Friday, January 11, 2008
GPCi for Jan 19th 2008 release at the LCBO
GPCi top picks for under $15
2005 CHILENSIS RESERVA CARMÉNÈRE - $11.85
2004 VIÑA CHOCALÁN RESERVE CAB. SAUVIGNON/CARMENÈRE/MERLOT - $13.85
2003 TAJA RESERVA - $14.85
GPCi top picks for under $20
2005 PARRI ESTATE SHIRAZ/VIOGNIER - $17.80
2003 CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES VIEILLES VIGNES - $17.80
2005 CATENA MALBEC - $19.80
2005 CATENA SYRAH - $19.80
US (California)
2003 RUTHERFORD HILL MERLOT - $27.75
Napa Valley
Wine Access = 91: ... This house has long specialized in merlot, fashioning it into a serious, substantial age-worthy style. So expect a deeply coloured, big, complex red with ripe black cherry, chocolate, leather, smoke and tea notes. Full bodied, dense and chewy with a good sense of proportion. Excellent length. Best 2008 to 2011.(David Lawrason, The Lawrason E-Report, March 31, 2007)
GPCi - Although I'm not a big fan of Merlot, Rutherford Hill know their Merlot best. It's an expensive price when you have so many other alternatives from Chile in this release, but if you like Merlot, it is definitely worth the investment. Buy 1 bottle and make a blind tasting comparision with the Merlot and/or Carmenere from Chile and decide for your self.
Australia
2005 FIFTH LEG WHITE SAUVIGNON BLANC/SEMILLON/CHARDONNAY - $19.80
Western Australia (Devil's Lair Vineyard)
James Halliday = 89: [47% Sauvignon Blanc, 41% Semillon, 12% Chardonnay] Firm, clean and fresh; a mix of mineral, grass and melon; good balance and finish. (winecompanion.com.au, Oct. 2005)
GPCi - an interesting blend. I'm planning a cheese Fondue soon and I think it could add flavours to the Fondue blend itself and serve as the accompanying wine...
2005 PARRI ESTATE SHIRAZ/VIOGNIER - $17.80
Southern Fleurieu, South Australia, Estate Grown
James Halliday = 94 ; Spicy black and red cherry fruit with that lilt of viognier showing in particular on the long finish; ripe, soft and supple tannins. (winecompanion.com.au, March 2007).
GPCi - a typical Northern Rhone (France) blend but this time from Australia. With such review from JH and for such a price, I'd say we buy a case.
France (Bordeaux)
2004 CHÂTEAU BELLE-VUE - $31.70
AC Haut-Médoc
RP = 88 : Belle-Vue, situated near the large Margaux estate of Giscours, is a blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, a whopping 25% Petit Verdot, and 1% Carmenere. Pretty black currant and cherry fruit intermixed with subtle herb and flower notes emerge from this elegant, savory, medium-bodied, supple-textured effort. With impressive concentration, a seamless integration of acidity and tannin, and a pleasant finish, it can be consumed over the next 5-6 years. An excellent value. Drink 2007-2013. (http://www.erobertparker.com/, June 2007)
GPCi - for a 4 years Haut Medoc, that's relatively a fair price. 2004 is a good (but not too good) of a vintage. If it were offered with another release, I would probably recommend to buy 2-3 bottles because I believe it's good value for your money, but when you have so many other great alternatives for less than $20, I would skip it this time.
France (Rhone-South)
2003 CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES VIEILLES VIGNES - $17.80
AC (Les Vignerons du Castelas a Rochefort-du-Gard)
The hot 2003 vintage helped create flavourful, round and ripe wines, especially in the southern Rhône. This Grenache-dominated wine is a prime example of that heat. Intense aromas of plum, blackberry and pepper dominate this crowd-pleasing wine. Enjoy it on pizza or pasta night.
