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. (****)

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Saturday December 5, 2009 - Vintages Release

To print this report click here for the PDF version.

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.

It’s the last Vintages release of the year, which means the LCBO has partying on its mind – so today’s release has dinner wines and fizzy wines on the menu.

What’s for Dinner …
First up, we’ll start with dessert, no better way to begin a party on paper then with a wine that wraps the whole party up. Delaforce 2004 Late Bottled Vintage Port ($16.95 - #014087), red cherries and chocolate, a touch of cinnamon and some spiced plum; well priced (*****). From the Napa Valley comes the Clos Pegase 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon ($52.95 - #0268235), this wine has good black fruit and fine Corinthian leather on the nose, the palate is like going to the fruit market in a new Chrysler Cordoba, also nice finishing tannins here (****). Also from California is the Macrostie 2006 Pinot Noir ($25.95 - #0674911), loads of juicy cherry on the nose, earthy, mineral palate with a big finish (****). Argentinean wine fans will enjoy the Bodegas Santa Ana 2006 La Mascota Cabernet Sauvignon ($17.95 - #0066720), minty blackberry, chocolate, smoky, spice and a nice tannin component (****). French vino fans will enjoy the Chateau Camensac 1995 ($54.95 - #0155564), yup a ’95, you’re heard of the In Store Discoveries at the LCBO, well this in a Lost In Warehouse Discovery, but it was a good time to find this one: smooth dried fruit and cedar notes; if you don’t have the inclination to age your wines the LCBO has done it for you (****). From Italy, Piccini 2005 Chianti Classico Reserva ($19.95 - #0134791), coffee, leather, black fruit, nice tannins and a dry finish (****). Portugal should also have a reservation at your holiday table, V. Leite de Faria Gloria Reserva 2004 ($17.95 - #0146522), juicy red and black fruit, herbs and spice, gentle tannins and a smoky finish (****). Finally, I can recommend a Spanish goody, Herencia Remondo La Montesa 2006 ($19.95 - #0674572), sweet plumy notes, juicy cherry, hints of raspberry and a floral sensation (****½).

Here Comes the Fizz …
I have three to recommend here: 13th Street 2004 Premier Cuvee Brut ($28.00 - #0142679), mac apple and lemon curd on the nose, green apple and nice acidity in the mouth (****½). Chandon Blanc de Noirs Sparkling Wine ($23.95 - #0100693), moussey character, apple and creamy with good acid and nice length. And then there’s this Burgundian beauty, Louis Bouillot Perle D’Aurore Brut Rosee Cremant de Bourgogne ($18.95 - #0048793), beautiful light pink in colour, creamy light strawberry in the mouth, gentle bubbly mousse at a really good price; very enjoyable (****½).

Argentina – Red …
Catena 2007 Merlot ($19.95 - #0057976) – My only 5-star table wine of the release, and this is a beauty. Lovely ripe red fruit nose with cherry and licorice. The palate is juicy and loaded with fruit and just the right amount of dustiness on the finish. (*****)
Los Clop 2008 Malbec ($10.95 - #0135244) – This is an amazing bargain of a wine. The nose is chocolate, cherry, plum and cassis while the palate is juicy as sin loaded with cherry, chocolate and vanilla.
Zolo 2006 Reserve Malbec ($16.95 - #0081091) – Another value wine from Argentina with huge blackberry, cassis, dark chocolate and plum notes on the nose. Palate-wise its dusty with a dark fruit finish. It needs time to come around, but shows signs of being wonderful in the next few years.

Australia – Red …
Coriole Redstone Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 ($17.95 - #0141960) – mint, cherry, cassis, vanilla, cinnamon with a touch of dried plum. (****)
Fools Bay 2008 Dusty’s Desire Shiraz ($17.95 - #0141887) – big blackberry, cassis and mocha notes which follow on the palate with great juiciness, lots of sweet fruit and a dab of pepper … watch out for the high alcohol on this easy on the palate wine. (****)
Wolf Blass 2007 Gold Label Cabernet Sauvignon ($27.95 - #0606939) – nice rich black fruit with spiced plum backing. (****)

Canada – Red …
(Ontario)
Inniskillin 2007 Reserve Series Cabernet Franc ($16.95 - #0091140)

Canada – White …
(Ontario)
Flat Rock Cellars 2008 Nadja’s Vineyard Riesling (#0578625)

Chile – White …
Errazuriz Aconcagua Costa Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2008 ($15.95 - #0135426) – big, bright and lively: gooseberry, lemon-lime and grassy notes with a racy finish. (****½)
Tabali Reserva Especial Chardonnay 2007 ($18.95 - #0663005) – peachy vibrancy, easy sipper with not too much oak on the palate; there’s good balance here. (****)

France – Red …
(Bordeaux)
Chateau Hauchat 2006 ($15.00 - #0123489) – Good value for a Bordeaux red; nice juicy black fruit, spices and big tannins, quite enjoyable. (****)
La Fleur Anne 2005 ($19.95 - #0139048) – vanilla, smoky, tobacco, big tannin bite that dries out the mouth, there is a nice juiciness through the mid-palate which turns a bit hollow near the end giving way to that dryness mentioned above. (****)
(Rhone)
Domaine des Mascarons Cotes du Rhone-Villages 2007 ($14.95 - #0142174) – spiced cherry and plum, the aromas follow smoothly across the tongue ending with a peppery lengthy finish with herbs and spice, and a little dustiness. Great value. (****½)

France – White …
(Alsace)
Helfrich 2008 Pinot Gris ($13.95 - #0141788) – sweet peach and pear notes, refreshing and tasty, it might have a short finish but it’s still very pleasant going down. (****)

Italy – Red …
(Tuscany)
Antinori 2006 Guado al Tasso ($89.95 - #0986380) – mineral, black fruit and pepper, with big tannins; this one is going places in years to come. (****½)

Italy – White …
(Piedmont)
L’Armangia Il Giai Moscato D’Asti 2008 ($14.95 - #0135632) – grapey ginger ale notes on the nose, tropical flavoured with bubble gum and melony tastes. (****)

Portugal – Red …
Catapereiro 2006 Vinho Tinto ($14.95 - #008358) – jammy and juicy is the best way to describe this one; raspberry pie, blackberry fruit and a touch of dried cherries with earthy tannins on the finish. (****½)

South Africa – Red …
The Goatfather 2008 ($13.95 - #0011072) – cherry and brambly notes with some earth and leather on the back palate; slightly tarry but that’s mixed with nice blackberry notes on the aftertaste. (****)

Spain – Red …
Puerta Bonita G5 Garnacha 2007 ($19.95 - #0132266) – sweet cherries all the way through, it’s a one dimensional wine but a dimension I’d go back to again and again – enjoy that long cherry finish. (****)

United States – Red …
(California)
Frei Brothers 2006 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($23.95 - #0038075) – blackberry, tobacco and black cherry on the nose, smoky, sweet mid-palate with a little white pepper. (****)
J. Lohr 2007 Los Osos Merlot ($18.95 - #0027516) – juicy, almost sweet blackberry and cherry, this one’s quite tasty. (****)
Ridge 2007 Three Valleys ($31.95 - #0652875) – a blend with Zinfandel taking the lion’s share of the work (76%); sweet fruit, cherry, plum with dusty tannins. (****)

Grape Guy Top 3 … what I’ll be lining up for on December 5, 2009:
Catena 2007 Merlot ($19.95 - #0057976) – Argentina
Los Clop 2008 Malbec ($10.95 - #0135244) – Argentina
Domaine des Mascarons Cotes du Rhone-Villages 2007 ($14.95 - #0142174) – France

Happy Shopping.

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