Friday, July 13, 2007
GPCi for July 21st 2007 release at the LCBO
GPCi Top 5 Picks of the release:
2004 CUVÉE DU VATICAN CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE RESERVE SIXTINE - $53.95
2003 KILIKANOON KILLERMAN’S RUN CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $19.95
2005 CRANEFORD ALLYSON PARSONS CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $22.95
2005 CHÂTEAU MOURGUES DU GRES LES GALETS ROUGES - $16.95
2005 Folie à Deux Ménage à Trois Red - $18.95
US - California
2005 Folie à Deux Ménage à Trois Red - $18.95
Ménage à Trois red brings together three strange bedfellows: Zinfandel, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine offers all the fresh, ripe, jam-like fruit that is the calling card of California wine. Forward, silky and soft, this delicious dalliance makes the perfect accompaniment for grilled meats or chicken.
GPCi - I had the previlage to drink their 1998 (thank you Todd R!) and it was outstanding - very intense. dark in color, complex and with a great finish. I'd buy 3-6 bottles and use it with the weekends' BBQ.
2003 Clos Du Val Cabernet Sauvignon - $35.95
Napa Valley
The well-established Napa winery has been producing high quality wines since the early 1970’s. The 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon has generous aromas of ripe cherries and blackberries with a mild smokey/spice weaving its way through the fruit. Ripe tannins and balanced acidity keep the wine lively making it an excellent match for grilled steak topped with sautéed mushrooms.
GPCi - according to http://www.wine.com/ - their 01' got 90 by WE and 03' was very good vintage in many Napa's wineries according to RP (gave it 92). this wine can be aged for 5-10 years (~2015).
2005 Mcmanis Family Vineyards Syrah - $19.95
The McManis family has grown grapes in the River Junction area since 1938 but it is only since 1990 that they have made their own wines. The early wines were so successful that they installed a state-of-the-art winery in 1997. The 2005 Syrah display succulent flavours of raspberries and plums, with accents of cocoa and spicy oak. Try this with grilled gourmet hamburgers.
GPCi - according to the winery, the wine was fermented in 100% stainless steel and aged for 6 months in new and used French and American oak. expect fruit forward Syrah powered by 14.5% alcohol.
2004 SANTA BARBARA WINERY SYRAH - $20.95
Santa Ynez Valley
This intensely flavoured Syrah won a Gold Medal at the 2007 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Winemaker Bruce McGuire sources Syrah from three vineyard sites in the Santa Ynez Valley, the cool-climate Lafond Vineyard, the neighboring Hill Top Ranch and the warm climate Joughin Vineyard. The resulting wine shows concentrated black fruit flavours and white pepper notes. Enjoy with smoky barbecued ribs, rack of lamb or sizzling steaks.
GPCi - a good Syrah at that price range always captures my attention...
2002 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Shiraz - $19.95
Columbia Valley
Wine Enthusiast = 90: Very fruity, youthful and packed with brambly berry flavors. Tart, tangy and loaded with berries and cherries, this racy, snappy effort shows surprising depth and weight for its modest price point. There’s a nice lick of vanilla in the soft, lush finish. A Best Buy.
GPCi - these guys at Columbia Crest produce great stuff... Everything they do is good and at a reasonable price. Don't look for over sophistication here, but simple-straight-forward good wine.
Australia
2005 CRANEFORD ALLYSON PARSONS CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $22.95
Barossa Valley, South Australia
Craneford was awarded an overall rating of ***** (out of 5) in James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion 2007. Owner/winemaker John Zilm is an artisan and the quality of his wines is consistently outstanding. Allyson Parsons is the Australian artist whose striking paintings adorn the labels of this range. This Cab has loads of ripe blackberry and cassis fruit with touches of earth and spice. Medium-full bodied and well-balanced, it’s a terrific value to enjoy over the next 5-10 years (2012-2017).
GPCi - 2005 was an outstanding vintage (RP gave it 95!). A great Cabernet for a fair price with a good cellaring potential. What else can I say beside buy, buy buy...
