First glance at the release and it is South Africa versus Dad’s Day competing for your wine buying dollar. It appears that Dad came out the winner. The South African release looks like the photos were of a bunch of beautiful people at a local Ontario BarBQ, uh sorry, a local ‘braai, rhymes with try’. All those travel savings should have gone into better wines. It does not appear they did. In comparison, last year’s South Africa release seemed far better in quality.
Dad, meantime is doing OK. Especially ‘easy going Dad’ – hint, hint! …Too subtle?
However, the real winners of the release are from the Southern Rhone (again) and Italy (again)!
My faves? I’m going a little upscale this time around:
CONCHA Y TORO TERRUNYO BLOCK 27 CARMENÈRE
DOMAINE DE SAINT SIFFREIN CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2007
PICCINI VILLA AL CORTILE BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2003
My picks as the sleepers of the release:
Montgras ANTU NINQUÉN cab/carm, the Vacqueyras, and the Bogle Cab, all under $20
What to expect and the best of the rest….
Canada – Rosé Wine Ontario TAWSE SKETCHES OF NIAGARA ROSÉ 2009 VQA Niagara Peninsula A nice dry Canuck rose, well priced –$14.95
Chile
CONCHA Y TORO TERRUNYO BLOCK 27 CARMENÈRE 2006 The Terrunyo series of wines are uniformly excellent. The Cab is always one of my must buys.The ’06 Carmenere was ranked #63 in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2009, receiving a score of 92 points and was scored higher by others.
Well made Carmenere is like a well made Malbec – superb when it’s right…not so much when it’s not. Worth every penny. $29.95
MONTGRAS ANTU NINQUÉN CABERNET SAUVIGNON/CARMENÈRE 2007 Colchagua Valley TASTING NOTE: Two years ago, I had the MONTGRAS ANTU NINQUÉN Syrah and it was spectacularly good. Last year, not so much – overoaked and over extracted. I’m not sure what to expect with the cab blend here but I’ll try one to see. Jay Miller liked it but Jay’s palate doesn’t always match mine. Score: 90+(Jay Miller,) $15.95
VIÑA TARAPACÁ GRAN RESERVA CARMENÈRE 2008 Maipo Valley Worth a try perhaps. $16.95
California
It’s not often that you see two reviews from the same reviewer side by side on the same page, one at 90 points, the second at 92. Especially when one wine is $17.95 and the second is $74.95! Buy lots of the Bogle and if it is as good as the review, keep it. If it’s not, just take it back.
As for the Phelps, it’s excellence in the bottle, but is it worth two of the CndP’s?
New Zealand – a White
DOG POINT VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2009 Marlborough, Love the Dog Point S.B. – always great, probably not a 94 but really good. Score: 94 (Bob Campbell, MW,) $19.95
And a Rosé Wine
KIM CRAWFORD PANSY! ROSÉ 2009 A little pricey for a Rosé but last year’s was quite nice to accompany poolside snacking $17.95
France Midi
VILLA DES ANGES CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2008 Vins de Pays d’Oc(Jacqueline Menard de Ginestous) Not familiar with the producer but that’s a heck of a review and well scored at $12.95. Score: 89 (David Schildknecht,)
France Rhône
DOMAINE DE SAINT SIFFREIN CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2007 Parker loved it and the ’07s from the Rhone have been uniformly superb. I’d expect no less from this one and it is well priced for a CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE @ $34.95
DOMAINE DU SÉMINAIRE PRESTIGE VALRÉAS CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES
2007 AC If you’ve gone thu your Cores du Rhones, it might be time to pick up a few more here – the price is right. From the 2007 harvest, but label printed without the vintage. Drink now. Score: 89 (James Molesworth,) $14.95
LES PILIERS SYRAH 2007 AC Costières de Nîmes(M. Gassier, Vign.-Élev.) Fig and licorice aromas and flavors, backed by dark currant paste, tar and spice notes. Long and fleshy through the polished finish. For the hedonist crowd. Drink now through 2010. Score: 90 (James Molesworth,) $14.95
MAISON ARNOUX & FILS VIEUX CLOCHER JEAN-MARIE ARNOUX VACQUEYRAS 2007 Not often that I don't include a Vacqueyras in my picks but there are so many good wines this time around...Vintages quotes Josh Reynolds as describing this wine as, among other things “Complex… suave and pliant in the mouth…, with a velvety texture…. and very good persistence. This sexy wine offers …”. OK, so did he drink it or take it home to meet his parents? Score: 91 $18.95
Hungary – White Wine
ROYAL TOKAJI TOKAJI ASZÚ BLUE LABEL 5 PUTTONYOS 2005 In 2009, this was ranked #44 on Wine Spectator’s prestigious Top 100 list. Great price for a terrific dessert wine. Get it fast! $19.95
Italy – Red Wine
LIBRANDI DUCA SAN FELICE RISERVA ROSSO 2007 DOC Cirò Gambero Rosso Italian Wines 2010 gave this wine three glasses (their highest rating) – a remarkable achievement, especially for such a modestly priced wine. Made with the indigenous Gaglioppo grape. $16.95
PAOLO CONTERNO BAROLO 2005 DOCG TASTING NOTE: The 2005 Barolo is a nice wine and best of all, well priced for a Barolo! Better with food than alone. Score: 90 (Antonio Galloni,) $37.95
CASTELLARE DI CASTELLINA CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2006 DOCG TASTING NOTE: Plum and Indian spices, with a floral bouquet. Medium- to full-bodied, with soft, silky tannins and a rich finish. Balanced. From a terrific vintage. Best after 2010. Score: 90 (James Suckling) $26.95
PICCINI VILLA AL CORTILE BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2003 DOCG TASTING NOTE: $35 bucks for a Brunello? Sounds good to me! $34.95
ROCCA DELLE MACÌE TENUTA SANT’ALFONSO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2006 DOCG Another ’06 Chianti Classico at a very good price $21.95
Portugal – 2 White Wines
ALVARINHO DEU LA DEU VINHO VERDE 2008 DOC … finesse in the mouth, with very delicate acidity; well-structured, classy finish . $18.95
MUROS ANTIGOS ESCOLHA VINHO VERDE 2009 DOC Try one with shellfish or grilled salmon steaks. At $11.95, if you like it back up the truck, if not, what have you lost?!
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