February 20th - Rhone reds and some other terrific buys

Some great wines and some real sub $15 values highlight this week’s release. From the Southern Rhone come 2 Gigondas that I expect to be outstanding accompanied by some terrific Cotes Du Rhones and Vacqueyras .
An earlier release of the baby Super Tuscan Monte Antico was great at $12.95, it’ll be interesting to see if it maintains the pace now that it’s a couple of $’s more!
Picks from the Rhone
ORTAS GIGONDAS 2007$23.95
DOMAINE DE DIEUMERCY CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2007 AC This wine earned the highest honours at the 2008 Concours des Vins Orange: a Gold Medal with Congratulations from the Jury. $12.95
DOMAINE LA GARRIGUE VACQUEYRAS 2007 $22.95
DOMAINE DU GRAPILLON D’OR 1806 GIGONDAS 2007 $31.95
Rest of the Rhone
TERRES D’AVIGNON LES CARDINALICES GRANDE RÉSERVE CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2007 AC $14.95
LES VIGNERONS DE ROAIX ROAIX CÔTES DU RHÔNEVILLAGES 2007 AC Winner of a Gold Medal at
the 2008 Concours des Grands Vins de France. $13.95
LES VIGNERONS DU CASTELAS VIEILLES VIGNES SIGNARGUES CÔTES DU RHÔNE VILLAGES 2007
AC A Gold Medal winner at the 2008 Concours des Vins Gardois 2008 $13.95
DOMAINE SAINT-PIERRE VACQUEYRAS 2006 AC TASTING NOTE: One of the stars of the vintage, the 2006
Vacqueyras possesses a deep ruby/purple color, fabulous stuffing, a superb, full-bodied mouthfeel, and a long, heady finish displaying a classic Provencal combination of black fruits intermixed with lavender, garrigue, and forest floor. It should be consumed over the next 5-8 years. Score – 92. (Robert Parker $25.95
DOMAINE DU GRAPILLON D’OR 1806 GIGONDAS 2007 AC TASTING NOTE: A superb offering, but needs some time to come around or open it and decant really early! The 2007 Gigondas 1806 reveals a saturated purple color, terrific fruit intensity (boysenberries, blueberries, black raspberries, plums), a juicy, full-bodied mouthfeel, an unevolved style, good minerality, refreshing acidity, and a boatload of concentration and glycerin. 92 RP $31.95


Best of the Rest
TRAPICHE FINCAS LAS PALMAS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007 A notch above the usually excellent Broquel line from Trapiche, this one has a pedigree – should be terrific if you like big Cabs! $19.95
THORN-CLARKE TERRA BAROSSA SHIRAZ 2008 Barossa, South Australia You are getting Barossa fruit at a terrific price - enjoy tonight, decanted, with grilled rare steak. $15.95
TWO HANDS ANGELS’ SHARE SHIRAZ 2008 McLaren Vale, South Australia Give this a year or so to rest in a cool dark place then enjoy it with anything grilled. You'll really enjoy the big smokey fruit driven offering from a terrific producer $24.95
MONTE ANTICO SANGIOVESE/MERLOT/ CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2006 IGT Toscana Formerly an unbeatable value, now $2 more than when originally released, this wine made Wine Spectator’s list of the Top 100 Wines of 2009, ranking #61. It is very good value – but are these the dregs or still the previous quality? TASTING NOTE: Full-bodied, with fine tannins and refined berry and cherry flavors. Very upfront, and perhaps a little short on the finish but for the price – wow. Drink now. Score – 90. James Suckling, $15.00
SANTA JULIA RESERVA MALBEC 2008 Mendoza – Always great value for the money! Score – 88. $13.95
CASTELLO DI QUERCETO CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2006 DOCG TASTING NOTE: Offers black cherry and blackberry notes, with lilac. Medium- to full-bodied, with silky tannins and a lovely finish of dark chocolate, smoky wood and berry. Drink now. Score – 90. James Suckling $29.95
VIÑA LA ROSA LA CAPITANA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2008 Chile - Another great value from previous years. Look for a purple tongue the next morning - not exactly a Robert Parker type review, but you're getting what you pay for here! $15.95
RAVENSWOOD VINTNERS BLEND CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007 Always well priced - Match it to a winter-barbecued steak or grilled lamb chops. $17.95
FRANCISCAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2006 Napa Valley Here’s a quintessential Napa Valley Cab. A touch of Merlot and a smidge of Petit Verdot are used to fill out this fine, beef-friendly wine. It will also reward 2-4 years in a cellar. $29.95
ROCCA DELLE MACÌE CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2005 Winner of a Silver Medal at the 2008 Mundus Vini, in Germany. TASTING NOTE: Ripe fruit flavors and aromas of black cherry, plum, Indian spice, cola and black tea characterize this Riserva. The wine has good structure and tight tannins and offers impressive fruit intensity in the mouth. Sergio Zingarelli’s sunny personality seems to shine bright in this luminous wine from his storied Chianti Classico estate. Score – 89. (Monica Larner, Wine Enthusiast, June 2009) 930966 (XD) 750 mL $21.95
VALPANTENA TORRE DEL FALASCO RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA 2006 DOC, Veneto, Italy $17.95
DOMINUS2006 Napa Valley (Christian Moueix) Those of you who will buy this, will buy it regardless of what I say, so I say, just invite me over when you open it! Score – 96. (Robert Parker Jr., Dec. 2008) $124. 1500 mL $259.95

3 Chardonnays
It’s always interesting to see how three different styles and origins compare:

CROIX DE MONTCEAU ST-VÉRAN 2008 AC Winner of a Gold Medal at the Concours des Grands Vins de France 2009. TASTING NOTE: An appealing Chardonnay with
pear, green apple, citrus and floral aromas. Dry and fruity with very good structure. This wellpriced
wine will mature nicely over the next few years. It will also make a happy companion for pork tenderloin, grilled prawns or roast stuffed chicken. (VINTAGES panel, Sept. 2009) $21.95
LE CLOS JORDANNE LE CLOS JORDANNE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2007 VQA Niagara Peninsula, Twenty Mile Bench $40.00 – The Canuck icon.
KENDALL-JACKSON VINTNER’S RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2006 California TASTING NOTE:
Crisp orange marmalade and lemon oil notes as well as some tropical fruits always characterize this wine, which seems to show very little evidence of oak, with gorgeously lush fruit, and zesty acidity in a fresh, lively style. It’s a remarkable value. Score – 89. (Robert Parker Jr., $19.95