Tuesday, September 04, 2007
GPCi for Sep 15th 2007 release at the LCBO
GPCi top 3 picks:
2004 LOS VASCOS GRANDE RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $17.95
2004 BODEGAS CASTAÑO HECULA - $15.95
2005 LINGENFELDER RIESLING BIRD LABEL - $14.95
Spain (Rioja)
1998 MARQUÉS DE VITORIA RESERVA - $23.95
Seal of Approval IWC 2002 “Truffled, with complex fruit aromas.” Wine Magazine Intense cherry red with a garnet rim. Notes of ripe wood berries on the nose, stewed fruit and some hints of coffee and cocoa. Meaty and tasty in the mouth, with ripe fruit, sweet tannins and a toasty background.
http://www.thirtyfifty.co.uk/shop_winedetails.asp?wineid=137- Full-bodied with good chunky tannins that go down well with a rich hearty meal. You can tell these wines have seen oak by the toasty, vanilla aromas as opposed to full-on fruit. You’ll find Rioja and similar styles within this section.
Decanter - 4/5 : Clean, delicate fruit on the nose. Lovely ripe fruit, beautifully balanced with tannins and acidity. Delicious finish. Drink up to 2008.
GPCi - I like good Rioja Reserva, especially if they are from good wineries and for a fair price (although the vintage wasn't spectacular). Buy 3-6 bottles.
2004 BODEGAS CASTAÑO HECULA - $15.95
RP=91 ; The 2004 Hecula is a single vineyard selection of 100% Monastrell, 50% tank aged and 50% aged in French oak. It is slightly less ebullient but more serious than its younger sibling. Exhibiting aromas of toasty black fruits with milk chocolate in the background, this is a super-rich effort with terrific depth and concentration for its humble price. It is a remarkable value for drinking over the next few years.
GPCi - that's #1 to fly from the shelves of the LCBO at 9:32 on Saturday... I had previous vintages and it's a great value Monastrell. So if you like the grape and if you can (before people kill you...), buy 6-12 bottles.
2001 VIÑA SALCEDA RESERVA - $26.95
WS=88: This solid red delivers ripe cherry, plum and raisin flavors, with notes of tobacco and smoke over firm tannins. Harmonious and still fresh, with a juicy finish. Tempranillo, Graciano and Mazuelo. Drink now through 2012.
http://secure.weaverswines.com/ : full body. Only a limited production of Vina Salceda Reserva is made.This wine utilises carefully selected handpicked Tempranillo grapes, complemented by Gracian and Mazuelo. It is matured for 3 years in American oak casks and a further twenty four months in bottle, allowing the wine to develop its delicate bouquet and structure.
GPCi - This is a nice Spanish blend, but there are better choices this release... I'd skip this one...
Argentina (Mendoza)
2005 GRAN LURTON CABERNET SAUVIGNON GRAN RESERVA - $20.95
The discovery of the terroirs in the foothills of the Andes was a true revelation for Jacques and François Lurton. Their Domaine now ranks among Argentina's very best. The Gran Lurton is a big, structured wine with intense aromas of dark fruit and attractive notes of chocolate. Enjoy this hearty red with steak or braised beef.
GPCi - this is the Lurton high serie Cab Sauv. It's a great cab - expect concentration and full of dark fruits flavors. I think it should have been priced at the $18 range in order to better compete with his Cabernet friend from Chile.
Chile
2004 LOS VASCOS GRANDE RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $17.95
92 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 5 % Carmenere, 3 % Syrah
www.telegraphwine.co.uk/ : Estate grown and made by the same winemaking team that craft Bordeaux's famous Chateau Lafite Rothschild .This is one of Chile's oldest wine estates, using 500ha of ungrafted pre-phylloxera Bordeaux rootstock vines and the Bordeaux expertise of the Lafite team they aim to produce the ultimate in Bordeaux influenced wines, with the added benefits of Chile's idylic climate and growing condidtions. This is your chance to experience a taste of legendary Rothschild quality at its most affordable! The Grande Reserve is a superior selection of Cabernet that is then aged in oak for 12 months. Very classy.
