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.
Foci ... Valentines (VAL), Sparkling (SPK) and Signature (SIG) wines
The Skinny ... Not sure what constitutes the focus wines, except of course the sparklings; Monroe fans should be happy this release.
Argentina ...
Familia Zuccardi 2011 Organica Torrontes ($13.95 - #232694) - gentle, not as in your face as some Torrentes, a cross between Sauvignon Blanc and Gewurztraminer. (*** 1/2) - SIG
Australia ...
Best's Great Western Bin No. 1 Shiraz 2010 ($24.95 - #222323) - cocoa and spice with hints of coffee. (****)
Duck Shoot 2010 Pinot Noir ($17.95 - #311373) - pleasant fruit from start to middle with a nice earthy finish. (*** 1/2+)
Yalumba 2010 The Strapper GSM ($19.95 - #295873) - good flavours are what make this one: spiced chocolate and black cherry. (****)
Canada (Ontario) ...
Featherstone 2011 Black Sheep Riesling ($16.95 - #080234) - **** (SIG)
Featherstone 2008 Joy Premium Cuvee Sparkling ($34.95 - #310334) - **** 1/2 (VAL)
Megalomaniac 2008 ColdHearted Riesling Icewine ($29.95 / 200ml - #243519) - *** 1/2
Peller Estates Ice Cuvee Rosee ($34.95 - #113035) - *** 1/2 (SPK)
Rosewood Estates 2009 Natural Fermentation Reserve Pinot Noir ($39.95 - #318345) - ****+
Sandbanks 2011 Love Cassis Aperitivo ($14.95 / 375ml - #318394) - *** 1/2 (VAL)
Stratus 2011 Red Icewine ($39.95 / 200ml - #056689) - *** 1/2 (VAL)
Tawse 2010 Sketches Of Niagara Riesling ($17.95 - #089029) - ****+
Chile ...
Santa Alicia 2009 Gran Reserva de Los Andes Carmenere ($19.95 - #093831) - nicely spiced and well-spiced. (****) - SIG
Vina Tarapaca 2010 Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon ($16.95 - #018721) - minty dark fruit with a hint of smokiness. (*** 1/2) - SIG
France (Alsace) ...
Bestheim 2011 Reserve Pinot Gris ($15.95 - #315143) - floral, orange, pear, with a touch of wildflower honey. (*** 1/2+)
France (Beaujolais) ...
Les Terres Bleues 2011 Cote de Brouilly ($16.95 - #590521) - spiced black cherry with Pom juice notes. (*** 1/2)
France (Bordeaux) ...
Chateau Pey de Pont 2009 ($15.95 - #307918) - nice cherry with hints of cranberry, toasted oak and woody notes. (*** 1/2)
France (Burgundy) ...
Domaine Chene Macon-Milly Lamartine 2011 ($17.95 - #302711) - fresh Chardonnay with good exotic fruit and pleasant pineapple notes. (***1/2+)
Eric Forest 2009 L'Ame Forest Pouilly-Fuisse ($27.95 - #301911) - pretty, well-balanced, floral, spice and white fruit nuances. (*** 1/2+)
France (Loire) ...
Chateau de Fontaine-Audon 2011 ($27.95 - #745893) - flint, struck match, grassy and citrus. (*** 1/2) - VAL
France (Midi) ...
Hecht & Bannier 2010 Cotes du Roussillon Villages ($23.95 - #142802) - robust fruit, spiced-cocoa and nice ageability. (****)
France (Rhone) ...
Domaine Grand Veneur 2010 Les Champauvins Cotes du Rhone ($18.95 - #076331) - sexy, supple plum and cherry, chocolate, new leather in the background along with great spice at a great price. (**** 1/2)
Monge Granon Clairette de die Tradition ($17.95 - #305474) - think of Moscato but with more bubbles. (*** 1/2) - SPK
Germany ...
