Friday, January 06, 2006
GPCI for Jan 21st, 2006 at the LCBO
There may be a sense of anti-climax when visiting the LCBO after the holidays, but if you didn't fill your basket in the Jan 7th release, there are still few wines worth chasing in Jan 21st.
Enjoy,GPCI
* * *
France (white)
2004 Chateau Carre’ Muscadet Sevre et Maine Chateau Chasseloire - $13.95
Chassloire Muscadet is an unusual wine that ages extraordinarily well and is one of the few vineyards left in France with ungrafted vines. A perfect wine with mussels or a picnic lunch of salads and cheeses or pasta primavera or clam sauce. (http://www.thevineyardva.com/)
GPCI - a day-to-day white wine that can age and cost $14 - no brainer. It will be an excellent companion in the spring/summer.
Germany - Rheingau (white)
1996 RIESLING KABINETT – $15.95
Parker gave the 1996 vintage in Germany a 93!
GPCI - it's a good opportunity to try a 10 years old Riesling and appreciate its maturity for an excellent price. no risks - if you appreciate Riesling go for it!
USA - Washington State (red)
2001 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot – $19.95
WS-90 - Number 52 on Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2004!
WS – “Ripe, plump and generous with its fresh cherry, dried cherry, dark plum and sweet spice flavors, nicely framed with toasty oak as the fruit persists impressively on the long finish. Drink now through 2009."
Winemaker’s notes - A small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc also were added to the blend to broaden flavor complexity. The wine offers a chewy raspberry-blueberry core that is cloaked in toasty coconut. A structure of medium-plus tannins presents a velvety texture on the middle palate.
GPCI - that's the one which will disappear by 10 am on Jan 21st. I had it in the past and it's a great value wine. buy 2-3 - you owe it to yourself... :)
Chile (red)
2003 Vina San Esteban, In Situ, Syrah, Aconcagua Valley – $13.95
Decanter – “recommended” (3 out 0f 5) - Aged in French and American oak for 12 months. Aromatic on the nose, with a hint of violet. Ripe tannins with an elegant structure, and some creamy oak characters on the finish. Drinking well now.
France - Rhone (red)
2003 Crozes Hermitage 'Les Launes' Rouge - $22.95
100% Syrah. The wine has a deep garnet red color. It is fruity on the nose with strong aromas of cassis, plums and a touch of violets. The tannic structure is ample and well rounded, which assures good aging potential. It is recommended with game, grilled and rich foods.
1855.com – 3 out of 5
2003 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, RED Domaine des Sénéchaux - $31.95
Surely one of the best priced wines in the Appellation, this 2003 is a triumph. Unfiltered and dense, a wine with great succulence and definition, at its best in a couple of years and then for three to five thereafter. (http://www.bbr.com/)
Dedanter – (3 out of 5) - Big, round and supple. Plenty of creamy red fruit. Glow of alcohol on the finish. Drink 2006-12.
1855.com – 3 out of 5
GPCI - Here is another "gone-by-10am-from the-LCBO-shelvs" wine - I cannot remember when was the last time I bought CNP for $32 that can be cellared up to 2012.
2003 Mas des Aveylans Syrah Cuvée Prestige – $23.95
RP-90 - Medium to full-bodied and chewy, with nicely integrated acidity and tannin, Mas des Aveylands consistently turns out one of the world's best value-priced Syrahs. The finish lasts at least 20 seconds, impressive for a wine of this price.
ChateauOnline – approach by 2012, decant for 1 hour serve at 16 C
GPCI - for a similar Syrah (i.e. RP=90) from California you would have paid at least the double.
Italy - Tuscany (red)
1998 Il Conventina, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva – $20.95
Daniel Rogov - Medium bodied and with good red fruits and plenty of tannins but an unwanted hint of bitterness that sneaks in and then lingers. Drink now - 2004. Score 86.
Italy - Veneto (red)
2001 Valpolicella Classico Superiore dell'Anniversario Serego Alighieri - $28.95
diwinetaste.com – 5 out of 5 (Wine that excels in its category).
This wine shows an intense ruby red color and nuances of ruby red, little transparency. The nose reveals intense, clean, pleasing, refined and elegant aromas which start with hints of blackberry, black cherry and plum followed by aromas of violet, blueberry, vanilla, licorice, tobacco, cocoa, mace and pink pepper. The mouth has good correspondence to the nose, a tannic attack and however balanced by alcohol, full body, intense flavors, agreeable. The finish is persistent with flavors of blackberry, black cherry and plum. A well made wine. (http://www.diwinetaste.com/)
Spain - Navarran (red)
Gran Feudo Viñas Viejas Reserva Julian Chivite 1998 – $13.95
Oddbins.com - Tempranillo, Garnacha & Merlot ; Cellar – up to 5 years
The palate runs a gamut of fruit flavours from raspberry, through plum and prune to cassis, underscored by velvet smoothness.
GPCI - I had few Gran Feudo in the past (one even from 1991) and you should expect a typical Spanish taste - like leather, vanilla and red cherries...
France - Pomerol (red)
2000 Chateau de Valois - $45.95
everywine.co.uk - Good deep dark ruby red coloured wine with a spicy aromatic nose with ripe black fruit character. The palate is dominated by ripe berry fruit characteristics intemingled with spicy new oak. A good length with plenty of character.
Thenewmill.co.uk - The intense raisiny richness of 77% Merlot is balanced by a backbone of 4% Cabernet Sauvignon and 19% Cabernet Franc and enhanced by aging in new oak barrique. Subtle flavours of plum, red berry and liquorice on the palate are nicely balanced soft tannins and a long finish.
