Let’s preface today’s reviews with the statement that any of the 90 point wines in this release should give you great pleasure. The focus of my suggestions among these 90 pointers will be those that bring something special to the table – tremendous value, cult status, or maybe they just really appeal to my tastebuds…and, since it’s my blog I can get away with that!
LAS ROCAS GARNACHA 2006 – Probably the best value in the release! Get it quick, it’ll be gone. Ready for immediate consumption! This is one worth buying by the case. The grapes for Las Rocas are sourced from high altitude 70-100 year old Garnacha vineyards. $15.95
3 RINGS SHIRAZ 2006 Barossa Valley, South Australia – Probably the best QPR among the Shiraz in this release. $23.95
SALTRAM OF BAROSSA MAMRE BROOK SHIRAZ 2005 Barossa Valley, A triple gold winner in 2007 at the Perth Royal Wine Show, the Barossa Wine Show and The Royal Adelaide Wine Show. Deep colour; unashamedly full-bodied with masses of blackberry fruit and firm but ripe tannins; good oak and great length. Cork, not screwcap!. - 94. (James Halliday – remember James scores are usually 3 or 4 points too high but still) $21.95
TURKEY FLAT BUTCHER'S BLOCK RED 2006 – An Aussie Rhone blend Barossa Valley, composed of 55% Shiraz, 28% Grenache, and 17% Mourvedre. Turkey Flat is a terrific producer – this should be great if you like GSM - bouquet of smoke, garrigue, sage, black cherry, and blueberry jam, excellent depth, and a long, pure finish. Score - 92. $23.95
DOMAINE CAZES ALTER DE CAZES 2003 AC Côtes du Roussillon Villages If this is reminiscent of a Priorat red, it should be very good indeed. It is also right in its drinking window. As a WOM (Wine of the Month) there’ll be lots, try one – if you like it, go back for more $19.95
CLOS DE SIXTE 2006 AC Lirac - Another almost covert ( in N/A) little area of the Southern Rhone, this is a blend of 50% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 15% Mourvèdre. With wines like this, it’s fun to see how vintages change. I bought some of the ’05, it was a PICK in September '08 and was really good. I have one left so I’ll get one or two of this one to compare in a year - if I can hold out that long. $26.95
DOMAINE DU VIEUX TÉLÉGRAPHE CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2006 – High scores and becoming a ‘hot’ region will kill you price wise - This wine has gone crazy. The 2004 was in the $40 range as I recall! if you tried it and the Clos de Sixte, you’d probably like the Lirac better, unless you’re holding them until 2020. $72.95
The Main release
USA
FRANCIS COPPOLA DIAMOND COLLECTION CELESTIAL BLUE LABEL MALBEC 2006- at this price, stick to Argentina for your malbecs! $27.95
HESS ALLOMI VINEYARD CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2005 Napa Valley, I really liked the 2004 and the 2005 was a better vintage but there are better buys than this one at this price. $37.95
A pair of inexpensive Cabs from Argentina – both deliver good quality – of the two, I’d try the Alamos
ALAMOS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007 $13.95
CHAKANA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007 $13.95
Chile
CONCHA Y TORO MARQUES DE CASA CONCHA SYRAH 2006 the previous three vintages of this Syrah received scores of 90 or above from Wine Spectator. The Marques de Casa Concha line is always excellent value – their Vintages Essential Cab always has a place in my cellar. I expect good things here too. $19.95
France
CHÂTEAU DE FONSCOLOMBE CUVÉE SPÉCIALE 2005 – this could be another sleeper – don’t know the producer or region well, but the price is right, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah from the outstanding 2005 vintage. $14.95
A pair of Cotes du Rhone Villages from Rasteau– see last release’s notes on reading the label
DOMAINE BEAU MISTRAL RASTEAU 2006 AC Côtes du Rhône-Villages, Sélections Vieilles Vignes Score - 88. (Robert Parker Jr., www.erobertparker.com, Aug. 2008) $23.95
PERRIN & FILS RASTEAU L'ANDÉOL 2006AC Côtes du Rhône-Villages This wine comes from a tiny, low-yielding vineyard in Rasteau known as L'Andéol. See the previous release for a note on reading the label. 89. (James Molesworth, www.winespectator.com,) $19.95
Italy
BANFI ROSSO DI MONTALCINO 2006 is a great value ... think of it as a baby Brunello ready to drink now. 2008-2011. Score - 89. 375 mL $16.95 750 mL $28.95
BOLLA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO LE ORIGINI 2004 DOC - For lovers of Amarone, this should be a huge mouthful – but not cheap! The wine should be intense and rich with aromas of dried fruit, chocolate and vanilla bean. Enjoy this with braised ribs or roast beef or firm cheeses. $45.95
QUINTARELLI PRIMOFIORE 2005 blend of the Veneto trio: Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara. Primofiore is packed with complex rich flavours of cherry, olives, exotic spices, and oak. Giuseppe Quintarelli designs this wine to be enjoyed much younger than most of his wines. There is a touch of Amarone added to this fresh blend for additional complexity before the wine begins its maturation in oak. As a semi cult figure, Giuseppe is not cheap though! $64.95
Spain
BODEGAS JUAN GIL MONASTRELL 2007 Monastrell, or as it is known elsewhere, Mourvèdre, is believed to be of Spanish origin. This is dark and fruity, with cherry and plum notes on the nose, full-bodied and well-balanced. Well priced for what you’ll get but don’t expect a big Cabernet $14.95
