Monday, October 01, 2007
GPCi for Oct 13th 2007 release at the LCBO
GPCi picks for under $20:
- 2005 Valdivieso RESERVA SYRAH - $17.95
- 2005 VIU MANENT RESERVA CARMÉNÈRE - $14.95
GPCi picks for around $25:
- 2003 PIRRAMIMMA SHIRAZ - $24.95
- 2004 BIN 61 SHIRAZ (Leasingham) - $25.95
- 2003 CHÂTEAU DE CRUZEAU - $25.95
GPCi picks for around $50-$60:
- 2004 CHÂTEAU SAINT-PIERRE - $59
- 2003 CHÂTEAU LYNCH-MOUSSAS (Castéja, Prop.) - $53.95
- 2003 BAROLO (Pio Cesare) - $62.95
Chile
2005 VIU MANENT RESERVA CARMÉNÈRE - $14.95
Colchagua Valley
A Gold-Medal winner at the 2007 Vinalies Internationales.
RP (by Jay Miller) = 90 : The 2005 Carmenere Reserva's aromatics are slightly more flamboyant and it offers greater depth of flavor than the Secreto. The finish is exceptionally long for a wine in this price category. It is a fantastic value.
GPCi - an excellent QPR. no brainer if you like Carmenere or you heard about it and want to try... buy 3-12 bottles.
2005 Valdivieso RESERVA SYRAH - $17.95
Decanter awarded the previous vintage of this wine its highest rating of ***** and we expect more critical acclaim for this newcomer. Aged for 12 months in French oak barrels, this rich, intense, full-bodied Syrah exhibits aromas and flavours of spicy, dark berry fruit and toasty oak. Delicious with flank steak prepared with garlic and ginger.
GPCi - 2005 is considered similar in its high quality as the outstanding 2004. A good Syrah from a good producer (Valdivieso is also the producer of the Caballo Loco) for $18 is more than tempting. I'd buy 3-6 bottles
Australia
2003 PIRRAMIMMA SHIRAZ - $24.95
WS=92 ; Rich and generous, a lavish mouthful of ripe blackberry, blueberry, cherry and peppermint aromas and flavors tinged by hints of sassafras and pepper as the finish sails on and on. Drink now through 2015.
GPCi - Piramimma has been on my "wanted" list for a few years now. it's a very good Shiraz that can lay down for 8+ years and offers concentration and very flavorable and spicy Shiraz. Buy 2-5 bottles.
2006 THE LAUGHING MAGPIE SHIRAZ/VIOGNIER (D'Arenberg) - $27.95
IWC = 90 ; Ruby-red. Seductive red and dark berries on the nose, with deeper soy and dark chocolate notes. Fresh and juicy, with energetic blueberry and cassis flavors, a hint of violet pastille and dusty tannins. Firms up on the finish, taking on notes of licorice and plum preserve. Impressively persistent, sappy and really delicious now.
GPCi - The d'Arenberg Laughing Magpie is a continious safe-bet to all of us who like the Shiraz-Viognier blend (similar to the North Rhone valley blends). The price used to be 2-3 dollars less in the past 2 years... :(
Unless you have to keep your LM vertical running, I'd buy other wines from Australia offered this release.
2004 BIN 61 SHIRAZ (Leasingham) - $25.95
Jeremy Oliver = 91 ; A polished, smooth and supple marriage of musky, lightly minty dark fruited shiraz with assertive, lightly toasty dark chocolate, cedar and vanilla oak influences and velvet-fine tannin. Floral and spicy, scented with pristine aromas of cassis, dark plums and blackberries, it's long and savoury, with just a slightly raisined and currant-like aspect.
GPCi - getting such a high score by JO is not a simple task. I had the 1999 of this Shiraz and it was a very schick Shiraz. A combination of power with grace. I would prefer to spend the $26/$28 on this Shiraz and not the Laughing Magpie. This wine could probably lay down 5+ years more. I'd buy 3-6 bottles.
2005 BIN 138 GRENACHE/SHIRAZ/MOURVEDRE (Penfolds) - $29.95
Old Vine, Barossa Valley, South Australia
A big, bold, Rhône-styled blend from one of Oz's finest producers. The aromas suggest red plums, red currants, violets, clove, mocha and a hint of freshly laid tar. It is fruit-forward, vibrant and quite juicy. The finish is long with a nice savoury tone balancing out the fruit. Enjoy it with braised shortrib dishes.
