Friday, July 27, 2007
GPCi for August 4th 2007 release at the LCBO
GPCi Top 3 Picks of the release:
1 - 2004 PIRRAMIMMA PETIT VERDOT - $21.95
2 - 2005 ROLF BINDER HALLIWELL SHIRAZ/GRENACHE - $25.95
3 - 2003 CLOS DU CALVAIRE CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE - $34.95
Australia
2004 PIRRAMIMMA PETIT VERDOT - $21.95
McLaren Vale, South Australia
http://www.paulippolito.com.au/ = 92 : [Pirramimma is a] leader in [making] Petit Verdot in this country. This particular wine has a deep purple crimson colour. It is aromatic with loads of blackcurrants filling the senses. This is followed by cedary oak and cigar box nuances, smoked bacon, violets and an earthiness. Still a young wine, albeit well structured, balanced and drinkable, it should develop beautifully and gracefully with age. Try this with a grilled New York cut steak and diane sauce. Drink now to 2016. (Paul Ippolito, May 2007)
JH=94 : Cedar, cigar box, black fruits and earth; hyper-concen-trated and powerful, reflecting both the 20-year-old vines and the vintage.
GPCi - YES! YES! YES! without a doubt, my #1 choice from this release. I had previous vintages and it's just outstanding - great taste/complexity and different from the other varities. great value and age worthy - what more can we ask for... :)
2005 ROLF BINDER HALLIWELL SHIRAZ/GRENACHE - $25.95
Barossa Valley, South Australia
RP = 92 : A sexy, knock-out effort for drinking over the next 5-7 years is the 2005 Shiraz/Grenache Halliwell. This aromatic blend of 60% Shiraz and 40% Grenache offers up notes of blueberries, raspberries, cherries, earth, spice, and a hint of oak. It is full-bodied with juicy, concentrated flavors, supple tannins, and a velvety, opulent finish.
GPCi - Shiraz and Grenache are two great verities that when they are well blend you get a world full of colors. The Shiraz will provide the spice and concentration while the Grenache will add the juice-fruit flavors. Great value! Buy 3-6 bottles.
South Africa
2006 PORCUPINE RIDGE SYRAH - $14.95
WO Coastal Region (Boekenhoutskloof)
Since VINTAGES first introduced Porcupine Ridge Syrah in January 2005, it has shown spectacular consistency through the 2003, 2004 and 2005 VINTAGES. This 2006 is bound to impress too. Loaded with blackberry and pepper, it is fruity but nicely balanced by tannins and crisp acidity. Drink it tonight with lamb or cellar for 2-4 years and see how it develops.
GPCi - I had 2 previous vintages and this is a great QPR (Quality Price Ratio). A very spicy Syrah for a very attractive price. great for day-today consumption. Buy 3-12 bottles.
France (South Rhone)
2003 CLOS DU CALVAIRE CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE - $34.95
AC
RP = 90 : The 2003 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Clos du Calvaire is outstanding, simply richer, fuller, and sexier than its younger sibling. Its deep plum/garnet color offers up heady and seductive notes of cherry and currant jam intermixed with smoke, herbs, roasted meats, and loads of fruit. The fruit dominance continues in the mouth although this cuvee has more significant glycerin as well as heady, high alcohol. This is a luscious, hedonistic Châteauneuf-du-Pape to drink over the next 7-10 years. (Robert Parker, Feb. 2006)
GPCi - another good CdP with a great GPCi. no need to add anything else just buy 2-5 bottles.
Germany
2004 SCHLOSS SCHÖNBORN RIESLING KABINETT - $18.95
QmP Hattenheimer Pfaffenberg, Estate Btld.
WS=90 : An opulent '04 Riesling, this offers vanilla, peach and pear aromas and flavors on a creamy texture. It's all backed by a well-integrated, vibrant structure. Lovely mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2015.
GPCi - this is a great Riesling from an outstanding vintage (RP gave it 93) and the price is more than fair. An excellent GPCi. buy 3-12 bottles.
Spain
From the enire "Spanish release" I found only 2 really worth-looking-at wines from the very promising 2004 vintage (a bit disappointing considering this is a "Spanish wines" release...) . Other wines are probably good, but not necessarily worth the money (many are from off vintages...).
2004 EMILIO MORO VINO ROJO - $32.95
DO Ribera del Duero
RP = 92 : The reasonably priced 2004 Emilio Moro is a terrific Ribera del Duero aged in equal parts French and American oak prior to bottling. Its dense ruby/purple color is followed by a projected nose of blackberries, currants, cherries, smoky oak, and crushed rocks. Terrific texture, super purity, an opulent, full-bodied palate, and a long, heady finish suggest it will keep for 7-8 years. (Robert Parker, Aug. 2006)
GPCi - This Emilio Moro from the excellent 2004 vintage seems to deliver what we expect from great wines from Ribera del Duero. Buy 2-4 bottles.
2004 CASTAÑO COLECCIÓN - $ 22.95
DO Yecla, Cepas Viejas (Old Vines)
This blend of 80% Monastrell (Mourvèdre) and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon is dominated by ripe raspberry fruit backed up by toasty coconuttones from the use of American oak. At first, it is quite fruit-forward, then on the mid-palatefine, ripe tannins come in to balance it all out. The finish is rich, long and nicely balanced. Enjoy with roast beef or lamb.
GPCi - Yecla, a small and great region in the south-east part of Spain. It produces outstanding Monastrell (equal to the French verity Mourvedre) wines for a fair price. This Castano has some Cab Sauv that adds even more to the flavor. If you haven't tried it before, buy 2-4 bottles.