2003 KILIKANOON KILLERMAN’S RUN CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $19.95
South Australia
RP = 90 : A tremendous value, the Stelvin screw cap-finished 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Killerman’s Run is comparable to most $40-50 California Cabernets. It possesses a deep ruby/purple color, plenty of earth, herb, and black currant characteristics, medium to full body, and fine flesh as well as length. This is a tasty red to drink over the next 4-5 years. (Robert Parker Jr., www.erobertparker.com, Oct. 2005).
GPCi - another great Cab Sauv to buy. Kilikanoon is an excellent value for the quality. I had the 2000, 2001 and 2002 and it was always outstanding. Buy 3-12 bottles.
France
2005 CAVE DE TURCKHEIM GEWURZTRAMINER RÉSERVE - $19.95
AC Alsace
An excellent Gewurz for lobster or spicy Thai dishes, the full yellow-gold colour leads to a classic nose of lychee, peach, spice and rose petal. It is just off-dry, full-bodied, rich and ripe. The finish is long and lush.
GPCi - if you follow my notes, you know I have a weakness for a good Gewurz and this one seems to be another good example - it has everything I look for in a Gewurz. I'd buy 2-5 bottles.
2003 CHÂTEAU LIVERSAN - $21.95
AC Haut-Médoc, Cru Bourgeois Supérieur
Wine Enthusiast = 90: The improvement in this once-moribund estate in recent years has been astounding. This 2003 continues the trend, packed with almost opulent red fruits and balancing vanilla flavors, with a good layer of dusty tannins. There is fine acidity to finish, and the promise of good aging potential. (Roger Voss, May 1, 2006)
GPCi - The more I try the 2003 Bordeaux, the more I buy from this great vintage. If you like Bordeaux wines, don't miss this one. It could probably age gracefully until 2012 if not longer. And for that price buy at least 3 bottles.
2005 CHÂTEAU MOURGUES DU GRES LES GALETS ROUGES - $16.95
AC Costieres de Nîmes
(François Collard, Vign.)
RP = 89 : The 2005 Costieres de Nimes Les Galets Rouges, a blend of 65% Syrah and 35% Grenache, is another bargain-priced entry that is far better than its modest price suggests. It is deep ruby with some purple nuances with notes of cassis and black cherry intermixed with licorice and a hint of roasted herbs and earth. Deep, pure, silky, and a hedonistic in style, this wine should drink nicely for 3-4 years. This is one of my favorite estates, but they make other cuvees as well, and just about anything with their name on it is a sign of quality. (Robert Parker Jr., www.erobertparker.com, Feb. 2007)
GPCi - Not many wines that cost $17 get 89 from RP. This is just another good example that you don't need to pay big $$$ for a very good wine. This is a typical South of Rhone blend (which is dear to my heart). I'd buy 3-12 bottles.
2004 CUVÉE DU VATICAN CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE RESERVE SIXTINE - $53.95
AC
RP = 91: The 2004 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve Sixtine is a dense ruby/purple-colored wine that is structured and built for the long haul. The wine has notes of Provencal herbs, graphite, creme de cassis, and plenty of black cherries and garrigue. It is a beauty, but an anomaly for 2004 in that it needs 2-4 years of cellaring, and should drink well for up to 15 (2009-2022). (Robert Parker Jr., www.erobertparker.com, Feb. 2007)
GPCi - one of my favorite CdP. Their "regular" CdP (not the Reserve) is outstanding as well, but the Reserve has the "wow" factor. I had the 2001 both the "regular" (RP=91) and the Reserve (got 95 by RP) and I can't wait to try the 2004. Buy 2-6 bottles.
Germany
2005 Wegeler Riesling Kabinett - $29.95
QmP, Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Estate Btld. T
WS = 92 : Ripe and juicy, with tangerine, lime and mineral aromas and flavors. Shuts down a little, needing time to integrate, yet all the components are in the right place. Finishes long. Best from 2008 through 2018. (Bruce Sanderson, www.winespectator.com, Feb-07)
GPCi - great GPCi (index of 2.7) for an outstanding Riesling. no brainer... buy 3-6 bottles.
2005 DARTING RIESLING KABINETT - $15.95
QmP, Dürkheimer Michelsberg, Estate Btld.