GPCi - that one is worth the $30 price tag. I had a few Bin 138 and I loved it! this wine is rich and powerful and can be cellared for 10+ years. buy 2-4 bottles.
France
2003 SÉGLA - $51.95
AC Margaux, Second Wine of Château Rauzan-Ségla
WS=90 : Pretty blackberry and vanilla aromas follow through to a full-bodied palate with fine tannins. Long, caressing finish ... Very well done. Best after 2010.
GPCi - Intially I thought it was the Rauzan-Segla and got excited. Although it has a very good review by WS, I would probably go with the other French alternatives available in this release.
2003 CHÂTEAU DE CRUZEAU - $25.95
AC Pessac-Léognan (André Lurton)
Pessac-Léognan is a fantastic source for good-value Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines from Bordeaux. This offering from André Lurton is made with 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. It has good depth of fresh black berries with a hint of roasted green pepper and some sweet oak on the finish. Offering lots of flavour at a great price, this is a great introduction to the world of Bordeaux.
GPCi - I had the 2000 de Cruzeau and it's a wonderful Bordeaux for a very fair price. Don't look for power, just good-old (not so old...) typical Bordeaux. I'd buy 3-6 bottles.
2004 CHÂTEAU GRAND-PUY-LACOSTE - $65
AC Pauillac, 5e Cru
WS=91 ; Subtle aromas of currant, berries and vanilla follow through to a full-bodied palate, with silky tannins and a long finish. Builds on the finish. Serious for the vintage. Best after 2010.
ST=91 ; "(13% alcohol; from a yield of 51 hectoliters per hectare) Good ruby-red. Inky aromas of raw crunchy berries, licorice, currant leaf and fresh herbs. Sweet, concentrated and moderately ripe, with very fresh flavors similar to the aromas. The tannins really spread out and coat the palate, and the finish shows excellent persistence."
GPCi - Again dilemma - $65 is a lot of money and still GPL (a misclasiffied 5th growth) is one of the better top growths in Bordeaux that made this great wine in a good but not great vintage. The anoying part is that you can find this wine in the US (K&L) for US$ 36 !!! and with the current exchange rate it's even more anoying... I'm really struggling... If I have the extra budget this weekend, I'd buy 1-2 bottles.
2004 CHÂTEAU SAINT-PIERRE - $59
AC St-Julien, 4e Cru
RP = 92 : This somewhat under-the-radar classified growth has produced a dense ruby/purple-coloured 2004 with superb density of black currant and cherry fruit intermixed with subtle herbs, licorice, and forest floor characteristics. Medium to full-bodied, rich, and muscular, it is an atypically powerful 2004 that should be at its finest between 2012-2025. It is a sleeper of the vintage.
GPCi - this Chateau (although "only" a 4th growth) has been consistently producing highly rated wines (2003 got 92 as well by RP). You won't find too many wines from 2004 that got 92 by Parker and that can be cellared until 2025 for that price range. I'd buy 1-6 bottles (depends how big is/will be your cellar).
CHÂTEAU VRAY-CROIX-DE-GAY 2004 - $62
AC Pomerol
WS=89 ; Shows blackberry and floral aromas. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and a medium finish. Slightly hollow midpalate, but there's still very good fruit. Needs time to fill in the palate a bit. Best after 2009.
GPCi - great Chateau from Pomerol (right bank), still I'd save the $60 to buy another bottle of the St. Pierre.
CHÂTEAU BELGRAVE 2000 - $49.95
AC Haut-Médoc, 5e Cru
RP=88 ; WS=89 : Ripe and decadent, with lots of berry fruit on the nose. Medium-bodied, with silky tannins and a lovely, subtle spicy and berry aftertaste. Well-crafted. Best after 2005.
GPCi - a good-decent 2000 Bordeaux from the Haut-Medoc. Not good enough for the money. Again, I would pay $10 more for the St-Pierre or buy 2 bottles of the De Cruzeau.
CHÂTEAU LA GARDE 2000 - $44.95
AC Pessac-Léognan
RP=87; WS=86 ; http://www.bbr.com/ : This will appeal to the traditionalist. Ch. La Garde by name, and vin de garde by nature, reassuringly dense and concentrated, but in good balance with ripe, healthy fruits, the Ch. La Garde is as reliable in 2000 as ever. Showing some maturity, the fruit is now moving from its youthful notes to a more mature expression of plums and raisins. Classic Graves on the palate with round, mature tannins, ripe fruits and a lovely finish. Will keep longer than most others at this price. Drink from 2007-2020.
