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
We got another three things to focus on in this release: St. Patricks Day (Irish Whiskey – not reviewed), Italy (I) and Argentina / Chile (A/C) … The wines that are part of the spotlight are labeled as such:
Argentina – Red …
Bodegas Callia Magna Shiraz 2008 ($15.95 - #0218818) – best Argentine wine in the release with spicy, pepper, dark fruited and well priced, long dark cocoa finish. (****+) – (A/C)
Casa Montes 2006 Alzamora Syrah ($19.95 - #0220673) – smoky with big black fruit. (*** ½) – (A/C)
Colome 2008 Estate Malbec ($18.95 - #0223446) – very tasty, dark fruit, smoky finish. (*** ½) – (A/C)
Australia – Red …
HazyBlur 2006 Shiraz ($34.95 - #0076141) – the feeling I get after a day of these tastings is best described in the name of this wine, but seriously lots of black pepper and spice surrounded big black fruit and big alcohol. (****)
Rosedale 2008 Chook Shed ($13.95 - #0203935) – black and ballsy, fruity driven nose, blackberry, chocolate and plum … good price for a summer wine. (****)
Two Hands 2008 Lily’s Garden Shiraz ($54.95 - #0683086) – just saying chocolate and dark fruit don’t do this wine justice, it is such a great wine with a fabulous mouth-feel; if you buy a bottle call me, I’ll help you drink it, and you’ll need help, the big 15.8% will knock you on your … (**** 1/2+)
Canada – Dessert … (click on wine to see full review)
(Ontario)
Henry of Pelham 2009 Cabernet Franc Icewine ($39.95 / 200ml - #0672402)
Canada – Red … (click on wine to see full review)
(Ontario)
Nyarai Cellars 2007 Veritas ($24.95 - #0222794)
Ridgepoint 2007 Reserve Pinot Noir ($25.00 - #0089003)
Canada – White … (click on wine to see full review)
(Ontario)
Cave Spring Estate Bottled 2009 Gewurztraminer ($16.95 - #0302059)
Charles Baker 2008 Picone Vineyard Riesling ($35.20 – #0126433)
Twenty Twenty-Seven Cellars 2009 Featherstone Vineyard Riesling ($24.95 - #0092353)
Chile – Red …
Concha Y Toro 2009 Maycas de Limari Reserva Syrah ($14.95 - #0209916) – smoky black currant and a hint of pepper, nice smooth finish. (****+) – (A/C)
Santa Carolina 2008 Reserva de Familia Cabernet Sauvignon ($15.00 - #0684597) – minty black cherry, juicy and tasty. (****+)
Chile – White …
Concha Y Toro 2007 Maycas del Limari Reserva Especial Chardonnay ($19.95 - #0162040) – tropical nuances with butter cream palate, nice acid bite on the finish. (*** ½) – (A/C)
France – Red …
(Beaujolais)
Jean-Pierre Teissedre Chiroubles 2009 ($14.95 - #0183475) – big black cherry which follows on the palate, chill and enjoy. (****+)
(Bordeaux)
Chateau Haut-Chaigneau 2006 ($27.95 - #0087650) – really nice upfront fruit in the nose, tannins are aggressive but need some time to come around. (*** ½+)
(Rhone)
Domaine de la Colline Saint-Jean Vieilles Vignes Vacqueyras 2007 ($22.95 - #0155499) – Aussie-Shiraz-like nose: jammy with big fruit, this follows on the palate with silky palate drying tannins. (****+)
Domaine des Mascarons 2009 Cotes-du-Rhone-Villages ($15.95 - #0142174) – black cherry, sweet plum, and spice reel you in; palate is tasty, tart and fruity, nice finish elevates this one a half mark to a score of … (****)
Mas des Bressades 2009 Cuvee Tradition ($14.95 - #0143099) – nice floral and blackberry, smoked, blackberry, smooth and good value. (****+)
Perrin & Fils 2007 Les Sinards Chateauneuf-du-Pape ($19.95 / 375ml - #0005975) – yummy … full of fruit and flavour, drink this sized bottle for drink now enjoyment or over the summer. (**** ½)
Saint Serge Reserve St.-Gervais Cotes Du Rhone-Villages 2009 ($13.95 - #0219741) – I recommended the last St. Gervais that came through the board and I recommend this one as well; red berries, almost juicy, smooth and easy. (****+)
(Southwest)
Chateau St-Didier Parnac Cahors 2006 ($16.95 - #0194977) – tannic and rustic style; a Malbec more along the lines of what you’d expect from a Cahors wine, give it 3-4 years to develop … good price for a cellar dweller. (****+)
France – White …
(Bordeaux)
