Monday, June 18, 2012

Saturday June 23, 2012 - Vintages Release Report


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 focus is two-fold this time out: Summer Sippers (SUMSIP) and Canada Day (CAN) … let’s take a look:

Argentina ...
Alta Vista 2009 Premium Cabernet Sauvignon ($14.95 - #129957) - mocha, blackberry, cassis and sweet cedar. (*** 1/2)

Australia ...
Chateau Tanunda 2009 Barossa Tower Shiraz / Primitivo ($18.95 - #281048) - odd combination for Oz but it works in a sweet, smoky, peppery kinda way. (*** 1/2+)
Hope 2008 The Ripper Shiraz ($21.95 - #686865) - juicy and thoroughly enjoyable. (*** 1/2)
Mountadam Vineyards 2008 Cabernet / Merlot ($16.95 - #641860) - juicy red fruit, chocolate, plum, vanilla all lead to an easy finish. (*** 1/2)
Penfolds 2008 Bin 389 Cabernet / Shiraz ($39.95 - #309625) - Oz's typical blend from a very good producer. (****)
Tatiarra 2009 Culled Barrel Shiraz ($39.95 - #271379) - white and black pepper mix with chocolate, blackberry and spiced plum. (****)
Zonte's 2008 Footstep Baron von Nemesis Shiraz ($17.95 - #212936) - raspberry and sweet cherry, tons of red berries with the right amount of white pepper;  sweet fruited and fun. (*** 1/2+)

Canada ...
(Ontario)
Featherstone 2011 Gewurztraminer ($19.95 - #64592) - **** (CAN)
Ravine Vineyard 2010 Meritage ($24.95 - #285627) - **** 1/2 (CAN)
Stratus 2008 Wildass Red ($19.95 - #86363) - **** 1/2 (CAN)

Chile ...
Concha y Toro 2010 Marques de Casa Concha Carmenere ($17.00 - #169862) - black and blue berries, nice spice and a hint of bramblyness with a toasted character. (*** 1/2+)
Santa Ema 2009 Reserve Merlot ($16.95 - #642538) - juicy fruit and very chocolatey. (****)
Valle Andino 2008 Reserva Especial Syrah ($13.95 - #272682) - coffee, smoky, new leather, not your typical Syrah but definitely one not to be ignored; more of an after-dinner sipper. (*** 1/2)

France ...
(Alsace)
Bestheim Brut Cremant D'Alsace ($17.95 - #141184) - apple blossom, limeade; pleasant and appealing. (*** 1/2) - SUMSIP
(Beaujolais)
Domaine de Champ de Cour Mouline-a-Vent ($17.95 - #430876) - nice black cherry note throughout, enjoy chilled. (*** 1/2+)
(Bordeaux).
Chateau Haut Bertinerie 2009 ($23.95 - #422220) - lovely pineapple and grassy notes that are very appealing, far from typical but quite tasty. (*** 1/2)
(Loire)
Maison Foucher 2010 La Vigne Aux Sandres Pouilly Fume ($20.95 - #277350) - hay and fresh cut grass with white grapefruit backing. (*** 1/2) - SUMSIP
(Midi)
Chateau de Lancyre Cote D'alyrac 2010 ($19.95 - #74765) - sweetness of fruit and spice with some chocolate appeal. (*** 1/2+)
Chateau La Grave 2009 Expression ($13.95 - #277053) - easy drinking expression of  delicious wine. (*** 1/2)
(Rhone)
Chateau de Nages 2009 JT Costieres de Nimes ($21.95 - #736876) black fruit and spice reign supreme here. (*** 1/2)
Domaine de Carteresses 2011 Tavel Rose ($15.95 - #739474) - a food friendly rose with white pepper ad red currants, nice complexity.
Le Gravillas 2010 Sablet ($14.95 - #78790) - red berries, cedar, spice, plum and cocoa powder. (*** 1/2)

Germany ...
Darting 2009 Riesling Kabinett ($15.95 - #950212) - this house continues to deliver value for money: slight sweetness is balanced by peach, mineral and floral notes. (*** 1/2+)
Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt 2008 Ockfener Bockstein Riesling Kabinett ($16.95 - #606202) - a kabinett that drinks like a spatlese: spiced apple, floral and sweet. (*** 1/2) - SUMSIP

