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
There are some Eco-wines in this week's release, but I was not impressed, so don't go looking for my recommendations there ... on the other hand there is a plethora of Argentinean wines hitting the shelves (ARG) and there are some wonderful and very affordable wines there. Let's take a look ...
Argentina ...
Catena 2010 Chardonnay ($19.95 - #918805) - vanilla, butter, peach, caramel apple with some amount of finesse. (****) - ARG
Crios 2011 Torrontes ($12.95 - #0001834) - this is a beginners Torrontes, less fragrant, less floral with only a little spice. (*** 1/2) - ARG
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| Kaiken Ultra |
Decero 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.95 - #195677) - red fruit, supple with sweetness of fruit and cocoa-like tannins on the finish. (*** 1/2) - ARG
Fabre Montmayou 2009 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon ($14.95 - #261891) - black raspberry, tobacco and violets. (*** 1/2+) - ARG
Kaiken 2009 Ultra Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.95 - #135202) - a favourite for good reason: dark fruit, cocoa, cassis with lovely vanilla toast notes. (****+) - ARG
Norton 2008 Privada ($24.95 - #148155) - rich and dark fruit forward, spice and currants/anise notes on the finish; dark and brooding, a wine to lie down 3-5 years. (****+) - ARG
Australia ...
Grant Burge 2008 The Holy Trinity Grenach/Shiraz/Mourvedre ($33.95 - #236257) - deep, rich and complex; dried and fresh fruit fight for dominance. (****)
Katnook Estate 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon ($29.95 - #590471) - mocha, black currant, nice full weight in the mouth. (*** 1/2+)
Canada ...
(British Columbia)
Mission Hill 2009 Reserve Shiraz ($23.95 - #126763) - chocolate, black cherry, white pepper, hint of spice and plum with a nicely spiced finish. (****)
(Ontario)
Cattail Creek 2008 Select Late Harvest Merlot ($26.95 / 375ml - #275370) - ****
Cave Spring 2008 Merlot ($17.95 - #235051) - *** 1/2+
Inniskillin 2010 Winemaker's Series Two Vineyards Riesling ($17.95 - #105387) - ***+
Mastronardi 2008 Merlot/Cabernet ($19.95 - #273730) - *** 1/2+
Chile ...
Quintay Q 2011 Sauvignon Blanc ($14.95 - #276493) - this is a totally grassy number, perfect for the first day you grab out the mower. (*** 1/2)
Tamaya 2009 Reserva Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah ($15.95 - #0062497) - sweet fruit, raspberry/strawberry jam, juicy and easy drinking. (*** 1/2+)
France ...
(Alsace)
Pierre Sparr 2009 Reserve Pinot Gris ($14.95 - #983395) - hints of sweetness on the mid-palate are a pre-cursor to a dry finish; nice floral and dry pear notes. (*** 1/2)
(Bordeaux)
Chateau Beausejour 2009 ($14.95 - #264267) - approachable wine that is blackberry dominated. (*** 1/2+)
(Burgundy)
Domaine Rebourgeon-Mure 2009 Volnay ($39.95 - #264218) - nice strawberry and sour cherry notes with a decent amount of acidity and spice on the finish. (*** 1/2+)
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| Sparkling Vouvray: Predilection |
Michel Picard 2009 Chardonnay Bourgogne ($17.95 - #264440) - no doubt this is Chardonnay, a little fruit, whack of oak and a nice caramel peach note. (*** 1/2)
(Loire)
Chateau Moncontour 2009 Cuvee Predilection Brut Vouvray ($18.95 - #168963) - hint of sweet fruit with good acidity on the finish. (****+)
Saget la Perriere Marie de Beauregard Vouvray 2009 ($17.95 - #276691) - slightly honeyed with a pear and mineral note, good example of Vouvray. (****)
(Rhone)
Brotte Chateau de Bord la Croix de Fregere Cotes du Rhone Villages Laudun 2009 ($16.95 - #264218) - juicy and fruity, nice depth of flavour, sweet dark fruit with a slight anise note. (****+)
Italy ...
