Friday, October 31, 2008
GPCi for Nov 8th 2008 release at the LCBO
Top picks for under $25:
2006 LA POSTA ANGEL PAULUCCI VINEYARD MALBEC - $15.95
1996 CHÂTEAU LA GORCE - $21.95
2005 PIRRAMIMMA PETIT VERDOT - $23.95
2006 PENFOLDS BIN 2 SHIRAZ/MOURVÈDRE - $19.95
Top picks for under $40:
2005 PENFOLDS BIN 389 CABERNET/SHIRAZ - $35.95
France (Bordeaux)
2006 CHÂTEAU DE ROCHEMORIN BLANC - $29.95
AC Pessac-Léognan (André Lurton)
This crisp and fresh Sémillon/Sauvignon Blanc blend features aromas of pineapple, mango, as well as a touch of vanilla and citrus. It's a remarkably full-bodied and long-finishing white Bordeaux. Enjoy with grilled prawns or grilled salmon.
GPCi - John M, we have to try this one after all of our white-wines experiments with the Ontario efforts. Pessac-Leognan is known in Bordeaux for their dry whites. Not cheap for a white wine, but I would be tempted to buy one bottle and try it with John.
2005 CHÂTEAU LE CARILLON - $39.95
AC Pomerol
David Lawrason = 92 : It's always fun to find really good Bordeaux from an unknown property, in the case likely the result of the excellent vintage. With 85 per cent merlot and 15 per cent cabernet franc, it's supple, elegant and fine-boned, with a very lifted nose of ripe cherry, plum, leather, mocha and anise. Medium-full bodied, sweet, elegant and poised, with excellent length. Best 2008 to 2013. (Toronto Life Wineblog, Nov. 13, 2007).
GPCi - That's a bit of a challenge - 2005 in Pomerol was extremely good. $40 for a 2005 is not expensive. But not too much of a cellaring potential for a $40 wine.
I would skip this one.
2005 CHÂTEAU LA COURONNE - $29.95
AC St-Émilion (Mähler-Besse)
James Suckling = 90 : Crushed blackberry notes, with hints of dark chocolate and mineral, follow through to a full body, with chewy tannins and a long finish of fruit and vanilla. There's very bright acidity in this. Still needs to come together in the bottle. Best after 2012. (www.winespectator.com, Web Only, 2008).
GPCi - That's a better option than the 2005 CHÂTEAU LE CARILLON from GPCi point of view i.e. you potentially get more for your money. I'd buy 2-3 bottles.
2005 CHÂTEAU MALARTIC-LAGRAVIÈRE - $77.95
AC Pessac-Léognan, Grand Cru Classé
RP = 92 : Perhaps the strongest wine I have ever tasted from Malartic Lagravière, the 2005 has a dense ruby/purple color and a wonderfully sweet nose of crème de cassis, graphite, and soil undertones. Medium-bodied, smoky, with classic scorched earth, Graves-like aromatics and flavors, this wine displays impeccable winemaking, with pure fruit, medium body, and gorgeously long, rich flavors and moderate levels of tannin. The wine should be relatively drinkable in 3-5 years and last for at least two decades or more. This is possibly the finest Malartic Lagravière ever made. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2025. (www.erobertparker.com , April 2008).
GPCi - expensive yet with good GPCi (because it can be cellared at least 20+ years).
Pessac-Leognan, as St-Estephe, is one of my favorite regions in Bordeaux. They have the graphite (probably from the Cab Franc/Sauv) nose that I many times seek in wines.
I'd buy 1-2 bottles for the cellar.
2003 CHÂTEAU LILIAN LADOUYS - $35.95
AC Saint-Estèphe
James Suckling = 90 : Very, very pure with plum, currant and light spices. Full-bodied, with racy, refined tannins and a long, caressing finish. Pretty and firm. Best after 2010. (www.winespectator.com , March 31, 2006).
GPCi - A 2003 St-Estephe with such review and for $36 is a no brainer. I'd buy at least 3 bottles.
