Wine Advice by GPCi - Where Passion Meets Reason...

GPCi top picks for under $20:
2004 TERRANOBLE CABERNET SAUVIGNON GRAN RESERVA - $15.95
2005 MAGPIE ESTATE THE SCHNELL SHIRAZ/GRENACHE - $18.95
2005 DOMAINE GRANGE BLANCHE RASTEAU - $16.95

GPCi top picks for under $30:
2004 CONDADO DE HAZA CRIANZA - $24.95
2004 BIN 28 KALIMNA SHIRAZ (Penfolds) - $29.95
2002 SCHÖNBORN RIESLING SPÄTLESE - $28.95



Chile
2004 TERRANOBLE CABERNET SAUVIGNON GRAN RESERVA - $15.95
Colchagua Valley
Wine Enthusiast = 90 : This wine is the perfect model for midlevel Chilean Cabernet ... The nose is firm and toasty, with serious berry and cassis aromas. In the mouth, it sings its way through wavy raspberry and vanilla flavors. Balanced and rich, with some creaminess and depth.
GPCi - excellent value for another great Chilean Cabernet. no brainer for a day-to-day wine.


Australia
2005 MAGPIE ESTATE THE SCHNELL SHIRAZ/GRENACHE - $18.95
Barossa Valley, South Australia
RP=90 : A combination of 66% Shiraz and 34% Grenache, the 2005 The Schnell exhibits a denser ruby/purple color, deeper fruit purity and richness, and more seamlessness. It is best drunk over the next 3-4 years to take advantage of its exuberant youthfulness.
GPCi - I love the Shiraz-Grenache blends - they complement each other so well. For such review and for such price, I'd buy 3-6 bottles.


2005 RINGBOLT CABERNET SAUVIGNON- $19.95
Margaret River, Western Australia
Vintage after vintage, this is a knockout value. From the cooler climate Margaret River region, expect this solidly structured Cab to have fresh aromas of cassis, plum, mint and sweet herbs, and round fruit flavours with delicious chocolate notes. Terrific with roast beef.
GPCi - We had this wine before. it's a great bold cabernet. lot's of dark fruit and herbs with a nice long finish - what else do we need for $20?

2006 JIM JIM [THE DOWN-UNDERDOG] SHIRAZ- $14.95
McLaren Vale, South Australia
This is a real-crowd pleaser at a fantastic price.
Jim Jim Shiraz is a simple, luscious wine that fills your mouth with rich, dark berry fruit awash in silky tannins.
GPCi - I pickedd this one because of the name and the attractive price. Mr. MacDonald you have to buy at least case of this wine - great day-to-day wine.


2003 SALTRAM MAMRE BROOK SHIRAZ - $21.95
http://sceniccellars.co.nz/ : Saltram Mamre Brook Shiraz is a rich Barossan wine of great depth and intensity. The nose shows intense dark berry and plum with hints of cassis and chocolate. On the palate the wine offers generous and rich characters of fleshy dark berry fruit, liquorice with some spice and vanilla oak characters complimented by fine softly textured tannins. This wine will continue to improve with cellaring over the next five to eight years.
GPCi - I had the 2000 Saltram and it was outstanding. although this is a $22 Shiraz, I find it worthwhile since 2003 was a very good year at the Barossa Valley. I'd buy 2-4 bottles.


2004 BIN 28 KALIMNA SHIRAZ (Penfolds) - $29.95
Jeremy Oliver=93 ; This richly fruited, smooth and sumptuous shiraz has a deeply layered aroma of fresh blackberries, raspberries and blueberries, without so much as a hint of overcooked fruit. It’s backed by fragrant new oak, with slightly meaty – almost gamey – and floral undertones. Framed by moderately firm, fine-grained and pliant tannins, its plush, sweet-oaked palate of juicy and almost confectionary dark berry/plum fruit finishes with a suggestion of briar and a hint of gamey development. Already very approachable, but destined to improve for some time. drink 2012-2016+
GPCi - I've been buying Penfold's Bin 28 since 1998 and it never ever failed me - it's a sure bet when it comes to an excellent Shiraz - it's all in its place with this wine: well integrated flavores, great finish, just mmmm good! Buy 3-6 bottles.


South Africa
2005 GOATS DO ROAM GOAT-ROTI - $19.95
WO Coastal Region, South Africa
WS=90: This has lots of dark, juicy briar, blackberry and licorice flavors, with judicious toast and a lingering cocoa note on the finish. A crowd-pleaser with legitimate complexity. Drink now.
GPCi - The South African answer to the lucrative French Coat Roti (Rhone North). They have been consistent with their quality for a few years now. If you like the North Rhone style and you want to save your money (a good bottle of Cote Roti can cost more than $200), you should buy 2-4 bottles.


France (Rhone South)
2003 LES GRANDES SERRES LA COUR DES PAPES CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE - $31.95
AC, France - Rhône
A blend of Grenache with smaller amounts of Syrah and Mourvèdre. Look for red fruits like cherry and cranberry on the nose with spicy notes like chocolate, coffee, and tar overlaid with a touch of lavender. The wine's balance and full body make it perfect for a fall feast of roasted pork and root vegetables.
GPCi - A relatively good price for this CdP (the 03' CdP are usually sold for ~$38-$50+). I'd buy 1-3 bottles.


