Monday, August 21, 2006
GPCI for Sep 2nd 2006 release at the LCBO
Here are the GPCI recommendations by preference of "First-Listed-First-to-Buy":
Argentina
2003 'TRUMPETER MALBEC TUPUNGATO (RUTINI WINES) - $13.95
WS=89 ; Delicious rasberry and boysenverry fruit, framed nicely by vanilla toast. Creamy, with rich fruit flavors running through the finish.
GPCI - Great value for the quality! If you like Malbec from Argentina, this is one to enjoy in the Fall arriving season. I'd suggest you buy 3-5 bottles.
France (Rhone)
2004 'CHÂTEAU MAUCOIL CHÂTEAUNEUF DE PAPE - $29.95
GPCI - the 2004 in the CNP region (south part of Rhone) was great - some would say even better than the great 2003. Chateau Maucoil has always received excellent reviews. The price is relatively low for a good CNP. Vintages.com suggests to drink it now, but I'd buy 3, try one now and decide whether it can be cellared for the next 10-12 years. Great GPCI.
Portugal (Port)
1987 'WARRE'S QUINTA DA CAVADINHA VINTAGE PORT (375 ml) - $26.95
http://www.sainsburyswine.co.uk/ - 'complex fruit of immense depth and sunny ripeness' Guardian.
http://www.vintagewinegifts.co.uk/ - This Port from the good 1987 vintage is ruby red coloured and is deep rich and harmonious with good flesh and fruit. Drink now - 2018.
GPCI - If you like port, you would buy 3 : one for now (who can avoid the temptation...), one for 2012 and one for 2018...
Italy (Tuscany)
2003 'PRUNATELLI CHIANTI RUFINA RISERVA - $16.95 (great value!)
http://www.vintages.com/ - Light ruby colour leads to an attractive nose of berry, currant, caramel, earth and a hint of barnyard. Dry with good fruit intensity buffered by ripening tannins. Perfect with pasta with red sauce.
GPCI - Chianti Rufina is a region north-east to Florence - one of the coolest places to have Sangiovese grow. Perfect for the season.
France (Sautern) - in-store-discovery
1999 CUV. DE BONTEMPS SAUTERNES (375 ml) - $16.95
GPCI - 1999 in Sauternes was not as classic as 2001/2002/2003, Parker rated this vintage 88, which is excellent by his definition. And the price is very fair to miss this opportunity. Buy 3 bottles.
Spain (Rioja)
2001 'MUGA RESERVA 'SELECCION ESPECIAL' - $38.95
70% Tempranillo, 20% Granacha, 5% Mazuelo, 5% Graciano.
It has a bright ruby-red colour with medium-high depth and a tendency towards purplish hues which indicates its excellent evolution in the bottle. The nose is characterized by ripe fruit, with a predominance of wild red berries, perfectly blended with spices and balsamic aromatic sub-groups. In the mouth, the attack is warm, friendly, supple and velvety.
GPCI - for you who keep tracking my comments, you've probably noticed that I strongly recommend any Rioja from the outstanding 2001 vintage in Spain. Muga Reserve is one of my favorite wineries in that region. It is not a cheap bottle, but I believe that although it may be accessible now, it can be cellared for at least 5+ years. buy 2-3 bottles.
Italy (Tuscany)
2000 Brunello di Montalcino Fattoria dei Barbi - $39.95
http://www.tuscanystyle.it/ This wine much-decorated, after an accurate vinification, it is aged for almost three years in cask of sessile oak and then it is refined for twelve months in bottle. It can be extremely excellent tasted with duck breast cooked with a sauce based on this special red wine.
GPCI - I had the 1996 from this place and it was outstanding. This is a reasonable price for a good Brunello. This wine can age well (2012+).
1999 CARPINETO VINO NOBILE MONTEPULCIANO RISERVA - $29.95
WS - Lots of wood on the nose, with hints of cherry and ripe fruit. Medium- to full-bodied, with fine tannins and a fresh finish. Drink now. 7,000 cases made.
http://www.everywine.co.uk/ Mainly from Sangiovese Grosso and a portion of Canaiolo grapes and aged for 2 years in oak barrels followed by a further year in bottle. The resulting wine is velvety and elegant with violet and oaky notes on the nose.
http://www.vintages.com/ - Classic cranberry, currant, game, humus and cedar aromas dominate this supple, balanced, well-made wine. It has good depth and a long finish. Enjoy with pork roast or barbecued ribs.
GPCI - I had both this wine and the 1997 Carpineto - excellent wine indeed. 1999 in Tuscany was highly rated by everyone (RP=94). Very round and balanced. let it sit for 20-30 minutes in the glass before drinking. I loved this wine without any food - enjoy it as it was meant to be...
it can be drunk now or wait for few more years. buy 2-3 bottles.
2003 BANFI ROSSO DI MONTALCINO - $28.95
Castello Banfi Rosso di Montalcino is a wine of noble origins and impressive original thinking. Made from 100% select Brunello clones, Rosso di Montalcino is considered Brunello`s younger sibling.