1996 CHÂTEAU LA GORCE - $21.95
AC Médoc (Pascal Fabre & Fils)
A fine, elegant Cab/Merlot blend that is hitting peak maturity. The nose is still quite vital featuring a combination of both dried and fresh red fruit with a lovely earthy/spicy undertone. A fine mouthfeel leads to a long, pleasant finish. Match it to game bird, mature cheeses or even grilled rainbow trout.
GPCi - 1996 is considered a very good vintage in Bordeaux. I cannot recall any 96 Bordeaux costing as low as $22. I would buy one bottle to try. If it's as pleasant as described, I'd buy a few bottles to consume in the next 1-2 years or bring as a great present to a party.
2005 CHÂTEAU DE PEZ - $63.95
AC St-Estèphe
Wine & Spirits = 90 : Delicate florals surround the firm red berry flavors of this wine. The tannins are gravelly and the fruit is fresh, lingering with a gentle persistence and adding silkiness. This should be ready to enjoy around six years from the vintage. (Oct. 2008).
GPCi - I'm among the people who really like wines from St-Estephe. They have this distinguish flavors that are so typical to the northern left bank area.
I have tried the 1999 and 2001 Ch. De Pes and this is a great Bordeaux.
$64 is pretty expensive when it comes to a single bottle of wine, but the 2005 vintage had so much hype that the prices of the leading chateaux went sky rocking (all first growth are over $1000 per bottle). I believe this wine could enjoy a long time cellaring which makes the $64 "less expensive".
US (California)
2002 ARROWOOD LE BEAU MÉLANGE SYRAH - $29.95
Sonoma Valley
RP = 90-93 : The 2002 Syrah Le Beau Melange is a chocolaty, earthy effort revealing a hint of new saddle leather, fullbodied flavors, and an exuberant, typically California personality with its up-front fruit and precocious personality. It does not have all the layers found in the Saralee's cuvee, but it's a beauty nevertheless. Enjoy it over the next 7-8 years (2010-11).(www.erobertparker.com , Dec. 2003).
GPCi - I had Arrowood Syrah before and it was a great wine experience. However, in this release, with the Australian options (TORBRECK WOODCUTTER'S and Bin 2 - see below), I would skip this one.
Argentina (Mendoza)
2006 CATENA CHARDONNAY - $19.95
Always a great value, Catena's Chardonnay is a luscious offering with ripe flavours of peaches, pears and apples as well as toasty oak and spice notes. Full-bodied, round and buttery, it's nevertheless well-balanced by a seam of acidity. Pair it with baked chicken glazed with fruit or an herbed sweet potato risotto.
GPCi - Catena is a safe Argentinean bet. This Chardonnay is a good QPR. Buy 2-6 bottles.
2006 LA POSTA ANGEL PAULUCCI VINEYARD MALBEC - $15.95
Jay Miller = 90 : The 2006 Malbec "Paulucci Vineyard" was aged for 10 months in 100% French oak, 20% new. Purple-colored, it offers a lovely bouquet of violets, smoke, black cherry, and blackberry. Medium-bodied and elegant, it has excellent depth, a smooth texture, and excellent balance. It will evolve for 2-3 years but can be enjoyed now. (www.erobertparker.com , Dec. 2007).
GPCi - I believe no analysis is required here. buy 3-12 bottles.
Australia
2006 ANAPERENNA BY BEN GLAETZER SHIRAZ/CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $65
Barossa Valley, South Australia, Unfiltered
Jay Miller = 94-97 : The 2006 Shiraz (75%) - Cabernet Sauvignon (25%) "Anaperenna" ... offers a sensational bouquet of pain grille, scorched earth, meat, game, blueberry, and black currants. This is followed by a surprisingly elegant yet powerful, structured wine with gobs of spicy fruit, ripe tannins, and a plush texture. The long, 60-second finish is succulent and sweet. Give this classy wine 4-6 years in the cellar and enjoy it through 2030. Hats off to Ben Glaetzer for producing an extraordinary portfolio! (www.erobertparker.com , Oct. 2007).
