Vintages Essentials Collection: Fall 2008

They’re always available at a Vintages location near you. They represent some of the best products and the most popular year after year. Some are new to the list and some perennial favourites. Here I break down the best of the best based on two simple criteria, taste and price. (NB. I have put year in where I was able to note it, the Essentials catalogue does not specify year, vintages can change without notice, so if you like a wine make sure to buy a quantity that suits your needs because once it’s gone it’s gone).

Top 5 Best Value – Whites (Under $25) …

Flat Rock Cellars 2008 Twisted ($16.95 - #0001578 … Ontario)
Malivoire 2008 Chardonnay ($19.95 - #0573147 … Ontario)
Toasted Head 2008 Chardonnay ($17.95 - #0594341 … U.S.) – this Cali-Chard has plenty of big sweet fruit namely pineapple and peach with a nice hit of vanilla. (****)
Kim Crawford 2008 Sauvignon Blanc ($19.95 - #0035386 … New Zealand) – softer fruit than what you might be used to from New Zealand Sauv Blanc, but still plenty of fruit flavour, nice acidity and a long grassy finish. (****)
Henri Bourgeois 2008 Les Baronnes Sancerre ($24.95 - #0542548 … France) – this Sauvignon Blanc has the three ‘G’s’ in spades: gooseberry, grass and grapefruit; fresh and lively, more New Zealand in style than New Zealand Savvy B above. (****)

Top 5 Best Value – Reds (Under $20) ...

Ravenswood 2007 Vintners Blend Zinfandel ($17.95 - #0359257 … U.S.) – this is a much better version than the 2006 Zin that came through the market last year; this one has everything Zin fans crave: juicy plum, raspberry, vanilla, slight hints of spice and a great long finish. If your idea of Zinfandel is pink I suggest you pick this up and taste the real thing. (****½)
Catena 2007 Malbec ($19.95 - #0478727 … Argentina) – this is one serious Malbec: smoky, minty, blackberry and juicy; one sip and you too will say, “wow”. (****½)
Kaiken 2008 Malbec ($14.95 - #0058339 … Argentina) – a new and very welcome addition to the Essentials collection. This has blackberry, cassis and spice, juicy palate with a long tasty finish. Haven’t tried Malbec yet? This is a good introduction. (****½)
Louis Jadot 2008 Beaujolais-Villages ($16.95 - #0365924 … France) – get the thought out of your mind that Beaujolais is a sweet and simple wine, that’s nouveau you’re thinking about. This wine has great cherry and red berries, a touch of tannin and a little spice. Try chilling about 30 minutes before opening. (****½)
Torres 2005 Gran Coronas Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva ($18.95 - #0036483 … Spain) – Spain is a great place for value and this is no exception. Already 4 years old this beauty has lots of herbs and spice, lots of black fruit, pencil lead aromas, tannin heft on the tongue and a real good bit of spice – this one will not disappoint. (****½)


In Short - Other Recommendable Essentials … (six words or less)

White:
Mission Hill 2007 Chardonnay Reserve ($19.95 – #0545004 … British Columbia) – caramel, butterscotch, big oak, long finish. (***½)
Sonoma-Cutrer 2007 Russian River Ranches Chardonnay ($24.95 - #0608653) – full fruit, vanilla nuances, balanced. (****)

Red :
Hillebrand 2007 Trius Red ($21.95 - #0303800 … Ontario) – ’07 is fantastic (*****)
Mission Hill 2007 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($22.95 - #0553321) – black fruit, sweet licorice, spicy. (****)
Cline 2007 Syrah ($14.95 - #0733758 … U.S.) – as always, good value Syrah (****)
J. Lohr 2007 Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon ($20.95 - #0656561 … U.S.) – sweet juicy fruit, long finish. (****½)
Rodney Strong Estate 2007 Pinot Noir ($24.95 - #0954834 … U.S.) – big fruit, nice tannins and acidity. (****½)
Perez Cruz 2007 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon ($14.95- #0694208 … Chile) – minty black fruit, decently priced. (****)
D’Arenberg 2006 D’Arry’s Original ($19.95 – 0942904 … Australia) – peppery, eucalyptus, juicy black fruit. (****)
Mitolo 2007 Jester Shiraz ($21.95 - #0659607 … Australia) – sweet black fruit, chocolate cherries. (****)
Penfolds Thomas Hyland Shiraz ($19.95 - #0611210 … Australia) – good price, good mouth feel. (****)
Chateau Pey La Tour 2006 ($21.95 - #0925859 … France) – spice, blackberry, cassis and tannins. (****)
Perrin 2007 Reserve ($14.95 – #0363457 … France) – sweet black cherry and plumy. (****)
FontanaFredda 2008 Briccotondo Barbera ($15.95 - #0072348 … Italy) – spiced black fruit, Christmas cake aroma. (****)
Esporao 2006 Reserve Red ($24.95 – #0606590 … Spain) – red/black fruit, spiced plum and cinnamon. (****½)
Quinta dos Carvalhais Duque de Viseu Red 2006 ($13.95 - #0546309 … Portugal) – plumy red fruit, smooth mouth feel. (****)
Bodegas Castano 2006 Hecula Monastrell ($13.95 - #0718999 … Spain) – licorice, spice, and a little leather. (****)

For more wine reviews and related articles go to www.ontariowinereview.com,
while there sign up for Michael's free bi-weekly newsletter.

