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.
The Foci … Cool Climate Chardonnay (CCC) and BBQ Wines (BBQ)
The Skinny … a tasty little wine from Argentina (Bonarda) and a spectacular Rhone wine that you’ll want in your cellar – plus there are a few really good bargains in this release.
Argentina …
Fabre Montmayou 2011 Reserve Malbec ($15.95 - #261867) – lots of spicy-peppery black fruit. (*** ½+)
Las Moras 2010 Black Label Bonarda ($15.95 - #260901) – juicy cherry, chocolate, mocha and blackberry; lovely fruit and it’s juicy, juicy, juicy. (****+) - BBQ
Australia …
Pirramimma 2010 Old Bush Vine Grenache ($25.95 - #108068) – juicy, jammy with enough spice for balance. (*** ½+) – BBQ
Robert Oatley 2010 Signature Series Shiraz ($18.95 - #327387) – nice bittersweet chocolate wrapped in layers of fruit with a spiced finish. (****)
Sister’s Run 2011 Epiphany Shiraz ($16.95 - #269464) – there’s something intriguing in this wine, eucalyptus but with lots of fruit and some chocolate; Sister’s Run continues to impress. (****+)
Small Gully 2008 The Formula Robert’s Shiraz ($18.95 - #142935) – decent fruit driven wine yet well-spiced Shiraz, quite playful. (*** ½+) – BBQ
Canada (Ontario) … (click on wine name for full review)
Chile …
Bisquertt 2009 Ecos de Rulo Carmenere ($17.95 - #325365) – minty, cassis and plum. (*** ½+)
Caliterra 2011 Tributo Single Vineyard Chardonnay ($15.95 - #144709) – full upfront Chardonnay with apple and vanilla and a nice finish. (*** ½+)
Casa del Bosque 2011 Reserva Pinot Noir ($16.95 - #995068) – interesting roasted coffee bean note on this one. (*** ½)
France (Alsace) …
Rolly Gassmann 2007 Rotleibel de Rorschwihr Auxerrois ($20.95 - #328872) – this Auxerrois is both subtle and rich at the same time, nice hit of sweetness and surprisingly delicious for a 6 year old little known grape. (****)
France (Beaujolais) …
Coquard 2011 Les Ceps dans le Schiste Rouge Morgon ($17.95 - #330035) - cherry and peppered, a delicious wine to chill for the patio; nice berry finish. (*** ½+) - BBQ
France (Bordeaux) …
Chateau Balac 2009 ($24.95 - #336933) – some jammy fruit with tannins cinnamon / clove and dark fruit. (*** ½+)
France (Burgundy) …
Billaud-Simon 2009 Les Vaillons Chablis 1er Cru ($35.95 - #330175) – nice mineral aspect up front with good white fruit and floral notes. (****)
Maurice Guerrin & Fils 2011 Le Clos Vessats Saint-Veran ($22.95 - #336263) – has a sweet peach, vanilla mid and all the way to the finish. (*** ½)
France (Loire) …
Couly-Dutheil 2012 Rene Couly Chinon Rosé ($15.95 - #323360) – surprisingly playful Cabernet ranc that has some red pepper jelly and strawberry as its mainstay. (*** ½+)
France (Midi) …
Chateau D’Angles 2012 La Clape Rosé ($15.95 - #323386) – dry with plenty of strawberry and apricot pit notes. (*** ½)
France (Rhone) …
Domaine de Bila-Haut 2010 Occultum Lapidem ($24.95 - #643239) – exquisite and complex of fruit / tannins and other factors that make this wine worth holding (or drinking); a real show of finesse. (**** ½)
Domaine Les Grands Bois 2010 Cuvee Eloise Cairanne Cotes du Rhone-Villages ($21.95 - #328468) – cherry, anise and white pepper. (*** ½+) - BBQ
La Ferme du Mont 2011 La Truffiere ($15.95 - #234716) – full in the mouth with balanced white fruit, slightly creamy, low in acidity, but tasty. (*** ½+)
M Chapoutier 2011 Belleruche Cotes du Rhone Rouge ($15.95 - #328831) – easy drinking with red berries, cranberry and cherry. (*** ½)
Germany …
Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler 2011 Bernkastler Badstube Riesling Kabinett ($21.95 - #033407) – pretty with nice frame of acidity to hang the fruit and mineral off of. (*** ½+)
Italy (Abruzzo) …
Caldora Yume 2008 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo ($20.95 - #330217) – rich blackberries with hints of mocha and nice long finish. (****)
Italy (Puglia) …
Papale 2010 Linea Oro Primitivo di Manduria ($19.95 - #261784) – nice cherry and chocolate notes, juicy and great for ribs. (****+) - BBQ
Italy (Tuscany) …
Renieri Invetro 2010 ($20.95 - #330696) – chocolate, black cherry and tobacco with floral aspects. (*** ½+)
Italy (Veneto) …
Bolla 2007 Le Origini Amarone dellaValpolicella Classico ($39.95 - #204792) – shows nice balance of fruit, acidity, spice and cocoa. (****)
Farina 2011 Parziale Appassimento ($15.95 - #326702) – cherry, vanilla, chocolate, quite tasty; white pepper and acidity join in on the finish. (****)
Villa Mettielli San Giacomo Valpolicella Ripasso 2010 ($18.95 - #333310) – raisiny-chocolate, the Glossettes of wine. (*** ½+) - BBQ
New Zealand …
Auntsfield 2012 Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc ($19.95 - #663286) – lively grapefruit and melon with nice mouthfeel and well-balanced. (****) - CCC
Nautilus 2011 Chardonnay ($24.95 - #657569) – there’s a neat caramel apple sweetness to this wine yet with balancing acidity, citrus, melon and a nice vanilla finish. (****+)
Portugal …
Quinta de Ventozelo 2009 Touriga Nacional ($19.95 - #657452) – rich and plummy with plenty of vanilla and smooth dark fruit. (****)
Spain …
Cerro Anon Reserva 2006 ($17.95 - #114306) – mocha and plum with lavender and cherry notes. (*** ½+)
Vina Berceo 2008 Crianza ($16.95 - #672824) – plum and dried cherry with hints of earthiness. (*** ½+)
United States (California) …
Cannonball 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon ($21.95 - #291666) – ripe dark fruit with blackberry and chocolate. (*** ½+)
Sebastiani 2009 Merlot ($32.95 - #672659) – juicy blueberry and blackberry with generous cherry. (****)
Sterling 2010 Chardonnay ($22.95 - #330233) – creamy vanilla, clarified butter and apple. (*** ½+)
The Show 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon ($17.95 - #140715) – plenty of vanilla, dark fruit and lush cherry. (*** ½+)
United States (Washington) …
Columbia Crest 2009 Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon ($17.95 - #240093) – smooth and easy drinking with lots of fruit forwardness. (*** ½+)
If You Can Afford It – wines worth their high price …
Joseph Phelps 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon ($87.95 - #189795) - ****
Mollydooker 2009 Blue Eyed Boy Shiraz ($55.95 - #327379) - **** (BBQ)
What I’ll Be Lining Up For – July 20, 2013 …
Domaine de Bila-Haut 2010 Occultum Lapidem ($24.95 - #643239) – France
Las Moras 2010 Black Label Bonarda ($15.95 - #260901) – Argentina
Nautilus 2011 Chardonnay ($24.95 - #657569) – New Zealand
Papale 2010 Linea Oro Primitivo di Manduria ($19.95 - #261784) – Italy
Sister’s Run 2011 Epiphany Shiraz ($16.95 - #269464) – Australia
Happy Shopping
