Saturday August 18, 2012 - Vintages Release Report

To print this report click here for the PDF version.

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.

Foci (plural of focus): Pacific North West (PNW) and Rhone Valley (RHO)

Highlights: a Rhone white of some note plus real winners from Washington, Spain and Australia.

Argentina ...

Chakana 2010 Reserve Malbec ($15.95 - #18671) - nice, juicy blackberry, black cherry, plum, vanilla and spice. (****)

Australia ...

Evans & Tate 2009 Metricup Road Shiraz ($19.95 - #606905) - there's a juicy complexity to this wine that's quite appealing which is enhanced by the peppery finish. (****+)

Small Gully 2008 Mr. Black's Concoction Shiraz ($24.95 - #222059) - menthol, smoke and black cherry sweetness. (*** 1/2+)

Three Pond 2011 Semillon ($19.95 - #285049) - lemongrass, citrus, earthy with a refreshingly long finish. (*** 1/2+)

Torbreck 2010 Woodcutter's Shiraz ($27.95 - #927533) - dark fruit, cassis, black pepper, cocoa, with licorice on the finish. (****)

Wakefield 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon ($17.95 - #744235) - a beauty: tasty dark fruit, juicy with eucalyptus notes. (****+)

Zonte's Footstep Lake Doctor Shiraz 2009 ($16.95 - #72975) - cherry, raspberry and plum; a real fruit bomb. (*** 1/2+)

Canada - (British Columbia) ...

Mission Hill 2010 Reserve Pinot Noir ($24.95 - #545012) - black cherry, anise seed, raspberry-cherry with a little earthiness. (*** 1/2) - PNW

Quails' Gate 2010 Chardonnay ($21.95 - #377770) - soft and subtle, with buttery, vanilla, lemon and peach. (** 1/2+) - PNW

Canada - (Ontario) ... for full review click on wine name

Calmus 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.95 - #285809) - ****

Calamus 2010 Riesling ($16.95 - #158642) - *** 1/2

Fielding 2011 Pinot Gris ($21.95 - #251108) - ****

Southbrook 2010 Triomphe Cabernet Franc ($21.95 - #275958) - *** 1/2+

Union 2010 Squared Red ($17.95 - #292359) - *** 1/2+

Chile ...

Anakena 2011 Lilen Single Vineyard Viognier ($14.95 - #45138) - spiced finish, hints of tropical on the mid with a intense citrus start. (*** 1/2)

San Pedro 1865 Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 ($19.95 - #37911) - minty-black fruit, typical and tasty. (****)

France - (Beaujolais) ...

Domaine Ruet 2010 La Fontenelle Chiroubles ($16.95 - #282095) - very cherry and mineral. (*** 1/2)

France - (Burgundy) ...

Cave de Lugny 2009 Cuvee Millesime Brut Cremant de Bourgogne ($18.95 - #183764) - creamy yet with nice acidity and good citrus. (*** 1/2+)

Domaine Chevallier 2009 Chablis ($19.95 - #112227) - nice mineral note and mixes well with the fruit. (*** 1/2)

France - (Loire) ...

Domaine du haut Bourg 2010 Muscadet Cotes de Grandlieu ($15.95 - #289363) - tangy grapefruit with good acidity. (*** 1/2)

Guy Saget 2010 Sancerre Blanc ($19.95 - #287078) - grassy, hay and pink grapefruit cocktail. (*** 1/2)

France - (Midi) ...

Chateau Paul Mas 2010 Clos des Mures ($18.95 - #286393) - sweet and spicy, nice dark fruit with toasty-oaky-spice. (*** 1/2+)

France - (Rhone) ...

