Argentina and Wine Biodynamics are the focal points this week. Sadly, the trend of hohum, inflation inducing releases continues. This one has some nice wines but there are few stellar ones under that most important $20.00 mark and most are barely under the $30 mark!
Whites
Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc 2011 $22– Gooseberry and grass with some lemon. You better have some seafood close by.
Hamilton Russell Chardonnay 2010 – The result of a business venture between Actor George Hamilton and former Boston Celtic centre Bill Russell, this’ll be tannic with a long finish (‘tan’nic with a loooong finish, get it? Of course I’m kidding and No, I could not stop myself!). Seriously now, if you want to throw your entire tax return at a new world white, try this one. It is pricey for a South African white wine at the LCBO ($32) but annually it’s a terrific wine. There’ll be 99 cases of 6 and it’s a bit ‘cult-y’ so watch out. If you ever decide to stage a New World Chard blind tasting, this one, a Clos Jordanne, a Luca from Argentina, a Leeuwin from Oz and something from Cali would be very interesting especially if you were to toss in one of Norman Hardy’s PEC offerings as a counterpoint!
If you can’t find the H. R. Chardonnay, you might try the Hoopenburg Integer. At $22 it’s ready to drink now.
Reds
If you’re lucky enough to live near a store that receives ISD’s, go for the 2009 DELAS DOMAINE DES GRANDS CHEMINS CROZES-HERMITAGE. This is another terrific syrah made by the Delas clan in the Rhone valley. There are only 79 cases of 6 though so expect very limited amounts in a very limited number of stores, at $28.95. It’ll need a bit of time to come around.
Among the Argentinians, I suggest taking a run at 3 of them. First, the Norton Privada 2008 $24.95 – Michael Vaughan at VintageAssessments.com projects 13 cases. I hope it’s a typo and means 130 or possibly 1300 cases. Buyer Beware: If it’s as good as the first and best example I had from the previous vintage and if you enjoy say, Clos de Los Siete, you’ll be blown away. If it’s like the later ones I had last year, you’ll be taking the bottle back. Clearly I’m hoping it’ll be like the first sample I had in BC. Think $50 Cali Bordeaux blend at half the price. Christmas cake spices, black fruits, some drying tannins, it may have it all. But what the hell is this three dollar jack up from last year’s price in less than a year? My other choices from Argentina include the Mapema Malbec at $22 and the Fabre Montmayou Cabernet bargain priced at only $15.
From Australia, Katnook Estates Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 223 cases $29.95 – From the red clay of Coonawarra, the legendary Cab home in South Oz, Katnook is an excellent big wine exhibiting prominent cassis and black cherry on the palate along with eucalyptus hints supported by a firm tannic backbone. It’s a perfect accompaniment to anything grilled or just on its own but it’s not for the faint of heart. I have fond memories of two samples from the Barracuda Club in Umm Al Quwain that were near perfect. Served on a starlit rooftop halfway between the Jumeirah Beach hotel and the Burj Khalifa, with both loved ones and something well spiced and grilled on a stick close by, they were mouth filling, unctuous, and ripe. And speaking of the Burj, (segue alert!) how about….
Grant Burge The Holy Trinity $33.95 499 cases of 6 – A tip of the cap to the pope with the religious reference and aptly named for the three main grapes in many Southern Rhone blends (Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvedre) this is as close to a Chateauneuf du Pape Rhone Clone as Australia produces. More tannic than most GSMs from Oz, it’s also big and fruity but at the risk of sounding like a broken record, it should really be under 30 bucks. On the inflato-front, this one was $29.95 perhaps two releases ago, I think. And since we’re still on the subject of Burge,
Are you looking to really splurge? Basil, does your wallet have an urge to purge? Two 2006 Brunellos (Brunelli?) come available this week. Both will require either careful forethought and large decanters or patience and a cool, dark place. I know you have both! Open and decant 4 to 6 hours ahead of serving, or just lay them down for years. Both should be super – La Gerla and Mastrojanni. The latter comes in two sizes so those who just can't wait can buy a small one and quickly get a preview of where the 750 ml will be in a few years. Both come in at just under $50. each. (A little over half that for the half bottle).
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