1 - 2004 PIRRAMIMMA PETIT VERDOT - $21.95
2 - 2005 ROLF BINDER HALLIWELL SHIRAZ/GRENACHE - $25.95
3 - 2003 CLOS DU CALVAIRE CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE - $34.95
Australia
2004 PIRRAMIMMA PETIT VERDOT - $21.95
McLaren Vale, South Australia
http://www.paulippolito.com.au/ = 92 : [Pirramimma is a] leader in [making] Petit Verdot in this country. This particular wine has a deep purple crimson colour. It is aromatic with loads of blackcurrants filling the senses. This is followed by cedary oak and cigar box nuances, smoked bacon, violets and an earthiness. Still a young wine, albeit well structured, balanced and drinkable, it should develop beautifully and gracefully with age. Try this with a grilled New York cut steak and diane sauce. Drink now to 2016. (Paul Ippolito, May 2007)
JH=94 : Cedar, cigar box, black fruits and earth; hyper-concen-trated and powerful, reflecting both the 20-year-old vines and the vintage.
GPCi - YES! YES! YES! without a doubt, my #1 choice from this release. I had previous vintages and it's just outstanding - great taste/complexity and different from the other varities. great value and age worthy - what more can we ask for... :)
2005 ROLF BINDER HALLIWELL SHIRAZ/GRENACHE - $25.95
Barossa Valley, South Australia
RP = 92 : A sexy, knock-out effort for drinking over the next 5-7 years is the 2005 Shiraz/Grenache Halliwell. This aromatic blend of 60% Shiraz and 40% Grenache offers up notes of blueberries, raspberries, cherries, earth, spice, and a hint of oak. It is full-bodied with juicy, concentrated flavors, supple tannins, and a velvety, opulent finish.
GPCi - Shiraz and Grenache are two great verities that when they are well blend you get a world full of colors. The Shiraz will provide the spice and concentration while the Grenache will add the juice-fruit flavors. Great value! Buy 3-6 bottles.
South Africa
2006 PORCUPINE RIDGE SYRAH - $14.95
WO Coastal Region (Boekenhoutskloof)
Since VINTAGES first introduced Porcupine Ridge Syrah in January 2005, it has shown spectacular consistency through the 2003, 2004 and 2005 VINTAGES. This 2006 is bound to impress too. Loaded with blackberry and pepper, it is fruity but nicely balanced by tannins and crisp acidity. Drink it tonight with lamb or cellar for 2-4 years and see how it develops.
GPCi - I had 2 previous vintages and this is a great QPR (Quality Price Ratio). A very spicy Syrah for a very attractive price. great for day-today consumption. Buy 3-12 bottles.
France (South Rhone)
2003 CLOS DU CALVAIRE CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE - $34.95
AC
RP = 90 : The 2003 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Clos du Calvaire is outstanding, simply richer, fuller, and sexier than its younger sibling. Its deep plum/garnet color offers up heady and seductive notes of cherry and currant jam intermixed with smoke, herbs, roasted meats, and loads of fruit. The fruit dominance continues in the mouth although this cuvee has more significant glycerin as well as heady, high alcohol. This is a luscious, hedonistic Châteauneuf-du-Pape to drink over the next 7-10 years. (Robert Parker, Feb. 2006)
GPCi - another good CdP with a great GPCi. no need to add anything else just buy 2-5 bottles.
Germany
2004 SCHLOSS SCHÖNBORN RIESLING KABINETT - $18.95
QmP Hattenheimer Pfaffenberg, Estate Btld.
WS=90 : An opulent '04 Riesling, this offers vanilla, peach and pear aromas and flavors on a creamy texture. It's all backed by a well-integrated, vibrant structure. Lovely mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2015.
GPCi - this is a great Riesling from an outstanding vintage (RP gave it 93) and the price is more than fair. An excellent GPCi. buy 3-12 bottles.
Spain
From the enire "Spanish release" I found only 2 really worth-looking-at wines from the very promising 2004 vintage (a bit disappointing considering this is a "Spanish wines" release...) . Other wines are probably good, but not necessarily worth the money (many are from off vintages...).
2004 EMILIO MORO VINO ROJO - $32.95
DO Ribera del Duero
RP = 92 : The reasonably priced 2004 Emilio Moro is a terrific Ribera del Duero aged in equal parts French and American oak prior to bottling. Its dense ruby/purple color is followed by a projected nose of blackberries, currants, cherries, smoky oak, and crushed rocks. Terrific texture, super purity, an opulent, full-bodied palate, and a long, heady finish suggest it will keep for 7-8 years. (Robert Parker, Aug. 2006)
GPCi - This Emilio Moro from the excellent 2004 vintage seems to deliver what we expect from great wines from Ribera del Duero. Buy 2-4 bottles.
2004 CASTAÑO COLECCIÓN - $ 22.95
DO Yecla, Cepas Viejas (Old Vines)
This blend of 80% Monastrell (Mourvèdre) and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon is dominated by ripe raspberry fruit backed up by toasty coconuttones from the use of American oak. At first, it is quite fruit-forward, then on the mid-palatefine, ripe tannins come in to balance it all out. The finish is rich, long and nicely balanced. Enjoy with roast beef or lamb.
GPCi - Yecla, a small and great region in the south-east part of Spain. It produces outstanding Monastrell (equal to the French verity Mourvedre) wines for a fair price. This Castano has some Cab Sauv that adds even more to the flavor. If you haven't tried it before, buy 2-4 bottles.