Decanter = 4/5 : Very good colour, big plummy nose, ripe with elegant smoky blackcurrant fruit. Very good. Ready 2005-2015.
GPCi - Same recommendations as the 2000 Belgarve.
2004 CHÂTEAU BELLEVUE (Olivier Decelle) - $21.95
AC Fronsac
Daniel Rogov =86 ; Garnet towards royal purple, medium- to full-bodied, with soft tannins and gently spicy wood integrated nicely to show blackberry, dried raisin and white chocolate aromas and flavors. Not complex but good with food. Best starting in 2008.
GPCi - I don't have enough experience with this Chateau. I like the wines from Fronsac (despite the fact they are mostly Merlot based) and the price is very attractive. However, based on DR's rate, I would think twice... there are many other $22 wines that are better...
2003 CHÂTEAU LYNCH-MOUSSAS (Castéja, Prop.) - $53.95
AC Pauillac, 5e Cru
WS=90 ; Beautiful aromas of blackberry, currant and light licorice follow through to a full-bodied palate, with big and velvety tannins and a long, flavourful finish. Rich and tight wine with wonderful texture. Very well done for this estate. Best after 2010.
GPCi - I had the 1996 Lynch-Moussas last year and was very surprised from it. I really like the 2003 vintage and I try to collect a few good QPR wines. Again, the challenge would be the alternatives and the budget for this release. I'd probably pass on this one...
Italy
2003 BAROLO (Pio Cesare) - $62.95
WS=92 ; Has fabulous blackberry and mineral, with hints of toasty oak. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and a long, long finish. Very concentrated, yet racy and structured. Resembles the 2000. Gorgeous. Best after 2009. 6,000 cases made.
GPCi - 2003 is considered by many a classic vinatge in Piedmont, Italy - WS reviewed 146 of the 2003 wines and 97 were rated between 90-95 points - that's an exceptional ratio!
Pio Cesari is one of my favorite Barolo producers. Their 2001 got 94 by WS and cost about the same (not cheap at all...). this wine will easly and gracefully age for more than 10 years. The challange is that for such a price (unless you have deep pockets...), I'd only buy 1-2 bottles.
- 2005 Valdivieso RESERVA SYRAH - $17.95
- 2005 VIU MANENT RESERVA CARMÉNÈRE - $14.95
GPCi picks for around $25:
- 2003 PIRRAMIMMA SHIRAZ - $24.95
- 2004 BIN 61 SHIRAZ (Leasingham) - $25.95
- 2003 CHÂTEAU DE CRUZEAU - $25.95
GPCi picks for around $50-$60:
- 2004 CHÂTEAU SAINT-PIERRE - $59
- 2003 CHÂTEAU LYNCH-MOUSSAS (Castéja, Prop.) - $53.95
- 2003 BAROLO (Pio Cesare) - $62.95
Chile
2005 VIU MANENT RESERVA CARMÉNÈRE - $14.95
Colchagua Valley
A Gold-Medal winner at the 2007 Vinalies Internationales.
RP (by Jay Miller) = 90 : The 2005 Carmenere Reserva's aromatics are slightly more flamboyant and it offers greater depth of flavor than the Secreto. The finish is exceptionally long for a wine in this price category. It is a fantastic value.
GPCi - an excellent QPR. no brainer if you like Carmenere or you heard about it and want to try... buy 3-12 bottles.
2005 Valdivieso RESERVA SYRAH - $17.95
Decanter awarded the previous vintage of this wine its highest rating of ***** and we expect more critical acclaim for this newcomer. Aged for 12 months in French oak barrels, this rich, intense, full-bodied Syrah exhibits aromas and flavours of spicy, dark berry fruit and toasty oak. Delicious with flank steak prepared with garlic and ginger.
GPCi - 2005 is considered similar in its high quality as the outstanding 2004. A good Syrah from a good producer (Valdivieso is also the producer of the Caballo Loco) for $18 is more than tempting. I'd buy 3-6 bottles
Australia
2003 PIRRAMIMMA SHIRAZ - $24.95
WS=92 ; Rich and generous, a lavish mouthful of ripe blackberry, blueberry, cherry and peppermint aromas and flavors tinged by hints of sassafras and pepper as the finish sails on and on. Drink now through 2015.
