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 looks at the sun in two ways, first the Southern Rhone (SR) with its abundance of sunshine and then at wines that are great for sunny days, Rosés (ROSE):
Argentina …
Red -
Alamos 2009 Malbec ($13.95 - #0467951) – juicy flavour of dark berry fruit with a slightly toasted note … good beginners Malbec. (****)
Elementos 2008 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon ($12.95 - #0218974) – it’s Elementos my dear Watson, this wine is a real winner for BBQ season: dark fruit with a touch of spice. (*** ½+)
Australia …
Red –
Chapel Hill 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon ($24.95 - #0965830) – this is your typical Aussie fruit bomb, really juicy entry with blackberry and pepper right through to the finish. (****)
Penfolds 207 Bin 389 Cabernet/Shiraz ($37.95 - #0309625) – dark and brooding, it’ll age nicely so leave it alone for now and drink in 3-4 years. (****)
Two Hands 2009 Gnarly Dudes Shiraz ($26.95 - #0660043) – rich in plum and blueberry; succulent and decadent with a generous amount of fruit and hints of spice. (****)
Canada …
Red –
(Ontario)
Inniskillin 2008 Winemaker’s Series Select Vineyards Shiraz/Cabernet ($24.95 - #0225482)
Vineland 2009 Pinot Meunier ($17.95 - #0225508)
Rosé -
(Ontario)
Malivoire 2010 Ladybug Rosé ($15.95 - #0559088) – (ROSE)
White –
(Ontario)
Fielding 2009 White Conception ($18.95 - #0203737)
Konzelmann 2008 Winemaster’s Collection Late Harvest Gewurztraminer ($17.20 - #0392357)
Chile …
Red -
Mayu 2007 Reserva Estate Bottled Carmenere ($14.95 - #0090035) – black fruit with caresses of sweet tobacco and spice. (*** ½)
Santa Carolina 2008 Dry Farming Carignan ($16.95 - #0213520) – real kick of mint here, a nice palate of black fruit with hints of mint; shows a certain amount of finesse. (****+)
France …
Red –
(Beaujolais)
Domaine Regis Champier 2009 Extrait de Terroir Brouilly ($15.95 - #0207977) – big broad brush stroke of cherry all over this one with a slight earthy note on the finish … would also taste nice with a bit of a chill; very slight tannin grit on the finish. (****+)
(Rhone)
Alain Jaume 2009 Grande Garrigue Vacqueyras ($22.95 - #0233916) – lots of lovely dark fruit and dark berries and a nice hint of minerality on the finish. (****) – (SR)
Domaine de L’Arnesque 2009 Cotes du Rhone ($13.95 - #0223487) – baked cherry smell with nice fruit, toast and vanilla notes. (****) – (SR)
Domaine Le Grand Retour 2009 Plan de Dieu ($13.95 - #0224592) – this is a bargain full of dark berries, cherries, cocoa, cassis and rich tannins; can be held for 5+ years. (****+) – (SR)
Les Vigerons D’estezargues 2009 La Granacha Signargues ($17.95 - #0082560) – red licorice nose and a sweet red fruit finish. (****) – (SR)
Ogier 2009 Marquis de Valclair Gigondas ($23.95 - #0219345) – this one's got the goods, juicy red fruit with red licorice and black cherry. (****) – (SR)
Rosé -
Perrin 2010 Reserve Rosé ($15.95 - #0719062) – big hit of strawberry right off the bat on the nose; the palate goes very dry with a cherry-strawberry-raspberry blend. (****) – (ROSE)
White –
(Burgundy)
Domaine Nathalie & Gilles Fevre 2008 Fourchaume 1er Cru ($31.95 - #0210856) – lacks strong aromas on the nose but its apple and citrus palate more than makes up for it. (*** ½)
Greece …
Dessert -
Kourtaki Muscat ($14.95 - #0938407) – sweet honey, beeswax, floral, apricot with a touch of some spice and biting acidity on the finish; this is a tasty and inexpensive dessert wine. (**** ½)
Italy …
Red –
(Abruzzo)
Tor Del Colle Riserva Brindisi 2009 ($12.95 - #0211847) – BBQ-ready wine with loads of fruit, hints of tannin but juicy, juicy, juicy with all that sweet fruit … very good price. (****)
(Piedmont)
Luca Ferraris Bric d’Bianc Ruche di Castagnole Monferrato 2009 ($16.95 - #0214536) – port-like plumminess on the nose; touch of light spice and red berry; good flavour. (*** ½)
Mauro Veglio 2009 Dolcetto D’alba ($16.95 - #0214486) – I’m still not a fan of Dolcetto but this one is ripe and relatively juicy with some grit herbal notes on the finish. (*** ½)
(Puglia)
Cignomoro 2007 Primitivo di Manduria ($19.95 - #0211078) – sweet plum with easy spice and chocolaty on the palate. (*** ½)