(Abruzzo)
Jorio 2009 Montepulciano D'Abruzzo ($13.95 - #134577) - delicate and delicious with red berries and a touch of spice; supple and easy on the palate. (*** 1/2)
(Puglia)
La Corte 2010 Old Vines Primitivo di Manduria ($15.95 - #269019) - rich dark plum and chocolate. (*** 1/2+)
(Tuscany)
Antinori 2007 Badia a Passignano Chianti Riserva ($43.95 - #384552) - rich dark fruit, dark chocolate, kirsch, cassis with just lovely fruit and spice mix, good acidity on the replaying finish. (****+)
Mastrojanni 2006 Brunello di Montalcino ($25.95 - #0033381) - full flavoured, full bodied with the dichotomy of dried yet jammy fruit. (*** 1/2+)
Rocca di Castagnoli 2009 Chianti Classico ($19.95 - #222810) - sour fruit, pepper, rustic, raspberry, strawberry with good acidity. (*** 1/2+)
(Veneto)
Luigi Righetti 2009 Campolieti Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore ($15.95 - #695890) - good spiced fruit, more red than black, and a nice mix of each with spiced plum and Christmas cake. (*** 1/2+)
Monte del Fra 2010 Bardolino ($12.95 - #134544) - light raspberry jam with slight mocha notes. (*** 1/2)
New Zealand ...
Babich Fernhill 2010 Individual Vineyard Viognier ($16.95 - #269282) - unripened peach and pear nose with a fresh fruity palate and lovely finish. (*** 1/2+)
Portugal ...
Astrolabrium 2008 Reserva Tinto ($15.95 - #276121) - lively red fruit, nice spice and herbal notes, a touch earthy with good acidity. (****)
Calem 1998 Colheita Single Vintage Tawny Port ($25.95 - #264259) - orange peel, prune, raisins and spice on the nose; dried cherries, raisin pie, big spice and whopping acidity on the palate; a finish of spiced-apricot, cherry, burnt orange peel and caramel. (****)
Passadouro 2008 Vinho Tinto ($21.95 - #267997) - dark fruit, dark chocolate, gentle spice, plum and blackberry. (*** 1/2+)
South Africa ...
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| Blue Crane 2008 |
Blue Crane 2008 Full Flight Red ($16.95 - #267831) - fruit forward and very approachable without the South African stink character, this one really screams fruit. (****)
Hamilton Russell 2010 Chardonnay ($31.95 - #931006) - lots of oak but with lots of Chardonnay character; really long finish. (*** 1/2+)
Spier 2008 Creative Block 3 ($19.95 - #263632) - has that South African tarry note on the nose but it comes out as coffee and spice on the palate with a good finish. (****)
Spain ...
Rotllan Torra 2007 Crianza ($17.95 - #267989) - menthol on the nose and palate, red plum, juicy dark fruit with a nice spice finish. (*** 1/2)
United States ...
(California)
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| Belle Glos 2009 |
Belle Glos 2009 Las Alturas Vineyard Pinot Noir ($44.95 - #212076) - blackberry, sour black cherry, hint of floral and spice, bold and full bodied; Pinot for those who like their Aussie alcohol, 14.7%. (****+)
Candor Lot 3 Zinfandel ($21.95 - #133389 - fruit forward, raspberry, vanilla, cherry cola, vanilla, touch of herbal, vanilla and milk chocolate; you can tell what dominates here. (*** 1/2+)
St Francis 2009 Chardonnay ($19.95 - #317131) - easy drinking, ready to go Chardonnay in a Cali-style. (*** 1/2)
(Oregon)
Maysara 3o Pinot Noir 2008 ($24.95 - #269167) - dark fruit, nice tannins, good acidity. (*** 1/2)
Best Buys ... over delivers for the price
Famiglia Bianchi 2011 Chardonnay ($14.95 - #0001461) - lime cordial and vanilla caramel with a touch of spice. (*** 1/2+) ... Argentina (ARG)
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| Chateau de Bord 2009 |
If You Can Afford It ... expensive but worth it
Chimney Rock 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon ($57.95 - #731810) - nicley complex (****+)
Antinori 2008 Solaia ($249.95 - #987586) - lovely dark fruit with great silky tannnins, (**** 1/2)
What I'll be Lining Up For ... April 14, 2012
Brotte Chateau de Bord la Croix de Fregere Cotes du Rhone Villages Laudun 2009 ($16.95 - #264218) - France
Blue Crane 2008 Full Flight Red ($16.95 - #267831) - South Africa
Happy Shopping
Key: Wine colour indicators - Red are red wines, Yellow are whites, etc.
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