Bosquet des Papes 2010 Cuvee Tradition Chateauneuf-du-Pape ($42.95 - #726687) - full on flavour of plum, cherry, licorice, chocolate, raspberry and cassis. (****+) - RHO

Domaine Grandy 2010 Vacqueyras ($18.95 - #287532) - thick and dark with flavourful fruit, hint of spice and chocolate add to the enjoyment. (****) - RHO

Domaine les Grands Bois 2010 Cuvee les Trois Soeurs Cotes du Rhone ($16.95 - #281147) - plum, stawberry, sweet cherry ... big fruited. (****+) - RHO

E. Guigal 2011 Cotes du Rhone Blanc ($15.95 - #290296) - honeysuckle, floral, pineapple, apricot; good value for a nice wine. (****)

Famille Perrin 2010 Les Cornuds Vinsobres ($17.95 - #566844) - delicate cherry, spice, licorice with a hint of floral undertones. (*** 1/2) - RHO

Gonnet 2010 Selection L'Olivia Gigondas ($23.95 - #289306) - nicely spiced, licorice with herbal notes. (*** 1/2) - RHO

Les Halos de Jupiter 2010 Cotes du Rhone ($17.95 - #276956) - leaner than one would expect from a Rhone wine, but still very flavourful. (*** 1/2) - RHO

Italy - (Calabria) ...

Ippolito 1845 Liber Pater Ciro Rosso Classico Superiore 2009 ($13.95 - #121061) - simple yet fruity; fresh and dried cherries, plum, cocoa and herbs. (****)

Italy - (Friuli) ...

Stocco 2009 Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso ($14.95 - #289561) - lovely floral and red fruit, hints of leather on the smoky finish. (*** 1/2)

Italy - (Molise) ...

Di Majo Norante Contado Riserva Aglianico del Molise 2009 ($15.95 - #967208) - smoky black fruit, tobacco and raspberry, especially on the finish. (*** 1/2+)

Italy - (Piedmont) ...

La Casa in Collina Barbaresco 2008 ($29.95 - #968974) - gentle spice with sweet and sour cranberry and red cherry. (****)

Italy - (Puglia) ...

Cantine due Palme 2009 Primitivo ($15.95 - #658351) - primer for those who want to get into Zinfandel. (*** 1/2)

Italy - (Sicily) ...

Villa Tonino 2010 Grillo ($13.95 - #289579) - apple, citrus peel with a pith finish. (*** 1/2)

Italy - (Tuscany) ...

Altesino 2009 Rosso di Altesino ($18.95 - #658369) - dried cherry, plum, raspberry with a long spiced finish including white pepper. (****)

Italy - (Veneto) ...

Angelo Bortolin 2010 Extra Dry Prosecco Superiore ($17.95 - #282616) - lively and lemony, a real mouth-wakener; this even shows a little minerality. (****)

Verbena 2007 Brunello di Montalcino ($37.95 - #165126) - sweet spice, nice fruit, sweet mid-palate, vanilla-tobacco with a dry finish. (****+)

Lebanon ...

Elias Tanios Touma 2008 Le Fleuron Heritage ($N/A - #307793) - sweet cherries and spice with hints of pepper and sweet tobacco. (*** 1/2)

New Zealand ...

Delta 2010 Pinot Noir ($23.95 - 675231) - cran-raspberry with a nice earthy component. (*** 1/2)

Southbank 2010 Chardonnay ($17.95 - #278523) - melon, tangerine with a nice toasty-buttery finish. (*** 1/2)

Portugal ...

Messias 10 Anos Tawny Port ($23.95 - #87205) - orange peel, cinnamon, creme-brulee, caramel, marmalade, nutty, fig jam and with a bit of a salt lick note on the finish; nice long finish. (****)

South Africa ...

Bellingham 2009 Shiraz with a Dash of Viognier ($14.95 - #278739) - very smoky and mocha oriented, good dark fruit and big tannins. (****)

Flagstone 2005 The Treaty Tree Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot ($14.95 - #278382) - smoky and tarry with an interesting fruit-spice; interesting smoky tobacco finish ... wait 2-3 years. (*** 1/2+)

Spain ...

Buil & Gine Gine Gine 2009 ($17.95 - #67843) - good fruit to spice ratio, fresh and lively fruit, quite juicy; now under screwcap. (****)

Cellar Besllum Besllum 2008 ($15.95 - #283515) - vanilla, plum, black cherry with sweet herbs and silky tannins. (*** 1/2+)

Ribota 2009 ($15.95 - #280628) - juicy dark fruit, mocha, vanilla, milk chocolate and black licorice. (*** 1/2+)

United States - (California) ...

