Monday, July 03, 2006
GPCI for July 8th 2006 release at the LCBO
US (Red)
2003 RAVENSWOOD ‘ICON' SYRAH - $25.95
Sonoma County
Vintages.com - Ravenswood shows it ha much more going for it than its benchmark Zinfandels. As a member winery of California's ‘Rhône Rangers' it's not surprising they also craft this rich and attractive blend of 81% Syrah, 13% Grenache and 6% Mourvedre. Expect a juicy, well-structured wine with blackberry and chocolate characteristics that would pair nicely with beef tenderloin or grilled steaks with a rosemary/garlic rub.
http://www.andwine2.com/ :The wine is rich in dark fruit flavors such as berry, black cherry and plum, with a meaty texture, an element of exotic spice and the smoke and vanillin of French oak. Tannins are ample for aging for at least 10 years, but again, if you are a fan of the bold, lush fruit of a young wine, and don't mind a dusting of tannin, this is a gorgeous candidate for near-immediate consumption.
2001 WHITE HAWK ESTATE SYRAH - $29.95
Santa Maria County
WE = 92 : Peppery and meaty, yet backed by a full complement of blackberry fruit, this wine contains all of the balanced attributes we're looking for in California Syrah. Ripe fruit, peppery spice and meaty complexity are together in a harmonious whole. Picks up a hint of anise on the long finish. (Wine Enthusiast, Sept. 1, 2005)
Chile (Red)
2004 ‘ALBAMAR' CABERNET SAUVIGNON RESERVE - $12.95 (Outstanding value!!!)
Central Valley (William Cole Vineyards)
Vintages.com : The latest vintage of the ‘Albamar' Cab offers tremendous value with aromas of ripe black fruit, rose pedals and orange peel. It's dry, medium full-bodied with bright fruit flavours surrounded by moderate acids and softening tannins leading to a fairly lengthy finish. Pair with grilled portobello mushrooms.
GPCI - this is an outstanding value for a great offering from Chile. I had previous vintages and it's an absolute treat for ~$13 !!!
Australia (White)
2003 MARGAN SEMILLON - $15.95
Hunter Valley, New South Wales
ST = 89 : Pale yellow. Dusty, mineral-inflected aromas of peach pit, apricot skin and dogwood blossom. Medium-bodied, round and plump, with dusty, stony flavors of grapefruit pith, lemon zest and quinine. Finishes dry and stony, with an intriguing waxy, floral quality. A classic rendition of this unique, disappearing style.
GPCI - I love the wines that come from the Margan winery. Good value from the Hunter valley.
Australia (Red)
2002 BAROSSA VALLEY ESTATES ‘EBENEZER' SHIRAZ - $39.95
Barossa Valley, South Australia
WS = 91 : Dark, distinctive and brooding, with a volatile edge to the complex black cherry, peppermint and five-spice aromas and flavors, lingering with bittersweet chocolate notes on the finish. Best from 2008 through 2015.
2004 PENFOLDS BIN 2 SHIRAZ/MOURVÈDRE - $20.95 (Great Value!)
South Australia
Every year, this multi-region blend is a big hit with VINTAGES customers as well as the wine press. This full-bodied, complex wine is consistently one of the best values around. Look for mouthfilling blackberry fruit flavour with hints of chocolate, spice and cedar notes and a very lengthy finish.
http://www.everywine.co.uk/ : A multi-regional blend, dominated by Shiraz. The Penfolds Bin 2 Shiraz/Mourvedre has an attractive, smooth character which makes it a tempting drink now, yet will develop further complexity with bottle age.
GPCI - This is a MUST if you hadn't have it before. I would buy 3-6 bottles.
2004 WITS END ‘THE PROCRASTINATOR' - $14.95 (Great value!)
McLaren Vale, South Australia
RP = 88 ; What are you waiting for? This Shiraz/Cab is a terrific value and would be ideal with a juicy steak, bison burgers or Texas chili.Tasting Note: While not as complex as the Cabernet Franc, the 2004 The Procrastinator Shiraz (85% Shiraz and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in tank) is a pure, chunky, fleshy offering with attractive fruit, medium to full body, and no hard edges. Drink it over the next several years.
GPCI - it's not every day that we have the chance to buy a RP 88 for ~$15 !
New Zealand (White)
2005 SAINT CLAIR ‘VICAR'S CHOICE' CHARDONNAY - $14.95
Marlborough, South Island
Vintages.com : Excellent balance here between the fruit, oak and acid. From a newer vineyard, this wine displays aromas of apple, toast and tropical fruit. Dry, fruity, gently crisp and well-made, this wine would be an excellent choice for chicken breast in a cream sauce.
http://www.saintclair.co.nz/ : A medium-bodied Chardonnay with bright flavours and stone fruit and underlying nutty, spicy oak notes. The palate is elegant, youthful and creamy with a soft acidity that leads to a warm lingering finish. This wine may be enjoyed now or with careful cellaring will develop well in the bottle for up to four years.