GPCi - expensive yet may worth the $$ since the GPCi index is good (less than 3). I personally like Shiraz-Cab blends. I find the two varieties to complement each other very well when it's done in Australia. I'd buy 1-2 bottles for the cellar.
2006 GRANT BURGE MIAMBA SHIRAZ - $23.95
Barossa, South Australia
James Halliday = 93 : Luscious, supple, medium-bodied wine, with appealing spicy fruit nuances, fine tannins and subtle oak; bears testament to the vintage; long finish. Drink [unitl] 2020. (winecompanion.com.au , March 2008).
GPCi - A great review for this Shiraz. For that price range I would either go for the 2006 PENFOLDS BIN 2 or the 2006 TORBRECK WOODCUTTER'S SHIRAZ.
2006 PENFOLDS BIN 2 SHIRAZ/MOURVÈDRE - $19.95
South Australia
Every year, this Rhône-inspired blend is a big hit with Vintages customers and critics alike. This full-bodied, complex wine is consistently one of the best values around. Look for mouthfilling blackcurrant and blackberry fruit flavours with with hints of bakers chocolate, coffee and cedar notes leading to a very lengthy finish.
GPCi - I had Penfolds Bin 2 since their 1998 vintage and it's one of the best QPR for this blend. Very enjoyable! Buy 3-6 bottles.
2005 PENFOLDS BIN 389 CABERNET/SHIRAZ - $35.95
South Australia
Jeremy Oliver = 95 : A genuine 389, whose sumptuous depth of vibrant dark fruit knits seamlessly with sweet chestnut/mocha/vanilla oak and a smooth, drying spine of loose-knit tannin. Deep and heady, it's scented with violets, liqueured cherries and dried herbs and steeped in flavours of dark plums, blackberries and cassis. Ripe but certainly not overcooked, it's supported by a creamy structure of firm, loose-knit tannins, finishing with lingering fruit and a dusty mouthfeel. Drink 2017-2025. (www.jeremyoliver.com.au, Feb. 22, 2008).
GPCi - Another great and consistent effort from Penfolds. Their Bin 389 is an excellent blend and the 2005 seems to be especially good. Buy 2-6 bottles, you won't regret it.
2005 PIRRAMIMMA PETIT VERDOT - $23.95
McLaren Vale, South Australia
Over a century ago, winery founder and McLaren Vale pioneer Alexander Campbell Johnson chose the name 'pirramimma', an aboriginal word meaning 'the moon and the stars'. Today chief winemaker Geoff Johnson shares his grandfather's pioneering spirit, having planted the first Petit Verdot vines in Australia over twenty years ago. This rare single-varietal offering of the lesser-known Bordeaux grape is considered among the world's best.
GPCi - Petit Verdot is a very unique grape with an excellent complex flavors. Pirramimma does one of the better Petit Verdot in Australia. I had previous vintages (from 1999) and it never failed. I'd buy 3-6 bottles. Goes excellent with beef steak.
2006 TORBRECK WOODCUTTER'S SHIRAZ - $26.95
Barossa Valley, South Australia
Jay Miller = 92 : The 2006 Woodcutter's Shiraz was sourced from six sub-regions of the Barossa. The wine was aged for 12 months in large, neutral French oak and was bottled unfined and unfiltered. Purple-colored, it has an attractive array of pepper, spicy blackberry, black cherry, and blueberry muffin aromas. Full-bodied and opulent on the palate, the wine delivers gobs of meaty, full-flavored blue and black fruits to accompany its forward, easy-going personality. Drink this incredible value over the next 4-6 years. (www.erobertparker.com , Oct. 2007).
GPCi - I prefer to take two bottles of this Torbreck then 1 bottle of the 2005 TORBRECK THE STEADING for almost $50. The WOODCUTTER'S SHIRAZ is consistently a great Shiraz to buy. It has everything you may look for an excellent Australian Shiraz. I'd buy 3 bottles.
