Friday, August 10, 2007
GPCi for August 18th 2007 release at the LCBO
Not a simple release to chose wine from. I focused mainly on price-quality ratio. All of the wines I have recommended are BELOW $20 !!!
GPCi Top 3 Picks of the release:
1 - 2005 CASA LAPOSTOLLE CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $16.95
2 - 2004 SIX FOOT SIX SHIRAZ/VIOGNIER - $17.95
3 - 2005 TRIVENTO RESERVE MALBEC - $12.95
Argentina
2005 TRIVENTO RESERVE MALBEC - $12.95
Mendoza
Malbec is the unrivalled star of Argentina. Trivento's well-priced reserve is a great introduction to this hot varietal. Its rich tannins and flavours make it an ideal partner for red meats or spicy fare.
GPCi - a great value for one of my favorite grapes (Malbec). try it with a good juicy steak. Buy 2-6 bottles.
Australia
2004 SIX FOOT SIX SHIRAZ/VIOGNIER - $17.95
Geelong, Victoria
Named for William Buckley, a giant at 'six foot six', who escaped a prison ship just as it laid anchor at Geelong, Australia in 1803. 32 years later when his whereabouts was discovered, he had been 'adopted' by the local aboriginal tribe. His stature is matched in the ripe, masculine, vibrancy of this big, bold Shiraz. Try it with expansively flavoured meat dishes.
GPCi - I had the Pinot Noir from this producer, and as someone who doesn't get easily excited from Pinot Noir (sorry...), it was definitely different. Now when it comes to Shiraz-Viognier, my expectations are pretty high. Expect spice, herbs and a mouth full of berries. Buy 3-6 bottles.
France (Rhone-South)
2006 LES DEUX ANGES SABLET - $17.95
AC Côtes du Rhône Villages (Domaine de Cabasse)
This classic Côtes du Rhône blend is made with Grenache and Syrah. It possesses a rich texture with flavours of red berries, white pepper and roasted herbs. Try chilling it down for 20 minutes in the refrigerator and serving it outdoors with rotisserie chicken stuffed with thyme and rosemary.
GPCi - a great Cotes Du Rhone Villages. and the Vinatges.com recommendation to chill it, is right on (that one is for you, Eugene). The blend of Syrah and Grenache is perfect for this season - expect a combined spice and some light sweetness tastes.
Chile
2005 CASTILLO DE MOLINA RESERVA CHARDONNAY/VIOGNIER - $13.95
Casablanca Valley (Viña San Pedro)
TASTING NOTE: The nose is intense with ripe melon and an apple-compote character. There is also toasty oak spice and some light floral accents from the Viognier. The palate is dry, medium full-bodied with intense flavours of melon and apple fruit, spicy oak and floral. The flavours intermingle to create a full-flavoured, complex wine. An excellent match for grilled tiger prawns or crab cakes with dipping sauce. (VINTAGES panel, June 2007)
GPCi - Castillo de Molina was always a good example for quality per price wines. I would chill it and enjoy the great whether with a nice bowl of spaghetti with seafood Alfredo sauce. Buy 2-4 bottles.
2004 IN SITU WINEMAKER'S SELECTION CARMENÈRE - $13.95
Aconcagua Valley (Viña San Esteban)
This wine won a Gold Medal at the prestigious Concours Mondial de Bruxelles. The wine has an intense ruby red colour and the nose is concentrated showing red fruits, light spice and hints of earth. The palate has the soft, voluptuous texture typical of fully ripened Carmenère. Though Aconcagua is not as well known has Maipo or Rapel, this wine is an excellent example of the potential of this up-and-coming region.
GPCi - I had this wine before and it's a very good Carmenere for this price range. Great day-to-day wine.
2005 CASA LAPOSTOLLE CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $16.95
Rapel Valley
Casa Lapostolle is owned by the Marnier-Lapostelle family of Grand Marnier fame. Here, they apply the same uncompromising approach to quality that they lavish upon their liqueurs. As a result, they craft some of Chile's most sought-after wines. This bold Cabernet consistently offers ripe cherry and cassis flavours on a sturdy frame of tannins. Enjoy now with roast beef au jus or char-broiled steaks.
GPCi - I've been enjoying this wine for several years now and it's simply a great Cab Sauv for an outstanding price. Similar Cab from other place cost double if not even more... Expect full-body, thick wine that is packed with plums, berries and cassis. this wine can be kept for up-to 5 years. Buy 3-6 bottles.
2005 HACIENDA ARAUCANO RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $13.95
Central Valley (Jacques & François Lurton)
A fine Chilean Cabernet from the Lurton brothers, this wine won a Gold Medal at the 4th Annual Wines of Chile Awards in 2007. Look for aromas of cherry, berry and mint, with nice replays of flavours on the palate and a peppery finish. Enjoy with grilled steak or pasta with meat sauce.
GPCi - Another great Cab Sauv from Chile for less than $15. The Lurton family is well known in Chile and their wines are being acknowledged in many competitions.
2004 SANTA CAROLINA RESERVA DE FAMILIA CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $19.95
Maipo Valley
http://www.winecurrent.com/ = 5 out of 5 : This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is an unadulterated pleasure, so share it with your spouse or partner. The flavours deliver remarkable complexity, from the varied black fruit and berries and the notes of dried fruit to the accents of coffee beans, chocolate and vanilla. It's full bodied with a soft texture and some grip from the long, sweet tannins. It finishes long and strong. It's an excellent wine at an excellent price, and you can drink it now with rich red meat dishes or hold it another four or five years. (Rod Phillips, June 9, 2007).
