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 Foci: California Trends (CT) and South/Central Italy (SCI)
The Skinny: Check out Spain and Portugal for great value and a couple of red from Australia really impress.
Argentina …
Alamos 2010 Seleccion Pinot Noir ($16.95 - #143172) – juicy with lots of red fruit. (*** ½+)
Finca Agostino Inicio Torrontes 2011 ($14.95 - #303669) – nice with soapy, tangerine and floral notes. (*** ½)
Nieto Senetiner 2010 Gran Reserva Malbec/Petit Verdot ($17.95 - #295170) – there’s a kind of vanilla creaminess to this wine; an unexpected grape combination that proves to be very delicious indeed; also lots of dark fruit and some red licorice. (****)
Australia …
Coriole Redstone Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 ($19.95 - #141960) – juicy with hints of spiced-vanilla along with red and dark fruit. (*** ½+)
Devil’s Corner 2011 Pinot Noir ($20.95 - #317966) – I have a weak spot for Taz Pinot and it continues here with this lovely spice and great acidity; power yet with restrained fruit.(****)
Mollydooker 2010 The Boxer Shiraz ($29.95 - #246595) – big Shiraz, 16%, with blackberry, white pepper and anise notes. (****)
Mountadam 2010 Unoaked Chardonnay ($17.95 - #641878) – pleasant on the palate with citrus, peach and nice acidity; clean easy sipper. (*** ½+)
Rolf Binder 2009 Ma I? Have This Evening Shiraz/Mataro ($19.95 - #295899) – this is a beauty, a real seductive wine; as the name suggests this wine has your back on a night out. Shows real elegance and complexity in both aroma and flavour. (**** ½)
Yangarra 2008 Shiraz ($22.95 - #911974) – eucalyptus, dark berry, spice, chocolate along with juicy raspberry, strawberry and cassis. (****+)
Canada (Ontario) …
Konzelmann 2010 Heritage ($24.95 - #149179) - *** ½+
Southbrook Vineyards 2011 Triomphe Chardonnay ($21.95 - #172338) - *** ½+
Sue-Ann Staff 2011 Loved by Lu Riesling ($16.95 - #322636) - *** ½+
Tawse 2011 Gamay Noir ($18.95 - #322545) - ****
Vintage Ink 2010 Mark of Passion Merlot/Cabernet ($17.95 - #250209) - ****
Chile …
Tabali 2009 Reserva Especial ($22.95 - #107540) – good fruit, juicy, blackberry, black pepper, blueberry, black cherry and a touch of sandalwood. (****+)
France (Bordeaux) …
Chateau La Tour de Mons 2009 ($39.95 - #307959) – juicy middle surrounded by spice, pepper and wood. (*** ½+)
Chateau Moulin de la Roquille 2010 Cuvee Speciale L’Esperance ($19.95 - #307249) – nice spice, dark fruit, cocoa and coffee. (*** ½+)
Chateau Segue Longue Monnier 2009 ($21.95 - #307355) – soft, easy drinking, red berries and cocoa. (*** ½+)
France (Burgundy) …
Pascal Renaud 2011 Cuvee Vieilles Vignes Pouilly-Fuisse ($26.95 - #303651) – well balanced with nice apple and lemon pith notes. (*** ½)
France (Rhone) …
Cave de Rasteau 2010 La Domeliere Rasteau ($15.95 - #222927) – well balanced between the fruit, smoky, tannins and earthiness. (*** ½+)
Chateau du Trignon 2007 Le Bossu Gigondas ($27.95 - #309328) – this wine just has some really yummy fruit: smoke, vanilla, plum; very good and the tannins don’t overwhelm. (****+)
Le Ferme du Mont 2010 Vendange Chateauneuf-du-Pape ($42.95 - #309245) – very juicy and jammy, well-balanced, sweet fruit takes over the mid. (****+)
France (Southwest) …
Chateau le Fage 2011 Bergerac Rouge ($14.95 - #309252) – good dark fruit, hint of spice and pepper but it’s always got a core of fruit. (****)
Italy (Abruzzo) …
Aldiano 2008 Montepulciano D’Abruzzo Riserva ($17.95 - #51706) – dark chocolate cherry and spice. (*** ½+) - SCI
Italy (Calabria) …
Statti Mantonico Bianco 2010 ($18.95 - #317644) – refreshing with peach, lime, canned pineapple and orange zest. (****) – SCI
Italy (Campania) …
Selvanova 2009 Vigna Antica Aglianico ($15.95 - #313494) – dark and smoky of fruit, plenty of spiced-tannin notes. (*** ½) – SCI
Italy (Emilia-Romagna) …