Italy (Tuscany)
GPCi - Two great Brunellos for %50+. The challenge is that these wines will always cost at least as much and if you haven't tried them before, you better try a good one for such investment. If you have the extra budget this month, go with one of the options below, otherwise skip (there are other GREAT alternative for better QPR).
2003 SILVIO NARDI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO - $59.95
DOCG
Antonio Galloni = 91 : Nardi's 2003 Brunello di Montalcino is an elegant, finessed wine with remarkable clarity and precision in its ripe fruit. It offers notable persistence on the palate and a long, lingering finish. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2018. (www.erobertparker.com , April 2008)
2003 TENEMENTI ANGELINI VAL DI SUGA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO - $51.95
DOCG
James Suckling = 91 : Offers pretty blackberry and raspberry aromas. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and a fresh, floral, berry aftertaste. Best after 2009.(www.winespectator.com , May 15, 2008).
Spain
2001 COTO REAL RESERVA - $39.95
DOCa Rioja
Thomas Matthews = 93 : Complex and expressive, this elegant red is rich with black plum, licorice, mineral, smoke and floral notes, all beautifully balanced, fresh and long on the palate. Still young and lively. Drink now through 2015. (www.winespectator.com , Nov. 15, 2007).
GPCi - A great vintage and a very good producer. Not cheap yet with excellent review from WS. I would buy 1-2 bottles only if I have extra budget this month, otherwise it's a skip for me.
2005 LA BÁSCULA TURRET FIELDS MONASTRELL/SYRAH - $15.95
DO Jumilla
TASTING NOTE: A beautifully textured syrah/monastrell (aka mourvèdre) blend made in the craggy Jumilla highlands of south east Spain by master of wine Ed Adams and South African maverick Bruce Jack. Packed with spicy fruit, it's built for long, lazy tapas lunches. (Jonathan Ray, www.telegraph.co.uk, The Daily Telegraph U.K., June 27, 2008).
GPCi - I love the wines from Jumilla in Spain. Their Monastrell (aka Mourvedre) is usually very well made. From a great 2005 vintage and for $16 - what's not to like... buy 3-6 bottles for day-to-day.
2006 LA POSTA ANGEL PAULUCCI VINEYARD MALBEC - $15.95
1996 CHÂTEAU LA GORCE - $21.95
2005 PIRRAMIMMA PETIT VERDOT - $23.95
2006 PENFOLDS BIN 2 SHIRAZ/MOURVÈDRE - $19.95
Top picks for under $40:
2005 PENFOLDS BIN 389 CABERNET/SHIRAZ - $35.95
France (Bordeaux)
2006 CHÂTEAU DE ROCHEMORIN BLANC - $29.95
AC Pessac-Léognan (André Lurton)
This crisp and fresh Sémillon/Sauvignon Blanc blend features aromas of pineapple, mango, as well as a touch of vanilla and citrus. It's a remarkably full-bodied and long-finishing white Bordeaux. Enjoy with grilled prawns or grilled salmon.
GPCi - John M, we have to try this one after all of our white-wines experiments with the Ontario efforts. Pessac-Leognan is known in Bordeaux for their dry whites. Not cheap for a white wine, but I would be tempted to buy one bottle and try it with John.
2005 CHÂTEAU LE CARILLON - $39.95
AC Pomerol
David Lawrason = 92 : It's always fun to find really good Bordeaux from an unknown property, in the case likely the result of the excellent vintage. With 85 per cent merlot and 15 per cent cabernet franc, it's supple, elegant and fine-boned, with a very lifted nose of ripe cherry, plum, leather, mocha and anise. Medium-full bodied, sweet, elegant and poised, with excellent length. Best 2008 to 2013. (Toronto Life Wineblog, Nov. 13, 2007).
GPCi - That's a bit of a challenge - 2005 in Pomerol was extremely good. $40 for a 2005 is not expensive. But not too much of a cellaring potential for a $40 wine.
I would skip this one.