GPCi - Santa Carolina is another well known and great value wine producer. It received a great review from winecurrent and was chosen as Wine of the Month by Vintages. seems promising.
GPCi Top 3 Picks of the release:
1 - 2005 CASA LAPOSTOLLE CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $16.95
2 - 2004 SIX FOOT SIX SHIRAZ/VIOGNIER - $17.95
3 - 2005 TRIVENTO RESERVE MALBEC - $12.95
Argentina
2005 TRIVENTO RESERVE MALBEC - $12.95
Mendoza
Malbec is the unrivalled star of Argentina. Trivento's well-priced reserve is a great introduction to this hot varietal. Its rich tannins and flavours make it an ideal partner for red meats or spicy fare.
GPCi - a great value for one of my favorite grapes (Malbec). try it with a good juicy steak. Buy 2-6 bottles.
Australia
2004 SIX FOOT SIX SHIRAZ/VIOGNIER - $17.95
Geelong, Victoria
Named for William Buckley, a giant at 'six foot six', who escaped a prison ship just as it laid anchor at Geelong, Australia in 1803. 32 years later when his whereabouts was discovered, he had been 'adopted' by the local aboriginal tribe. His stature is matched in the ripe, masculine, vibrancy of this big, bold Shiraz. Try it with expansively flavoured meat dishes.
GPCi - I had the Pinot Noir from this producer, and as someone who doesn't get easily excited from Pinot Noir (sorry...), it was definitely different. Now when it comes to Shiraz-Viognier, my expectations are pretty high. Expect spice, herbs and a mouth full of berries. Buy 3-6 bottles.
France (Rhone-South)
2006 LES DEUX ANGES SABLET - $17.95
AC Côtes du Rhône Villages (Domaine de Cabasse)
This classic Côtes du Rhône blend is made with Grenache and Syrah. It possesses a rich texture with flavours of red berries, white pepper and roasted herbs. Try chilling it down for 20 minutes in the refrigerator and serving it outdoors with rotisserie chicken stuffed with thyme and rosemary.
GPCi - a great Cotes Du Rhone Villages. and the Vinatges.com recommendation to chill it, is right on (that one is for you, Eugene). The blend of Syrah and Grenache is perfect for this season - expect a combined spice and some light sweetness tastes.
Chile
2005 CASTILLO DE MOLINA RESERVA CHARDONNAY/VIOGNIER - $13.95
Casablanca Valley (Viña San Pedro)
TASTING NOTE: The nose is intense with ripe melon and an apple-compote character. There is also toasty oak spice and some light floral accents from the Viognier. The palate is dry, medium full-bodied with intense flavours of melon and apple fruit, spicy oak and floral. The flavours intermingle to create a full-flavoured, complex wine. An excellent match for grilled tiger prawns or crab cakes with dipping sauce. (VINTAGES panel, June 2007)
GPCi - Castillo de Molina was always a good example for quality per price wines. I would chill it and enjoy the great whether with a nice bowl of spaghetti with seafood Alfredo sauce. Buy 2-4 bottles.
2004 IN SITU WINEMAKER'S SELECTION CARMENÈRE - $13.95
Aconcagua Valley (Viña San Esteban)
This wine won a Gold Medal at the prestigious Concours Mondial de Bruxelles. The wine has an intense ruby red colour and the nose is concentrated showing red fruits, light spice and hints of earth. The palate has the soft, voluptuous texture typical of fully ripened Carmenère. Though Aconcagua is not as well known has Maipo or Rapel, this wine is an excellent example of the potential of this up-and-coming region.
GPCi - I had this wine before and it's a very good Carmenere for this price range. Great day-to-day wine.
2005 CASA LAPOSTOLLE CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $16.95
Rapel Valley
Casa Lapostolle is owned by the Marnier-Lapostelle family of Grand Marnier fame. Here, they apply the same uncompromising approach to quality that they lavish upon their liqueurs. As a result, they craft some of Chile's most sought-after wines. This bold Cabernet consistently offers ripe cherry and cassis flavours on a sturdy frame of tannins. Enjoy now with roast beef au jus or char-broiled steaks.
GPCi - I've been enjoying this wine for several years now and it's simply a great Cab Sauv for an outstanding price. Similar Cab from other place cost double if not even more... Expect full-body, thick wine that is packed with plums, berries and cassis. this wine can be kept for up-to 5 years. Buy 3-6 bottles.
2005 HACIENDA ARAUCANO RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $13.95
Central Valley (Jacques & François Lurton)
A fine Chilean Cabernet from the Lurton brothers, this wine won a Gold Medal at the 4th Annual Wines of Chile Awards in 2007. Look for aromas of cherry, berry and mint, with nice replays of flavours on the palate and a peppery finish. Enjoy with grilled steak or pasta with meat sauce.
GPCi - Another great Cab Sauv from Chile for less than $15. The Lurton family is well known in Chile and their wines are being acknowledged in many competitions.
2004 SANTA CAROLINA RESERVA DE FAMILIA CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $19.95
Maipo Valley
http://www.winecurrent.com/ = 5 out of 5 : This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is an unadulterated pleasure, so share it with your spouse or partner. The flavours deliver remarkable complexity, from the varied black fruit and berries and the notes of dried fruit to the accents of coffee beans, chocolate and vanilla. It's full bodied with a soft texture and some grip from the long, sweet tannins. It finishes long and strong. It's an excellent wine at an excellent price, and you can drink it now with rich red meat dishes or hold it another four or five years. (Rod Phillips, June 9, 2007).
GPCi - Santa Carolina is another well known and great value wine producer. It received a great review from winecurrent and was chosen as Wine of the Month by Vintages. seems promising.