Loosen Bros. Dr. L. Sparkling Riesling ($13.95 - #296095) - it's a Dr. L Riesling with bubbles, definitely sweet, nice acidity and very fresh. (*** 1/2+) - SPK
Studert-Prum Wehlene Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett ($16.95 - #970129) - interesting hit of spice amongst the orange, mineral/talc notes. (****)
Italy (Abruzzo) ...
Kellerei St. Magdalena Pinot Grigio 2011 ($14.95 - #249466) - fresh and refreshing. (*** 1/2)
Italy (Piedmont) ...
Pelassa Bricco Enrichetta Langhe 2011 ($16.95 - #305508) - nose of lilac, leather, spice and mocha; hints of spiced cherry, raspberry, dark berries and good balancing acidity on the palate. (****+)
Italy (Puglia) ...
Poderi Angelini 2008 Primitivo di Manduria ($17.95 - #268136) - plum, cherry, mocha, vanilla, dark berries with a sweet undercurrent. (****)
Sampietrana 1952 Riserva Brindisi 2008 ($15.95 - #310086) - sweet blackberry, cassis, plum with some odd cooking spice along with sweet cherry; interesting. (*** 1/2+)
Italy (Sicily) ...
Spadina Una Rosa Signature Nero D'Avola 2009 ($18.95 - #010330) - easy drinking yet meaty in the places that matter. (*** 1/2+)
Italy (Tuscany) ...
Carpineto 2006 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano ($29.95 - #368910) - spice, pepper, blackberry, cassis, leather and tobacco. (****)
Rocca delle Macie 2008 Chianti Classico Riserva ($21.95 - #930966) - nice plum and spice, pepper and mocha righ to the finish. (****)
Italy (Veneto) ...
Foss Marai Extra Dry Prosecco ($19.95 - #729392) - citrusy with hints of sweetness. (*** 1/2) - SPK
New Zealand ...
Dashwood 2010 Pinot Noir ($21.95 - #296202) - earthy, spicy, peppery, dark cherry, cassis and plum. (*** 1/2+) - SIG
Portugal ...
Cockburn's Special Reserve Port ($17.95 - #063180) - smooth with cherry and dark cocoa (*** 1/2+)
Quinta da Ponte 2008 Pedrinha ($14.95 - #219188) - great cherry notes, raspberry, and plum, this one is quite fruit driven with a great fruit core. Smooth and sexy. (****)
South Africa ...
Cirrus 2007 Syrah ($33.95 - #054338) - slight South Africa stink on the palate though mostly drinkable with good plum, violet and dark fruit notes. (*** 1/2) - SIG
Spain ...
Juan Gil 2010 Red ($21.95 - #001677) - this is a real beauty by one of my favourite producer of Spain; sexy, smooth, blackberry jam, mmm mmm. (****+)
Muga Conde de Haro Brut Cava ($19.95 - #168559) - a serious outing from Spain, good bubble, dry, citrus notes and apple core. (*** 1/2+) - SPK
United States (California) ...
Marilyn 25 Silver Anniversary Merlot 2009 ($39.95 - #306738) - often wondered about the seriousness of this wine: mocha, cinnamon dominated. (*** 1/2) - VAL
Marimar Estate 2007 La Masia Pinot Noir ($34.95 - #303974) - has a nice cherry, tobacco and peppered note. (****)
Sebastiani 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.95 - #640573) - nice and juicy. (*** 1/2+)
Simi 2010 Chardonnay ($20.95 - #673806) - lime and pear, vanilla and spice; very pleasant with a nice linger on the palate. (****)
Treana 2009 Red ($39.95 - #011221) - smooth dark fruited, chocolate, blackberry and spice. (****)
If You Can Afford It - wines worth their high price ...
Chappellet 2009 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon ($68.95 - #704254) - ****
Dominus 2009 ($151.95 - #212381) - ****+
Dutton Estate 2010 Dutton Palm Vineyard Chardonnay ($53.95 - #234856) - ****+
What I'll be Lining Up For - February 2, 2013 ...
