As an Italian Grape Primer, this week’s release works pretty well but once past the 2 bottles a page ‘features’ this release strikes me as a new world vs old world shiraz/syrah fest! But more on that later, let’s start with the Italians. I think this overview of the more popular grapes in the Italian wine industry has been well done. As for the wines, nice variety, no blockbusters but no bank breakers either. There are some tasty options available around the $20 mark.
Terredora Loggia della Serra Greco di Tufo 2009 at $17.95 – want to try something new in whites? This might do it for you.
Tedeschi Capitel San Rocco Ripasso Valpolicella Superiore 2008 – one of the wines of the month, imagine a bargain priced almost-Amarone at $18.95
VESEVO BENEVENTANO AGLIANICO 2008 – usually black fruit and licorice notes, at $14.95 should be good.
CANTINA TOLLO ALDIANO MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO RISERVA 2007 $16.95
FRANCO MOLINO BAROLO 2006 $29.95 – a real bargain for a Barolo – under $30 – but lay it down.
Also included this week is a cool climate chardonnay feature – best buys from it for me are the Inniskillen 3 Vineyards and the Ataraxia from South Africa.
Now on to the Shiraz/Syrah and blend fest:
This week’s release marks the return to the LCBO of last year’s wildly popular “The Formula” made by Australia’s Small Gully. Better still, No conspiracy theories this week! What you’ll get with the July 23rd release of The Formula Robert’s Shiraz 2006 may not be exactly what you got from the releases last February and August but it should be good. This is a new vintage (2006) and it’ll cost you a dollar more than last year’s effort if I recall correctly. Nonetheless it should be a smoking wine for casual gatherings around the ‘Q, the cottage, the backyard or the pool.
Equally enticing from OZ and a dollar less is the Wakefield Shiraz 2008 at $17.95.
Nk’Mip 2007 Syrah – Inca Meep is how I pronounce it…might be right, might not. A native Canadian winery that began as a joint venture between Canadian wine visionary Don Triggs and the local Indian band. Their ’07 Shiraz is a little overpriced at $31.95 but should be a beaut to compare to an ’07 Ontario version at an equivalent price. I’m betting on this BC one.
Tabali reserve Syrah 2008 from the Limari valley in Chile. At $19.95 this’ll stand up to the either of the Aussies above.
MAS DE LA DEVÈZE LA 66 2007 – From a terrific vintage in the Languedoc at $19.95. One more 6 and this would be a devil of a wine.
CHÂTEAU PUECH-HAUT PRESTIGE SAINT-DRÉZÉRY 2009 – 93 points from The Parker himself and $26.95? Expect OZ-doc or maybe the LangueVale. Big and fruity! This score may also elicit a rush to buy it.
DELAS FRÈRES LES REINAGES GIGONDAS 2007 – A gigondas? What a surprise! I love this area more and more and the Brothers Delas are well known for their quality wines. Not cheap at $29.95 but a better buy than the Chateauneuf du Pape in this release.
CHÀTEAU DE NAGES JT COSTIÉRES DE NÎMES 2007 –A little expensive at $20.95 - The JT is Joseph Torres, the wine is 100% Syrah. Finely ground, densely pressed, well herbed lamb sausages on the bar-b-q while overlooking the bay. You know whose sausages, you know which bay, you know whose deck and you know who you are…Heaven!
ÉRIC TEXIER TERROÍR DE VAÍSON-LA-ROMAINE CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2007 $13.95 – Buy it!
DOMAINE DE LA VIEILLE FERME DE L'EOURNE RASTEAU 2009 - $17.95 – Another of the named villages from the Cotes du Rhone Villages, Rasteau is usually fruit forward and eminently drinkable. I expect this one will be ready now, or can lay down for a year or three. But why wait?
Two Bargains
There are a couple of bargains that don’t fit the earlier categories.
Prelius Cab Sauv 2008 from Castello di Volpaia. At $17.95 The notes indicate it may not taste like a cab, just very good!
Alta Vista Premium Estate Malbec 2008 at $13.95. Is this a 90 point wine? I don’t think so but it’s very,very good and shows the Canadian wine industry exactly what they are up against in price, fruit and flavor profiles.
Big Bucks?
Yacochuya 2005 – at $50 bucks it’s a big amount to pay for an Argentinian Malbec but the best of them can hold their own with any wine from anywhere. Decant it carefully and let it breathe if you must try it but there is no rush to open. This effort from Michel Rolland might be the best of the big buckers but let’s temper Dr. J’s 95 points with 91 from Int’l Wine Cellar!
Balnaves Shiraz 2008 – at $34.95 it might not be fair to include it here but compared to the Aussies above it’s up there $-wise. Expect more mint notes than your normal big Aussie Shiraz.
The Brunello – Il Marroneto 2005 - $49.95, not cheap but ….
2 Napa Cabs - Mount Eden at $49.95 or Silver oak at $112.95 – nah, forget about it!
The Chateauneuf du Pape Domaine de la Presidente Nonciature 2007 - $44.95
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