(Tuscany)
Avignonesi 2007 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano ($29.95 - #0943670) – ripe and ready black cherry, plum and spice, especially on the finish. (****+)
Viticcio 2007 Chianti Classico ($23.95 - #0587030) – some real flavour here, bring pleasure to the palate: vanilla, cinnamon, dark fruit and cran-cherry. (*** 1/2)
(Veneto)
Luigi Righetti 2008 Campolieti Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore ($16.95 - #0695890) – black pepper, black licorice, mocha, coffee bean, black cherry and nice length to the finish. (****)
Sparkling –
Massottina Extra Dry Conegliano Valbobbiadene Prosecco Superiore ($19.95 - #0216317) – slightly sweet lemon drop, nice and refreshing for summer. (****)
New Zealand …
Red –
Pencarrow 2009 Pinot Noir ($21.95 - #0692301) – earthy black cherry with nice mouth-feel and tannin balance. (****)
Rosé -
Kim Crawford 2010 Pansy! Rosé ($16.95 - #0650325) – this pink brings a little sweetness to the party, especially on the initial entry then you’ll find pink grapefruit on the finish. (*** ½) – (ROSE)
White -
Craggy Range 2009 Te Muna Road Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc ($24.95 - #0225706) – vanilla-grapefruit, crisp and sweet tasting full of fruit. (*** ½)
Kim Crawford 2009 Unoaked Chardonnay ($17.95 - #0991950) – peachy in the mouth, quite a lovely sip with its only drawback being a quick finish. (*** ½)
Portugal …
Dessert -
Calem 2004 LBV Port ($19.95 - #0912550) – blackberry, cocoa, spice and black cherry. (****+)
South Africa …
Red –
Post House 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon ($22.95 - #0231332) – raspberry, black currant and cigar notes; tangy and tasty – this is a traditionally made wine that used wild yeast, was basket pressed and bottled unfiltered. (****)
Spain …
Red -
Dehesa Gago 2009 ($14.95 - #0173120) – black fruited: berry, cherry, raspberry, cocoa, spice with a nice tannin backbone, good finish 2-5 years age potential. Nice wine. (****+)
Vega Escal 2006 ($18.95 - #0210997) – nice black cherry, chocolate and elegance. (****+)
Vega Moragona 2007 Vinas Viejas ($14.95 - #0211037) – lots of chocolate and a little white pepper with anise and spice. (*** ½+)
United States …
Red –
(California)
Cline 2009 Ancient Vines Mourvedre ($18.95 - #0066084) – always a lot of fun, juicy blackberry and sweet black cherry; chocolate, raspberry liqueur … I could drink this all night long, and surely wake up with a horrible, but worthwhile, hangover. (****+)
Cline 2007 Sonoma Zinfandel ($18.95 - #0213504) – not afraid to show its high alcohol (16%) this one has sweet plum, chocolate, and cherry liqueur. Jammy rich fruit, bbq ready. “Honey hand me the tongs and get me the ribs.” (****)
Freeman 207 Pinot Noir ($44.95 - #0215434) – blueberry and floral notes, juicy fruit with a nice bite of tannins on the finish. (*** ½)
Rutherford 2009 Vintners Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.95 - #0213777) – hard to believe a Cab with only 12.5% alcohol, this one has juicy black fruit with a small does of chocolate. (*** ½)
(Oregon)
Erath 2008 Pinot Noir ($26.95 - #0932541) – tart with red berry fruit and a touch of cranberry. (*** ½)
(Washington)
Dusted Valley 2007 Boomtown Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.95 - #0220376) – welcome to the Boomtown: black cherry, licorice, a little spice and some sage notes … tasty. (****)
White –
(California)
Bonny Doon 2008 Beeswax Vineyard Le Cigare Blanc ($29.95 - #0095331) – honey and floral notes on the nose; honey, apple and floral on the tongue; pleasant with some added weight in the mouth and a long finish. (****)
Kenwood 2009 Chardonnay ($16.95 - #0158790) – very respectable Chardonnay with citrus, pear and a touch of peach, there are also vanilla notes with a touch of tropical. Well priced. (****)
Grape Guy Top 3 … what I’ll be lining up for on May 14, 2011:
Dehesa Gago 2009 ($14.95 - #0173120) – Spain
Cline 2007 Sonoma Zinfandel ($18.95 - #0213504) – United States
Domaine Le Grand Retour 2009 Plan de Dieu ($13.95 - #0224592) – France
Happy Shopping.
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