GPCI - Saint Clair, as you may have tasted in the last 2 months, have great Sauv Blanc and I bet their Chardonnay is not falling behind. For ~$15 it's a no brainer... buy 2-3 bottles.
Burgundy (White)
2002 DOMAINE CHANZY ‘L'HERMITAGE' RULLY - $22.95
AC
Vintages.com : A pretty Chardonnay with fine aromas recalling ripe pear, butter, pumpkin spice, sweet oak and cinnamon. It is dry with lively acid balancing out the rich flavours. Elegant and stylish, this medium-bodied wine has a long finish. Enjoy with crab cakes or pasta in a cream sauce.
France (Rhone - Red)
2003 CHÂTEAU DE MILLE - $16.95
AC Côtes du Luberon (Conrad-Pinatel, Prop.-Récolt.)
This blend of Syrah and Grenache with Carignan in a support roll is given extended barrel maturation prior to bottling. This richly flavoured, balanced wine is an excellent companion with grilled steak or lamb chops.
GPCI - I don't think I have ever had a typical south-Rhone blend for ~$17. Very tempting. Buy 2 bottles.
2003 DOMAINE DU GRAND TINEL CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE - $29.95
AC (Les Vign. Elie Jeune, Récolt.)
RP = 90 : Intensely Provencal, the dark garnet/ruby-colored 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape boasts earthy, peppery, garrigue, and seaweed notes intermixed with currants, plums, figs, and black cherries. Soft, fruity, luscious, with heady alcohol and mouth-coating glycerin, it should be drunk over the next 7-8 years.
GPCI - that's a "Sat, 10 AM gonner..." for this RP rate and for that price, buy at least 4 bottles if not more. Don't be confused with the "Reymond Usseglio" CNP - it costs $36.95 and it got only 88 by RP.
2001 ‘SIGNATURE' GIGONDAS - $21.95
AC (Caves des Vignerons de Gigondas)
Vintages.com : From the local co-op that has an enviable reputation for quality comes this scrumptious Grenache/Syrah/Mourvèdre/Cinsault blend. The aromas recall kirsch, plum jam, cocoa, garrigue and black olives. Dry, warm, fleshy and supple, this full-bodied wine would be a great addition to a stir-fried beef dish.
GPCI - a Good vintage, a reasonable price for a full body Gigondas... oh, yesss... buy 2 bottles.
2003 RAVENSWOOD ‘ICON' SYRAH - $25.95
Sonoma County
Vintages.com - Ravenswood shows it ha much more going for it than its benchmark Zinfandels. As a member winery of California's ‘Rhône Rangers' it's not surprising they also craft this rich and attractive blend of 81% Syrah, 13% Grenache and 6% Mourvedre. Expect a juicy, well-structured wine with blackberry and chocolate characteristics that would pair nicely with beef tenderloin or grilled steaks with a rosemary/garlic rub.
http://www.andwine2.com/ :The wine is rich in dark fruit flavors such as berry, black cherry and plum, with a meaty texture, an element of exotic spice and the smoke and vanillin of French oak. Tannins are ample for aging for at least 10 years, but again, if you are a fan of the bold, lush fruit of a young wine, and don't mind a dusting of tannin, this is a gorgeous candidate for near-immediate consumption.
2001 WHITE HAWK ESTATE SYRAH - $29.95
Santa Maria County
WE = 92 : Peppery and meaty, yet backed by a full complement of blackberry fruit, this wine contains all of the balanced attributes we're looking for in California Syrah. Ripe fruit, peppery spice and meaty complexity are together in a harmonious whole. Picks up a hint of anise on the long finish. (Wine Enthusiast, Sept. 1, 2005)
Chile (Red)
2004 ‘ALBAMAR' CABERNET SAUVIGNON RESERVE - $12.95 (Outstanding value!!!)
Central Valley (William Cole Vineyards)
Vintages.com : The latest vintage of the ‘Albamar' Cab offers tremendous value with aromas of ripe black fruit, rose pedals and orange peel. It's dry, medium full-bodied with bright fruit flavours surrounded by moderate acids and softening tannins leading to a fairly lengthy finish. Pair with grilled portobello mushrooms.
GPCI - this is an outstanding value for a great offering from Chile. I had previous vintages and it's an absolute treat for ~$13 !!!
Australia (White)
2003 MARGAN SEMILLON - $15.95
Hunter Valley, New South Wales
ST = 89 : Pale yellow. Dusty, mineral-inflected aromas of peach pit, apricot skin and dogwood blossom. Medium-bodied, round and plump, with dusty, stony flavors of grapefruit pith, lemon zest and quinine. Finishes dry and stony, with an intriguing waxy, floral quality. A classic rendition of this unique, disappearing style.
