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

Friday, September 11, 2009

The September 12 Vintages Release - Ho hum.....

A nice wide selection of Ontario Wines from Niagara and a few from PEC as well as a few underappreciated Portuguese selections highlight this release. I didn't see too much to get excited about.

MY PICKS

ERTA E CHINA ROSSO DI TOSCANA 2006 – A 90 POINT SCORE FROM JAMES SUCKLING FOR UNDER 15 BUCKS!!!!
Get there early on Saturday, or late Friday evening and BACK UP THE TRUCK! If it's not that good, you can always return it! Dark chocolate, berry, mineral and strawberry aromas follow through to a full body, with soft tannins and a long, caressing finish. So good now. Sangiovese and CabSauv. Drink now. Score - 90. (James Suckling Oct. 15, 2008) $14.95

DOMAINE LAFOND ROC-EPINE LIRAC 2007 AC The 2007 Lirac Roc-Epine is a richly fruity effort offering hints of fresh black raspberries, cherries, licorice, and earth. With abundant fruit, full body as well as loads of character Score - 90-92. (Robert Parker Jr, Oct. 2008) $19.95

BENMARCO MALBEC 2006 Mendoza Had this one’s big brother out in BC. It was excellent and I expect this to be on par with the Kaiken or Luigi Bosca Reservas. You might want to decant it and be sure you serve it alongside something that once moo’ed. Purple-colored I expect judicious oak, smoke, and black cherry with enough tannin to allow several years of development. Score - 91+. (Jay Miller,2007) $19.95

ONTARIO
TAWSE SKETCHES OF NIAGARA MERLOT/CABERNET 2007 – THE BUZZ IS ALL OVER THE 2007 ONTARIO VINTAGE SO WHAT THE HECK – THIS IS A GOOD STARTING POINT. $19.95
You might also spring for the Clos Jordanne Pinot, or try the Rosehall Run or Huff Chardonnay to see how far the Prince Edward County wines have come in a very short time.


A couple of Spaniards that might be OK, don't buy too many without trying them first though:

MAS ESTELA QUINDALS 2005 The 2005 Quindals is 90% Garnacha, 5% Syrah, and 5% Carinena aged for 12 months in French oak – sort of a heavy on the Grenache Rhone blend….well priced and while I find Jay Miller’s scores a little inflated, 88+ is a great wine for under 20 bucks.. - 90+. (Jay MillerFeb. 2008) $19.95

TORREDEROS TINTO CRIANZA 2004 .. I do not expect a fruit bomb, but it looks interesting. Aromas of pencil lead, earth, mushroom, vanilla, and blackberry. Medium to full-bodied, it has excellent depth, length, and balance. Score - 91. (Jay Miller) $24.95