Bommarito 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon ($24.95 - #213918) - simple, approachable and chocolatey. (*** 1/2)

Calera 2009 Pinot Noir ($31.95 - #933044) - lots of fruit, juicy cherry, strawberry and sweet spices. (****+)

Chamisal 2011 Unoaked Stainless Chardonnay ($25.95 - #289223) - tropically tinged with nice acidity. (*** 1/2+)

Geyser Peak 2007 Block Collection Walking Tree Cabernet Sauvignon ($28.95 - #161323) - juicy and spicy, black fruited with nice spice on the finish. (****)

Kenwood 2010 Chardonnay ($17.95 -- #158790) - delicate pineapple, vanilla, lightly buttered toast; a nice balance of fruit and oak. (*** 1/2+)

Mer Soleil 2009 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay ($34.95 - #958975) - sweet oak, sweet fruit with a nice mouthfeel, heavy weight oak. (****)

Paso Creek 2009 Zinfandel ($19.95 - #279810) - simple and juicy, plum, cherry, cola, vanilla and chocolate. (*** 1/2+)

Seghesio 2009 Old Vine Zinfandel ($49.95 - #56879) - if this were cheaper I'd buy it by the barrel; pure Zin for Zin-fans ... bring on the BBQ ribs. (****+)

St. Supery 2011 Sauvignon Blanc ($19.95 - #339663) - hits you over the head with tropical, limeade and melon. (*** 1/2+)

Summers 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon ($29.95 - #279398) - raspberry, cherry with hints of white pepper. (*** 1/2+)

United States - (Washington) ...

Columbia Crest 2009 H3 Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.95 - #210047) - currants, plum, black cherry, and mocha; a lovely wine. (****+) - PNW

What I'll Be Lining Up For - August 18, 2012 ...

Wakefield 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon ($17.95 - #744235) - Australia

E. Guigal 2011 Cotes du Rhone Blanc ($15.95 - #290296) - France

Buil & Gine Gine Gine 2009 ($17.95 - #67843) - Spain

Columbia Crest 2009 H3 Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.95 - #210047) - United States

Happy Shopping

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For more wine reviews and related articles go to www.ontariowinereview.com,

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Saturday February 6, 2010 - Vintages Release

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I have gone to a stars rating system which appears at the end of each review; here’s the key to those stars:
5 = Outstanding … 4.5 = Excellent … 4 = Very Good … 3.5 = Good … 3 = Average
I’m always looking for good value and I’m not afraid to give or take away a half mark for it – I’ll let you know when I’ve done so.

The two focuses for this release are 90-point wines and Valentine’s Day … so here’s what’s good:

Wines for your Valentine …
Nothing is more romantic than opening a bottle of bubbly, it usually signifies something special, and for that I recommend the Pierre Sparr Brut Rosé Cremant D’Alsace ($18.95 - #0039016) with its nice raspberry-strawberry notes and light lemon citrus on the palate (****). Another bubble of note is the Piemonte Cantina San Pancrazio Brachetto 2008 ($16.95 - #0159566), Brachetto is very much like Moscato, light and fizzy with a little sweetness – lots of strawberry flavour and beautiful colour; perfect for this time of year (*****). Moving on to something red, nothing says “my sweetie” to your sweetie, like an actual sweetie: Stratus 2008 Red Icewine ($39.95 / 200ml - #0056689). If you’re looking for a dry red wine you can start your search with the Artesa 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon ($22.95 - #0909101), blackberry, black cherry with a touch of mocha and nice tannins (****). To some nothing says Valentine’s day like a boatload of cherries, and that’s exactly what you get in a bottle of Domaine des Darrezes Cuvee Tradition Saint-Amour ($16.95 - #0159673) from Beaujolais, there is also some floral and raspberry just to give it that little extra yum-factor (****).