GPCi - I had this Chilean wine before and it's a great value wine for short to mid-term consumption. excellent with a nice succulent steak. buy 3-6 bottles.
2005 VIÑA TABALI CARMÉNÈRE RESERVA - $14.95
A Silver Medal winner at the 2007 Wines of Chile International Wine Challenge. Here's a little gem from a lesser-known Chilean producer. This elegant Carménère offers a palate that is smooth and rich. Enjoy with roast rack of lamb or braised duck breast.
GPCi - sorry Vintages.com but Tabali IS a known name in Chile (maybe not as big as Concha Y Toro and Valdivieso, but still...) and they make a great day-to-day Carmenere, and their price... well... don't think twice if you like this grape... buy 2-4 bottles.
France (Bordeaux)
2000 CHÂTEAU LA CROIX ST-GEORGES, St. Emilion- $26.95
Vintages.com - St-Georges St-Émilion is a satellite appellation of the prestigious St-Émilion. In great vintages, such as 2000, it offers excellent value for money. This Bordeaux will now be showing some maturing so you can expect developed aromas of wet earth and dried leaves. Bottled without filtration, this wine will throw some sediment. Stand it upright for an hour or two before serving, then decant it, if you do not like sediment in your glass.
GPCi - please note this is the St. Emilion La Croix and not the one from Pomerol (would have been much more expensive...). Nevertheless, expect a very good 2000 Bordeaux for a more than a reasonable price. Don't expect power here. it's an elegant, well integrated medium-full body wine. similar to other good St. Emilion wines. red cherries and hints of oak with a very pleasant finish. can be drank now until 2012+.
France (Rhone south)
2004 CAVE DES PAPES CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE LES CLOSIERS - $37.95
WS=90 ; Nice mix of red and black fruits--raspberry, plum and fig--along with briary tannins and a racy, graphite-filled finish. Solid concentration and length. Drink now through 2020. 5,000 cases made."
GPCi - in past vintages I found this CdP Domaine to be not as powerful as some of the other leading CdP. it was more elegant. it has a good GPCi and I would buy 2-4 bottles.
France (Champagne)
1990 DRAPPIER SIGNATURE Blanc De Blancs Grand Cru - $59.95
AC Champagne
Drappier celebrates its 200th anniversary next year. What better way to toast their, or your, achievements than with this fine, older vintage of champers? Older Chardonnay-based champagnes show fabulous aromas and flavours of dried fruit, hazelnut and baked brioche. Finer examples, such as this, exhibit a racy acidity that suggests further ageing potential. This is a great value for a mature Champagne.
GPCi - this is a great value ready to drink Champagne from a great vintage (RP rated the vintage 96). If you have a special event or just want to take advantage of the nice warm end-of-the-summer days, I'd recommend you buy 1-2 bottles.
Germany (Pfalz)
2005 LINGENFELDER RIESLING BIRD LABEL - $14.95
This very popular Riesling, part of Rainer Lingenfelder's "Vineyard Creatures" collection, is an excellent sipper. It will also complement lightly spiced Asian foods.
GPCi - a great producer (LINGENFELDER) from an outstanding vintage for $15 - no brainer. I had/have LINGENFELDER Rieslings before and they are so lovely.
2003 LINGENFELDER RIESLING SPATLESE - $21.95
www.lingenfelder.com/ - Bright, crisp, fresh, mouth puckering citrus liveliness as it enters the mouth. The flavour of fresh cut limes lingers on the palate. The clear, bright citrus flavours require a food pairing that can stand up to the intense flavours delivered by this wonderful, dry wine.
Wine Access =89 ; A fine spatlese with some classic Riesling elements. Enticing nose combines lemon candy, lime and mineral fragrances. Medium dry with good fruit focus and acidity. Well balanced with good length. Will last several years. Drink 2006-2012. A good price for a classic style of wine.
GPCi - another LINGENFELDER from a good (but not outstanding vintage). If I need to choose, I'll go with the cheaper Riesling (Bird label).