WS = 89 : An expression of citrus accented by mineral marks this round, open white. Forward and quite delicate, with a juicy finish. Drink now through 2012. (Bruce Sanderson, www.winespectator.com, Feb 28, 2007)
GPCi - a very good Riesling for half the price of the Wegeler but with less years in the cellar. If you need to choose between the two, I'd go with the Wegeler.
Italy
2000 Poderi Colla Barolo Dardi Le Rose Bussia - $57.95
DOCG
RP = 91: The 2000 Barolo Bussia Dardi Le Rose offers a complex nose of anisette, resin, floral notes, and spice, and its full palate, fine roundness, suppleness, and depth are a welcome contrast to the tightness and dryness of much Barolo from this vintage. Drink: 2005-2018. (Daniel Thomases, www.erobertparker.com, Aug. 2005).
GPCi - this is a serious Barolo. BUT if I need to choose where to spend my $50+ money between this Barolo and the CdP, I'd go with the CdP although if I'm completely honest, these are two different great wines (different varieties) all together and the comparison is more from budget constraints and from my personal prefernce point of view.
2004 Poliziano VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO - $29.95
DOCG
The wines of Montepulciano tend to resemble those from Montalcino, but at a fraction of the price. This 2004 Poliziano shows classic flavours of dark cherry, with hints of leather and flowers. It is backed up by good layer of acidity and firm tannins. While an excellent choice for the cellar, it can also be enjoyed tonight with Bistecca alla Fiorentina.
GPCi - Gemini was the first to introduce me to this wine (Thanks Jimini). I had the 2004 Poliziano 2 months ago in Tuscany-Montepulciano and it was just wonderful with Bistecca... it could be cellared until 2012+. buy 2-6 bottles.
Sherry
LUSTAU SOLERA RESERVA DRY AMONTILLADO LOS ARCOS - $18.95
The vast majority of sherries are never vintage-dated. With all their products, sherry producers aim to create a consistent product year in and year out.
RP = 90 : The dry, medium amber-hued non-vintage Dry Amontillado Los Arcos offers good body as well as a heady personality. (Robert Parker Jr., www.erobertparker.com, Jun-05)
GPCi -I'm a big fan of Port and Sherry. for such a review and such price, that's another no brainer. this Sherry will be great before or after dinner.
2004 CUVÉE DU VATICAN CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE RESERVE SIXTINE - $53.95
2003 KILIKANOON KILLERMAN’S RUN CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $19.95
2005 CRANEFORD ALLYSON PARSONS CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $22.95
2005 CHÂTEAU MOURGUES DU GRES LES GALETS ROUGES - $16.95
2005 Folie à Deux Ménage à Trois Red - $18.95
US - California
2005 Folie à Deux Ménage à Trois Red - $18.95
Ménage à Trois red brings together three strange bedfellows: Zinfandel, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine offers all the fresh, ripe, jam-like fruit that is the calling card of California wine. Forward, silky and soft, this delicious dalliance makes the perfect accompaniment for grilled meats or chicken.
GPCi - I had the previlage to drink their 1998 (thank you Todd R!) and it was outstanding - very intense. dark in color, complex and with a great finish. I'd buy 3-6 bottles and use it with the weekends' BBQ.
2003 Clos Du Val Cabernet Sauvignon - $35.95
Napa Valley
The well-established Napa winery has been producing high quality wines since the early 1970’s. The 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon has generous aromas of ripe cherries and blackberries with a mild smokey/spice weaving its way through the fruit. Ripe tannins and balanced acidity keep the wine lively making it an excellent match for grilled steak topped with sautéed mushrooms.
GPCi - according to http://www.wine.com/ - their 01' got 90 by WE and 03' was very good vintage in many Napa's wineries according to RP (gave it 92). this wine can be aged for 5-10 years (~2015).
2005 Mcmanis Family Vineyards Syrah - $19.95
The McManis family has grown grapes in the River Junction area since 1938 but it is only since 1990 that they have made their own wines. The early wines were so successful that they installed a state-of-the-art winery in 1997. The 2005 Syrah display succulent flavours of raspberries and plums, with accents of cocoa and spicy oak. Try this with grilled gourmet hamburgers.
GPCi - according to the winery, the wine was fermented in 100% stainless steel and aged for 6 months in new and used French and American oak. expect fruit forward Syrah powered by 14.5% alcohol.
