Monday, June 18, 2012

Saturday June 23, 2012 - 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

Key:  Wine colour indicators - Red are red wines, Yellow are whites, etc.

The focus is two-fold this time out: Summer Sippers (SUMSIP) and Canada Day (CAN) … let’s take a look:

Argentina ...
Alta Vista 2009 Premium Cabernet Sauvignon ($14.95 - #129957) - mocha, blackberry, cassis and sweet cedar. (*** 1/2)

Australia ...
Chateau Tanunda 2009 Barossa Tower Shiraz / Primitivo ($18.95 - #281048) - odd combination for Oz but it works in a sweet, smoky, peppery kinda way. (*** 1/2+)
Hope 2008 The Ripper Shiraz ($21.95 - #686865) - juicy and thoroughly enjoyable. (*** 1/2)
Mountadam Vineyards 2008 Cabernet / Merlot ($16.95 - #641860) - juicy red fruit, chocolate, plum, vanilla all lead to an easy finish. (*** 1/2)
Penfolds 2008 Bin 389 Cabernet / Shiraz ($39.95 - #309625) - Oz's typical blend from a very good producer. (****)
Tatiarra 2009 Culled Barrel Shiraz ($39.95 - #271379) - white and black pepper mix with chocolate, blackberry and spiced plum. (****)
Zonte's 2008 Footstep Baron von Nemesis Shiraz ($17.95 - #212936) - raspberry and sweet cherry, tons of red berries with the right amount of white pepper;  sweet fruited and fun. (*** 1/2+)

Canada ...
(Ontario)
Featherstone 2011 Gewurztraminer ($19.95 - #64592) - **** (CAN)
Ravine Vineyard 2010 Meritage ($24.95 - #285627) - **** 1/2 (CAN)
Stratus 2008 Wildass Red ($19.95 - #86363) - **** 1/2 (CAN)

Chile ...
Concha y Toro 2010 Marques de Casa Concha Carmenere ($17.00 - #169862) - black and blue berries, nice spice and a hint of bramblyness with a toasted character. (*** 1/2+)
Santa Ema 2009 Reserve Merlot ($16.95 - #642538) - juicy fruit and very chocolatey. (****)
Valle Andino 2008 Reserva Especial Syrah ($13.95 - #272682) - coffee, smoky, new leather, not your typical Syrah but definitely one not to be ignored; more of an after-dinner sipper. (*** 1/2)

France ...
(Alsace)
Bestheim Brut Cremant D'Alsace ($17.95 - #141184) - apple blossom, limeade; pleasant and appealing. (*** 1/2) - SUMSIP
(Beaujolais)
Domaine de Champ de Cour Mouline-a-Vent ($17.95 - #430876) - nice black cherry note throughout, enjoy chilled. (*** 1/2+)
(Bordeaux).
Chateau Haut Bertinerie 2009 ($23.95 - #422220) - lovely pineapple and grassy notes that are very appealing, far from typical but quite tasty. (*** 1/2)
(Loire)
Maison Foucher 2010 La Vigne Aux Sandres Pouilly Fume ($20.95 - #277350) - hay and fresh cut grass with white grapefruit backing. (*** 1/2) - SUMSIP
(Midi)
Chateau de Lancyre Cote D'alyrac 2010 ($19.95 - #74765) - sweetness of fruit and spice with some chocolate appeal. (*** 1/2+)
Chateau La Grave 2009 Expression ($13.95 - #277053) - easy drinking expression of  delicious wine. (*** 1/2)
(Rhone)
Chateau de Nages 2009 JT Costieres de Nimes ($21.95 - #736876) black fruit and spice reign supreme here. (*** 1/2)
Domaine de Carteresses 2011 Tavel Rose ($15.95 - #739474) - a food friendly rose with white pepper ad red currants, nice complexity.
Le Gravillas 2010 Sablet ($14.95 - #78790) - red berries, cedar, spice, plum and cocoa powder. (*** 1/2)

Germany ...
Darting 2009 Riesling Kabinett ($15.95 - #950212) - this house continues to deliver value for money: slight sweetness is balanced by peach, mineral and floral notes. (*** 1/2+)
Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt 2008 Ockfener Bockstein Riesling Kabinett ($16.95 - #606202) - a kabinett that drinks like a spatlese: spiced apple, floral and sweet. (*** 1/2) - SUMSIP

