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
5 = Outstanding … 4.5 = Excellent … 4 = Very Good … 3.5 = Good … 3 = Average
As we go into the second Vintages release of the year the focus is on Australia and all her glory (OZ) with a small look at "lesser known grapes" (LKG) ... so here we go …
Argentina …
Luigi Bosca 2008 Reserva Syrah ($17.95 - #143412) - nice syrah with white pepper, raspberry and vanilla notes ... finish is nicely spiced. (*** 1/2+)
Michel Torino 2010 Cuma Organic Torrontes ($12.95 - 262014) - spicy orange and limeade, nice example of Argentina's signature white. (*** 1/2)
Australia …
Hewitson 2009 Miss Henry ($23.95 - #107870) - raspberry dominant, silky tannins and good flavour. (*** 1/2+) - OZ
Jim Barry 2009 The Lodge Hill Shiraz ($24.95 - #998476) - nice elegant wine, not an over the top fruit bomb, delicate for an Aussie Shiraz. (****+) - OZ
Pirramimma 2008 Petit Verdot ($26.95 - #986752) - chocolate and cherry, blackberry and some pepper. (*** 1/2+) - LKG
Sister's Run 2009 Shiraz ($15.95 - #222018) - big fruit, big flavour, big fun; great buy in an Aussie Shiraz that hits all the marks. (****+) - OZ
Torbreck 2009 Cuvee Juveniles ($29.95 - #723940) - chocolate, blackberry, black fruit and plum. (****) - OZ
Wakefield 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon ($17.95 - #744235) - juicy blackberry, chocolate, cherry with a great finish; this is the wine that put Wakefield on the map and it still delivers. (****+) - OZ
Yabby Lake 2007 Pinot Noir ($49.95 - #262402) - earthy with sweet cranberry and hints of cherry; nice tannins and spice on the finish. (*** 1/2+) - OZ
Canada …
(Ontario) - visit OntarioWineReview.com for full review
13th Street 2010 Merlot ($17.95 - #270504)
Ridgepoint 2009 Merlot ($17.95 - #0270488)
Vineland 2009 Sauvignon Blanc ($16.95 - #551168)
Chile …
Concha y Toro 2009 Serie Riberas Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon ($14.95 - #256693) - a real beauty of dark fruit, hint of mint, rich chocolate, cassis, blackberry and vanilla; great value. (**** 1/2)
Santa Carolina 2009 Barrica Selection Petit Verdot ($14.95 - #007484) - minty blackberry, smooth with a slight bit of white pepper and hint of chocolate. (****) - LKG
France …
(Alsace)
Jean Geiler 2009 Lieu Dit Vogelgarten Pinot Gris ($17.95 - #259739) - lovely sippable Pinot Gris with a dash of sweet pear mid-palate to the finish. (****)
Pierre Sparr 2010 Reserve Pinot Blanc ($14.95 - #134635) - dry, crisp green apple yet with a nice bit of juiciness. (*** 1/2+)
(Bordeaux)
Chateau de Treviac 2008 ($15.95 - #670505) - very dark fruited with nice spice and good tannin bite. (*** 1/2+)
(Loire)
Bougrier 2010 Vouvray ($13.95 - #1068880) - delicate sweetness with mac and delicious apple; lovely finish that has a good bit of acidity. (*** 1/2+)
Chateau Salmoniere 2010 Vieilles Vignes Muscadet Sevre & Maine ($13.95 - #142380) - as the name of this Chateau might suggest it would be a nice pairing with seafood. (*** 1/2)
(Rhone)
Domaine Beau Mistral 2009 Saint Martin Rasteau Cotes du Rhone Villages ($22.95 - #251629) - red and black fruit, nice spice, big tannins and dark cocoa on the finish. (****)
Domaine de Cabasse Gigondas 2007 ($29.95 - #142075) - a silkness smoothness to the finish, and lovely red fruit on the mid-palate. (****)
Domaine de Cristia 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape ($42.95 - #067678) - plum, chocolate, fig, blackberry jam and red licorice on the finish. Beauty. (**** 1/2)
Perrin & Fils 2009 Muscat de Beaumes de Venise ($16.95 / 375ml - #004713) - floral and spice mingle on this one, sweet and tasty. (****)
Italy …
(Emilia-Romagna)