2004 SANTA BARBARA WINERY SYRAH - $20.95
Santa Ynez Valley
This intensely flavoured Syrah won a Gold Medal at the 2007 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Winemaker Bruce McGuire sources Syrah from three vineyard sites in the Santa Ynez Valley, the cool-climate Lafond Vineyard, the neighboring Hill Top Ranch and the warm climate Joughin Vineyard. The resulting wine shows concentrated black fruit flavours and white pepper notes. Enjoy with smoky barbecued ribs, rack of lamb or sizzling steaks.
GPCi - a good Syrah at that price range always captures my attention...
2002 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Shiraz - $19.95
Columbia Valley
Wine Enthusiast = 90: Very fruity, youthful and packed with brambly berry flavors. Tart, tangy and loaded with berries and cherries, this racy, snappy effort shows surprising depth and weight for its modest price point. There’s a nice lick of vanilla in the soft, lush finish. A Best Buy.
GPCi - these guys at Columbia Crest produce great stuff... Everything they do is good and at a reasonable price. Don't look for over sophistication here, but simple-straight-forward good wine.
Australia
2005 CRANEFORD ALLYSON PARSONS CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $22.95
Barossa Valley, South Australia
Craneford was awarded an overall rating of ***** (out of 5) in James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion 2007. Owner/winemaker John Zilm is an artisan and the quality of his wines is consistently outstanding. Allyson Parsons is the Australian artist whose striking paintings adorn the labels of this range. This Cab has loads of ripe blackberry and cassis fruit with touches of earth and spice. Medium-full bodied and well-balanced, it’s a terrific value to enjoy over the next 5-10 years (2012-2017).
GPCi - 2005 was an outstanding vintage (RP gave it 95!). A great Cabernet for a fair price with a good cellaring potential. What else can I say beside buy, buy buy...
2003 KILIKANOON KILLERMAN’S RUN CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $19.95
South Australia
RP = 90 : A tremendous value, the Stelvin screw cap-finished 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Killerman’s Run is comparable to most $40-50 California Cabernets. It possesses a deep ruby/purple color, plenty of earth, herb, and black currant characteristics, medium to full body, and fine flesh as well as length. This is a tasty red to drink over the next 4-5 years. (Robert Parker Jr., www.erobertparker.com, Oct. 2005).
GPCi - another great Cab Sauv to buy. Kilikanoon is an excellent value for the quality. I had the 2000, 2001 and 2002 and it was always outstanding. Buy 3-12 bottles.
France
2005 CAVE DE TURCKHEIM GEWURZTRAMINER RÉSERVE - $19.95
AC Alsace
An excellent Gewurz for lobster or spicy Thai dishes, the full yellow-gold colour leads to a classic nose of lychee, peach, spice and rose petal. It is just off-dry, full-bodied, rich and ripe. The finish is long and lush.
GPCi - if you follow my notes, you know I have a weakness for a good Gewurz and this one seems to be another good example - it has everything I look for in a Gewurz. I'd buy 2-5 bottles.
2003 CHÂTEAU LIVERSAN - $21.95
AC Haut-Médoc, Cru Bourgeois Supérieur
Wine Enthusiast = 90: The improvement in this once-moribund estate in recent years has been astounding. This 2003 continues the trend, packed with almost opulent red fruits and balancing vanilla flavors, with a good layer of dusty tannins. There is fine acidity to finish, and the promise of good aging potential. (Roger Voss, May 1, 2006)
GPCi - The more I try the 2003 Bordeaux, the more I buy from this great vintage. If you like Bordeaux wines, don't miss this one. It could probably age gracefully until 2012 if not longer. And for that price buy at least 3 bottles.
2005 CHÂTEAU MOURGUES DU GRES LES GALETS ROUGES - $16.95
AC Costieres de Nîmes
(François Collard, Vign.)