90-Point Wines …
We’ll start this look at 90-point wines with a stunning white: Concha Y Toro 2008 Trio Reserva Chardonnay / Pinot Grigio / Pinot Blanc ($12.95 - #0433938), not only is it an exceptional value it tastes great too: lemon-lime, melon and mineral, exotic and tasty, buy it by the case (****½). Next up is the Thelema Sutherland 2007 Chardonnay ($19.95 - #0146423) – buttered toast with a nice nuttiness, full of hazelnuts and almonds (****). Another white of note is this one from Germany: Reinhold Haart 2007 Riesling Kabinett ($19.95 - #0727461) with its sweet peach and pear flavours, very easy to sip on (****). There are two wines from Argentina in this category: Bodega Norton 2006 Reserva Malbec ($17.95 – 0017061) with its mocha, bramble, blackberry, cassis, plum and black raspberry (****); and the Luigi Bosca 2006 Single Vineyard Malbec ($18.95 - #0074922), floral notes, blackberry, a touch of spice and elegance on the palate (****½). From Australia there’s the lovely Langmeil 2006 Blacksmith Cabernet ($22.95 - #0644039) with its black fruit and spice, big 15% alcohol and black fruited finish (****½). You just had to know that France is gonna factor in here somewhere and the Domaine Grand Nicolet Vieilles Vignes Cotes du Rhone-Villages Rasteau ($21.95 - #0155481) fits the bill nicely with its smooth mocha, black fruit and red berries, this one’s big and fruity with a real kick (****½). But if you can only pick up one French wine make it the Perrin & Fils Les Christins Vacqueyras 2007 ($22.95 - #0973453) this one is a real beauty, nice red fruit, sweet licorice and lovely chocolate note; smooth, supple and delicious (*****). Two more 90-pointers left to go, there’s one from Italy, the Remo Farina Montecorna Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2005 ($19.95 - #0056267) with layers of finesse, cherry, coffee, chocolate and a great smooth finish (****½). Finally, there’s the Cary Grant of wines: Buil & Gine Gine Gine 2006 ($17.95 - #0067843), blackberry, cassis on the nose, cherries and chocolate on the palate with a luscious red berry finish (****½), I’m giving it an extra half mark here for the price.

Australia – Red …
The Black Chook 2008 Shiraz / Viognier ($16.95 - #0066738) – floral and red fruit nose, sweet red fruit with raspberry and vanilla. (****)

Canada – Dessert …
(Ontario)
Muskoka Lakes Winery Red Maple ($18.95 - #0050039)

Canada – Sparkling
(British Columbia)
Sumac Ridge Tribute Private Reserve ($22.95 - #0169508) – fresh lively lemon with crisp apple, very nice bubble. (****)

Chile – Red …
Arboleda 2007 Merlot ($18.95 - #0045864) – sweet supple black fruit, chocolate, juicy blackberry, and nice tannins. (****½)

Chile – White …
Casa Lapostolle 2009 Sauvignon Blanc ($13.95 - #0396994) – nice melon, pineapple core and sweet grapefruit. (****)

France – Red …
(Beaujolais)
Louis-Jadot Combe aux Jacques 2008 Beaujolais-Villages ($9.95 / 375ml - #0005918) – be sure to chill this bottle of succulent cherry juice … made from grapes, honest. (****)
(Bordeaux)
Chateau Clerc Milon 2006 ($62.00 - #0564492) – dense black fruit with black currants and cedary notes. (****)
Chateau Grand Puy Lacoste 2006 ($85.00 - #0564302) – best Bordeaux of the release; beautiful red-fruited nose with nice red fruit, cedar, herbs and cassis in the mouth. Time will improve this one but it drinks nicely right now. (****½)
(Midi)
Le Secret des Capitelles Saint-Chinian 2007 ($14.95 - #0156299) – herbal nose with a red plum palate; I really liked this one for its balance and its price. (****½)

New Zealand – Red …
Sileni Cellar 2009 Selection Pinot Noir ($16.95 - #0694901) – sweet red cherry, a touch earthy along with a sweet cherry finish. (****½)

New Zealand – White …
Omaka Springs 2008 Pinot Gris ($17.95 - #0063347) – there’s a nice touch of pear sweetness here along with floral and cantaloupe/melon notes. (****)

Portugal – Dessert …
Justino’s Fine Rich Madeira ($14.95 - #0592600) – smells of toffee, almond and a bit of nuttiness; palate has burnt caramel and nutty qualities with a bit of orange peel; smooth and tasty. (****½)

South Africa – Red …
Flagstone 2007 Dragon Tree Cabernet Sauvignon / Shiraz / Pinotage ($15.95 - #0037549) – best use of Pinotage I’ve tried; nice blackberry and chocolate notes. (****)