Umberto Cesari 2007 Liano Sangiovese/Cabernet Sauvignon ($28.95 - #225086) - there's and intereting sweetness in the core of this wine that is very appealing, also a dusting of cinnamon and clove. (****)
(Piedmont)
Marchesi di Barolo 2009 Langhe Rosso ($17.95 - #229773) - red and black fruit with touches of smoke and rugged tannins. (*** 1/2)
(Puglia)
Menhir 2007 Salento Primitivo di Manduria ($15.95 - #268086) - rich black cherry, some vanilla and plum; nice juicy plum finish. (*** 1/2+)
(Tuscany)
Cennatoio 2009 Chianti Classico ($15.95 - #232561) - smooth and ready to drink. (*** 1/2)
Ruffino 2008 Santedame Chianti Classico ($19.95 - #523076) - black currant, mineral with a touch of coffee. (*** 1/2)
Sassoregale 2009 Sangiovese ($15.95 - #251785) - red fruit dominant, a little rustic but easy drinking, great for pizza and pasta night. (*** 1/2)
(Umbria)
Castello della Sala 2010 Bramito del Cervo Chardonnay ($21.95 - #176792) - good quality, lively acidity with plenty of citrus on the mid-palate; nice linger with apple and peach on the finish. (*** 1/2+)
(Veneto)
I Campi Campo Vulcano Soave Classico 2009 ($19.95 - #269969) - crisp, clean and flinty on the tongue with mouth cleansing acidity. (*** 1/2)
Zenato 2008 Valpolicella Superiore ($15.95 - 995704) - mocha, plum, and black cherry, decent little wine here. (*** 1/2+)
New Zealand …
Ostler 2010 Blue House Vines Pinot Gris ($24.95 - #269142) - a nice mixture of pear and peach on both the nose and taste. (****)
Portugal ...
Carla Ferreira Unipessoal Conceito Contraste 2008 ($17.95 - #268003) - very plum, black fruited and chocolate on the nose; pretty on the palate. (*** 1/2+)
Chocapalha 2008 Reserve Tinto ($24.95 - #266643) - nice dark fruit with a lovely juiciness and nice tannins on the finish ... hold 5+ years. (*** 1/2+)
Quinta de Ventozelo Reserva Ruby Port ($16.95 - #141 028) - a creamy smooth offering loaded with red berries, chocolate, plum and loads of acidic bite. (*** 1/2+)
South Africa ...
Edgebaston 2010 The Pepper Pot ($16.95 - #269092) - coffee, chocolate and a hint of tar, though nothing too off-putting. (*** 1/2)
Spain …
Descendientes de J. Palacios 2009 Petalos ($21.95 - #675207) - dark berries, vanilla and chocolate, some real bite to the finish. (*** 1/2+) - LKG
United States …
(California)
Blackbird 2008 Arise Red ($59.95 - #0261719) - really juicy, blackberry and black cherry, vanilla, sweet spice and chocolate. (****+)
Brazin 2008 (B)Old Vine Zinfandel ($18.95 - #256750) - big old Zin with typical Zin flavours, if you drink the stuff you'll know what I mean. (*** 1/2+)
Chateau St. Jean 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.95 - #038034) - juicy, chocolate and red berries. (****)
Edge Wines 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon ($27.95 - #034223) - blueberry, spice, vanilla, cassis and hints of oak. (****)
Loredona 2009 Pinot Noir ($16.95 - #057620) - floral and cherry on the nose leads to raspberry, cranberry and cherry on the palate; a little earthy spice on the finish ... this is a nice one. (****+)
Ravenswood 2008 Single Vineyard Belloni Zinfandel ($44.95 - #672741) - lovely Zin with finesse: plum, blackberry, raspberry and caramel notes. (****+)
(Oregon)
Lia's Vineyard Longplay Pinot Noir 2008 ($23.95 - #267344) - super nose with concentrated earthy notes; black cherry on the palate with a whole whack of spice. (*** 1/2)
Best Buy(s) ...
Alamos 2010 Malbec ($13.95 - #467951) - Argentina ... ****
Grape Guy Top 3 … what I’ll be lining up for on January 21, 2012:
Sister's Run 2009 Shiraz ($15.95 - #222018) - Australia
Concha y Toro 2009 Serie Riberas Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon ($14.95 - #256693) - Chile
Loredona 2009 Pinot Noir ($16.95 - #057620) - United States
Happy Shopping