Umberto Cesari Liano Sangiovese/Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 ($29.95 - #225086) – lots of berries and vanilla, kinda jammy but balanced. (****)
Italy (Piedmont) …
Ca’Dei Mandorli dei Giari Moscato D’Asti 2011 ($15.95 - #179259) – it’s moscato, what’s not to like. (*** ½)
Italy (Puglia) …
Apollonio Copertino Rosso 2007 ($16.95 - #23226) – wonderful plum and blackberry with a touch of earthiness on the finish. (*** ½+)
Italy (Sardinia) …
Jerzu Chuerra 2008 Riserva Cannonau di Sardegna ($15.95 - #270272) – raspberry, wood spice and mocha. (*** ½) - SCI
Italy (Sicily) …
Caruso & Minini Sachia Perricone 2010 ($13.95 - #211854) – nice black licorice with cassis, coffee and cocoa; a good buy for BBQ season. (****) – SCI
Terreliade Nira Nero D’Avola 2010 ($18.95 - #120980) – red and black fruit, hints of spice with a juicy core; quite tasty. (****) – SCI
Italy (Tuscany) …
Casale Dello Sparviero 2009 Chianti Classico Riserva ($18.95 - #317313) – rustic leather nose with an indulgent cooked fruit and bacon palate. (*** ½+)
San Giorgio Ugolforte Brunello di Montalcino 2006 ($47.95 - #212431) – baking spice and cherry fruit. (****)
Italy (Veneto) …
Giuseppe Campagnola 2010 Ripasso della Valpolicella Classico Superiore ($17.00 - #313486) – nice coffee-laden notes right down the seam with floral accents. (*** ½)
Portugal …
Castelo de Azurara 2010 Reserva ($14.95 - #314542) – has a little spearmint amongst the red fruit. (****)
Herdade do Sobroso 2010 Sobro Red ($14.95 - #306563) – clearly a drink and enjoy red, there’s a nice cedar quality knocking at the backdoor of the fruit. (****)
Quinta da Lixa Pouco Comum Alvarinho 2011 ($14.95 - #316968) – lots of lime on this one, both lime and pith. (*** ½+)
Spain …
Finca Nueva 2005 Reserva ($18.95 - #268425) – nice structure with raspberry, baker’s chocolate, cassis, plum and a nice finish seals the deal. (****)
Marques de Caceres 2004 Gran Reserva ($29.95 - #976670) – plum, tobacco and spice. (*** ½+)
Pinol Ludovicus 2010 Tinto ($13.95 - #313791) – plum, black cherry, hints of chocolate, smooth, vanilla, supple; great value in an easy drinking red. (****)
Tarima 2010 Monastrell ($12.95 - #310151) – very yummy, easy drinking, plum and cherry with a touch of spice to keep the fruit from getting away; great price. (****)
USA (California) …
Bonterra 2010 Pinot Noir ($19.95 - #317685) – light mouthfeel with cherry and hints of oak, cinnamon, vanilla and a nice white pepper finish. (****) - CT
Chalone Estate 2010 Chardonnay ($29.95 - #80226) – full in the mouth with spice and exotic fruits. (*** ½+) – CT
Justin 2010 Syrah ($36.95 - #684290) – dark fruited and juicy, white pepper and chocolate-raspberry also make an appearance. (****) - CT
Kendall-Jackson 2011 Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay ($19.95 - #369686) – buttery, melon with a nice use of oak; vanilla cream, peach cobbler and apple; also available in 375ml. (****)
Ridge 2010 Lytton Springs ($48.95 - #982413) – this wine has a beautiful chocolate core, but is so much more than that. (****+)
If You Can Afford It – wines worth their lofty price tag …
Beringer 2007 Steinhauer Ranch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ($69.95 - #313551) - **** (CT)
Chateau La Tour Carnet 2009 ($51.85 - #220178) - ****
Justin 2009 Isosceles ($78.95 - #684282) - ****+ (CT)
Giuseppe Quintarelli 2003 Rosso Ca’Del Merlo ($97.95 - #958595) - ****
La Jota 2009 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon ($77.95 - #659755) - ****+ (CT)
What I’ll Be Lining Up For on March 2, 2013 …
Caruso & Minini Sachia Perricone 2010 ($13.95 - #211854) – Italy
Chateau du Trignon 2007 Le Bossu Gigondas ($27.95 - #309328) – France
Devil’s Corner 2011 Pinot Noir ($20.95 - #317966) – Australia
Pinol Ludovicus 2010 Tinto ($13.95 - #313791) – Spain
Rolf Binder 2009 Ma I? Have This Evening Shiraz/Mataro ($19.95 - #295899) – Australia
Tarima 2010 Monastrell ($12.95 - #310151) – Spain
Happy Shopping