South Africa – White …
Lammershoek 2008 Chenin Blanc ($18.95 - #0058206) – surprising and unexpected, you think it will be fresh and lively but instead you get woodsy characteristics: vanilla, lemon curd with a touch of butterscotch; more Chardonnay-like than Chenin but still quite good. (****)

Spain – Red …
Pagos del Rey Arnegui Crianza 2006 ($15.95 - #0146274) – red and black fruit mingle with hints of chocolate, dark plum and a good tannins grip on the finish; very well priced. (****)

United States – Red …
(California)
Gallo Family 2007 Frei Ranch Vineyard Zinfandel ($34.95 - #0555599) – plum, cherry, chocolate and some crème de cassis, quite a lovely Zin with an air of elegance. (****½)

United States – White …
(California)
Chateau Souverain 2008 Chardonnay ($24.95 - #0158600) – delicious with nice oak-vanilla, sweet buttered-vanilla-almond, and lovely pear notes on the finish. (****½)
Dry Creek Vineyard 2007 Fume Blanc ($13.95 - #0277715) – grassy and goosy (as in berry) notes with lots of grass on the palate, mid-weight and a log finish. (****)

Grape Guy Top 3 … what I’ll be lining up for on February 6, 2010:
Piemonte Cantina San Pancrazio Brachetto 2008 ($16.95 - #0159566) – Italy
Chateau Souverain 2008 Chardonnay ($24.95 - #0158600) – United States
Concha Y Toro 2008 Trio Reserva Chardonnay / Pinot Grigio / Pinot Blanc ($12.95 - #0433938) – Chile
Bonus Must Buy: Perrin & Fils Les Christins Vacqueyras 2007 ($22.95 - #0973453) - France

Happy Shopping.

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

Saturday March 29, 2008 - Vintages Release

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This week’s release at Vintages focuses on Organic and Artisinal wines. For those who dig organic wine this should be an interesting release. Lately there are more and more organics to choose from – myself, I have never been a big fan, but the “Return to Terroir” event, held in Toronto February 9 … started me looking at eco-friendly wines in a different and better light. I have to admit, that it was because of the great wine being featured at RTT that this release left me a little cold, organically speaking, only 4 sparked my interest here. The Artisans fared just a little better, getting me interested in 6 of their wines. To see the Ontario wines of note click on the links and you will be directed to my website (www.ontariowinereview.com) for a full review.

Organic …

I’ll start with something sweet, Fonseca Terra Prima Reserve Port ($24.95 - #67132), I enjoyed this one at the Port Tasting back in the fall with its cherry, mint and hint of chocolate … heavy on the cherry. No white organic wines turned my crank so we’ll slip right into the reds. From Argentina comes this cat on stilts (see the label) – Budini 2005 Malbec ($12.95 - #58396) – I thought it a good starter Malbec, for those not too familiar with the grape because of the following 3 reasons: the black fruit, the spices and the price. Chile also produces an organic in this release, the Emiliana Coyam 2005 ($24.95 - #63891) – a blend of Syrah, Carmenere and Cabernet Sauvignon which packs a whopping 14.5% alcohol; dusty black fruit and chocolate lead the way, with herbs, spice, cinnamon and vanilla taking up the back-up role. Finally, in the organic wine category, we move over to France, where you’ll find Perrin Cotes du Rhone Nature 2005 ($16.95 - #948059) … I didn’t want to like it, with its cutesy butterfly label but this one turned out to be downright tasty.

Ontario contributes the tasty Frog Pond Farm 2002 Cabernet/Merlot ($15.95 - #660571 – 500ml) to this category.

