Monday, August 11, 2008
GPCi for Aug 16th 2008 release at the LCBO
Top picks for under $20:
2004 VIÑA TARAPACÁ GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $16.95
2004 FINCA SOBREÑO CRIANZA - $18.95
2004 MONTGÓ MONASTRELL/SHIRAZ - $14.95
Top picks for under $35:
2006 CLOS DE LOS SIETE - $24.95
2005 RAYMOND RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $34.95
Chile
2007 CASA LAPOSTOLLE CHARDONNAY - $14.95
Casablanca Valley
The Marnier-Lapostolle family, of Grand Marnier fame, has been involved in winemaking for generations. The same uncompromising approach to quality that has made their liqueur a world-wide success is applied to this winemaking endeavour. The exotic fruit and mineral aromas lead to a palate that is crisply dry, fresh and fruity. It will perfectly complement a salmon steak.
GPCi - A very good QPR. tried it before and it seems very suitable for the current weather. I'd buy 2-4 bottles
2004 VIÑA TARAPACÁ GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $16.95
Maipo Valley
Jay Miller = 89+? : The 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva spent 12 months in French oak. Deeply colored, the wine delivers a brooding, spicy, black fruit and cassis-scented perfume followed by a layered, flavorful wine which is slightly compact in the finish. The structure suggests that it should round out with 3-4 years of additional bottle age at which point it should merit an outstanding rating. (www.erobertparker.com , June 2007)
GPCi - another great QPR from Chile. Tried it and I believe it's worth buying 6 bottles from.
US
2004 ARTESA RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $39.95
Napa Valley
Using only hand-picked fruit sourced from Carneros to Howell Mountain, this elegant Napa Cab displays layers of cassis, raspberry and blackberry as well as toast and chocolate aromas. It all leads to a lush, ripely fruity, medium full-bodied palate with tannins and acidity providing support and balance.
GPCi - Artesa has been producing great wines for some time now... It's a good Cab for a "reasonable price" relatively to the very expensive alternative from California. I'd buy a bottle and compare it with the other Cabs from California from this release - 2003 BERINGER and 2005 RAYMOND RESERVE.
2004 BENZIGER SYRAH - $18.95
North Coast
'Farming for Flavors' is the name of Benziger's advanced certified sustainable farming program for its growers that are not already certified biodynamic or organic. The program challenges growers to use sound environmental techniques to cultivate grapes with more site-specific characters, flavours and aromas. This full-bodied Syrah shows ample blackberry fruit with hints of coffee supported by some easygoing tannins.
GPCi - A full body Syrah for less than $20 always draws my attention. It seems to have the right components for a day-to-day/weekend BBQ wine. I'd buy 2-4 bottles.
2003 BERINGER CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $28.95
Napa Valley
RP = 89 : The 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa exhibits more cassis, earth, and tobacco characteristics than the Knight's Valley as well as a deeper style, good purity and richness, and medium to full body. Again, the overall impression is one of softness with enough wood to provide a pleasant spicy note. (www.erobertparker.com , Dec. 2006)
GPCi - I'd buy one for the comparison tasting I mentioned above. Beringer is a relatively "safe bet".
2005 RAYMOND RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $34.95
Napa Valley
Wine Enthusiast = 93 : Other wineries come and go. Raymond remains, offering solid Napa Valley Cab at a fair price. The '05 Reserve calls to mind the very fine 2000, but actually costs less. It's a dry, elegantly structured wine, rich in sweet fine tannins, and offering up complex, delicious flavors of freshly picked ripe blackberries, spicy cassis, baked cherry pie and smoky oak. Drink now through 2015. Editor's Choice. (Steve Heimoff, June 1, 2008)
GPCi - the 3rd on this release for the tasting mentioned above. very highly rated and for mid+ term cellaring.
Argentina
2006 CLOS DE LOS SIETE - $24.95
Mendoza
Jay Miller = 92 : The 2006 Clos de los Siete is a slightly different blend with 50% Malbec, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Syrah. Opaque purple-colored, it has a similar expressive nose including fragrant plum, blueberry, and black cherry. Ripe, sweet, and seamless, it admirably hides its tannin under all the fruit. It will evolve for several years but who will have the willpower to defer gratification? It is an awesome value. (www.erobertparker.com, Dec. 2007)
GPCi - tried previous vintages and it never failed. A complex and rewarding wine. I'd buy 2-4 bottles.