GPCI - I love the wines that come from the Margan winery. Good value from the Hunter valley.
Australia (Red)
2002 BAROSSA VALLEY ESTATES ‘EBENEZER' SHIRAZ - $39.95
Barossa Valley, South Australia
WS = 91 : Dark, distinctive and brooding, with a volatile edge to the complex black cherry, peppermint and five-spice aromas and flavors, lingering with bittersweet chocolate notes on the finish. Best from 2008 through 2015.
2004 PENFOLDS BIN 2 SHIRAZ/MOURVÈDRE - $20.95 (Great Value!)
South Australia
Every year, this multi-region blend is a big hit with VINTAGES customers as well as the wine press. This full-bodied, complex wine is consistently one of the best values around. Look for mouthfilling blackberry fruit flavour with hints of chocolate, spice and cedar notes and a very lengthy finish.
http://www.everywine.co.uk/ : A multi-regional blend, dominated by Shiraz. The Penfolds Bin 2 Shiraz/Mourvedre has an attractive, smooth character which makes it a tempting drink now, yet will develop further complexity with bottle age.
GPCI - This is a MUST if you hadn't have it before. I would buy 3-6 bottles.
2004 WITS END ‘THE PROCRASTINATOR' - $14.95 (Great value!)
McLaren Vale, South Australia
RP = 88 ; What are you waiting for? This Shiraz/Cab is a terrific value and would be ideal with a juicy steak, bison burgers or Texas chili.Tasting Note: While not as complex as the Cabernet Franc, the 2004 The Procrastinator Shiraz (85% Shiraz and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in tank) is a pure, chunky, fleshy offering with attractive fruit, medium to full body, and no hard edges. Drink it over the next several years.
GPCI - it's not every day that we have the chance to buy a RP 88 for ~$15 !
New Zealand (White)
2005 SAINT CLAIR ‘VICAR'S CHOICE' CHARDONNAY - $14.95
Marlborough, South Island
Vintages.com : Excellent balance here between the fruit, oak and acid. From a newer vineyard, this wine displays aromas of apple, toast and tropical fruit. Dry, fruity, gently crisp and well-made, this wine would be an excellent choice for chicken breast in a cream sauce.
http://www.saintclair.co.nz/ : A medium-bodied Chardonnay with bright flavours and stone fruit and underlying nutty, spicy oak notes. The palate is elegant, youthful and creamy with a soft acidity that leads to a warm lingering finish. This wine may be enjoyed now or with careful cellaring will develop well in the bottle for up to four years.
GPCI - Saint Clair, as you may have tasted in the last 2 months, have great Sauv Blanc and I bet their Chardonnay is not falling behind. For ~$15 it's a no brainer... buy 2-3 bottles.
Burgundy (White)
2002 DOMAINE CHANZY ‘L'HERMITAGE' RULLY - $22.95
AC
Vintages.com : A pretty Chardonnay with fine aromas recalling ripe pear, butter, pumpkin spice, sweet oak and cinnamon. It is dry with lively acid balancing out the rich flavours. Elegant and stylish, this medium-bodied wine has a long finish. Enjoy with crab cakes or pasta in a cream sauce.
France (Rhone - Red)
2003 CHÂTEAU DE MILLE - $16.95
AC Côtes du Luberon (Conrad-Pinatel, Prop.-Récolt.)
This blend of Syrah and Grenache with Carignan in a support roll is given extended barrel maturation prior to bottling. This richly flavoured, balanced wine is an excellent companion with grilled steak or lamb chops.
GPCI - I don't think I have ever had a typical south-Rhone blend for ~$17. Very tempting. Buy 2 bottles.
2003 DOMAINE DU GRAND TINEL CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE - $29.95
AC (Les Vign. Elie Jeune, Récolt.)
RP = 90 : Intensely Provencal, the dark garnet/ruby-colored 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape boasts earthy, peppery, garrigue, and seaweed notes intermixed with currants, plums, figs, and black cherries. Soft, fruity, luscious, with heady alcohol and mouth-coating glycerin, it should be drunk over the next 7-8 years.
GPCI - that's a "Sat, 10 AM gonner..." for this RP rate and for that price, buy at least 4 bottles if not more. Don't be confused with the "Reymond Usseglio" CNP - it costs $36.95 and it got only 88 by RP.
2001 ‘SIGNATURE' GIGONDAS - $21.95
AC (Caves des Vignerons de Gigondas)
Vintages.com : From the local co-op that has an enviable reputation for quality comes this scrumptious Grenache/Syrah/Mourvèdre/Cinsault blend. The aromas recall kirsch, plum jam, cocoa, garrigue and black olives. Dry, warm, fleshy and supple, this full-bodied wine would be a great addition to a stir-fried beef dish.
GPCI - a Good vintage, a reasonable price for a full body Gigondas... oh, yesss... buy 2 bottles.
