Monday, June 16, 2008
GPCi for June 21st 2008 release at the LCBO
Top picks for less than $20
2006 NINQUÉN ANTU SYRAH - $15.95
2004 TATACHILLA KEYSTONE SHIRAZ/VIOGNIER - $18.95
Top picks for less than $30
2005 PENNYFIELD WINES BASKET PRESSED PETIT VERDOT - $24.95
2005 Chateau Haut Vigneau - $27.95
2005 JIM BARRY THE LODGE HILL SHIRAZ - $24.95
2004 MÁTÉ MANTUS MERLOT SANT'ANTIMO - $29.95
France (Bordeaux)
2005 Chateau Haut Vigneau - $27.95
Pessac Leognan
WS = 88 ; Interesting aromas of meat, game, cèpe and dark fruits. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and lots of fruit. Needs time to come together. Chewy.
GPCi - I am not aware of too many wines from the 2005 vintage in Bordeaux that cost less than $30 and got 88 by WS. I personally, like the wines from Pessac Leognan - many are "Bordeaux at its best" - even the "low end" ones. This is a very tempting buy. I'd buy 1-4, try one after 30-60 minutes of decanting and then decide whether to buy more and how long to cellar them for (my guess they would probably benefit from 3-5 years of cellaring).
2005 Château d'Agassac - $54.95
Cru Bourgeois, Haut-médoc,
WS = 89-91 ; Aromas of coffee, blackberry, rasberry and milk chocolate follow through to a full body, with round, chewy tannins and a jammy, sweet fruit aftertaste. Very Fruity. Best after 2012.
1855.com = 4/5 : This Cru is more attractive than it has ever been. Its blue purple colour is as compelling as its bouquet of raspberry, blackberry and violet. Harmonious, almost glamour this wine is a delicious surprise. Its price as well!
GPCi - I read that the wine is a blend of 50% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc. The fruit is sourced from various vineyards located along the wide Gironde Estuary before it breaks into the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers. Although this wine is double the price of the 2005 Haut Vigneau and will probably last longer, it is still very reasonable priced compare to other offerings from this extremely expensive vintage. For all of you that like a mixture of almost the same amount of Merlot and Cabernet, that one is for you. I'd buy 2-4 bottles.
France (CdP, Rhone South)
2004 DOMAINE DU GRAND TINEL CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE (Les Vignobles) - $37.95
IWC = 88-90 ; Deep, dark red. Ripe, expressive aromas of earthy, musky red berries, plum and garrigue. A solid midweight, with wild flavors of extracted cherry and wild berries, licorice, violet, rose and cracked pepper. This appears to have enough fruit to support its distinct tannic edge. (Josh Raynolds, Jan./Feb. 2006)
GPCi - a good price for CdP. "midweight" is a bit of a turn off for me when it comes to CdP and I prefer to save my money for more 2005 CdP to come.... that's a skip for me.
Australia
2005 JIM BARRY THE LODGE HILL SHIRAZ - $24.95
Clare Valley, South Australia
WS = 90 : Smooth and ripe, with hints of eucalyptus and caramel sneaking into the blackberry and tar flavor profile. Finishes with an open texture and refined tannins. Best from 2008 through 2015. Smart Buy. (Harvey Steiman, Aug. 31, 2007)
Winecurrent.com = 5/5 ; Cool evenings in the Clare provide the backbone to this red, keeping it far from jammy. Tar and black licorice aromas pour from this gutsy beauty. Sweet and juicy red berry fruit flavours are served up by the ladle-full in this medium-bodied beauty that is in perfect balance with its perceptible tannin, judicious use of oak and lovely dollop of tang. The gorgeous finish portends another five years of life and the perfect foil to grilled, medium-rare, beefsteak. The price to quality ratio is well in your favour.
GPCi - great reviews, a fair price and a good GPCi. If you are looking for a Shiraz that can be consumed this year as well as additional 7 years down the road, buy 3-12 bottles.