GPCi - Cotes du Rhone Villages is the better category of the Cotes du Rhone wines. 2003 is a very good year in that part of the Southern Rhone and usually from the VIEILLES VIGNES ("old vines" in French) you get more flavours and more complexity. Buy 3-12 bottles for day-to-day.
Italy (Piedmonte)
2004 CASTELLO DI NEIVE BARBARESCO - $21.80
DOCG (Az. Agricola Di Italo Stupino)
RP (by Antonio Galloni) = 89 : The 2004 Barbaresco is textbook Nebbiolo. It is a small-scaled wine, but everything is in the right place. Made in a delicate, feminine style, it offers floral, spiced aromatics and pure, clean fruit, with excellent balance and well-integrated tannins. I can't ask for anything more from a wine at this level. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2014. (http://www.erobertparker.com/, Oct. 2007)
GPCi - A good Barbaresco for that price is a steal! If Nebbiolo is your variety, or you haven't tried it before, that's a great opportunity. Buy 2-4 bottles.
Italy (Veneto)
2003 DUE TORRI AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO - $34.65
DOC
This wine is produced from a blend of Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara that has been dessicated on specially ventilated drying racks. The result is a full-bodied red with generous, plummy, dried fruit and chocolate notes. Best suited to aged cheeses or game such as braised venison or bison steaks.
GPCi - I don't remember when was the last time I saw an Amarone offered in Vintages for $35. They usually go for $50+. I found Amarone to go very well with Couscous dish and as an alternative to Port sometimes with nice aged cheeses at the end of the dinner.
Spain
2003 TAJA RESERVA - $14.85
DO Jumilla (Mahler-Besse)
WS = 90 : Deep loamy and gamy flavors wrap around cherry and kirsch fruit in this dense red. A traditional style. (Thomas Matthews, www.winespectator.com, Dec. 15 2007)
GPCi - simple recommendation - BUY AT LEAST A CASE!!! I would try it side by side with last release's 1998 Taja Grand Reserva
Chile
2005 CHILENSIS RESERVA CARMÉNÈRE - $11.85
Maule Valley Chilensis' San Rafael ranch is located in the heart of Chile, nestled in the foothills between the majestic Andes mountains and the Pacific Ocean. The once-forgotten Bordeaux grape, Carmenère, is thriving in the region and is proving to be as important to Chile as Malbec is to Argentina. Expect a warm, mouthfilling red with aromas and flavours of juicy ripe fruit, pepper and smoke. Enjoy it with a pepper steak.
GPCi - Mouthfilling Carmenere for $12 ?!?!?!?! no risk... BUY, BUY... 3-12 bottles.
2004 VIÑA CHOCALÁN RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON/CARMENÈRE/MERLOT - $13.85
Maipo Valley
Chocalán (pronounced Sho-kaw-lann) means yellow blossom and was the ancient aboriginal name for the area where this winery is located in the Maipo Valley. Chilean businessman Guillermo Toro launched his first vintage from this new family winery in 2003. Also known as the Blend Reserve, the 2004 vintage is comprised of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Carmenère, 16% Merlot, with small amounts of Cabernet Franc, and Malbec filling out the balance. Fruit-forward, with a firm structure, this full-bodied wine is an excellent value.
GPCi - a good full body Bordeaux blend for $14... what's not to recommend here... ? Buy 3-12 bottles.
Argentina (Medoza)
As you probably know, this is a release dedicated mainly to the wines from Argentina. There are many wines to enjoy from Argentina especially with their very attractive price.