Italy ...
(Abruzzo)
Niro 2009 Montepulciano D' Abruzzo ($15.95 - #278150) - black cherry, coffee, vanilla, juicy of fruit, rich on the palate yet dry and tannic on the finish. (****)
(Campania)
Terredora 2010 Loggia Della Serra Greco di Tufo ($17.95 - #983197) - honeysuckle, lemon peel and pith with a refreshingly bitter finish. (*** 1/2)
(Emilia-Romagnia)
Umberto Cesari 2008 Sangiovese di Romanga Riserva ($18.95 - #33399) - smoke, cocoa, red cherry, leather and spice with a firm grip and great length on the finish. (****+)
(Piedmont)
Michele Chiarlo 2010 Nivole Moscato D'Asti ($16.95 - #942888) - one day I'd love a good Moscato to come in at ten-bucks, but until that day we'll have to pay over inflated prices for this delectable summer sipper. (*** 1/2+) - SUMSIP
(Tuscany)
Fontalpino 2009 Chianti Classico ($22.95 - #275859) - bitter opening, sweet middle, edgy finish. (*** 1/2)
Lamole di Lamole Vignetto di Campolungo Chianti Classico Riserva 2007 ($36.95 - #231241) - juicy cherry, sour cranberry with a hint of cedar-spice. (*** 1/2+)
Le Sughere di Frassinello 2009 ($29.95 - #25700) - juicy, supply and racy number with big 14.5% alcohol and nice tannin grip. (****)
(Veneto)
Le Ragose 2007 Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore ($18.95 - #991984) - bowl of fruit covered in cocoa, nice strawberry an cherry notes. (*** 1/2)
Monte Zovo 2009 Sa'Solin (17.95 - #650713) - I have vacillated on this wine over the years, but I'm a fan again, must be the vintage, ready for consumption now and has enough heft to last a five more years or more. (*** 1/2+)

New Zealand ...
Astrolabe 2011 Province Sauvignon Blanc ($21.95 - #10421) - juicy version of Sauvignon Blanc with grapefruit from pulp to peel and a long lingering finish. (****) - SUMSIP
Blind River 2011 Sauvignon Blanc ($19.95 - #141499) - delicately grassy with the right amount of citrus that adds to this mouth party. (*** 1/2+)
Greystone 2009 Pinot Noir ($37.95 - 3271312) - earthy, black pepper and blackberry that's lightly spiced and holds tons of flavour in the glass. (*** 1/2+)
Oyster Bay Sparkling Cuvee Rose ($21.95 - #280172) - great colour, with raspberry, lemon and limeade, with a touch of sweetness on the mid-palate, this is a very pleasurable bubble. (****+) - SUMSIP
Seifried 2011 Riesling ($17.95 - #989541) - nice apple fruitiness with a stone infusion; crisp and lovely with pear and stone fruit on the finish, very well integrated with its sweetness. (****) - SUMSIP
Trinity Hill 2009 The Gimblett ($35.95 - #280263) - good depth of character with sour coffee, mocha and dark fruit. (*** 1/2+)

Portugal ...
Casa do Valle Grande Escolha ($14.95 - #276220) - peach and prickly pear clash for supremacy in the mouth. (*** 1/2) - SUMSIP

South Africa ...
Ernie Els 2010 Big Easy ($19.95 - #220038) - coffee, leather and smoky on the nose; palate is delicious with cinnamon, vanilla, and other spices; shows finesse for something that suppose to be "Easy". (****)
Vrede en Lust 2011 White Mischief ($16.95 - #280156) - not just mischief in name alone, this wine plays games with you palate as you tried to figure out what it is; my advice: just drink and enjoy. (*** 1/2+) - SUMSIP

Spain ...
Nessa 2010 Albarino ($15.95 - #282558) - delicious apple with perfumed notes of apple blossom and sweet melon. (*** 1/2) - SUMSIP
Ramon Bilbao 2005 Reserva ($17.00 - #281097) - nicely balanced, it's 7 years old so it's ready now or hold another 5+ years. (*** 1/2+)
Torres 2008 Gran Sangre de Toro Reserva ($15.95 - #315648) - juicy cherry fruit with just a hint of white pepper and spice; spiced plum settles on the finish. (*** 1/2+)
Tossals 2006 Junior ($18.95 - #278135) - rich mocha, blackberry, blueberry and cherry, hints of violet on the palate which keeps things nice and pretty; there's some red licorice that is quite enticing on the finish. (**** 1/2))

Switzerland ...
Domaine des Chouans 2010 ($15.95 - #278945) - refreshing and nicely expressed version of Chasselas, not too dry and not too sweet, it's a Goldilocks wine. (*** 1/2)

United States ...
(California)
Francis Coppola 2011 Sofia Rose ($19.95 - #284943) - pretty enough in the bottle, sweet entry with a dry finish and medium length linger. (*** 1/2)
Kendall-Jackson 2009 Grand Reserve Chardonnay ($27.95  #59576) - full flavoured Chard with lots of barrel notes and a decent amount of fruit, look for baking spice on the finish. (****)
Rutherford Ranch 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.95 - #73817) - good Cali-Cab, just what you'd expect. (*** 1/2)
Sonoma-Cutrer 2008 Grower-Vintner Pinot Noir ($29.95 - #140723) - juicy and flavourful, lovely cherry fruit, light and easy, a real friendly sipper makes it a hellava Pinot. (****+)
Stags' Leap Winery 2011 Viognier ($34.95 - #597369) - sweet pineapple, vanilla and sweet apple, this is a very sexy wine. (****) - SUMSIP
(Oregon)
Maysara Estate 2008 Cuvee Pinot Noir ($39.95 - #65680) - didn't intrigue at first but subsequent sips proved to show cocoa, floral, cedar spice and a linger that makes you wanna sip again. (*** 1/2+)


If You Can Afford It ... wines that deliver even for the high price
Laird 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon ($57.95 - #50096) - California ... ****
Outpost 2009 Zinfandel ($69.00 - #253377) - California ... ****


What I'll Be Lining Up For ...
Oyster Bay Sparkling Cuvee Rose ($21.95 - #280172) - New Zealand
Tossals 2006 Junior ($18.95 - #278135) - Spain
Umberto Cesari 2008 Sangiovese di Romagna Riserva ($18.95 - #33399) - Italy

Happy Shopping



1 comment:

Dean Tudor said...

