Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Saturday December 10, 2011 - 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

The last release of the year is full of Holiday Cheer (CHEER) ... what that means I am not sure because there never seems to be rhyme or reason to how these wines get selected so let's just go with that.  Holiday wines also mean some expensive stuff is hitting the shelves but if you comb through you'll also find some really decent bargains - check out the what I am buying section and the Best Buy section for those.  You'll also see some Bubbly on the menu in this release (FIZZ) - and why not, New Year's Eve is just around the corner.  Next release (January 7, 2012) is the annual Bargain wines so they'll be plenty of deals to spend what's left of your holiday cash.  As for this release, here are my recommendations ...

Argentina …
Cicchitti 2008 Edicion Limitada Malbec ($23.95 - #0260893) ... strawberry and chocolate, smooth, rich and lush in the mouth. ****
Trivento 2008 Golden Reserve Malbec ($19.95 - #0588731) ... a real fruity number wit hints of chocolate. *** 1/2
Vina Cobos 2009 Felino Malbec ($19.95 - #0118067) ... juicy black fruit, seductive and succulent, lots of raspberry and strawberry too. ****+ (CHEER)

Australia … 
Bishop by Ben Glaetzer 2009 Shiraz ($39.95 - #0627869) ... oppulent, big black fruit, rich and meaty. ****+ (CHEER)
D'Arenberg 2009 The High Trellis Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.95 - #0943456) ... blackberry and cassis with a dry cedary finish. *** 1/2
Dutschke 2008 God's Hill Road Neigbour Shiraz ($25.95 - #0247296) ... nice blackberry spice, black pepper, plum with chocolate sauce. ****

Canada …
(British Columbia)
Gray Monk 2009 Gewurztraminer ($18.95 - #0321588) ... rosy and lychee nose with sweet grapefruit and tropical notes. ****+
Mission Hill 2007 Oculus ($70.00 - #0009316) ... there's some real finesse to this wine, dark fruit and layers of flavour with lovely spice. ****+
Osoyoos Larose 2007 Le Grand Vin ($99.95 - #0662759) ... another piece of finesse from BC, raspberry, smoked vanilla, dark chocolate and good tannin structure. ****+ (CHEER)

(Ontario) - visit OntarioWineReview.com for full review
Inniskillin 2010 Sparkling Vidal Icewine ($69.95 - #0560367) - FIZZ
Stoney Ridge 2007 Vidal Icewine ($34.95 / 375ml - #0337402)
Chateau des Charmes 2008 Old Vines Riesling ($16.95 - #0277228) - CHEER
Reif Estate 2007 First Growth Cabernet /Merlot ($40.00 - #0043869)
Vineland 2009 Pinot Meunier ($14.965 - #0225508)

Chile …
Lapostolle 2009 Cuvee Alexandre Cabernet Sauvignon ($24.95 - #0947929) ... deep, dark colour, blackberry, black cherry and spice with hints of coffee on the finish and lush mocha undertones. **** 1/2
Montes 2009 Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.95 - #0322586) ... minty raspberry and red cherry, very quaffable. ****+
Montes 2009 Alpha Carmenere ($19.95 - #0143230) ... minty with blackberry goodness and with enough tannins to keep it interesting. ****+ (CHEER)

