, sure it's here but it's delicate and delicious with a hint of mineral and spice. (****+) - NZW
Portugal ...
Quinta do Ataide 2008 Altano Reserva ($28.95 - #273573) - plummy dark fruit, back cherry and chocolate. (*** 1/2+)
Spain ...
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| Awesome: Tres Picos |
Allende 2006 ($24.95 - #954560) - it has some age and yet shows lots of life; lifted raspberry and cherry rise to the surface with hints of smoke and milk chocolate. (*** 1/2+)
Bodegas Olarra Anares Reserva 2005 ($17.95 - #244723) - licorice, dried leaves, cassis and some spice (*** 1/2)
Borsao 2009 Tres Picos Garnacha ($19.95 - #273748) - lovely fruit here, black cherry, blackberry, boysenberry, spice with hints of mineral; has memories of Australia in the glass. (**** 1/2)
Torres 2010 Vina Esmeralda ($13.95 - #113696) - fresher, more vibrant fruit than expected from a Spanish white; refreshing, clean with a little sweetness, very sippable. (*** 1/2)
United States ...
(California)
Beringer 2009 Merlot ($29.95 - #919647) - black fruit with chocolate and cherry. (*** 1/2)
Cuvaison 2009 Chardonnay ($29.95 - #988261) - this almost bland wine, upon entry, pulled off a nice lingering mouthfeel in the late stages, adding vanilla cream, caramel and good acidity. (*** 1/2+)
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| Oregon`s Andrew Rich Pinot |
Folie a Deux 2010 Menage a Trois Red ($17.95 - #665158) - still lots of fun, still over-priced here in Ontario. (***+)
Ghost Pines 2008 Winemaker's Blend Zinfandel ($19.95 - #269373) - jammy with cherry and vanilla notes. (*** 1/2)
Irony 2009 Merlot ($17.00 - #183186) - blueberry and chocolate, very fruit driven; a Cali-Merlot that is right on target. (*** 1/2+)
(Oregon)
Andrew Rich 2008 Cuvee B Pinot Noir ($29.95 - #127043) - deeply coloured and rich flavour: black cherry, nice spice with a hint of earth, needs a little chill. (****+)
(Washington)
Hogue 2009 Genesis Syrah ($19.95 - #687822) - chocolate, plum, white pepper, black cherry, with creamy dark chocolate on the finish. (****+)
Best Buys ... over deliver for the price
Casa Montes 2008 Don Baltazar Cabernet Franc ($12.95 - #261909) - interesting offering from Argentina ... Argentina - (*** 1/2)
Finca el Origrn 2010 Reserva Torrontes ($14.95 - #262089) - floral, sweet grapefruit and orange peel ... Argentina - (*** 1/2)
Monte del Fra 2008 Tenute Lena di Mezzo Valpolicella Classico Superiore ($15.95 - #272500) - smoky, fruity and delicious ... Veneto, Italy. (****)
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| Momo Pinot from NZ |
What I'll Be Lining Up For ... April 28, 2012
Momo 2009 Pinot Noir ($19.95 - #163972) - New Zealand
Arnoux & Fils 2009 Vacqueyras ($19.95 - #264663) - Rhone, France
Borsao 2009 Tres Picos Garnacha ($19.95 - #273748) - Spain
Happy Shopping
Key: Wine colour indicators - Red are red wines, Yellow are whites, etc.
