Wednesday, August 02, 2006
GPCI for August 5th 2006 release at the LCBO
France (South Rhone)
2003 CUVÉE DU VATICAN CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE - $38.95
AC (Vign. Diffonty)
WS = 91 ; Tasting Note: Terrifically juicy blackberry and black cherry fruit gets pushed by briar, tar and mineral notes, followed by a powerful, smoky finish. Long, with lots of ripe structure. Drink now through 2025. (James Molesworth, www.winespectator.com, Nov. 15, 2005).
GPCI - a great domain. I loved their 2001 reserve. highly rated with great cellaring potential. buy 3-5 bottles.
Italy
2004 DANZANTE SANGIOVESE - $15.95
Vintages.com - Sourced from carefully selected vineyards within the Marche, expect this Sangiovese to display aromas of berry, cedar and plum.
GPCI - a nice-simple sangiovese for immediate consumption.
2003 BIONDI SANTI ‘SASSOALLORO' - $29.95
IGT Toscana
WS = 87 ; Good berry and cherry character with medium body and soft tannins. Pleasing and forward. Sangiovese. Drink now
GPCI - I bet the difference between the two sangiovese is not justifying double the price. I'd go with the Danzante for $15.95
2000 SENSI ‘MANTELLO' SANGIOVESE/SYRAH - $25.95
IGT Toscana
WS = 92 ; Tasting Note: Glorious aromas of crushed berries and toasted oak, with hints of dark chocolate. Full-bodied, with sweet, silky tannins and a long, fruity finish. A beauty. Blend of Sangiovese and Syrah. First time I have tasted this. Serious stuff. Best after 2005.
GPCI - if I need to pick from this release the preferred Toscana wine, it would be this one!
The combination of the two grapes (sangiovese and syrah) is great - sweet and spice... buy 3!
‘VAL DI SUGA' BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2000 - $45.95
DOCG (Tenimenti Angelini)
WS = 90 ; Tasting Note: Prune and berry character, with a hint of raisin. Full-bodied and very rich, with round, velvety tannins and a long finish. Muscular. Best after 2005. (James Suckling, www.winespectator.com, May 31, 2005)
GPCI - not too expensive for a very good Brunello (they usually cross the $60). I'd suggest you buy the half bottle first ($24.95) and then decide if you like this type of wines before investing more than $100 on a few bottles.
Hungary
1998 A. PUKLUS PINCÉSZET TOKAJI ASZÚ 3 PUTTONYOS - $16.95
Vintages.com - Tasting Note: A beautiful old gold/light amber colour leads to a nose of dried pear/apricot, honey, spice, nut and orange peel. Medium sweet with a very good seam of acidity for balance and ageability. Enjoy with nuts or blue cheese. (VINTAGES panel, Jan. 2006)
GPCI - A Tokaji Aszu for $17 is a must. buy 2-3 bottles. they can easily age for at least 5 more years.
2003 CUVÉE DU VATICAN CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE - $38.95
AC (Vign. Diffonty)
WS = 91 ; Tasting Note: Terrifically juicy blackberry and black cherry fruit gets pushed by briar, tar and mineral notes, followed by a powerful, smoky finish. Long, with lots of ripe structure. Drink now through 2025. (James Molesworth, www.winespectator.com, Nov. 15, 2005).
GPCI - a great domain. I loved their 2001 reserve. highly rated with great cellaring potential. buy 3-5 bottles.
Italy
2004 DANZANTE SANGIOVESE - $15.95
Vintages.com - Sourced from carefully selected vineyards within the Marche, expect this Sangiovese to display aromas of berry, cedar and plum.
GPCI - a nice-simple sangiovese for immediate consumption.
2003 BIONDI SANTI ‘SASSOALLORO' - $29.95
IGT Toscana
WS = 87 ; Good berry and cherry character with medium body and soft tannins. Pleasing and forward. Sangiovese. Drink now
GPCI - I bet the difference between the two sangiovese is not justifying double the price. I'd go with the Danzante for $15.95
2000 SENSI ‘MANTELLO' SANGIOVESE/SYRAH - $25.95
IGT Toscana
WS = 92 ; Tasting Note: Glorious aromas of crushed berries and toasted oak, with hints of dark chocolate. Full-bodied, with sweet, silky tannins and a long, fruity finish. A beauty. Blend of Sangiovese and Syrah. First time I have tasted this. Serious stuff. Best after 2005.
GPCI - if I need to pick from this release the preferred Toscana wine, it would be this one!
The combination of the two grapes (sangiovese and syrah) is great - sweet and spice... buy 3!
‘VAL DI SUGA' BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2000 - $45.95
DOCG (Tenimenti Angelini)
WS = 90 ; Tasting Note: Prune and berry character, with a hint of raisin. Full-bodied and very rich, with round, velvety tannins and a long finish. Muscular. Best after 2005. (James Suckling, www.winespectator.com, May 31, 2005)
GPCI - not too expensive for a very good Brunello (they usually cross the $60). I'd suggest you buy the half bottle first ($24.95) and then decide if you like this type of wines before investing more than $100 on a few bottles.
Hungary
1998 A. PUKLUS PINCÉSZET TOKAJI ASZÚ 3 PUTTONYOS - $16.95
Vintages.com - Tasting Note: A beautiful old gold/light amber colour leads to a nose of dried pear/apricot, honey, spice, nut and orange peel. Medium sweet with a very good seam of acidity for balance and ageability. Enjoy with nuts or blue cheese. (VINTAGES panel, Jan. 2006)
GPCI - A Tokaji Aszu for $17 is a must. buy 2-3 bottles. they can easily age for at least 5 more years.