Australia
2004 ST. HALLETT SEMILLON - $18.95
Barossa, South Australia
Jeremy Oliver = 90 : This powdery, slightly phenolic and handsomely oaked Barossa semillon marries fresh, nutty melon and banana-like fruit with toast, vanilla and some herbal undertones. It retains plenty of juicy freshness, and its palate extends towards a lingering finish of clean, soft acidity. A little more cellaring time will pay dividends. (www.jeremyoliver.com.au , Nov. 16, 2007)
GPCi - St. Hallett produces very good wines and this one is no exception. John M - this ine is for you. We can try it in the white-wine dinner we're planning with Barry.
New Zealand
RA NUI SAUVIGNON BLANC - $19.95
Wairau Valley, Marlborough, South Island
www.wineanorak.com - 92 : Lovely refined, fresh aromatic nose is lemony and subtly herby. Stylish, without overt grassiness. The palate has fresh acidity and concentrated, fresh, subtly green fruit. Fantastic balance here: a sophisticated, intellectual Sauvignon. (Jamie Goode, Oct. 2007)
GPCi - I've never tasted "less than a very good" Sauv Blanc from NZ. They always WOW me with their crip and freshness flavors. The price is OK, the review is more than OK. I'd buy 2-4 bottles.
France (Bordeaux)
2005 CHÂTEAU LAMOTHE-GUIGNARD SAUTERNES - $27.95
AC, 2e Grand Cru
WS = 93 : Offers subtle dried apricot, with lemon peel, light toffee and hints of botrytis spice. Full-bodied, sweet and viscous. Spicy and powerful, with loads of apple tart and nutmeg spice character. Better than the 2003 and 2001. Best after 2013. (James Suckling, March 31, 2008)
GPCi - not that $28 for a 375 mL bottle is cheap, but the high-end wines from Sauternes with such a positive review usually cost MUCH more. I'd buy 2 bottles for the cellar.
2003 CHÂTEAU FONRÉAUD - $33.95
AC Listrac-Médoc, Cru Bourgeois Supérieur
Jancis Robinson MW - 16.5 (out of 20) : Inky, savoury and correct. This does seem an expression of Listrac and 2003. Serious. Dry finish after lots of interesting, ripe fruit. Bravo! Drink 2010-2020. (www.jancisrobinson.com, Nov. 5, 2005)
GPCi - people who follow my blog see that I like Bordeaux wines from 2003. This one seems to be for a fair price with long time cellaring potential. I'd buy 3 bottles.
France (Rhone South)
2005 CHÂTEAU-FORTIA CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE CUVÉE DU BARON - $39.95
AC (Propriété du Baron Le Roy de Boiseaumarié)
WS = 89 : Pure beam of cherry and plum fruit is caressed by sweet spice, mineral and a hint of garrigue. Fine-grained finish shows solid length and flesh. Drink now through 2017. (James Molesworth, Oct. 31, 2007)
GPCi - I would expect better rate for a 2005 Cdp from Ch. Fortia. However, I've been collecting Ch. Fortia since 2000 and I think it's a good QPR for CdP. It may not be as big as Vieux Telegraph or Beaucastel, but it also doesn't cost as much.
2005 LES TRUFFIERS VACQUEYRAS - $17.95
AC (Ogier Caves des Papes)
www.wineandspiritsmagazine.com = 89 : Chewy, dense notes of black cherry, tobacco, leather and spice are rich and ripe, strongly savory in tone. Its rustic, gamey aromas would be at home alongside andouillette. (Feb. 2007)
GPCi - I don't remember when in the past year a VACQUEYRAS with a solid review was sold at the LCBO for less than $25. I like the wines from that small region. A great choice for day-to-day.
Spain
2004 FINCA SOBREÑO CRIANZA - $18.95
DO Toro, Estate Btld.
Jay Miller = 90+ : The 2004 Crianza has considerably more to offer. It is a saturated purple in color, with lots of smoke, lead pencil, and cedar on the nose. On the palate, it is full-flavored, layered, and long. It will benefit from 1-3 years of cellaring and drink well for a decade. It is an outstanding value. (www.erobertparker.com , Feb. 2007)
GPCi - The great 2004 vintage in Spain brings another QPR for us to try. no brainer - I'd buy 3-6 bottles.
2004 MONTGÓ MONASTRELL/SHIRAZ - $14.95
DO Yecla (Vinnico Export)
Jay Miller = 90 : The 2004 Montgo is a blend of 65% Monastrell, 20% Shiraz and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Opaque purple in color, it possesses an expressive nose of earth, fungi, blackberry, and blueberry liqueur. It has considerably more depth and concentration than its younger sibling as well as the structure for a couple of years of evolution. However, at its selling price, most purchasers will be pulling the trigger sooner rather than later. (www.erobertparker.com, Feb. 2007)
GPCi - an interesting blend for Spain. Yecla is known for their Monastrell grape. For such review and for such price, I'd buy a case!
