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
Today’s release is about ‘Star Quality’ and there’s also a focus on Tuscan wine … I suspect you’ll buy the “stars”, with names like Chateau Montelena, Cakebread, Montes, and Torbreck, these wines are sure to fly off the shelf without my help – so I will look at the Other Wines in this release, and we’ll begin in Tuscany:
Tuscan Wines …
Castelgiocondo 2005 Brunello di Montalcino ($49.95 - #0650432) – very nice and worth the $50 price tag; smooth fruit, pencil lead, a little woody and some dried fruit. (****)
Ornellaia 2008 Le Volte ($28.95) – up in price from last year’s release but still a decent value with very good tannins, black fruit and well spiced. (****)
Argentina – Red …
Joffre e Hijas Grand Malbec ($15.95 - #0183889) – nicest Malbec in this release, good price for this chocolate blackberry number. (****)
Australia – Red …
Thorn-Clarke 2008 Shotfire Shiraz ($23.95 - #0018796) – I’ve been a fan of this wine for years and after tasting this version, that hasn’t changed. (****)
Wallace by Ben Glaetzer 2008 Shiraz / Grenache ($25.95 - #0047605) – this is both a fruit bomb and, as one buddy used to call wines over 15%, “panty remover”. This one is lovely, supple and dark on fruit chocolate and cherry with a hint of eucalyptus, and don’t forget the 15.7%; lots of yum. (****½)
Canada – Red …
(Ontario)
Henry of Pelham 2007 Cabernet / Merlot ($24.95 - #0395855)
Canada – White …
(British Columbia)
Mission Hill 2006 SLC Chardonnay ($24.95 - #0144170) – look at the Meursault review (France), add fruit and take away the hefty barrel notes, this wine is half the price with more up front fruit. (****)
(Ontario)
Chateau des Charmes 2008 Chardonnay Musque ($16.95 - #0640516)
Flat Rock Cellars 2009 Nadja’s Vineyard Riesling ($19.95 - #0578625)
Chile – Red …
Santa Rita 2007 Medalla Real Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.95 - #0275594) – there’s a big whack o’mint all the way through this wine; great value for these nice flavours, big wine, smooth with blackberry and black cherry. (****½)
France – Red …
(Burgundy)
Bouchard Pere & Fils Gevrey-Chambertin ($44.95 - #0661330) – nice spice, black cherry, slightly woody, earthy, sour cherry and sour strawberry. (****)
France – Sparkling …
(Champagne)
Hure Freres L’Inattendue Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne ($38.95 - #0191312) – very toasty and caramelly, may be slightly oxidized, but still lovely, nice toasty finish. (****)
France – White …
(Burgundy)
Remoissenet 2007 Meursault ($54.95 - #0036079) – it’s got the barrel and butter ratio you think of with Chardonnay, there’s lots of toasted vanilla notes here; this will make heavily oaked Chard lovers very happy. (***½)
Italy – Red …
(Veneto)
Bertani Villa Arvedi Amarone Della Valpolicella 2006 ($37.95 - #0013417) – best Amarone of the release, and at a good price. Sweet fruit, lovely mouthfeel, chocolate, cherry, a touch of wood; approachable right now, friendly on the palate. Under $40 makes it very good value. (****½)
Italy – White …
(Abruzzo)
Collefrisio Zero Trebbiano D’Abruzzo 2008 ($13.95 - #0181164) – frisky and fun with lovely pineapple, peach and apricot in the mouth. (****)
South Africa – Red …
Café Culture 2009 Pinotage ($13.95 - #0072710) – I like this one because it does not try to hide what it has, coffee notes throughout; if you love coffee and wine this combines the two. (****)
Spain – Red …
Juan Gil 2007 Silver Label ($21.95 - #0001677) – Juan makes excellent wines, and this is no different: juicy plum, black cherry, great drinkability and it will age well, drink now or later and enjoy. (****½)
United States – Red …
(California)
First Press 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.95 - #0188110) – juicy black fruit and lovely chocolate. (****)
Kenwood 2007 Zinfandel ($19.95 - #0983577) – this is a very basic starter Zin with vanilla cherry cola and plum. (***½)
Titus 2007 Zinfandel ($34.95 - #0157594) – lots of sweet plum, vanilla and cherry; this is big game Zin with 14.9% and BBQ rib friendly, very friendly. (****½)
United States – White …
(California)
La Crema 2008 Russian River Chardonnay ($39.95 - #0067231) – look again at the Meursault (France), this Chardonnay sits between the Mission and the Meur, though it leans more French for its big woodsy quality. (****)
Grape Guy Top 3 … what I’ll be lining up for on November 13, 2010:
Titus 2007 Zinfandel ($34.95 - #0157594) – USA / California
Santa Rita 2007 Medalla Real Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.95 - #0275594) – Chile
Wallace by Ben Glaetzer 2008 Shiraz / Grenache ($25.95 - #0047605) – Australia
