A spectacular release if you’re a fan of fruit driven, big wines. Almost too many to mention at prices from $15 thru ‘the sky’s the limit’. There are so many good ones to choose (or to choose from) that I’m going to shorten my notes. This big red bigot has a cornucopia of cabernets, a sheaf of shiraz, a sack full of sangiovese, a big batch of blends, indeed a plethora of pleasant picks this week. Almost any cork you pull will make you happy, and lord knows we need that!
Top Picks: too many to choose! Pirramimma Shiraz, Ripa Delle More, Santa Rita Reserva Cab or the Vacqueyras or the the Thorn Clarke or Briccotondo or the Gamekeeper Reserve or the Peppoli or the Langmeil 3 Gardens GSM or the …(Oh, I could go on and on).
Under $20
SANTA RITA MEDALLA REAL RESERVA ESPECIAL CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2005. A terrific value. Drink now through 2014. Score - 91. $19.95
Thorn Clarke Terra Barossa Great producer, great price! Drink now through 2013. Smart Buy. Score - 90. $15.95
FONTANAFREDDA BARBERA BRICCOTONDO 2007 DOC – Last year’s was a WS Top 100 and was terrific. According to the LCBO, this could be better, and a great price too. This’ll be lighter than any cabs or shiraz, it’ll be a good red for turkey and the price is right! $15.95
GRAHAM BECK GAMESKEEPER RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2006 Last year’s was a terrific bargain and a very, very nice wine – fruit and tannins in fine balance – 88-90 from BP. $19.95
THE BLACK CHOOK SHIRAZ/VIOGNIER 2007 – a 90 point wine, under $20 – very good. $17.95
Clos la Chance Ruby Throated Cabernet - a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petit Verdot and 8% Merlot. A California cab, well priced at $17.95
RUST EN VREDE ESTATE MERLOT 2005 - WO Stellenbosch – great producer in a great area at a great price. $18.95
QUINTA DE VENTOZELO TOURIGA NACIONAL TINTO 2004 - A dark, brooding wine, the acidity and fruit are impressive. An Editor's Choice. Score - 90. $18.95
PASO A PASO TEMPRANILLO 2006: you’ll pucker, methinks. If you’re a Tempranillo fan, give it a shot…I’m not.$14.95
RINGBOLT CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2006 I think there are better wines this week for the same price, but it is always good. $19.95
NORTON RESERVA MALBEC 2005 – if you have to have a malbec and missed the Luigi Bosca a few weeks ago, this is not a bad choice. $17.95
Under $30
Pirramimma Shiraz 2005 – Perennially, this is my Favourite Shiraz. $24.95
Elderton Cabernet 2005– Doug’s favourite Cab, but give it at least 6 months to a year in a quiet dark place – it’s very young. - $29.95
Langmeil Three Gardens GSM 2006 Shiraz (44%) - Grenache (35%) - Mourvedre (21%) – nice to compare this one to the Torbreck special LCBO release of a few months ago, or the Cuvee Juveniles in this release $21.95
TORBRECK CUVÉE JUVENILES 2006 a blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Mataro, and 20% Shiraz. Drink this great value over the next 6 years. Score - 91. $29.95
CASTIGLIONI CABERNET SAUVIGNON/SANGIOVESE 2006 Used to be 19.95, but still a good value, just not quite as good.: 2008-2010. Score - 89. $23.95
ANTINORI PÈPPOLI CHIANTI CLASSICO 2005 Two sizes, always terrific - too bad it kind of gets lost in this release $21.95 and $12.95 for the little bottle.
Clos Montirius Vacqueyras Should be terrific but a wee bit expensive at $28.95
DOMAINE BELLE CROZES-HERMITAGE LES PIERELLES 2005 Northern Rhône red made with Syrah (a.k.a. Shiraz). $24.95
DOMAINE ROCHEVINE SAINT-JOSEPH 2005 - Another Syrah $27.95
$30 - $40
I’d match the following 3 against any 3 Brunellos and at 2/3rds the price!
CASTELLO VICCHIOMAGGIO RIPA DELLE MORE 2004 Super Tuscan, one of my favourite wines, have a sip or two, then let it breathe for two hours and come back to it. You’ll wonder who switched wines on you! Best after 2008. Score - 90. $38.95
AMPELEIA 2004 IGT Maremma Toscana - Should be another wine that’ll need time! Best after 2009.Score - 91. $37.95
TERRABIANCA PIANO DEL CIPRESSO 2004 IGT Toscana - the third of the 3 musketeers ( oh wait, the musketeers were French)...ah well,. $37.95
CCHIA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA 2005 - Great price for an Amarone. $39.95
ALVARO PALACIOS LES TERRASSES 2006 A former WS Top 100 Wine. Priorat - Les Terrasses is highly scored and highly sought-after year after year. $39.95
SEÑORÍO DE P. PECIÑA RESERVA 1999 yes 1999 –Should be in it’s prime. $34.95
TINTO PESQUERA CRIANZA 2005best from 2012 to 2025. Score - 92. $30.95
The Big Spender Zone – if there are big spenders left after the carnage in the markets. The rule for these is lay them down for years or if you must drink them now, do so after decanting for at least 2 hours.
LA FERME DU MONT CÔTES CAPELAN CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2005 – A Classic year $45.95
E. GUIGAL CÔTE-RÔTIE BRUNE ET BLONDE 2004 a semi cult wine with notes of beef, dark olive and tobacco holding sway over the dark cherry and currant core. The smoky finish shows lots of tobacco and olive notes. Drink now through 2020. Score - 91. $69.95
PODERI COLLA BAROLO DARDI LE ROSE BUSSIA 2004. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2026. Score - 93. $59.95
TINTO PESQUERA RESERVA 2004, a thick, plush palate feel, gobs of fruit, and superb balance. it will be at its best in another 4-6 years and provide pleasure through 2030. Score - 94. $47.95
PENFOLDS RWT SHIRAZ 2005 – A massive Wine- but a massive price too! from 2010 through 2020. Score - 93. $133.95