GPCI - if you are looking for a good 2000 Pomerol wine in an "OK" price, it seems Valois is a good choice. it could definitely be cellared until 2010 or more.
Enjoy,GPCI
* * *
France (white)
2004 Chateau Carre’ Muscadet Sevre et Maine Chateau Chasseloire - $13.95
Chassloire Muscadet is an unusual wine that ages extraordinarily well and is one of the few vineyards left in France with ungrafted vines. A perfect wine with mussels or a picnic lunch of salads and cheeses or pasta primavera or clam sauce. (http://www.thevineyardva.com/)
GPCI - a day-to-day white wine that can age and cost $14 - no brainer. It will be an excellent companion in the spring/summer.
Germany - Rheingau (white)
1996 RIESLING KABINETT – $15.95
Parker gave the 1996 vintage in Germany a 93!
GPCI - it's a good opportunity to try a 10 years old Riesling and appreciate its maturity for an excellent price. no risks - if you appreciate Riesling go for it!
USA - Washington State (red)
2001 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot – $19.95
WS-90 - Number 52 on Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2004!
WS – “Ripe, plump and generous with its fresh cherry, dried cherry, dark plum and sweet spice flavors, nicely framed with toasty oak as the fruit persists impressively on the long finish. Drink now through 2009."
Winemaker’s notes - A small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc also were added to the blend to broaden flavor complexity. The wine offers a chewy raspberry-blueberry core that is cloaked in toasty coconut. A structure of medium-plus tannins presents a velvety texture on the middle palate.
GPCI - that's the one which will disappear by 10 am on Jan 21st. I had it in the past and it's a great value wine. buy 2-3 - you owe it to yourself... :)
Chile (red)
2003 Vina San Esteban, In Situ, Syrah, Aconcagua Valley – $13.95
Decanter – “recommended” (3 out 0f 5) - Aged in French and American oak for 12 months. Aromatic on the nose, with a hint of violet. Ripe tannins with an elegant structure, and some creamy oak characters on the finish. Drinking well now.
France - Rhone (red)
2003 Crozes Hermitage 'Les Launes' Rouge - $22.95
100% Syrah. The wine has a deep garnet red color. It is fruity on the nose with strong aromas of cassis, plums and a touch of violets. The tannic structure is ample and well rounded, which assures good aging potential. It is recommended with game, grilled and rich foods.
1855.com – 3 out of 5
2003 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, RED Domaine des Sénéchaux - $31.95
Surely one of the best priced wines in the Appellation, this 2003 is a triumph. Unfiltered and dense, a wine with great succulence and definition, at its best in a couple of years and then for three to five thereafter. (http://www.bbr.com/)
Dedanter – (3 out of 5) - Big, round and supple. Plenty of creamy red fruit. Glow of alcohol on the finish. Drink 2006-12.
1855.com – 3 out of 5
GPCI - Here is another "gone-by-10am-from the-LCBO-shelvs" wine - I cannot remember when was the last time I bought CNP for $32 that can be cellared up to 2012.
2003 Mas des Aveylans Syrah Cuvée Prestige – $23.95
RP-90 - Medium to full-bodied and chewy, with nicely integrated acidity and tannin, Mas des Aveylands consistently turns out one of the world's best value-priced Syrahs. The finish lasts at least 20 seconds, impressive for a wine of this price.
ChateauOnline – approach by 2012, decant for 1 hour serve at 16 C
GPCI - for a similar Syrah (i.e. RP=90) from California you would have paid at least the double.
Italy - Tuscany (red)
1998 Il Conventina, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva – $20.95
Daniel Rogov - Medium bodied and with good red fruits and plenty of tannins but an unwanted hint of bitterness that sneaks in and then lingers. Drink now - 2004. Score 86.
Italy - Veneto (red)
2001 Valpolicella Classico Superiore dell'Anniversario Serego Alighieri - $28.95
diwinetaste.com – 5 out of 5 (Wine that excels in its category).
This wine shows an intense ruby red color and nuances of ruby red, little transparency. The nose reveals intense, clean, pleasing, refined and elegant aromas which start with hints of blackberry, black cherry and plum followed by aromas of violet, blueberry, vanilla, licorice, tobacco, cocoa, mace and pink pepper. The mouth has good correspondence to the nose, a tannic attack and however balanced by alcohol, full body, intense flavors, agreeable. The finish is persistent with flavors of blackberry, black cherry and plum. A well made wine. (http://www.diwinetaste.com/)
Spain - Navarran (red)
Gran Feudo Viñas Viejas Reserva Julian Chivite 1998 – $13.95
Oddbins.com - Tempranillo, Garnacha & Merlot ; Cellar – up to 5 years
The palate runs a gamut of fruit flavours from raspberry, through plum and prune to cassis, underscored by velvet smoothness.
GPCI - I had few Gran Feudo in the past (one even from 1991) and you should expect a typical Spanish taste - like leather, vanilla and red cherries...
France - Pomerol (red)
2000 Chateau de Valois - $45.95
everywine.co.uk - Good deep dark ruby red coloured wine with a spicy aromatic nose with ripe black fruit character. The palate is dominated by ripe berry fruit characteristics intemingled with spicy new oak. A good length with plenty of character.
Thenewmill.co.uk - The intense raisiny richness of 77% Merlot is balanced by a backbone of 4% Cabernet Sauvignon and 19% Cabernet Franc and enhanced by aging in new oak barrique. Subtle flavours of plum, red berry and liquorice on the palate are nicely balanced soft tannins and a long finish.
GPCI - if you are looking for a good 2000 Pomerol wine in an "OK" price, it seems Valois is a good choice. it could definitely be cellared until 2010 or more.
