Tuesday, October 11, 2005
GPCI for Oct 15th release at the LCBO
Here is the list of wines I picked from the coming Oct 15th release at the LCBO. Enjoy, Gaby.
* * *
US – Washington State
COLUMBIA CREST ‘GRAND ESTATES' MERLOT 2001 $ 19.95
WS=90 – was #52 in top 100 Wines of 2004; now – 2009. GPCI – Although it is only good for short-mid term cellaring, Columbia Crest makes one of the best value for quality wines in NA.
Argentina
BENMARCO MALBEC (Dominio del Plata) 2002 $ 19.95
WS=91 (!) ; now-2006 ; GPCI – as you’ve already noticed from previous GPCI reviews, I’m a fan of Malbec. The Malbec usually shares some spice and raspberry flavors. With such a price and Winespectator score, you need to be early at the LCBO this coming Sat.
CRIOS DE SUSANA BALBO SYRAH/BONARDA (Dominio del Plata) 2003 $ 13.95
RP=88 ; now – 2009 (WA suggest even until 2013); GPCI – GREAT value and cellaring potential! they say the combination of Syrah and Bonarda results a similar Malbec flavour – as RP says – “bursts with plum, black raspberry, and spice aromas as well as flavors. Well-balanced, it is expansive, concentrated, velvety-textured…” for ~$14, no brainer...
Australia
D'ARENBERG ‘THE BONSAI VINE' GRENACHE/SHIRAZ/MOUVEDRE 2001 $ 25.95
WA=92 ; now-2015+ ; GPCI – I tried this wine about a month ago or so and it’s excellent – I agree with WA on their description – reminds me of a great Zinfandel – Full, dense, long finish.
WARBURN PREMIUM RESERVE CABERNET/MERLOT 2002 $ 17.95
WA=88; now-2012 ; Vintages – “aromas of eucalyptus, ripe plum and cassis. There is a bounty of cherry fruit flavour and supple tannins on the palate, leading to a medium-long finish.”
France
PHILIPPE DELESVAUX COTEAUX DU LAYON ‘SAINT- AUBIN' 2002 $ 22.95
WS=90 ; now – 2010; GPCI – I liked previous ‘Saint-Aubin’ white wines from the Loire valley and with such recommendation from WS...
Italy - Tuscany
MICHELE SATTA ‘PIASTRAIA' ROSSO DOC Bolgheri 2001 $ 39.95
RP=93 (!) ; now – 2018 ; GPCI – this is a good opportunity to demonstrate the GPCI approach - if you relate only to the price of this wine (~$40), you would find yourself straggling to buy it even if Parker gave it 93 (which is rare) because it's not cheap.
However, this wine can be cellared for about 13 (!) years, so if you have some long-term plans regarding your wine cellar and would want to put some wines aside to enjoy the experience of matured-developed wines, think about it as if you are paying 3 dollars for every year in the cellar (3 is THE Index of gpcI in this example), which is similar to buy a wine that cost $15 and can be cellared for 5 years – which you will probably go for, right?
Bottom line, I would buy 2 bottles of this wine – one to try in the next 2-3 years and another to open around 2018.
Spain
MUGA RESERVA DOC Rioja 2001 $ 19.95
RP=92 ; now – 2015 ; GPCI – I have tried few Muga Reserva before (1991; 1997) and 2001 had great reviews as a vintage in the Rijoa region. I would follow RP suggestion and buy a case (save some for me…).