The color is a very deep and intense red with violet hints; the bouquet is of red fruits, raspberries and cherries, but also with sweet hints of cream. On the palate, it has good structure and well developed tannins, soft yet powerful at the same time. A very well balanced and harmonious wine.
GPCI - This is "Brunello light" (that's why it's half the price of the "real thing"). It's tempting although I would go with the 1999 Carpineto (above) for a similar price range.
2000 CASTELLO DI MELETO CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA - $25.95
WS=88 ; Blackberry and tobacco aromas, with just a hint of mineral. Medium to full bodied, with fine tannins and a delicious finish. Very balanced. Best after 2004.
GPCI - a fair price for a well-reviewed Chianti Riserva from the Classico area.
The following wines from Tuscany are worth mentioning, although they are expensive and do not meet the GPCI requirements:
2003 'TENUTA DELL'ORNELLAIA 'IL SERRE NUOVE' ROSSO - $54.95
http://www.everywine.co.uk/ - Deep crimson red in colour with attractive red berry fruit aromas, it has a balanced, round generous palate structure and a smooth finish of good length. Cabernet Sauvignon dominates the blend giving the wine its fine tannin structure, which is complemented by some mid-palate weight and softness, provided by the addition of Merlot.
2003 'TENUTA SAN GUIDO 'GUIDALBERTO' - $58.95
Tasting Notes: A modern style wine with good structure and great balance. The tannins are supple and fine, and will enable the wine to mature well in bottle.
45% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Sangiovese.
The wine was produced and matured in the building that was previously used for the production of the Tenuta San Guido’s olive oil.The wine was fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel vats. The Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon were macerated on the skins for 15 days, and the Sangiovese was macerated on the skins for 12 days.The wine was aged for 14 months in French and American oak barriques, one third of which were new.
1998 S. NICCOLÒ VIN SANTO DEL CHIANTI CLASSICO - $24.95
DOC (Poderi Castellare di Castellina)
http://www.vintages.com/ - To make Vin Santo, the grapes (in this case, Malvasia and Trebbiano) are dried on mats for two to six months depending on the residual sugar levels desired. After pressing, the juice is pumped into small chestnut barrels. The barrels are sealed and not opened or topped up until the wines are ready to be bottled. This wine was aged for 7 years. Depending on how active the yeast was, the wine can be incredibly sweet to very bone dry. This example is medium sweet. Serve with biscotti for dipping and/or fresh fruit and aged cheeses.
Argentina
2003 'TRUMPETER MALBEC TUPUNGATO (RUTINI WINES) - $13.95
WS=89 ; Delicious rasberry and boysenverry fruit, framed nicely by vanilla toast. Creamy, with rich fruit flavors running through the finish.
GPCI - Great value for the quality! If you like Malbec from Argentina, this is one to enjoy in the Fall arriving season. I'd suggest you buy 3-5 bottles.
France (Rhone)
2004 'CHÂTEAU MAUCOIL CHÂTEAUNEUF DE PAPE - $29.95
GPCI - the 2004 in the CNP region (south part of Rhone) was great - some would say even better than the great 2003. Chateau Maucoil has always received excellent reviews. The price is relatively low for a good CNP. Vintages.com suggests to drink it now, but I'd buy 3, try one now and decide whether it can be cellared for the next 10-12 years. Great GPCI.
Portugal (Port)
1987 'WARRE'S QUINTA DA CAVADINHA VINTAGE PORT (375 ml) - $26.95
http://www.sainsburyswine.co.uk/ - 'complex fruit of immense depth and sunny ripeness' Guardian.
http://www.vintagewinegifts.co.uk/ - This Port from the good 1987 vintage is ruby red coloured and is deep rich and harmonious with good flesh and fruit. Drink now - 2018.
GPCI - If you like port, you would buy 3 : one for now (who can avoid the temptation...), one for 2012 and one for 2018...
Italy (Tuscany)
2003 'PRUNATELLI CHIANTI RUFINA RISERVA - $16.95 (great value!)
http://www.vintages.com/ - Light ruby colour leads to an attractive nose of berry, currant, caramel, earth and a hint of barnyard. Dry with good fruit intensity buffered by ripening tannins. Perfect with pasta with red sauce.
GPCI - Chianti Rufina is a region north-east to Florence - one of the coolest places to have Sangiovese grow. Perfect for the season.
France (Sautern) - in-store-discovery
1999 CUV. DE BONTEMPS SAUTERNES (375 ml) - $16.95
GPCI - 1999 in Sauternes was not as classic as 2001/2002/2003, Parker rated this vintage 88, which is excellent by his definition. And the price is very fair to miss this opportunity. Buy 3 bottles.
Spain (Rioja)
2001 'MUGA RESERVA 'SELECCION ESPECIAL' - $38.95
70% Tempranillo, 20% Granacha, 5% Mazuelo, 5% Graciano.