France … 
(Alsace)
Pierre Sparr Brut Reserve Crement D'Alsace ($16.95 - #0173401) ... nice and creamy mouthfeel, with nice lemon and vanilla notes. *** 1/2 (FIZZ)
Anne Boecklin 2008 Pinot Gris Reserve ($18.95 - #0106831) ... sweet peach and honeyed pear. *** 1/2 (CHEER)
(Bordeaux)
Chateau la Dauphine 2008 ($29.00 - #0173500) ... black fruit dominant with good tannin backbone; good for short term ageing. *** 1/2
Chateau Mondot 2008 ($45.00 - #0137463) ... chocolate, red cherry, supple and tasty; red licorice notes can be found amongst the tannins - this one will age nicely but is drinking well now. **** 1/2
(Burgundy)
Domaine Chanson 2008 Beaune Teurons 1er Cru ($43.95 - #0084426) ... cherry, mineral, strawberry and spice. *** 1/2+
(Champagne)
Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve Champagne ($54.95 - #0036962) ... lovely biscuit with almond and honey notes, very elegant shows some real finesse. **** 1/2 (FIZZ)
(Rhone)
Clos du Calvaire 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape ($34.95 - #0728139) ... smooth rich and dark fruited; chocolate, cherry, smoke, and herbal notes with some cocoa. ****
Domaine Barville 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape ($43.95 - #0148841) ... rich dark fruit, plum, black cherry and chocolate. ****+ (CHEER)
Perrin & Fils 2009 L'Andeol Cotes du Rhone Villages Rasteau ($19.95 - #0976845) ... raspberry, chocolate, cherry, white pepper with a nice lengthy finish. ****+
Pierre Amadieu 2009 Domaine Grand Romane Cuvee Prestige Gigondas ($27.95 - #0968693) ... nice dark cherry, good chalkiness with some anise and blackberry. ****

Germany …
Markus Molitor 2008 Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Spatlese ($24.95 - #0249706) ... this is a pretty tasty number, a sweet Riesling with lots of character. ****+

Italy …
(Alto Adige)
Peter Zemmer 2010 Pinot Grigio ($15.95 - #0095802) ... nice flavour of apple with a touch of pineapple. *** 1/2 (CHEER
(Piedmont)
Bava 2005 Barolo ($44.95 - #0232462) ... spiced cherry and dried raspberry. *** 1/2
(Tuscany)
San Felice 2007 Il Grigio Chianti Classico Riserva ($26.95 - #0716266) ... a fruit driven jobby with a nice mix of rustic and new world fruitiness on the finish. *** 1/2
San Guido 2009 Le Difese ($26.95 - #0147876) ... nose of mocha, chocolate, black cherry and sweet spice with rich fruit; palate that's has some subtlety but still with dark berries, mineral, spice and coffee bean. ****+ (CHEER)
Tenuta Sette Ponti 2008 Crognolo ($33.95 - #0727636) ... intense black currant with a slight woodsy note and drying tannins; good spice and a nice finish. ****
(Veneto)
Monte Zovo 2009 Sa'Solin Ripasso Valpolicella ($17.95 - #0650713) ... chocolate, blackberry, currant, sweet spice, black cherry, vanilla and plum; quite complex. ****+
Trabucchi D'illasi Terra del Galante Amarone della Valpolicella 2007 ($41.95 - #0248500) ... rich fruit, dark chocolate, black cherry, spiced plum. ****+

New Zealand … 
Astrolabe 2010 Voyage Sauvignon Blanc ($21.95 - #0010421) ... lively grapefruit beginning leads to a mineral/slate style finish. *** 1/2 (CHEER)
Konrad 2010 Sauvignon Blanc ($17.95 - #0616243) ... typically New Zealand-style savvy B with pea pod, grapefruit pith and grassy notes. *** 1/2
Mt. Beautiful 2009 Sauvignon Blanc ($21.95 - #0250514) ... mixes the tropical with the grassy for a pleasant version of this popular variety. ****
Hawkshead 2008 Pinot Noir ($30.95 - #0140632) ... nice nose with black cherry and earthy notes and the palate follows suit with touches of cranberry and good acidity. **** (CHEER)

Portugal ...
Fonseca Bin No. 27 Reserve ($15.95 - #0156877) ... chocolate, mocha and spiced black cherry with a biting finish. ****
Noval Tawny ($16.95 - #0141119) ... spiced chocolate and plum with a nice finish of spiced cherry and cocoa. ****+
Ramos Pinto Quinta da Ervamoira 10 Year Old Tawny ($35.95 - #0133751) ... dried red cherry with nice spice and a real kick to the finish. *** 1/2+