2005 PENNYFIELD WINES BASKET PRESSED PETIT VERDOT - $24.95
Riverland, South Australia
This family-owned boutique winery in the Riverland region is passionate about quality, handcrafting truly expressive wines using traditional techniques like basket pressing. Aged for more than a year in French and American oak, this Petit Verdot displays complex aromas of raspberry, lavender, spice and coffee. It's full-bodied and elegant with an intense and lengthy finish.
GPCi - I'm a sucker for a good full body Petit Verdot - these gems can be explosive with a good juicy steak. I'd buy 2-4 bottles.
2004 TATACHILLA KEYSTONE SHIRAZ/VIOGNIER - $18.95
McLaren Vale, South Australia
James Halliday = 94 : Deep purple-red; the viognier immediately announces its presence in a medium-bodied wine with a complex, rich and satisfying cascade of black fruits; good balance and finish. Drink until: 2015. (winecompanion.com.au, July 2006)
Winecurrent.com = 4/5 ; This is medium bodied, well balanced with deftly integrated oak. Along with the rich and concentrated black cherry and dark berry fruit flavours you'll find a moderating dollop of acidity that's expressed in cranberry and red cherry flavours. It finishes lively and clean, making it a natural to partner with pasta in a spicy meat sauce, spaghetti Bolognese for example.
GPCi - 94 by Halliday was not always a 94 in my book (don't want to sound dismissal, but I'm more cautious now). The guys from winecurrent liked it but not as much of 94. Regardless, the blend, the region, the vintage and the price (!) are almost risk free. I'd buy two bottles, taste one and then if it's as good as promised by Halliday, I'd buy 6-12 bottles.
2005 TORBRECK OLD VINES GRENACHE/SHIRAZ/MOURVÈDRE - $22.95
Torbreck's Old Vines GSM was made exclusively for Vintages customers. The fruit for this wine was hand-picked, gently pressed with a traditional basket press and aged for 12 months in seasoned hogsheads and French oak. The finished wine was bottled unfiltered and unfined to preserve its complex character. Rich and luxurious, it features flavours of red cherry, plum, spice and earth wrapped in supple tannins. A pleasing, easy-drinking wine to enjoy over the next 3-4 years.
GPCi - GSM is not Torbreck's most exciting blend. don't get me wrong, it's a great wine and compared to other GSM probably one of the better ones, but Torbreck has so many other amazing wines to offer that for this release I would skip it and get excited with the 2005 PENNYFIELD WINES BASKET PRESSED PETIT VERDOT. nothing to compare just seems to see more exciting...
Spain
2001 BODEGAS LAN RESERVA - $20.95
This Tempranillo-based blend includes Mazuelo (more widely known as Carignan) and Garnacha, aged for one year in American oak. The cherry fruit is offset by pro-nounced toasty vanilla notes and licorice, with the Mazuelo providing muscular tannins. Enjoy this with grilled meats or strong cheeses, or cellar it for another 1-2 years.
GPCi - Bodegas Lan is a very good Rioja for a fair price. The 2001 is an outstanding vintage in that region, so I won't hesitate buying 2-3 bottles for immediate consumption with or without meal.
Portugal
1991 MANOEL D. POÇAS JÚNIOR COLHEITA PORT - $32.95
Btld. 2008
Colheita Ports must be aged a minimum of seven years in wood before bottling, but better versions are frequently aged for much longer. For example, this 1991 Colheita, 17 years in wood. Ready to drink, this deeply delicious Port will not require decanting, as all the sediment would have settled in barrel, and once opened will easily last for weeks. Enjoy this rich, silky-textured Port with blue-veined cheeses, dried fruits or crème brûlée.
GPCi - seems perfect for this late crazy weather here in Toronto... 17 years in wood... mmm good! too bad they don't have half-bottles - I would have bought 2 small bottles rather than 1 regular one - it's always a challenge to finish one bottle after opening it (although it hold nicely a week or so re-corked).
Italy (Piedmont)
2003 Marchesi Di Barolo BAROLO - $54.95
Nebbiolo from Piedmont, Italy
WS = 89 ; Full-bodied, offering subtle berry, raspberry and cherry character, with fine tannins and a long finish. This is chewy. Needs time. Best after 2010. (James Suckling, Oct. 15, 2007)
GPCi : ratings past vintages: 2001=91 ; 2000=90.
