Friday, September 25, 2009

Vintages Sept. 26 Release - Now that's more like it!

A better release, featuring mostly overpriced Californians, a big batch of Bordeaux from cheap to exhorbitant, and a nice cross section of mid priced whites and reds from around the world.

The Whites
DOG POINT VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2008 – ANYONE WHO READS ME KNOWS THAT PERENNIALLY I LIKE THIS WINE – just great with seafood. $19.95
SILENI CELLAR SELECTION PINOT GRIS 2009 – I’m going to recommend this one without trying it first. The review makes it seem like one of my BC favourites – the Kettle Valley Pinot Gris $16.95
MARTIN STEIMER PINOT GRIS 2008 - Try it, you might like it - $17.95
CASA DE VILA VERDE VINHO VERDE For a slightly different white $13.95

Lets have a Chard-fest!
LE CLOS JORDANNE TALON RIDGE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2007 -Yadda, yadda , yadda, Ontario cult wine, yadda yadda $37.00

and now 3 good Chards to compare heads up
TAWSE SKETCHES OF NIAGARA CHARDONNAY 2007 $19.95
JACKSON-TRIGGS OKANAGAN ESTATE PROPRIETORS' GRAND RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2006 $19.95
CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE CHARDONNAY 2008 $17.95

MONTES LIMITED SELECTION SAUVIGNON BLANC 2008 $14.95 – Should be good, but not in the Dog Point's class.


The Reds

Ontario
ANGELS GATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2005 Ontario's 2005 Vintage was almost as good as the ’07 $19.95
B.C.
SUMAC RIDGE BLACK SAGE VINEYARD MERLOT 2006 $19.95

Argentina

ALAMOS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2008 - A TERRIFIC BARGAIN ALWAYS - $13.95

CLOS DE LOS SIETE 2007 – A TERRIFIC WINE – BIG, FRUITY AND WITH A LITTLE DECANTING, READY TO DRINK. REPORTS ON THIS BAD BOY HAVE HIM BEING A TANNIC BRUISER SO GIVE IT TIME IN A TUB AND THROW ON A STEAK! $23.95

LUIGI BOSCA RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2006 - THE BOSCA RESERVA MALBEC, ALSO IN THIS RELEASE IS A FAVOURITE. I EXPECT THE SAME FROM THE CABERNET - 89. (Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, Jan./Feb. 2009) $16.95

LUIGI BOSCA RESERVA MALBEC 2006 - I LIKE THIS WINE. This vintage is no exception!- 90(+?). (Stephen Tanzer Jan./Feb. 2009) $16.95
MAIPE MALBEC 2008 – A tremendous review for a $12.95 wine. Snap some up, it’ll be gone fast, I’m sure! Score - 90. (Jay Miller, www.erobertparker.com, Dec. 2008) $12.95

Australia

PILLAR BOX RED 2007- SHIRAZ/CAB/ MERLOT FROM OZ – A GOOD BUY - Score - 90. (Jay Miller, www.erobertparker.com, Feb. 2009) $17.95

My Rhone Pick

TERRES D'AVIGNON CARDINALICES CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2007 – EVERY 2007 COTES DU RHONE THAT I’VE HAD HAS SENT ME BACK FOR MORE. I EXPECT THE SAME FROM THIS ONE – AT THIS PRICE, BACK UP THE TRUCK! $13.95

Italy

ILLUMINATI RIPAROSSO MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO Very good wine for the price. Score - 88. $13.95

TRAVAGLINI GATTINARA 2003 Second time around for this wine and vintage. It made it on to Wine Spectator's list of the Top 100 Wines of 2007. Needs to be left alone in the cellar for a few years though. Or open it at noon to serve at 6:00pm. Score - 91. (James Suckling) $27.95

SASSO AL POGGIO 2004. Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet. Best after 2009. Score - 90. (James Suckling, www.winespectator.com) $23.95

ORNELLAIA LE VOLTE 2007 - Always tasty – a bit overpriced against some of the bargains available in this release. $27.95

ZENATO VALPOLICELLA SUPERIORE 2007 – QUALITY PRODUCER, WELL PRICED. $16.95

Spain

BERONIA ELABORACIÓN ESPECIAL TEMPRANILLO 2007 Elaboración Especial (special production) refers to the barrel fermentation this wine undergoes over several months in new American oak. Previous Beronias were super values for the quality in the glass.$16.95

CONDADO DE HAZA CRIANZA 2006 – Last year’s also made the WS Top100. Terrific quality, lots of fruit. Decant to let it breathe a bit. Score - 92. (Josh Raynolds, Sept./Oct. 2008) $27.95

OK, Ok, one Californian

NAPA CELLARS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2006 – THE REVIEW READS LIKE IT MIGHT BE ON PAR WITH A $20 CHILEAN – WE SHALL SEE. $21.95

IN STORE DISCOVERIES – SO THESE’LL BE IN VERY LIMITED STORES AND QUANTITIES

SANDHILL PHANTOM CREEK VINEYARD MALBEC 2006 You can buy a lot of terrific malbec from Argentina for $30 bucks ( almost two Luigi Bosca’s for instance) but sometimes you just have to try something because it’s there. This is one of those things! A Malbec from the Okanagan @ $29.95


THE BIG BUCK ONES:
ALMOST ANYTHING FROM CALIFORNIA

ORNELLAIA (IN A VARIETY OF SIZES BY THE WAY!) STARTING AT $174.95

RUFFINO DUCALE ORO CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2005 $43.95

No comments: