Friday, September 21, 2007
GPCi for Sep 29th 2007 release at the LCBO
GPCi top picks under $20:
- 2004 MAS DONÍS BARRICA - $17.95
- 2006 COUSIÑO-MACUL ANTIGUAS RESERVAS CHARDONNAY - $14.95
- 2005 KILIKANOON KILLERMAN'S RUN SHIRAZ - $19.95
- 2005 DOMAINE DE MOURCHON SéGURET CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES TRADITION - $18.95
Since this is the France "Southern Accent" release, I've started by chosing the ones that showed a relatively good PQR (Price Quality Ratio). I'm a bit disappointed not to see any 2005 CdP in such release. They are already out there and available, just not at the LCBO...
France (Rhone North)
2003 CAVE DE TAIN CORNAS - $35.95
AC
WS = 91 ; Lots of dark berry and licorice fruit, with a silky texture despite its weight. Quite toasty and tarry on the finish, with a slightly firm feel, but plenty of fruit for a hedonistic experience. Drink now through 2011.
GPCi - The Cornas I previously had were always with dark berry and licorice fruits flavors. This one seems to have an extra thing to it... the price is not so attractive since it can be cellared for only the next 3-4 years. A tough decision when you have other very good options in the release.
France (Rhone South)
2004 COUDOULET DE BEAUCASTEL - $29.95
AC Côtes du Rhône (Château de Beaucastel /Vign. Pierre Perrin)
Though Coudoulet de Beaucastel carries the Côtes du Rhône designation, the estate-owned vineyard is actually adjacent to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and the wine regularly achieves the quality expected of a good Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
TASTING NOTE: Burly, with ferrous and game hints leading the way for lavender, hot stone, tar and black fig fruit flavors. The long, ripe, chewy finish shows a hint of mesquite. This could use a little cellaring. Drink now through 2009.
GPCi - this is a "CdP Beaucastel light" (not from weight perspective, but probably complexity and price). overall, if I need to pick, I would buy this one over the 2003 Cornas.
2005 DOMAINE DE MOURCHON SéGURET CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES TRADITION - $18.95
AC
WS = 90 : Dark and chewy. Shows licorice root, tar, chestnut and currant paste notes on a broad-shouldered frame, with a big, mouthfilling finish. Has lots of stuffing. Should age nicely. Drink now through 2009.
GPCi - no doubt, the best PQR option from the "North" (Corans and Coudoulet). I'd buy 3-6 bottles.
France (South)
2004 MÉMOIRE DES TEMPS ROUGE - $21.95
AC Côtes du Roussillon (Domaine Ferrer Ribière)
WS = 90 : Concentrated and full of pure flavors of mineral, raspberry, blueberry and hints of spice. Red cherry and iron notes fills the expansive finish. Best after 2007.
GPCi - Cote Du Russillon is definitely becoming more and more noticeable offering very good wines for a reasonable price. I don't know this wine, but the review and the price seems promising. I'd buy 1-2 bottles.
California
2005 Joseph Phelps Vineyards Innisfree Cabernet Sauvignon - $28.95
http://goliath.ecnext.com/ - (94) Joseph Phelps Innisfree Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (California). This is a more affordable version of Phelps' legendary Cabernet and you'd be hard-pressed to tell the difference. From the Innisfree Vineyard (formerly Innisfree Winery) in Napa Valley, it's a wonderfully complex red, with hallmark plum, boysenberry, currant and black cherry fruit flavors. It's got style, structure and grace; drinking well now, we've seen past vintages improve with a year or two in the bottle.
http://corknbottle.com/ - Bright, approachable Cabernet that has a deep ruby color, aromas and flavors of cherry and blackberry. Supple and earthy on the finish. A blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 1% Petite Sirah and 1% Petite Verdot from both estate vineyards and independent growers.
GPCi - 2005 was a good Cab Sauv year in California. Josheph Phelps know their stuff when it comes to Cab Sauv, and when it come to California, anything less than $30 seems a steal (although I can find a few examples from Australia and Chile that will easily compete with this wine for less!). So if you're into Cab Sauv from California, this is a good opportunity.
Argentina
2005 JEAN BOUSQUET MALBEC - $12.95
Tupungato Valley, Mendoza
Though it is not officially organic, Jean Bousquet employs organic cultivation techniques in its high altitude vineyards (1,200 metres), using no chemical fertilizers or pesticides. This Malbec features aromas of cherry, blackberry, chocolate, vanilla, mineral/earth and hints of smoked meat. The cherry, chocolate and spicy vanilla flavors carry through on the palate. Try it with a Mexican chili made with braised beef, cocoa and oregano.
GPCi - Whenever there is a Malbec for $13, I'd say buy 3-6 bottles.
Chile
2006 COUSIÑO-MACUL ANTIGUAS RESERVAS CHARDONNAY - $14.95
Maipo Valley
RP=90 (by Jay Miller): Many Chilean wineries have difficulty with Chardonnay due to problems integrating oak and fruit components. Cousiño-Macul seems to have mastered the production of value-priced Chardonnay. The outstanding 2006 Chardonnay Antiguas Reservas has no such problem. Featuring toasty pear, apple, and tropical fruit aromas and flavors, it has excellent depth and concentration, superior balance, and a lengthy, pure finish. It is a great value in well-made Chardonnay competing with wines twice the price. Kudos to Cousiño-Macul for this significant upgrade to their portfolio.
GPCi - Cousino-Macul is a well known winery in Chile. With such review this is a great offering for a remarkable low price. I'd buy 3-12 bottles.
2004 VALDIVIESO RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $17.95
This single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is made by New Zealander Brett Jackson from hand-picked grapes. Jackson's influence is one of the primary reasons that Valdivieso has picked up many awards at international wine competitions of late. With its dark red colour and its ripe, juicy flavour, this wine is an excellent example of a Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon. It would pair well with grilled or roast beef.
GPCi - I learned about Valdivieso from their premium wine Caballo Loco (a Bordeaux blend made using the Solera system). I'm sure this is a great wine for a competitive price. I wonder how it would do compare to the Joseph Phelps cab from this release. I'd buy 2-4 bottles.
2006 VIÑA MAIPO CARMÉNÈRE RESERVA - $13.95
Rapel Valley
Chile has embraced the Bordeaux variety Carménère, and Viña Maipo has done it great justice in this vintage. The Rapel Valley presents exceptional terroir for the grape with loam, clay and sandy soils. Expect a rich, medium full-bodied red with leather, black fruit, mint and earth notes. Enjoy this wine with rare steak or pasta in a meat sauce.
GPCi - a straight forward Carmenere for the right price. a good day-to-day wine.
Australia
2006 YALUMBA VIOGNIER - $22.95
Eden Valley, South Australia
Ciao Cuisine (vintages.com) : Viognier can sometimes be a bit oily and bland - no such problems here though. It has rich peach, pear and apricot flavours, is clean and crisp and finishes with a hint of spice. If only all viogniers were like this.
GPCi - John M, this is for you - I know you like Viognier and Yalumba is usually a guaranteed quality. not so cheap, but still affordable.
2005 KILIKANOON KILLERMAN'S RUN SHIRAZ - $19.95
South Australia
RP = 92 : The 2005 Shiraz Killerman's Run, which had just been bottled (in October 2006), is unbelievably good. It possesses a deep ruby/purple color, terrific blackberry and cassis fruit, hints of charcoal, licorice, and earth, and an opulent, voluptuous personality. Enjoy this super-sexy Shiraz over the next 3-4 years.
GPCi -I had previous vintages of the Killerman's run. For all of the Shiraz lovers out there, get as early as possible to the LCBO because this one is "gone in 60 seconds"...
2005 LANGMEIL THREE GARDENS SHIRAZ/GRENACHE/MOURVÈDRE - $19.95
Barossa Valley, South Australia
RP = 90 : An excellent value, the 2005 Three Gardens is a combination of 46% Shiraz, 44% Grenache, and 10% Mourvèdre from 15- to 130-year-old vineyards. This elegant blend exhibits notes of anise, wood smoke, blackberries, cherries, pepper, and earth. Surprisingly fruity and rich with wonderful intensity as well as layers of flavor, it is a southern Rhone-like effort that will provide a lovely mouthful of wine over the next 3-4 years.
GPCi - a nice typical Australian blend (some Spanish and France-Rhone wineries like to blend it too). Again, well reviewed and well priced for mid term cellaring.
2005 MITOLO JESTER SHIRAZ - $27.95
McLaren Vale, South Australia
RP = 92 : The 2005 Shiraz Jester exhibits an opaque purple color along with sweet aromas of blackberries, charcoal, white chocolate, and espresso roast. Rich, full-bodied, heady, and long, it explodes on the back of the palate (always a good sign). Drink it over the next 5-7 years.
GPCi - I think this is their mid-level Mitolo Shiraz. I bet it's an excellent Shiraz, but I think it's a bit expensive relatively to the other great alternatives you have in this release.
2006 TWO HANDS ANGELS SHARE SHIRAZ - $29.95
McLaren Vale, South Australia
IWC= 90 : Intensely perfumed nose offers vibrant dark berry and candied plum aromas, with an exotic twist of floral oils and baking spices. Broad and sweet in the mouth, with juicy blackberry and cassis flavors perked up by slow-building cinnamon and clove spiciness. Finishes with excellent precision and persistence.
GPCi - another relatively too expensive yet very good Shiraz from Two Hands.
2005 LECONFIELD CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $29.95
Coonawarra, South Australia
This wine exhibits classic Cabernet aromas of red and blackcurrant, cherry and cigar box with sweet vanilla and floral incense notes. A chewy medium-bodied wine with tangy red berry and cherry flavours giving way to darker plum on the back of the palate. It has good concentration and structure, making it an excellent choice for 2-5 years in the cellar. Decanting is recommended if drinking now, and it would be an excellent match with prime rib roast.
GPCi - an excellent Cab Sauv for mid term cellaring. I'd buy 1 bottle and blind taste it with Joseph Phelps and Valdivieso cab sauv. what an interesting tasting this would be...
Spain
2004 MAS DONÍS BARRICA - $17.95
DO Montsant (Celler de Capçanes)
RP = 90 (by Jay Miller): The 2004 Mas Donis Barrica is 85% Garnacha from 80+-year-old vines and 15% Syrah aged for 8 months in French and American oak. Opaque purple, it has a wonderfully expressive nose of spice box, pencil lead, pepper, blueberry, and blackberry liqueur. On the palate the wine is full-bodied with layers of ripe, spicy black fruits, nicely concealed tannins, and a long, pure finish. It is an outstanding value for drinking now and over the next 4-6 years.
GPCi - I had previous vintages and it's a definate buy - excellent PQR ! ready, steady... go... and don't forget to share... :)
- 2004 MAS DONÍS BARRICA - $17.95
- 2006 COUSIÑO-MACUL ANTIGUAS RESERVAS CHARDONNAY - $14.95
- 2005 KILIKANOON KILLERMAN'S RUN SHIRAZ - $19.95
- 2005 DOMAINE DE MOURCHON SéGURET CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES TRADITION - $18.95
Since this is the France "Southern Accent" release, I've started by chosing the ones that showed a relatively good PQR (Price Quality Ratio). I'm a bit disappointed not to see any 2005 CdP in such release. They are already out there and available, just not at the LCBO...
France (Rhone North)
2003 CAVE DE TAIN CORNAS - $35.95
AC
WS = 91 ; Lots of dark berry and licorice fruit, with a silky texture despite its weight. Quite toasty and tarry on the finish, with a slightly firm feel, but plenty of fruit for a hedonistic experience. Drink now through 2011.
GPCi - The Cornas I previously had were always with dark berry and licorice fruits flavors. This one seems to have an extra thing to it... the price is not so attractive since it can be cellared for only the next 3-4 years. A tough decision when you have other very good options in the release.
France (Rhone South)
2004 COUDOULET DE BEAUCASTEL - $29.95
AC Côtes du Rhône (Château de Beaucastel /Vign. Pierre Perrin)
Though Coudoulet de Beaucastel carries the Côtes du Rhône designation, the estate-owned vineyard is actually adjacent to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and the wine regularly achieves the quality expected of a good Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
TASTING NOTE: Burly, with ferrous and game hints leading the way for lavender, hot stone, tar and black fig fruit flavors. The long, ripe, chewy finish shows a hint of mesquite. This could use a little cellaring. Drink now through 2009.
GPCi - this is a "CdP Beaucastel light" (not from weight perspective, but probably complexity and price). overall, if I need to pick, I would buy this one over the 2003 Cornas.
2005 DOMAINE DE MOURCHON SéGURET CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES TRADITION - $18.95
AC
WS = 90 : Dark and chewy. Shows licorice root, tar, chestnut and currant paste notes on a broad-shouldered frame, with a big, mouthfilling finish. Has lots of stuffing. Should age nicely. Drink now through 2009.
GPCi - no doubt, the best PQR option from the "North" (Corans and Coudoulet). I'd buy 3-6 bottles.
France (South)
2004 MÉMOIRE DES TEMPS ROUGE - $21.95
AC Côtes du Roussillon (Domaine Ferrer Ribière)
WS = 90 : Concentrated and full of pure flavors of mineral, raspberry, blueberry and hints of spice. Red cherry and iron notes fills the expansive finish. Best after 2007.
GPCi - Cote Du Russillon is definitely becoming more and more noticeable offering very good wines for a reasonable price. I don't know this wine, but the review and the price seems promising. I'd buy 1-2 bottles.
California
2005 Joseph Phelps Vineyards Innisfree Cabernet Sauvignon - $28.95
http://goliath.ecnext.com/ - (94) Joseph Phelps Innisfree Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (California). This is a more affordable version of Phelps' legendary Cabernet and you'd be hard-pressed to tell the difference. From the Innisfree Vineyard (formerly Innisfree Winery) in Napa Valley, it's a wonderfully complex red, with hallmark plum, boysenberry, currant and black cherry fruit flavors. It's got style, structure and grace; drinking well now, we've seen past vintages improve with a year or two in the bottle.
http://corknbottle.com/ - Bright, approachable Cabernet that has a deep ruby color, aromas and flavors of cherry and blackberry. Supple and earthy on the finish. A blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 1% Petite Sirah and 1% Petite Verdot from both estate vineyards and independent growers.
GPCi - 2005 was a good Cab Sauv year in California. Josheph Phelps know their stuff when it comes to Cab Sauv, and when it come to California, anything less than $30 seems a steal (although I can find a few examples from Australia and Chile that will easily compete with this wine for less!). So if you're into Cab Sauv from California, this is a good opportunity.
Argentina
2005 JEAN BOUSQUET MALBEC - $12.95
Tupungato Valley, Mendoza
Though it is not officially organic, Jean Bousquet employs organic cultivation techniques in its high altitude vineyards (1,200 metres), using no chemical fertilizers or pesticides. This Malbec features aromas of cherry, blackberry, chocolate, vanilla, mineral/earth and hints of smoked meat. The cherry, chocolate and spicy vanilla flavors carry through on the palate. Try it with a Mexican chili made with braised beef, cocoa and oregano.
GPCi - Whenever there is a Malbec for $13, I'd say buy 3-6 bottles.
Chile
2006 COUSIÑO-MACUL ANTIGUAS RESERVAS CHARDONNAY - $14.95
Maipo Valley
RP=90 (by Jay Miller): Many Chilean wineries have difficulty with Chardonnay due to problems integrating oak and fruit components. Cousiño-Macul seems to have mastered the production of value-priced Chardonnay. The outstanding 2006 Chardonnay Antiguas Reservas has no such problem. Featuring toasty pear, apple, and tropical fruit aromas and flavors, it has excellent depth and concentration, superior balance, and a lengthy, pure finish. It is a great value in well-made Chardonnay competing with wines twice the price. Kudos to Cousiño-Macul for this significant upgrade to their portfolio.
GPCi - Cousino-Macul is a well known winery in Chile. With such review this is a great offering for a remarkable low price. I'd buy 3-12 bottles.
2004 VALDIVIESO RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $17.95
This single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is made by New Zealander Brett Jackson from hand-picked grapes. Jackson's influence is one of the primary reasons that Valdivieso has picked up many awards at international wine competitions of late. With its dark red colour and its ripe, juicy flavour, this wine is an excellent example of a Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon. It would pair well with grilled or roast beef.
GPCi - I learned about Valdivieso from their premium wine Caballo Loco (a Bordeaux blend made using the Solera system). I'm sure this is a great wine for a competitive price. I wonder how it would do compare to the Joseph Phelps cab from this release. I'd buy 2-4 bottles.
2006 VIÑA MAIPO CARMÉNÈRE RESERVA - $13.95
Rapel Valley
Chile has embraced the Bordeaux variety Carménère, and Viña Maipo has done it great justice in this vintage. The Rapel Valley presents exceptional terroir for the grape with loam, clay and sandy soils. Expect a rich, medium full-bodied red with leather, black fruit, mint and earth notes. Enjoy this wine with rare steak or pasta in a meat sauce.