Another example of the problematic vintage in that region. with all due respect to Marchesi and they great Barolos, I would probably skip this one. A bit expensive for such review and grade.
Italy (Veneto)
2003 MICHELE CASTELLANI AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CINQUE STELLE - $64.95
WS = 95 : Tight on the nose, offering just a hint of the clean black fruit and coffee-stained oak character that forms a solid bead on the palate. Full-bodied, with lots of tightly packed tannins that carry the crushed fruit flavors through the long, long finish. Very intense-almost closed-but super-clean and fine. A beauty. Best after 2008. (Jo Cooke, June 30, 2007)
GPCi - Amrone who gets 95 is pretty rare. When it comes to Amarone, you need to love and appreciate this type of wine - it's not everyone's "cup of tea". I used to love it in the past, but now I find it too powerful - more port than a wine. This wine will last until 2015 with no special effort for sure. it's a bit expensive to my taste.
Italy (Tuscany)
2004 MÁTÉ MANTUS MERLOT SANT'ANTIMO - $29.95
DOC, Estate Btld.
WS = 91 : Aromas of plum, blackberry and chocolate. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long, long finish. Delicious. Best after 2010. (James Suckling, Aug. 31, 2007)
GPCi - Merlot with such review and grade and at that price level is pretty rare and tempting even to people like me who don't get excited from Merlot.
The famous Masseto (100% Merlot) gets more than 90 by WS and Parker and its cost is in the 3 digits range (~$300+). I'd buy 1-3 bottles.
Chile
2006 NINQUÉN ANTU SYRAH - $15.95
Colchagua Valley
Viña Ninquén is amongst a number of Chilean producers that are now realizing the potential of planting at higher elevations. Ninquén's mountain vineyards have produced a Syrah that is rich with layers of plush blackberry, plum and black cherry fruit flavours and aromas along with notes of mocha, earth and smoke. Enjoy with smoky barbecue ribs or grilled lamb chops.
GPCi - haven't tried this one, but I love the wines from this region in Chile and for that price... I'd buy 2-6 bottles. expect a nice weekday Syrah.
2006 NINQUÉN ANTU SYRAH - $15.95
2004 TATACHILLA KEYSTONE SHIRAZ/VIOGNIER - $18.95
Top picks for less than $30
2005 PENNYFIELD WINES BASKET PRESSED PETIT VERDOT - $24.95
2005 Chateau Haut Vigneau - $27.95
2005 JIM BARRY THE LODGE HILL SHIRAZ - $24.95
2004 MÁTÉ MANTUS MERLOT SANT'ANTIMO - $29.95
France (Bordeaux)
2005 Chateau Haut Vigneau - $27.95
Pessac Leognan
WS = 88 ; Interesting aromas of meat, game, cèpe and dark fruits. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and lots of fruit. Needs time to come together. Chewy.
GPCi - I am not aware of too many wines from the 2005 vintage in Bordeaux that cost less than $30 and got 88 by WS. I personally, like the wines from Pessac Leognan - many are "Bordeaux at its best" - even the "low end" ones. This is a very tempting buy. I'd buy 1-4, try one after 30-60 minutes of decanting and then decide whether to buy more and how long to cellar them for (my guess they would probably benefit from 3-5 years of cellaring).
2005 Château d'Agassac - $54.95
Cru Bourgeois, Haut-médoc,
WS = 89-91 ; Aromas of coffee, blackberry, rasberry and milk chocolate follow through to a full body, with round, chewy tannins and a jammy, sweet fruit aftertaste. Very Fruity. Best after 2012.
1855.com = 4/5 : This Cru is more attractive than it has ever been. Its blue purple colour is as compelling as its bouquet of raspberry, blackberry and violet. Harmonious, almost glamour this wine is a delicious surprise. Its price as well!
GPCi - I read that the wine is a blend of 50% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc. The fruit is sourced from various vineyards located along the wide Gironde Estuary before it breaks into the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers. Although this wine is double the price of the 2005 Haut Vigneau and will probably last longer, it is still very reasonable priced compare to other offerings from this extremely expensive vintage. For all of you that like a mixture of almost the same amount of Merlot and Cabernet, that one is for you. I'd buy 2-4 bottles.