I'll mention a few that caught my attention that are from the more familiar/recognized wineries (in no order of preference):
2005 DON CRISTOBAL 1492 OAK RESERVE MERLOT - $13.85
2004 FINCA EL RETIRO RESERVA ESPECIAL TEMPRANILLO - $14.85
2005 CATENA SYRAH - $19.80
2004 FINCA EL RETIRO SYRAH - $12.85
2005 LAGARDE RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $13.85
2005 CATENA MALBEC - $19.80
2005 EL PORTILLO ELEVADO RESERVE MALBEC - $17.80
2005 SAURUS PATAGONIA SELECT MALBEC - $14.85
2005 CHILENSIS RESERVA CARMÉNÈRE - $11.85
2004 VIÑA CHOCALÁN RESERVE CAB. SAUVIGNON/CARMENÈRE/MERLOT - $13.85
2003 TAJA RESERVA - $14.85
GPCi top picks for under $20
2005 PARRI ESTATE SHIRAZ/VIOGNIER - $17.80
2003 CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES VIEILLES VIGNES - $17.80
2005 CATENA MALBEC - $19.80
2005 CATENA SYRAH - $19.80
US (California)
2003 RUTHERFORD HILL MERLOT - $27.75
Napa Valley
Wine Access = 91: ... This house has long specialized in merlot, fashioning it into a serious, substantial age-worthy style. So expect a deeply coloured, big, complex red with ripe black cherry, chocolate, leather, smoke and tea notes. Full bodied, dense and chewy with a good sense of proportion. Excellent length. Best 2008 to 2011.(David Lawrason, The Lawrason E-Report, March 31, 2007)
GPCi - Although I'm not a big fan of Merlot, Rutherford Hill know their Merlot best. It's an expensive price when you have so many other alternatives from Chile in this release, but if you like Merlot, it is definitely worth the investment. Buy 1 bottle and make a blind tasting comparision with the Merlot and/or Carmenere from Chile and decide for your self.
Australia
2005 FIFTH LEG WHITE SAUVIGNON BLANC/SEMILLON/CHARDONNAY - $19.80
Western Australia (Devil's Lair Vineyard)
James Halliday = 89: [47% Sauvignon Blanc, 41% Semillon, 12% Chardonnay] Firm, clean and fresh; a mix of mineral, grass and melon; good balance and finish. (winecompanion.com.au, Oct. 2005)
GPCi - an interesting blend. I'm planning a cheese Fondue soon and I think it could add flavours to the Fondue blend itself and serve as the accompanying wine...
2005 PARRI ESTATE SHIRAZ/VIOGNIER - $17.80
Southern Fleurieu, South Australia, Estate Grown
James Halliday = 94 ; Spicy black and red cherry fruit with that lilt of viognier showing in particular on the long finish; ripe, soft and supple tannins. (winecompanion.com.au, March 2007).
GPCi - a typical Northern Rhone (France) blend but this time from Australia. With such review from JH and for such a price, I'd say we buy a case.
France (Bordeaux)
2004 CHÂTEAU BELLE-VUE - $31.70
AC Haut-Médoc
RP = 88 : Belle-Vue, situated near the large Margaux estate of Giscours, is a blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, a whopping 25% Petit Verdot, and 1% Carmenere. Pretty black currant and cherry fruit intermixed with subtle herb and flower notes emerge from this elegant, savory, medium-bodied, supple-textured effort. With impressive concentration, a seamless integration of acidity and tannin, and a pleasant finish, it can be consumed over the next 5-6 years. An excellent value. Drink 2007-2013. (http://www.erobertparker.com/, June 2007)
GPCi - for a 4 years Haut Medoc, that's relatively a fair price. 2004 is a good (but not too good) of a vintage. If it were offered with another release, I would probably recommend to buy 2-3 bottles because I believe it's good value for your money, but when you have so many other great alternatives for less than $20, I would skip it this time.
France (Rhone-South)
2003 CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES VIEILLES VIGNES - $17.80
AC (Les Vignerons du Castelas a Rochefort-du-Gard)
The hot 2003 vintage helped create flavourful, round and ripe wines, especially in the southern Rhône. This Grenache-dominated wine is a prime example of that heat. Intense aromas of plum, blackberry and pepper dominate this crowd-pleasing wine. Enjoy it on pizza or pasta night.
GPCi - Cotes du Rhone Villages is the better category of the Cotes du Rhone wines. 2003 is a very good year in that part of the Southern Rhone and usually from the VIEILLES VIGNES ("old vines" in French) you get more flavours and more complexity. Buy 3-12 bottles for day-to-day.