2005 CHÂTEAU LA COURONNE - $29.95
AC St-Émilion (Mähler-Besse)
James Suckling = 90 : Crushed blackberry notes, with hints of dark chocolate and mineral, follow through to a full body, with chewy tannins and a long finish of fruit and vanilla. There's very bright acidity in this. Still needs to come together in the bottle. Best after 2012. (www.winespectator.com, Web Only, 2008).
GPCi - That's a better option than the 2005 CHÂTEAU LE CARILLON from GPCi point of view i.e. you potentially get more for your money. I'd buy 2-3 bottles.
2005 CHÂTEAU MALARTIC-LAGRAVIÈRE - $77.95
AC Pessac-Léognan, Grand Cru Classé
RP = 92 : Perhaps the strongest wine I have ever tasted from Malartic Lagravière, the 2005 has a dense ruby/purple color and a wonderfully sweet nose of crème de cassis, graphite, and soil undertones. Medium-bodied, smoky, with classic scorched earth, Graves-like aromatics and flavors, this wine displays impeccable winemaking, with pure fruit, medium body, and gorgeously long, rich flavors and moderate levels of tannin. The wine should be relatively drinkable in 3-5 years and last for at least two decades or more. This is possibly the finest Malartic Lagravière ever made. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2025. (www.erobertparker.com , April 2008).
GPCi - expensive yet with good GPCi (because it can be cellared at least 20+ years).
Pessac-Leognan, as St-Estephe, is one of my favorite regions in Bordeaux. They have the graphite (probably from the Cab Franc/Sauv) nose that I many times seek in wines.
I'd buy 1-2 bottles for the cellar.
2003 CHÂTEAU LILIAN LADOUYS - $35.95
AC Saint-Estèphe
James Suckling = 90 : Very, very pure with plum, currant and light spices. Full-bodied, with racy, refined tannins and a long, caressing finish. Pretty and firm. Best after 2010. (www.winespectator.com , March 31, 2006).
GPCi - A 2003 St-Estephe with such review and for $36 is a no brainer. I'd buy at least 3 bottles.
1996 CHÂTEAU LA GORCE - $21.95
AC Médoc (Pascal Fabre & Fils)
A fine, elegant Cab/Merlot blend that is hitting peak maturity. The nose is still quite vital featuring a combination of both dried and fresh red fruit with a lovely earthy/spicy undertone. A fine mouthfeel leads to a long, pleasant finish. Match it to game bird, mature cheeses or even grilled rainbow trout.
GPCi - 1996 is considered a very good vintage in Bordeaux. I cannot recall any 96 Bordeaux costing as low as $22. I would buy one bottle to try. If it's as pleasant as described, I'd buy a few bottles to consume in the next 1-2 years or bring as a great present to a party.
2005 CHÂTEAU DE PEZ - $63.95
AC St-Estèphe
Wine & Spirits = 90 : Delicate florals surround the firm red berry flavors of this wine. The tannins are gravelly and the fruit is fresh, lingering with a gentle persistence and adding silkiness. This should be ready to enjoy around six years from the vintage. (Oct. 2008).
GPCi - I'm among the people who really like wines from St-Estephe. They have this distinguish flavors that are so typical to the northern left bank area.
I have tried the 1999 and 2001 Ch. De Pes and this is a great Bordeaux.
$64 is pretty expensive when it comes to a single bottle of wine, but the 2005 vintage had so much hype that the prices of the leading chateaux went sky rocking (all first growth are over $1000 per bottle). I believe this wine could enjoy a long time cellaring which makes the $64 "less expensive".
US (California)
2002 ARROWOOD LE BEAU MÉLANGE SYRAH - $29.95
Sonoma Valley
RP = 90-93 : The 2002 Syrah Le Beau Melange is a chocolaty, earthy effort revealing a hint of new saddle leather, fullbodied flavors, and an exuberant, typically California personality with its up-front fruit and precocious personality. It does not have all the layers found in the Saralee's cuvee, but it's a beauty nevertheless. Enjoy it over the next 7-8 years (2010-11).(www.erobertparker.com , Dec. 2003).
