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
Today's release will be focusing on Premium Products (
PREM), which basically translate into "not cheap" and Ports and Sweeties (
SWEET), and there are some real lovelies in this batch. So without further ado we'll get right to them. As introduced a few releases ago I have made a few changes to the report: the addition of an “If You Can Afford It” section for expensive wines that are worth their price (this is where you'll find most of those "Premium" products); I have removed the “red” and “white” labels in favour of just using colour to indicate type; and the Best Buy bargain section will just have ratings, no notes, if you’re a bargain hunter you’ll love these wines.
Argentina …
Vina Cobos 2010 Felino Chardonnay ($19.95 - #0119099) – juicy and fruity without being over the top buttery, there is some nice spice on the finish. (*** ½+)
Maipe 2009 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($17.95 - #0246116) – crème de cassis, chocolate, espresso and much more, good delivery and acidity. (****)
Australia …
Cat Amongst the Pigeons 2009 Nine Lives Shiraz ($17.95 - #0093138) – red licorice and big cherry notes. (*** ½+)
Mollydooker 2008 The Boxer Shiraz ($34.95 - #0246595) – sweet blackberry, plum, chocolate, cherry with layers of fruit and big alcohol, 16%. (**** ½)
Stalking Horse 2008 Shiraz ($17.95 - #0251215) – cute label with a more than cutesy wine under it; this wine shows finesse and refinement full of fruit but with a mineral seam. (**** ½)
Austria …
Lenz Moser 2008 Prestige Trockenbeerenauslese ($19.95 / 375ml - #0729657) – the perfect dessert wine with apricot, honeyed pear notes and so much more; stunningly delicious. (**** ½+) – SWEET
Canada …
(British Columbia)
Burrowing Owl 2008 Syrah ($41.95 - #073072) – good mouthfeel, smoked meat, white pepper and plum. (****)
Mission Hill 2008 Quatrain ($41.95 - #0218636) – nice balance of fruit and spice with a dry tannic finish; should evolve over the next 3-4 years. (****) - PREM
(Ontario)
Chile …
Montes 2009 Alpha Syrah ($19.95 - #0000612) – minty-fruity and tasty, look for plum and white pepper on the finish. (****+)
Vina Chocalan 2008 Syrah Reserva ($14.95 - #0038513) – minty dark fruit, pepper and spice with hints of chocolate and vanilla on the finish. (*** ½+)
France …
(Bordeaux)
Chateau Beau-Site 2004 ($37.95 - #0967844) – cedar, plum, spice, licorice with lots of grip. (*** ½+) - PREM
Chateau Seguin 2008 ($47.95 - #0245837) – nice black fruit, cassis, dark cocoa, woody and smoky; good ageability. (*** ½)
La Gravette de Certan ($49.00 - #0187278) – woody, smoky with backbone of wild sour raspberry/strawberry with grittiness. (*** ½+)
(Burgundy)
Rene Bouvier 2008 La Justice Gevrey-Chambertin ($44.95 - #0241075) – nice black cherry and blackberry, sour cherry and tart cranberry. (*** ½+)
Roche de Bellene 2008 Volnay les Pitures 1er Cru ($44.95 - #0241083) – subtle spice, sour fruit and good acidity. (****) - PREM
(Rhone)
Chusclan 2009 Les Genets Cotes du Rhone-Villages ($19.95 - #0245399) – black cherry, vanilla and plum. (*** ½+
E. Guigal 2007 Gigondas ($29.95 - #0331900) – dark sour fruit on the front end, smoother and juicier in the middle with a lovely mix of each with silky tannins on the finish. (****)
Italy …
(Campania)
Ponte Grecco di Tufo 2009 ($17.95 - #0250936) – light and lemony with a lemon pith finish that’s a touch bitter, very nice with good acidity. (*** ½)
(Tuscany)
Capanna 2006 Brunello di Montalcino ($47.95 - #0651588) – spice, herbs, sour cherry and a nice lengthy finish. (****) – PREM
Castello di Querceto 2007 Chianti Classico Riserva ($27.95 - #0650754) – plum, blackberry, cassis, licorice, spice, oak and smoke. (*** ½+)
Rocca delle Macie 2006 Chianti Classico Riserva ($21.95 - #0930966) – nice hint of spice, nice bite rustic yet modern at the same time. (*** ½)
Tenuta San Guido 2009 Guidalberto ($49.95 - #0072439) – has a softness of fruit and smoothness of palate, delightfully good. (****)
(Veneto)
Villa Girardi Bure Alto Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2009 ($17.95 - #0161844) – nice fruit, easy drinking, dark plum with semi-sweet chocolate. (****)
New Zealand ...