GPCi - Piramimma has been on my "wanted" list for a few years now. it's a very good Shiraz that can lay down for 8+ years and offers concentration and very flavorable and spicy Shiraz. Buy 2-5 bottles.
2006 THE LAUGHING MAGPIE SHIRAZ/VIOGNIER (D'Arenberg) - $27.95
IWC = 90 ; Ruby-red. Seductive red and dark berries on the nose, with deeper soy and dark chocolate notes. Fresh and juicy, with energetic blueberry and cassis flavors, a hint of violet pastille and dusty tannins. Firms up on the finish, taking on notes of licorice and plum preserve. Impressively persistent, sappy and really delicious now.
GPCi - The d'Arenberg Laughing Magpie is a continious safe-bet to all of us who like the Shiraz-Viognier blend (similar to the North Rhone valley blends). The price used to be 2-3 dollars less in the past 2 years... :(
Unless you have to keep your LM vertical running, I'd buy other wines from Australia offered this release.
2004 BIN 61 SHIRAZ (Leasingham) - $25.95
Jeremy Oliver = 91 ; A polished, smooth and supple marriage of musky, lightly minty dark fruited shiraz with assertive, lightly toasty dark chocolate, cedar and vanilla oak influences and velvet-fine tannin. Floral and spicy, scented with pristine aromas of cassis, dark plums and blackberries, it's long and savoury, with just a slightly raisined and currant-like aspect.
GPCi - getting such a high score by JO is not a simple task. I had the 1999 of this Shiraz and it was a very schick Shiraz. A combination of power with grace. I would prefer to spend the $26/$28 on this Shiraz and not the Laughing Magpie. This wine could probably lay down 5+ years more. I'd buy 3-6 bottles.
2005 BIN 138 GRENACHE/SHIRAZ/MOURVEDRE (Penfolds) - $29.95
Old Vine, Barossa Valley, South Australia
A big, bold, Rhône-styled blend from one of Oz's finest producers. The aromas suggest red plums, red currants, violets, clove, mocha and a hint of freshly laid tar. It is fruit-forward, vibrant and quite juicy. The finish is long with a nice savoury tone balancing out the fruit. Enjoy it with braised shortrib dishes.
GPCi - that one is worth the $30 price tag. I had a few Bin 138 and I loved it! this wine is rich and powerful and can be cellared for 10+ years. buy 2-4 bottles.
France
2003 SÉGLA - $51.95
AC Margaux, Second Wine of Château Rauzan-Ségla
WS=90 : Pretty blackberry and vanilla aromas follow through to a full-bodied palate with fine tannins. Long, caressing finish ... Very well done. Best after 2010.
GPCi - Intially I thought it was the Rauzan-Segla and got excited. Although it has a very good review by WS, I would probably go with the other French alternatives available in this release.
2003 CHÂTEAU DE CRUZEAU - $25.95
AC Pessac-Léognan (André Lurton)
Pessac-Léognan is a fantastic source for good-value Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines from Bordeaux. This offering from André Lurton is made with 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. It has good depth of fresh black berries with a hint of roasted green pepper and some sweet oak on the finish. Offering lots of flavour at a great price, this is a great introduction to the world of Bordeaux.
GPCi - I had the 2000 de Cruzeau and it's a wonderful Bordeaux for a very fair price. Don't look for power, just good-old (not so old...) typical Bordeaux. I'd buy 3-6 bottles.
2004 CHÂTEAU GRAND-PUY-LACOSTE - $65
AC Pauillac, 5e Cru
WS=91 ; Subtle aromas of currant, berries and vanilla follow through to a full-bodied palate, with silky tannins and a long finish. Builds on the finish. Serious for the vintage. Best after 2010.
ST=91 ; "(13% alcohol; from a yield of 51 hectoliters per hectare) Good ruby-red. Inky aromas of raw crunchy berries, licorice, currant leaf and fresh herbs. Sweet, concentrated and moderately ripe, with very fresh flavors similar to the aromas. The tannins really spread out and coat the palate, and the finish shows excellent persistence."
GPCi - Again dilemma - $65 is a lot of money and still GPL (a misclasiffied 5th growth) is one of the better top growths in Bordeaux that made this great wine in a good but not great vintage. The anoying part is that you can find this wine in the US (K&L) for US$ 36 !!! and with the current exchange rate it's even more anoying... I'm really struggling... If I have the extra budget this weekend, I'd buy 1-2 bottles.