GPCi - a straight forward Carmenere for the right price. a good day-to-day wine.
Australia
2006 YALUMBA VIOGNIER - $22.95
Eden Valley, South Australia
Ciao Cuisine (vintages.com) : Viognier can sometimes be a bit oily and bland - no such problems here though. It has rich peach, pear and apricot flavours, is clean and crisp and finishes with a hint of spice. If only all viogniers were like this.
GPCi - John M, this is for you - I know you like Viognier and Yalumba is usually a guaranteed quality. not so cheap, but still affordable.
2005 KILIKANOON KILLERMAN'S RUN SHIRAZ - $19.95
South Australia
RP = 92 : The 2005 Shiraz Killerman's Run, which had just been bottled (in October 2006), is unbelievably good. It possesses a deep ruby/purple color, terrific blackberry and cassis fruit, hints of charcoal, licorice, and earth, and an opulent, voluptuous personality. Enjoy this super-sexy Shiraz over the next 3-4 years.
GPCi -I had previous vintages of the Killerman's run. For all of the Shiraz lovers out there, get as early as possible to the LCBO because this one is "gone in 60 seconds"...
2005 LANGMEIL THREE GARDENS SHIRAZ/GRENACHE/MOURVÈDRE - $19.95
Barossa Valley, South Australia
RP = 90 : An excellent value, the 2005 Three Gardens is a combination of 46% Shiraz, 44% Grenache, and 10% Mourvèdre from 15- to 130-year-old vineyards. This elegant blend exhibits notes of anise, wood smoke, blackberries, cherries, pepper, and earth. Surprisingly fruity and rich with wonderful intensity as well as layers of flavor, it is a southern Rhone-like effort that will provide a lovely mouthful of wine over the next 3-4 years.
GPCi - a nice typical Australian blend (some Spanish and France-Rhone wineries like to blend it too). Again, well reviewed and well priced for mid term cellaring.
2005 MITOLO JESTER SHIRAZ - $27.95
McLaren Vale, South Australia
RP = 92 : The 2005 Shiraz Jester exhibits an opaque purple color along with sweet aromas of blackberries, charcoal, white chocolate, and espresso roast. Rich, full-bodied, heady, and long, it explodes on the back of the palate (always a good sign). Drink it over the next 5-7 years.
GPCi - I think this is their mid-level Mitolo Shiraz. I bet it's an excellent Shiraz, but I think it's a bit expensive relatively to the other great alternatives you have in this release.
2006 TWO HANDS ANGELS SHARE SHIRAZ - $29.95
McLaren Vale, South Australia
IWC= 90 : Intensely perfumed nose offers vibrant dark berry and candied plum aromas, with an exotic twist of floral oils and baking spices. Broad and sweet in the mouth, with juicy blackberry and cassis flavors perked up by slow-building cinnamon and clove spiciness. Finishes with excellent precision and persistence.
GPCi - another relatively too expensive yet very good Shiraz from Two Hands.
2005 LECONFIELD CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $29.95
Coonawarra, South Australia
This wine exhibits classic Cabernet aromas of red and blackcurrant, cherry and cigar box with sweet vanilla and floral incense notes. A chewy medium-bodied wine with tangy red berry and cherry flavours giving way to darker plum on the back of the palate. It has good concentration and structure, making it an excellent choice for 2-5 years in the cellar. Decanting is recommended if drinking now, and it would be an excellent match with prime rib roast.
GPCi - an excellent Cab Sauv for mid term cellaring. I'd buy 1 bottle and blind taste it with Joseph Phelps and Valdivieso cab sauv. what an interesting tasting this would be...
Spain
2004 MAS DONÍS BARRICA - $17.95
DO Montsant (Celler de Capçanes)
RP = 90 (by Jay Miller): The 2004 Mas Donis Barrica is 85% Garnacha from 80+-year-old vines and 15% Syrah aged for 8 months in French and American oak. Opaque purple, it has a wonderfully expressive nose of spice box, pencil lead, pepper, blueberry, and blackberry liqueur. On the palate the wine is full-bodied with layers of ripe, spicy black fruits, nicely concealed tannins, and a long, pure finish. It is an outstanding value for drinking now and over the next 4-6 years.
GPCi - I had previous vintages and it's a definate buy - excellent PQR ! ready, steady... go... and don't forget to share... :)