GPCi - I had Arrowood Syrah before and it was a great wine experience. However, in this release, with the Australian options (TORBRECK WOODCUTTER'S and Bin 2 - see below), I would skip this one.
Argentina (Mendoza)
2006 CATENA CHARDONNAY - $19.95
Always a great value, Catena's Chardonnay is a luscious offering with ripe flavours of peaches, pears and apples as well as toasty oak and spice notes. Full-bodied, round and buttery, it's nevertheless well-balanced by a seam of acidity. Pair it with baked chicken glazed with fruit or an herbed sweet potato risotto.
GPCi - Catena is a safe Argentinean bet. This Chardonnay is a good QPR. Buy 2-6 bottles.
2006 LA POSTA ANGEL PAULUCCI VINEYARD MALBEC - $15.95
Jay Miller = 90 : The 2006 Malbec "Paulucci Vineyard" was aged for 10 months in 100% French oak, 20% new. Purple-colored, it offers a lovely bouquet of violets, smoke, black cherry, and blackberry. Medium-bodied and elegant, it has excellent depth, a smooth texture, and excellent balance. It will evolve for 2-3 years but can be enjoyed now. (www.erobertparker.com , Dec. 2007).
GPCi - I believe no analysis is required here. buy 3-12 bottles.
Australia
2006 ANAPERENNA BY BEN GLAETZER SHIRAZ/CABERNET SAUVIGNON - $65
Barossa Valley, South Australia, Unfiltered
Jay Miller = 94-97 : The 2006 Shiraz (75%) - Cabernet Sauvignon (25%) "Anaperenna" ... offers a sensational bouquet of pain grille, scorched earth, meat, game, blueberry, and black currants. This is followed by a surprisingly elegant yet powerful, structured wine with gobs of spicy fruit, ripe tannins, and a plush texture. The long, 60-second finish is succulent and sweet. Give this classy wine 4-6 years in the cellar and enjoy it through 2030. Hats off to Ben Glaetzer for producing an extraordinary portfolio! (www.erobertparker.com , Oct. 2007).
GPCi - expensive yet may worth the $$ since the GPCi index is good (less than 3). I personally like Shiraz-Cab blends. I find the two varieties to complement each other very well when it's done in Australia. I'd buy 1-2 bottles for the cellar.
2006 GRANT BURGE MIAMBA SHIRAZ - $23.95
Barossa, South Australia
James Halliday = 93 : Luscious, supple, medium-bodied wine, with appealing spicy fruit nuances, fine tannins and subtle oak; bears testament to the vintage; long finish. Drink [unitl] 2020. (winecompanion.com.au , March 2008).
GPCi - A great review for this Shiraz. For that price range I would either go for the 2006 PENFOLDS BIN 2 or the 2006 TORBRECK WOODCUTTER'S SHIRAZ.
2006 PENFOLDS BIN 2 SHIRAZ/MOURVÈDRE - $19.95
South Australia
Every year, this Rhône-inspired blend is a big hit with Vintages customers and critics alike. This full-bodied, complex wine is consistently one of the best values around. Look for mouthfilling blackcurrant and blackberry fruit flavours with with hints of bakers chocolate, coffee and cedar notes leading to a very lengthy finish.
GPCi - I had Penfolds Bin 2 since their 1998 vintage and it's one of the best QPR for this blend. Very enjoyable! Buy 3-6 bottles.
2005 PENFOLDS BIN 389 CABERNET/SHIRAZ - $35.95
South Australia
Jeremy Oliver = 95 : A genuine 389, whose sumptuous depth of vibrant dark fruit knits seamlessly with sweet chestnut/mocha/vanilla oak and a smooth, drying spine of loose-knit tannin. Deep and heady, it's scented with violets, liqueured cherries and dried herbs and steeped in flavours of dark plums, blackberries and cassis. Ripe but certainly not overcooked, it's supported by a creamy structure of firm, loose-knit tannins, finishing with lingering fruit and a dusty mouthfeel. Drink 2017-2025. (www.jeremyoliver.com.au, Feb. 22, 2008).