2004 CHÂTEAU SAINT-PIERRE - $59
AC St-Julien, 4e Cru
RP = 92 : This somewhat under-the-radar classified growth has produced a dense ruby/purple-coloured 2004 with superb density of black currant and cherry fruit intermixed with subtle herbs, licorice, and forest floor characteristics. Medium to full-bodied, rich, and muscular, it is an atypically powerful 2004 that should be at its finest between 2012-2025. It is a sleeper of the vintage.
GPCi - this Chateau (although "only" a 4th growth) has been consistently producing highly rated wines (2003 got 92 as well by RP). You won't find too many wines from 2004 that got 92 by Parker and that can be cellared until 2025 for that price range. I'd buy 1-6 bottles (depends how big is/will be your cellar).
CHÂTEAU VRAY-CROIX-DE-GAY 2004 - $62
AC Pomerol
WS=89 ; Shows blackberry and floral aromas. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and a medium finish. Slightly hollow midpalate, but there's still very good fruit. Needs time to fill in the palate a bit. Best after 2009.
GPCi - great Chateau from Pomerol (right bank), still I'd save the $60 to buy another bottle of the St. Pierre.
CHÂTEAU BELGRAVE 2000 - $49.95
AC Haut-Médoc, 5e Cru
RP=88 ; WS=89 : Ripe and decadent, with lots of berry fruit on the nose. Medium-bodied, with silky tannins and a lovely, subtle spicy and berry aftertaste. Well-crafted. Best after 2005.
GPCi - a good-decent 2000 Bordeaux from the Haut-Medoc. Not good enough for the money. Again, I would pay $10 more for the St-Pierre or buy 2 bottles of the De Cruzeau.
CHÂTEAU LA GARDE 2000 - $44.95
AC Pessac-Léognan
RP=87; WS=86 ; http://www.bbr.com/ : This will appeal to the traditionalist. Ch. La Garde by name, and vin de garde by nature, reassuringly dense and concentrated, but in good balance with ripe, healthy fruits, the Ch. La Garde is as reliable in 2000 as ever. Showing some maturity, the fruit is now moving from its youthful notes to a more mature expression of plums and raisins. Classic Graves on the palate with round, mature tannins, ripe fruits and a lovely finish. Will keep longer than most others at this price. Drink from 2007-2020.
Decanter = 4/5 : Very good colour, big plummy nose, ripe with elegant smoky blackcurrant fruit. Very good. Ready 2005-2015.
GPCi - Same recommendations as the 2000 Belgarve.
2004 CHÂTEAU BELLEVUE (Olivier Decelle) - $21.95
AC Fronsac
Daniel Rogov =86 ; Garnet towards royal purple, medium- to full-bodied, with soft tannins and gently spicy wood integrated nicely to show blackberry, dried raisin and white chocolate aromas and flavors. Not complex but good with food. Best starting in 2008.
GPCi - I don't have enough experience with this Chateau. I like the wines from Fronsac (despite the fact they are mostly Merlot based) and the price is very attractive. However, based on DR's rate, I would think twice... there are many other $22 wines that are better...
2003 CHÂTEAU LYNCH-MOUSSAS (Castéja, Prop.) - $53.95
AC Pauillac, 5e Cru
WS=90 ; Beautiful aromas of blackberry, currant and light licorice follow through to a full-bodied palate, with big and velvety tannins and a long, flavourful finish. Rich and tight wine with wonderful texture. Very well done for this estate. Best after 2010.
GPCi - I had the 1996 Lynch-Moussas last year and was very surprised from it. I really like the 2003 vintage and I try to collect a few good QPR wines. Again, the challenge would be the alternatives and the budget for this release. I'd probably pass on this one...
Italy
2003 BAROLO (Pio Cesare) - $62.95
WS=92 ; Has fabulous blackberry and mineral, with hints of toasty oak. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and a long, long finish. Very concentrated, yet racy and structured. Resembles the 2000. Gorgeous. Best after 2009. 6,000 cases made.
GPCi - 2003 is considered by many a classic vinatge in Piedmont, Italy - WS reviewed 146 of the 2003 wines and 97 were rated between 90-95 points - that's an exceptional ratio!
Pio Cesari is one of my favorite Barolo producers. Their 2001 got 94 by WS and cost about the same (not cheap at all...). this wine will easly and gracefully age for more than 10 years. The challange is that for such a price (unless you have deep pockets...), I'd only buy 1-2 bottles.