France (CdP, Rhone South)
2004 DOMAINE DU GRAND TINEL CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE (Les Vignobles) - $37.95
IWC = 88-90 ; Deep, dark red. Ripe, expressive aromas of earthy, musky red berries, plum and garrigue. A solid midweight, with wild flavors of extracted cherry and wild berries, licorice, violet, rose and cracked pepper. This appears to have enough fruit to support its distinct tannic edge. (Josh Raynolds, Jan./Feb. 2006)
GPCi - a good price for CdP. "midweight" is a bit of a turn off for me when it comes to CdP and I prefer to save my money for more 2005 CdP to come.... that's a skip for me.
Australia
2005 JIM BARRY THE LODGE HILL SHIRAZ - $24.95
Clare Valley, South Australia
WS = 90 : Smooth and ripe, with hints of eucalyptus and caramel sneaking into the blackberry and tar flavor profile. Finishes with an open texture and refined tannins. Best from 2008 through 2015. Smart Buy. (Harvey Steiman, Aug. 31, 2007)
Winecurrent.com = 5/5 ; Cool evenings in the Clare provide the backbone to this red, keeping it far from jammy. Tar and black licorice aromas pour from this gutsy beauty. Sweet and juicy red berry fruit flavours are served up by the ladle-full in this medium-bodied beauty that is in perfect balance with its perceptible tannin, judicious use of oak and lovely dollop of tang. The gorgeous finish portends another five years of life and the perfect foil to grilled, medium-rare, beefsteak. The price to quality ratio is well in your favour.
GPCi - great reviews, a fair price and a good GPCi. If you are looking for a Shiraz that can be consumed this year as well as additional 7 years down the road, buy 3-12 bottles.
2005 PENNYFIELD WINES BASKET PRESSED PETIT VERDOT - $24.95
Riverland, South Australia
This family-owned boutique winery in the Riverland region is passionate about quality, handcrafting truly expressive wines using traditional techniques like basket pressing. Aged for more than a year in French and American oak, this Petit Verdot displays complex aromas of raspberry, lavender, spice and coffee. It's full-bodied and elegant with an intense and lengthy finish.
GPCi - I'm a sucker for a good full body Petit Verdot - these gems can be explosive with a good juicy steak. I'd buy 2-4 bottles.
2004 TATACHILLA KEYSTONE SHIRAZ/VIOGNIER - $18.95
McLaren Vale, South Australia
James Halliday = 94 : Deep purple-red; the viognier immediately announces its presence in a medium-bodied wine with a complex, rich and satisfying cascade of black fruits; good balance and finish. Drink until: 2015. (winecompanion.com.au, July 2006)
Winecurrent.com = 4/5 ; This is medium bodied, well balanced with deftly integrated oak. Along with the rich and concentrated black cherry and dark berry fruit flavours you'll find a moderating dollop of acidity that's expressed in cranberry and red cherry flavours. It finishes lively and clean, making it a natural to partner with pasta in a spicy meat sauce, spaghetti Bolognese for example.
GPCi - 94 by Halliday was not always a 94 in my book (don't want to sound dismissal, but I'm more cautious now). The guys from winecurrent liked it but not as much of 94. Regardless, the blend, the region, the vintage and the price (!) are almost risk free. I'd buy two bottles, taste one and then if it's as good as promised by Halliday, I'd buy 6-12 bottles.
2005 TORBRECK OLD VINES GRENACHE/SHIRAZ/MOURVÈDRE - $22.95
Torbreck's Old Vines GSM was made exclusively for Vintages customers. The fruit for this wine was hand-picked, gently pressed with a traditional basket press and aged for 12 months in seasoned hogsheads and French oak. The finished wine was bottled unfiltered and unfined to preserve its complex character. Rich and luxurious, it features flavours of red cherry, plum, spice and earth wrapped in supple tannins. A pleasing, easy-drinking wine to enjoy over the next 3-4 years.