2004 VIÑA TARAPACÁ GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $16.95
2004 FINCA SOBREÑO CRIANZA - $18.95
2004 MONTGÓ MONASTRELL/SHIRAZ - $14.95
Top picks for under $35:
2006 CLOS DE LOS SIETE - $24.95
2005 RAYMOND RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $34.95
Chile
2007 CASA LAPOSTOLLE CHARDONNAY - $14.95
Casablanca Valley
The Marnier-Lapostolle family, of Grand Marnier fame, has been involved in winemaking for generations. The same uncompromising approach to quality that has made their liqueur a world-wide success is applied to this winemaking endeavour. The exotic fruit and mineral aromas lead to a palate that is crisply dry, fresh and fruity. It will perfectly complement a salmon steak.
GPCi - A very good QPR. tried it before and it seems very suitable for the current weather. I'd buy 2-4 bottles
2004 VIÑA TARAPACÁ GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $16.95
Maipo Valley
Jay Miller = 89+? : The 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva spent 12 months in French oak. Deeply colored, the wine delivers a brooding, spicy, black fruit and cassis-scented perfume followed by a layered, flavorful wine which is slightly compact in the finish. The structure suggests that it should round out with 3-4 years of additional bottle age at which point it should merit an outstanding rating. (www.erobertparker.com , June 2007)
GPCi - another great QPR from Chile. Tried it and I believe it's worth buying 6 bottles from.
US
2004 ARTESA RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $39.95
Napa Valley
Using only hand-picked fruit sourced from Carneros to Howell Mountain, this elegant Napa Cab displays layers of cassis, raspberry and blackberry as well as toast and chocolate aromas. It all leads to a lush, ripely fruity, medium full-bodied palate with tannins and acidity providing support and balance.
GPCi - Artesa has been producing great wines for some time now... It's a good Cab for a "reasonable price" relatively to the very expensive alternative from California. I'd buy a bottle and compare it with the other Cabs from California from this release - 2003 BERINGER and 2005 RAYMOND RESERVE.
2004 BENZIGER SYRAH - $18.95
North Coast
'Farming for Flavors' is the name of Benziger's advanced certified sustainable farming program for its growers that are not already certified biodynamic or organic. The program challenges growers to use sound environmental techniques to cultivate grapes with more site-specific characters, flavours and aromas. This full-bodied Syrah shows ample blackberry fruit with hints of coffee supported by some easygoing tannins.
GPCi - A full body Syrah for less than $20 always draws my attention. It seems to have the right components for a day-to-day/weekend BBQ wine. I'd buy 2-4 bottles.
2003 BERINGER CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $28.95
Napa Valley
RP = 89 : The 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa exhibits more cassis, earth, and tobacco characteristics than the Knight's Valley as well as a deeper style, good purity and richness, and medium to full body. Again, the overall impression is one of softness with enough wood to provide a pleasant spicy note. (www.erobertparker.com , Dec. 2006)
GPCi - I'd buy one for the comparison tasting I mentioned above. Beringer is a relatively "safe bet".
2005 RAYMOND RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $34.95
Napa Valley
Wine Enthusiast = 93 : Other wineries come and go. Raymond remains, offering solid Napa Valley Cab at a fair price. The '05 Reserve calls to mind the very fine 2000, but actually costs less. It's a dry, elegantly structured wine, rich in sweet fine tannins, and offering up complex, delicious flavors of freshly picked ripe blackberries, spicy cassis, baked cherry pie and smoky oak. Drink now through 2015. Editor's Choice. (Steve Heimoff, June 1, 2008)
GPCi - the 3rd on this release for the tasting mentioned above. very highly rated and for mid+ term cellaring.
Argentina
2006 CLOS DE LOS SIETE - $24.95
Mendoza
Jay Miller = 92 : The 2006 Clos de los Siete is a slightly different blend with 50% Malbec, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Syrah. Opaque purple-colored, it has a similar expressive nose including fragrant plum, blueberry, and black cherry. Ripe, sweet, and seamless, it admirably hides its tannin under all the fruit. It will evolve for several years but who will have the willpower to defer gratification? It is an awesome value. (www.erobertparker.com, Dec. 2007)
GPCi - tried previous vintages and it never failed. A complex and rewarding wine. I'd buy 2-4 bottles.