Artisan …

Here I’ll kick it off sweet again, with probably the most amazing Ruby Port I have ever tasted especially for the price. Here’s another of the one’s I tried at the Port & Douro Tasting, and the one I told you to look out for – it’s here at last: Quinta do Infantado Ruby Port ($15.95 - #979898) – lots of chocolate, cherry, plum, blackberries and other fine port flavours and smells – and what a price … we’ll be wrestling in the aisle over the last bottle of this beauty – get there early. If you’re looking for something white and refreshing in this category look no further than the Jean-Max Roger Sancerre Cuvee les Caillottes 2006 ($23.95 - #65573). This Sauvignon Blanc has a sweet pear nose before it moves into citrus with bracing acidity in the mouth … pleasant as well as refreshing. For Artisinal reds I’ll start in California with the Madrigal Vineyards 2003 Petite Sirah ($19.95 - #71803) it’s lyrical, poetic and complex … a sweet nose of herbs and cherry-cola (so much so I would have sworn it was Zinfandel) followed by a palate loaded with black cherry, blackberries, sweet herbs and enough tannins to dry the tongue and throat – I’d say 5+ years easy for this beauty. Staying in the U.S. of A, but out of California, here’s a shocker from, of all places, Virginia – Kluge Estate Vineyards 2004 Albemarle Simply Red ($23.95 - #61044) … a Bordeaux-style blend with Sauv, Franc and Merlot that is quite simply tasty. Red fruit and bramble hit the nose, while red fruit, cranberry and a touch of earthiness hit the palate. You can’t expect to get out of the Artisan-wine category without visiting France and the Vincent + Marie Christine Perrin Volnay 1er Cru les Mitans 2005 ($49.95 - #66621) fits the bill, a pinot that brings it’s A-game: silky tannins along with cranberry, sour cherry and a touch of earthy – very nice. Last, but not least, we’ll pop over to Italy for a Quintarelli Primofiore 2004 ($56.95 - #20867) – a very complex wine with lots of fruit, herbs and vanilla.

White Wine …

Surprisingly, I found quite a bit of good, attractively priced white wine in this release (must be that spring and summer are finally in the air); and best of all, I am sure that more are on the way.

Ontario …
Creekside Estate 2006 Sauvignon Blanc Reserve ($18.95 - #53371)
Malivoire Wine Company 2006 Pinot Gris ($19.00 - #591305)

New Zealand … from the Marlborough region the Matua Valley Shingle Peak 2007 Sauvignon Blanc ($17.95 - #309591) is quite refreshing if not typical for New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc – grapefruit, gooseberry, cut grass and tons of citrus zip and zing on the tongue. Looking for something a little different? Then pick up the Spy Valley 2006 Gewurztraminer ($18.95 - #32870) – the smells are floral, talc, and rose petal along with a peach-petrol blend … the whole kit and kaboodle follows through in the mouth – but watch out, that musk can get over-powering if you let it, so grab something to eat to go along with it – this isn’t your average every day sipping wine.

France – Alsace … From one extreme (so musky it’ll knock you over from across the room – see above in New Zealand) to the other (soft, supple, inviting and sip-worthy) – this Pierre Sparr 2005 Gewurztraminer Reserve ($18.95 - #747600) is just what the doctor ordered for a spring/summer sipper – it also adds some pleasant spiciness to be palate.

France – Burgundy … pleasant is also the way I’d describe this L. Tramier & Fils Macon-Villages 2006 ($17.95 - #69112) – very good fruitiness with hints of vanilla – I would have thought it light bodied, but the 13.5% alcohol tells a different story.

South Africa … the Klein Zalze 2006 Chenin Blanc Barrel Fermented ($13.95 - #57471) has a very peachy nose that follows right on through into the mouth, and there’s also some heat from the 15% alcohol – I could see how some might consider this one a little soft and flabby, but I quite enjoyed it. For a more recognizable wine offering there’s the Morgenhuf Estate 2007 Sauvignon Blanc ($12.95 - #18507) – gooseberry and grassy with a touch of smokiness, clean and very refreshing in the mouth, this one finishes with a grapefruit bite.

Spain … I don’t usually talk about Spanish whites, but this one deserves a little notoriety, with its light lemon flavours and subtle nose which leads me to believe that this Marques de Caceres 2006 Barrel Fermented White ($15.95 – #67041) is perfect for summertime sipping – so bring on the sun and the heat.