RP = 89 : The 2005 Costieres de Nimes Les Galets Rouges, a blend of 65% Syrah and 35% Grenache, is another bargain-priced entry that is far better than its modest price suggests. It is deep ruby with some purple nuances with notes of cassis and black cherry intermixed with licorice and a hint of roasted herbs and earth. Deep, pure, silky, and a hedonistic in style, this wine should drink nicely for 3-4 years. This is one of my favorite estates, but they make other cuvees as well, and just about anything with their name on it is a sign of quality. (Robert Parker Jr., www.erobertparker.com, Feb. 2007)
GPCi - Not many wines that cost $17 get 89 from RP. This is just another good example that you don't need to pay big $$$ for a very good wine. This is a typical South of Rhone blend (which is dear to my heart). I'd buy 3-12 bottles.
2004 CUVÉE DU VATICAN CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE RESERVE SIXTINE - $53.95
AC
RP = 91: The 2004 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve Sixtine is a dense ruby/purple-colored wine that is structured and built for the long haul. The wine has notes of Provencal herbs, graphite, creme de cassis, and plenty of black cherries and garrigue. It is a beauty, but an anomaly for 2004 in that it needs 2-4 years of cellaring, and should drink well for up to 15 (2009-2022). (Robert Parker Jr., www.erobertparker.com, Feb. 2007)
GPCi - one of my favorite CdP. Their "regular" CdP (not the Reserve) is outstanding as well, but the Reserve has the "wow" factor. I had the 2001 both the "regular" (RP=91) and the Reserve (got 95 by RP) and I can't wait to try the 2004. Buy 2-6 bottles.
Germany
2005 Wegeler Riesling Kabinett - $29.95
QmP, Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Estate Btld. T
WS = 92 : Ripe and juicy, with tangerine, lime and mineral aromas and flavors. Shuts down a little, needing time to integrate, yet all the components are in the right place. Finishes long. Best from 2008 through 2018. (Bruce Sanderson, www.winespectator.com, Feb-07)
GPCi - great GPCi (index of 2.7) for an outstanding Riesling. no brainer... buy 3-6 bottles.
2005 DARTING RIESLING KABINETT - $15.95
QmP, Dürkheimer Michelsberg, Estate Btld.
WS = 89 : An expression of citrus accented by mineral marks this round, open white. Forward and quite delicate, with a juicy finish. Drink now through 2012. (Bruce Sanderson, www.winespectator.com, Feb 28, 2007)
GPCi - a very good Riesling for half the price of the Wegeler but with less years in the cellar. If you need to choose between the two, I'd go with the Wegeler.
Italy
2000 Poderi Colla Barolo Dardi Le Rose Bussia - $57.95
DOCG
RP = 91: The 2000 Barolo Bussia Dardi Le Rose offers a complex nose of anisette, resin, floral notes, and spice, and its full palate, fine roundness, suppleness, and depth are a welcome contrast to the tightness and dryness of much Barolo from this vintage. Drink: 2005-2018. (Daniel Thomases, www.erobertparker.com, Aug. 2005).
GPCi - this is a serious Barolo. BUT if I need to choose where to spend my $50+ money between this Barolo and the CdP, I'd go with the CdP although if I'm completely honest, these are two different great wines (different varieties) all together and the comparison is more from budget constraints and from my personal prefernce point of view.
2004 Poliziano VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO - $29.95
DOCG
The wines of Montepulciano tend to resemble those from Montalcino, but at a fraction of the price. This 2004 Poliziano shows classic flavours of dark cherry, with hints of leather and flowers. It is backed up by good layer of acidity and firm tannins. While an excellent choice for the cellar, it can also be enjoyed tonight with Bistecca alla Fiorentina.
GPCi - Gemini was the first to introduce me to this wine (Thanks Jimini). I had the 2004 Poliziano 2 months ago in Tuscany-Montepulciano and it was just wonderful with Bistecca... it could be cellared until 2012+. buy 2-6 bottles.
Sherry
LUSTAU SOLERA RESERVA DRY AMONTILLADO LOS ARCOS - $18.95
The vast majority of sherries are never vintage-dated. With all their products, sherry producers aim to create a consistent product year in and year out.
RP = 90 : The dry, medium amber-hued non-vintage Dry Amontillado Los Arcos offers good body as well as a heady personality. (Robert Parker Jr., www.erobertparker.com, Jun-05)
GPCi -I'm a big fan of Port and Sherry. for such a review and such price, that's another no brainer. this Sherry will be great before or after dinner.