2005 DOMAINE GRANGE BLANCHE RASTEAU - $16.95
AC Côtes du Rhône-Villages, France - Rhône
A savoury blend of Grenache (50%), Syrah/Mourvèdre (30%) and Carignan (20%), this Southern Rhône red hails from the village of Rasteau. It offers a real sense of place with its intense bouquet of spicy red and black fruit. It is round, well-balanced with soft tannins and a long finish. A terrific match for game meats.
GPCi - A great and typical blend for the region. The price is more than tempting and the taste is what we're looking for when drinking Cotes du Rhone Village. buy 3-12 bottles.


2005 PERRIN RASTEAU L'ANDÉOL - $18.95
AC Côtes du Rhône-Villages
Rasteau is a pretty Provençal village located in the southern part of the Rhône Valley. This wine comes from a tiny, low-yielding vineyard there known as L'Andéol. A blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, this rich red is full of ripe berry fruit flavours with wisps of spice all of which are wrapped in soft, silky tannins. Exquisite with lamb.
GPCi - Another great Cotes du-Rhone Village for a good price. Here because of a different mixture of grapes I would expect less pepper and less intense spice than in the RASTEAU. I'd buy 2-4 bottles.


France (Bordeaux)
2003 CHÂTEAU POITEVIN- $18.95
AC Médoc, Cru Bourgeois, France - Bordeaux
Decanter: 5/5: Spicy fruit, quite complex. Lovely spicy fruit, rich supply of tannins. Most attractive and complex. Drink 2008-10.
GPCi - I was pretty surprised when I first red Decanter's note. 5 out of 5 starts for $19 2003 Bordeaux wine ? A must buy for me. I'd buy 3-6 bottles.


Germany(Mosel-Saar-Ruwer)
2006 DR. PAULY-BERGWEILER RIESLING SPÄTLESE - $28.95
QmP, Bernkasteler Badstube, Estate Btld.
Daniel Rogov = 91: Generous and complex. Light golden in color with orange and green reflections, medium-bodied, and showing appealing white peach, citrus, floral and light honeyed aromas and flavors. In the background and lingering to the long finish subtle earthy and chalky minerals. Drinking nicely now but best 2009-2012.
GPCi - this Riesling and the next one below are considered to be two very good wines. While exchanging notes with DR in his forum, and asking which wine should I buy, he told me I should buy this one as well as the next SPÄTLESE... :)
It seems that it's not a Riesling for long term cellaring, but it can be very nice during the coming winter with nice warm deserts.


2002 SCHÖNBORN RIESLING SPÄTLESE - $28.95
QmP, Erbacher Marcobrunn, Estate Btld.
WS =93 : Very tropical, showing coconut, pineapple and vanilla custard aromas and flavors backed by a racy structure and an elegant profile. A more delicate side of the Rheingau, yet really builds in intensity to a long, mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2015.
Daniel Rogov =92 : A wine light enough in body to think of as "delicate" but don't let that hold you back for as much as this one may be a light-hearted pleasure today it is going to gain complexity and elegance as it develops in the bottle. Now showing citrus, apple jam, salt and an iodine-like minerality. As the wine develops look as well for cherry and peach blossoms and a light honeyed overlay, all leading to a long fruity finish. Best 2008-2012
GPCi - if I still need to choose between the two SPÄTLESE, I'd go with this one. I'd buy 1-2 bottles.


Spain
2004 CONDADO DE HAZA CRIANZA - $24.95
DO Ribera del Duero
RP = 91 (by Jay Miller): The brilliant 2004 Condado de Haza received malolactic fermentation in barrel followed by 15 months in American oak. Purple-colored, it offers up fragrant aromas of cedar, tobacco, black currants and blackberry. There is a supple mouth-feel and generous cherry and black fruit flavors and enough ripe tannins to ensure good longevity. Drink this hedonistic effort now and over the next 10-12 years.
GPCi - Crianza is the youngest from the three Spanish aging categories. After Crianza, they have Reserva and Gran Reserva. Crianza that can be cellared for 10-12 years is not so common. Most of them are for immediate consumption. Haza is a very well respected winery at the Ribera del Duero region. The price is very good for this wine. I'd buy 2-6 bottles.


Italy (Tuscany)
2001 ANTINORI BADIA A PASSIGNANO CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA - $39.95
DOCG
RP=92 : The 2001 Chianti Classico Riserva Badia a Passignano, is even better than its sibling with its deeper and darker color, potent aromas of plums and wild cherries, herbs, and vanilla, and its rich and velvety tobacco and licorice-laced palate. It will drink well for another dozen years.
GPCi - This wine was released by the LCBO in the past. I bought it and had it with Gemini less than a year ago. At first, I couldn't recognize it as Chianti - it's a dark, wonderfully round and intense wine. It's expensive, but if you want to taste the "real stuff" from Chianti, I'd buy 1-2 bottles.