Red Wines …

Ontario …
Black Prince Winery 2006 Reserve Cabernet Franc ($15.95 - #68874)

Chile … So, do I talk about the origins of Chilean Carmenere or do I talk about the wine? Heck let me focus your attention on the Concha Y Toro Winemaker’s Lot 152 Carmenere 2005 ($18.95 - #30957) this is what Carmenere should be, a spice-driven nose – black fruit, chocolate, berries, cinnamon and vanilla in the mouth – oh, so, good. I’ll stop blabbing and just say, buy a bottle and let the wine do the talking for itself. Looking for something more recognizable? You can go for the Tabali 2005 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon ($14.95 - #58446) with black fruit, mint and eucalyptus … this one’s bbq-ready … I keep saying it but with the weather we are having more positive reinforcement is need, bring on the nice weather.

Australia … the land down under is always good for a dozen wines every release (9 this time) and this time I pick out this one: Heartland 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon ($18.95 - #58099) … chocolate, black fruit and cola with a nice cherry-vanilla finish, a bit jammy, but pleasant.

South Africa … I remember a time when Pinotage was a scary grape variety to make wine out of, many a wine was considered “rustic” and that was putting it nicely. Lammershoek 2005 Pinotage ($18.95 - #954594) is as far removed from those original Pinotage wines as you can get. The nose is spicy with black fruit, bramble and a touch of floral; while the flavours are explosive in the mouth: black currant, blackberry, spicy and tannin, there is a little bit of the typical South Africa flavours on the finish, but it’s so “way back there” that it’s practically standing in the corner un-noticed. My second selection from South Africa is Robertson Winery Prospect Hill 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon ($18.95 - #687814). Robertson is a cooperative winery with ~43 members, each year at harvest time they all bring in their grapes and one batch is selected to be the “single vineyard” offering, the rest go into the everyday wine. I’ve seen Prospect Hill on previous versions of this wine so they must be doing something right. This one’s full on blackberry and black cherry all the way from nose to palate, and it’s drinking beautifully right now.

France – Midi … Here’s another Cahors wine that will stand the test of time (say 10 years), Cahors is usually big, bold and black fruited – as this one is, but the addition of 20% Merlot softens it a bit, while the barrel ageing has left behind vanilla oaky notes – but there’s still that tell-tale real spiciness and tannins galore, Chateau Croze de Pys Prestige 2005 ($16.95 - #681668)..

France – Rhone … Domaine des Senechaux Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2005 ($35.95 - #677922) has a nose that’s absolutely luscious with red fruit and cinnamon; in the mouth the red fruit explodes with a touch of spice, my notes say “beauty baby” and it is.

Italy – Tuscany … sweet black fruit, lots of tannins, lots of spice and a lower alcohol level (13%) than both the mouth and nose projects. This one’s my big, bold and brawny selection of the release: Micheletti Guardione 2003 ($37.95 - #39693).

Spain … Two Spanish compositions close out my look at the red wines of this release. This one from Priorat, Buil & Gine Gine Gine 2005 ($20.95 - #67843) is a tasty little sucker brimming with full on red and black fruit with some spicy characteristics thrown in for good measure. The second, Muruve Crianza 2003 ($15.95 - #67546) is quite simply a value, value, value – nose of sweet plums and other black fruits … the fruit is all over the tongue, mostly of the dark variety, lots of tannin heft and there’s even a fizzy feeling here – I would recommend holding this one three years before its really enjoyable.

What’s for Dessert? …

Ontario …
Henry of Pelham 2006 Cabernet Franc Icewine ($39.95 – 672402 – 200ml)

Madeira fans should find happiness this release from Cossart Gordon 5-year-old Medium Rich Bual Madeira ($23.95 - #69583) … sweet, supple and delicious. Maple-soaked apricots on the nose, the taste is reminiscent of dried apricots and pears soaked in icewine (or something equally as sweet) with a touch of sweet spice on the finish.

Take a Chance on Me …

My Abba wine this release comes from Bulgaria, yes, I said Bulgaria – not a country I’d normally recommend, but when something comes along that’s decent I’d rather tell you about it than sweep it under the rug and hope that it goes away. Damianitza No Man’s Land Gold 2005 ($13.95 - #672949) – this one’s big on red, fruit that is - raspberry, strawberry and cherry with a touch of some dirty, earthy nuances … a wine for those interested in, but not huge fans of, red wine. Give it a try, it’s quite surprising.

Reminder: Port lovers … check out the Infantado Ruby Port – you won’t be disappointed.

Happy Shopping.

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