GPCi - Another great and consistent effort from Penfolds. Their Bin 389 is an excellent blend and the 2005 seems to be especially good. Buy 2-6 bottles, you won't regret it.
2005 PIRRAMIMMA PETIT VERDOT - $23.95
McLaren Vale, South Australia
Over a century ago, winery founder and McLaren Vale pioneer Alexander Campbell Johnson chose the name 'pirramimma', an aboriginal word meaning 'the moon and the stars'. Today chief winemaker Geoff Johnson shares his grandfather's pioneering spirit, having planted the first Petit Verdot vines in Australia over twenty years ago. This rare single-varietal offering of the lesser-known Bordeaux grape is considered among the world's best.
GPCi - Petit Verdot is a very unique grape with an excellent complex flavors. Pirramimma does one of the better Petit Verdot in Australia. I had previous vintages (from 1999) and it never failed. I'd buy 3-6 bottles. Goes excellent with beef steak.
2006 TORBRECK WOODCUTTER'S SHIRAZ - $26.95
Barossa Valley, South Australia
Jay Miller = 92 : The 2006 Woodcutter's Shiraz was sourced from six sub-regions of the Barossa. The wine was aged for 12 months in large, neutral French oak and was bottled unfined and unfiltered. Purple-colored, it has an attractive array of pepper, spicy blackberry, black cherry, and blueberry muffin aromas. Full-bodied and opulent on the palate, the wine delivers gobs of meaty, full-flavored blue and black fruits to accompany its forward, easy-going personality. Drink this incredible value over the next 4-6 years. (www.erobertparker.com , Oct. 2007).
GPCi - I prefer to take two bottles of this Torbreck then 1 bottle of the 2005 TORBRECK THE STEADING for almost $50. The WOODCUTTER'S SHIRAZ is consistently a great Shiraz to buy. It has everything you may look for an excellent Australian Shiraz. I'd buy 3 bottles.
Italy (Tuscany)
GPCi - Two great Brunellos for %50+. The challenge is that these wines will always cost at least as much and if you haven't tried them before, you better try a good one for such investment. If you have the extra budget this month, go with one of the options below, otherwise skip (there are other GREAT alternative for better QPR).
2003 SILVIO NARDI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO - $59.95
DOCG
Antonio Galloni = 91 : Nardi's 2003 Brunello di Montalcino is an elegant, finessed wine with remarkable clarity and precision in its ripe fruit. It offers notable persistence on the palate and a long, lingering finish. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2018. (www.erobertparker.com , April 2008)
2003 TENEMENTI ANGELINI VAL DI SUGA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO - $51.95
DOCG
James Suckling = 91 : Offers pretty blackberry and raspberry aromas. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and a fresh, floral, berry aftertaste. Best after 2009.(www.winespectator.com , May 15, 2008).
Spain
2001 COTO REAL RESERVA - $39.95
DOCa Rioja
Thomas Matthews = 93 : Complex and expressive, this elegant red is rich with black plum, licorice, mineral, smoke and floral notes, all beautifully balanced, fresh and long on the palate. Still young and lively. Drink now through 2015. (www.winespectator.com , Nov. 15, 2007).
GPCi - A great vintage and a very good producer. Not cheap yet with excellent review from WS. I would buy 1-2 bottles only if I have extra budget this month, otherwise it's a skip for me.
2005 LA BÁSCULA TURRET FIELDS MONASTRELL/SYRAH - $15.95
DO Jumilla
TASTING NOTE: A beautifully textured syrah/monastrell (aka mourvèdre) blend made in the craggy Jumilla highlands of south east Spain by master of wine Ed Adams and South African maverick Bruce Jack. Packed with spicy fruit, it's built for long, lazy tapas lunches. (Jonathan Ray, www.telegraph.co.uk, The Daily Telegraph U.K., June 27, 2008).
GPCi - I love the wines from Jumilla in Spain. Their Monastrell (aka Mourvedre) is usually very well made. From a great 2005 vintage and for $16 - what's not to like... buy 3-6 bottles for day-to-day.
