This is not a great release, and out only a week after the previous one, but there are a few goodies to be sure!
I'll be buying some of the 3 Southern Rhone selections including
PERRIN & FILS VINSOBRES LES CORNUDS 2006 91 pts. $18.95 – OK, time to bore everyone with a lesson in some 'Old World, but in this case French' Wine Labelling. I hope I get it right. 'Vinsobres' is a specific named area ( or 'CRU') within the larger named area (appellation) called Cotes Du Rhone Villages. Vinsobres, like its neighbours Vacqueyras or Gigondas, is defined largely by the distinct quality and style of the wines produced within the area. The Vinsobres Cru consists of a selection of the best terroirs of Vinsobres. Only 1300 hectares of the 1800 have been selected based on the geology and exposition (south-exposed vineyards only have been included in the cru delimitation and the balance can only produce wines labelled Cotes du Rhone, not even Cotes du Rhone Villages). Vinsobres 'Les Cornuds' comes from two specific vineyards that are right by the small village of Cornuds. By law, these wines must be a blend of a minimum 50% Grenache with a minimum 25% Syrah or Mourvedre. As it is, I think this one is a 50/50 split, grenache and syrah ( but could be 65/35). Because the wine blend is required by law, the French do not make a habit of defining the grapes in the wine on the label because everyone knows the laws and if you know the laws, you know the grapes. In the new world, all these nice laws are out the window, so people want to know what's in the bottle. ( see the Stump Jump for a new world equivalent label) . These are ready to drink or hold for up to 3 or 4 years.
DOMAINE DE L'OISELET VACQUEYRAS 2007 Love the Vacqueyras style of wine and this one happens to be organic for those of you wearing hemp clothing. $21.95
DOMAINE DE LA CROZE GRANIER CUVÉE RÉSERVE 2006AC Côtes du Rhône Could be an exceptional value. Want to compare two equivalent wines but different styles? Try this and the Stump Jump. Price wise, it's a match. Dry and juicy ready to drink now with cassoulet or rare beef. (XD) $15.95
Argentina
CATENA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2006 Mendoza A very good quality producer and their Cab is ready to drink now. Should be big - almost black in the glass - I'll pick up a couple of them. $19.95
CLOS DE LOS SIETE 2007 – Mendoza- An annual favourite, this is always big, done in the modern style favoured by the seemingly ubiquitous winemaker Michel Rolland – the reviews indicate it's a little harsher than past years, might need some time to soften up $23.95
J & F LURTON FLOR DE TORRONTÉS 2007 -Uco Valley, Mendoza, Reserva - Have never tried this white, but the review is very interesting. Might try one. $13.95
CLOS DES ANDES 2005 - Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza -(Poesia) –Should be massive and ageworthy, but that’s a lot of $$’s for an Argentinian, especially one I’ve never had before! Score - 91. $29.95
OZ
ROSEMOUNT SHOW RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2006 – Could be one for Doug! This concentrated Cabernet offers juicy blueberry and blackcurrant fruit as well as notes of cedar and spice supported by fine-grained tannins. $23.95
D'ARENBERG THE STUMP JUMP GRENACHE/SHIRAZ/MOURVÈDRE 2007 - An Aussie Cotes du Rhone - Drink this easy-drinking quaffer over the next 2-3 years. Always a great buy - 88. $14.95
Italy
CONTE BRANDOLINI D'ADDA VISTORTA MERLOT 2005 - Score - (3 out of 3). (Gambero Rosso Italian Wines, 2008) - Worth a shot - that's a great review - $28.95
ANTINORI PÈPPOLI CHIANTI CLASSICO 2006 Perenially excellent -medium- to full-bodied, with a silky texture and lots of flavor. Finishes long Drink now. Score - 90. 12.95 for the half bottle or $21.95
TEDESCHI CAPITEL DEI NICALÒ VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO SUPERIORE 2006 - made using the Ripasso method, although it does not indicate this on the label. Tedeschi uses the recent variation on the process. They pick fully ripe grapes then allow them to dry on mats for about one month prior to pressing. The resulting wine is much more flavourful and richer than the standard Valpolicella. I haven’t met a vintage I didn’t like.$18.95
MÁTÉ BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2003 Wow, a sub $40 Brunello – I think this is a first for this producer at the LCBO. The 2003 was only their third vintage. This was a scorcher in Europe, so you can expect aromas of blackberry, cedar, truffle and new leather and look for lots of concentrated fruit balanced out by ripening tannins. Decant for a couple of hours and drink today or lay it down and forget about it for a while. $39.95