2004 LOS VASCOS GRANDE RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $17.95
2004 BODEGAS CASTAÑO HECULA - $15.95
2005 LINGENFELDER RIESLING BIRD LABEL - $14.95
Spain (Rioja)
1998 MARQUÉS DE VITORIA RESERVA - $23.95
Seal of Approval IWC 2002 “Truffled, with complex fruit aromas.” Wine Magazine Intense cherry red with a garnet rim. Notes of ripe wood berries on the nose, stewed fruit and some hints of coffee and cocoa. Meaty and tasty in the mouth, with ripe fruit, sweet tannins and a toasty background.
http://www.thirtyfifty.co.uk/shop_winedetails.asp?wineid=137- Full-bodied with good chunky tannins that go down well with a rich hearty meal. You can tell these wines have seen oak by the toasty, vanilla aromas as opposed to full-on fruit. You’ll find Rioja and similar styles within this section.
Decanter - 4/5 : Clean, delicate fruit on the nose. Lovely ripe fruit, beautifully balanced with tannins and acidity. Delicious finish. Drink up to 2008.
GPCi - I like good Rioja Reserva, especially if they are from good wineries and for a fair price (although the vintage wasn't spectacular). Buy 3-6 bottles.
2004 BODEGAS CASTAÑO HECULA - $15.95
RP=91 ; The 2004 Hecula is a single vineyard selection of 100% Monastrell, 50% tank aged and 50% aged in French oak. It is slightly less ebullient but more serious than its younger sibling. Exhibiting aromas of toasty black fruits with milk chocolate in the background, this is a super-rich effort with terrific depth and concentration for its humble price. It is a remarkable value for drinking over the next few years.
GPCi - that's #1 to fly from the shelves of the LCBO at 9:32 on Saturday... I had previous vintages and it's a great value Monastrell. So if you like the grape and if you can (before people kill you...), buy 6-12 bottles.
2001 VIÑA SALCEDA RESERVA - $26.95
WS=88: This solid red delivers ripe cherry, plum and raisin flavors, with notes of tobacco and smoke over firm tannins. Harmonious and still fresh, with a juicy finish. Tempranillo, Graciano and Mazuelo. Drink now through 2012.
http://secure.weaverswines.com/ : full body. Only a limited production of Vina Salceda Reserva is made.This wine utilises carefully selected handpicked Tempranillo grapes, complemented by Gracian and Mazuelo. It is matured for 3 years in American oak casks and a further twenty four months in bottle, allowing the wine to develop its delicate bouquet and structure.
GPCi - This is a nice Spanish blend, but there are better choices this release... I'd skip this one...
Argentina (Mendoza)
2005 GRAN LURTON CABERNET SAUVIGNON GRAN RESERVA - $20.95
The discovery of the terroirs in the foothills of the Andes was a true revelation for Jacques and François Lurton. Their Domaine now ranks among Argentina's very best. The Gran Lurton is a big, structured wine with intense aromas of dark fruit and attractive notes of chocolate. Enjoy this hearty red with steak or braised beef.
GPCi - this is the Lurton high serie Cab Sauv. It's a great cab - expect concentration and full of dark fruits flavors. I think it should have been priced at the $18 range in order to better compete with his Cabernet friend from Chile.
Chile
2004 LOS VASCOS GRANDE RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $17.95
92 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 5 % Carmenere, 3 % Syrah
www.telegraphwine.co.uk/ : Estate grown and made by the same winemaking team that craft Bordeaux's famous Chateau Lafite Rothschild .This is one of Chile's oldest wine estates, using 500ha of ungrafted pre-phylloxera Bordeaux rootstock vines and the Bordeaux expertise of the Lafite team they aim to produce the ultimate in Bordeaux influenced wines, with the added benefits of Chile's idylic climate and growing condidtions. This is your chance to experience a taste of legendary Rothschild quality at its most affordable! The Grande Reserve is a superior selection of Cabernet that is then aged in oak for 12 months. Very classy.