GPCi - GSM is not Torbreck's most exciting blend. don't get me wrong, it's a great wine and compared to other GSM probably one of the better ones, but Torbreck has so many other amazing wines to offer that for this release I would skip it and get excited with the 2005 PENNYFIELD WINES BASKET PRESSED PETIT VERDOT. nothing to compare just seems to see more exciting...
Spain
2001 BODEGAS LAN RESERVA - $20.95
This Tempranillo-based blend includes Mazuelo (more widely known as Carignan) and Garnacha, aged for one year in American oak. The cherry fruit is offset by pro-nounced toasty vanilla notes and licorice, with the Mazuelo providing muscular tannins. Enjoy this with grilled meats or strong cheeses, or cellar it for another 1-2 years.
GPCi - Bodegas Lan is a very good Rioja for a fair price. The 2001 is an outstanding vintage in that region, so I won't hesitate buying 2-3 bottles for immediate consumption with or without meal.
Portugal
1991 MANOEL D. POÇAS JÚNIOR COLHEITA PORT - $32.95
Btld. 2008
Colheita Ports must be aged a minimum of seven years in wood before bottling, but better versions are frequently aged for much longer. For example, this 1991 Colheita, 17 years in wood. Ready to drink, this deeply delicious Port will not require decanting, as all the sediment would have settled in barrel, and once opened will easily last for weeks. Enjoy this rich, silky-textured Port with blue-veined cheeses, dried fruits or crème brûlée.
GPCi - seems perfect for this late crazy weather here in Toronto... 17 years in wood... mmm good! too bad they don't have half-bottles - I would have bought 2 small bottles rather than 1 regular one - it's always a challenge to finish one bottle after opening it (although it hold nicely a week or so re-corked).
Italy (Piedmont)
2003 Marchesi Di Barolo BAROLO - $54.95
Nebbiolo from Piedmont, Italy
WS = 89 ; Full-bodied, offering subtle berry, raspberry and cherry character, with fine tannins and a long finish. This is chewy. Needs time. Best after 2010. (James Suckling, Oct. 15, 2007)
GPCi : ratings past vintages: 2001=91 ; 2000=90.
Another example of the problematic vintage in that region. with all due respect to Marchesi and they great Barolos, I would probably skip this one. A bit expensive for such review and grade.
Italy (Veneto)
2003 MICHELE CASTELLANI AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CINQUE STELLE - $64.95
WS = 95 : Tight on the nose, offering just a hint of the clean black fruit and coffee-stained oak character that forms a solid bead on the palate. Full-bodied, with lots of tightly packed tannins that carry the crushed fruit flavors through the long, long finish. Very intense-almost closed-but super-clean and fine. A beauty. Best after 2008. (Jo Cooke, June 30, 2007)
GPCi - Amrone who gets 95 is pretty rare. When it comes to Amarone, you need to love and appreciate this type of wine - it's not everyone's "cup of tea". I used to love it in the past, but now I find it too powerful - more port than a wine. This wine will last until 2015 with no special effort for sure. it's a bit expensive to my taste.
Italy (Tuscany)
2004 MÁTÉ MANTUS MERLOT SANT'ANTIMO - $29.95
DOC, Estate Btld.
WS = 91 : Aromas of plum, blackberry and chocolate. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long, long finish. Delicious. Best after 2010. (James Suckling, Aug. 31, 2007)
GPCi - Merlot with such review and grade and at that price level is pretty rare and tempting even to people like me who don't get excited from Merlot.
The famous Masseto (100% Merlot) gets more than 90 by WS and Parker and its cost is in the 3 digits range (~$300+). I'd buy 1-3 bottles.
Chile
2006 NINQUÉN ANTU SYRAH - $15.95
Colchagua Valley
Viña Ninquén is amongst a number of Chilean producers that are now realizing the potential of planting at higher elevations. Ninquén's mountain vineyards have produced a Syrah that is rich with layers of plush blackberry, plum and black cherry fruit flavours and aromas along with notes of mocha, earth and smoke. Enjoy with smoky barbecue ribs or grilled lamb chops.
GPCi - haven't tried this one, but I love the wines from this region in Chile and for that price... I'd buy 2-6 bottles. expect a nice weekday Syrah.