Italy ...
(Abruzzo)
Niro 2009 Montepulciano D' Abruzzo ($15.95 - #278150) - black cherry, coffee, vanilla, juicy of fruit, rich on the palate yet dry and tannic on the finish. (****)
(Campania)
Terredora 2010 Loggia Della Serra Greco di Tufo ($17.95 - #983197) - honeysuckle, lemon peel and pith with a refreshingly bitter finish. (*** 1/2)
(Emilia-Romagnia)
Umberto Cesari 2008 Sangiovese di Romanga Riserva ($18.95 - #33399) - smoke, cocoa, red cherry, leather and spice with a firm grip and great length on the finish. (****+)
(Piedmont)
Michele Chiarlo 2010 Nivole Moscato D'Asti ($16.95 - #942888) - one day I'd love a good Moscato to come in at ten-bucks, but until that day we'll have to pay over inflated prices for this delectable summer sipper. (*** 1/2+) - SUMSIP
(Tuscany)
Fontalpino 2009 Chianti Classico ($22.95 - #275859) - bitter opening, sweet middle, edgy finish. (*** 1/2)
Lamole di Lamole Vignetto di Campolungo Chianti Classico Riserva 2007 ($36.95 - #231241) - juicy cherry, sour cranberry with a hint of cedar-spice. (*** 1/2+)
Le Sughere di Frassinello 2009 ($29.95 - #25700) - juicy, supply and racy number with big 14.5% alcohol and nice tannin grip. (****)
(Veneto)
Le Ragose 2007 Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore ($18.95 - #991984) - bowl of fruit covered in cocoa, nice strawberry an cherry notes. (*** 1/2)
Monte Zovo 2009 Sa'Solin (17.95 - #650713) - I have vacillated on this wine over the years, but I'm a fan again, must be the vintage, ready for consumption now and has enough heft to last a five more years or more. (*** 1/2+)

New Zealand ...
Astrolabe 2011 Province Sauvignon Blanc ($21.95 - #10421) - juicy version of Sauvignon Blanc with grapefruit from pulp to peel and a long lingering finish. (****) - SUMSIP
Blind River 2011 Sauvignon Blanc ($19.95 - #141499) - delicately grassy with the right amount of citrus that adds to this mouth party. (*** 1/2+)
Greystone 2009 Pinot Noir ($37.95 - 3271312) - earthy, black pepper and blackberry that's lightly spiced and holds tons of flavour in the glass. (*** 1/2+)
Oyster Bay Sparkling Cuvee Rose ($21.95 - #280172) - great colour, with raspberry, lemon and limeade, with a touch of sweetness on the mid-palate, this is a very pleasurable bubble. (****+) - SUMSIP
Seifried 2011 Riesling ($17.95 - #989541) - nice apple fruitiness with a stone infusion; crisp and lovely with pear and stone fruit on the finish, very well integrated with its sweetness. (****) - SUMSIP
Trinity Hill 2009 The Gimblett ($35.95 - #280263) - good depth of character with sour coffee, mocha and dark fruit. (*** 1/2+)

Portugal ...
Casa do Valle Grande Escolha ($14.95 - #276220) - peach and prickly pear clash for supremacy in the mouth. (*** 1/2) - SUMSIP

South Africa ...
Ernie Els 2010 Big Easy ($19.95 - #220038) - coffee, leather and smoky on the nose; palate is delicious with cinnamon, vanilla, and other spices; shows finesse for something that suppose to be "Easy". (****)
Vrede en Lust 2011 White Mischief ($16.95 - #280156) - not just mischief in name alone, this wine plays games with you palate as you tried to figure out what it is; my advice: just drink and enjoy. (*** 1/2+) - SUMSIP

Spain ...
Nessa 2010 Albarino ($15.95 - #282558) - delicious apple with perfumed notes of apple blossom and sweet melon. (*** 1/2) - SUMSIP
Ramon Bilbao 2005 Reserva ($17.00 - #281097) - nicely balanced, it's 7 years old so it's ready now or hold another 5+ years. (*** 1/2+)
Torres 2008 Gran Sangre de Toro Reserva ($15.95 - #315648) - juicy cherry fruit with just a hint of white pepper and spice; spiced plum settles on the finish. (*** 1/2+)
Tossals 2006 Junior ($18.95 - #278135) - rich mocha, blackberry, blueberry and cherry, hints of violet on the palate which keeps things nice and pretty; there's some red licorice that is quite enticing on the finish. (**** 1/2))

Switzerland ...
Domaine des Chouans 2010 ($15.95 - #278945) - refreshing and nicely expressed version of Chasselas, not too dry and not too sweet, it's a Goldilocks wine. (*** 1/2)