Domaine Grand Veneur 2010 Les Champauvins Cotes du Rhone ($18.95 - #076331) - France
Juan Gil 2010 Red ($21.95 - #001677) - Spain
Pelassa Bricco Enrichetta Langhe 2011 ($16.95 - #305508) - Italy
Happy Shopping
1 comment:
MY TAKE ...
======>>>> ** BEST WINE VALUE OF THE RELEASE *UNDER* $20
Chateau de Poce Touraine Sauvignon Blanc 2011: MVC but a softer finish,
more herbal than most. +313569, $13.95, QPR : 92
======>>>> ** BEST WINE VALUE OF THE RELEASE *OVER* $20
Quintarelli Primofiore 2008 IGT Veneto, +20867, $56.95.
TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Tawse Sketches of Niagara Riesling 2010 VQA Niagara: succulent, off-
dry character, 10% ABV, enjoyable, twist top. +89029, $17.95, QPR: 89.
2. Familia Zuccardi Organica Torrontes 2011 Mendoza: 13% ABV for this
organic wine that exhibits some spritz, twist top, good long citric
finish, needs food. +232694, $13.95, QPR: 89.
3. Coopers Creek Sauvignon Blanc 2010 Marlborough: MVC grass and herbs,
or, as one wine writer notes for just about all the MVC savvies
reviewed, “rev your lawnmowers; this is pure grassy goodness” NM
+957407, $17.95, QPR: 89.
4. Man Vintners Chardonnay 2011 WO Coastal Region South Africa: useful,
balanced but with some marmalade and butterscotch moments, fruit and
oak, 13.5% ABV. +295329, $13.95, QPR: 89.
5. Chateau de Carolle Blanc 2010 Graves: uses all three grapes
(sauvignon, semillon, muscadelle) for a balanced blend without the
savvy hit. 12.5% ABV. +307256, $16.95, QPR: 89.
TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Emiliana Novas Gran Reserva Carmenere/Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Colchagua Valley: soft, fruit, engaging, a mouthful of flavour,
organic, 14% ABV. +66746, $14.95, QPR: 89.
2. Remhoogte Estate Wine 2006 WO Simonsberg-Stellenbosch: plush and
lush, micro-oxygenated fruit, merlot 40%, cab sauv at 23, shiraz at 22,
pinotage at 15. 15% ABV. Gold Medalist. +694539, $18.95, QPR: 89.
3. Domaine Roumagnac Rencontres 2010 Fronton: nicely aged, 12.5% ABV,
spices and fed fruit. Gold Medalist. +311472, $14.95, QPR: 89.
4. Poderi Angelini Primitivo di Manduria 2008 Puglia: older style, some
raisins showing, 15% ABV. +268136, $17.95, QPR: 89.
5. Sampietrana 1952 Riserva Brindisi 2008 Puglia: combo of Negroamaro
and montepulciano grapes. 13.5% ABV. Gold Medalist. +310086, $15.95,
QPR: 89.
6. Beronia Reserva 2008 Rioja: fleshy, woody, palate filling, 18 months
in French and US oak. 14% ABV. +50203, $18.95, 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. R. Pouillon & Fils 1er Cru Brut Rose Champagne, +314518, $44.95
retail.
2. Peller Estates Ice Cuvee Rose VQA Niagara MC, +113035, $34.95
3. La Crema Chardonnay 2010 Russian River Valley, +67231, $37.95
4. Arlewood Marsanne/Roussanne 2010 Margaret River, +313247, $22.95
5. Rodney Strong Merlot 2008 Sonoma County, +497933, $21.95.
6. Treana Red 2009 Paso Robles, +11221, $39.95.
7. Barossa Valley Estate Ebenezer Shiraz 2007, +971705, $40.95.
6. Best’s Great Western Bin No. 1 Shiraz 2010, +222323, $24.95.
7. Cirrus Syrah 2007 WO Stellenbosch, +54338, $33.95.
8. Rocca Delle Macie Chianti Classico Riserva 2008, +930966, $21.95.
9. Villa Girardi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2008, +159913,
$41.95.
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