GPCi - I had this Chilean wine before and it's a great value wine for short to mid-term consumption. excellent with a nice succulent steak. buy 3-6 bottles.
2005 VIÑA TABALI CARMÉNÈRE RESERVA - $14.95
A Silver Medal winner at the 2007 Wines of Chile International Wine Challenge. Here's a little gem from a lesser-known Chilean producer. This elegant Carménère offers a palate that is smooth and rich. Enjoy with roast rack of lamb or braised duck breast.
GPCi - sorry Vintages.com but Tabali IS a known name in Chile (maybe not as big as Concha Y Toro and Valdivieso, but still...) and they make a great day-to-day Carmenere, and their price... well... don't think twice if you like this grape... buy 2-4 bottles.
France (Bordeaux)
2000 CHÂTEAU LA CROIX ST-GEORGES, St. Emilion- $26.95
Vintages.com - St-Georges St-Émilion is a satellite appellation of the prestigious St-Émilion. In great vintages, such as 2000, it offers excellent value for money. This Bordeaux will now be showing some maturing so you can expect developed aromas of wet earth and dried leaves. Bottled without filtration, this wine will throw some sediment. Stand it upright for an hour or two before serving, then decant it, if you do not like sediment in your glass.
GPCi - please note this is the St. Emilion La Croix and not the one from Pomerol (would have been much more expensive...). Nevertheless, expect a very good 2000 Bordeaux for a more than a reasonable price. Don't expect power here. it's an elegant, well integrated medium-full body wine. similar to other good St. Emilion wines. red cherries and hints of oak with a very pleasant finish. can be drank now until 2012+.
France (Rhone south)
2004 CAVE DES PAPES CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE LES CLOSIERS - $37.95
WS=90 ; Nice mix of red and black fruits--raspberry, plum and fig--along with briary tannins and a racy, graphite-filled finish. Solid concentration and length. Drink now through 2020. 5,000 cases made."
GPCi - in past vintages I found this CdP Domaine to be not as powerful as some of the other leading CdP. it was more elegant. it has a good GPCi and I would buy 2-4 bottles.
France (Champagne)
1990 DRAPPIER SIGNATURE Blanc De Blancs Grand Cru - $59.95
AC Champagne
Drappier celebrates its 200th anniversary next year. What better way to toast their, or your, achievements than with this fine, older vintage of champers? Older Chardonnay-based champagnes show fabulous aromas and flavours of dried fruit, hazelnut and baked brioche. Finer examples, such as this, exhibit a racy acidity that suggests further ageing potential. This is a great value for a mature Champagne.
GPCi - this is a great value ready to drink Champagne from a great vintage (RP rated the vintage 96). If you have a special event or just want to take advantage of the nice warm end-of-the-summer days, I'd recommend you buy 1-2 bottles.
Germany (Pfalz)
2005 LINGENFELDER RIESLING BIRD LABEL - $14.95
This very popular Riesling, part of Rainer Lingenfelder's "Vineyard Creatures" collection, is an excellent sipper. It will also complement lightly spiced Asian foods.
GPCi - a great producer (LINGENFELDER) from an outstanding vintage for $15 - no brainer. I had/have LINGENFELDER Rieslings before and they are so lovely.
2003 LINGENFELDER RIESLING SPATLESE - $21.95
www.lingenfelder.com/ - Bright, crisp, fresh, mouth puckering citrus liveliness as it enters the mouth. The flavour of fresh cut limes lingers on the palate. The clear, bright citrus flavours require a food pairing that can stand up to the intense flavours delivered by this wonderful, dry wine.
Wine Access =89 ; A fine spatlese with some classic Riesling elements. Enticing nose combines lemon candy, lime and mineral fragrances. Medium dry with good fruit focus and acidity. Well balanced with good length. Will last several years. Drink 2006-2012. A good price for a classic style of wine.
GPCi - another LINGENFELDER from a good (but not outstanding vintage). If I need to choose, I'll go with the cheaper Riesling (Bird label).