Chateau de la Greffiere 2009 Macon-la Roche Vineuse ($14.95 - #0205898) – a slight oxidative note but with good flavour on the tongue, stony and minerally on the finish with nice length, drink now. (*** ½)
Domaine de la Tour 2008 Monts-Mains Chablis 1er Cru ($29.95 - #0159731) – slight tropical nose with mac apple and grassy notes on the palate, there was also some minerality on the finish. (*** ½+)
(Loire)
Chavet Fils 2009 Menetou-Salon Blanc ($18.95 - #0525048) – citrus and grass which follows into the mouth herbaceously; fun for spring. (*** ½)
Greece – Red …
Vaeni Naoussa Xinomavro Damaskinos 2004 ($13.95 - #0060731) – smoked cherry with hints of vanilla and spice, worth trying. (*** ½)
Italy – Red …
(Puglia)
Cantine due Palme 2006 Selvarossa Riserva Salice Salentino ($17.95 - #0203976) – lovely dark fruit and chocolate cherries, very sippable: kept waiting to take another sip to see what’s coming next. (**** ½)
(Tuscany)
The Sopranos 2007 Chianti ($14.95 - #0207183) – most rustic than many and quite the gimmick, but it makes for a great gift for fans of the show, quite drinkable. (***+)
(Veneto)
Masi 2006 Grandarella Appassimento ($28.95 - #0606921) – berries and currants, lovely fresh fruit with enough spice and a woody finish; give it a couple of years on the shelf to mellow. (****+)
Quintarelli 2006 Primofiore ($59.95 - #0020867) – hot mama, great sweetness with aged balsamic and cherry taste, interesting and fun. (*** ½+)
Italy – White …
(Lombardia)
S. Cristina Massoni Lugana 2009 ($17.95 - #0200097) – decent nose, nice flavours, chill this one down and sip with pleasure, good acidity with a finish that bites back. (*** ½ +) – (I)
(Piedmont)
Enrico Serafino 2010 Moscato D’Asti ($15.95 - #0134833) – I love these wines, they automatically get a three-and-a-half from me, but to get higher they have to really impress … this one does, it took peach to a new level with great balance to its sweetness. (****)
New Zealand – Red …
Spy Valley 2009 Pinot Noir ($22.95 - #0734681) – hits all the right notes for Pinot: sour cherry, raspberry and a touch of sweet earthiness. (****)
New Zealand – White …
Astrolabe 2009 Voyage Sauvignon Blanc ($21.95 - #0010421) – very New Zealand in style and hits all the right notes and lingers on the palate. (****)
Villa Maria 2010 Private Bin Riesling ($15.95 - #0062240) – alluring smells of pear and talc, strong flavour, quite dry, quite good. (****+)
Spain – Red …
Bodegas Lan 2006 Crianza ($15.00 - #0166538) – the Lan name should carry enough weight for you to buy it, but the nice cherry, spice and firm yet giving tannins should make this an easy decision for purchase, and so should the $15 price tag. (**** ½)
La Cova dels Barrica Ombra 2006 ($16.95 - #0132589) – nice rich blackberry fruit, vanilla and a touch of spice, juicy and tasty. (*** ½)
United States – Red …
(California)
Calera 2008 Pinot Noir ($32.95 - #0933044) – big on cherry and strawberry with a touch of berry sweetness, there is a hint of earthiness and a dry tannin rich finish. (****)
Corte Riva 2005 Merlot ($49.95 - #0054965) – rich jammy fruit with chocolate, blackberry and vanilla along with plum and a spicy finish … very nice. (****)
J. Lohr 2007 Los Osos Merlot ($19.95 - #0027516) – rich and fruity, a wine to be enjoyed around the BBQ this summer. (****)Ridge 2006 Santa Cruz Mountains Estate ($44.95 - #0089284) – very tasty with plum being the most noticeable of the flavours, great blend. (****)
Simi 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon ($21.95 - #0025221) – juicy black berry and cherry with a hint of chocolate. (*** ½+)
United States – White …
(California)
Fog Head 2009 Highlands Reserve Chardonnay ($17.95 - #0158568) – touch of buttery caramel on the mid-palate all the way to the finish; interesting and affordable. (*** ½)
Grape Guy Top 3 … what I’ll be lining up for on March 5, 2011:
Two Hands 2008 Lily’s Garden Shiraz ($54.95 - #0683086) – Australia
Cantine due Palme 2006 Selvarossa Riserva Salice Salentino ($17.95 - #0203976) – Italy
Bodegas Lan 2006 Crianza ($15.00 - #0166538) – Spain