Australia
2004 ST. HALLETT SEMILLON - $18.95
Barossa, South Australia
Jeremy Oliver = 90 : This powdery, slightly phenolic and handsomely oaked Barossa semillon marries fresh, nutty melon and banana-like fruit with toast, vanilla and some herbal undertones. It retains plenty of juicy freshness, and its palate extends towards a lingering finish of clean, soft acidity. A little more cellaring time will pay dividends. (www.jeremyoliver.com.au , Nov. 16, 2007)
GPCi - St. Hallett produces very good wines and this one is no exception. John M - this ine is for you. We can try it in the white-wine dinner we're planning with Barry.
New Zealand
RA NUI SAUVIGNON BLANC - $19.95
Wairau Valley, Marlborough, South Island
www.wineanorak.com - 92 : Lovely refined, fresh aromatic nose is lemony and subtly herby. Stylish, without overt grassiness. The palate has fresh acidity and concentrated, fresh, subtly green fruit. Fantastic balance here: a sophisticated, intellectual Sauvignon. (Jamie Goode, Oct. 2007)
GPCi - I've never tasted "less than a very good" Sauv Blanc from NZ. They always WOW me with their crip and freshness flavors. The price is OK, the review is more than OK. I'd buy 2-4 bottles.
France (Bordeaux)
2005 CHÂTEAU LAMOTHE-GUIGNARD SAUTERNES - $27.95
AC, 2e Grand Cru
WS = 93 : Offers subtle dried apricot, with lemon peel, light toffee and hints of botrytis spice. Full-bodied, sweet and viscous. Spicy and powerful, with loads of apple tart and nutmeg spice character. Better than the 2003 and 2001. Best after 2013. (James Suckling, March 31, 2008)
GPCi - not that $28 for a 375 mL bottle is cheap, but the high-end wines from Sauternes with such a positive review usually cost MUCH more. I'd buy 2 bottles for the cellar.
2003 CHÂTEAU FONRÉAUD - $33.95
AC Listrac-Médoc, Cru Bourgeois Supérieur
Jancis Robinson MW - 16.5 (out of 20) : Inky, savoury and correct. This does seem an expression of Listrac and 2003. Serious. Dry finish after lots of interesting, ripe fruit. Bravo! Drink 2010-2020. (www.jancisrobinson.com, Nov. 5, 2005)
GPCi - people who follow my blog see that I like Bordeaux wines from 2003. This one seems to be for a fair price with long time cellaring potential. I'd buy 3 bottles.
France (Rhone South)
2005 CHÂTEAU-FORTIA CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE CUVÉE DU BARON - $39.95
AC (Propriété du Baron Le Roy de Boiseaumarié)
WS = 89 : Pure beam of cherry and plum fruit is caressed by sweet spice, mineral and a hint of garrigue. Fine-grained finish shows solid length and flesh. Drink now through 2017. (James Molesworth, Oct. 31, 2007)
GPCi - I would expect better rate for a 2005 Cdp from Ch. Fortia. However, I've been collecting Ch. Fortia since 2000 and I think it's a good QPR for CdP. It may not be as big as Vieux Telegraph or Beaucastel, but it also doesn't cost as much.
2005 LES TRUFFIERS VACQUEYRAS - $17.95
AC (Ogier Caves des Papes)
www.wineandspiritsmagazine.com = 89 : Chewy, dense notes of black cherry, tobacco, leather and spice are rich and ripe, strongly savory in tone. Its rustic, gamey aromas would be at home alongside andouillette. (Feb. 2007)
GPCi - I don't remember when in the past year a VACQUEYRAS with a solid review was sold at the LCBO for less than $25. I like the wines from that small region. A great choice for day-to-day.
Spain
2004 FINCA SOBREÑO CRIANZA - $18.95
DO Toro, Estate Btld.
Jay Miller = 90+ : The 2004 Crianza has considerably more to offer. It is a saturated purple in color, with lots of smoke, lead pencil, and cedar on the nose. On the palate, it is full-flavored, layered, and long. It will benefit from 1-3 years of cellaring and drink well for a decade. It is an outstanding value. (www.erobertparker.com , Feb. 2007)
GPCi - The great 2004 vintage in Spain brings another QPR for us to try. no brainer - I'd buy 3-6 bottles.
2004 MONTGÓ MONASTRELL/SHIRAZ - $14.95
DO Yecla (Vinnico Export)
Jay Miller = 90 : The 2004 Montgo is a blend of 65% Monastrell, 20% Shiraz and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Opaque purple in color, it possesses an expressive nose of earth, fungi, blackberry, and blueberry liqueur. It has considerably more depth and concentration than its younger sibling as well as the structure for a couple of years of evolution. However, at its selling price, most purchasers will be pulling the trigger sooner rather than later. (www.erobertparker.com, Feb. 2007)
GPCi - an interesting blend for Spain. Yecla is known for their Monastrell grape. For such review and for such price, I'd buy a case!