Spy Valley 2010 Gewurztraminer ($19.95 - #0032870) – lots of spicy, rose petal notes with a lychee sweet palate. (****)
Thornbury 2010 Sauvignon Blanc ($17.95 - #0734798) – guava and gooseberry, grapefruit cocktail and grassy finish; quite intense. (*** ½+)
Wither Hills 2010 Wairau Valley Sauvignon Blanc ($17.95 - #0919514) – a little more toned down with tropical, lemon, lime and green apple; a fresh grassy finish. (****)
Framingham 2009 Pinot Noir ($24.95 - #0699322) – very nice fruit with a tart sweet fruit mix, nice dry-sour cherry-oak finish. (****+)
Portugal …
Quinta do Noval Black Port ($24.95 - #0235689) – black cherry and spice with quite a lot of bite. (*** ½) – SWEET
Sivipa 2008 Moscatel de Setubal ($15.95 - #0246652) – not to be passed up, especially for the price, it’s a kick of spice and acid that really makes this sweetie amazing. (**** ½) – SWEET
Quinta de Cabriz 2008 Seleccionada Colheita ($14.95 - #0247973) – sweetness of plum, cherry, raspberry and spice. (****)
South Africa ...
Durbanville Hills 2010 Rhinofields Sauvignon Blanc ($17.95 - #0173864) – pretty Sauvignon Blanc with lots of lovely grapefruit and a puckering finish with great length. (*** ½+)
Vinum 2009 Africa Chenin Blanc ($14.95 - #0739995) – mineral, peach pit, apple core and lime. (*** ½)
Spain …
Osborne Pedro Ximenez 1827 Sweet Sherry ($17.95 - #0047944) – thick, sweet and delicious; pecan pie or raisin pie filling. (****+) – SWEET
Duque de Medina 2000 Gran Reserva ($18.95 - #0148494) – nicely aged, keeps fruit yet with dried character, spice and pepper all for under $20; good value. (****)
United States …
(California)
Patz & Hall 2009 Chardonnay ($38.95 - #0200808) – sweet butterscotch note that seems to linger in the mouth. (*** ½)
Rutherford Ranch 2009 Chardonnay ($18.95 - #0136382) – sweet fruit, pear / apple and vanilla, soft and supple; drink now. (****)
Belle Glos 2009 Meiomi Pinot Noir ($26.95 - #0130138) – this is Pinot for non-Pinot fans; this one has fruit up the ying-yang with chocolate notes, but there also seems to be a dry mineral-ish seam with vanilla and spice backing. (****)
(Oregon)
Willamette Valley Vineyards 2009 Pinot Gris ($18.95 - #0940528) – pleasant, white fruit driven, pear, mac apple with hints of lemon on the finish. (*** ½)
Best Buys (wine that over delivers for its price) …
Henry’s Drive 2008 Pillar Box Red ($14.95 - #0685941)
Delas Freres Saint-Esprit Cotes du Rhone 2009 ($15.95 - #0729962)
Agriverde Riseis Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2008 ($14.95 - #0134478)
Sampietrana Vigna delle Monache Riserva Salice Salentino 2006 ($15.95 - #0247908)
Bodegas de los Rios Prieto Prios Maximus Roble 2009 ($14.95 - #0103432)
If You Can Afford It (they’re pricey but worth it) …
Moet & Chandon 2002 Brut Grand Vintage Champagne ($81.95 - #0069773) – PREM
Beringer 2008 Sbragia Limited Release Chardonnay ($54.95 - #0079178) – PREM
Bouchard Pere & Fils 2008 Beaune Clos Landry 1er Cru ($51.95 - #0124651) – PREM
Jonata 2007 Todos Red ($59.95 - #0218941) – PREM
L’Aventure 2009 Optimus Estate ($57.95 - #0683409) – PREM
Rubicon Estate 2007 Cask Cabernet Sauvignon ($74.95 - #0029553) – PREM
D’Arenberg 2008 The Dead Arm Shiraz ($54.95 - #0981183) – PREM
Two Hands 2008 Zippy’s Block Single Vineyard Shiraz ($59.00 - #0089516) – PREM
Chateau Malescot St. Exupery 2008 ($64.00 - #0136630) – PREM
Ornellaia 2009 Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia ($59.95 - #0606194) – PREM
Tenuta Sette Ponti 2008 Oreno ($74.95 - #0735597) – PREM
Masi 2005 Serego Alighieri Vaio Armaron Amarone della Valpolicella Classico ($69.95 - #0462812)
Grape Guy Top 3 … what I’ll be lining up for on November 12, 2011:
Lenz Moser 2008 Prestige Trockenbeerenauslese ($19.95 / 375ml - #0729657) – Austria
Sivipa 2008 Moscatel de Setubal ($15.95 - #0246652) – Portugal
Stalking Horse 2008 Shiraz ($17.95 - #0251215) – Australia
Happy Shopping