Spain …
Inurrieta Cuatrocientos 131 Crianza 2007 ($15.95 - #0246710) ... vanilla, black cherry, sweet licorice, cedar and herbs. *** 1/2
Juan Gil 2008 Monastrell ($21.95 - #0001677) ... smoky, spicy, raspberry-strawberry, cocoa, blueberry, vanilla and oak; comlex and really inviting. ****+

United States … 
(California)
Quady 2010 Essensia Orange Muscat ($13.95 / 375ml - #0299552) ... aromas of orange blossom, vanilla, honeyed apricot follow thruough on the palate with a lovely spice to the finish. *** 1/2+
Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut Sparkling Wine ($21.95 -  #0192898) ... lovely biscuity notes on the noses with a light raspberry-ness to the flavour; good acidity and a pretty salmon colour just adds to the enjoyment. **** (FIZZ)
Roederer Estate Brut Sparkling ($28.95 - #0294181) ... hazelnut biscuits with lemon pith notes. *** 1/2 (FIZZ)
La Crema 2009 Chardonnay ($37.95 - #0067231) ... buttery caramel with peach and lime on the finish. *** 1/2+
Robert Young 2007 Chardonnay ($49.95 - #0670430) ... rich and succulent in the mouth: vanilla, butter oak with a spiced finish; lacks fruit but this one has all the lumber some Chard lovers like. *** 1/2+
Shafer 2009 Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay ($59.95 - #0045583) ... big, rich, full and buttery with a nice spicy finish; it too lack a fruit component but if you like this style you'll dig this wine. *** 1/2
Belle Glos 2009 Clark & Telephone Vineyard Pinot Noir ($39.95 - #0652883) ... ripe dark fruit, spicy blackberry, white pepper and some coffe notes. ****
Beringer 2006 Napa Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon ($39.95 - #0091058) ... nice spice, semi-sweet chocolate and ripe tannins. *** 1/2+ (CHEER)
Folie a Deux 2009 Menage a Trois Red ($17.95 - #0665158) ... succulent almost sweet, a real party pleaser - a party in its own name: don'tcha love it when they say "I love Menage a Trois"; makes my heart skip a beat. *** 1/2 
Freemark Abbey 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon ($39.95 - #0238758) ... smoky, meaty, black currant and biting tannins. ****
Macrostie 2006 Wildcat Mountain Vineyard Pinot Noir ($38.95 - #0012740) ... dark cherry, spice with good acidity and a nice dry finish. *** 1/2+
Raymond Family 2008 Classic Cabernet Sauvignon ($24.95 - #0254268) ... chocolate and red cherry, a lovely easy drinking Cab that's juicy and supple with vanilla and spice backing. ****+ (CHEER)

If You Can Afford It (they’re pricey but worth it) …
Laurent Perrier 2002 Brut Champagne ($74.95 - #0983874) - FIZZ
Roux Pere & Fils 2009 Meursault Blagny 1er Cru ($56.95 - #0241141)
Chateau Montelena 2007 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ($134.95 - #0709881) - CHEER
Duckhorn 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon ($74.95 - #0024190) - CHEER
Joseph Phelps 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon ($74.95 - #0189795)
Bodegas y Vinedos 2007 Alion ($78.95 - #0199331)

Best Buys (wine that over delivers for its price) …
Chateau Rochecolombe 2009 Cotes du Rhone ($14.95 - #0255034) - France ... ****+

Grape Guy Top 3 … what I’ll be lining up for on December 10, 2011:
Raymond Family 2008 Classic Cabernet Sauvignon ($24.95 - #0254268) - USA
Vina Cobos 2009 Felino Malbec ($19.95 - #0118067) - Argentina
Lapostolle 2009 Cuvee Alexandre Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.95 - #0947929) - Chile

Happy Shopping



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