United States ...
(California)
Francis Coppola 2011 Sofia Rose ($19.95 - #284943) - pretty enough in the bottle, sweet entry with a dry finish and medium length linger. (*** 1/2)
Kendall-Jackson 2009 Grand Reserve Chardonnay ($27.95  #59576) - full flavoured Chard with lots of barrel notes and a decent amount of fruit, look for baking spice on the finish. (****)
Rutherford Ranch 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.95 - #73817) - good Cali-Cab, just what you'd expect. (*** 1/2)
Sonoma-Cutrer 2008 Grower-Vintner Pinot Noir ($29.95 - #140723) - juicy and flavourful, lovely cherry fruit, light and easy, a real friendly sipper makes it a hellava Pinot. (****+)
Stags' Leap Winery 2011 Viognier ($34.95 - #597369) - sweet pineapple, vanilla and sweet apple, this is a very sexy wine. (****) - SUMSIP
(Oregon)
Maysara Estate 2008 Cuvee Pinot Noir ($39.95 - #65680) - didn't intrigue at first but subsequent sips proved to show cocoa, floral, cedar spice and a linger that makes you wanna sip again. (*** 1/2+)


If You Can Afford It ... wines that deliver even for the high price
Laird 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon ($57.95 - #50096) - California ... ****
Outpost 2009 Zinfandel ($69.00 - #253377) - California ... ****


What I'll Be Lining Up For ...
Oyster Bay Sparkling Cuvee Rose ($21.95 - #280172) - New Zealand
Tossals 2006 Junior ($18.95 - #278135) - Spain
Umberto Cesari 2008 Sangiovese di Romagna Riserva ($18.95 - #33399) - Italy

Happy Shopping



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Monday, June 4, 2012

Saturday June 9, 2012 - Vintages Release Report


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.

This release is all about Father's Day (FD), Chile (CH) and Southern France (SF) ... Fathers seem to like a lot of boozy stuff (read: whiskey) and expensive wines ... the rest of this release is pretty self explanatory.  Also look for the Best Buys (wines that deliver real value for their price - BB).

Argentina ...
Altos Las Hormigas 2008 Reserva Malbec ($27.95 - #678987) - very dark brambly fruit with spice, lots of plum. (****)
Durigutti 2008 Bonarda ($17.95 - #275164) - super juicy with red raspberry, loads of easy drinking flavour. (*** 1/2+)
Kaiken 2011 Malbec Rose ($14.95 - #169375) - nice red raspberry, cherry flavour with decent acidity on a finish with bite and spice. (*** 1/2)
Zuccardi 2008 Q Tempranillo ($19.95 - #973503) - shows some real chocolatey layers. (*** 1/2+)

Australia ...
D'Arenberg 2010 The Hermit Crab Viognier/Marsanne ($17.95 - #662775) - a very appealing pineapple note. (*** 1/2+)
Mitchell McNicol Shiraz 2003 ($45.95 - #278572) - real red fruit, juicy with a touch of red licorice and cocoa. (****)
The Lackey 2009 Shiraz ($17.95 - #005199) - good value, thoroughly enjoyable Shiraz. (*** 1/2+)

Canada ...
(British Columbia)
Sandhill 2010 Small Lots Viognier ($24.95 - #126862) - floral, apricot and pineapple; juicy and lovely. (*** 1/2+)
(Ontario) - click on wine for full review
Henry of Pelham 2011 Pinot Blanc ($14.95 - #618827) - *** 1/2+
Hinterbrook 2011 Rose ($16.00 - #275818) - *** 1/2+
Lakeview 2007 Reserve Syrah ($19.95 - #264150) - ****

Chile ...
Altair 2007 Sideral ($26.95 - #660837) - very minty, cinnamon role, juicy and jammy; just plain yummy. (****) - CH
Anakena 2010 Single Vineyard Pinot Noir ($15.95 - #208439) - black cherry, boysenberry, clove, mocha and quite juicy with a coffee-raspberry finish. (*** 1/2+) - CH
Caliterra 2011 Tributo Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc ($14.95 - #283648) - nose is typical but with a softer palate of grapefruit which gives way to tropical notes, a real palate pleaser. (*** 1/2+) - CH
Casas Patronales 2009 Reserva Privada Cabernet Sauvignon ($16.95 - #274134) - brambly black fruit and elegant spice, a steal at this price. (****) - CH
Concha y Toro 2009 Marques de Casa Concha Merlot ($19.95 - #939827) - more mocha-esque than fruit, but still juicy and enjoyable. (*** 1/2+) - CH
Concha y Toro 2009 Terrunyo Vineyard Selection Cabernet Sauvignon ($29.95 - #562918) - a real winner with concentration of fruit, sweet raspberry, cherry, sandlewood and smoke; nice super-juicy finish. (****+) - CH
Concha y Toro 2011 Trio Reserva Sauvignon Blanc ($13.95 - #678656) - soft yet juicy, think Sauvignon Blanc on downers but still lots of fun. (*** 1/2) - CH
Cono Sur 2008 Limited Edition 20 Barrels Chardonnay ($24.95 - #127498) - finesse and fruit with good acidity and nice texture. (*** 1/2+) - CH
Emiliana 2010 Signos de Origen La Vinilla Chardonnay/Viognier/Marsanne/Rousanne ($19.95 - #063909) - shows some interesting creaminess with honeysuckle and nice spice and a full mouth feel. (*** 1/2) - CH
Maycas de Limari 2008 Reserva Especial Syrah ($19.95 - #269423) - incredible elegance, juicy, tasty, lots of lovely fruit and good acidity. (****+) - CH
Maycas de Limari 2010 Reserva Especial Chardonnay ($19.95 - #162040) - pretty Chardonnay with a nice balance of fruit and wood character: vanilla oomph with spices, baked apple and peach. (****) - CH
Oveja Negra 2008 The Lost Barrel ($24.95 - #273979) - an interesting blend that proves very herbal in the mouth. (*** 1/2+) - CH
Perez Cruz 2010 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon ($14.95 - #694208) - minty, jammy and juicy; very Chilean in style. (*** 1/2+) - CH
Potro de Piedra Family 2008 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc ($24.95 - #273995) - smoky black fruit at the beginning, continues on the palate with a nice sweet tobacco finish. (****) -  CH

France ...
(Alsace)
Jean Geiler 2010 Reserve Particuliere Gewurztraminer ($17.95 - #106864) - delicious, just like Alsace makes them with floral, lychee and hints of sweetness on a medium finish. (****)
(Bordeaux)
Chateau le Conseiller 2008 ($25.00 - #135731) - smoky red berries along with currants and all spice. (*** 1/2)
(Burgundy)
Domaine de Fussiacus 2009 Vieilles Vignes Pouilly-Fuisse ($23.95 - #276444) - quite the oak bound number, creamy-vanilla, and nice fruit cream, lovely finish. (****)
(Midi)
Domaine Piquemal Tradition 2009 ($15.95 - #272419) - sweet fruit, sweet spice. (*** 1/2+) - SF
Foncalieu 2009 Reserve du Sud Languedoc ($15.95 - #272443) - slight tang where smoke and blackberry dominate. (*** 1/2) - SF
Gerard Bertrand 2009 Grand Terroir Grenache/Syrah ($18.95 - #147983) - a dichotomy of herbal, floral, spicy and fruity; very interesting. (*** 1/2)
Hegarty Chamans No. 2 Grenache/Mourvedre Cinsault 2009 ($21.95 - #277061) - smoky and sweet spiced, dried cherry sweetness on the finish. (****) - SF
Les Piliers 2010 Viognier ($15.95 - #669531) - definitely refreshing, nice grapefruit pith linger on the finish. (*** 1/2)
Mont Tauch 2009 Le Tauch Fitou ($19.95 - #272484) - juicy raspberry, blueberry, white pepper and spice. (****) - SF
(Rhone)
Chateau du Trignon Gigondas 2006 ($29.95 - #681817) - supple and smooth, easy drinking, black fruited and plumy. (*** 1/2+)
Domaine des Fees Cotes du Rhone ($14.95 - #272450) - juicy, jammy, red and black fruit with herbal undertones. (*** 1/2+)
Famille Perrin 2011 Tavel Rose ($19.95 - #680801) - deep pink colour, deep pink taste with strawberry as the dominant fruit. (*** 1/2+)
Romain Duvernay Vacqueyras 2009 ($24.95 - #280966) - sweet red fruit with chocolate, blackberry and licorice; nice concentration of everything. (****)

Germany ...
Lingenfelder 2010 Bird Label Riesling ($13.95 - #568634) - always good value in a very summery beverage. (*** 1/2+) - BB

