Friday, October 23, 2009

Now that's more like it! Kudos to the Vintages team for this release!!!

A spectacular release with so many ( too many) great wines from which to choose:
My Picks are
MONTE ANTICO SANGIOVESE/MERLOT/CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2006 The Bargain of the release $14.95
THORN-CLARKE SHOTFIRE SHIRAZ 2008. $23.95
TORBRECK OLD VINES GRENACHE/SHIRAZ/MOURVÈDRE 2006 TASTING NOTE: $20.95
TWO HANDS BELLA'S GARDEN SHIRAZ 2007 $63.95
OSOYOOS LAROSE LE GRAND VIN 2006 Probably the best one yet! $39.95
LE VIEUX DONJON CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2007.. lay it down for 5 years at least! $59.95
CASTELGIOCONDO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2004 Best after 2011. Score – 95. (James Suckling, www.winespectator.com, April 30, 2009) 375 mL $26.95 750 mL $49.95
BERONIA RESERVA 2005 . $17.95
DESCENDIENTES DE J. PALACIOS PÉTALOS 2007. Saturated purple in color,- interesting, last years was pomegranate/ cranberry tones – either way it should be terrific $23.95

With very near top pick ratings going to :

WALLACE BY BEN GLAETZER SHIRAZ/GRENACHE 2007 $24.95
GEMTREE UNCUT SHIRAZ 2007: $24.95
KATNOOK ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2005 $29.95
RINGBOLT CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007 $19.95
Arboleda CARMENÈRE Comes highly recommended, especially if you’re off on a sea cruise! $16.95
VASSE FELIX CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2006. $29.95
HEARTLAND DIRECTORS' CUT SHIRAZ 2007 $31.95
Brancaia Ilatraia – ISD - 92 pts - WS
LE SERRE NUOVE DELL'ORNELLAIA 2007 1500ml $129.95
LE SERRE NUOVE DELL'ORNELLAIA 2007 TASTING NOTE: 3000 mL $274.95

And still more good ones right here!

7 DEADLY ZINS 2007 $24.95
DYNAMITE VINEYARDS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2005: $15.95
FAMIGLIA BIANCHI MALBEC - Always great and well priced $14.95
TERRAZAS DE LOS ANDES MALBEC RESERVA 2007 TASTING NOTE: Score - 89. (James Molesworth, www.winespectator.com, Sept. 30, 2009) $19.95
TRIVENTO AMADO SUR 2007) $16.95
CAFÉ CULTURE PINOTAGE 2009 A Coffee Cult cult wine $13.95
CATHEDRAL CELLAR TRIPTYCH 2006 . $16.95
LA VITE LUCENTE 2007 $39.95
LE SERRE NUOVE DELL' ORNELLAIA 2007 $59.95
PAPA LUNA 2007 Score - 90. (Jay Miller, www.erobertparker.com, Feb. 2009) $16.95

Friday, October 9, 2009

The Vintages October 10th release - Not Bad, but I'll wait

Not a bad release but having seen the next one, I’m saving my money for it. If I were to spend, I’d buy the two Shiraz from OZ or something from the west coast, there are three Cali offerings that look good, as well as a couple from the Okanagan.
From Italy, I like some of them, but again, they are overshadowed by the release of the 24th.

ITALIA
Malgrà Fornace di Cerreto Barbera d’Asti Superiore 2006 $17.95

Le Arche Ripasso Valpolicella 2007 $17.95
Terra d’Aligi ‘Tatone’ Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2005 $15.95
Tenuta di Capraia Chianti Classico 2006 $19.95
Trerose Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2006 DOCG Vino Nobile di Montepulciano $24.95

Ontari-ari-ario
Inniskillin ‘Winemaker’s Series Montague Vineyard’ Chardonnay 2007 - A good turkey choice methinks$18.95
BC
Burrowing Owl Pinot Gris 2007 - luv those BC-gris!$27.95

Sumac Ridge ‘Black Sage Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 $23.95

CALIFORNIA
Candor ‘Lot 1’ Merlot California $18.95

Leese-Fitch Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 California $17.95 - This might be the best bargain in the release.
Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 $22.95

Chile
Arboleda Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 $17.95 - Interesting to compare this one and the Leese Fitch


OZ
Bishop by Ben Glaetzer Shiraz 2007 Barossa Valley - Massive, Elderton or Ebeneezer flavour profile - $29.95

Shingleback Shiraz 2006 McLaren Vale - Terrific producer, great region $23.95

SPAIN
Bodegas Alejandro Fernandez ‘Tinto Pesquera Crianza’ 2006 $29.95 


THE BIG BUCKS
Bodegas Alejandro Fernandez ‘Tinto Pesquera Reserva’ 2005 $47.95
Miguel Torres ‘Mas La Plana’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 $44.95
Frescobaldi Castello di Nipozzano Mormoreto 2006 $29.95 375mL $59.95 750 mL
FATTOI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2004 DOCG earthy and decadent - 90. $38.95
IL GRIGIO DA SAN FELICE CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2005. Drink now. Score - 90. $28.95
COLLAZZI 2005 92 points- $46.95
IN STORE DISCOVERIES
A couple of BC Beauts, but the Sandhill is overpriced here.
JACKSON-TRIGGS PROPRIETORS' GRAND RESERVE MERITAGE 2006 OKANAGAN $24.95
SANDHILL SMALL LOTS CABERNET SAUVIGNON/SYRAH 2006 OKANAGAN, $30.95