My take....

BEST BUYS OF THE MONTH!!!
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

1. Valle Andino Reserva Especial Syrah 2008 Colchagua: intense, gamey
almost brett-y, black fruit, smokey, syrah in the North Rhone style,
snap it all up at this price. +272682, $13.95, QPR: 93.

1. St-Nicolas Brut Crackling Strong Cider Quebec: very apple-y, very
strong intense flavours, 8.5% ABV, well-priced and should be well-
received this summer. +277442, $16.95, QPR: 91.

TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Nessa Albarino 2010 DO Rias Baixas: higher acid, best with food
instead of sipping. Exotic spicing and fruit, some eucalyptus. +282558,
$15.95, QPR: 89.
2. Lucien Albrecht Reserve Pinot Gris 2010 Alsace: engaging, off-dry
tones of pear and citric, long finish, sip or with food. 13% ABV.
+281394, $17.95, QPR: 89.
3. Domaine de la Tourlaudiere Muscadet Sevre & Maine Sur Lie 2010
Loire: an affordable wine for fish, concentrated MVC for the melon
grape, stony tones, 12% ABV. +171694, $13.95, QPR: 89.
4. Terredora Loggia Della Serra Greco di Tufo 2010 Campania: mounds of
flavours, concentrated tropical tones, 13% ABV. +983197, $17.95, QPR:
89.
5. Michele Chiarlo Le Marne Gavi 2011 Piedmont: wonderful mouthfilling,
fruity, with finishing acid and stuffing for food, 12% ABV. +228528,
$14.95, QPR: 89.

TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Alta Vista Premium Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Mendoza: juicy, North
American appeal, 15% ABV makes it big for summer and BBQ. +129957,
$14.95, QPR: 90.
2. Santa Emma Reserve Merlot 2009 Maipo: again, juicy, North American
appeal, 13.5% ABV. +642538, $16.95, QPR: 89.
3. Le Gravillas Sablet 2010 Cotes du Rhone-Villages: great price for a
Gold medalist, lots of mocha, 14.5% ABV, longer length than most.
+78790, $14.95, QPR: 89.
4. Umberto Cesari Sangiovese di Romagna Riserva 2008: another wine for
North American markets (juicy, mocha, fruit, smoke, oak). 13% ABV.
+33399, $18.95, QPR: 89.
5. Monte Zovo Sa'Solin Ripasso Valpolicella 2009: ripasso of the month.
+650713, $17.95, QPR: 89.
6. Serrado Colheita 2008 Dao: value-priced, entry level, needs food.
13.5% ABV. +283192, $11.95, QPR: 89.
7. Langa Tradicion Centenaria Garnacha 2008 DO Calatayud Spain: lots of
oak, great dense flavours, mocha and plums, but not very garancha-like,
14% ABV. +194795, $13.95, QPR: 90.

VALUE: “RESTAURANT READY” or “BRING YOUR OWN WINE BOTTLE” over $20
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Restaurants should consider offering these FINE VALUE wines at a $10
markup over retail; the wines are READY to enjoy right NOW. Consumers
should buy these wines to bring to restaurants with corkage programs.

1. Southbrook Triomphe Chardonnay 2010 VQA NOTL Biodynamic, $21.95
retail.
2. Cambria Katherine's Vineyard Chardonnay 2008 Santa Maria Valley
Santa Barbara, +980490, $29.95.
3. Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Chardonnay 2009 Santa
Barbara/Monterey, +59576, $27.95.
4. Astrolabe Province Sauvignon Blanc 2011 Marlborough, +10421, $21.95.
5. Chateau Haut Bertinerie 2009 Cotes de Bordeaux Blaye Old Vines,
+422220, $23.95.
6. Maison Foucher La Vigne Aux Sandres Pouilly Fume 2010, +277350,
$20.95
7. Mahle Wind Gap Syrah 2007 Castelli Knight Ranch Russian River
Sonoma, +242776, $59.
8. Simi Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Alexander Valley Sonoma, +25221,
$24.95.
9. Trinity Hill The Gimblett 2009 Hawkes Bay, +280263, $35.95.
10. Chateau Tronquoy-Lalande 2004 St-Estephe, +27984, $29.95.
11. Gemma Giblin Riserva Barolo 2005, +185025, $36.95.
12. Lamole di Lamole Vignetto di Campolungo Chianti Classico Riserva
2007, +231241, $36.95.
13. Mastrojanni San Pio 2008 IGT Toscana, +944603, $30.95.
14. Bodegas Olarra Cerro Anon Gran Reserva 2004, +190827, $24.5.