Italy ...
(Piedmont)
Enrico Serafino 2011 Moscato D'Asti ($15.95 - #134833) - typical Moscato but still very yummy. (*** 1/2+)
Pio Cesare 2010 Barbera D'Alba ($19.95 - #938886) - black raspberry, blackberry, black cherry and smoke. (*** 1/2+)
(Puglia)
Masserie Pisari Primitivo 2010 ($14.95 - #270306) - plumy, cherry cola, sweet fruit, this is a Zin-lovers Primitivo (*** 1/2) - BB
(Trentino)
Bollini 2011 Pinot Grigio ($16.95 - #951319) - sweet lemonade with a good finish. (*** 1/2)
(Tuscany)
Giacomo Mori Castelrotto Chianti Riserva 2008 ($25.95 - #180026) - rustic black cherry, blackberry, spice and tannins. (*** 1/2+)
(Veneto)
Valpantena 2009 Torre del Falasco Ripasso Valpolicella ($16.95 - #642421) - good plum, cocoa and dried cherry with spice. (*** 1/2+)

New Zealand ...
Hunter's Jane Hunter Sauvignon Blanc 2011 ($19.95 - #280271) - grapefruit on the nose but the palate is something a little more interesting: grapefruit cocktail, lime pith, guava nectar and nectarine, all balanced with good acidity on the finish. (****)

Portugal ...
Cabriz 2011 Rose ($11.95 - #030445) - candied red berries. (*** 1/2)
Fonseca Bin No. 27 Reserve Port ($15.95 - #156877) - spicy plum and cherry, rich and succulent finish. (****)

Spain ...
Codorniu Pinot Noir Brut Rose Cava ($17.95 - #665372) - very berry, very tasty. (*** 1/2+)
Fernandez de Pierola Reserva 2004 ($25.95 - #270579) - sweet, supple with both dried and fresh fruit along with mocha and spice with grippy tannins. (*** 1/2+)

United States ...
Easton 2004 Estate Bottle Zinfandel ($39.95 - #281501) - absolutely Zinfandel from nose to taste from the15.1% alcohol to the sexy palate, a real pleasure. (****+)
J. Lohr 2007 Hilltop Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ($38.95 - #686584) - juicy blackberry, black cherry and heavy tannins. (*** 1/2+) - FD
McManis 2010 Chardonnay ($19.95 - #265983) - shows a nice balance of fruit, oak and other flavours, vanilla cream and lemon meringue finish; well-priced for Cali-Chard. (*** 1/2+)
Simi 2009 Russian River Valley Reserve Chardonnay ($31.95 - #200881) - buttery, oaky, butterscotch and spice; this one's for you oaky Chardonnay fans. (*** 1/2+)
Van Ruiten 2009 Old Vine Zinfandel ($23.95 - #058685) - juicy, blackberry, plum, cherry with spice on the finish. (*** 1/2)
(Washington)
Chateau Ste. Michelle 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon ($NA - #269357) - irresistible wine from Washington which drinks well right not, full of fruit and full on flavour. (****)


If You Can Afford It ... wines that deliver even for their price point
Barone Ricasoli Castello di Brolio Chianti Classico 2008 ($59.95 - #942607) - prety hefty stuff (****) - FD
Mitolo 2008 Savitar Shiraz ($54.95 - #659581) - super rich mocha-plum and spice. (****)
Shafer 2009 Merlot ($59.95 - #346262) - the juiciness of Merlot is in this bottle. (****) - FD


What I'll Be Lining Up For ...
Maycas de Limari 2008 Reserva Especial Syrah ($19.95 - #269423) - Chile

Happy Shopping



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Vintages Shop Online May 31, 2012 Release

Here are my favourites of the 8 wines tasted for this release ... no notes are given, just the star rating; although the top rated wine will have a note:

Three-and-a-Half-Plus Star Wines (*** ½+) …
Chateau La Couspaude 2008 ($72.00 - #229245) - Bordeaux, France
Chateau La Gaffeliere 2008 ($84.00 - #136127) - Bordeaux, France
Chateau Malescot St. Exupery 2008 ($64.00 - #137109) - Bordeaux, France

Four Star Wines (****) …
Fuligni Ginestreto Rosso di Montalcino 2009 ($24.00 - #245241)
Black Widow 2008 Single Vineyard Hourglass ($54.00 - #258822) - black cherry, toffee, and plum are most noticeable, then comes the big 14.9% alcohol which gives this one a port-like feel in the mouth.

 
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