It has a bright ruby-red colour with medium-high depth and a tendency towards purplish hues which indicates its excellent evolution in the bottle. The nose is characterized by ripe fruit, with a predominance of wild red berries, perfectly blended with spices and balsamic aromatic sub-groups. In the mouth, the attack is warm, friendly, supple and velvety.
GPCI - for you who keep tracking my comments, you've probably noticed that I strongly recommend any Rioja from the outstanding 2001 vintage in Spain. Muga Reserve is one of my favorite wineries in that region. It is not a cheap bottle, but I believe that although it may be accessible now, it can be cellared for at least 5+ years. buy 2-3 bottles.
Italy (Tuscany)
2000 Brunello di Montalcino Fattoria dei Barbi - $39.95
http://www.tuscanystyle.it/ This wine much-decorated, after an accurate vinification, it is aged for almost three years in cask of sessile oak and then it is refined for twelve months in bottle. It can be extremely excellent tasted with duck breast cooked with a sauce based on this special red wine.
GPCI - I had the 1996 from this place and it was outstanding. This is a reasonable price for a good Brunello. This wine can age well (2012+).
1999 CARPINETO VINO NOBILE MONTEPULCIANO RISERVA - $29.95
WS - Lots of wood on the nose, with hints of cherry and ripe fruit. Medium- to full-bodied, with fine tannins and a fresh finish. Drink now. 7,000 cases made.
http://www.everywine.co.uk/ Mainly from Sangiovese Grosso and a portion of Canaiolo grapes and aged for 2 years in oak barrels followed by a further year in bottle. The resulting wine is velvety and elegant with violet and oaky notes on the nose.
http://www.vintages.com/ - Classic cranberry, currant, game, humus and cedar aromas dominate this supple, balanced, well-made wine. It has good depth and a long finish. Enjoy with pork roast or barbecued ribs.
GPCI - I had both this wine and the 1997 Carpineto - excellent wine indeed. 1999 in Tuscany was highly rated by everyone (RP=94). Very round and balanced. let it sit for 20-30 minutes in the glass before drinking. I loved this wine without any food - enjoy it as it was meant to be...
it can be drunk now or wait for few more years. buy 2-3 bottles.
2003 BANFI ROSSO DI MONTALCINO - $28.95
Castello Banfi Rosso di Montalcino is a wine of noble origins and impressive original thinking. Made from 100% select Brunello clones, Rosso di Montalcino is considered Brunello`s younger sibling.
The color is a very deep and intense red with violet hints; the bouquet is of red fruits, raspberries and cherries, but also with sweet hints of cream. On the palate, it has good structure and well developed tannins, soft yet powerful at the same time. A very well balanced and harmonious wine.
GPCI - This is "Brunello light" (that's why it's half the price of the "real thing"). It's tempting although I would go with the 1999 Carpineto (above) for a similar price range.
2000 CASTELLO DI MELETO CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA - $25.95
WS=88 ; Blackberry and tobacco aromas, with just a hint of mineral. Medium to full bodied, with fine tannins and a delicious finish. Very balanced. Best after 2004.
GPCI - a fair price for a well-reviewed Chianti Riserva from the Classico area.
The following wines from Tuscany are worth mentioning, although they are expensive and do not meet the GPCI requirements:
2003 'TENUTA DELL'ORNELLAIA 'IL SERRE NUOVE' ROSSO - $54.95
http://www.everywine.co.uk/ - Deep crimson red in colour with attractive red berry fruit aromas, it has a balanced, round generous palate structure and a smooth finish of good length. Cabernet Sauvignon dominates the blend giving the wine its fine tannin structure, which is complemented by some mid-palate weight and softness, provided by the addition of Merlot.
2003 'TENUTA SAN GUIDO 'GUIDALBERTO' - $58.95
Tasting Notes: A modern style wine with good structure and great balance. The tannins are supple and fine, and will enable the wine to mature well in bottle.
45% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Sangiovese.
The wine was produced and matured in the building that was previously used for the production of the Tenuta San Guido’s olive oil.The wine was fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel vats. The Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon were macerated on the skins for 15 days, and the Sangiovese was macerated on the skins for 12 days.The wine was aged for 14 months in French and American oak barriques, one third of which were new.
1998 S. NICCOLÒ VIN SANTO DEL CHIANTI CLASSICO - $24.95
DOC (Poderi Castellare di Castellina)
http://www.vintages.com/ - To make Vin Santo, the grapes (in this case, Malvasia and Trebbiano) are dried on mats for two to six months depending on the residual sugar levels desired. After pressing, the juice is pumped into small chestnut barrels. The barrels are sealed and not opened or topped up until the wines are ready to be bottled. This wine was aged for 7 years. Depending on how active the yeast was, the wine can be incredibly sweet to very bone dry. This example is medium sweet. Serve with biscotti for dipping and/or fresh fruit and aged cheeses.
