10 pages of cocktail recipes , ‘Summer Sippers’ and a Canada
Day special add up to another “Who Cares?” release from our friends at the
monopoly. The cocktails especially are better
suited to ‘Food and Drink’ and beg the question “Does lime juice have a vintage?” This week’s
release scores 50 out of 100*. That means it was delivered. There are no ‘must
have’ wines in it but I might try one or two of the first four reds listed
below.
*See last release’s review for a summary of my 100 point Vintages release scoring
system.
WHITES
CASA DO VALLE GRANDE ESCOLHA 2011 $14. This is Vinho Verde priced closer to where it should be. Floral and ripe citrus and a smooth, creamy
texture. Tangy lemon peel and minerality on the
finish. Pair with sushi or deep fried calamari.
REDS
ZONTE’S FOOTSTEP BARON VON NEMESIS SHIRAZ 2008 $17.95
Dreadful name but inside the bottle is a terrific wine offering a smooth
mouthful of dark cherry, plum, and hints of black olive. Score: 91 (Harvey
Steiman)
KAESLER STONEHORSE SHIRAZ/GRENACHE/MOURVÈDRE 2008 $20.95
A GSM from the Barossa, think of
this as an Aussie Vacqueyras, 62/28/10
blend, mostly in stainless steel; no new oak. Aromas of blueberry, fresh plum,
and espresso lead to flavours of black
and blue fruit, bitter chocolate and spice.
Nice, long finish. Score: 91 (Josh Raynolds)
RAMÓN BILBAO RESERVA 2005
DOC Rioja One of this month’s $17.00 Food and Drink specials, (Gee weren’t
they $15 a few months ago?) Wine & Spirits magazine awarded this wine a
score of 90 points (Dec. 2010) to go with the Decanter 5 star rating. Dark, subtle, and perfumed with
7 years age on it now this should be right in its drinking window.
CONCHA Y TORO MARQUES DE CASA CONCHA CARMENÈRE 2010 $17.00
Not badly priced but I ask again, where did those short lived $15.00 specials go (very nice wines at very nice
prices)? Dry, medium bodied with dark
raspberry and black cherry flavours,
match up to anything grilled or roasted.
MONTES ALPHA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2009 $19.95 Priced where the Simi should be, this
cabernet offers good value. Black currants and cherry aromas, chocolate and
warm spice with hints of mint. Terrific
young, the palate has a freshness with similar, berry flavours, spice and tobacco. Score: 91 (Daenna Van
Mulligen)
SIMI CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2008 $24.95 Sourced from vineyards
across the Alexander Valley, at $5.00 less this would offer true value. Aged for 24 months in French and American
small oak barrels, which impart notes of toffee, smoke and baking spices that
mesh with the concentrated black cherry and blackcurrant flavours.
LE GRAVILLAS SABLET 2010 AC Côtes du Rhône-Villages $14.95 This wine was awarded a Gold Medal at
the 2011 Concours Général Agricole in Paris. A solid wine at a good price, it’s
medium bodied with fruit and spice on
the palate. Some tannic grip accompanies
the good length.
BIG BUCKS
STAG’S LEAP WINE CELLARS ARTEMIS CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2007 $46.95 Napa A big rich Cab to cellar. Blackberries,
currants and sweet dark chocolate. Needs to rest in the dark for a while, it
should improve in the bottle over the next 5 years at least. Score: 94 (Steve
Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast)
TRIINITY HILL THE GIMBLETT 2009 – At $35.95, this is an
uncommonly good, tempting Bordeaux blend
from NZ.
LIONELLO MARCHESI COLDISOLE BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2006 93
points from Galloni and $41.95, this is worth a look if you have the wallet for
it.
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