Vintages Essential Collection - Fall 2008

Once a year wine writers get a chance to wander into the LCBO tasting lab and check out the latest available wines that are part of the Essentials Collection. “Essentials” are wines/spirits/etc. that are available all year round through Vintages; the LCBO deems these wines as "fundamental, indispensable - something you can count on." Wines like Toasted Head Chardonnay, Rodney Strong Pinot Noir, Taylor Fladgate 20-year-old Tawny and Henry of Pelham Riesling Icewine. Here's a list of some of the best wines available from the program.

To me the essentials aren't just a always there, they represent good everyday value that you can rely on, let’s call it “bang-for-the-buck” – all my wines in my ‘ best value’ categories offer just that.

Best Values – Sweet …

Starting with the sweet category, I’d bypass most of the ones in the catalogue and jump right to the poor man's Icewine: Cave Spring 2006 Indian Summer Riesling ($24.95 – 415901 - 375 ml) all the flavors and smells of Icewine with half the sugar and, more importantly, half the price.

Best Value – Whites …

There are four whites in the best value category, starting with the Henry of Pelham 2007 Sauvignon Blanc ($14.95 – 430546); it offers up refreshment in an easy drinking style for under $15.00 and it’s from right here in Ontario. California's Toasted Head Chardonnay ($17.95 – 594341) is what you'd expect from a Chardonnay from the oak loving state: butter, vanilla and caramel - if this is what you like in your Chard that is just what you get. Then there are two bargains from New Zealand Cooper's Creek 2008 Sauvignon Blanc ($17.95 - 957407), this has everything you'd want in a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc: grassy, grapefruit and gooseberry along with that citrusy /big acid finish; it's about a buck lower than the other New Zealand Savvy B’s on offer, and I would say the best of the lot. Also from the Kiwi's is the Oyster Bay 2007 Chardonnay ($18.95 – 326728); Oyster Bay made a name from themselves with their Sauvignon Blancs, but I think it's their Chardonnay that rises above the fray these days – full in the mouth, very tropical with melon, peach and hint of spice and vanilla ...very appealing with a restrained use of wood.

Best Value – Reds ...

Hands down, this category is ruled by the Cline 2007 Syrah ($13.95 – 733758), though it was an even better deal a few months ago when it was a buck cheaper. Cherry, herbs, pepper and blackberries on the nose and taste ... totally enjoyable and well under $15.00 - this one will never embarrass you if you show up to a party with it under your arm. Other good values include the Duque De Viseu Red 2004 ($13.95 – 546309) from Spain; it’s plumy, cherry, and cocoa with nice wood nuances. Tannins are firm, so don't be afraid to lie this one down for a few years ... or chill it if serving it now. There are also two from Chile that offer up good bang-for-a-buck-more: the Miguel Torres Santa Digna 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve ($14.95 – 177451) with cherry, mint and juicy blackberries … nice tannins that go well with a juicy steak; and Perez Cruz 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve ($14.95 – 694208) adds more alcohol (14.5%), some herds and a smokiness to the Digna profile above. For lovers of California reds the Bonterra 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.95 - #342428) has really raised it’s quality level over the years – I was never a big fan of this organic wine, but this year is has great black fruit like cassis, blackberries and black cherries and is incredibly juicy in the mouth. Finally, those looking for robust, rich reds will like the Tedeschi Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2004 ($44.95 – 433417), sweet cherries, plum, chocolate and lots and lots of spice ... for an Amarone this is a good price - trust me.

Other Recommendable Essentials …

Dessert:
Taylor Fladgate 10-year-old Tawny Port ($34.95 – 121749) - Portugal
Taylor Fladgate 20-year-old Tawny Port ($68.95 – 149047) - Portugal
Graham's 10-year-old Tawny Port ($27.95 - 206508) - Portugal
Henry of Pelham 2006 Riesling Icewine ($54.95 – 430561 – 375ml) - Ontario
Inniskillin 2006 Vidal Icewine ($64.95 – 551085 – 375ml) - Ontario
Kittling Ridge 2005 Vidal Icewine ($43.95 – 563247 – 375ml) - Ontario
Stratus 2007 Icewine Red ($39.95 – 56689 – 200ml) - Ontario

White:
Cave Spring 2006 Estate Riesling ($18.25 – 286377) - Ontario
Mission Hill 2006 Chardonnay Reserve ($21.95 – 545004) - British Columbia
Henri Bourgeois 2007 Sancerre Les Baronnes ($24.95 – 542548) - France
Conundrum 2007 ($26.95 – 694653) - California

Red :
Flat Rock 2007 Pinot Noir ($19.95 – 1545) - Ontario
Rosenblum 2006 Zinfandel ($17.95 – 284653) - California
D’Arenberg D’Arry Original ($19.95 – 942904) - Australia
Kilikanoon “Killerman’s Run” Shiraz ($19.95 – 925453) - Australia
Chanson Pere & Fils 2006 Le Bourgogne Pinot Noir ($19.95 – 50575) - France
Perrin & Fils Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Sinards ($38.95 – 926626) - France
Rocca Della Macie 2006 Chianti Classico ($18.95 – 741769) – Italy
Zenato 2006 Valpolicella Superiore Ripassa ($24.95 – 479766) – Italy
Esporao 2005 Reserve Red ($24.95 – 606590) - Spain
Torres Gran Coronas 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva ($18.95 – 386483) - Spain

Sparkling / Champagne:
Dom Perignon 2000 ($219.95 – 280461) - France
Veuve Clicquot Champagne Vintage 2002 ($92.95 – 508614) - France

For more wine reviews and related articles go to www.ontariowinereview.com,
while there sign up for Michael's free bi-weekly newsletter.