Italy (Piedmonte)
2004 CASTELLO DI NEIVE BARBARESCO - $21.80
DOCG (Az. Agricola Di Italo Stupino)
RP (by Antonio Galloni) = 89 : The 2004 Barbaresco is textbook Nebbiolo. It is a small-scaled wine, but everything is in the right place. Made in a delicate, feminine style, it offers floral, spiced aromatics and pure, clean fruit, with excellent balance and well-integrated tannins. I can't ask for anything more from a wine at this level. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2014. (http://www.erobertparker.com/, Oct. 2007)
GPCi - A good Barbaresco for that price is a steal! If Nebbiolo is your variety, or you haven't tried it before, that's a great opportunity. Buy 2-4 bottles.
Italy (Veneto)
2003 DUE TORRI AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO - $34.65
DOC
This wine is produced from a blend of Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara that has been dessicated on specially ventilated drying racks. The result is a full-bodied red with generous, plummy, dried fruit and chocolate notes. Best suited to aged cheeses or game such as braised venison or bison steaks.
GPCi - I don't remember when was the last time I saw an Amarone offered in Vintages for $35. They usually go for $50+. I found Amarone to go very well with Couscous dish and as an alternative to Port sometimes with nice aged cheeses at the end of the dinner.
Spain
2003 TAJA RESERVA - $14.85
DO Jumilla (Mahler-Besse)
WS = 90 : Deep loamy and gamy flavors wrap around cherry and kirsch fruit in this dense red. A traditional style. (Thomas Matthews, www.winespectator.com, Dec. 15 2007)
GPCi - simple recommendation - BUY AT LEAST A CASE!!! I would try it side by side with last release's 1998 Taja Grand Reserva
Chile
2005 CHILENSIS RESERVA CARMÉNÈRE - $11.85
Maule Valley Chilensis' San Rafael ranch is located in the heart of Chile, nestled in the foothills between the majestic Andes mountains and the Pacific Ocean. The once-forgotten Bordeaux grape, Carmenère, is thriving in the region and is proving to be as important to Chile as Malbec is to Argentina. Expect a warm, mouthfilling red with aromas and flavours of juicy ripe fruit, pepper and smoke. Enjoy it with a pepper steak.
GPCi - Mouthfilling Carmenere for $12 ?!?!?!?! no risk... BUY, BUY... 3-12 bottles.
2004 VIÑA CHOCALÁN RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON/CARMENÈRE/MERLOT - $13.85
Maipo Valley
Chocalán (pronounced Sho-kaw-lann) means yellow blossom and was the ancient aboriginal name for the area where this winery is located in the Maipo Valley. Chilean businessman Guillermo Toro launched his first vintage from this new family winery in 2003. Also known as the Blend Reserve, the 2004 vintage is comprised of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Carmenère, 16% Merlot, with small amounts of Cabernet Franc, and Malbec filling out the balance. Fruit-forward, with a firm structure, this full-bodied wine is an excellent value.
GPCi - a good full body Bordeaux blend for $14... what's not to recommend here... ? Buy 3-12 bottles.
Argentina (Medoza)
As you probably know, this is a release dedicated mainly to the wines from Argentina. There are many wines to enjoy from Argentina especially with their very attractive price.
I'll mention a few that caught my attention that are from the more familiar/recognized wineries (in no order of preference):
2005 DON CRISTOBAL 1492 OAK RESERVE MERLOT - $13.85
2004 FINCA EL RETIRO RESERVA ESPECIAL TEMPRANILLO - $14.85
2005 CATENA SYRAH - $19.80
2004 FINCA EL RETIRO SYRAH - $12.85
2005 LAGARDE RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $13.85
2005 CATENA MALBEC - $19.80
2005 EL PORTILLO ELEVADO RESERVE MALBEC - $17.80
2005 SAURUS PATAGONIA SELECT MALBEC - $14.85
